James inhaled, trying to take in Shabib’s words. They had been together for so long. Why did his friend want to part ways now? James narrowed his eyes at Shabib.
“Why not? Have I, or the king, offended ye somehow?”
Shabib’s blue hood shook. “No, my brother. Nothing of the sort. And I will yet travel with you to your northern lands. I am not leaving your king. At least, not yet.”
James raised an eyebrow. “Your decision to remain at Auchinleck wouldn’t have anything to do with the black-haired lass who arrived with the MacMillans, would it?”
Finally, Shabib’s impassive visage broke, and he dipped his head low. James’s lips split into a wide grin. “Och, so it does.”
James clapped his friend on his shoulders hard enough to make Shabib stumble forward.
“Weel, then, my brother. Ye will be missed at Threave, but I applaud your desire to pursue this woman. I canna fault ye for affairs of the heart when I worried that ye had lost your heart altogether. And as long as ye fight by my side, I dinna have a care where ye lay your head at night.”
“I could say the same of you, James. When you set your own keep on fire, decimating your own stronghold, I worried for your heart and soul. While I have to leave your soul to Allah, I’m pleased that you have yet retained your heart and gifted it to the care of your wife. She has grounded you in a way you didn’t know you needed.”
James’s grin faltered a bit. “You as well. I hope this woman has a care for your heart and provides a salve for your wounds when you return from battle.”
“Thank you, James. Your blessing makes this easier for me.”
James rested his hand on Shabib’s shoulder, gripping him tightly. “Your life has no’ been easy. I could no’ image having to reject my own people, my prior life, after so devastating a blow. Lands and castles, they are dirt and stone and can be replaced. Your loved ones can never be. But you can try to reclaim a measure of that in the future. I bid you the best life here with your woman in a free Scotland.”
Shabib nodded his head. “And I will fight by your side until that day arrives.”
The wee Brenna Fraserhad joined the other women to help prepare and serve dinner to the swelling ranks of the Bruce’s army. With the recent arrivals of the Sinclairs, the Frasers, the MacLeods, and the MacRuaidhrís and MacDonalds from the islands, the Bruce’s army bordered on formidable. The English would surely tremble in fear. Yet it also meant much assistance was needed to help house and feed so many men. Even the help of the oddly dressed Brenna, with her perky smiles and easy manners, was more than welcome.
Caitrin was absent from the kitchens, much to Tosia’s dismay. Over the past months, Tosia had grown fond of Caitrin and her austere sister-by-law, Lady Elayne. As Tosia arranged the meat on a platter, she decided to check on the fair woman if she didn’t appear to evening meal. In the meantime, Tosia chatted with the pert Brenna, avoiding the obvious topic of her manly dress.
Once Tosia found a moment to sit at a table near the kitchens with Brenna, she craned her neck to see if Caitrin had appeared. Indeed, the lass reclined on a chair nearer to the Bruce, her normally milky skin wan and pale. Her husband, the mighty Torin who attended the table in front of the king’s, never took his protective eyes from her form. Something about the woman worried him, just as it worried Tosia.
Davina wove her way through the tables to sit by her sallow daughter, fawning over her. A similar sense of concern tightened the lines of Caitrin’s mother’s face. Tosia forgot her own meal as she watched with overt curiosity the scene unfold between mother and daughter. Only Elayne seemed unworried, and Tosia noted a small smile tugging at the Lady’s cheeks, as if she knew a secret none other did.
What does she know?
Then Caitrin’s pasty lips formed their own slight smile as she leaned into her mother, speaking into her ear. Davina’s face transformed into equal parts shock and joy as she screeched loud enough to garner the attention of those in the hall before clapping her hand over her mouth.
Attention turned to the women as Davina threw her arms around her daughter. Torin knocked over the bench he shared with MacCollough, who ended up on the floor as a result, as he barreled past the table to his wife. Caitrin’s still pale face yet glowed as she smiled at the giant.
“Caitrin! What is it?” His large hands gently grabbed hers as she rose partially from her seat. Her mother rose with her, unable to stop patting her daughter’s hair and shoulders.
Caitrin’s hand snaked to her belly, and she dropped her gaze before speaking. More quiet than her mother or husband, Caitrin once again leaned in and spoke low to Torin. His bearded jaw dropped open.
“Are ye certain? Are ye well?” His eyes dropped to Caitrin’s belly, and he covered her slender hand with his own.
That movement told everyone in the hall what ailed Caitrin. Tosia glanced at Elayne, who stayed seated and picked daintily at her meal. She’d known the whole time. Elayne could keep a secret, that was evident to Tosia.
Torin wrapped his bear-like arms around his wife before half-turning to those in the hall.
“Congratulate me! I am to be a father!”
Declan sprang up from the floor and rushed his friend, slapping his back before embracing his sister in an affectionate embrace.
Tosia fairly sighed as she watched the scene. So much love in one family, one kin, one clan. The Bruce, and Scotland as a whole, was all the better for Highlanders such as these living and fighting for it.
As cheers rose around her, drowning out other sounds in the hall, Tosia wrapped her arm around her own waist. James had been unending in his attentions toward her. Might she be carrying a babe now? And how would she birth it and raise it if she did find herself with child? Here at Auchinleck? James, under the command of the king, planned to situate her at Threave before they departed for the Highlands — would he even be here if she bore a babe? The uncertainty, the precariousness of their circumstance suddenly overwhelmed her.
“Are ye well?” Brenna asked, placing her hand on her arm. Tosia turned to her with a weak smile on her lips.
“Aye, thank ye. I got caught up in the joy of it all, aye?” She tipped her head toward the celebratory family.
