Maisie and her serving women produced ample food and ale, and the men descended on both with gratitude.
***
UNA WAS PLEASANTLYsurprised when she entered the bedchamber.It was clean and well appointed, with all the amenities.Cormac left a small bag of clothes with a grunt of "Ye'll need these" before disappearing below stairs to see to his men.She used the privy outdoors, and Maisie brought enough hot water to fill a small tub, leaving soap, mint paste, and drying cloths without ceremony.Una stripped off the borrowed gown, sank into the warmth, and scrubbed herself within an inch of her life.
She felt thoroughly refreshed afterwards.She dressed in the clean shift and kirtle from the bag, stepped into fresh slippers, and wrapped herself in the arisaidh she found folded at the bottom.
She studied it under the light from the window.The pattern was unmistakeable once she looked properly.She had been a seamstress long enough to know clan colors on sight.Clan Stewart.She assumed Cormac must have acquired it on one of his raids, then pushed the thought aside before it could lead her somewhere she did not wish to go.
***
CORMAC DID THE ROUNDSand checked on his men, ensuring they were settled and well provided for.Life on the road in his service was not an easy one.He understood the sacrifices each man made, and although they were paid well, he knew that money alone did not buy loyalty or trust.Those were things each man under his command gave freely.In turn, he made sure they wanted for nothing when they had the chance to rest.
The common room was warm and loud.Half his men were already at the trestle tables, trenchers in front of them, ale in hand, the tension of the road gone from their shoulders.He could hear more of them bathing in the scullery or out in the yard, voices carrying from the stables where the horses were being seen to.Maisie's serving women moved through the room with efficiency, keeping the ale flowing and the food coming.
He was satisfied.They were all well.
He was turning toward the scullery when a familiar figure appeared at his elbow.
"Cormac."Seumas fell into step beside him, a cup of ale in each hand and the expression of a man who considered himself excused from all labour for the evening."Will ye join the men for a pint or two?Maisie keeps a fine barrel."
"I'll take my refreshments upstairs tonight," Cormac said."With Lady Fenella."
Seumas's eyebrows rose slightly.He simply grinned.
"Stop that," Cormac said.
"Stop what?I said nothing."
"Ye said a great deal.None of it with words."
"I merely noted—"
"'Tis nothing," Cormac replied."I am ensuring she is safe and comfortable.That is all."
Seumas considered this a moment."Aye," he said still grinning."But who's to ensure she's safe from ye?"
Cormac scowled at him.
Seumas chuckled into his ale and had the good sense to move along before Cormac thumped him.
Cormac shook his head.He had known Seumas since they were lads of fifteen sharing a room in the king's garrison, and the man had not improved with age in any respect that mattered.Seumas had also, to his considerable irritation, never once been wrong about anything.
Cormac helped himself to a cup of ale from the nearest jug and cast his eye around the room.His men were in good spirits – he could hear it in the pitch of the conversation, easy and relaxed.Ros had produced a set of dice from somewhere.Three of the younger men were already into a game in the corner.From the stables came the sound of laughter.
Good.
Seumas returned to his side a moment later, the grin dialled back to something more businesslike."How long do we stay?"
"At least two nights," Cormac replied."The men have earned the rest and the horses need it."
Seumas nodded."And then?"
"Then we return Lady Fenella to Edinburgh.To her family."He said it evenly, and did not examine the reluctance he felt at saying those words out loud."While there I’ll need an audience with the king.There is the matter of Laird Gunn of Caithness still to be dealt with."
Seumas's expression sobered."Aye.That'll need careful handling."
"'Tis always a difficult matter when dealing with traitors," Cormac replied."That is why he sends me."
