Page 64 of Summer Warrior

CHAPTER 15

AS THE LONGSHIP was beached, Somerled recognized the man who jumped over the gunwale and thought him spry for his age. At Irvine, he had met Edward Siwardsson, David’s high constable, an older Anglo-Saxon, whose tall height and fair hair made him appear Norse.

Siwardsson offered his hand. “I have been chasing you from Islay where I expected to find you, Lord Somerled.”

Somerled met the man’s strong grip. “Dare I ask why you travel so far to seek me out?”

“’Tis King David. He sent me to summon you as he prepares for war.”

Somerled had known the summons from the Scots king would come one day. Yet, now that it was here, his heart sank for all it meant. “Let us retire to the castle where we can discuss your mission.”

At the castle door, Somerled was met by the rest of his companions and Ruairi. As Ruairi did not know the high constable, Somerled introduced him. “He is here to deliver a message from King David.”

Maurice exchanged an ominous glance with Somerled and he gave a slight nod.

Ruairi beckoned them enter and asked a waiting servant to fetch ale. The two children and Gillecolum stood off to one side, their expressions curious.

The servants brought ale and tankards. Once Somerled and the men claimed seats on the benches at a trestle table, Aileas came forward to inquire if they wanted food. None did.

Anxious to hear from David’s high constable, Somerled was direct. “Has the king invaded England then?”

“The situation is ever changing, my lord. Mayhap you did not know that the Empress Maud’s half-brother, the Earl of Gloucester, has risen in open rebellion to Stephen. Other nobles, too. With that good news, in the middle of April, King David crossed the border and captured the Bishop of Durham’s castle at Norham, overlooking the River Tweed. It had a good effect on the northern noble, Eustace Fitz John, who then changed sides and joined David, turning over his castles to us.

“David is assembling a vast army to accompany his next foray into England. I went first to the Lord of Galloway for he, too, is summoned to come with his Galwegians, some of them already with the king’s men in Scotland. And, from Galloway, I came to you.” The high constable’s eyes, as blue as Somerled’s own, fixed him with an intense gaze. “You will heed the king’s call?”

Somerled did not hesitate. “Aye. Honor demands it, for I am pledged to do so.”

“Good. How many of your Highlanders will come, do you think?”

“At least a thousand, mayhap more. But it will take time to reach them and more time for the warriors to sail south. Only the beach at Loch Indaal on Islay can accept the number of galleys and longships the men of the Isles will bring. And then we’ll need near a sennight to sail to Scotland’s coast. Where are we to meet King David?”

“His castle at Carlisle in Cumbria. I will await you there. You can sail up the Solway Firth, which is the way I came, and thence to the River Esk. It will take you to the River Eden where the castle sits on its southern bank. Lord Galloway will already be in Scotland with King David, who will be coming from his castle at Roxburgh, gathering men and taking any castles in the hands of the English as he marches south.”

Somerled knew it to be a huge undertaking but ’twas duty that called and he would not shy from it. “We’ll begin the call to the men of Argyll and the Isles this day.”

The king’s high constable rose from his bench.

“Will you stay the night, Lord Siwardsson?” asked Ruairi.

“Nay, I must return to Carlisle and get a message to David.” Then, offering his hand to Somerled, he said, “The king will be pleased when I tell him of your response.”

Aileas must have anticipated his departure for she came and thrust a package into Siwardsson’s hands. “Food for you and your crew, my lord. You’ve a long way to go.”

“My thanks, my lady.” He took the package and, inclining his head, turned to leave.

Somerled followed him to the door. “Godspeed, my lord.”

“And to you!”

When the high constable had gone, Somerled turned back to Ruairi and his companions. “There is much to do and little time to do it. Domnall, you will sail north to Moidart and sound the call ere you return to Islay. Tell Diarmad to remain in the north with the stonemason unless our French mason has seen enough and wishes to sail to Kintyre where the castle at Dunaverty has begun. Ruairi, you will sail to Kintyre, as planned, stopping at Knapdale and Jura to issue the summons there. Once at Dunaverty, you must get word to the men on Arran and Bute to join you as you sail to meet me on Islay. I will return to Islay, stopping at Mull and Lorne to sound the call. Tell all the galley and longship captains they are to set sail for Loch Indaal and camp on the beach there. And, if any can spare healers, they should bring them. We will likely have need of their skills.” He paused, looking at each somber face. “Any questions?”

Ruairi, Domnall, Maurice and Ewan shook their heads.

Liadan raised her gaze to him. “What about me, Lord?”

“You will accompany me to Islay where you will stay until we return from our service to King David.”

“But—” Her expression was forlorn mixed with rebellion but Domnall visibly relaxed when Somerled told her his decision was firm.