Page 57 of The Refuge

“Nay, but the queen requires us, so you must hurry.”

“While I quickly plait my hair, tell me what the messenger said.”

Out of breath, Catrìona dropped onto the edge of her bed. “I was with the queen going over the plans for the pilgrims’ inn when the messenger arrived. The army is but a day’s ride away.”

Catrìona helped Fia, plaiting one side of her hair.

“Is the messenger still here?” asked her cousin.

“I do not know. He was to return to the king once he had food and a fresh horse.”

Fia’s eyes turned anxious.

“Before you ask, there are wounded among them, which is why the main party travels more slowly. Nothing was said of Rhodri.” Or Steinar.

Knowing her cousin worried for the bard, Catrìona put her arm around Fia’s shoulder. “All may be well with Rhodri. The messenger did not speak of him. He only told the queen Edgar was unharmed. But the king has suffered a leg wound.” At Fia’s gasp, Catrìona added, “’Tis not believed serious. God willing, it will heal.”

Fia tied off her plaits. “Margaret must have been relieved to hear that.”

“Aye, but there was bad news, too. Audra’s father took a sword in his side.”

“Oh, no. Poor Audra,” said Fia. “What did the messenger say about Duff?”

“The mormaer complains the king will not allow him to ride his horse, which caused the queen to smile.”

Fia’s blue eyes met Catrìona’s. “The messenger must have talked long for you to hear all that.”

“Aye, he did, but ’twas only the queen he spoke with. I only heard because I was sitting with her. When the messenger left, Margaret summoned her ladies to join her in the chapel to say special prayers for the recovery of the wounded.”

Fia pushed herself off the bed. “Then we must go.”

Catrìona heard the falling rain and went to the window to open the shutter. “’Tis raining. Best we take our cloaks.” She grabbed her cloak from the peg and handed Fia’s to her.

As they left the chamber, heading for the chapel, Catrìona’s mind turned to the golden-haired scribe. It had not escaped her that the messenger carried no written note. Did the scribe who would have penned such a message yet live?