Undeniable Heart (Legend of the King's Guard Book 4)

by Kara Griffin

  “’Tis good to see you here, James.”

  James grunted and waved away his followers. “As you can see, you’ve had a good influence on my men. They insist on wearing the camouflage whether it be light or dark. I find their dedication worthy and somewhat humorous. Others do not. They like to appear fearsome. Come, break your fast and rest a wee bit before you seek Robert.”

  Graeme, Liam, and Heath joined them at the fire. Brodin whistled low at the sight around him. He tensed at the thought they’d soon be fighting, that was if the king permitted them to take arms in the battle.

  Graeme grabbed the stick which speared a large chunk of meat James was intent on roasting. “Appears to be quite the gathering.”

  “Aye, about six thousand have heeded the call so far. With Robert’s few hundred horsemen, I’d say we’re far outnumbered. But och, we shall welcome the fight. Edward Bruce besieged Stirling Castle days ago and continues to hold position around the walls. He called forth our king and Robert sent out the call to arms immediately. Many have joined us. It warms my heart to have such company.” James retook the stick from Graeme and ate the remaining meat he’d cooked.

  Brodin couldn’t eat a bite. Too much hung in the balance. Until he met with Robert, he wouldn’t be sated in any instance, sustenance or otherwise. “I say we go and seek Robert now.”

  His comrades grunted their agreement and they left before James could stop them. Brodin ambled the path, weaved his way through various camps of men. After an hour of searching, they finally found the king’s tent. On their approach, Brodin noticed James following. Behind their comrade stood thirty of the most ominous men Scotland had to offer. James’ brood wasn’t about to be left behind.

  “Don’t you have anything better to do?” He almost laughed but scowled instead.

  James fingered his beard and appeared amused. “I wouldn’t miss this for anything, even the opportunity to have young Edward’s head at my feet. Come, shall we get this over with?” He motioned to his men to stand guard outside the king’s tent and for them to follow.

  The king’s sentry bowed to James and allowed them entrance.

  Inside the king’s shelter, the silence was unnerving. Robert must be slumbering. But Brodin realized he was wrong. The king sat at his large table, peering over maps and strategic war methods deep in contemplation. He was verily alone. James cleared his throat and called his attention.

  “Sire, your guard has arrived.”

  Robert rose and meandered around the table, his eyes intently staring at them. He said not a word and showed no sign of his discontent. The quiet within the tent was palpable.

  Graeme, Heath, Liam, and he knelt and placed their swords at their feet. They bowed their heads in respect, kept their gaze on the ground, and waited for their sire’s command to rise. The moment they’d waited all those years was intense and awkward. Brodin took a deep calming breath. He couldn’t tell whether their king was angry or not. Robert’s face was devoid of all emotion. His eyes showed not a glint of ire.

  “Rise.” The one-worded command came with a stern voice.

  Brodin stood and lifted his chin and kept his gaze fixed. He would not balk under the scrutiny of their king. And neither would his brethren. Each stood with their shoulders back, their bodies rigid, and their eyes ahead. They waited for long minutes as the king stepped to each of them, his regard intent, his words mute. He didn’t know what to make of it but kept quiet.

  “There were tales told of ghosts who came in the night … I suspect the dirt with which you’ve covered yourselves gave cause for these stories.” Robert’s lips twitched slightly.

  “We needed to be discrete,” Graeme said.

  “James has related a remarkable tale … Is it true that when you returned to the mainland, which I forbade you to do, you hired yourselves out as mercenaries? That you aided people in their time of need against the English? That you gained coin of which you paid no levy? That you put yourselves in danger of being apprehended by my enemies, who I might add … wanted to capture any and all who witnessed Comyn’s death at Greyfriars?”

  Silence. Brodin wouldn’t be the first to admit to their misdeeds. His comrades held silent as well. It was best not to speak until directly spoken to.

  “James also relayed that you attended many a battle and saw to my back. If not for you, I would’ve been taken at Methven? Am I to believe this absurd tale of his? I will hear your admission of these crimes. Graeme, you’re the leader of this wayward group. What say you?”

  “Aye.”

  Brodin almost smiled at Graeme’s response. For that one simple word was more than enough to admit their guilt, no other words were needed. Now the king would speak the horrendous sentence. Would they be executed right away or after the battle?

  “All this time you have been protecting Scotland and me.” Robert continued to amble around them, stopping to peer at each of them as he made his remark. His severe stare almost crippling them. “I should punish you harshly for your disobedience of my command, but too much time has passed and I find I am no longer angry.”

  Graeme glanced at them and stepped forward. “Sire, we would’ve gladly obeyed your order and stayed on the isle, but we wouldn’t go back on our vow to you. Our pledge to see to your safety outweighed any punishment you might inflict upon us. Until we were given your leave, we would continue to protect you and have.”

  “I see. And now I suppose you want me to free you of your pledge? That you shall return to your clans and go on your merry way?”

  “Our service to you ended years ago, Sire, and still we continued our oath. We only want your forgiveness and if you require our continued service, we wish to return to our homes for visits. We’ve taken wives; have children and our clans to see to.” Graeme stepped back in line and kept his view from lingering to them.

  Robert raised a brow in James’ direction. “What say you, James, to that? Should I release them and let bygones be forgotten?”

  James smirked and shook his head. “M’lord? They are the most honorable men I ken.”

  “Their honor is the only reason I stay my hand at the moment. I know not what to do with them. A punishment must be the answer.” Robert folded his hands in front of him and seemed to reflect.

  James leaned back against the king’s table and grinned. “Graeme said they’d continue to support you if you have a need. Aye, and we certainly do have a need for we have the battle to prepare for. There are thousands of English waiting to tear us down. I ken a handful of men compare not but the more men we have …”

  “You are aright, James. A handful of Scottish men might aid us. Mayhap I shall await my sentence of your treason for disobeying your king and see what the upcoming battle brings. You will fight … fight for Scotland, fight for me. When the battle is through … and if you survive it, I shall let you ken my decision.”

  Graeme bowed his head. “We gladly fight for you and Scotland, Sire.”

  “Be gone then. I shall see you on the field.”

  Brodin quickly followed his comrades. They marched with vigor to James’ camp. Once there, he released a breath of relief. At least they weren’t condemned to execution. But would they survive the upcoming battle?

  Chapter Twenty

  Buchanan land was the most beautiful, magical place in Scotland. Many spoke of its bonny hills, alluring lochs and streams, and its headway to the Highlands. The Buchanans took their mission earnestly to protect the higher mountainous regions from marauders or intruders. Longstanding alliances stood betwixt the Buchanans and many clans because of their protection. Their sentry often refused passage of those wanting to cross their land. Dallis spotted the sentry over an hour before but kept quiet.

  Her family’s croft should be in sight soon. She’d kept silent most of the ride home and gave one-word answers when prodded. The land captivated her and she spent more time watching the hills, the trees, the fields of newly sprung wildflowers to have a care for the men’s conversations. Scents of spring
filled the air. She breathed deep and even though she would miss Brodin, she smiled despite her sadness.

  Maurice motioned for them to stop. He held up his hand and signaled the procession. Four Buchanan soldiers stepped from the brush and bowed their heads. Maurice jumped from his horse and approached. He spoke low with them for a few minutes before turning back.

  “Let us make haste.” He forced his mount ahead and didn’t convey what the soldiers wanted. Their message wasn’t pleasant given her brother’s stern frown.

  Dallis forced her horse to move to the right so she could see the well-worn lane that led to her home. As they rode along, faces of their clansmen peered from the lane. Women, children, soldiers, all greeted them with welcoming smiles and waves. Although she knew many of her clansmen, she felt as though she was gazing at strangers.

  Smoke wafted from the chimney. The entry door open wide. Someone must’ve known they were coming and prepared for their arrival. She took a deep breath before John helped her from the horse. Homecoming was bittersweet.

  “You must be gladdened to be home, lass,” he said and released her.

  “Aye.” Her home appeared exactly the same as the day she’d left it. Six years was, to her, an eternity. Home. I should be joyous. Why is my heart not bursting with happiness?

  Dallis ignored the lump in her throat as she entered the large stone cottage. She kept walking until she reached the small chamber she occupied all her life. Why she wanted to weep was beyond her. Shouldn’t she be pleased to be home? It was all she dreamed and hoped for in the last six years. She’d never felt like a prisoner, but now the walls seemed to close in on her.

  The window cover was pulled back and a warm breeze drifted in. Her bedding tidied with the many pillows she’d used were stacked at the headboard. She flopped down and sighed. Her brother’s rowdiness brought life to the home. It had been too many a year since they’d all been home at the same time. If only her parents were there to witness such a miracle. Soon the house would quiet again because her brothers did not stay in one place too long.

  A knock came on the door, but she ignored it. A moment later the door opened and her brother John entered.

  “Come, some of the women made us a welcome home meal. You should eat.”

  “I’m not hungry.”

  He sat on the bed next to her. “You must be ravenous for ye barely ate a morsel the entire journey. Come and eat. You’ll feel better. ‘Twill cheer you for a time.”

  She nodded and decided to join them. Upon entering the main room in the cottage, she noticed her gran sat in her usual chair by the hearth. Maurice, John, and Allan sat around the table situated in the center of the room. A quick remembrance of them sitting at the table as children came to her but she couldn’t recall the last time they’d eaten together.

  Evening darkened the window casements and John stoked the great hearth to warm water for their bathing. Dallis sat at the table on the side closest to the fire. Now chilled, she warmed her toes and hoped the shiver she’d gotten ceased. Gran joined them and set a trencher before her. Dallis took a whiff of the delicious smelling foodstuff … a roasted chicken, stewed vegetables, and warm bread. She was hungry after all.

  Maurice watched her from the opposite side of the table. “It is good to be home, is it not? It has been too long since we returned.”

  Despite her misgivings about being home, she nodded.

  Gran touched her sleeve and nodded too. “Gracious God has brought us home.”

  “We need to discuss the matter of ye leaving home without permission.” Maurice set his cup down and gave a bang to the table. All quieted.

  She waited to hear his reprimand for it had been years since anyone in her family spoke to her with authority. Dallis would’ve smirked for she’d been on her own with no one to direct her. Now her brother thought he had the right? If she wasn’t so angry over it, she might have laughed.

  Maurice pushed his chair back but didn’t rise. “I understand Gran forced you to go with her to England, but ye should’ve refused her. I ken you wouldn’t let her go alone and she might’ve gone without an escort. Our gran probably would’ve gone regardless. You did your best to protect her. Och, you ken it was wrong, don’t ye, lass?”

  Was this praise coming from her intolerable brother? She was fairly shocked at his declaration, yet she kept a serene expression on her face.

  “I received word our king has called all men to arms. This news is unexpected and I had thought to stay at home awhile. At least, to see ye settled. But we must leave at the soonest and join his soldiers.”

  “You’re leaving? You’ve all just returned. Ah, what I mean to say is … farewell.” She knew it wouldn’t take long for them to leave her again. Why had she thought things would be different? Yet she was different. She wasn’t the same young lass that left long ago and had changed. She didn’t want to be left alone with only her gran as company, especially not after having women friends at the cave. Loneliness loomed.

  Maurice scowled and sat forward. “Aye, we must leave. But I will not have ye unprotected. You will be wedded. It is my duty to see to it and I’ve shirked my duty. I will not leave until ye are well placed with a husband. I’ve called for Seann Buchanan. You will wed him as soon as Father Michael joins us.”

  Dallis fisted her hands in her lap. It took all her will not to scream her frustration. She had to keep a calm mien in dealing with Maurice. It was the only way to reason with him. With that, she took a deep breath and counted to ten. “I will not wed him.”

  Maurice picked up his cup and threw it with force at the hearth. “I command it. You have no say. As your guardian—”

  She held out her hand to stop him from continuing. “You will never get me to speak the words. I shall not wed him or be forced. I’ll have no man.”

  John whistled low. “Come now, both of ye. We should discuss this amicably. He’s a good man, Dallis, your own cousin and would do you no harm. It’s a worthy match and he’ll provide well for ye. You couldn’t do better.”

  She scrunched her eyes at his gall. “I could do better, but won’t.”

  Allan chimed in, “The lassies seem to find him handsome. Father would be pleased with the match. Don’t be foolish, sister. Are ye saying you won’t wed because of the Grant?”

  A knock at the door saved her from answering that question.

  “You will have to drag me kicking and screaming to the altar.” She folded her arms at her waist and glared.

  Maurice sighed and motioned to John. “Go and tell Seann our meeting is canceled.” He turned to her and said, “Lass, I only want to protect you whilst we’re gone. This war the king calls us to might be … We mightn’t return. You ken? You’re being a stubborn Buchanan, aye.”

  Her head hurt from having to raise her voice. Dallis swallowed the lump that formed in her throat. She needed to speak the truth and let them know how much they’d hurt her.

  John returned to the table and flopped into his chair and gave her a reproachful glance.

  She held out her hand for silence. “For years I’ve lived with Gran alone, without your interference I might add. No one protected me then. Did you even have a care for me? You all went off on your merry way and not once did you return to see how I fared. I don’t need your protection. I didn’t then and I don’t now. Have no concern for me for I give you leave.”

  Maurice rubbed his eyes. “Ah lass, we had no choice but to heed Robert’s call. And ye were not unprotected. We left many men here to see to your safety.”

  Allan nodded. “We ken how you felt about Brodin Grant, lass, but you realize he will be punished. Robert will have no choice but to sentence him for his treason.”

  John clicked his tongue and groaned. “Graeme and the Black Douglas told us what befell the guard. Robert is not one to let their disobedience go unpunished even if what they did is admirable. Your man won’t have long to live. You should find happiness, sister, with a husband, and bear bairns. Seann is a good man. I beg ye
to reconsider.”

  “I don’t want a husband. Please understand, regardless of what happens to Brodin, I will not wed. Go on, leave and do your duty. I will stay with Gran.”

  “We’ll worry for you,” John said.

  “I took care of myself for years in the hands of that awful man Sir Percy. Think I cannot do so on our own family land? Cease your worry.”

  “Very well, but heed me, Dallis. When I return you will consider marriage to Seann. I will expect your answer to be aye, but och ye will be difficult.” Maurice sighed and his shoulders sagged in defeat.

  “I will consider it. Now go. The king awaits you. I wish you safety and peace.”

  Her brothers said their farewells and headed to the door. When all left and the door closed, a cherished silence came.

  Gran looked at her with mirth. “I thought they would never leave. Well done, my dear.”

  She smiled and nodded. Dallis took her time finishing her meal and could do nothing but think of Brodin. Even as she crawled into bed, she found herself praying for his safety. She envisioned his winsome face and mesmerizing eyes. And the way his manly lips curled when he granted her with a smile. With all her heart, she missed him. Had he yet met with the king? Had he already been executed? All she could hope for was his salvation.

  Exhaustion of her homecoming finally won her over and she closed her eyes.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Bannockburn

  Stirling, Scotland

  June 23, 1314

  A warm wind blew over the grassy field where Brodin practiced arms. Several soldiers insisted on joining their training sessions. Days had passed since their arrival and yet they waited. As much as they wanted the fray to begin, the king wouldn’t be dishonorable and would wait for Mowbray’s surrender. The 24th was drawing close and on the morrow, the Bruce’s forces would go forth and seize the moment of the English’s surrender.