W
ITH SOME SHOVING FROM THE MEN, Bryan managed to mount. He felt dizzy and a bit weak, but thankfully he wasn't seeing double. He was glad for the helmet's protection or he might not have survived such a blow.
The battle was over, the carseland filled with those caring for the wounded or dead, but no one fought any longer. It was over. Scotland was free. But Bryan's heart remained heavy.
He looked at the plaid-draped body lying across Cerin's back and fought back tears. With an effort he pulled his thoughts away from his friend and the unwitting sacrifice he'd made. Bryan's head ached from Rodney's blow, but he was determined to see Thomas properly cared for before going back to camp.
“We'll take him to the kirk in the village. 'Tis most likely where the dead will lay until claimed or buried.”
“You should not rideâ”
“Kathryn, I appreciate your concern, I truly do. But I must see this done. If you wish to accompany me, you may. But don't try to dissuade me.”
No one offered further argument. Kathryn climbed up behind him. Adam and Fergus placed Rodney Carleton across the horse Fergus had found and the four of them made their way to the small church. As they removed Thomas's body from the horse, they learned that Bruce had given orders that the thirty-some English barons and several hundred knights who'd died fighting against him were to be buried honorably and in sanctified ground.
Bryan's first thought on hearing of Bruce's magnanimous gesture was less than charitable where Rodney was concerned. But reason returned and they took Rodney's body and laid it with his countrymen.
Just as they were about to leave, a wagon delivered the body of the Earl of Gloucester. In the tangle of royal bloodlines, he'd been nephew to Edward of England and cousin to Bruce. The earl was taken inside the church where Bruce himself waited to keep vigil over his kinsman.
Asking the others to wait outside, Bryan entered the kirk and found his father sitting pensively beside Gloucester's body. Bryan sat on the bench next to the king and asked, “Is there anything I can do for you, Your Majesty?”
Bruce shook his head. “My cousin fought honorably for his king. 'Tis my duty to honor him and his family for all we've meant to each other despite our political differences.”
He faced Bryan and his eyebrows shot up. “Looks like you took quite a blow.”
Bryan nodded and winced. “Carleton. Kathryn's man Fergus killed him for it.”
“Good.” They sat in silence for a few moments. “You should go to your wife, Bryan.”
Wife.
Elizabeth!
“My laird. Soon you will be reunited with the queen! Edward must ransom her for one of his captured nobles.”
Bruce smiled. “I figure she is worth two or three Englishmen, don't you?”
Bryan chuckled. “That she is.”
Bruce cocked his head to look at someone or something behind Bryan. Bryan turned and saw Kathryn standing in the doorway. He raised his hand in greeting and said, “I'll be there shortly.”
Turning back to Bruce he said, “Those Templar Knights were a great surprise to everyone. I suspect that was Ceallach's secret mission you spoke of last night.”
“I can only say that Ceallach has an interesting story to tell.”
Bryan waited but Bruce said no more. “I'll look forward to hearing it one day.” He saw Kathryn again from the corner of his eye. “But just now I'm anxious to have some of the tea Kathryn promised would ease my aching head.”
“Go to her, Bryan. Scotland is free and so are you from your vow to safeguard your heart.”
Bryan smiled. “I'm afraid I broke that vow some time ago.”
Bruce chuckled. “Good. Just don't be in a hurry to make a grandfather of me.”
Bryan put a hand on his king's shoulder. “I'll see you tomorrow, my laird.” He walked to Kathryn and they went outside and joined the others. Subdued by the day's events, saddened by the loss of Thomas, they arrived at the women's campsite. But despite their sadness at those who were lost, there was much joy in being reunited with those who remained. Anna, holding little Isobel, joined them. Although Bryan was glad to see them, the noise and confusion overwhelmed him.
Kathryn must have seen it for she drew him aside and handed him a cup of tea. “Drink this. It will help.”
He did as she said and then rested for a bit. But there was still some difficult business to attend to. When Bryan's headache receded to a manageable level, he called his page to him. They walked some distance away for a private word. He set his hands on the young man's shoulders, ignoring the tracks of tears visible in the dirt on Jamie's face. “You will now be my squire and take on Thomas's duties.”
The lad swallowed hard and said, “Aye, my laird.”
“You have worked hard to take this position when Thomas should become a knight.” He squeezed Jamie's shoulder. “'Tis difficult to gain by another's loss, but we must continue.”
Jamie nodded.
“Thomas would understand, Jamie. Now go take care of the horses and bring my tent to this site. We will camp here until we can leave for home.”
“Aye, my laird.”
Head bowed, Jamie went off to do as he'd been told.
KATHRYN WORRIED ABOUT BRYAN. He'd been moody and distant since their return to the camp and she didn't think it all owed to the injury to his head. After they ate, the men moved and pitched several tents, since Adam and Bryan would now stay in the clearing with the women.
Though evening had come, the long summer daylight lingered. Adam had gone to the main camp for news and when she saw him stride back into camp and head for Bryan, she rose from her chores and joined them.
Adam greeted her but Bryan seemed not to notice her.
After the day Bryan had gone through, she could find patience within her. She sat down by the fire, curious to know what Adam had learned.
Bryan asked, “Do we know where Edward of England is tonight?”
Adam grinned and said, “Nay, but we know where he isn't. Mowbray refused him entrance to Stirling.”
Bryan said, “That's unfortunate. I would have liked to add the capture of the king of England to our victories today.”
Adam nodded in agreement. “Well, he may be caught yet. Douglas and about sixty of our horsemen are chasing him east toward the coast.” Warming to his tale, Adam said excitedly, “We did capture the entire English baggage train.”
“All of it?” Kathryn exclaimed. “Fergus told me the English brought over two hundred wagons with them. Whatever will we do with it?”
“Bruce has ordered the goods dispersed to all who fought and any that's left over is to go to the poor.” Adam jumped up from his seat. “And believe it or not, the supplies they brought north weren't only for the army. Some of the English nobles brought household goods to furnish the Scottish castles they were sure would be theirs tonight. Can you believe such conceit?”
Kathryn said, “Mayhap I'll find something to take back to decorate Homelea.”
Adam chuckled but Bryan scowled. Thinking he had to be tired and perhaps in pain, Kathryn raised her eyebrows and tried to signal Adam. Bless him, he understood and said, “Well, it's been a long, eventful day, brother. You should rest.” He inclined his head toward her. “Kathryn, Bryan. Good night.”
BRYAN'S HEAD ACHED AND HE LONGED TO SLEEP but there was still much to do. He reached for his sword and a cloth to clean it when Kathryn caught his hand and said, “You look tired, husband.”
“I am.” He hoped she would simply leave him to his morose thoughts for the night but knowing Kathryn, that was unlikely.
“Why did we spend the evening setting up a new camp? Shouldn't we be preparing to leave?” she asked.
“Anxious as I am to be gone from here, we must stay until the dead are buried, the living paid their wages, and the hostages and prisoners are exchanged. It could take weeks, Kathryn.”
She sighed. “That long?”
“I'm afraid so.”
She gently took the cleaning cloth from his hand and said, “In that case, could we leave some of the work until tomorrow?” She smiled and he realized she was right.
“Aye, it's been a trying day.”
She reached for his hand but he pulled it away. She looked at him in confusion, mirroring his own emotions. He wanted Kathryn more than ever, but knew that he didn't deserve her or her love.
He stood up, careful to move slowly lest his head pound again. “Kathryn, I . . . I need to sleep alone tonight.”
He expected her to argue, but she said, “I imagine you do. But I would feel better if you stayed with me so I can check on you through the night. Hard though your head may be, that was quite a blow, and it would ease my mind if you'd allow me to watch over you.”
Tell her now.
“You can't still want me for a husband. I will return to Homelea and help you rebuild, but if I learned anything today, it is that I can't stay once that is accomplished.”
Surprise and then anger coursed across her expressive face. “What sort of nonsense are you spouting now? Did that blow to your head eliminate what little sense you had?”
“Kathrynâ”
“Or perhaps you've forgotten that we spoke words of devotion and commitment. That we bound ourselves to each other in your tent.”
“No, I haven't forgotten any of that.”
“Good. Because I will not listen to you tell me that you can't be my husband because you weren't able to protect me today.”
Did she know him so well that she could read his mind?
She stared at him, eyes blazing. “That's what you're thinking, isn't it?”
She didn't give him a chance to agree or disagree. “Bryan.” She softened her tone. “Bryan. Don't you see? You may not always be able to protect me or Isobel.”
“That's exactly whyâ”
Gently she placed her hand over his lips. “You can't protect me from everything, Bryan. But don't you see? God provided for us todayâhe sent Adam to teach Fergus to fight so that when you couldn't save me, God could. Through Fergus. And Adam.”
“That's absurd.”
“It is not absurd and you'd know it if you'd simply trust God.”
Could it truly be as easy as that? All he needed to do was trust that God would see to their well being? Of all of them? He wanted to believe it. The mere thought of it seemed to lift a sack of stones from between his shoulders. He closed his eyes and raised his face to heaven. Then he opened his eyes and looked at his wife.
He wanted to push her away, push God away and go back to believing that he controlled his life because God didn't care about him. But only a caring God would have looked down on the Scottish army this morning and made sure that justice prevailed. Truly their victory was a miracle of enormous proportion, one not to be ignored. What more would it take for Bryan to believe that God cared about the world he'd created?
“Kathryn, whatever would I do without you?” He pulled her into his arms and held her tight. She struggled to loosen his grip so they could see each other's faces. She spoke again. “Will you doubt God every time he answers a prayer with an answer you don't like or don't understand?”
He shook his head. “Probably. But I am convinced that our