Draco A Medieval Scottish Roma - Jayne Castel Page 0,6
something so stupid.
David De Keith had gone to Stirling under the pretense of bending the knee to the English king. He was supposed to play along, feign loyalty, and gather details about Edward’s plans, as well as lobby for the release of his brother from captivity.
Instead, he’d organized a private meeting with Edward, during which he’d pulled a dirk on him, and had his own throat cut for his trouble. His brother was likely to never see daylight again.
Gavina shared Elizabeth’s worries. Although she’d had no part in her husband’s actions, for David had never shared his plans with her, Gavina could not help but feel a sense of responsibility for the whole mess. It now was up to her to defend this stronghold should Longshanks seek reckoning upon them.
“Perhaps he won’t attack us,” Gavina replied after a pause, injecting a hopeful note into her voice. “After all, he’s busy keeping the south under his control.”
“He’ll attack,” Elizabeth replied wearily. “Longshanks is well known for his vengeful nature.” Her throat bobbed then. “I wonder if he’s ordered Robert’s execution yet.”
Gavina reached out and placed a hand over Elizabeth’s. “Don’t say such things, Liz. Robert still lives.”
“But ye don’t know that. Edward will be looking to punish our clan now.”
The women’s gazes fused for a long moment, and Gavina’s belly knotted. She wanted to assure her sister-by-marriage that wasn’t the case, to promise her that Robert would be returned to them whole and healthy, but she wasn’t one for empty words, so she held her tongue instead.
“Are we ready for another siege?” Elizabeth asked, deliberately changing the topic away from her husband. “The English breached our gates easily last time.”
“The Wallace and his men have reinforced them with iron bars,” Gavina replied. “We also have been amassing quantities of slate and lead should they try to scale the walls.” She paused then, remembering the attack years earlier. Robert had been laird of Dunnottar then, but even though he was a skilled strategist and strong leader, the castle hadn’t been able to withstand the might of the English. “Remember … we were all taken by surprise last time. It won’t happen again.”
Elizabeth nodded, a little of the tension on her face easing. “Ye are doing a fine job of ruling, Gavina,” she said after a pause, managing a faint smile. “Unlike David, ye don’t let paranoia and pride cloud yer judgement.”
Gavina smiled back, warmed by Elizabeth’s words. Her gaze then flicked across to where William Wallace was deep in conversation with his right-hand. The freedom fighter, and the aura of calm authority he emitted, definitely made her new position easier.
Of course, the Wallace was a wanted man—Edward Longshanks could never learn that the outlaw sheltered within her walls. Even so, Gavina felt secure in the knowledge she had Wallace’s loyalty.
However, the English weren’t the only threat to the stronghold these days. Her brother, Shaw Irvine, had threatened her husband with war if he didn’t cede land to him. Now that David was dead, it was up to her to smooth things with her errant brother. She didn’t want to fight her own kin, and would try her best to take the route of diplomacy. Nonetheless, the threat Shaw posed made Wallace’s presence here even more vital.
They’d strengthened Dunnottar’s defenses considerably over the past weeks. The Guard had now doubled in size, and the clang and hiss of the forge was an ever-present sound in the keep these days as the smiths worked night and day to make enough weapons for them.
Gavina’s jaw firmed, resolve igniting in the pit of her belly.
Aye, Wallace had defeated the English numerous times in the past, and he’d do so again.
“My Lady … a message has arrived for ye!”
Gavina glanced up, from where she was seated by the hearth, her gaze alighting upon the guard in the doorway to the laird’s solar. She didn’t usually spend much time in here, preferring the softer, more feminine sanctuary of the women’s solar, but the Wallace had wished to discuss Dunnottar’s defenses with her after the noon meal.
She sat surrounded by men—big, leather and mail-clad warriors dominated the large chamber.
The Wallace, Draco Vulcan, and Maximus Cato stood near the window, while Cassian Gaius leaned against the mantelpiece. Donnan De Keith, steward of Dunnottar, sat on a high-backed chair opposite Gavina. The steward was older than the other men present, silver lacing his thick brown hair, yet he still exuded a masculine forcefulness.