he insisted on tagging along. Nonetheless, had the man dallied above stairs, James would not have hesitated to intervene.
“Torquil, go see to the horses,” said Erloch.
“Och, the men will take care of them.”
“Just do as I say.”
An ewer of ale and two tankards were placed on the table as the lad pushed outside.
James poured. “His beard has come in, surely he’s not as young as he behaves.”
“The lad’s ten and seven. He needs to be fostered by someone who can turn him into a man.” Erloch picked up a tankard. “Sláinte.”
James followed suit. “Sláinte.”
“I’d like him to ride with you.”
Blowing frothing ale out his nose, James looked at the man as if he’d grown two heads. “Not only am I tasked with ridding our borders of English vermin, I’m amassing an army. Moreover, how in God’s name can I trust him to keep his hands off Sister Ailish?”
“Because you’ll sever his cods if he tries anything untoward.” The old man grinned behind the pewter cup. “I ken what I just witnessed, sir. You would protect the wee lassie with your life.”
James kept his expression impassive and shrugged. “The women are in my care. I’ll do what I must to protect them. To prove it, there are two dead Englishmen in a wee clearing near Dunblane.”
“I kent I liked you as soon as you stepped into me hall.” Erloch poured himself another ale. “If ye are forming an army like you said, Torquil would do well to serve under a man like you—James Douglas, son of le Hardi.”
“Oh aye?”
“Aye. And I reckon you’ve a chip on your shoulder larger than my arse.”
“What of it?” James regarded the shield over the hearth. Bloody oath, he had something to prove. But that was none of Erloch’s concern. “I’ve been here for less than an hour. You’ve formed a great many opinions in the time it took to exchange pleasantries.”
“I ken the look in your eye, Son. And you’ve the girth of a prized bull. Mark me, you’re a fighter.”
At least the Cunningham chief wasn’t wrong about that. “If I agree to take your son with me, what others can you send as well? I need numbers. Good men, mind you.”
“I’m growing old, else we’d all ride into hell with you.” Erloch shook his head. “But I need my army to defend my keep.”
“Mayhap you think you need them, but your king needs them more,” James said before taking a long, slow drink.
“Och, with English patrols riding through Duncryne whenever they please? I’m lucky they haven’t burned me out.”
Saying nothing, James’ eyebrow quirked as he swiped the froth from his beard—staring. Not smiling. Just leveling a hard stare directly at the man’s face.
Erloch tilted back his head and groaned. “Very well, Caelan will ride with ye. He’s my best archer. Not bad with a sword in his hand either.”
“That’s all you can spare?”
“Aye.”
“Then I’ll be needing two horses for the nuns.”
“One.”
“Two.”
“Apologies, but I can only spare one.” Erloch leaned in. “Are they nuns or is there something you’re hiding?”
James fingered the handle of his tankard, unwilling to say more.
Fortunately, Torquil chose this moment to make another appearance. “The horses have been turned out for the night.”
“And my palfry?” James asked.
“We’ve put him and the mule in the yard. They’ve plenty of hay and water.”
“My thanks.”
“I’ve news for you, Son,” said Erloch, sitting back and gesturing to James. “Come morn, you and Caelan will be riding with Sir James. This is your chance to fight for king and country, lad. And this knight will see ye turned into a man.”
Torquil cut James a leer. “Him?”
“Aye.”
“God’s bones, Da. He’s barely older than me.”
James pushed the bench back and stood, making the lad crane his neck. “I beg to differ. I’m four years your senior, and I’ve spent the past ten in the service of Bishop Lamberton, training with the finest knights in Scotland.”
“Hear him, lad,” said Erloch. “If you apply yourself, you’ll attract the king’s eye. I ken what I’m on about.”
To the tune of the boy’s snort, James planted his hand on Torquil’s shoulder and squeezed. “Let us step outside. I reckon we need to talk afore I agree to your father’s terms.”
James led the way into a paddock, far from any prying ears. “Your da told me you could benefit from a turn in the wars. But I have my doubts.”
“Is that so? I bloody disarmed you. Came upon you unawares—”
“Came upon a man and two nuns minding their own affairs and acted like