Highland Warlord - Amy Jarecki Page 0,45
She gave his arm a pat. “The men look very convincing in their hunters’ hoods.”
They traveled along the winding maze of narrow pathways that kept their camp well hidden from the enemy while a team of men worked to erase their tracks. Ailish examined the bow and quiver of arrows James had placed at their feet. “Why are the men not carrying their swords?”
Everyone but James had stowed their weapons beneath the pelts where they were easily accessible if one knew where to look. “Again, most hunters cannot afford swords.”
“Except everyone seems to have their bows,” she mused.
“Tools of the trade.” James patted the dirk guarding his loins. “Not to worry. Every man is amply armed.”
“If we’re ambushed, will we be equipped to fight?”
“Aye, lass.” He slapped the reins. “And the arrows are at our feet for a reason. Caelan tells me you’ve become one of his better archers.”
“Did he?” She pulled an arrow out of the quiver and ran her finger along the shaft. “Surprising.”
“Why?”
“Because he never said as much to me.”
“Mayhap he wants to make you better.”
“By not telling me I’m one of his best?”
“Possibly. If the student continues to practice day and night as you have, the student may one day become better than the teacher.”
“Hmm.” She replaced the arrow. “Where did you learn all this—the hiding of weapons, the training of men, the way you fight like a demon is chasing you?”
“Aside from growing up with a sword in my hand, ’tis what comes from eleven years of being a squire to Bishop Lamberton.”
“But that’s what I don’t understand. He’s a holy man.”
“He’s a warrior, and the knights who follow him are some of the best-trained fighters in Christendom. Some spent their youths on the Continent following the tournaments. Others paid their dues in the Crusades.”
“Have you been to the Continent?”
“Nay. Lamberton had already been by the time I came under his wing. But there were plenty of skirmishes for an apprentice knight to learn his trade.”
“Tell me about the bishop.”
“He’s a great man. He was instrumental in seeing John Balliol sent to France and, afterward, he supported William Wallace. Lamberton’s men led many of the schiltrons in the first war against Edward. He’s rebuilding Saint Andrews Cathedral after the English razed it in retaliation for his actions against them.”
“And he presided over the king’s coronation.”
“That he did.”
“And I imagine he had a hand in your knighthood.”
“If it weren’t for Lamberton, I’d be making hay in Douglas, too poor to own a cow, I reckon.”
“I admire him.”
“As do I, m’lady.”
“What was it like to be his squire?”
“There were no easy days, for certain. We woke every morning afore dawn for lauds. When we weren’t fighting the English, there were never-ending chores amongst all the praying and training.”
“What chores did you like best?”
James thought for a moment, easily swaying with the cart’s movement. “I never minded spending hours in the stables grooming horses, cleaning stalls, learning a bit about the smith’s duties.”
“I like the solace of the animals as well. ’Tis always peaceful in a barn.”
“That it is.”
“Then what did you like least of all?”
“Cleaning the middens for certain.”
“Eew. That must have been disgusting.”
“Very.”
“But I’ll reckon it made you strong.”
His gaze slid to her face. “Know what made me stronger?”
She shook her head while the cart pitched with a rut in the trail, making her press against him. “What?”
“I carried fresh water from the burn with a yoke across my back.”
“A bucket on either end?”
“Two. Four in all.”
“Oh, my heavens. I can hardly manage one from the river to the camp.”
“And I had twice as far to go, straight up an incline.”
“Astounding,” she said, her voice filled with awe and making James feel like a king. “No wonder you grew to be as sturdy as an ox.”
After they reached the North Road, neither of them spoke for a time until Lady Ailish grasped his arm, her fingers making a welcome shiver course up his arm. “What will happen if the king’s response comes whilst you’re away?”
“I left Davy behind with instructions to bring us word straight away.”
“You must have thought of everything.”
“Och, one never kens what they’ve forgotten until they need it.”
“True.” Ailish smoothed her hands along her skirts. “Ahhh…there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you.”
He regarded her out of the corner of his eye. The melody of her “ah” made a certain appendage between his legs rouse to attention. “What is on your mind, lass?”
A lovely shade of rose colored her cheeks. “We are posing