Candace Robb - The Fire In The Flint

‘Where are the horses?’ Roger asked the lad.

‘Just beyond, in the shed,’ said Daniel.

‘And the others?’

‘Seeing to the beasts, fetching water. They had trouble and came late.’

‘What sort of trouble?’

‘An ambitious soldier thought to gain horses for the castle sheriff.’

‘What happened?’

‘He fell down a terrible steep embankment, I’m told.’

The indifference with which the boy told the tale chilled Margaret. ‘How old are you?’ she asked.

The lad shrugged. ‘Old enough to hate the English.’ He grinned, showing black teeth.

She wondered why Roger took the risk of trusting such a lad.

*

Murdoch, Aylmer, Geordie, Hal and Celia said little as they sat around a table in the tavern eating the evening meal. Murdoch had requested the guards’ permission to take their meal in the tavern, hoping that they would ascribe any suspicious activities later in the evening to drunkenness.

Celia tried to eat, knowing she needed nourishment for the journey, but her stomach was taut with fear and anxiety. Earlier, after thrice reviewing her preparations, she’d taken out her paternoster beads and said several rosaries but she seemed beyond divine help.

Hal and Geordie discussed various strategies for carrying the packs, Aylmer listening to them with an amused detachment that Celia found irritating. Who did he think he was, to be so condescending towards fellow servants? And yet she had been much like that when she’d first come to Edinburgh, determined to be a lady’s maid, trying to avoid work that would toughen the fine, smooth hands she had pampered in Dame Katherine’s employ so that she might handle the most delicate silks.

Murdoch was solemn when towards midnight they gathered in the stable. ‘I’d come along, but someone must be here to divert any unexpected attention.’ Fortunately, suspecting nothing, the guards had departed at curfew.

‘I know my master would wish me to thank you for all you’ve done,’ said Aylmer. ‘We’ll have a scout escort Hal and Geordie home once we’ve transferred the packs.’

Celia held out a hand to Murdoch, but he stepped forward and embraced her.

‘You’re a brave lass and a good friend to go with Maggie,’ he whispered. ‘God watch over you.’

She clung to him and fought tears. ‘God go with you in all your work,’ she said.

Hal and Geordie had arranged packs on Bonny and hoisted others. In a surprising last-minute gesture, Murdoch had loaned her to the travellers so that more food might be taken.

‘You’ll see your men and your beast before dawn,’ Aylmer assured him one last time.

Four men had joined Margaret and Roger for the evening meal. They were introduced as another of the Bruce’s men and a merchant who had done business in Ayr, both with their servants, all heading east and glad of more company. Unlike Aylmer, their servants seemed of humbler stations than their masters. Roger did not know the Bruce’s man, Macrath, but the merchant Alan was an old acquaintance. The latter was tall, grey of hair and slender to such a degree that he seemed ill, yet he was of good cheer and had an excellent appetite. He was also the most gregarious at the table, with tales of the challenges of trading in the present conditions. He reminded Margaret of Angus MacLaren, another embellisher of tales. Macrath was a short, muscular man with thick dark hair and a beard. He watched and listened, occasionally laughing with the others, but speaking only in monosyllables when he could not maintain his silence.

Watching and listening herself, Margaret compared Roger’s behaviour in this rough hut to the few times she’d witnessed his meetings with merchants in Perth. He’d become easier in his posture, muted in his speech; sure of himself yet wary, even in this company. Perhaps she was tired and overwrought, but he seemed even more of a stranger than the day he’d come to her in Edinburgh.

By the time the packs had been unloaded it was long after midnight. Margaret had been surprised that Aylmer and Celia were accompanied by Hal, Geordie, and particularly her uncle’s beloved Bonny. The loan of the ass touched her as a gesture of affection, though it was painful to bid farewell to the beast and Hal once more. She stroked Bonny while she fed her an apple.

Hal avoided eye contact until Daniel announced he was ready to lead the three back to Edinburgh. He glanced up then and met her eyes. Margaret took his hand and pressed it. He nodded once, wished her God speed, and then ducked out through the door of the small house into the night. Geordie bobbed his head to her and wished her a safe journey. She said the same to him.

Celia shaded her eyes. ‘It was so dark without, I thought we could not make our way, but after a time I came to see more clearly. Now the light in here seems too bright.’ She forced a little laugh.

‘At least you’ll be riding for a good part of the night with your horse following the leader,’ Roger said. ‘It will not be as difficult.’

Remembering Celia’s inexperience with a horse, Margaret imagined her discomfort and invited her to sit beside her. The maid’s first and only experience on a horse had been the crossing to Edinburgh. Although she’d sat her steed with grim fortitude, she had been in agony for days afterwards.

Margaret did not like the plan. ‘Is that safe, riding at night? Should we not lead the horses?’

‘They are accustomed to night riding,’ said Roger.

Macrath offered Celia a cup of warm ale. ‘You’ll be chilly from the walk in the damp.’

‘I am. God bless you.’ Celia glanced at Margaret as if wondering at such behaviour towards a servant.

Though Margaret was a decade younger than her maid she was responsible for her well-being. She had noticed Macrath studying Celia from the moment she arrived. Perhaps he thought them kin, with their similarly pale complexions, thick dark brows and short builds. His offering her the ale was a small gesture, but Margaret would watch Macrath for signs of designs on Celia.

Eventually the men went out to ready the horses, giving the two women some time alone.

‘We will need to ride slowly,’ Margaret said, ‘so it should be less uncomfortable than your last journey, when my brother Andrew was in such haste.’

Celia arranged her skirt. ‘I regret only that I took no opportunity to ride in Edinburgh.’

Margaret smiled at Celia’s stubborn dignity — there had been no opportunity for her to ride in Edinburgh, except on Bonny, who rode quite differently from a horse. ‘You managed so well before, you’ll find it quite familiar, I’m sure.’

Celia’s dark brows knitted together as she solemnly nodded. ‘Let us speak of something other than my coming humiliation. Had you time with Dame Janet?’

‘Yes, but I learned nothing useful from her,’ Margaret said. ‘Old Will and Bess were by her account a loving couple.’

‘I approached Mary Brewster for you today, but she said she’s had naught but trouble since finding Old Will, and then Belle slammed the door on me.’

‘How unlike Mary,’ Margaret said.

‘I found it so,’ said Celia. ‘Not even the town gossip wants to be of interest to the English. I wish I came with better news.’

‘You were good to attempt it.’ Margaret cursed Roger for all the questions that had opened up this new avenue of possibilities, only to have him rush her away. ‘How did you leave my uncle?’

‘Unhappy. You’ll be missed, have no doubt of that.’

‘It’s not only myself he’ll miss, but the companionship of his customers. He’ll have only Janet now. And Hal.’ They grew quiet, and in a little while Margaret felt herself begin to nod. ‘I need occupation. Shall we review what we’ve brought?’