Nigel Tranter - The Path of the Hero King

Therefore the King of England is John Baliol’s enemy. And therefore your father’s. Is he not?”

Wary, the other inclined his head slightly.

“Yet, I have here a letter from your father. To the King of England.

Captured, two days back.” Bruce turned.

“Master Bernard -you have the letter? Aye-give it to me. This, Sir

Hugh, is your father’s signature and seal? He writes to the King of

England asking for soldiers, money, aid, to fight against his own

fellow subjects in Scotland. This letter then, by your own showing,

by every form and observance, is treasonable. The work of a traitor.

To me-or to John Baliol! Deny it!”

The young man bit his lip, eyes darting, silent.

“So! Now-this your mission here? What does the Earl of Ross say to the King of Scots?”

Sir Hugh cleared his throat, obviously much put out.

“He offers ,.. he suggests a truce, my lord. In any fighting between you. For a time. Three months. Six months-as you will. Each side to swear no advance on present positions, or any armed conflict. Each side to yield hostage to that effect. As pledge.”

“Why?” That was barked out.

“Why-in the name of God?” Angus Og burst out.

“Need you ask why? Because he is outflanked and outwitted! Because he would hold Ness-side and not have to retire up Glen Urquhart to Strath Glass. Because he would give himself time to gather more men. To await the coming of winter, when the passes are closed against you and you cannot attack him. Save by sea. We can all see why!”

“You mistake me, my lord,” Bruce answered coolly.

“I asked not why there should or should not be a truce. But why he would have me yield a pledge. A hostage. Me, the King.”

The young man blinked.

“It was my father’s word,” he said.

“And your father’s word requires such support, sir? It does not stand of itself? So-what pledge does the Earl of Ross offer me, to reinforce his promise?”

“Me,” the other answered simply.

“Myself.”

“I’ faith-you! You, as hostage?”

“Yes, sir. His eldest son. Heir. To remain with you. In token of his honest intentions that there shall be no breaking of the truce.”

“I see.” Bruce paused, and actually smiled slightly.

“You have made something of a strange entry to my Court and company, Sir Hugh Ross! But-who knows, you may come to adorn it well!

Like, I hope, Sir Thomas Randolph. You two should agree well together! But, see you-this may be my lord of Ross’s pledge and , surety. Mine is otherwise. My simple royal word. The word of the King of Scots. I give no other surety to any subject, or any man. So send you your cousin here to tell your father so. It is all the surety he will get or require. You understand?”

The redhead bowed.

It was some moments before it dawned on the company what was here involved. The King was accepting the truce. Uproar broke out.

Bruce allowed his friends their head for a little, and then rapped out

a stern “Silence!” Even so, the required quiet took some time

“This truce I will uphold,” he declared strongly.

“It may serve the Earl of Ross. It also serves me. We shall come to a conclusion another day. A three months’ truce, Sir Hugh. As from this day. It is agreed.”

“Yes, sir. Three months. That means until early November.

Until then, each side holds its hand.”

“So be it. And you, sir? I am prepared to accept your father’s word in this. You may return to him.”

The young man hesitated, and then jutted his chin.

“No, my lord. I still obey my father’s commands. To remain with you, as his hostage. That he ordained, that I will do.”

Bruce eyed him directly, thoughtfully, for a few seconds, seeking to assess the reasons behind this. He conceived this young man to be honourable-which was more than he did of his sire. Was that it, then? Hugh Ross himself did not trust William Ross, and was seeking to ensure his father’s good faith thus? It could be.

“Very well,” he said briefly.

“Send your cousin back with this word. Then put yourself in charge of Sir Thomas Randolph, my nephew. You will have much in common! That is all.”

The Rosses bowed, and went back to the boat.

The King slowly searched the faces of those around him.

“I see you doubt my judgement. All of you,” he said.

“I am sorry for that But the decision is mine, and I have made it.

Rightly or wrongly.”

“It cannot be right, Robert,” Edward exclaimed.

“To come to terms with the man who betrayed your wife and Marjory. And my sisters. I cannot understand how you could stomach it, ‘fore God!”

“It is the King who stomachs it-not the husband and father and brother!” Bruce grated.

“Even so …”

“The King to accept an offer of truce from a rebel!” Campbell said, dark head shaking.

“This I could not have believed, Sire.”

“When you have Ross forced to retire!” Angus Og weighed in.

“Of all times not to hold your hand! We are fighting-men, are we not? We came here to fight Ross. And now, when your stratagems have succeeded, and he sees that he is in trouble, you treat with him. If he needs this truce, you do not.”

“I say that His Grace is right,” Thomas Randolph put in, greatly daring, as all stared at him in surprise and offence.

“This way much bloodshed will be spared. Time gained and no harm done.

Ross holding the North behind this line will not hurt the rest of the

kingdom, or His Grace’s cause. For three months or six. So the King may turn his attention elsewhere.”

“Thank you, nephew,” Bruce nodded.

“I see that you have more in that handsome head than mere notions of chivalry and honour!”

He turned to the others.

“See you-Ross needs this truce, as my Lord of the Isles says. He says I do not. But I can use it. Ross sent that letter to King Edward. He hopes for help from England. We know, thanks to Lamberton, that he will not get it. Even though he writes other letters which we do not intercept. Edward of Carnarvon is otherwise occupied. Ross no doubt still hopes for aid from MacDougall of Lorn. This we must see that he does not obtain. But-be sure that he wants help! That is what matters. If we ensure that he gets none, then three months will not save him.

Nor harm us. And meantime, we can go back and deal with MacDougall!

With all our power, this time-no gesture. When he least expects us!”

When no one found anything they could controvert in that, he went on.

“This truce allows me to come to grips with Lorn this year. Still time, before the winter sets in. Here is a great matter. If we can bring down MacDougall and the West before this truce expires, I cannot see Ross in haste to seek battle with us thereafter. This could save me a year of campaigning-as well as the much war and bloodshed Randolph speaks of.”

Lennox nodded.

“Here is good sense, true judgement Thank God for your quick wits, Sire.”

Angus Og, who much preferred to fight on the coasts rather than inland, so that he could use his great fleet of galleys, shrugged acquiescence.

“What do we now, then?” Edward demanded.

“Between our two hosts, we have 8,000 men. And not to strike a blow!”

Bruce smiled, relaxing.

“Never fear, brother-there will be blows aplenty for you. And before long. We march to Inverness forthwith. Receive the surrender of that castle, and demolish it-allowing the English to sail away. Leave the Bishop of Moray to hold that town and watch this line. We shall turn southwest For Argyll and Lorn again. I would be knocking at MacDougall’s door before he hears of this truce, if that may be! From now on, we move fast” Even Edward could not complain of that programme.

“Master Bernard-before we march, prepare me a paper to send to Sir Alexander Comyn yonder. Appointing him my Sheriff of Inverness. To work with Bishop David. He is an able man. We must use him, keep him content in our service …”