Page 93 of The Falcon Laird
Chapter Twenty-Three
“It is amagnificent view,” Christian said, stopping her horse to gaze toward the horizon. “Kilglassie looks nearly as fine as when I was a child. Beautiful today. Whole and strong.”
“Everything looks beautiful to you today,” he said. “Ever since you freed those birds from their cages, you have been as giddy and happy as a babe.” He chuckled as she grinned at him.
“I am glad Fergus rode ahead,” she said then. “They will be ready for us. Tonight, we should have a celebration, I think. But without fowl for supper—what is it?” she asked.
Gavin had halted his horse beside hers. He frowned. A breathtaking sight, but something made him uneasy. From the distance, the castle was a silhouette against the sunset sky, its massive towers and walls, still being repaired, looking flawless. The setting sun glinted off sandstone to turn the castle a rosy gold color. Below the massive promontory, the rippling loch reflected the wild sky.
He gathered the reins. “Come ahead, my lady.” Christian followed. Soon they neared the drawbridge.
“Is that smoke?” She pointed toward a white plume rising out of the promontory on the lochside.
“Smoke? Those are birds flying out of the rock. Wild doves, I think.”
“It looks as if they are coming straight out of the rock. They must be nesting all along the promontory,” she said.
He scanned the great block of the castle, with its high, soaring walls. Then he saw what caused his earlier uneasiness.“There is a banner flying above the gatehouse. The dragon banner. Hastings is here.”
She gasped. “Those are his sentries on the parapet.”
Gavin pulled on the reins as his black stallion shifted nervously beneath him. “He has decided to install the garrison without waiting for me. He did this while I was away—he must have planned it all along.”
“Why would he take over the castle?”
“Because he had no faith that I would do what he wanted. I should have fixed that damned gate the very first day,” Gavin growled.
He spurred his horse forward and rode across the drawbridge, Christian close behind.
“What is themeaning of this?” Gavin shouted as he dismounted, seeing Hastings striding across the bailey yard toward him. A thick flock of pigeons and doves, pecking at the ground, scattered as Hastings advanced through their midst.
Gavin flung the reins toward a startled groom who stood by the gatehouse and stomped forward. “By what right do you garrison my castle in my absence?”
“King’s right. I have not only garrisoned Kilglassie, I now command it.”
“God’s blood!” Gavin stepped forward. “I hold the charter.”
“I will request that Edward transfer it to me.” He turned to beckon toward a group of soldiers. “Guards, take this traitor into custody. Place him with the others for now.”
Two of the guards grabbed Gavin’s arms, trapping them at his sides. He struggled, looking over his shoulder. Other guards had lifted Christian down from her horse and were leading her away. She glanced back at him, her face pale and frightened. Gavin sensed how terrified she was, and that increased his anger. He turned toward Hastings, glaring, his breath heaving.
“I received a letter from the king just after you left Ayr Castle,” Hastings said. “He sent word that you are charged with treason for taking the Lady Christian home to Kilglassie without his permission, and for delaying the installation of the king’s troops here.”
“And you wasted not a moment in coming here,” Gavin said. “Edward gave me custody of Lady Christian. I fulfilled his request and his order. Nor do you have proof that I have conspired to delay the garrisoning of this place.”
“No proof, but suspicions,” Hastings returned. “I informed the king that you have been protecting spies and allies of Robert Bruce here at Kilglassie. That priest and that carpenter helped.”
“That carpenter was your spy, not mine.”
“I have no idea what you mean. I further suspect you are withholding Scottish treasure that rightfully belongs to Edward. I meant to arrest you in Ayr, but the king’s reply had not yet arrived.”
“You have no grounds for this,” Gavin said. “Your greed drives you to take this castle. But there is naught here of value for you.” The guards began to lead him away; he tore free but was forced to accompany them when two other heavily armed men approached and took his arms.
“Naught of value?” Hastings followed. “We will see. My men are tearing apart the rooms now.”
The guards took Gavin and Christian, too, into the ground-floor bakery, then through the doorway that led to the long tunnel. Hastings, who had clearly found it in their absence, came with them, followed by a soldier who held a blazing torch. Their footsteps echoed loudly in the stone passageway.
“You never told me about the hidden chamber down here,” Hastings said as they neared the final entry. “That was a mistake. It speaks of treason on your part. When I arrived here with my troops yesterday, I commanded a thorough search ofthe place. We found this underground chamber, with traces of recent meals, and stacks of blankets used not long ago. I believe that you have been hiding rebels down here—perhaps even Robert Bruce himself.”
