The Price of Freedom by Carol Umberger Read Free Book Online

gloomily.
    â€œMost likely. One thing for certain, he wouldn’t make ye marry Rodney Carleton.”
    That thought sparked hope. “Can we get a message to him?”
    â€œAye. But it would take time, and Rodney might insist on marrying before Bruce can answer.”
    Loud shouting and the clatter of approaching horses interrupted them. “What now?” She glanced at Fergus who rose to his feet and offered his hand, but she waved him off as she stood and headed toward the commotion.
    A stable boy dashed through the doorway and ran headlong into her, nearly knocking her down.
    â€œPardon me, my lady, but ye must come quick. A knight and his warriors are demanding entrance. And he carries the king’s own banner.”
    â€œWhich king?” Fergus demanded.
    â€œâ€™Tis a red lion on a field of gold.”
    â€œBruce,” Kathryn whispered and moved closer to Fergus.
    He faced her. “Aye, lass. I doubt he knows of yer father’s death, but his timing is a godsend.”
    Kathryn grinned. “Aye, my prayers have been answered. It is beyond belief! I will yield to Bruce and be done with Rodney and England.”
    â€œAre ye certain, Kat? Perhaps it would be wise if ye’d be more cautious.”
    â€œ ’Tis the answer to my prayers, Fergus.”
    Fergus nodded. “All right. Let’s hear what this knight has to say.”
    Duty required that she be sure those she loved would be safe. At least now she had an option other than Rodney. Show me your will, God. Give me wisdom. Gathering her resolve about her along with her cloak, Kathryn walked briskly toward the gatehouse guarding the entrance to Homelea.
    Heart pounding in renewed optimism, she climbed the stairs leading to the guardroom, Fergus close behind. She crossed the small room and peered through the slotted window, saying another prayer for strength and wisdom. Fergus stood close by her, silently offering support.
    There indeed flew Bruce’s banner. She counted a small force of perhaps two score men, just beyond range of her archers, should she decide to deploy them.
    Homelea was not a great castle but a large manor home surrounded by a curtain wall. The fortifications would not hold up to a determined siege, but provided security from marauding bands intent on stealing more than the occasional cow or sheep. The walls were surrounded on three sides by the Tweed River and by a bog on the fourth. A knight on a magnificent black stallion rode to the end of the causeway that had been built across the bog. She didn’t recognize his pennon, only that it marked him as a bachelor.
    The knight called out, “I am Sir Bryan Mackintosh and I come in the name of Scotland’s King. I demand to speak to the Earl of Homelea.”
    Kathryn tripped over her skirt and nearly ran over Fergus in her haste to withdraw from the opening. St. Columba save us. Bryan Dubh. Black Bryan Mackintosh, the Black Knight himself. He was certainly not the answer to anyone’s prayer for protection.
    She shuddered as she remembered the tales of the villages he’d burned and the castles he’d destroyed on both sides of the border. This warrior had earned the title Black Bryan from his many hapless victims. She’d also heard he was a natural son of Robert the Bruce, born while the then future king was still in his teens and well before Bruce had married his first wife, Isabella of Mar. The Black Knight’s prowess with the mighty double-edged claymore sword was second only to his mentor, Bruce himself.
    Bryan Dubh killed without mercy. What mercy could she hope for from a man such as him? She struggled to breathe, disappointment fogging her brain. This was not the champion she had prayed for! She had to think of some way to defend her home or they would all be dead before nightfall.
    Fergus turned to Kathryn, “Ye should yield to him. I’ve heard it goes well for those who don’t resist him. But he’s