“My life is dedicated to yours only sir. Dinner is planned in the hall tonight. Mourners will be spending overnight in the estate house after Lady Blair is laid to rest at Dunfermline. Should I set out your attire for dinner?”
“I will go and I imagine all present will be soothing their sorrow with drink till the wee hours. I will escape tonight, travel beyond Clatchard Craig, and not return until I find a wife. I will claim Fife for my own and rule as I see fit.” Angus smiled. “Perhaps my new wife will have a maid to your liking Rufus.” He winked.
“Mysterious happenings are talked about at Clatchard Craig. I’ve heard of bad things.”
“I am not to assume you believe I fear such things.”
“No. You should not assume such.” Rufus shook in his tattered boots. He feared insulting Angus.
“I shall not leave dinner too early for fear of my absence being noticed but you will sneak away. You have many supplies to gather for my journey to find a suitable wife. I will need clothes to disguise my appearance. I was blessed with good looks and will be recognized as Angus Blake. I would be taken for ransom or worse upon sight if I do not make myself look common. Get to work Rufus. I want my sword readied with an edge so sharp it will take off a head with a feather’s touch.”
“As you wish.” Rufus backed out of the room trembling with fear for what lie ahead beyond the Craig. He and laird Angus Blake would venture into the unknown where hideous acts were common and few retuned safely.
Alone in his quarters, Angus contemplated his quest for an appropriate wife. His abilities would be tested and it was difficult to leave the comforts of the manor. The rooms were warm and dry and food plentiful. Every desire, each whim was fulfilled at his command As Lady Blair neared death she took her son’s hand and made him vouch to find a strong woman who could join him and make sure harmony in Fife prevailed. She placed a sparkling emerald ring in his hand, closed her eyes and passed. Angus hung the ring on a gold chain around his neck.
Chapter Two
A feast was served in the great hall befitting kings. Smells familiar to Angus from when the animals were gutted and thrown on the fire before landing on the table. The location of his room was not accidental as he enjoyed the smell of fresh meat being prepared. Lord Donald Blake sat at the head of the table. He hardly seemed to be in mourning as his cheeks grew red from mead and his eyes focused on the serving wenches.
“Brother, you’re thoughts are elsewhere. Mother had been ill for a long time and she would have desired you to drink heavily and enjoy in her honor,” Angus’ elder sister said. Alena was the wife of a distant McTavish cousin. It was a marriage of convenience and they produced three girls as Lady Blair had. The Blake women did not inherit the beauty of their Mother and they were happy to join in marriage at all. If they hadn’t dropped from his Mother’s womb Angus would not have believed they were related.
“My mourning is handled as I wish Alena. You had best keep an eye on your husband. Look away and he might find something more to his taste.” The corners of Angus’ mouth turned up.
Alena whipped her head around and her ample frame shuddered when she saw Sir Dharwad pawing at another woman’s breast. She scrunched her face in a way that made it uglier than normal. Sweat began to accumulate in the creases of her forehead. Angus had distracted one sister and the other’s seemed to have had enough wine to keep them occupied. Angus was ready to slip away and if anyone saw him, they would forget it by daybreak.
****
Angus Blake met Rufus behind the servant’s quarters. He shed his clothes, which carried his family crest and Rufus tossed them in a crude fire set for the purpose of destroying evidence. He donned a heavy wool coat and black woolen pants and shirt. Finally, he donned a leather tunic. They were warm and allowed him to go unnoticed. A leather sack carried supplies and his horse Engel was loaded with enough rations to start his journey. Angus patted his chest to make sure his mother’s ring was with him. He wore it around his muscular neck where it would remain till he put it on the finger of his fair lass.
Sleet was pelting Angus’ leather tunic as it came at him sideways. “It will not be until mid-day that my absence is noticed.” Angus looked back to make sure Rufus was behind him. He had to scream to be heard over the howling winds. “They will send men after us but we will be at Black Cairn Hill by then.”
“The Tay will be waiting on the other side of the hill and they’ll be happy to stuff and mount ye in their great hall. Lord Donald Blake’s son will make quite the catch.”
“Aye, fierce opponents indeed but if we can turn a few they will make excellent comrades.”