Free Knight Triumphant by Heather Graham Page B

life.”
    â€œThese people are my . . . they are my flock,” MacKinley said. “And I would keep the peace between them, and you.”
    â€œYou must keep the peace between them—and Peter MacDonald.”
    â€œYou’re leaving?”
    â€œAye.”
    â€œJoining the Bruce to fight on?” The priest said hopefully.
    â€œYou know that I am not. Aye, I’m leaving, but I won’t be joining the Bruce—not just yet. I was sent out to solicit men for his battles, and thus was at sea where we found the man who inflicted us all with this rampaging disease. I meant to return to the king with more men at arms. And we will soon have help from many Irish chieftains. But for ourselves. . . now . . . we’ve lost so many. But, still, I believe that I will bring Robert Bruce a political and powerful prize, nevertheless.”
    â€œYou don’t mean . . .”
    â€œThe Lady of Langley? The very wealthy daughter of the late Earl of Wheaten? Aye, she is the exact prize I do mean.”
    â€œYou will give her over—to Robert Bruce?”
    â€œIndeed.”
    â€œBut—but—she is long gone. You will never find her.”
    Eric rose and came to the priest, staring down at him. “Oh, but I will. You have told me that I will find something to live for. I have found it, Father. I am living for two things, and two things only. Scotland—and revenge. Trust me, Father, I never lie. I intend to find her. And I will.”
    â€œBut . . . then . . .”
    â€œThen the lady will pay the price of war,” he said simply.
    He left the great hall then with long strides.
    He made his way up the staircase as if he were in complete power and control. Peter waited at the door to the master’s chamber. He opened it quickly.
    He managed to enter the chamber before he sagged. Peter helped him to the bed. He gripped Peter’s shoulders tightly.
    â€œThey can’t know that I haven’t my full strength.”
    â€œThey will not,” Peter assured him. “But I should go after the lady of Langley. You haven’t the strength yet—”
    â€œYour strength is needed here, Peter. The castle is not secure, and it must be held against the English.”
    â€œBut, can you ride?”
    â€œAye, Peter. In just a few days time. Every hour now, I feel my strength returning. I need food, and aye, just a little more rest. Then I will be ready. And I will ride, and I will find her, and I will bring her back.”

CHAPTER 4
    Igrainia traveled in a far different way from that to which she had become accustomed.
    The first time she had come to the Borders, she had ridden with her father, his knights, their squires, and a dozen attendants. The knights had been beautiful in their glistening plate, mail, and her father’s colors of red, black and yellow. The horses had been equally resplendent. She had been attended by Jennie and two other maids, and if they had tired, they had wagons in which to rest. They had stayed at castles and manors along the way, been greeted with enthusiasm, feasts, warm wine and rich comforts. When she had later traveled with Afton, they had always left with the same entourage, and been welcomed in fine homes along the way. She rode Menfreya, her beautiful, smooth-gaited, fast-paced mare. Naturally, there were hardships along the way. Rain, snow, sleet, wind and the mud that seemed a never-ending feature of the roads. Sometimes, in summer, there was the heat of the sun, but she loved the sun, and it always seemed to be tempered by a moist whisper of coolness in the air. She had always loved to travel, to see new places, meet new people. Naturally, it had always held an element of danger, but she had never ventured out far without an armed guard.
    This was quite different.
    She had slipped from the castle with John Simpson and his wife, Merry. They had both worked in the kitchen at Langley Castle as long as they could remember. They had