Free Rivals for the Crown by Kathleen Givens Page A

lived to tell the tale," Rory said.
    "That's not the rumour that's being spread. I heard ye were the one doing the raping and ye attacked the others."
    "How could that be?" Rory asked. "If I'm busy raping a lass, would I take the time to start a fight with the onlookers?"
    Liam nodded and took another sip of wine. "But isn't that just what ye're saying the other man did?"
    "No. We came upon them, him tearing her clothes off and two of them holding her down and another watching. We stopped it. I dinna mean to kill him, but he fought back, and after that there wasna a choice. I dinna regret it."
    "Ye may. Ye've made enemies out there. Think they're telling the tale that they were the wrongdoers? Not likely."
    "The lass will tell the truth."
    "And be raped for it, or worse? She'll keep her mouth shut if she's wise. Who were they?"
    "MacDonnells."
    "Och! Making enemies from the clan whose land ye have to pass through every time ye come here. Cousins of yer mother's."
    Rory took a long drink of wine and put his cup down. "I dinna choose the fight, Liam, but neither did I shrink from it. Given the same choice, I'd do it again. And if the MacDonells shelter men like those, we need to ken that about them."
    "They're not like that." Liam leaned back and gave Rory a long, appraising look. "How old are ye now?"
    "Twenty-one. Last Lammas."
    "Ye have a lot to learn."
    "What was I supposed to do?"
    "Just what ye did, lad, just what ye did. But ye need to be a bit wiser."
    Rory bristled, but Liam continued.
    "Kill them all next time. Dinna leave anyone to tell false tales. Now, tell me what's being said in the west and on the islands."
    They told Liam the news they'd brought while they ate warm beef slices with dark bread, a cheese that complemented the red wine, and a compote of apples and oranges. Liam sliced the meat with a dagger engraved with a language Rory could not read. Liam, he thought, must have bought it on one of his many journeys, for Liam had traveled almost everywhere. Liam's past was shadowy, and seldom discussed, but Rory had pieced together that Liam had been an ambassader for King Alexander, spending much time on
    his behalf in other countries' courts. Liam had been in France when Davey had been rescued, when Nell had been forced to marry Lachlan. And in Flanders when Gannon had killed Lachlan and been banished from court. But all that was ancient news.
    "D'ye really think it'll come to war?" Rory asked.
    "D'ye really think the Bruces will back down from their claim? Balliol's closer to the throne and we all ken it, but the Bruces are an ambitious lot."
    "Ye dinna care for the Bruces?" Kieran asked.
    Liam snorted. "Ye could say that. Ye ken my uncle is the Sheriff of Ayr, and as such, in command of yer da's lands. And Carrick is just south. The Bruces have caused enough trouble down there, haven't they? They've made many enemies. But only a fool would discount them. Robert the elder may be an old man, but he's a vicious one still. And look what his son did, kidnapping Maijory of Carrick and forcing her to marry him."
    "I heard it was the other way round," Kieran said.
    Liam shrugged. "Does it matter? They're well matched, those two. And all of them are tied to the English throne and probably hoping Edward will lend his weight to their cause. Three Roberts, all looking out for themselves first."
    "And Balliol?" Rory asked. "Is he looking out for himself, or tied to England?"
    "Both, of course. But he also has yer cousins, the Comyns, guarding his back. And ye need to guard yers, lads. When they hear ye're abroad, they'll try to recruit ye to gather news for them as well, and will make vast promises for the future. Ye'll do well to be cautious of everyone. Ye see what happened on our way in here. Ye've got some vowing to kill ye and everyone willing to take sides. It's an interesting time for ye to be traveling. Ye'll stop back here on yer way home?"
    "Aye."
    "Good. Who kens, maybe we'll have a king by then."
    They talked