The Red Lion

Chapter One

          I heard footsteps coming from the corridor just outside the door of my work chambers. A light knock came accompanied by "My lord?"

"Come," I called to the empty room.

The door opened slowly. Finan, my Irish steward, appeared in the doorway. "They've come again, lord," he said.

I let out a shallow sigh, paused a moment, and stood up from my seat. "Tell them I'll be just a moment. Offer them a drink or something, eh?"

"Aye, my lord," he said as he swiftly quitted the room and closed the door.

I donned my calfskin shoes and thin blue-ivory robe. Aileen always said this was one of her favorite robes of mine. She would be out with Ronan now, probably in the kitchens supervising the servants. Dawn had already broken hours ago.

Finan would have put the visitors in the great hall. I groaned myself out and marched into the corridor leading to the hall. The pathway opened up into a well-lit room where my guests waited next to Finan. I entered the hall and everyone turned to face me.

"Good day, Lord Murtaugh," called the dignitary on the left with a smile.

"Good day," I responded, not returning the smile.

The man's smile faded and he turned to his companion for a moment, then snapped back to me. "The king has dispatched us here to inform you that His Majesty is willing to raise the price we before spoke of."

"Oh? To what?" I asked, feigning interest.

"In addition to the five cases of silver already spoken of, the king will add two more cases, allow full trade access with England, and double the guard posted at the estate to deter any...less than savory folk."

I said nothing. The man paused, unsure.

"What say you to His Majesty's new offer? It is great payment, and all we ask for is your sworn allegiance to King Harold."

Still I was silent. Only now I made notice of the two English guards posted at the door of the hall. The steel tips of their spears glinted softly in the flickering light of the fireplace.

I finally spoke: "You are familiar, lord Merton, with Scottish pride?"

The dignitary rolled his eyes and glared at his companion. Although his head was downturned I could tell Finan's face bore the faintest smile. The right diplomat now spoke.

"Lord Murtaugh, we implore you to reconsider. Your lands are very near the border with our country. An alliance with the king could be beneficial to all."

"Tell your king that I bend knee only to God and Alexander, King of Scots. I bid you both good day."

The left man spoke again: "This war between our countries will not last much longer. We only offer you a chance to join the winning side before English troops march northward again. If your mind changes, send an emissary southward, but know that this offer will not last long. Good day to you."

"And to you, lords. Finan, show them out, will you?"

"Aye, lord", he said as he showed the diplomats out.

They exited the room and I let out another sigh and slumped into the nearest chair. As much as I hated to admit it, they were correct. War was soon to come back to Scotland. The frontier estates like my own, Bayloroch, would be among the first affected. The estate, however, was only miles from Dumfries, the largest Scottish town south of Edinburgh. King Alexander would begin setting up forts along the border. This meant I would have to hire more mercenaries to guard the estate and build up fortifications of my own.