Sisters of The Bruce 1292-1314 (Abridged Version )

Sisters of The Bruce Chapter 8.1&2

                                                                                                         I

Norway

Bergen

February 1298

My dear Kirsty,

Please pass on our deepest regrets to Garnait. Our family has lost another good friend.

Bad weather delays the departure of Fearghas's vessel. While he waits out the rolling storms, the captain stays here as my guest. Over time, he has become less able to deal with life at sea and suffers painful, swollen joints. Some days he cannot even pick up a mug of ale! Murchadh, his son, is eager to take over as captain.

The victory at Stirling brought a mixed response here. For the Norse, the highest honour is to die in battle. Female Valkyries search battlegrounds and select the dead to join Odin in his great hall at Valhalla. Thanks to Hauk, shadowy wraiths haunt my dreams. Bishop Narve frowns at such mention, but he knows the huskarls revel in the pagan gods. Even the king is not averse to revering old ways, whilst paying lip-service to the gentle Christ.

At night, my lord husband tells tales of the war god who forfeited an eye in return for a drink from the well of wit and wisdom. With two ravens, Hugin and Munin, bringing him news of the world, he knew all there was to know. A god of poetry as well, Odin inspired skalds to sing sagas around warm hearths.

It is easy to see why Hauk is so impressed by the tale of the 'treacherer' being skinned. Such tales enliven the darkest night...

Regardless, a victory for the Scots is wondrous news. May there be many more of them!

As ever

Isa

                                                                                                       II

Scotland

Kildrummy Castle

May 1298

Isa, dear heart,

Last week, an unexpected visitor arrived. After a vicious squall and near collision with a whale, his vessel sustained damage, only just reaching Aberdeen. With time to spare due to  repairs, Murchadh borrowed a palfrey and rode to Kildrummy to deliver your missive himself, and to see the family his father served with such diligence these many years. Despite having broken his nose, he is a handsome lad and his brawny girth proved of great interest to the sister maids. We are sorry Fearghas is no longer well enough to continue in our service, but Murchadh impresses as a man of his word. Now, Marthoc packs him a fine repast for the journey ahead whilst Seonaid mends his tunic, ripped in places in the storm.

You will be pleased to know Scotland's great warrior was knighted by Robert and elected as sole Guardian of the community of the realm. Ever humble, he had to be persuaded to take office. Without a strong leader, we would be in deadly peril. In March, King Edward sailed from Flanders with many of the Scots' magnates – prisoners from Dunbar who agreed to fight for the English in return for their freedom. Many defected to the French king. A terrible retribution will follow all this. Mark well my words... for the humiliation suffered by England at Stirling and elsewhere, Edward means to grind Scotland into submission.

Fearful times aside, our lives follow the rhythm of the seasons. The girls are growing into fine young children, ever into mischief. Marjorie is walking, repeating words - some of which she has picked up from the guards for which she gains a sound chastisement from Morag.

After so many years, I am with child due at year's end so our dear Floraidh tells me. We are blessed!

I wish so much for peace to surround this isolated haven, and for the safe return of our brothers. Perhaps Odin could send Hugin or Munin to tell me what is happening elsewhere.

As ever

Kirsty