Mist Warrior (8 page)
“
Thank you for your patience,
”
Courcy said as he descended the stairs.
“
I have granted my betrothed use of my deceased mother’s solar. Tligs solhe maids will tend to her and see that she eats.
”
He paused at the table as a servant handed him a cup of wine.
“
Although she will never admit it, I know she is exhausted.
”
Branan could only agree with Courcy’s observation.
“
Come, sit
, and refresh yourselves. Our
meal will be served soon.
”
Branan sat at the table. The servants brought them bread and cheese. He found the wine a b
it too strong for his pallet, instead enjoying
the finely made ale.
The
y
spoke little except for trivial things during their meal. Gavin carried the conversation, asking about Courcy’s money-making ventures. Through the evening, Branan discovered Courcy a shrewd man when it came to profits and definitely not a slouch when it came to tactics.
Brackenburgh, although a defensive castle, existed primarily for trade. Its locale, close to the fork of the king’s roads, one of which lead north to the Barony of Carlisle and the other northwest leading to the Barony of Allerdale, as well as being near the River Petteril, gave it a perfect position to serve both goals.
The meal finished and the table cleared, most of the servants departed except for a few who would tend to their cups. Courcy sat back, his dark eyes glittering as he looked at Branan.
“
John told me much about you but I fear he never told me you were a laird.
”
“
He dinna ken of it,
”
Branan said softly.
“
I dinna either until Uncle Duguald brought me to Dun-Ardrigh.
”
Courcy arched an eyebrow then nodded.
“
So your lands have been keeping you busy.
”
Branan nodded.
“
Our primary income is wool production.
”
He fingered the plaid he wore.
“
Our women are fine weavers and their work is prized. "> is priThe wool that I and my men wear is the pride of our clan.
”
“
This pattern you wear is one of the finest, MacTavish. I hope to pursue purchasing your clan’s weaving for resale. We shall both make tidy profits.
”
Branan couldn’t resist the smile he shot at Courcy, yet he made a mental note to request that the women change the thread-count. When they sold to other clans, the weave changed subtly. It should be more apparent when sold to the English or even abroad.
“
We are also wood workers. When I am not at the lathe, I am training horses.
”
Courcy arched an eyebrow.
“
You sound like a very busy man.
”
“
Aye, but I enjoy the work.
”
And my sanity
, he thought.
Courcy sighed, his expression turning wistful.
“
I can hardly remember the days when I performed various labors. Now these projects are so extensive, I barely have time to manage them.
”
Branan’s brow furrowed. Were Courcy’s words an affront or a compliment to the fact Branan still performed sometimes backbreaking physical labor?
Gavin cleared his throat.
“
Yet, Courcy, I hear you have time to take on a relatively new project, one that requires strategy and the use of weapons rather than just profits.
”
Courcy chuckled, his eyes glittering.
“
Aye, Reigny. I like making money, that is no secret, but when something...or someone...threatens my ventures, I find it prudent to seek other means of recourse.
”
He paused, studying the others for a long moment
,
then his gaze locked
on Branan.
“
I understand,
MacTavish, that there is no love lost betwixt you and Warden Strickland.
”
Branan’s jaw tightened.
“
n>
Aye.
”
“
John told me that by all rights you should be heir of the Wardenship.
”
He paused and scowled.
“
I am not sure if I am clear on this
, b
ut John explained you are begotte
n of Lady Raina’s first husband
–the Scotsman, Raulf MacTavish, whom Strickland murdered. Although for years you were known as Strickland’s son, in truth you are of Scottish blood. Indeed what I’ve seen thus far has proven it.
”
“
’Tis sooth. My mother only claimed me Strickland’s son because she feared he would kill me the moment I uttered my first squall.
”
Courcy nodded, again surprising Branan with an expression of approval. He motioned the servants to quickly refill their cups then lifted his as if in a toast.
“
To the wisdom of your mother, Branan MacTavish, for protecting what she held most dear.
”
“
Well said,
”
Gavin replied
,
lifting his cup.
“
Aye,
”
Branan said and
acknowledged the toast
.
But my mother paid such a terrible price because of her love for me.
“
Strickland,
”
Courcy continued,
“
and I had a...disagreement. It seems the expense of maintaining the Royal Forest of Inglewood is increasing.
”
“
Increasing to line his pockets, you mean,
”
Gavin muttered.
“
Brackenburgh answered the challenge in stride and we paid our due. Remember making money is my talent, so I was still able to show a profit even after the hefty increases.
”
t sfont>
Courcy paused and sighed.
“
Unfortunately, many townships were not able to do that. Strickland punished them by burning their stores and their homes. I tried to help those Strickl
and persecuted but
he grew
suspicious of me, thinking I was holding back.
”
“
He not only bites the hand that feeds him
,
but he lops it off,
”
Branan muttered.
“
Strickland’s bastard deliver
ed
a message from his father. He threatened my standing and my profits if I did not give them more.
”
Courcy’s lip curled.
“
When I asked why Strickland did not come himself, the whelp replied that he was collecting his due from another village. The idiot was too busy pillaging to come threaten me. He had to send his by-blow to do it.
”
Gavin shook his head.
“
One would think if a man has the ballocks to threaten one with financial backing like yours, he’d leastways do it in person.
”
“
Aye,
”
Courcy replied, his disgust poorly veiled.
“
There is a point where a man must take a stand otherwise Strickland would have bled me dry. I flatly refused the cur and told him he could get only what we had been giving, not a farthing more.
”
“
So that’s when Strickland burned some of your holdings?
”
Gavin asked.
“
Aye. But he did not realize what he was jumping into. I have the finances to easily hire some of the best mercenaries available–and I have the finances to keep them most loyal.
”
Branan nodded in appreciation.
“
For every village and storehouse Strickland destroys, I destroy two of his. He suspects I am behind this
?<
,
but has no proof. Tension builds and Strickland has to pay his taxes out of his own coffers. Something is going to break soon. Right now, the villagers and freemen are bearing the brunt of Strickland’s frustration and greed. I may like making money
,
but I do not believe in destroying those lower in station to get it. I mean to stop Strickland and bring him down. It is no longer solely a matter of money
,
but for the survival of those who call Inglewood home.
”
“
How do ye plan to do that?
”
Branan asked.
“
It was not long after this started that I spoke to John and he told me about your heritage. He thought we could work together. If I am to stop Strickland then the best way is to restore the true heir to the Wardenship. Strickland would be defeated, the persecution would stop, and there would be an honorable man managing these lands for the king. I would be able to return to my ventures without worry. Yet while I liked the idea, I was not without concern. I mean no offense when I say
,
I was uncertain about putting a man with such strong Scottish blood into such a powerful position. John told me much about your honor and the strength of your character. But when I voiced my doubt he sweetened the deal by offering his daughter and her dowry in marriage.
”
The blood drained from Branan’s face and even Gavin’s jaw went slack.
“
He did what?
”
Branan asked.
“
’Tis in the betrothal contract,
”
Courcy said.
“
B
y supporting you and your cause against Strickland, I get Catriona to wife.
”
Horror coiled through Branan and he clenched his fists. What had his foster-father done? John offered his beloved daughter to insure Branan would have an alliance to defeat Strickland. Anger surged through him that John would use Catriona like a pawn to guarantee Branan’s future. She should not have to pay so high a price.
“
I see,
”
he said softly, fighting to get his emotions under control.
“
But it grows late,
Courcy said, watching him closely.
“
We should all get some rest
and tomorrow I will show you
some of the various projects
. I think you will be impressed.
”