STIRLING CASTLE - JUNE 17, 1291
Isent men out tae scout for English trespassers and then I held meetings all mornin’. Sean and I met tae talk about the building project. Cailean and I discussed bringing more guards tae the castle, building and maintaining a larger standing army.
My soldiers returned — they hadna found any English, but they found the leavings from an encampment at the base of the ben, near where I had spotted the men yesterday.
The consensus was that the English had left the area already. But we carried on with plans anyway, strengthening the guard, protecting the castle. Anyone leavin’ the gates needed a full guard. Messengers were sent tae the lairds at the borders, and more men were sent tae scout farther out.
Sean, Fraoch, and I met in my office at midday. “Och nae, Sean, I am sorry ye hae arrived in the middle of this — I would prefer tae take ye for a hunt.”
He rubbed his hands together. “This is the kind of excitement a man relishes. King against king? This is stirrin’!”
I laughed. “Tis only stirrin’ ye tae excitement because we arna outmatched.”
“True. I do admire that m’brother is a powerful king.”
“Did ye just say ye admired me, Sean?”
He said, “I admire yerpower. Daena get full of yerself, Young Magnus, ye are m’wee weak brother. Everyone can see it.”
I chuckled.
“And because of yer weakness, ye need me, and I daena mind buildin’ yer walls — though I would enjoy ridin’ out over the lands, marveling at an older Scotland. Tae see the power and wealth. The far-flung lands?—”
“Tis my power and wealth! Tis my land!”
He rolled his eyes, and joked, “Alba belongs tae all Scotsmen in their hearts.”
I said, “Och nae, ye will never give me m’due.”
“Never. Tis m’duty as yer elder brother not tae allow ye tae think too highly of yerself.” He drank from a mug of ale.
I said, “What dost ye think, Fraoch, this is the duty of an older brother?”
“Aye, tae kick yer arse, talk down tae ye, put ye in yer place, but all the while protectin’ ye from yer enemies and helpin’ build yer power. Tis a lot tae do, we are selfless. We daena even get tae hunt and fish, we must spend all our time helpin’ our wee brother survive.”
I exhaled. “Och, I feel verra put upon by ye gangin’ up on me.”
They both laughed.
Sean spun his mug. “I am only havin’ fun, Young Magnus, I am impressed with yer power, tis a far cry from the lad kneeling in front of me, beggin’ for m’forgiveness.”
“Ye doled it out quite painfully.”
“Aye, tis as older brothers hae always done. But all teasing aside, I would love tae go on a hunt, tae see with m’own eyesthat Alba is yers. But my time is better spent helpin’ ye build yer power than marveling in it. Replacin’ the timber with stone on yer walls is crucial. The English King needs tae see he winna get through yer gates.”
“Tis why ye came?”
“Aye, this is why I came — tae help ye hold yer crown. Might as well be here when the English King threatens ye, tis bound tae be much more interesting?—”
“Ye think Eddie is threatenin’ me?”
He and Fraoch both said, “Aye,” at the same time.
Fraoch said, “Ye canna take Englishmen on yer lands any other way.”
I nodded.
Sean said, “Och, and rudely — he haena given me enough time tae strengthen yer castle first.”
