1558 - MEETING MAX AT MUCKHART MID-MAY
Afew moments later I sank again into the seat. My clothes were less damp, my hair had dried. I felt warm for the first time that day. I drained my whole mug and wiped my arm across my mouth.
“I am finally comin’ intae myself. Twas bleak.”
Max requested another refill of our mugs and told me our supper was on its way.
I asked, “Did Mistress Sarie cook m’favorite?”
“She is bringing the smoked mutton stew.”
I said, “Och, I am drooling with hunger. But that is not m’favorite, did ye ask for bannocks and cheese?”
Max groaned. “Every tavern in Christendom, tis the same with ye —Bannocks and cheese, bannocks and cheese. Aye, I ordered it, she will bring it first, but Torin, ye order it every time!”
“I ken, it fills the belly.” I looked around the room, spotting the honey pot on a table within the kitchen. I whispered, “She is goin’ tae serve us some heather-honey brose.”
Max said, “Wheesht, ye ken she winna give it if we ask for it — must come as a treat.”
“I winna ruin it, never. Tis the best in the glen. Och, I am hungry.”
Max settled back in his chair, “I need a full accountin’. What has happened that ye are half drowned and half dead?”
I reached in my sporran, pulled out the vessel, and placed it on the table in front of him.
He put his hand over it and I glanced tae make certain nae one was watching. This was why we often met in Muckhart, tae keep Max’s quest for the vessel from the pryin’ eyes and inquisitive ears of the inhabitants of Castle Glume. This tavern was busy and twas easy tae blend intae the crowds.
Mistress Sarie approached so Max slid the vessel into his sporran while she put the plate with bannocks and cheese in front of me. She said, “I ken twas for ye, as soon as Master Max asked for it.”
I took a big hungry bite and said with my mouth full, “I haena had it in weeks, I was desperately in need of it.”
She said, “I ken ye were, ye are eatin’ without prayin’ first! If ye are a good lad I will give ye heather-honey brose, I ken ye like it.”
I hastily placed the rest of the oatcake back on the plate, folded my hands and said, with my stomach growlin’, “Bless this bread, Lord, and the road that lies ahead. Amen.”
Then I asked Max, “Ye want some?” As I stuffed more in my mouth and groaned with pleasure.
He shook his head, “Nae, I had some earlier.”
“Och, ye are fortunate.”
Then she gave us each a bowl of stew and our mugs were refilled yet again. I dug my spoon intae the stew and ate a big bite, hungrily.
With my mouth full, chewin’, while bringing the bannock to my mouth, I said, “I will need a second helpin’ of stew.”
Max said, “Ye hae had one bite and already ye are plannin’ it?”
“Aye, and I am prepared tae charm Mistress Sarie for it.”
He spooned a mouthful of stew, eyein’ me over the rim. “Tis plain ye daena ken the state of yer visage, Torin. Ye winna charm any soul until ye find a stream.” He gestured with his spoon. “Whose blood are ye dripping with?”
I glanced down at the dark stains drying on my tunic. My hand lifted in a vague sweep across m’chest. “Some is mine, some the boar. One bit’s the highwayman I slew.” I smiled weakly. “All well-blended now.”
He ate a few more bites and then leaned back in his chair. He pulled the vessel from his sporran. “I dinna think I would ever hold it.”
“Careful, it might grab ye.”
I ate a big bite and chewed. “I found her.”
