Sigefrith finds himself in Scotland
“My brother!”
There was only one person in the world who called him brother, had a voice like an old bachelor bear, and did such remarkable things with his r’s. Sigefrith was grinning before he even turned around. “Gog!”
And before he could say more, he was crushed in one of Colban’s rib-snapping, back-breaking hugs.
“It seems I should look for you every summer now – you haven’t failed me yet,” Sigefrith said once he could breathe again. “To what do I owe the honor this year? Another whelp?”
“I’ve come to welcome you to Scotland!” Colban beamed.
“To Scotland! You inviting me?”
“You’re already there, brother!” Colban laughed. “While you were sleeping, the border picked up her skirts and trotted to the south!”
“She what?”
“King Malcolm is playing a fine game with the Norman king. He let it be whispered that he had sent an envoy to the Danes, and William decided to buy back his loyalty by giving him a bit of land. And that includes your fine valley, brother!”
“No!” Sigefrith went white.
“It was ours long ago, and is ours again.”
“Ours – whose?”
“Ours!” Colban laughed. “You may thank my cousin Malcolm for whispering I know not what into the ear of a man who has the ear of the King. You should have been under the sons of Cormac, across the border that was, but it is my cousin Aed who has the bother of you and your red Baron now, God help him!”
“What – that old pagan, with all the feathers in his beard?”
“The one your young Bertie asked if he had the feathers because the birds crawled inside and made their nests!”
“Damn! I should like to see him again!”
“As would he, but he is gone to Stirling. You must be content with me.”
“Content! I should say so! Who did you bring? Where’s Magog?”
“I brought only my son Colban, and left him with his brother at your castle. My cousin Malcolm is the devil knows where. I saw him last in the spring.”
“He’s well I hope?”
“He’s under the devil’s own wing. He went out to make war, but I do no doubt he has made mostly trouble.”
“If it is he who spared me the pleasure of treating with those red-headed wolves who captured Egelric and me across the border a few years back, then he has done enough good for the season.”
“Where are you hiding my cousin, then? I went to his house, and found it empty and locked.”
“Oh, he and his girl have been staying with Alred, but lately he’s been away working on a new keep.”
“That one to the east I saw as I came riding in?”
“That was last winter’s work! This one is by the big lake. But he may be at Nothelm today for all I know. Shall I send for him and Alred?”
“I shall go to them myself at once, if my brother will excuse me. I must speak with my cousin.”
“I don’t mind, but come back to me afterwards. I don’t recommend you let Alred talk you into staying for supper. His cook is not to be trusted.”
“I remember,” Colban laughed. “But I do no believe he will try.”
