Read Online The Promise of Peace by Carol Umberger - Free Book Online Page B

king, Robert the Bruce had imprisoned Angus Macnab.
    And now he was free? How had Angus managed that? “Where is he?”
    â€œAt the gate. I . . . I refused him entrance.”
    Fergus stood and walked over to Eveleen. “That was wise, good mother.” He took her arm as though he realized she needed his courage to bolster her own. “Come, let’s see what he wants.”
    â€œWhat will we tell him about Keifer?” Eveleen asked as they walked toward the keep’s door.
    Morrigan moved to walk at her mother’s other side. “The truth. He isn’t here. We are not required to tell him or anyone else where the boy is.”
    The three of them went into the bailey and to the gate. Morrigan only hoped the man would pay his respects and be gone without upsetting her mother. Morrigan would hear him out and send him on his way. The portal was open, but Morrigan’s men held the visitor at sword point.
    Angus had dismounted, and though Fergus and Eveleen stopped this side of the gate, Morrigan walked forward and halted beside her guards. She could barely restrain her dislike of her uncle.
    â€œUncle Angus. This is quite a surprise.”
    He sketched a courtesy. “King Robert released me a few days ago. Bruce has given me a small tract of land an hour north of here. I thought . . . I wanted ye to know I am close by if ye need anything.”
    â€œWe have never needed anything from ye, Angus,” Eveleen said with quiet dignity.
    Fergus said, “Are ye for Bruce, then?”
    â€œAye. A few years in prison gives a man time to see the error of his ways.”
    Morrigan wasn’t sure she believed him but kept her thoughts to herself.
    Angus stepped closer. “Eveleen.” He looked down at the ground. “I’ll not come back here to disturb yer peace. But I must speak with ye in private this once.”
    Eveleen looked to Morrigan.
    She nodded. “It’s all right, Mother, if you wish to.”
    â€œSpeak to me here, Angus. I have no desire to be private with ye.”
    He drew a deep breath. “All right. They say that public confession is good for the soul.”
    Again Morrigan worried that Angus would unnecessarily upset her mother. “Uncle Angus, confession might be good for you, but it might not be good for those who must listen to what you say.” She stared at him, and with a nod he acknowledged her point.
    â€œThat may be true, niece, but still these words need saying. First of all, ye need not fear for Keifer. I will not harm the boy. ’Tis the least I can do to repay—”
    â€œYou don’t owe us anything,” Morrigan interrupted.
    â€œAh, but I do, Morrigan.” He turned to Eveleen. “Ye see, I killed Ian.”
    Eveleen frowned. “Don’t be ridiculous. He fell from his horse.”
    Morrigan was struck dumb by this confession. What was Angus up to?
    Stepping closer to Eveleen, he said, “Aye, so I told ye. I could not face ye with the truth.”
    Morrigan said, “You killed my father? Why bother to confess now after all this time?”
    â€œA man has time to think in prison, time to pray for God’s forgiveness. And now I’m needin’ yers.”
    â€œYe killed yer own brother.” Eveleen swayed, and Fergus steadied her. “How? Why?”
    â€œWe argued. He walked away from me and I charged him, knocked him down. He fell, hit a rock and broke his neck.”
    â€œHe didn’t fall from the horse?” Eveleen whispered.
    He laid his hand on her arm. “Nay, he did not.”
    Eveleen shoved at his hand, pushing it away. “Ye lied and let me believe that lie all this time.” Her voice rose in obvious anger. “Why bother to tell me now?”
    Morrigan wondered the same thing, though somehow his confession didn’t surprise her. She struggled not to reach for her sword and cut him down here and now.
    â€œI am not young, Eveleen. I want to die