The Promise of Peace by Carol Umberger Page B

passed the site of the great battle for Stirling Castle along the Bannockburn. Adam’s accounting of his part in the battle fed Keifer’s agitation.
    â€œSoon I’ll be a knight and can take part in such a battle.”
    â€œYou don’t have to be a knight to fight in a war,” Nola reminded him.
    â€œTrue, but I must become a fighter second to none in order to protect my family and my clan.”
    â€œTime, hard work, and a lot of bruises stand between you and those golden spurs you covet,” Adam said.
    â€œIf a thing is worth striving for, the labor is not a burden.” Of course it wouldn’t be easy; Keifer never thought it would be. Why must Nola’s father always look at the dark side of things? Keifer refused to allow the man’s pessimism to dim the glory of his quest.
    Two days later they rode southeast from Edinburgh, and Homelea became visible atop a riverside cliff. As they approached, Keifer could barely contain his excitement. His dream was about to come true.
    Black Bryan Mackintosh was renowned for his skill with the claymore and his ability to fight from horseback. Keifer would be among an elite few chosen to train with the man.
    â€œHave you been here before, Da?” Nola asked.
    â€œAye. I accompanied Sir Bryan when he first took possession of the place. ’Twas not much more than a fortified manor home at the time. I’m anxious to see the new fortifications Bryan talked about.”
    They rode across open land where sheep grazed outside of Homelea village. An abbey’s spire could be seen above the trees to the east.
    The smell of fresh-cut hay wafted on the breeze, and small stone cottages dotted the countryside.
    They passed over a causeway and entered Homelea’s gate. “These walls are new,” Adam said.
    â€œThey look impenetrable,” Keifer said.
    â€œAye. No one will breach them without heavy siege engines.”
    They crossed an open area that led to a second set of walls, far less impressive than the first. A wooden bridge guided them into a large bailey. The taller, fortified ramparts surrounded the bailey of a fortified manor home.
    The bailey teemed with people and livestock at midday. Chickens clucked and raced out of the path of the horses while dogs barked a cautious welcome. Someone ran to the keep, no doubt to announce the visitors.
    It reminded Keifer of Dunstruan, and he smiled at the memory.
    His family was less than a hundred miles away. Surely he would see them before he’d completed his training.
    Keifer dismounted and went to help Nola down from her horse.
    That at least got a smile of approval from her father.
    Adam strode toward a large man in chain mail whose dark hair glistened in the sun.
    â€œWelcome, Adam!” the man shouted. He clasped Adam about the shoulders. “’Tis good to see you, brother.” The men had fostered together, as well as fought together for Bruce. Both turned to Nola. “And this is . . . this can’t be your daughter? Grown already?”
    Adam grinned. “Aye. Nola, this is the Earl of Homelea, Bryan Mackintosh. Nola is our oldest. And this is Keifer Macnab, your newest student.”
    Sir Bryan looked Keifer up and down and said, “Welcome to all of you. There is still some time before the midday meal will be ready, so allow me to show you the improvements I’ve made.” He offered his arm to Nola, and Keifer saw her blush as she accepted. As Sir Bryan walked them around the grounds, he treated Nola as if she were visiting royalty. Keifer thought he would very much enjoy serving such a man.
    Adam said, “I see little evidence of the destruction Homelea sustained.”
    â€œWell, I was very, very careful when I dismantled it.”
    They smiled at a secret obviously shared, and Keifer hoped to hear the whole story one day soon. They stepped inside the main hall where trestles were set up and serving girls scurried to set out food and