I didn’t know what this woman had been told, but she seemed ready to beat me with that spoon. I thought withdrawal my wisest course.
“I have enjoyed our meeting,” I smiled, giving a shallow bow and heading for the door. I felt sure that this fat food warden would, over the next while, find cause to leave her post. I would have to wait.
“Trinity feast will be served an hour before sundown. Don’t be late or you’ll sleep hungry,” she said, spitting food as she spoke.
The door opened into a hallway that ended at an archway over two stone pillars. Behind the pillars, the grand entry was flanked by doors and a stone stairway that led to second-floor rooms. Directly opposite, a large wooden door was ajar. I could hear voices. On tip toes I moved silently to the side of the door and stood, back to the wall. Inside my uncle Lachlan and Kilgore were in conversation.
“There is growing concern that these ships will be used to assist France against England,” Kilgore was saying forcefully. “That is, unless you know of a different call for their construction.”
“As I have already told you, I supply the shipyard with brass fittings from my foundry, and that is all. They don’t share with me the reasons for building the ships, and frankly, I am indifferent. What interests me is the money I make. The more ships they build the richer I become.” Lachlan replied.
I knew at once that the two men were speaking about the ships we were building at Freswick Bay.
“It’s no longer that simple,” Kilgore sounded irritated. “The truce between our two countries and France is fragile. The French King foolishly supports Clement, in fact continues to sanction Clement as Pope in Avignon. Naturally, England will support God’s choice, Pope Boniface in Rome.”
“Long live the King of England and his choice for Pope,” Lachlan interrupted, laughing mockingly. “I am in Scotland. Why should I care?”
There was an ominous pause. “Hear me well, Lachlan,” Kilgore said. “Your King Robert continues to position Scotland with France’s King Charles, who is by all accounts quite mad. Scotland’s persistence in this matter is not well received within the Royal Court in England, and threatens the truce that lets us conduct our business.”
“My dear friend,” Lachlan sounded patronizing. “Beneath that fine stitching, you are a mercenary like me. We both look beyond the politics of church or state to make money. Why else would I have accepted our contract? Besides, I believe those ships are to sail north under the command of Earl Sinclair not south to war with England.”
“Ah, is that so? Why, pray tell me, would they sail north? The construction of so many warships has not gone unreported, and provides our King, no comfort.” Kilgore had a menacing tone to his voice.
Freswick Bay had been busy with ship construction and Lachlan was right, they had been commissioned for Henry Sinclair, but I was sure that information was not the business of the King of England.
“Your King Richard is just a boy!” Lachlan chuckled.
“Don’t trifle with this, Lachlan.” Kilgore’s tone changed. “I am not referring to Richard as my King, but rather Henry, who has recently returned from Venice and the Holy Land. He will soon be King of England, and as such, will want to know why Sinclair had such a fleet built for northern waters.”
Outside the room I quietly raised a fist in defiance. No English king would tell us what ships we should build! Suddenly my stomach gave a loud growl, and I slunk back against the wall. For a moment there was silence inside the room.
“The builder of these ships is your brother, is he not?”
“You know John is my brother.” Lachlan paused before he asked, “Why do these ships hold such an interest for you? Why ask me what you already know?”
I tensed. My uncle John was very good to me. I pushed my back harder against the stone wall and slid closer to the door.
“You have another brother named James, am I right?” Kilgore asked.
“Aye, James was the first born of the five of us. Why should he interest you?”
“James Gunn, it is rumoured, is an officer in an outlawed sect of knights. He gathers clansmen into an army as we speak. Why would he do that?”
“I don’t know that he is, but if you say he is, then I have no idea why.” Lachlan chuckled.
“This is no laughing matter.” Kilgore’s stern tone caused a tingle in my spine.
“I am simply amused that you think that I am close enough to my brothers that I hold their confidence.”
“Perhaps you don’t now, but you are in a perfect position to find out why those ships have been built. You will provide reports to me from time to time,” Kilgore ordered.
“You would have me inform upon my own brothers?” Lachlan sounded surprised.
“Lachlan,” Kilgore paused, “only moments ago you reminded me of our contract, must I remind you of its content?”
“I know every line.” Lachlan’s voice had taken a harsher tone. “But I don’t recall any mention of informing upon my brothers.”
“Thank God,” I heard myself whisper.
“Every contract is open to interpretation, my friend,” Kilgore replied. “I am sure you will see it my way. After all, every time you gaze upon these fine surroundings you must remember how you gained such wealth so quickly.”
“Don’t come into my home and insult me! I am a highlander!” My uncle sounded offended, even angry.
“Don’t lecture me about being a highlander and Scottish independence, or the fate of the English at Bannockburn. I have heard that speech too many times.” Kilgore lightened his tone, “I am not trying to insult you, my friend. I am merely reminding you that I pay you a fair price for what you supply. In this instance, information may well be worth something to you.”
“As long as it does not threaten my family I suppose there is no harm. I am, after all, in business to make money.” Lachlan sounded defensive.
“Exactly, that’s all I was suggesting. Do as I ask and business will remain brisk,” Kilgore said with a hint of a laugh to cover the veiled threat. “Now tell me, what do you know of Henry Sinclair?”
I had heard enough. My empty stomach had already caused me to feel ill, and this conversation added to the foul taste in my mouth. Not wanting Lachlan to divulge anything about my uncle James, or his relationship with Henry Sinclair, I stepped briskly into the room.

1. Lee Says:
   February 9th, 2010 at 7:57 am

   Thanks.