Games of Otterburn 1388 Read Free Page A

Robert growled back with equal fervor. “We all want to pay Richard back for his toothless raid into Scotland but we’ll ne’er get revenge by yer scheme!”
    John hoped it would not come to the brandishing of blades between the two hot heads.
    “I want the spoils of the East March,” repeated Douglas trying a less rational approach.
    Fife growled. Then sighed deeply and said in a calmer voice “Very well.”
    Douglas smiled thinking he had won Earl Robert over.
    “Take yer portion of the men and go wherever ye wish,” said Fife spitefully.
    Douglas paused. He was not expecting that. “My portion?”
    “The portion of the army is from yer lands and vassals and those lords ye can coddle to yer wit. Take them east. I will take mine west,” explained Robert.
    “But ye have four times the men, Milord,” said the crest fallen Douglas .
    “And my father is the king,” threatened Robert, “and my brother is guardian.”
    Earl Douglas knew when he was whipped. “I get yer point.”
    John Stewart pulled the leather strap latch to the door and went into the room without being announced. “Ye men hain’t puzzled out yer plan as yet?” he asked already knowing the answer.
    “Brother John,” greeted Earl Robert as he stood from his place on the hard bench seat.
    “Milord, Guardian,” said Douglas bowing just enough to be polite. “ Ye’ve arrived I see.”
    “With three hundred fifty men and forty knights,” said John holding to his stand.
    “Well come they… and ye are,” said Robert.
    “This is quite a showin ’,” said John taking a deep breath. “How many’s here?”
    “Your four hundred or so puts us well over ninety-five hundred,” answered Douglas .
    “Ye men are ‘bout ready for a big war, methinks,” said John. “Seems almost twice what Granddaddy had at Bannockburn as I recall the stories.”
    “Need more these days, brother,” said Robert sitting back on his bench at the table.
    “ ‘Specially since yer splittin ’ them up and goin ’ in two different directions,” opined John.
    “Ye spyin ’ on us, brother?” asked Fife .
    “Thin door,” replied John giving the door an underhand couple of knocks.
    “‘Tis for true, ne’ertheless ,” growled Douglas retaking his position, expecting an ally in John.
    “Don’t ye figure ye’ll have enough fightin ’ a’ready ?” said John in a calm voice.
    “What would ye do, lord guardian ?” slyly pushed Douglas .
    “I’m not here to choose yer sides for ye ,” said Carrick. “I’m here to bring ye what troops I can spare for the venture.”
    “And we are certainly pleased to have ye along as well,” said Robert slathering on the butter. “Have ye seen the king of late?”
    “I did see our father nay more than three days past,” said John looking directly at Robert then deciding to add a stab of guilt. “I bothered to stop by Dundonald.”
    “And was he well?” he asked without accepting the guilt.
    “Not so bad off as he could give me poor advice on subjects I care not about,” answered John.
    “Not changed then?” said Robert.
    “Keep an eye on ye , he said,” replied John. “He said for me to keep an eye on ye , my brother.”
    “An eye on me?” asked Robert. “Why would he say such a thing?”
    “Reckon he wanted me to keep ye safe. Older brother that I am… ye know,” answered John feigning kindliness.
    Robert smiled but was certainly puzzled.
    “Ye men can continue yer argument now,” said John as he reached for the latch on the door. “I know I am the Guardian but this raid is tainted with far more ill than I would like to think was good for our dear Scotland . Fights seem to be rampant along our border with England a’ready .”
    “We are but protecting our own, John!” parried Robert.
    “As ye say, brother,” continued John. “I know ye found out the Bruce had punished the Marches for a number of years and it eventually we got a treaty of peace but ye might be findin ’ this to be a