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."Robert shook his head, a wry smile curving his mouth."You are as impatient as ever,Circenn.I'm certain you'll manage to rein in their tempers, as you always do.YourTemplars serve me better in their stealthy, circumspect missions than on the front forthe now.The dozen I've slipped into my troops have done remarkable things.I trust youwill keep the rest ready for my command." He gestured to his guard."I believe youknow Niall and Lulach McIllioch."Circenn inclined his head.As his gaze moved over the Mclllioch brothers, he smiledwith anticipation.One move from either of them and he would be off his mount and attheir throats.Admittedly the brawl would end in laughter, but every time he saw thesetwo men he reacted the same way.They were the strongest warriors he'd ever trainedwith, and fighting with them was as exhilarating as it was futile.He could no more takea Berserker than a Berserker could take him.Their fights ended in a draw every time.Ofcourse, that was one on one.Circenn had no doubt that if ever both of them combinedforces they would bring him down with little effort unless he used magic."Brodie," Lulach said with a nod."Perhaps we'll have time for swordplay before you ride to Brodie," Niall offered."Ithink you could use another lesson," he provoked."And you think you can teach me one?" He'd love nothing more than to channel hisfrustration into a challenging fight, but his mind was consumed with the problem athand."Perhaps later." He dismissed them from his thoughts and turned to Robert."Maywe speak in private, milord?"The Bruce nodded to Niall and Lulach."Go on with you.I am well guarded withBrodie.I will join you shortly."Circenn kneed his horse around and he and Robert rode in silence to the edge of thecliff.Robert looked out to the sea, breathing deeply of the chill, salty air.The wavescrashed against the rocks below, sending silver plumes of foam spraying up the cliffs."I love this place.It is wild and full of power.Each time I visit Dunnottar I feel itseeping into my veins and leave renewed.""This bluff does have that effect," Circenn agreed."But perhaps what I sense is nothing more than the ghostly courage of the many menwho have died defending this coveted rock." Robert was silent for a moment, andCircenn knew he was brooding over the numbers of Scotsmen who had fallen andwould continue to fall before their country was free.Circenn waited until Robert roused himself from his thoughts."Yet it does not comparewith Castle Brodie, does it? You must be eager to return.""More eager to join the battle," Circenn said quickly.Weary of holding critical sites,tired of protecting and running messages, he needed to bury his frustration in the all-consuming heat of battle."You know I need you in other places, Circenn.You also know the Templars are huntedfor the price on their heads.Although I have given them sanctuary, parading them out inforce would invite an attack before I'm ready.Mine have shaved their beards and doffedtheir tunics, masquerading as Scots.Do yours still cling to their ways?""Aye, they have a hard time breaking any of their rules.But I might be able to persuadethem, if they thought they would be permitted to wage war.We could help take backsome of the castles," Circenn pointed out irritably."You help me best precisely where I have you.I will summon your private forces tobattle when I am ready and no sooner.But I doona wish to argue, Circenn.Tell me whatis weighing upon your mind so heavily that you rode out to greet me with unusuallygrim countenance, even for you.""I need to request a favor from you, milord."Robert quirked a brow at him."Formality between us in private, Circenn? With ourpast?"Circenn smiled faintly."Robert, I need ask of you a boon, and that you not question me,but simply grant it."Robert angled his horse closer to Circenn's and placed a hand on his shoulder."Do youmean trust you as you trusted me so many years ago when I'd fought for Longshanksagainst my own motherland? Do you mean grant you my faith as unwaveringly as yougranted me yours when you had no reason to believe I wouldn't cross the lines and goback to England again?" Robert's mouth curved in a bitter smile."Circenn, not too longago you gave me reason to believe in myself.When you came at my summons I knewnaught of you but that you were rumored to be the fiercest warrior in all the lands.Ibelieved that with you behind me, I could regain Scotland's freedom.You came to me,and you gave me your fealty when I did not deserve it.You had no reason to trust meyet you did, and in the strength of your faith I rediscovered my own.Since that day Ihave come to believe that I have earned a place in this land again.Ask
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