“Aye, they’re fine,” Ewan replied. “They’ll be back once they’re done with fixing the fence. Until then, it’d best if we moved the flock to the lower fields. I could do with a few of the young ones to help me dress this beast. They could use the experience.” He jerked a thumb at the boar.
Nodding, the woman strode back towards the pen to bellow orders at the people milling around there.
A few of the younger folk hurried over to help with removing the sledge from behind Hamish’s horse. They dragged it towards the farmhouse, grunting all the way.
Ewan watched their efforts, a small smile tweaking his lips as he shook his head. Shielding the sun from his face with a hand, he looked up at Hamish. “Are you sure about leaving the boar behind, your highness? It’s your kill.”
“I’m sure.” He lifted his gaze from the farmer’s face to take in those of the man’s family and neighbours. “You’ll all need it more than I will. Especially once winter settles in.” They’d a few months yet of growth and harvest, but the chance of them retrieving the stock they’d lost through the downed fence was barely worth the thought.
“Thank you, again. I’m nae certain we’d have caught the bugger so easily without your help.”
Hamish laughed. “You thought that was easy?” Granted, he’d taken on tougher prey, but not after traipsing several hours through untamed woods for it. “Maybe I should be bringing you on me hunts.”
The man ducked his head, but Hamish caught the faint gleam of delight in his eyes. “Anytime, your highness.”
“If you need any extra help in dressing—” Hamish cut himself off as Lyall cleared his throat. He glared at the man.
“Has his highness perhaps forgotten he is meant to be meeting the Udynean ambassador?” Lyall asked, his face innocently neutral.
Hamish fought for his own features to remain so calm. Why cannae you just forget? If the steward would remain lax in reminding him, he’d be able to put off the meeting until tomorrow. “Aye, I had.” It took some effort to not have his teeth grind on each word. “Thank you for reminding me.” Again. Nodding his goodbyes to Ewan, he kneed his horse into a trot.
Lyall kept an easy pace with him. “May I also remind you that you are currently covered in pig’s blood? You’re nae going to reach the docks, so you might as well take the time to clean yourself up before the rest of your family returns to the castle.”
Grumbling under his breath, Hamish kneed the mare into a canter. Whatever else Lyall said was drowned out in the thunder of hooves. By the Goddess’ good graces, he was thirty-seven years old, not some child still tied to their mother’s apron strings. As much as it would’ve amused him to see the look on the ambassador’s face if he greeted her in his current state, it wouldn’t be worth the bollocking he’d get for it later.
He thundered along the dirt roads leading towards home. Mullhind Castle loomed over them, a hulking stone beast atop the hill. Below her, and ahead of Hamish, lay Mullhind itself. The city sprawled across the western side of the harbour, sheltered by the natural hook shape of the land.
His horse veered around the outskirts of the city, taking a path they’d raced across many times, jumping a few fences and logs along the way. At his back, Hamish caught the tail end of the steward’s exasperated cry. He ignored the man and urged his mare to go faster. If Lyall wanted to take the long, winding way through the city, he was welcome to it.
Hamish slowed his mare as her hooves clattered onto the cobblestone. They trotted along the streets that butted up against the cliff face. The castle sat just above them, a clear upward climb if he’d wings.
The streets fell away swiftly enough, opening out into the city square. Free of their confines, he nudged the horse faster to race up the slope leading to the castle gates. It followed the natural curvature of the hillside, sweeping to give him a full view of the city and harbour.
Hamish glanced at the docks far below him to confirm what he already knew. The huge Udynean ship sat proudly in the harbour, her sails furled and likely with all travellers disembarked. He urged a little more speed into his mare. He’d be cutting it fine, but he could reach the castle in time to swap his bloodied clothes for clean ones.
The castle gates came into view.
He slowed his horse. Far too many people milled near the entrance for his family to still be at the docks. That had to mean the ship docked early. He hadn’t much chance of slipping by unnoticed, either. That meant meeting the ambassador as he was. Bugger. His mother was going to give him a right dressing down once they were alone.
No point delaying the inevitable. He nudged his mare onwards, hunching his shoulders as the gate loomed. Maybe he could duck into his quarters after introductions and avoid his mother’s lecturing. For a few more hours, anyway.
A mob of people bustled about the courtyard, his family at the centre. His mother had her back to the gate, heavily invested in talking with a man in a long, silvery-white coat and red cape. Probably the ambassador’s steward or whatever the Udynean equivalent was called. Of the ambassador herself, he saw no sign. Not that it meant much. A whole person could hide behind his father’s enormous bulk.
Hamish quietly guided his mare along the stable front, skirting open stable doors and scattering the odd discarded piece of grooming kit. If he could get his horse into her stall, he might stand a chance of slipping into the castle before anyone noticed his presence.
He’d almost made it when his brother glanced his way. Gordon’s mouth split into a wide grin as recognition lit his face. He jogged over, drawing the
