As he suspected, a fight had broken out among the younger warriors. The older men knew better. What he did not expect to see was his brother Robbie at the center of the trouble, pummeling one of the others as if he meant to kill him.
David pulled on his breeks, grabbed his sword, and headed down the stairs of the tower.
The circle of men who were shouting encouragement went silent and stepped back when they saw David crossing the courtyard. The two combatants, however, were oblivious to his presence. At least, Robbie was. His opponent was on the ground and attempting to protect his face from Robbie’s blows.
David grabbed the back of Robbie’s tunic and jerked him off his feet. His brother was so blind with fury he nearly made the mistake of taking a swing at David before he realized who was holding him. Once Robbie appeared to have regained a thread of sense, David let his feet rest on the ground, but he did not release him.
At his nod, a couple of the men helped Robbie’s opponent to his feet. It was Harold, a mouthy young man three years older and thirty pounds heavier than Robbie.
“Have one of the women see to that cut on your lip,” David told him. “I’ll speak to ye later about your part in this.”
One of the older men should have put a stop to the fight as soon as it started, but they were hesitant to lay hands on Robbie because he was David’s brother. That was probably wise.
“Get back to your duties,” David told the others, then he turned his brother toward the keep. “Inside. Now.”
“But Harold was—”
“Not in front of the men,” David ground out between his teeth.
After the doors of the keep closed behind them, Robbie attempted to shrug him off. David gave him a shake before releasing him, then the two of them climbed the stairs and entered David’s chamber in silence.
“I won’t have ye violate my orders,” David said, planting his hands on his hips. “We fight our enemies, not our own men.”
“I had no choice,” Robbie said, glaring at him. “Harold was making jests about Will.”
“What did he say?” David asked, keeping his voice calm. Anger flared in his veins, but unlike Robbie’s wild fury, his was cold and controlled. And far more dangerous.
“Harold said we should put Will in a gown and braid his hair,” Robbie said. “I couldn’t let him say that, even if it’s true.”
Will’s mother had coddled him, and the lad was too soft-hearted for his own good. Still, David would not tolerate anyone ridiculing his brother.
“Just look at him!” Robbie said, pointing out the window.
When David joined Robbie at the window, he saw their younger brother kissing and hugging a pup like a long-lost lover.Jesu.
“Ye must do something about him,” Robbie said. “He’s humiliating.”
David rubbed his forehead. Will was so different from him that it was difficult to know what to do. “He’s young, and he misses your mother.”
“I miss her too,” Robbie said in a fierce voice. “’Tis no excuse for behaving like a wee lass.”
“Will has a big heart. He’ll learn to hide it as he grows older.” David hoped for Will’s sake that it was true. “He’ll be a fine warrior one day, for he’s utterly fearless.”
“He’s fearless because he’s blind to everything around him,” Robbie said.
David sighed inwardly because what Robbie said was true, and such blindness was dangerous. He wished he could let Will be a child longer, but it was his duty to prepare his brother for manhood. To survive in the Borders, a man must keep his wits about him and his fighting skills sharp. And, above all, he must be respected.
“’Tis my fault. I should have seen this sooner.” David had not asked for the responsibility of raising his brothers, but he accepted that it was his. That duty had fallen to him long before his father died, though he could not say how or exactly when it had happened.
“No one dares make jests about Will within your hearing,” Robbie said, “but Harold isn’t the only one who does it.”
“I will handle this—not you,” David said, pinning him with a look. “I won’t have fighting among my men.”
“But—”
“I expect everyone,without exception, to follow my orders,” David said. “Disobey me again, and I’ll not go easy on ye. Understand?”
“Aye,” Robbie said, dropping his gaze to the floor. “No more fighting our own men.”