Page 44 (1/2)

Prologue

The Highlands, Scotland, 1103

Donald MacAlister didn't die easy The old th and every pound of stubbornness he possessed Though he should have welcouish he was enduring, he wouldn't give in to his suffering yet, for there was still the acy of all to pass down before he could close his eyes and rest

His legacy was hate The laird was consumed by hatred for his enee, and until he was certain the boy understood the i done this dark day, he would continue to fight death And so he clung to life and to his son's hand, so s, leathery one, his black eyes boring into those of his only living heir, while the old man instructed him in his sacred duty

"Avenge me, Connor MacAlister Take my hatred into your heart, protect it, nurture it, and when you've grown older and stronger, use my sword to slay iven e this evil deed done to me and mine Promise me, boy"

"Yes, Father," Connor fervently vowed "I will avenge you"

"Do you burn with the fever for revenge?"

"I do"

Donald nodded with contenth to give his son directions for his future, that was all well and good; but if the next breath he dreere to be his last, that would be acceptable to him too, because he knew his son would find a way to do what he ent, and his father had complete faith in him

'Twas a pity Donald MacAlister wouldn't be around to see his son grow intoand a fair-sized hole near his belly, he kne foolish it was to wish for is

God was proving merciful, however The pain had eased considerably in the past fewup from his feet to his knees

"Father, give me the names of the men who did this to you"

"'Twas the Kaerns who attacked They came down from the north and from too far away to want our land They're blood related to the MacNares, though, and I've a suspicion their laird had a hand in this evil MacNare's always been a greedy one He'll never be content You'd best kill him before he causes you trouble, or his lust forhim to your doorstep Don't act in haste," he cautioned

"Neither the Kaerns nor the MacNares are cunning enough to have planned this boldness They must have acted under directions from another I don't knoho the traitor is, but you'll find out 'Tisthe enemy hails from within"

"One of our own betrayed you?" Connor was stunned by the possibility

"Since yesterday eve when they attacked, I've been considering that possibility The Kaerns caes only my followers knew about They never would have found the entrances without direction There's a traitor all right, and it will be your duty to ferret him out He's one of us, Connor, of that I' the death rattle even now on my own battlefield You'll bide your tieance upon all of those still living Consider killing their sons as well, boy"

"I will, Father I'll destroy all of them"

Donald's grip on his son's hand tightened "This be my final lesson to you Watch me die and learn how to live as a warrior When you leave ive you instructions for your immediate future"

The laird waited until his son nodded his agreeain "Look around you and tell one?"

Connor stared at the destruction surrounding hi wood and fresh blood made his stomach lurch

"The keep is in ruins, but I'll rebuild"

"Aye, you will You must make your fortress invincible Learn from my mistakes, Connor"

"I will er"

"What of my loyal men?"

"Most are dead"

The despair in the boy's voice washed over the laird, and he immediately tried to reassure him "Their sons will come back They'll wear your colors and claim your name They'll follow you as their fathers followed ht around and around your injury to stem the blood before you stand, or more will be lost with each step you take Do it nohile I rest beside you"

Connor hurried to obey his father's conificant enough tohis body was from his father's wounds, not his own

"You'll have a scar to remind you of this black day," Donald predicted

"I need no reet"

"No, you won't forget Does it pain you?"

"No"

Donald grunted with approval The boy had never been a co He had all the hty warrior

"How old are you, boy?"

"Nine or ten years now," he answered

"I'er Your size tells me you're still a boy, but your eyes have turned into those of a ht fire of fury there, and I am pleased by you"

"I could take you with me"

"You will not drag a dead man behind you"

"Do your injuries pain you, Father?"

"'Tis the truth I don't feel anything now I see

Some men would not be as fortunate"

"I would stay with you if you…"

"You'll leave when I command you to leave," his father ordered "You'll save yourself so you'll be able to keep your promises to me The enemy has left, but make no mistake, they'll come back to finish it"

"We have tied your barrels of ith them

They'll be too thickheaded to co"

"Then you er a moment more," his father conceded

"Will Angus send me to Euphemia to tell her what happened?"

"He will not You will not tell that wo"

"But she's your wife"

"My second wife," he corrected "Never trust a woman, Connor 'Tis foolhardy to do so Euphemia will find out what happened when she returns with her son, Raen I want you to be well away from here by then I won't have you trained by her relatives They're all leeches"

Connor nodded so his father would know he understood, and then asked, "Did you trust my mother?"