Medieval Highlands 01 - Highland Vengeance Read Online Free PDF Page A

than sire me, this villain who broke into my home and laid waste to my family. Nay, he was not my father—he, oh, God! He… butchered the man who was father to me.” His earlier resolve forgotten, he said, “I must hunt the vile man down in all haste. This savagery must not go unpunished.” Daniel tried to break the older man’s grip on his shoulder without causing him more injury.
    Angus held firm.
    “Let me rise, Angus.”
    “Nay, I shall not. You are not ready for such doings. Christ’s Bones, lad! Even your voice has not yet dropped in timbre.” Seeing by the lad’s set expression that his words were not penetrating his ward’s stubborn resolve, Angus said anxiously, “He knows not that he has a son. We must keep you safe, for I fear he would do you grave harm if your existence became known to him. And you do not yet have the skills—nor the strength—to rival him.”
    “I will not hide myself away like a wee lass,” Daniel said determinedly, “while you and my grandfather’s men avenge this atrocity.” Shaking his fist in the air, he said angrily, “And I care not that the devil will learn of my existence. In truth, I look forward to presenting him with the fact.”
    “I understand your need for vengeance, lad, but ‘tis folly to attempt such now before you have been properly trained—and there is not time to train you well enough to meet your father. ‘Twill take many years for you to reach his level of skill, and you need to surpass it if you wish to win the day.” Angus sighed. “Nay, ‘tis best if the older, more seasoned warriors avenge these murders.”
    Daniel stared into the older man’s eyes, in a silent battle of wills. After a moment, his shoulders slumped in defeat and he sighed loudly. Nodding slowly, he said, “Aye, I will not attempt to battle my wicked sire now. But know you this: I shall train—night and day if need be—with you and with any of the other warriors you choose for me to face, and I will quickly win against all of you. For I will not let it be long until my father knows well the sharp-edged blade of my MacLaurin justice.” Daniel leaned forward, pressing his fist into the mattress next to Angus’s side. “I must have your oath, Angus, that my sire’s fate will be left to me.”
    Angus studied his godson for a moment, mentally debating the prudence of giving the lad such an oath. From the lad’s set jaw and the wrathful fire in his sea-green eyes, Angus realized the lad would attempt this thing on his own if he did not receive Angus’s oath, and his assistance. Reluctantly, he nodded, slowly dropping his hand from his charge’s shoulder. “Aye, you have my oath.”
    Daniel relaxed back onto his seat once more. “My thanks, Angus. I shall begin my training as soon as the other men in my grandfather’s guard arrive back to the fortress.”
    Angus settled back against the headboard and closed his eyes a moment. ‘Twas evident that a change had come about in his godson in the past hours. Where only that morn had been a bright and carefree lad, now sat before him a darkly resolute young man. The newfound mettle would serve him well in the coming moons as he was put through the brutal training trials he would need in order to defeat his father. “They are your men now, Daniel,” Angus reminded him. “You are the new laird and chieftain of this clan.”
    Daniel rose and began to pace, crossing his arms over his chest. “How can I lead this clan? I know naught of those duties!”
    Angus opened his eyes and watched his godson’s agitated movements. “Nay, but you will soon enough, I trow.
    Daniel turned, a question in his countenance.
    “You are my godson, my ward, and I shall guide you as best I can, fear not.”
    Daniel nodded and recommenced pacing the floor, his thoughts returning to his father and how best to deal with him. After a moment, he said, “We shall make a plan to fortify our holding against my father and let him know that his deeds are