Medieval Highlands 01 - Highland Vengeance Read Online Free PDF

known to us. Then, when I am ready, I shall find him and, I vow, I shall not come back until I have his head hanging from my saddle.” Daniel stopped and turned, piercing Angus with a searing look. “The others may be tracked down and killed. ‘Tis only the man who sired me I must face.”
    The older man sighed, nodding as he closed his eyes once more. “Aye, ‘tis a good plan,” he said weakly.
    “I have one more query, Angus, and then I must allow you some rest. I noticed that my father’s men spoke the tongue of the Gaels, but in a cadence unfamiliar to me. Do you know from whence they came?”
    “They are mercenaries from the holy wars.” Opening his eyes, Angus looked at his godson. “They must have been taught enough of our native tongue to allow them to journey more easily through the Highlands. I doubt not that your father told the ruthless curs that this holding was a rich one and promised them that a good deal of coin and possessions would be theirs in exchange for their murderous help.”
    Daniel nodded grimly. “Rest you awhile, Angus,” he said after a moment. Moving toward the entrance to the bedchamber, he looked over his shoulder and added, “I will await our other clansmen in the guard tower.” Before shutting the door behind him, he turned once more to his godfather and vowed, “We will rebuild, Angus, and naught like this will ever happen again. You shall see. This shall be the strongest, most impenetrable stronghold ever built.”
    “Aye,” Angus said, “I believe you, lad.”
    *
    As the moons passed, Daniel’s voice grew deeper as his stature increased. In no time, he’d reached a height of well over six feet, ultimately towering over all his other clansmen. He gained weight as he built sinew and strength, until his torso was at last in proportion to his long legs.
    His godfather became his mentor, not only regarding clan affairs, but also as a much-needed guide in his accelerated pursuit of his warrior skills. Daniel concentrated on his training with a single-minded purpose until he was as strong and expert a warrior as he had sworn to become that day of the massacre.
    One bright morn, fifteen moons to the day after his family’s murders, Daniel departed on his hunt.

PART TWO
     

     
    The Meeting
     
     
     
    “Journeys end in lovers meeting,
    Every wise man’s son doth know.”
     
    Twelfth Night (Act II, Scene iii)
     
     
     
    “Better three hours too soon than a minute too late”
     
    Merry Wives of Windsor (Act II, scene ii)

CHAPTER 1
    The Highlands, Scotland 1192
     
    “Laird, a man on horseback approaches,” Laird Lachlan Donald’s lieutenant said as he stepped further into the great hall. “He’s near to a furlong out and has no escort. ‘Tis likely the MacLaurin chieftain you’ve been expecting these past days.”
    “Good. Good. Tell me when he reaches the gate,” Laird Donald replied and watched his lieutenant depart the hall before settling on a bench at the table and taking a long pull on his ale. The MacLaurins were not well known to him. He only knew that they were a clan whose property was much further to the north than his own and whose laird was a young man of about sixteen summers.
    A messenger had come a sennight past with a missive from the young laird requesting an audience with him, and Laird Donald had sent word back that he would be welcomed.
    ‘Twas rumored that the MacLaurin had inherited the title at a very young age, after a bloody massacre had killed the old laird, his grandfather, as well as the lad’s mother and a small number of MacLaurin warriors. He’d also heard the lad’s father was behind the murders and that the lad had later killed his father and avenged their deaths.
    An all-too familiar scuffling sound came from the doorway leading to the kitchens. With a sigh of resignation, Laird Donald turned toward the sound, forcing a smile of good will upon his countenance. “Ah, Cook. Is there aught amiss?”
    “Aye, Laird, and