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Category:
Romance
ISBN-10: 1976550232
Type: Fiction
Pages: 289
Copyright: October 16, 2017
ISBN-13: 9781976550232
Price: $4.99 (eBook)
In the year 1306, the King's guard is exiled for a crime they witnessed. In direct defiance, the guardsmen return to their beloved Scotland and hide amongst their enemies. All are destined for the hangman's noose or the executioner's ax if found. They survive as soldiers of fortune. If you're lucky enough to run across them in the bonny hills, and are in a predicament, they just might give aid.
Our story continues in FEARLESS HEART…
Heath Fraser is sent in service to the passionate king, Robert the Bruce. His past transgression against his clan cannot be undone, but he aims to prove his courage. Not only does he hope his clan forgives his lack of valor, but he doesn’t take death lightly. To account for those he’s killed, he keeps a tally to ensure his entrance into Heaven when his days end.
Lillia Hunter has been infatuated with Heath since she was wee. When he is sent away, she despairs she will never see him again. Now she is in dire trouble. Her father plans to betroth her to a man who lives far from her home. That wouldn’t bother her except the reasoning behind it. She’s the daughter of King Alexander, and those that can, plan to use her to oust King Robert. Lillia has no desire to rule Scotland and is pleased with the current king. To thwart the king’s foes, she goes on a quest to find the king’s guard. Only they can save her from the danger she faces.
Old feelings return when Lillia runs into Heath. She cannot help but be ensnared by his handsomeness and chivalry. Only Heath can keep her from the perilous hands of her enemies. She must maintain a FEARLESS HEART, one that will hopefully lead to a love she always dreamed of.
Excerpt
PROLOGUE
Neidpath Castle, Fortification of Clan Fraser
Peebleshire, Scotland
July 1303
He would not give his life. Judgment would be passed, but Heath Fraser wouldn’t balk at his punishment for he’d committed a transgression so great his father would probably never forgive him. Simon, the laird of their clan and his father, swore fealty to King Edward, and for his oath, he had to aid the ruthless English king in his pursuits in Aquitaine.
Heath wasn’t of like mind and detested his clan gave fealty to the English king. He did everything he thought of to sway his father not to journey to a war that bore little to their existence. Yet, they participated in the fight to retake the lands the English king lost. During the fray, Heath was captured along with his comrades and subjected to torture. After his escape, he tried to seek a way to aid his clansmen, but his recapture most definite, and all he could do was flee with his life.
His cowardice was now called into question, and he reasoned what he’d done wasn’t because of fearfulness. He would’ve gone into the stronghold with his sword raised high if there was any possibility to save his kinsmen. He stood before his father and the clan elders in anticipation of the reprimand. Heath explained his position, but it didn’t seem to be accepted given the glares of affront on their faces.
“You say you tried to rescue your clansmen. If ye did, where are they? I see them not.”
He took a breath before he reiterated his justification, “I searched for someone to help me, but the Flemish well patrolled the area. I couldn’t get close to the fortification to rescue them because they’d increased their sentry. There was no opportunity to save them. I didn’t want to leave them behind and escaped with my life.”
His father raised both bushy eyebrows, aghast at his words. “Your life? You’re standing before us whole and sound. Do ye not realize what you did, lad?”
He nodded, but wouldn’t speak the treasonous words.
“Did ye even kill one man during the battle?”
Unfortunately, he had, and Heath disheartened at that because he detested the carnage of men for purposes which would affect none. “What would you have me do? The wergild is not worth my soul. I did what I had to do.”
“Aye, you speak of the price of a man’s death? What about a man’s cowardice which is more sinful than taking a life? Many die in battle. Do you deem their bravery will doom their souls to hell? Och, ye always were too passionate about this matter. And so I too do what I must, so does your clan. You cannot go unpunished for leaving your comrades to their peril, Heath, and I’m sorry to say—”
His Uncle Andrew approached. “Ye should banish him, Simon. Aye, send the coward away. We shouldn’t have to look upon the treasonous swine.” He spat upon the ground and added insolence to his view.
Heath lowered his head in shame of his uncle’s harsh words. He never expected such a severe punishment. If that’s what they wanted, then he would have no choice but to abscond and never to set foot upon his ancestral land again. The thought of leaving his home unsettled him.
When his father remained quiet, he heard the rushed murmurs of his clansmen taking sides. All was not lost. He waited for the sentence and would abide by whatever punishment they decided upon, even if he disagreed. Heath wasn’t a coward and if there was a way to prove it, let it be with his acceptance of his chastisement.
His father held up his hand and called for silence. “Heath, you are my son, my only remaining son. I will not banish you but must make ye understand you cannot leave our men behind in battle, especially when you are only intent to save your own hide. We are expected to set the example and lead, not flee. I will send ye off to do service with the Bruce. Aye, for Robert has asked for men to attend him whilst he fights for the crown to serve as his guard. With him, you shall learn what it means to protect and defend. I bid you to discover what loyalty and honor mean, lad.”
Heath bowed his head in acceptance. “I will attend mass before I go.”
His father shook his head. “Prayer won’t help ye, not now. The matter is settled. If ye wish to attend mass, you should do so on your journey. For you will not spend another minute on this land. I will call you home when your service is up, but I doubt that will be for many a year. I shall keep communication with the Bruce, and when he gives ye leave, we will accept your return.”
His uncle stood beside his father, arms set across his chest, and asserted his view. “Be it for five years at least. I deem that’ll be a good amount of time for the lad to learn his way.”
Heath tensed at the thought of the years ahead of him. Much could happen in such a vast amount of time. What with the scuffles against the English by the borders, and Scotland’s turmoil now with the English king, there was little he would do to aid his clan. Whatever happened, he’d pledge his fealty to the Bruce and would give himself wholeheartedly to the cause.
He inclined his head and walked away, for there was nothing left to say. On his way to the settlement, he ran into Lillia Hunter, a lass who trailed after him whenever he happened to be home. She was most pleasing and kind of heart, and a bonnier lass he never beheld. But she wasn’t meant for him and he wouldn’t have false hope to ever wed her. Her clan, the Hunters, was a great ally of the Frasers. Their alliance was well-placed for many a year and no marriages were needed to secure their friendship and further support. A fortunate man would win her hand.
She pressed her lovely blonde locks behind her shoulder as she stepped beside him. “Heath, here, take this. There’s a sack of foodstuff to keep you until you reach Lord Robert.”
“My thanks, lass.” He couldn’t take his gaze from her beautiful blue eyes.
Lillia took his arm and prevented him from walking forward. “Heath, I won’t believe what they’re saying about your cowardice. You’re the bravest man I know. You must prove them wrong.” She pressed against him in a comforting embrace.
Heath closed his eyes briefly, solaced by her kind words and the allay of her body against his. He kissed her soft cheek and smiled. “Would that it be so easy. Your faith gladdens me, lass, but it is unfounded. I admit my fault and accept the banishment.”
She wiped at her eyes. “I don’t accept that. You did what you had to do. This is all your uncle’s doing. He influences your father to stand against you.”
“There’s nothing to be done for it. My father made his decision. I must go.” He continued to hold her in a hug, unwilling to let her go. The thought of never seeing her again brought woe to his heart. Yet, he wouldn’t aspire to win her hand or entertain the thought of a future with her.
“I shall await you, Heath. Five years is not so long a time. You’ll come back to me.”
He tossed his head in rejection of her plea. “In war it is eternity. I likely won’t see you again. You’ll be long married by the time I return with a few bairns on your hips.”
She scoffed and released him. “Not if I can help it. Take care of yourself and find me when you are released from your service. We shall see each other again.”
He clasped her hand and squeezed it. “And you, sweet lass, be well.”
Heath pulled his hand free and walked away with sadness in his heart. Not only did his supposed transgression bother him but also the thought that he’d never wed a woman as comely or sweet as Lillia. His life existed for naught but war, much to his dejection, and there was little to be gained with dreams of settling down with a winsome woman. There was no sense to wish for something that would never come to fruition. But he envisioned her as his wife, his wee ones on her hip, her lovely smile lightening him. The past year was full of regrets and one of which was Lillia.
He ambled to the great keep and collected his belongings. When he reached the Bruce, it was likely he’d be embroiled in the fight to help secure Robert’s throne. Not only that but the freedom of Scotland from its heinous neighbor, the English. Word was rife about the scuffles and frays of those who instigated a rebellion. Passionate tales of Wallace and Moray’s battles reached far and wide. Now was the time to support a new king, a man who would stop at nothing to attain their beloved lands.
Absolution for his sins during the battles would not be granted this day, but he hoped to gain such on his travels to the Bruce. It went against all his beliefs to kill. The commandments were ingrained within his soul−the sin of murder most grievous. He detested to sin against God’s commands, but in life sometimes a man had no choice. It was either kill or be killed. War was often made for senseless reasons, and for causes that unsettled him. Lands, wealth, and entitlement were coveted by those who ruled. Those who had little or no say in such matters were used to enrich the rulers. Heath sighed at his thoughts.
Life had a way to put a man in his place. If only he might make penance for his vile deeds. There was a way for him to account for his sins. In the Bruce’s quest to win Scotland’s freedom, killing a man was a necessary evil and one that brought dismay to Heath’s heart. He had no choice but to take arms against Scotland’s enemies. War did that to a man, forced him to go against his beliefs and enact heinous debaucheries. As he walked along to the garrison, he thought about how many men’s lives he’d taken. Since he’d engaged in battles, he had killed but ten men, the rest he’d inflicted with non-life-threatening injuries.
He reached his bunk and grabbed the sack which held his belongings. With haste, he tossed in his garments and smaller weapons. He noticed a rolled ball of wool that unraveled from his tartan and used his dagger to make ten strings from it. Before he left the garrison and collected his steed, he tied the strings to his boot.
Heath wouldn’t remove a string unless he’d saved someone from certain death. If it was the last thing he’d do, he would keep track of his transgressions and make them right before he met his end. His end might come sooner than expected if he served Robert the Bruce, for the man was passionate in his quest to retain Scotland’s crown.
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