Our
story continues in FEARLESS HEART …
Heath Fraser is sent in service to the passionate imminent
king, Robert the Bruce. His past transgression against his clan cannot be
undone, but he aims to prove his fealty. Not only does he hope his clan
forgives his lack of valor, but he doesn’t take death lightly. In order to keep
account of those he’s killed, he keeps a tally ensuring his entrance into
Heaven when his days end.
Lillia
Hunter has been infatuated with Heath since she was wee. When he was sent away,
she despaired she’d never see him again. Now she’s in dire trouble because her
father arranged a betrothal to a man who lives afar from her home. That
wouldn’t bother Lillia except the reasoning behind it. She’s to be used as a
pawn to unseat the king.
Old
feelings return when Lillia runs into Heath. She cannot help but be ensnared by
his handsomeness or chivalry. Only Heath and the legendary King’s Guard can
keep her from the hands of her enemy. She must maintain a FEARLESS HEART, one
that will hopefully lead to a love she always dreamed of.
Prologue copyright Fearless Heart (Legend of the King's Guard book 3) copyright @ 2019 Kara Griffin
Neidpath Castle
Fortification of Clan Fraser
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.
His father, Simon, the laird of their clan, swore fealty to King Edward. For
his oath he had promised to give aid to the ruthless English king in his
pursuits in Aquitaine.
Heath
was not of like mind and did everything he could to sway his father from
journeying to a war that bore little to their existence. Yet they went 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 seized 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
due to fearfulness. He would’ve gone into the stronghold with his sword raised
high if there was any possibility of saving his brethren. Standing before his
father and the clan elders, Heath explained his situation, but it didn’t seem
to be accepted.
“You
say you tried to rescue your clansmen and your own brother. If you did where
are they? I see them not.”
He
took a breath before reiterating his position, “I searched for someone to help
me, but the Flemish well patrolled the area and there were too many to thwart.
I was unable to get close to the fortification to rescue them. I didn’t want to
leave them behind. Think you I wanted to leave without Roderick, my brother? I
escaped with my life.” Heath despaired leaving his brother to his fate. The
thought of his elder brother being imprisoned in the French dungeons sickened
him. God only knew what perils his brother experienced.
His
father raised his bushy eyebrows, aghast at his words. “Your life? You’re
standing before us whole and sound. You should have fought to the death to save
our clansmen. Do you realize what you did, lad?”
He
nodded, but wouldn’t speak the treasonous words.
“Did
you even kill one man during the battle?”
Unfortunately
he had, and Heath disheartened at that because he detested killing a man for
purposes which affected none. “I did what I had to do.”
“Aye?
And so do I, and so does your clan. You cannot go unpunished for leaving your
comrades to their imprisonment, Heath, and I’m sorry to say—”
His
Uncle Andrew approached and his face bore an unending scowl. The similarities
between a boar and his uncle were uncanny for his face wrinkled akin to a
boar’s snout. “Mayhap he planned to have his own brother captured. Aye, so he might
rule the clan after you’re gone, Simon. You should banish him. Aye, send the
coward away. We shouldn’t have to look upon the treasonous swine.” He spat upon
the ground, adding insolence to his view.
Heath
lowered his head. He never expected such a harsh 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. Being the second son should’ve put him in a position
to follow his heart. His position was strictly a religious pursuit. Now that
his elder brother was lost to them, he wasn’t certain what his role would be.
He didn’t want to become laird, never aspired to such rule. The likelihood he’d
be sent away disheartened him further.
When
his father remained quiet, Heath discerned the rushed murmurs of his clansmen
taking sides. If half the clan sided with him, his penalty might not be so
detrimental. All was not lost. He waited for the sentence and would abide by
whatever punishment they decided upon if even he disagreed. Heath wasn’t a
coward and if there was a way to prove it, let it be with his acceptance of the
chastisement.
His
father held up his hand and quieted the clan. “Heath, you are my son. I shan’t
banish you, but must make you understand that you cannot leave our men behind
in battle especially when you are only intent on saving your own arse. I bid
your brother to take charge of our soldiers during the jaunt. Even so, you were
expected to set an example and lead with him, not cower and flee. I will send you
to do service with the Bruce. Aye, for Robert is looking for men to attend him
whilst he vies for recognition of the sovereignty. With him, you shall learn
what it means to protect and defend. I bid you to discover what loyalty means,
lad.”
Heath
bowed his head in acceptance. “I will attend mass before I leave.”
His
father shook his head. “If you wish to attend mass, you will do so on your
journey, for you won’t spend another minute on this land. I will call you home
when your service is over, but I doubt that will be for many a year. Och you’re
young and will grow to be a strong willful Fraser. I shall keep communication with
the Bruce and when he gives you leave, we will accept your return.”
His
uncle stood beside his father, arms set across his chest, asserting his view.
“Be it for five years at least, Simon. I deem that’ll be a good amount of time
for the lad to learn his way.”
Heath
tensed. Much could happen in such a vast amount of time, and what with the
scuffles with the English by the borders and Scotland’s turmoil now with the
English king, there was little he could do to aid his clan. With the unending
riffs with their enemy the MacKintoshs, their clan had many conflicts to face.
He
lowered his head and walked away, for there was nothing left to say. Heath strolled
to the great keep and collected his belongings. Absolution for his sins during
the battles would not be granted this day, but he hoped to gain such during his
travel to the Bruce.
There
was a way for him to account for his sins. Killing a man went against
everything he believed in, and yet he’d had no choice. 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 taken to arms he had killed but a score of men, the rest he’d
inflicted with non-life-threatening injuries.
He
reached his bunk and grabbed the sack he kept his belongings in. 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 twenty strings from
it. As he left the garrison, Lillia, a lass within his clan strolled toward
him.
Heath
knelt and fumbled with the tassel of strings. He gazed at Lillia as she took it
from him and tied it to his boot. The strings would stay tied to him to remind
him of his desired restitution.
“My
thanks, Lillia.”
The
winsome lass set a hand on his shoulder. “You’re leaving? I shall never see you
again?”
“Probably
not, lass, but I―”
She
kissed him. Her lips pressed his in a soft, but desirous way. Heath hadn’t expected
her kiss or reasoned she held desirous feelings for him. He pressed a hand on
her face and enjoyed the passion before he pulled away. As long as he’d known
her, he hadn’t been aware she desired him. They’d known each other since their swaddle-years
and he’d always teased her. Now she teased him with her tempting lips and bonny
body. He wished he’d known of her interest before, and with his departure, he
couldn’t do a thing about it.
“Don’t
forget me, Heath.” She’d clasped his hand and released him as she walked away.
Heath
sighed at the regrets that settled within him at leaving his clan. With a tug
to the tassel, he made certain they were fastened tightly to his boot. The
strings would be a constant reminder of his need to make penance for his sins. He
wouldn’t remove a string unless he saved someone from certain death. If it was
the last thing he’d do, Heath would keep track of these transgressions and make
them right before he met his own end. In service to the Bruce, his end would
probably come sooner than anticipated.
Don't miss Fearless Heart (Legend of the King's Guard series book 3)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075QYB8QF
This book is a edge of your eat book. I recommend to everyone. Heath and Lillia are perfect together. Friar Hemm is amazing. The Guardsmen intoned together. Its a sad, tearful, astounding, amazing book.
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