Bonus Scene

Bristol Castle, Northumberland

“Remember to displace your adversary’s blow with a counter-strike timed in the middle of their action,” Bryce said.

Galien’s uncle was one of the most skilled swordsmen in their family. Although he and Reina would leave for home today, Galien could not pass on the opportunity to train with him. “Aye, uncle,” he said, prepared to attempt again when Rory’s voice interrupted them.

“There are men in the hall,” Rory said, his cousin clearly upset, “who claim to have news from Eydington.”

His Uncle Bryce lowered his weapon. “Eydington?”

Galien did the same.

Northwest of them, along the border, lay a straegically important castle that had changed hands many times throughout the years.

They followed Rory toward the keep as his cousin explained.

“According to the survivors, Edward sent a force of over a thousand men.”

Uncle Bryce stopped. “Edward attacked Eydington?”

It was another of Rory’s words Galien had heard. “Survivors?”

Rory stopped. His characteristic smirk non-existent, this was the other side of his cousin Galien saw less often, the one who fought alongside him against the English king’s tyranny. The one whose mother had been wronged, directly, by that same king. The one who would never forgive Edward for it, despite that he was Rory’s own king.

The son of a man known for his ruthlessness against his enemies.

“They were outnumbered fifty to one. The siege lasted only five days when two massive siege engines were raised.”

Galien could assume the rest by his cousin’s expression.

“So much for the temporary truce,” Bryce muttered.

“Did Hathawaye surrender?” Galien asked.

Rory’s jaw clenched. “He did. And the baron was hung for his efforts.”

It took both of them a moment to absorb the news. “Bastard,” Bryce growled as he began to walk once again.

“It was the son who forsook him,” Rory added.

“Eustace, is it not?” Bryce asked.

“Aye.”

“A vassal to Edward.”

“Who now holds it in his name.”

“Nay,” Galien blurted before he could stop himself.

Rory nodded. “Watched his own father and more than fifty men be hanged for defending it. They say he stood with the king’s men outside Edyington’s walls during the siege.”

“How could a man hold his own father in such disregard as to allow him to be killed? For what? Control over Edyington Castle?” Galien asked.

“The son has no love for Scots,” Bryce said. “He has argued with her father over it for as long as I can remember. But never would I have thought it possible the boy could do such a thing.”

“Boy.” Rory slowed as they approached the keep. “He has not been one for many years.”

“Hmm,” Bryce grumbled. “He has a sister, does he not?”

“The sister,” Rory said, “is precisely why Edyington’s men have come.”

Galien was intrigued.

Rory continued. “They say she was spared but is being held captive by her brother. He aims to use her as a pawn for Edward.”

“She is unwed,” Galien guessed.

“Aye.”

“Eustace holds Edyington in Edward’s name and plans to marry his sister to a man of the king’s choosing to further ingrain himself with his overlord,” Galien said, his uncle watching their exchange carefully.

“Aye, cousin. You’ve the right of it.”

“Why have they come here?” Bryce asked.

“They’ve come to ask for our aid.”

Bryce’s brows drew together. “There are many between Edyington and Bristol. Why us? And to what end?”

“They’ve been denied by all others, apparently. Their appeal thus not taken up by any of Edyington’s allies.”

If Galien thought it odd they would come to Bristol, to ask for aid, his uncle seemed to think it more so. He was as confused as Galien on their mission.

“’Tis good you’re here, cousin,” Bryce said. “They know their ask is large. And were not surprised it’s thus far been denied.”

Galien had a bad feeling about what his cousin would say next. Apparently, his uncle did as well. And had already guessed at the men’s purpose. “They don’t want our aid,” Bryce looked at him, “for no one family or clan alone would dare to get involved. A thousand men. . . ” He shook his head.

“Aye,” Rory confirmed. “They want their lady freed, but doing so would be outright declaring war against Edward. None are willing.”

Bryce closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and expelled it. When he opened them, his uncle’s eyes were clear. Galien knew what they asked. Rory knew what they asked. And his father, Galien’s uncle, a man not known for temperance—a fact that had seen Bryce in more arguments with his brother-in-law, Galien’s father, than he could remember—lifted his chin.

“They ask for the assistance of the Brotherhood,” he said. The little-used term was rarely uttered aloud. Their families were already a target. Naming something gave it credence. Power. Influence. According to Edward, the Waryn family and Clan Kerr alliance had too much of all three already.

“The survivors who refused to swear fealty to Eustace wish for us to rescue their lady,” Galien said.

“An action that will put more of a target on us both than ever before,” Bryce added.

“Aye,” Rory said. “With over two hundred of the king’s men remaining to help the son secure it.”

The very idea was madness. It would put them in Edward’s crosshairs like never before. Galien’s father would never agree to it. His Uncle Geoffrey would never agree to it, the Earl of Kenshire already having tangled with the king just recently over the arranged marriage of his son. Not to mention Galien’s other uncles. Reid—well, none ever knew his mind, and Uncle Reid was just as like to do it simply to enrage the king he loved taunting. But Uncle Alex was more measured. His son was now Lord Warden and, as such, attempted to stay on the right side of the law, for what such a thing was worth these days.

So he wasn’t surprised when Bryce turned to him. “It seems as if we return to Scotland with you, Galien.”

“It seems so, uncle,” he responded. When both families met to discuss such matters, they most often did so at Brockburg. It had the advantage of being heavily fortified, but, unlike Kenshire, was not located in England. It would be more difficult, though not impossible, for Edward to extend his reach north.

When Galien looked at his cousin, he wasn’t surprised to see him smiling for the first time since he’d brought the news of Edyington to them in the training yard. There was nothing his cousin loved more than a fight, and it seemed as if they would now be picking one with the most powerful man in England.

God help them all.

……

Rory, son of Bryce from The Lord’s Captive, will play a pivotal role in the attempted rescue of Lady Freya of Edyington in Son of a Rogue coming in January 2022. Get a new release notice here so you don’t miss the special $2.99 release price.