Page 35 of Highlander Lord Of Vengeance

Stuart opened his mouth.

“A lie better not slip from your lips,” Torrance thundered in warning.

Stuart began to tremble as he got ready to speak.

A voice cut through the silence.

“My lord,” Roland, Stuart’s son, stepped forward, bruised and bloody but unbowed. “Please, my lord, I beg of you to spare my father. He made a foolish and grave mistake. I swear the loyalty of Clan Rennoch to you. Let me lead, and I will prove our allegiance.”

The hall fell into breathless silence once again, all eyes on Torrance, a man not known to spare his enemies, suffering was more to his liking.

Torrance remained silent. His gaze swept the crowd slowly, then lingered on Roland, before it dropped to Stuart, who still trembled where he knelt. At last, he spoke.

“Your father did not think to spare me. Why should I spare him from dying?”

A gasp rushed around the room, knowing Stuart was doomed.

“The clan will be loyal to you. You can count on us. We will serve you well,” Roland said. “I pledge my word to you on it. My warriors pledge their word.”

The surviving warriors nodded, agreeing with Roland.

Torrance scoffed. “You will be loyal to me whether you do or don’t, since I will have a mercenary group take control of your clan.”

A fearful gasp circled the room, all knowing the danger that could bring.

Roland raised his chin and kept his voice strong. “Forgive me, my lord, but that would only turn the clan against you. Would you not rather us be loyal servants than those who seek revenge?”

“You speak truthfully, unlike your father,” Torrance said, though suspicion lingered in his eyes.

“I will always speak truthfully to you, my lord, for the sake of my clan and my father’s life.”

Torrance leaned back in his chair and turned silent once again.

Breathes were held, tears fell silently, and prayers were mumbled.

Torrance turned to Esme. “What say you, wife?”

All eyes turned on Esme.

She surprised herself, her response spilling fast from her lips. “I think there has been enough suffering, bloodshed, and death today.”

Torrance leaned forward. “You are lucky I have a kind wife, Stuart, for I would have chosen to have you drawn and quartered in front of your clan along with your son and warriors. But it doesn’t mean you won’t suffer for daring to try to kill me and mine.”

Stuart spoke up. “I am a foolish man?—”

Torrance bolted to his feet and brought his fist down on the table with a hard blow. “You are an ignorant man who will pay for his stupidity and foolishness. You will be taken to your own dungeon where you will remain until I decide to release you—if ever. You,” he turned to Roland, “will lead in his stead. But know this, I will leave men here. Should you falter, should your loyalty fail me, they will send word, and I will return… and you and your father will die, and your clan left to starve.”

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the room that Torrance had spared Stuart, his son, and the clan.

“See to your wounded, your dead, and keep in mind what future betrayal will cost you and your clan,” Torrance said. “And, Roland, you will take your father to his dungeon and see that he remains there until I say otherwise.”

“Aye, my lord. He will not see freedom without your word,” Roland assured him.

Torrance remained standing and silent, his hand resting briefly on the hilt of his sword, thinking that the lot of them werenot to be trusted. But also thinking that Clan Rennoch might not be in this alone.

“Fresh drink for my men,” Torrance called out. “And you shall have first taste, Stuart, to make sure it is not poisoned.”

“The drink and food are not poisoned, my lord, that I can assure you,” Roland said. “My father would never waste good food and drink.”

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