Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Epilogue
Author’s Note
Dedication
By Monica McCarty
THE HIGHLAND GUARD
Tor “Chief” MacLeod:Team Leader and Expert Swordsman
Erik “Hawk” MacSorley:Seafarer and Swimmer
Lachlan “Viper” MacRuairi:Stealth, Infiltration, and Extraction
Arthur “Ranger” Campbell:Scouting and Reconnaissance
Gregor “Arrow” MacGregor:Marksman and Archer
Magnus “Saint” MacKay:Survivalist and Weapon Forging
Kenneth “Ice” Sutherland:Explosives and Versatility
Eoin “Striker” MacLean:Strategist in “Pirate” Warfare
Ewen “Hunter” Lamont:Tracker and Hunter of Men
Robert “Raider” Boyd:Physical Strength and Hand-to-Hand Combat
Alex “Dragon” Seton:Dirk and Close Combat
Also:
Helen “Angel” MacKay (née Sutherland):Healer
FOREWORD
The year of our lord thirteen hundred and twelve. Since Robert the Bruce first made his bid for the crown six years ago, he has defeated not only the English but also the powerful Scottish noblemen who stood against him. After a much-needed reprieve from warfare for Bruce and his men, in late summer 1310 the English marched north to invade Scotland, this time under the leadership of Edward II.
But the second Edward is nothing like his “Hammer of the Scots” father, and the English campaign was a disaster. Bruce refused to take the field in pitched battle. Instead, with the help of the elite warriors of the legendary Highland Guard, Bruce waged a “secret war,” using the pirate tactics he had perfected, harrying the English with surprise attacks and skirmishes, and wreaking havoc on the soldiers’ morale.
After unsuccessfully attempting to track down Bruce, Edward and his army withdrew to the English Marches to wait out the winter in Berwick-upon-Tweed before marching on the rebels again. But the English king’s second campaign was delayed when in the summer of 1311, after ten months in Scotland and the Borders, trouble with his barons required him to return to London.
Bruce immediately took advantage of Edward’s withdrawal and went on the offensive, for the first time taking his war deep into the English countryside. Like the Vikings before them, the fierce Scot raiders struck terror in the heart of the enemy. The names of their leaders will go down in history. Men like Thomas Randolph, James “The Black” Douglas, Edward Bruce, and Robbie Boyd will earn both fame and fortune, beginning the fierce campaign that will eventually bring about the end of the war.
Prologue
