Avenge My Kin - Book 1
A Time Of Adversity
by
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“You’re name is David Seton.” A nod followed. “You lived for several weeks at the Priory of the
A second hooded figure approached with pincers and gripped an exposed nipple and squeezed. It brought a quick intake of breath and eyes that watered.
“Tell me of the secret room?”
David gave a negative shake of his head.
His other nipple was crushed, and a gurgled sob escaped pressed lips.
“Speak, or feel the hot iron.” A red glowing tip was brought close. “What was in the room; we know it exists, speak you miserable turd?”
David ground his teeth.
“Apply the iron,” came from the voice at the door. The sizzle and stench of burnt flesh filled the air, and a scream forced open a clenched mouth. The iron was removed from a bare shoulder and David sagged, supported only by the chains that bit into his wrists. “Speak you dumb idiot, or this time the heat of the fire will singe your eyeballs.”
A second rod was pulled from the brazier, and with slow deliberate steps it was carried and held where the heat seared David’s cheek. “Tell me of the secret room or lose the sight of an eye.” David shook his head. “Seize his head and hold it still.” A hooded figure gripped David by the ears. “Your last chance, brat, the iron burns bright.” The rod was held a mere inch and the heat reddened closed eyelids. “Do it now!” the third voice commanded, and as the heat increased, David slipped into the blackness of oblivion. His tormentor pulled of his hood to reveal the face of Earl D’Ala.
“Enough!” Jacques de Molay shouted as he removed his hood. “The boy has proved his courage beyond your trials; I demand you release him now!”
The Grand Master removed his hood. “He failed – he was about to reveal all when he fainted – he cannot be trusted.”
“You’re wrong; his strength will increase for he has taken the sacred vows. I wonder what you would have revealed in a similar situation?” De Molay’s face was infused with anger. “You have allowed your fear to cloud your judgment; you seek to destroy this boy, not ensure his loyalty.”
The Grand Master’s reply was terse. “You forget your station, Monsieur de Molay; your remarks will not be forgotten. Guardianship of Templar secrets is mine and mine alone; challenge me no more lest they be whispered into other ears than yours.”
“Then release the boy; further torture serves no purpose.”
“From the confines of this cell, yes, but he will replace these chains with those of a galley slave.” Guadin studied Jacques de Molay with disdain. “He will serve three years; that will allow me the time to empty the Priory room.”
“Then let him serve these years aboard the Orion?”
“If your desire is to nursemaid this youth, so be it, but during my reign he will serve the full three years, not one day less.” The Grand Master instructed the Earl’s assistant. “Loosen his chains, treat his wounds and feed him, but he remains in this cell overnight. Tomorrow he will be taken to
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About the Book
The drama begins when the siblings, Morag and David Seton, witness the murder of the parents by a renegade named Black Angus MacGougall. David, in trying to rescue his mother from rape, is beaten and tossed into the river, believed dead. But David survives and is rescued by a hermit called Peter of the River. This leads to David meeting the Chief of Clan MacNab, and after the discovery of a secret treasure room, is placed in the hands of the mysterious Knights Templar, where he is condemned as a galley slave, but eventually wins freedom in the Holy Land.
Morag is taken prisoner by Black Angus and is eventually sold to the Vikings, who, because of her developed mystical powers, view her as a Priestess, and as such she battles the Bishop of Orkney, and is able to save the son of the Jarl of Orkney from a related poisoner. Brother and sister are briefly united, only to be separated again as the saga continues.
About the Author
I am a retired Bakery Specialist and owned a successful retail bakery outlet. I published a Bakery Course called the SCIENCE OF BAKING, adopted by the Clifford Evans/Zehrs Training Centre. But it seems a far cry from baking to historical drama, where three volumes of a projected five have been completed. But why this genre? To me it seems tragedy has rolled in waves through the Scottish Mists of Time, and inside me there was a tale to be told.
Research is the key, and in 2002 I was able to make a long visit to Scotland where I toured the highlands and the islands; visited castles and grave sites; priories and brochs and breathed in the tang o' the brine and the redolence o' the heather, and soaked up the majesty of the mountains and the glens. It's all inside.