Free Dragon Knight's Sword by Mary Morgan

He had been missing for nigh three months, and no one had seen or heard from him.
    The past year was bad enough on them all, what with the death of Adam’s beloved Meggie. To find they were lovers planning on handfasting had stunned the entire clan. Therefore, it came as a shock when Adam came home that night covered not only in his blood, but of Meggie’s too.
    The war cry had gone out to take vengeance on the Mackays, but Adam had pleaded with them not too. Michael thought he was daft and with fever, not realizing Adam was planning his own revenge. It was months before Adam could walk on his own, for his wound almost ended his life several times. They owed much to their own healer and of the druid Lachlan.
    When Adam did regain his strength, he was still not himself. It was as if a changeling had come in the night and stole their younger brother away, replacing him with one who was restless, temperamental, and prone to pick fights with his men.
    Then they received news the Mackays were missing, too. Michael thought it no great loss, for he thought they wielded too much power, and the two clans had fought for centuries over the glen. Their lands were now empty, and Michael took it as a sign from the gods that the evil had been banished. He had considered sending Adam to the north to stay with their uncle, but on the following day Adam had left, telling no one.
    “Well?” Michael questioned. “Have ye found him?”
    Patrick sighed, gazing into his cup, “Nae, Michael. It’s as if he vanished when he stepped outside these walls.”
    “Damnation!” shouted Michael, as he slammed his cup onto the table, frightening the dog that lay nearby. “What news of Alex?” he asked.
    “None, he is near Mackay land in the north.”
    “No fears, brother,” said Michael. “Their land is barren of people, and the Mackays are scattered.” He waved his hand in the air. “Do not worry about Alex. Our brother can hold his own.”
    Patrick held back his words, gripping his cup more tightly. It was awful Adam was missing, but Alex was on enemy land and regardless what Michael said, his gut told him the Mackays would one day come forth and the real battle begin.
    Without warning, the hounds started to whine. Michael turned, noticing the druid Lachlan coming toward them. His men who were making merry with some of the lasses had fallen silent upon seeing the druid. Michael sensed his men feared the druid more than him, their laird.
    Michael bowed his head in reference. “Greetings, Lachlan.”
    “Greetings and blessings of light,” replied Lachlan, a smile curving his mouth.
    Patrick stayed seated and had yet to acknowledge Lachlan, when Michael made a gesture toward Patrick in warning.
    Patrick glared at Michael before turning toward Lachlan. Standing, he nodded his greeting in silence to the druid. Patrick honored the old ways, but for some unknown reason he could not fathom, he did not like the druid. He would never forget the day when Lachlan came to the castle telling them that not only was their father dead, but the great druid, Emer, had died with him.
    Lachlan’s claim was one where Liam Mackay had killed them in battle and plunged his sword into their father’s heart. Then removed the sword and beheaded the druid, Emer. Lachlan was a young druid at the time and had witnessed it from the trees. Not knowing what to do, he waited in fear for Liam to leave, and then tried in vain to save their da, but had failed. He came to the MacFhearguis’s and sworn a fealty to serve the clan. His vow was to regain the relics and the power of the glen to the new laird, Michael.
    Patrick’s warrior’s instinct told him it was false, and it stood as barrier between him and his brothers, with many a day spent in dissension. Adam and Alex both supported Michael in his decision to retain Lachlan as counsel, but Patrick would not. Alex only recently bent more to his side, but still kept silent, saying there needed to be proof of the druid’s