A Warrior's Promise by Donna Fletcher Page B

enough sounding hopeful.
    â€œI can offer you a safe haven,” Bryce said.
    Old John appeared then, emerging from amongst the trees. He was as Elsa had described, stooped and battered by age and battle. But Charlotte noted something she doubted that many saw, his brown eyes, though framed by wrinkles, were sharp and much too aware for one supposedly crazy. His long, wild gray hair added to his air of madness as did his worn and layered clothing. For some reason though, Charlotte did not think this man as crazy as he led others to believe.
    â€œWhat safety can you offer me when the king’s soldiers are everywhere?”
    â€œThe safety of the MacAlpin clan,” Bryce said proudly.
    Charlotte caught the sudden broadening of Old John’s shoulders though he remained stooped over some.
    â€œThe soldiers say the MacAlpins are fools; that there is no true king that will take the throne from King Kenneth. If there was, he would have made himself known by now,” Old John said, shaking his head. “Why doesn’t he make himself known if he isn’t a myth? His people need him. They need to know someone fights for them.”
    â€œHe will step forward when the time is right,” Charlotte said. “If you know the myth, then you know it says ‘when he meets death on his own, that is when he will ascend the throne.’ No doubt meeting death means that he will face King Kenneth, and they will fight to the death. He will be victorious, and Scotland will have her true king.”
    â€œBut King Kenneth does not fight fair, this I have seen with my own eyes,” Old John said. “He will find a way to defeat the true king.”
    â€œNever,” Charlotte said. “Evil and ignorance cannot conquer goodness and wisdom. The true king is good and wise and strong and courageous. He will defeat King Kenneth and ascend the throne, just as predicted.”
    â€œYou are so sure,” Old John said. “Have you met the true king?”
    Charlotte shook her head. “No, but my father believes that his path crossed with his once many years ago. He says the Highlander was a man of keen virtue, kindness, understanding, generous and more courageous than he had ever known.”
    â€œAnd you, Highlander,” Old John said, looking to Bryce, “you fight for a man you have never met?”
    â€œIf I answer that, it could prove not only dangerous for us all but for the true king himself.”
    Old John considered his words, then asked, “What do you wish to know?”
    Bryce nodded to Charlotte, and she said, “My father has been taken prisoner by the king’s soldiers, and we have learned that he may have been taken to a secret prison. A place the king saves for special prisoners.”
    â€œForget him. He is lost to you now. There is nothing you can do.”
    â€œI will not abandon my da. I will find him and free him.”
    Old John shook his head. “No one escapes hell.”
    â€œYou did,” Charlotte snapped.
    â€œAnd I’ll not go back there.”
    â€œI don’t need you to go back. I just need to know where it is,” Charlotte said.
    Old John suddenly sprang up, stooped no more, making him only a few inches shorter than Bryce. His eyes went wide, and he appeared to sniff the air.
    â€œOthers approach, soldiers by the smell of them.” He turned wild eyes on Bryce. “They followed you.”
    He bolted, launching himself over the debris that protected his shack, grabbed a sack from somewhere in the midst of the mess, and took off.
    Charlotte and Bryce barely had time to do the same, Old John’s actions having been so sudden and fast.
    Charlotte ran as fast as her slim legs would carry her, Bryce staying close on her heels. They were not, however, fast enough to keep up with Old John. And try as she might, Charlotte could not match his frantic pace. That was when she realized that Old John was not as old as he led everyone to