“Stop. I daenae want to kill ye,” Connor growled as they locked blades.
Jack’s breath came ragged, eyes wild.
“Kill?” Jack hissed, “There is nay end for men like me.”
Connor shoved him away, creating space, never turning his back on Eva.
“There is,” Connor said grimly, “when the truth’s paid for in blood or mercy.”
Jack hesitated, the word mercy striking deeper than steel.
Around them, Connor’s men closed the ring, weapons drawn but held at bay by Connor’s raised hand. Michael stood frozen, torn between the man who raised him and the truth unraveling before him.
“Da,” he said again, voice breaking, “please.”
Jack’s shoulders sagged for a heartbeat, grief flashing through the rage.
Connor seized that moment, stepping forward with purpose.
“Lay down yer blade,” he said, voice firm but measured, “and answer for what ye’ve done.”
Jack looked from Connor to Michael, then to Eva hidden behind Connor’s shoulder. His hand trembled, the fight draining out of him in ragged breaths.
The clearing held its breath as Jack slowly lowered his sword. Connor did not relax, keeping Eva shielded, his body still coiled to strike if needed.
“I cannae pay for me faither's deeds. I am nae him. But ye took me brother from me and now I’m takin’ him back,” Connor said.
Then Connor saw the darkness settle fully into Jack’s eyes, a black tide that drowned reason and mercy alike. Jack’s face twisted with grief and fury at the thought of losing his son, and with a raw shout he raised his sword.
“I’ll nae lose him,” Jack roared, voice breaking, “I’ll kill ye all first.” His guards surged with him, blades flashing as the clearing exploded into motion.
Connor barely had time to shove Eva into the trees before steel rang on steel. Jack came at him wild and unmeasured, hacking with the strength of desperation rather than skill.
“Jack, stop this madness,” Connor shouted as he parried, feet sliding in the churned earth. Jack answered only with a snarl and another savage swing.
One of Jack’s guards lunged from the side, and Connor twisted, catching the blade on his own and driving his shoulder into the man’s chest. The guard staggered back, cursing, and Connor followed through with a clean thrust that ended the fight in a breath. The man fell without another sound, blood darkening the leaves beneath him. Connor swallowed hard, already turning back to Jack.
“Stand down,” Connor shouted again, breath coming fast now, “ye’ve lost enough this day.”
Jack laughed, high and broken, and charged anew. “I lost everythin’ the day yer faither murdered me wife,” Jack screamed. Their swords clashed again, sparks leaping as grief met resolve.
Behind them, David crashed into two guards who had tried to circle wide.
“Ye’ll nae touch him,” David growled, slamming his shield into one man’s jaw. The second guard swung wildly, but David ducked and drove his blade into the man’s thigh, sending himsprawling with a howl. David stood over them, chest heaving, eyes locked on the fight ahead.
Connor backed Jack toward the center of the clearing, trying to keep Eva within his sight.
“Michael is me brother, nae yer son,” Connor said harshly, forcing Jack back with a flurry of controlled strikes.
Jack suddenly broke away, spinning past Connor with startling speed.
“Then I’ll take what ye love,” he bellowed, charging straight toward Eva.
Eva screamed, stumbling backward as fear froze her feet.
Connor’s heart lurched painfully as he shouted her name. “Eva.”
Connor launched himself after Jack, his body moving faster than thought.
