Page 182 of Forbidden

“And then,” Erik said gently, implacably, “the girl gave Duncan her own soul to fill the emptiness in his. For this priceless gift, he would make her a whore.”

Steel links clicked and writhed as though alive with the rage that was pouring through Duncan.

Erik lifted the cold fingers that gripped his arm, kissed them, and stepped back from Amber. For the first time he turned around and confronted Dominic le Sabre. The pin that held Dominic’s mantle in place glittered fiercely.

“As you see, Wolf of Glendruid,” Erik said, “the blood relationship is clear.”

“Yes.”

“Then you will grant leave for your vassal to meet me in single combat.”

“Duncan is my equal, not my vassal.”

“Ah, so that, too, is true. I wondered.” Erik smiled sardonically. “You are indeed a formidable tactician, Dominic le Sabre.”

“As are you. No one less could have held three large estates in the Disputed Lands with a handful of knights and the reputation of being a sorcerer,” Dominic said.

Erik began to turn toward Duncan, only to be stopped by Dominic’s dry words.

“Your penchant for entering keeps through bolt-holes unknown to others is no doubt useful to your reputation,” Dominic said.

“No doubt,” Erik said gently.

“But there will be no problem in the future.”

“Oh? Why?”

“Your shrewdness didn’t extend to letting Duncan challengeyouto single combat. You are a dead man, Erik, son of Robert.”

Dominic looked past Erik to the Scots Hammer.

“Insomuch as you once were my vassal,” Dominic said, “I entreat you to choose the hammer for your coming battle.”

Cassandra’s body jerked as though she had been whipped.

Absently, Duncan glanced down at the weapon that was quivering and twisting at the end of its steel leash, eager for the combat to come. Until that moment, he hadn’t really been aware of holding the hammer.

“Erik is undefeated with the sword,” Dominic said, “but he isn’t known for any extraordinary skill with the hammer.And I need you alive.”

Surprised, Duncan looked at Dominic.

“Without you holding Stone Ring Keep,” Dominic said simply, “there is little chance for Blackthorne’s survival in the coming years. Grant this favor to one who was once your lord.”

Duncan looked at the hammer that waited within his grasp, as much a part of him as his own arms.

Then he looked at Amber.

Her eyes were wide, wild, and her hands were pressed against her mouth as though to hold back a scream. No matter who won the coming battle, she lost.

Duncan knew it as well as she.

“While you are considering the matter,” Dominic added, “remember that Erik is the highborn lord who thought a man born a bastard had so little honor he wouldn’t notice being forsworn.”

Metal links snapped and snarled as Duncan played with the hammer. The people in the great hall were so still that each movement of the chain carried throughout.

“So be it,” Duncan said. “I will fight with the hammer.”

Amber closed her eyes.