Betrayed Read Free

his breath,stepped out from the bushes to their right. Connor winced as Tegan squeezed his arm. Somehow, she managed a strong, controlled voice despite the danger that now confronted them. “This bridge was built by the Sinclairs for everyone to use. You have no right to charge a toll,” she answered.
    â€œI’m afraid I can,” he snickered. “You see, I have been given the royal appointment of official tollkeeper by Prince Henry himself. It would be a dereliction of duty to let you pass free of charge.”
    As the stranger staggered forward, Tegan and Connor retreated warily.
    â€œWe have no money,” she lied. “Please, let us cross. The English have just sacked our home. We have nothing left!”
    â€œNothing?” he laughed, stumbling forward. “I’m sure you have something to give me.”
    Tegan gently edged Connor away from the stranger. Instinctively, the young boy understood. They were about to make a run around the highwayman. Just as Tegan and Connor started to bolt forward, a second apparition appeared from behind, grabbing Tegan around the waist and neck. The sudden jolt from his mother’s arm sent Connor tumbling to his knees. He turned and saw his mother writhing to get free herself from the second highwayman, chuckling at her as if she were a snared rabbit.
    â€œLet go of my mother!”
    Although only ten, Connor had strong body from his years of work on the farm. In a flash, he launched himself at the attacker. Leaping up into the air, he swung an arm around the highwayman’s neck and squeezed until only a weak rasp escaped from the stranger’s lips. The grip on his mother weakened. With a twist, she broke free just asConnor’s head exploded in pain. The world spun as he collapsed onto the ground, stumbling and falling into the ditch beside the bridge. Through a sea of spinning stars, he heard his mother scream.
    Guffawing at the boy’s stupor, the two robbers returned their focus to Tegan, who was firmly back in the grasp of the second attacker.
    â€œPerhaps that will teach your boy some manners!”
    â€œLook here, Niall! The lady was telling us a tale! She has at least a few shillings hiding in a pouch.”
    He viciously snapped the purse off from around her neck and held it in front of Tegan’s face.
    â€œAye, you’re right, Dougal. And that’s too bad for you, my dear. Didn’t your mother ever tell you not to lie? Now we’ll have to double your toll.”
    She screamed again as the strangers pressed in on her. Connor clawed and crawled up the embankment. Somehow finding his feet, he staggered back towards his mother, ready to defend her to the death. Just then a sound from the other side of the creek caused everyone to freeze.
    â€œThe bloody English,” cursed one of the highwaymen.
    The echo of horses’ hooves quickly approached the gathering. Three horsemen appeared through the gloom, their steeds snorting as they burst across the bridge and pulled to a halt in front of the frozen fray. The highwaymen gaped as the lead rider dismounted. The other riders followed suit.
    Connor, wild-eyed and confused, changed his target from the highwaymen and instead charged toward the lead rider.
    â€œI’ll kill you bloodsucking English with my bare hands! This is all your fault!” he screamed, tortured by his unwinnable situation.
    â€œStand down, son,” said a voice in calm Gaelic. “We’re not English.”
    Hearing Gaelic from the soldier completely bewildered Connor, who slid to a halt and stared dumfounded into the face of a shadow.
    â€œWho are you then?”
    â€œA friend,” the apparition answered.
    The sound of swords being drawn sliced through the mist. Suddenly frightened, the highwaymen released Tegan, who immediately ran to Connor’s side, wrapping her trembling, icy arms around his body.
    â€œWhat has just transpired here?” asked the horseman