by Regan Walker
The queen had seen her ferry built and the pilgrims now regularly traveled over the waters of the Forth on their way to St. Andrew’s shrine, staying at the queen’s inns, for Margaret had built one on either side of the Forth. Catrìona smiled, remembering that summer she had traveled to St. Andrews with the queen. Sometimes, on winter nights as they sat around the hearth fire, she and Steinar would speak of it and laugh about the wildcat that had frightened her so.
As for Kessog, though an old falcon, he still hunted over the waters of Loch Lomond, taking a duck now and then for their table. Niall was expanding the mews to house the falcons he and Giric had trained.
Ahead, Catrìona spotted Steinar atop his black horse leading a band of warriors up the hill. Niall rode on one side of him and Giric on the other, his hound trotting beside him. They looked weary and dust-covered, but their smiles told her they were happy to be home.
Heart racing, she picked up her skirts and ran toward them, overjoyed to see they were whole. Behind her, she heard the pounding of little feet following her down the path.
And so, in the end…
Malcolm Canmore, King of Scots, had his queen who he adored.
Maerleswein, the former Sheriff of Lincolnshire, found love a second time and lived to father two sons.
Colbán, captain of the king’s guard, found redemption in the arms of a gentle woman whose love forgave even the murder by his people of her mother and younger brothers.
Rhodri, the Welsh bard and master of the bow, regained his noble heritage because the woman he loved was willing to follow him wherever his path led.
And, Steinar and Catrìona, having once lost all, found a love for the ages.
POSTSCRIPT
Sometimes, we authors discover real history intersects with our fictional imaginings in what might have been called “whate” centuries ago and today is thought of as “fortunate serendipity”. So it was with Rebel Warrior.
After I had already done considerable research for this novel, decided on the main characters and written the first scene in the Vale of Leven, I discovered something most interesting.
There is a tradition that says the Earls of Lennox are descended from a Northumbrian named Arkil, who took refuge in Scotland in 1070 after the Conquest. For his loyalty to King Malcolm Canmore and his resistance to William the Conqueror, Arkil was given lands in the Vale of Leven in recompense for the lands that William took from him and he was granted the title Mormaer of Levenach, which eventually migrated to “Levenax”.
In the 12th century, the Mormaers of Levenax became the Earls of Lennox, which became part of the Royal House of Stewart. I like to think that the male descendants of Steinar and Catrìona became those earls and served well the future Kings of the Scots.
Since I plan a series set in 12th century Scotland, featuring the origins of Clan Donald, you might even encounter one of Steinar’s descendants in a future novel. And, there is also the real possibility that Steinar himself may appear in my next novel, King’s Knight, the story of the Red Wolf’s son, Alexander, set some twenty years after Rebel Warrior.
I invite you to visit my Pinterest board for Rebel Warrior, pinterest.com/reganwalker123/rebel-warrior-by-regan-walker. There, you can view maps and pictures of the places referred to in the story, see the characters as I do, glimpse the flora and fauna of the time and the books I relied upon. It’s my research in pictures!
I love to keep in touch with my readers. You can contact me via my website and sign up for my newsletter there, too. www.ReganWalkerAuthor.com.
If you enjoyed my story, please write a review!
AUTHOR’S BIO
Regan Walker is an award-winning, bestselling author of Regency, Georgian and Medieval romances. She has five times been featured in USA TODAY’s HEA column and four times nominated for the prestigious RONE award (her novel, The Red Wolf’s Prize won Best Historical Novel for 2015 in the medieval category).
Regan writes historically authentic novels with real history and real historic figures where her readers can experience history, adventure and love. She lives in San Diego with her Golden Retriever who she says helps her to smell the roses every day.
BOOKS BY REGAN WALKER
The Medieval Warriors series:
The Red Wolf’s Prize
Rogue Knight
Rebel Warrior
King’s Knight (coming in late 2016)
The Agents of the Crown series:
To Tame the Wind (prequel)
Racing with the Wind
Against the Wind
Wind Raven
Echo in the Wind (coming in 2017)
Holiday Stories (related to the Agents of the Crown):
The Shamrock & The Rose
The Twelfth Night Wager
The Holly & The Thistle
www.ReganWalkerAuthor.com
