Prologue

         Gregory Vale sat at the rough wooden table and finished the letter he was writing. He blotted the ink and folded the paper. Then he put on his coat and reached for his cane. Another man came into the cabin and Gregory handed him the paper. “Jameson, give this to Andria if I’m not back by dawn.”

         “You can’t go. She’s in labor and the baby will be here soon.”

         “She is in good hands. The shaman is one of us and the Indian woman with him is a midwife. Now is the time to end this. Andria was not pregnant when we left Europe so the Santins do not know about the child.”

         “Albert Santin is young and strong. You don’t stand a chance against him.”

         “I have to try.” Gregory sighed. “You’ve been a good friend and will be a good leader. I pray our people will be able to live in peace in this new world.”

*****

         Thunder and lightning shook the forest as the two men faced each other in the clearing. Gregory Vale shook his fist at the younger man. “Albert Santin, why have you followed me here? Hasn’t this blood feud cost enough lives?”

         “It’ll only end when you, the last of the Vales, are dead.” Santin’s eye turned bright red and he transformed into a two legged wolf.

         “So be it. I may die this night, but I’ll take you with me.” Gregory shook his head and roared as his features changed to those of a lion and the two charged at each other.

         The storm raged around them as they battled fang and claw. Until they finally collapsed on the blood soaked ground. Santin’s scream was cut short when Gregory tore out his throat.

         Gregory struggled to his feet and watched as Santin’s body resumed its human form. Then he sat on the ground with his back against the large oak, and examined his own wounds as he regained his original appearance. The loss of blood made him light headed and he knew he would be unable to make his way home. With his mind he reached out to his wife, Andria, but was too weak to make her hear him. He looked again at Santin’s body. Even as a warrior, Gregory never took pleasure in killing, but now, his wife and unborn child would be safe.

"Chapter 1 Bonner Manor"