The Merciless Laird (The Viking Lairds’ Pact #5)

The Royal Decree

By the Grace of God, and by the will of His Majesty, Alexander II, King of Scots, tae all those who shall see or hear these letters, greetings be upon ye.

Ken that the endless strife between our loyal Highland subjects and the Norse lords of the Western Isles has long grieved the Crown most deeply.

Fer too many seasons, the shores of Scotland have run red with the blood of both Gael and Norseman, and the Crown can no longer see fit tae suffer such chaos tae persist within the realm it governs.

Therefore, let it be known, by Royal Command—and under pain of forfeiture of lands, titles, and the breath of life itself, the Crown hereby decrees the establishment of what shall be known as The Laird’s Pact.

Five Norse jarls who hold dominion over the Western Isles have been selected and are herein commanded tae take fer themselves as wives, daughters of our most loyal Highland chieftains.

These unions shall bind both peoples through the sacred bonds of clan, marriage and kinship—transforming generations of bloodshed into everlasting peace fer the sake of all who inhabit Scotland.

The fourth such union shall unite Ragnar Ketilsson, Jarl and Laird of the Isle of Uist, tae Lady Isolda MacGregor, daughter of Laird Malcolm MacGregor.

This marriage shall take precedence over any prior betrothal agreements made, which are hereby declared null and void by the Crown’s sovereign authority.

Any refusal tae comply with this most sacred decree shall be considered an act of treason against the Crown, and any person who defies this command shall face swift and immediate consequences without right tae trial.

The remaining union brought forth by The Laird’s Pact shall be announced in due course, with each union serving as another binding thread in the tapestry of peace the Crown is determined tae weave across the Kingdom.

This is the will of His Majesty.

Given under his hand and seal at Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, this fifteenth day of March, in the Year of our Lord twelve-hundred-and-thirty-two.

Rex Scotorum

Alexander II, King of Scots