Zone Zero: Vengeance (Book 3 of 3)

Prologue

770 AD - Ireland

My brother's fist flies through the air at a deadly speed as I duck just in time to escape it. A second one soon follows that I can't avoid and it connects with my jaw spinning my head to the side.

Through blurry eyes, I see my weary father stand alongside my other brothers Faolan, Torin and Lir, all covered with sweat and dirt from a hard days work. They are chuckling among themselves as they watch my sparring match with the brother I have always been closest with, Cailen.

A jab to my ribs pulls me back into the moment as I swing wildly connecting with his forearm as he blocks my attack. A counter on his behalf to my nose and then a kick to my knee sends me to the ground.

The laughter grows as I reach to touch my nose and find it dripping with blood. Cailen stalks towards me with a large smile on his face and lends me his hand. I take it and he hoists me back up to my feet and pats me on the back.

"You're getting faster Aodhan," Cailen says approvingly as we make our way toward our brothers. Our father had left right after I went down. To say that he is a man of few words is an understatement. He is lucky to say ten words in a whole year and most of which land solely on our mother's ears.

"I still can't dodge your right hand. Your fist is way too quick for me." I rub my jaw as I speak and make sure that nothing is broken.

"Don't be too hard on yourself Aodhan. No one can hide from Cailen's right hand. I don't think that father would even be able to avoid it." Torin, my closest brother in age chimes in and I smirk in response.

"Maybe your right," I mutter.

I turn fully to Cailen then and place a hand on his shoulder.

"But know this brother, one day I will defeat you at your own game and you will never see it coming."

.....

8 years later

"He has been missing for two weeks Lir. That's the longest he has ever been away from the village." My voice grows, full of worry as our family graces my father's table once more. All except Cailen.

"He is just upset and trying to get away from any reminders of Isolde. Its one year ago that he lost her and the baby and he doesn't want to remember. Give him time and he will come back. He always does." Faolan, the eldest of us all, says reassuringly.

"He needs to move on is what he needs. Find another woman and have children with her. That's the only way he will ever get over losing Isolde." Lir crosses his arms against his chest as he sits across from me. The finality in his voice serves as a reminder that he has never been the sentimental type.

"I think maybe Aodhan is right. We should search for him. Maybe he is injured and needs our help." Torin is the only one siding with me tonight.

"What do you think father?" Faolan asks of our father.

All of our eyes land on our father in unison as he sits at the head of the table with both hands clasping his mug of ale. His gaze directed only to the liquid inside.

"Did your brother take his weapons with him?" The four of us glance at each other before Torin replies.

"Yes. I think so."

"Does he know how to fight?"

Again we cant help the puzzled expressions that grow on our faces.

"He is the best fighter amongst us," Lir interjects.

"Then we needn't worry. He is merely saddened by the reminder of his wife and child's death one year ago and is seeking escape from their memory. He will return soon, I am sure of it."