Lucas
Lucas, deceived in love and nearly killed returns for revenge. He wants revenge against the woman who set him up and also against the men who attacked him. Finding the woman dead (from a barmaid's story) he faces the men. While in battle, a gang of bandits ride in to save the day. Back at their lair, Lucas comes face to face with the woman who ordered his murder and believed to be dead by all in this land. He begrudgingly joins them with the intent to keep his eye on the woman. After all, he intended to marry her before he was beaten and left for dead. Disclaiming all stories to the contrary, he refuses to trust that it was not her that set him up. His memory is of her jealousy of her sisters attentions to him immediately prior to his beating. His only waiver is that she has been claimed dead by suicide for a whole year and that seems unlikely if she really would have him killed. Only when he discovers the truth from eavesdropping, does he come to trust her again. Although it may be too late for he has said awful things to her. Still, she allows him to stay and he does to fight together against their common foes. The twists have them saving each other a time or two and trying not to fall for each other due to past hurts. While it is a foregone conclusion that they will love - is it enough to overcome the hurts they have heaped upon each other? Good book - almost as good as Artan's story. Recommended.
