The Borderers

Gavin Ker of Slitrig, the eldest son of the family, seeks a wider world, but a shattering experience lies in front of him.

Accused of murdering an Englishman when he led his men across the border in search of Agnes, Gavin must stand trial at the next Day of Truce - when the opposing Wardens meet together to settle their outstanding quarrels. Gavin can be saved if he signs a bond making him Cessford's man. But Gavin would rather lose his life than his independence, and as things are he might have to.

Religion is in turmoil and men turn to darker gods. On the Scottish border witchcraft is rife. So when a neighbour's cattle catch plague accusing fingers point and a charge is laid against Gavin's younger sister Grizel. Cessford has to try her, little knowing how hard it is to make the charge of witchcraft stick.

Gavin is visited by a friend who tries to persuade him to travel to Europe with him. But some pilgrims arrive... a religious fanatic, a girl veiled like a nun, a truculent friar. Soon Gavin is caught up in the political crossfire of the time - and exposed to a danger that in those days would have terrified everyone.

An English fugitive, Tom Styles, flees across the border to Scotland and hides. Gavin, riding by, is attacked by outlaws and Styles saves his life: in return Gavin shelters him at Slitrig. But it is a punishable offence to harbour wanted criminals from England, and soon Gavin has to choose between his own life and Styles's.

The Kers of Slitrig could be a force to be feared throughout the Border - if they only had a ruthless leader. David Scott is just such a leader and since he claims to be the real Laird of Slitrig even some of Gavin's family support him. If a bloodbath is to be avoided Gavin hasn't too long to re-assert his authority.

The Laird of Cocklaws defends his castle against an English force. Gavin Ker supports him, but knows full well that Cocklaws's motives are as big a sham as the attack itself.

The one day of the year when all the cattle are sold and all the frustrations of winter life on the Borders are washed away in the strong ale in Hawick turns grimly sour when the borderers learn enough to believe that the cattle buyer is in league with Cessford to rob them of their living.

The gypsy way to win a wife was to snatch the desired lass from her home and kinfolk. When Agnes Ker catches the eye of Hector Faa, 'Lord and earl of Little Egypt', Gavin must fight Hector and Agnes herself to get her back

Cessford tries to marry off his troublesome ward to the son of Sir John Forster, the English Warden. The romance is complicated by a splendid Arab stallion, which nearly turns Cupid's arrows into the more lethal kind

Cessford's attempts to uncover a traitor at the Court of Queen Mary involve him in a charge of treason and win him an implacable enemy.

With high hopes of promotion Cessford journeys to Edinburgh only to find that he has swallowed several juicy baits on his way to dismissal and disgrace.