Prologue

  February 20, 1896

                Springtime was always fickle on Lancer but on this day, the weather cooperated with a bright sun, clear skies and a warm, gentle wind that carried the smell of new grass and ancient oak. As expected, the turnout for the funeral was large. All the hotel rooms in Morro Coyo, Green River , Spanish Wells and as far as Cross Creek were booked full. Every ranch house in the surrounding area graciously opened their doors for the overflow. It was the least they could do to honor a man that had helped shape this valley.

 A murmur of voices surrounded the ornate oak casket as everyone assembled for the graveside service. Earlier in the day, the church overflowed with mourners. Now those and more stood to offer their final farewells to Murdoch Lancer with their feet on the very earth he forged into a legend.

 All eyes seemed to be on the priest as he thumbed open his bible, but Father Michael realized otherwise. He angled his head for the best focus on God’s words in his hand knowing he would have to work for the assembly’s full attention. Clearing his throat to ensure full projection, he still knew that he would be unable to keep the assemblage’s curious eyes from the single vacant graveside chair and the grieving figure seated beside it.

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Feedback excerpts:

- "What an amazing story. It was so hard to read in many places, but worth every word. I found that there were whole chapters where tears would just be trickling down my face as I read. This was so moving, AJ." - FM, Australia

- "As some have menioned, it is hard to put down. It was a sad, difficult read, but with as happy an ending as possible due to the circumstances. There were so many touching parts!" - S, Japan

- "I was lured into your tale and it took me (no kidding) a few days to be fully back in the real world again."- GL, Chesapeake

- "I must confess, I was hesitant to read it. I gave it a go....and boy, am I glad that I did. This was marvelously well done. An intricately woven tale with a great deal of depth. And I was pleased to see that there was more than enough Scott related stuff to keep this fangirl happy!"- WK, Boston

- "It is definitely no small task to create a fic which allows the unthinkable to happen. When I started to read . . . I instantly knew that this was a story that I had been waiting for someone to tell for a long time.  Even though each character remained true to the television series you were able to give them so much more complexity.  " - MP,  Perth

- "Once I got started, I found it impossible to put it down. All I can say is Wow!. . . ingenious and gutsy, and so very well done. Kudos!" - JM, Nova Scotia

- "This story was truly amazing. I like the way you go back in time and tell the story through the eyes of the various characters.All in all, this story is a lesson of courage." - LB, Montreal

- "I couldn't put it down.  It was amazing. I have just a few pages to finish but I really don't want to come to the end of the story."- MB, Kansas City

- ". . . despite the pain and despair . . . there was such a feeling of hope and peace. The images will stay with me for a long time." - LB, Vacaville

- "Wow and OH MY GOD! You have gone where no one else has dared to go. In more than one place my eyes filled to the point that I couldn't read the words." - RH, Boston

- ". . . you managed to make Murdoch's strength and determination . . . a focal point of the piece, even though his death was at the beginning of the story. This was a marvelous, if difficult read." - KW, Boston