Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 92771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
“We think alike, wife, since that was my intention. Asher will set me free.”
“And Brother Peter? He is a vile man.”
“His day will come. But right now, the only thing that matters to me is you.”
“You should rest,” Quint chastised, seeing his wife at her mixing table in the chieftain’s bedchamber when he entered and stepped behind her to wrap his arms around her.
“It’s been a full moon cycle, and I have healed well. A twinge reminds me if I need to slow down or rest, but the wound has healed and soon the only thing I have that will remind me of it is the scar.”
“Appease your poor husband and come and share a drink with me in the Great Hall,” he cajoled with a kiss to her cheek, then enticed. “Cook has just made oat cakes.”
She chuckled. “How can I resist oat cakes.”
Nug hurried toward Quint when he entered the Great Hall with Shade. “A message has arrived from Ryland.”
Quint’s arm went around his wife’s waist to escort her to the solar, though he shouted for drinks and oat cakes to be brought there before they left the Great Hall.
Before the servants brought the food and drink, Quint quickly asked, “Who brought this message and how do you know it was from Ryland?”
“A traveling merchant said a man in the woods stopped him and offered generous coins to deliver the message. Ryland knows you are here which means he must be in the area. He must be watching.”
Quint shook his head. “It could be a ruse. Word could have gotten out that Ryland is not here at Clan MacLeish and Lord Torrance may have heard and sets a trap. We need to be cautious. We don’t know for sure if the message is from Ryland.”
All talk ceased when servants brought the food and drink.
Quint spoke as soon as the door closed behind the servants. “Tell me the message.”
“Ryland asked that The Monk remains here and watches over the clan until he arrives and secures it. He also repeated part of what he had said to Caleb. ‘We have won the battle.’”
“He sounds confident, claiming victory,” Shade said, “and I wonder if there is a message within the message he sends since he repeated part of his last message.”
“Quint recently asked me that about the last message, but I can’t say I see anything hiding within it,” Nug said. “Ryland makes it clear that he will return, and we will be victorious. How, I don’t know. I only know I trust him.”
“Perhaps,” Quint said. “But this cannot go on indefinitely. My wife and I wish to return home and preferably before winter sets in.”
“I agree. I am most eager to see it settled, and before winter sets in as well,” Nug said. “But you will stay with us longer if needed, won’t you?”
Quint looked to his wife to make the decision.
“If we must spend the winter here, then I must return home for a short time before the snow falls to see if anyone requires healing and to see my mum and explain all that has gone on and assure her that I am safe and well,” Shade explained.
“The clan will assist you in whatever you need, Shade,” Nug said.
The door opened without a knock and Dru walked in.
“Of course, it would be you since you respect no one’s privacy,” Nug said.
“Important news can’t wait for permission to enter,” Dru said.
“Need I remind you of the last warning I gave you concerning Dru?” Quint cautioned.
Nug bobbed his head. “Please, share your important news.”
Dru rocked on her feet and smiled. “It’s for Quint’s ears only.”
Nug got up and muttered as he left the room.
Shade went to leave, but her husband took hold of her arm. “You don’t need to go.”
“I am not sure if I want to stay and hear what Dru has to tell you, or perhaps it is your response I fear.”
Quint rested his brow against hers. “Stay. Whatever is meant for my ears is meant for yours as well. I don’t want us keeping anything from each other, no secrets, nothing. We speak the truth whether we want to hear it or not.”
“Aye, you’re right,” she said and kissed his cheek then settled herself in the crook of his arm after turning to face Dru.
“I didn’t think love was real. I thought it was something men told women to get women to spread their legs for them. But you can truly see the love you both have for each other, and it gives me hope.”
“Love will find you one day, Dru,” Shade said.
“Nay. I will never trust a man enough to love him.”
Quint laughed. “You won’t have a choice. Love decides for you.”
“Love is not dictating to me. I make my own decisions,” Dru insisted. “Enough about love. You need to know about Brother Peter. He spoke with the powers that be in the church and expressed his sorrow for what he did. He convinced them that evil had taken hold of him and the only way to repent was in prayer and solitude. A decision was made to send him to an isolated monastery far north of here where he can repent properly.” She shook her head. “They are fools. He’ll gather another crew and take over a clan up there somewhere.”