Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 42873 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42873 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Tate stammered senselessly with fright before he was finally able to say, “Nay, my lord. I have given you my word and I will keep it.”
“Make sure that you do,” Cree warned and turned around to see his wife walking toward him.
She waved for him to come to her, then gestured as if she was shoveling food into her mouth. He knew she was telling him he was to come eat. He smiled and hurried toward her.
“Has anyone who asked for shelter lately lingered here?” Cree asked, hooking his wife’s hand with his when he reached her side.
Dawn shrugged, not sure, and raised her brow in question.
“I wondered if Tate somehow got a message to Cavell that I was on my way yesterday. It appeared as if he knew I was coming. He denied it but told me that two men escorted him here and told him he would be watched which means there are eyes not only on Tate but us as well.”
Dawn stopped before entering the keep to gesture.
“Aye, Sloan will know if we have travelers who linger here. I will alert Kirk and see that he keeps the children close to the castle, and you will keep Beast close.” Cree shook his head when his wife quickly gestured. “Beast remains with you for now, not the children. Kirk will see them kept safe and I will assign extra warriors to keep an eye on them.” He grabbed her hands when she went to speak. “It is an order, wife. Beasts remains with you.”
A horn sounded throughout the village, one quick blast alerting all to the return of Clan Carrick’s warriors.
Dawn looked to her husband curious.
“I did not think they would find him so fast. They only left at daybreak,” Cree said and seeing his wife impatient for him to explain, he grinned. “I was not willing to wait. I sent a troop out along with Henry to find the monk, and obviously they did.”
CHAPTER 11
“Do you know this man, Tate?” Cree asked, standing in front of a man short in height and thick in the waist and dressed in the brown robe of a monk.
“Nay, my lord, I do not know him,” Tate said, standing to the side, hugging his hands in worry.
Cree crossed his arms over his broad chest and stared at the man. Six of his warriors stood spread out behind him, Henry stood nearby as did Sloan, and Dawn lingered not far from his side, Beast keeping close to her.
The man’s eyes kept darting about, and he kept licking his lips nervously. As if he could not take Cree’s intent stare any longer, he blurted out, “I know nothing, my lord.”
“You tell me you know nothing instead of asking me why you were brought here which tells me you know something,” Cree said. “So, tell me, Cleric, what do you know?” A heavy scowl darkened his handsome face. “A warning, Cleric, I do not take well to lies.”
The man wisely spoke the truth. “I am no cleric.”
“You come to my home under false pretenses. Why?” Cree demanded.
The man raised pleading hands. “Forgive me, my lord, I am a foolish man.”
“On that we agree.”
“I was hungry and in need of coin and could not turn down the task presented to me.” The man shook his head. “I beg your forgiveness, my lord.”
Cree’s glare lingered over the man. “I would think better on the tale you tell me since you do not look like you have lacked for food.”
“I am a gluttonous man, my lord.”
“I will not warn you again that I do not take well to lies,” Cree reminded. “Who do you owe your allegiance to and what do they want from me?”
The man shook his head vigorously. “I do not know. I am here to collect drawings from Tate. I know no more than that. If you let me have them, I can be on my way and bother you no more.”
Cree’s arms dropped away from his chest to his sides, his hands fisting tightly.
Words rushed from the man’s mouth in warning. “If you harm me, you will suffer greatly for it.”
Cree’s eyes narrowed and his voice turned harsh. “You think me foolish enough to leave your body to be found once I am through with you?”
The man struggled to keep his composure as he attempted to bargain. “No one need suffer. The drawings are all I need, and I will be on my way.”
“I think not,” Cree snapped. “You will have the honor of being the first guest in my dungeon until I say otherwise.”
The man paled and his shoulders slumped. “Suffering and death meet me either way.”
“Then be wise in what you choose to tell me,” Cree said.
“Let me go and I will convey a message for you,” the man offered.
“Tell me where you are to meet this person and my warriors will go and convey my message,” Cree countered.