Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 99206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
“We both need to find good men,” Brigid said, wiping away the stubborn tears that continued to fall. “It is time we both love.”
Reena swiped at the last of her own tears.
A knock sounded at the door followed by, “It is me, Thomas.”
Brigid called out, “Come in.”
The large man had to bow his head and shift his body to fit through the door. His face took on a look of alarm when he glanced at Brigid, and he hurried to her side.
“You shed tears, why?”
“It is nothing. Sit and have apple biscuits with us.” She filled a tankard with cider for him.
Thomas turned to Reena, hoping she would offer an explanation. “You shed tears too. What is wrong?”
“Foolishness,” Reena said on a laugh.
Brigid laughed as well. “Sit, Thomas, everything is fine, we promise. It is woman nonsense.”
Reena saw to changing the subject. “The snowfall was not heavy.”
Thomas shook his head. “Your tears made me forget the reason I am here.” He turned to Reena. “Magnus looks for you; he waits in the great hall.”
Reena grabbed the last of her apple biscuit and stood. “Thank you for this.” She held up the half-eaten biscuit. “And for the discussion we both needed. I will see you later.”
She walked to the door, leaving the sleeping Horace by the hearth.
Thomas turned to Brigid. “Will you tell me now why you shed tears?”
“Memories,” Brigid said on a whisper, and tears rushed once again to fill her eyes. She did not want to cry, least of all in front of Thomas, but the memories had lingered in her thoughts, and she suddenly ached to have her husband’s arms around her once again.
The tears ran down her cheeks, and she wiped them away, though they persistently continued to fall. “Please excuse my foolishness.”
“You are not foolish,” Thomas said softly.
“Aye, I am.” A sob rose in her throat, and she fought it back.
Thomas watched her struggle, and it hurt him to see her suffer. He waited and watched and did not know what to do. Finally he could not take any more, and without thought to his actions he scooped her out of her chair and into his beefy arms, where he held her tightly.
Brigid surrendered to her pain, burying her face in Thomas’s hard chest, and sobbed.
Reena dusted the biscuit crumbs from her hands before she entered the keep.
Magnus stood near the dais, speaking with two of his men. When he caught sight of her he dismissed them and walked to where she waited by the hearth.
“I want to continue our mapping today.”
“That is fine, but there is an area on the map I am working on that puzzles me, and I thought perhaps we could have a look at it today, especially before the snow falls again.”
“It is not far?”
“Nay,” she said with a shake of her head. She hurried over to grab the map she had tucked in the corner by the hearth before going to visit Brigid. She spread it open on the table. “This is the map I began last night, and that is the area in question.”
Magnus looked to where she pointed. “Why do you question it?”
“The hill dips and the trees are dense; unless I can see the terrain up close, I cannot map an accurate lay of the land. And I think this would also prove an advantage point to an approaching enemy.”
Magnus studied her work and had to agree. “You have done a fine job, and I can understand your concern.”
“Thank you, my father taught me well,” she said with pride. “When I was young he would take me with him on his mapping quests and teach me what to pay attention to. It is because of him I am a skillful mapmaker.”
“But have no doubt you possess your own unique ability. Now let us go investigate this area of land that intrigues you.”
Reena smiled and rolled up the map. “I was hoping you would agree. I much prefer to have a clear outline of a map before I begin another one.” She tucked the map away in the corner and waited as a black fur cloak was brought to Magnus.
He resembled a large beast of prey as he descended the keep steps, and those who caught sight of him hurried off, many blessing themselves as they went.
Old Margaret was not one who feared him, but then she had lived long and seen much. Many villagers wondered over her age, for though her face was worn with wrinkles, there was a youthfulness to her that was remarkable. Short and slim, she moved with a graceful slowness that was either forced by age or due to the fact that she was in no hurry. No one knew for sure, but all respected her.
She walked up to Magnus and Reena. “The woods are quiet today; you will learn much.” She lowered her voice. “And be careful, someone watches.”