Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 98745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“Welcome, mistress, welcome,” a woman, her long, gray hair drawn back in a braid, said. “I am Emma, the cook, and I speak for us all,” —she turned and looked at the others who nodded vigorously— “when I say we are most grateful and blessed to have Chieftain Noble ruling the clan and his lovely wife beside him. We are even more grateful that he has already kept his word to the clan and sees that we have food.” She pointed to several skinned animals on the tables waiting to be cooked. “Chieftain Noble has ordered that you and all in the clan get fed before he and his men do. But we all agree that the food will be shared by all, so that our chieftain and his warriors stay strong and can protect us.”
The others nodded their heads vigorously, worry showing in their wide eyes.
“That is very thoughtful of all of you but worry not, for my husband will supply you with more than enough food from now on,” Leora said, to encourage trust in her husband, for she knew Noble would not fail them. “I will leave you to prepare a much-needed feast.”
Emma’s hands twisted at her apron as she said, “It will not be as tasty as it should be since too many of us have been too weak to sufficiently forage in the woods for wild onion, nettle, and meld weed.”
“I will see about getting you help with that, Emma, and whatever you serve tonight, I am sure will be delicious.”
Tears filled Emma’s eyes and she bobbed her head. “You are most generous, mistress.”
“And every one of you,” —Leora looked from one to another— “are most courageous for surviving a cruel chieftain.”
They appeared stunned by her words and with her smile strong, she turned to leave, then thought of something. Servants were privy to much of what went on in the keep: visitors, conversations, even whispers that were not meant for their ears.
She turned back. “A quick question. Did anyone of you hear anything about the sister-in-law that Lord Slayer rescued from Dundren Abbey?”
They all exchanged quick glances, then lowered their heads.
Leora knew what that meant. Sky’s affliction had become known and that frightened her, for it could mean Sky wasn’t safe.
Leora said what she knew they all were thinking. “I was just wondering since I heard that she is possessed.”
That loosened tongues fast.
“Lord Slayer will see the demon cast from her,” the only male there said.
“I heard he lets no one near her,” a lass said.
“Wendell told me that Lord Slayer’s warriors keep their distance from her,” a red-haired lass said.
“Your name, lass?” Leora asked, fighting to keep calm when she wanted to rush questions at the lass. That would do her no good nor would telling them that Sky was her sister, at least for now. She needed them to speak freely and honestly about Sky, even if it did hurt her to hear it.
“Adele, mistress,” she said with a bob of her head.
“And who is Wendell, Adele?” Leora asked, sounding nothing more than curious.
“A young man from Clan Ravinsher who fancies me and visits when he can,” Adele said, a blush staining her cheeks.
“How nice for you,” Leora said, already planning ways to meet him the next time he visited. “I appreciate all you shared with me.” And with a nod, took her leave.
Leora returned to the Great Hall with much on her mind, her sister topping the list. She felt hopeful with what she might be able to learn from Wendell but worried how safe her sister truly was. She would love to get a message to her, and she was already conjuring plans in ways she might succeed with that. Then there was her husband, who realized before she did that the most important task at hand was to see the clan regain their strength, only then could it flourish, much like the pup who continued to sleep in the make-shift bed, and then, of course, repairs to the village had to be done before winter. It would be a busy time and she worried there would be no time for Sky’s plight or to solve her own dilemma. But she was not about to fail her sister or let her dilemma go unsolved.
She chose to do what she normally did when her thoughts grew heavy. She would go for a walk, explore, and become familiar with the village and its people. Her husband had made no mention of her remaining in the keep, so he should not object, but she would remain cautious of her surroundings since she did not know who she could truly trust here.
Gray clouds hung low, promising rain, and there was a cool, spring breeze though summer was only days away. Leora had spotted the decay when she and Noble had entered the village, but it was more pronounced seeing it up close. Several thatched rooftops sagged while others suffered gaping holes. The stone walls of the structures that stored food were empty and crumbling.