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)
CHAPTER 15
Noble waited patiently. He had easily found the tracks of the warriors, which meant they felt themselves safe from retaliation. They did not fear anyone following them. Though the leader was confident, he was no fool. He would have his tracker make certain of it. But Noble was no fool himself, and with his wife telling him about the performer climbing trees that did not have low-hanging branches, he kept watch. Sure enough, he spotted him before the tracker had a chance to spot him. He leapt and scaled the tree with an agility Noble had never seen before now. He climbed high and was able to see a good distance in many directions.
Noble waited and watched and the tracker led him straight to the campsite of the troop that had dwindled in size to just five. He hid on the outskirts of the camp and waited for them all to settle for the night.
Part of tracking was also learning how to walk silently so you would not be discovered when following someone or a troop of warriors. Such a skill allowed a tracker to get close enough to hear talk that would reveal important information that could turn the tide of a battle.
Noble had perfected the skill, another thing his grandfather had taught him, and it allowed him to get close enough to hear, though not be seen, what the group discussed.
“You will give us the promised coins, then join the others you sent ahead?”
“Aye, I wanted to make sure our warning was heeded and no one follows us.”
“No one follows of that I am certain.”
“Good.”
“Will he come himself now to finish it?”
“Aye, he will.”
“He goes against a vicious warrior and one who has known endless victories.”
“That will not stop him.”
“He would not bring an army of warriors here, would he?”
“He is too wise to invade. He will find a way to get her, have no doubt about that. You did well and will get what is owed you.”
Talk drifted off and Noble waited in the dark woods. He kept focused on the sounds, the scampering of the nocturnal animals, the hoot of the owls, the moans of the nightly breeze, though many believed it was the spirit of those who died or were left to die in the woods. A tracker learned to recognize them all, even the soft melodies the forest spirits sang at night. He often thought that the forest was more alive at night in the dark rather than during the day in the light. He remained alert, listening.
Snores soon joined the forest sounds and Noble continued to keep watch, his eyes growing used to the dark and his surroundings becoming clearer to him. He maintained his patience and his alertness, having existed on little sleep when necessary, and waited for the moment he knew would come. And it did.
It was not long before dawn when the large warrior woke, stretched quietly, and stood. Noble knew what he was about to do, and it made his own task that much easier. The large warrior drew the dagger from the sheath at his waist and squatted down to clamp his hand over the first man’s mouth so he could not call out and alert the others as he sliced his throat. He did the same to the others and watched until he was sure all were dead.
“You will feast today, animals,” the man called out as he wiped the blood off his dagger on one of the dead man’s garments and returned it to its sheath. Then he stretched again and entered the forest looking for a spot to relieve himself. Noble matched each step the warrior took, so his own steps would be muffled. He waited, positioned himself perfectly, and when the warrior yanked back his garment, Noble took a step that the large warrior could hear.
The warrior turned in a flash, his hand reaching for the dagger at his waist but Noble already had his kirk in his hand and sliced the man’s throat from ear to ear. The man’s hand rushed to his neck, blood running from it, and his eyes went wide knowing death was not far off.
Noble watched as the warrior collapsed, his big body hitting the ground hard and as he lay there, life fading from him, Noble leaned over him and demanded, “Who sent you?”
He tried to speak but couldn’t.
Noble knew after watching him kill the men that he was a warrior dedicated to his leader and would reveal no information no matter what was done to him.
Before standing, Noble said, “Gallowglass always have their revenge.”
The warrior struggled as he managed to say, “So does he.”
He did as the warrior had done, waited to make sure he took his last breath, then he wiped his dagger clean on the warrior’s garment. He left the bodies where they lay. As the large man had said, the animals would feast today. He had wondered why the warriors had come on foot and now he knew. No one would be returning but him. The more important question was… who, like the Gallowglass, would have his revenge?