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)
“I understand, Nug, but not to worry, my husband, Quint,” she said, turning to him, “made sure I arrived here safely.”
Shade made no mention of her husband being the infamous Monk. They both agreed it would be safer that way with someone hunting him.
“You’re wed. How wonderful. Congratulations,” Nug said. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Quint.”
Nug extended his hand and Quint gripped forearms with him. He was impressed with the man’s strength even though he wore a dried bloody bandage on his arm, and his face bore several bruises and abrasions, he stood tall though the slight slump of his shoulders betrayed his exhaustion.
“You must be in need of drink and food,” Nug said. “Thanks to Chieftain Ryland’s wise planning we have plenty of both for the winter ahead, though if Lord Torrance raids our stock the winter will be bleak.”
“My wife will want to tend to your chieftain first,” Quint said.
Shade turned a raised brow on her husband.
“That would be much appreciated, Shade,” Nug said, and signaled to a lad standing nearby. “William will care for your horse. Please follow me. I will take you to the chieftain. Ula is with him while our healer Ena does what she can for the wounded.”
Quint’s arm went around his wife’s waist to help her up the stairs, so he would be close enough to whisper, “I know my wife well enough to know she would see to the care of others before herself.”
It touched Shade’s heart to hear him say that and she held tight to his words, knowing this would not be an easy day.
Quint entered the bedchamber close behind his wife and almost pulled her out, the stench so overwhelmed. He shouldn’t have been surprised to see his wife barely react to the foul odor, her nose wrinkling briefly. She had experience dealing with the odors of the ill.
The room was far too dark, the hearth’s glow the only light, leaving the lone woman sitting beside the bed bent over as if in prayer appearing a mere shadow.
“Ula?” Shade called out gently.
The young woman sprang up and her eyes rounded at the sight of Shade, and she rushed to her. Shade spread her arms in welcome. They hugged each other tight, Ula sobbing.
“Everything will be all right, Ula, I’m here now. I will help you,” Shade assured her, her heart heavy for her friend. She wanted to ask about Caleb but with her friend’s heavy sobs she feared she had her answer.
“I knew you would come. I knew nothing would stop you from helping me.”
“Not even a marriage,” Nug said.
“Marriage?” Ula asked, stepping away from Shade. “You are wed?”
“Aye, I am.” She turned with a smile. “Quint, my husband.”
“I am thrilled for you, Shade, and so happy you have found someone,” Ula said, and she looked at Quint. “You will be good to my friend.”
It was more an ultimatum than a question and Quint admired the young, slim woman who looked about to collapse from exhaustion for bravely looking out for her friend.
“You have my word on it,” Quint said.
“Then it is a pleasure to meet you, Quint, and I look forward to getting to know you,” Ula said. “But if you don’t mind, I badly need your wife’s help.”
“The reason I brought her here,” Quint said.
“Quint and I will be in the Great Hall. If you need anything just send word to us,” Nug said.
Quint pressed his cheek against Shade’s and whispered, “I am here for you.”
A spark of happiness broke through the sorrow she felt for her friend. That Quint let her know she was not alone, that he was there for her meant the world to her after years of being on her own. But guilt also sneaked in to chase her moment of joy when her friend was suffering so badly.
The door had barely closed when Ula tried to hurry her to the bed, and just as she suspected, there wasn’t sufficient light for her to examine the chieftain. She could barely make out the shape in the bed and the stench was stronger around the bed. That worried Shade since she feared his wounds had turned putrid.
She did take a moment to run her hand over the chieftain to see if she could detect how bad his wounds were. There were two that worried her, the others, once treated, would heal. But first…
“Before I can tend to the chieftain, this room needs more sufficient light and a thorough cleaning.”
She had learned through the years that healing not only came from treating the person but what surrounded them as well. Grime and foul odors didn’t help.
“I will do whatever you ask, but only you, me, Ena, and Nug will be allowed in the room Chieftain Ryland would not want anyone to see him so near death. They would lose all hope.”