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)
Quint recalled Brother Emmett talking about being blessed, something foreign to him, something he never thought he’d know, but seeing it through George’s eyes he realized that he was blessed to have Shade love him. His only fear was of losing her love when she witnessed more of The Monk’s rage and what he would do to get his revenge.
Shade had little time to speak with Ena with so many men to tend to. She had agreed with Shade when she explained that she would give each man a quick look and send those in need of food and rest to the keep, have those not in immediate need wait, and see to the ones in urgent need first. They each saw to tending to a man, to be able to get through the long line more quickly. It was watching Ena and suggesting an alternative to what the woman prescribed that she realized that while Ena was a good healer, she had not strived to enhance her healing knowledge. Whereas Shade never wanted to stop learning, improving, and gaining new knowledge.
Word must have been passed among those still waiting in line since the men Ena tended to soon began to turn to Shade to ask her what she thought. Shade was relieved that Ena did not seem to mind and began to do the same herself.
Quint appeared at the open door announcing, “Time for a brew and a brief rest.”
Shade and Ena did not argue.
Shade was surprised and pleased to see how well her husband had everything in hand. Men no longer stood in line waiting. They sat drinking a brew from a cauldron that had been set up, Dru providing refills to any who raised their tankard. And women were passing out bread, cheese, and oat cakes to those who waited. What surprised Shade the most though, was the smiles, talk, and laughter that permeated the area. Gone was the look of despair replaced by hope.
Quint handed his wife a tankard of hot cider and walked a distance away from the others there. “I had Dru go to Ula and let her know what was going on and Nug is checking on her often to see if she needs you to return. She says to tell you that the chieftain rests comfortably and she is following your instructions, and he is only slightly warm to the touch.”
Shade sighed. “I am glad all goes well and impressed with all that you have accomplished.” She lowered her voice. “Did you find out anything from the men?”
“I have been too busy to ask, but I have listened and—”
“Made friends who will be only too glad to speak with you when given the chance.”
“Acquaintances who will fear me when they learn who I am.”
“Or not,” she said with trust he would be proven wrong. “So, what have you learned from listening?”
“That it is almost definite the fellow Asher that Nug had told me about sounds like the man I’m looking for and the one possibly hunting me.”
“This day has proven quite satisfying,” Shade said, after finishing the last of her cider.
“If you didn’t look so tired, I would say the day’s end would prove much more satisfying,” he said with a brush of his cheek against hers.
“A perfect time for a quick one,” she whispered.
“Don’t tempt me, wife, when you need sleep more than—”
Shade interrupted him with a whisper, “Never will I need sleep more than I need you.”
Quint silently cursed Dru when she cried out, “Rest time is up, back to healing.”
Shade looked at the many men still left. “Dru is right. Time to get back to work.” With a quick kiss to his cheek, she hurried off.
“One of these days, Dru,” Quint warned when she walked over to him smiling.
“I saw that look and I know what it means. Shade has no time to dilly-dally. Besides, what is it they say about the heart? It surges when separated. Wait, maybe that’s passion that surges when delayed.”
“So, help me, Dru,” Quint snarled, and she ran off laughing.
Night was quickly falling when the last man was seen to, and Shade had just given Ena a small crock of salve to ease the pain in her swollen hands when shouts were heard. People were rushing around when Shade and Ena stepped out of the cottage. It wasn’t until she heard the wheels of a cart that Shade hurried forward toward the sound.
“Oh, Lord, please, Lord, no, not my Liam,” a young woman round with child cried out in fear.
Quint along with other men were helping men out of the cart when Shade reached it to see a young man, blood soaking his left shirtsleeve, and a blood-soaked cloth wrapped around his right leg.
“Get me in the cart, Quint,” Shade ordered, knowing her husband would have her in the cart faster than she could climb in herself.