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)
If it was Quint who dealt with the problem, he would wait to speak with his wife and find out the truth. But The Monk was so enraged at the possibility that he could have fallen in love with someone who was involved with his wife’s death that he wanted nothing more than to see her pay for her deception and lies, leaving him unable to think wisely.
The Monk paced between two pine trees, growing more disturbed with each anxious step.
“Talk with her.”
The Monk halted, one of his daggers already in his hand as he looked around, though knew he wouldn’t see anyone. It was Brother Emmett’s voice he heard, and he feared his thirst for revenge was turning him into the madman everyone believed him to be.
Brother Emmett always advised him to talk when things troubled him since prayer did not come easily to Quint. And the good brother was always available to talk with when needed. He wished the man was there now so he could talk with him, but since he wasn’t, he would take his advice and speak with Shade.
He made his way back to the village, thinking about his wife and how he had unexpectedly fallen in love with her. What a good woman she was. How she helped the ill. How could he think that she could, in any way, be responsible for Amara’s death?
He entered the village somewhat calmer than when he left and after not finding her where he thought she might be, he found out she was summoned to the chieftain’s chamber. He didn’t hesitate, he hurried to the keep.
He raced up the stairs, eager to speak with his wife and hoping the chieftain’s condition hadn’t worsened. He didn’t bother to knock, he rushed right in.
His wife was bent over the chieftain and Ula jumped in front of her, blocking Shade and the chieftain from view.
The Monk sensed something was wrong and with a scowl on his face, he approached the bed. “Get out of the way, Ula.”
Seeing the anger seething on his face, Ula didn’t hesitate. She moved aside.
“What lies go on here?” The Monk demanded when he looked and saw that it wasn’t Chieftain Ryland in the bed.
“I have no time to discuss this with you, Quint,” Shade said. “Caleb’s one wound is presenting a problem, and I must tend to it immediately. Anything you have to say will have to wait.”
Shade cast a quick look at her husband and seeing the fury in his eyes, whispered, “The Monk has no place here.”
Ula bravely called out, “I can explain.”
The Monk swerved around causing Ula to step back though she was a distance from him. “Aye, that you will and right now.”
CHAPTER 17
“Nug can explain better than I can,” Ula said once outside the room.
“Then we will find him and you both can explain what’s going on and how much my wife knows about it?” Quint rushed her down the stairs and into the Great Hall where Nug had just entered. “We talk now!” he shouted at Nug.
The authority in Quint’s voice had Nug following Quint without question until the door to the solar closed after they entered the room.
“He knows,” Ula said before anyone could speak.
Quint crossed his arms over his chest and waited, his anger mounting at being lied to and that his wife had been part of that lie. It made him wonder what other lies she may have told him.
Having no choice, Nug explained, “We don’t know for sure what happened to Chieftain Ryland. One of our warriors insists he is alive, and another swore he saw him fall dead in battle. Caleb was barely alive when we found him. It was only by a miracle that he survived the journey home and that he still lives. He wakes for only short periods of time, and he has yet been able to tell us if he knows what happened to Ryland. I thought it best the clan believed that our chieftain lived to give them hope and strength for whatever fate has in store for us.”
“I begged Shade to say nothing to you,” Ula said, “and she reluctantly agreed, though she did warn me that we wouldn’t be able to keep you out of the bedchamber for long. She also told me she would not outright lie to you.”
“So, she lied around the issue instead,” Quint said, keeping The Monk’s anger at bay as best he could.
“We ask for your understanding,” Nug said. “Ula and Shade have been friends since they were young, but you are a stranger to us and not wed long to Shade. We did not know if we could trust you to keep our secret.”
“Return to your husband, Ula,” Quint ordered. “I will speak with Nug alone.”
Ula hurried out of the room, glad to be dismissed.