Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 36428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
“With you?” Cree asked.
“My brother Sim.”
Cree’s brow wrinkled. “I thought Sim was wed to Brigid.”
Tiernan shook his head. “Nay, Brigid is wed to Gillean, who is presently on a mission for the clan. Sim and Gillean have been friends since they were young. With Tade being a handful, Gillean asked Sim to look after Brigid and Tade while he was gone. Besides, not knowing if you were here on behalf of Lord Clouston, Sim and Lynall thought it best to avoid each other. Believe me when I say they are anxious for you to leave even more so than you want to leave.”
“Lord Clouston is not a man you want to cross. He has the support of the king,” Cree warned, recalling how highly the man thought of himself. “If he asked, the king would send help, and you would have no choice but to turn Lynall over to them and more than likely you would still be made to suffer. Though before Clouston took such drastic measures, he would probably hire a mercenary troop to abduct his niece.”
“Dolan confirmed that when I spoke with him, the day you interrupted our meeting here in my solar. He spotted signs near the village when hunting. It is the reason I doubled the sentinels after that. But right now, the fog is our worst foe.”
“The fog will be the least of your worries if Lord Clouston’s niece is not returned to him. He is far from a nice man. One thing I can tell you that might help put your mind somewhat at ease is that I am no spy for Clouston and no friend of his. I tolerate him as many do. An accident and the fog brought me here. And I am forever grateful for your help. However, going against Clouston in any way can put my family in danger and it is something you should have made me aware of sooner.”
“But I am sure you can understand why I didn’t.”
“Of course I can,” Cree snapped, irritated by the turn of events, “but that doesn’t help in any way the dilemma you have created for me.”
The door to the solar flew open and Sim rushed in. “They are missing, Lynall and Lady Dawn.”
Cree flew off the bench, his heart pounding furiously in his chest. “Have you searched the keep?”
Sim nodded. “Every bit of it.”
“No one saw or heard anything?” Tiernan asked.
“None that we heard of as yet,” Sim said.
“I saw how you knew Brigid was in the fog without seeing her. I assume it was by scent. Have any scents been picked up by anyone?” Cree asked, having to stop himself from running out of the keep in search of his wife, a foolish response since he needed to know more before he started searching for Dawn, and angry with himself for leaving her alone.
“Whoever is doing this is masking their scent,” Sim said.
Cree shook his head and glared at Tiernan. “Masking their scent, another thing you failed to tell me. That’s how the Ulfr warrior managed to make it into the keep. His scent wasn’t detected.” He shook a fist at Tiernan. “The only thing I care about is finding my wife and I imagine Sim’s only thought is for Lynall.”
Sim cast an anxious glance at Tiernan.
“He knows. I told him everything,” Tiernan said. “Right now, we need to find Lady Dawn and Lynall before they are taken too far away from us.” He looked at his brother. “We hunt.”
“The pack is ready,” Sim said.
Cree looked from Sim to Tiernan. “Is this a hunt I can join?”
“Nay, you will remain here in the keep,” Tiernan said.
Cree’s fist came down hard on the table. “I will not sit around while my wife is missing.”
“You will not help her by getting lost in the fog,” Tiernan said. “Besides, it’s Lynall they want not Lady Dawn, and I doubt she will be harmed once they discover that she is the infamous Lord Cree’s wife.”
“You cannot be sure about that,” Cree said with a snarl.
“I am sure enough. You will wait here,” Tiernan said and turned to Sim. “We waste time. Let’s go.”
Cree didn’t rush after them as they hurried out of the room. He waited until he was sure they would be gone from the keep and went in search of Olwen. He found her in the Great Hall.
“I need a wolf, Olwen, to track my wife’s scent.”
“I don’t know what you mean, sir. I—”
He lunged at her with a menacing glare, their faces nearly touching. “I have no time for games, Olwen. I know the truth about Clan MacMadadh. Now get me to someone who can help me before I tear this village apart.”
Olwen trembled. “Dolan can help you.”
“He’s not—”
“Maybe so, but he tracks wolves better than wolves track.”
“Then he is the man I need. Take me to him,” Cree ordered.