Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 42873 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42873 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
“We do well together, wife,” he said and could not stifle a yawn that surfaced unexpectedly.
Dawn took the goblet from him and placed it on the table on her side of the bed. Then she eased down to stretch out, tugging her husband along with her to cuddle beneath the warm blankets, a yawn claiming her as well.
“We will rest and make love again tonight,” Cree decreed.
Dawn smiled as she nodded, seeing her husband’s eyes drift closed and knowing their lovemaking would wait until morning. She wrapped herself snugly around him, sleep quickly claiming them both.
Cree crouched down to pat Valan on the back the next morning. “You did excellent, son. One day you will be a truly talented swordsman.”
Valan beamed with pride at his da’s praise.
Tynan left his grandda’s side and hurried to his brother and pointed at his wood sword. “Me.”
“You want to learn how to use a sword?” Valan asked and Tynan nodded. “I will teach you, but you need a smaller sword.” Valan walked his brother over to the group of wooden swords kept in a wood bin by the practice field.
“Your sons will make fine warriors one day,” Kirk said, looking on the two small lads with pride as he came to a stop at Cree’s side.
“My hope is that their battles will be few, but one never knows,” Cree said, his eyes on his sons as well.
“A good reason to always be prepared as you made sure you did here in this new location,” Kirk complimented.
“I took time to consider all possibilities of attack, be prepared for them, and hopefully avoid them,” Cree said, glancing around the area.
“And are you prepared for what will come of William and your men?”
“I will bring them all home, of that I never doubted. It is finding out the why of it since I believe there is more than one person involved.” Cree smiled when Tynan fell on his bottom while trying to swing the sword. Valan was right there to pick him up. He could see, and was glad for it, that the two would grow close and always be there for each other.
“Do you think it will be possible to discover the why?” Kirk asked skeptically. “Most men who hire mercenaries never make their identity known. They use several people to do it, so the scheme never points back to them.”
“Aye, but there are signs that show one the way if one looks carefully enough,” Cree said, waving at his sons. “Time to eat.”
The two came running, speeding past Cree and Kirk.
When they drew near the castle, Cree said, “See the lads inside. I need to talk with someone.”
Kirk nodded and rushed behind the lads with a roar, causing them to squeal and run laughing into the keep.
Cree spotted Tate walking in the village and went to him. “I have a question for you.”
Tate turned hearing Cree’s voice. His size alone intimidating enough to freeze him to where he stood.
“Did you get a message to Cavell that I was on my way to see him?” Cree asked. “It was obvious they knew I was coming.”
“Nay, my lord,” Tate said with a vigorous shake of his head. “I do not know these woods nor trust what is in them. I would never venture through them alone.”
“But you did to get here.”
“Nay, I had two men who brought me close enough to your home that I would not get lost or be harmed when left to myself,” Tate said.
“How did you come by the men?”
“They came to me and told me they had been hired to escort me close to my destination.” Tate had lowered his voice as if it was suddenly important that no one heard what he was about to say. “Both men reminded me frequently that I would be watched, and I better do as I was told. At least, that was the message they were told to repeat to me. Perhaps whoever watches me caught wind of your intentions and hurried to warn Cavell.”
While Cree would like to think all his land was well-protected, he would be foolish to believe so. His land was too vast and some sections heavily forested and too hilly to see all that went on. But if someone was watching, it would mean he would have to be close by to see things for himself.
“Were you to leave before William returned here?” Cree asked.
“After I gave them the drawings, they said they cared not what I did.”
“What did you plan to do afterwards?”
“I hoped you would understand that I meant only to protect my brother and beg for your mercy in deceiving you,” Tate said, a plea in his eyes that it was still possible.
Cree took a quick step toward Tate which caused him to tremble. “Tell me, Tate, do you still deceive me?”