Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 89331 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89331 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
CHAPTER 25
“I can almost see the thoughts spinning in your head, wife,” Torin said.
“I do not want you to go and yet I know you must,” Flora admitted, worried seeing her husband prepare for a possible battle, his sword strapped to his back, daggers tucked at his waist and in his boots. “I would say let Kinnell lead the warriors alongside Walsh and his crew, but you probably do not fully trust Walsh and worry that he may side with Mordred and overpower your troop. While I do not believe that, I understand you do what is best for your warriors and clan.”
“I am relieved to have such a wise wife,” he said.
“Knowledgeable, reasonable,” she corrected, shaking her head. “Neither of which helps me to fear less for your safety.”
He hooked her waist with his arm and drew her to him, something he did often, enjoying the feel of her resting against him and the sweet, alluring scent that always drifted off her.
“Worry not, wife. Mordred is skilled in battle and knows when to take up arms and when it is foolish to do so.”
“But what if he does not give you the information you seek?”
Torin kissed her gently. “He will, have no doubt about that.”
Flora did not want to think about what might be done to the man to get the information.
“I meant to ask you,” Torin said, stepping away from her, ready to mount his horse. “You seemed perplexed when Lester remarked that your words were like weapons, and they always hit their mark.”
Flora scrunched her brow again upon hearing it. “Those words are familiar to me. I have heard them before, but I cannot recall where.” She shook her head. “It is another bit of information that tells me that this person is known to me, though how I cannot fathom. My da had a small group of close friends yet a plethora of acquaintances, and then there were fellow scholars. It could be anyone and yet it makes no sense. Why? Why does someone find it necessary to harm me?”
“With Mordred’s capture, we will be a step closer to finding out,” Torin assured her and kissed her again before mounting his horse.
“Make sure you return to me, husband, for the Highlands can never be my home without you,” she cautioned, her heart already aching, and he had yet to leave her side.
“I will return, hopefully this evening or sooner, while you, wife, will remain in the keep or at least close to it and remain ever vigilant,” he ordered, knowing to curtail her to the keep was a useless endeavor.
“Worry not, I will remain watchful,” she assured him and found tears gathering in her eyes as she watched him ride off to lead his men into possible battle.
“Skilled warriors or not, women worry when their men go off to battle.”
Flora turned to see Iona a bit teary-eyed herself, though she was quick to stop any tears from falling with a quick brush of her hand.
“You worry over Kinnell,” Flora said, reaching out to hook arms with the woman.
“Every time he leaves here my heart aches and I worry endlessly. My relief is great when he finally returns home safely.”
“Have you two talked?” Flora asked.
“We talk but say little. I do not know if we both fear saying something and being wrong how one may feel, or we are simply cowards when it comes to love.”
“If love found a way to bring me to the Highlands to Torin, then love will find a way to bring you and Kinnell together,” Flora said with confidence.
“I pray so, my lady. I pray so,” Iona said, glancing in the distance to watch the large troop leave the village.
Torin sat with Walsh astride their horses waiting for Kinnell to return from scouting Mordred’s camp.
“You had Lester and Gordy fighting over who would bring us here, allowing them to think the one who did would survive while the other would meet his fate,” Torin said, looking at the two men in the distance quietly arguing with each other.
“They deserve it. They are idiots. Why do you think Mordred sent the pair? He knew they would never succeed but at least there would be two less men with which to share the bounty. He also could have used them as a distraction while planning something that could prove successful,” Walsh said.
“But we have seen no signs to make us think that. It is more the opposite. The forest is far quieter than I expected, and what of that small, abandoned campsite we passed by? The warm ashes indicate it was recently deserted, but no signs showed its occupants moved closer to the isle. It is almost as if they fled.”
“Mordred could have frightened them off. He is an intimidating man,” Walsh suggested.
Kinnell’s sudden appearance turned both men silent.