Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
His brow scrunched in question once again. “It is winter and news travels slow so how will he learn—” Varrick scowled again, the answer easy. “Someone in the clan gets messages to him.”
“You must be cautious of any who arrives here or visits now.”
“Or someone we picked up along the way,” he suggested.
“Brother Luke,” Fia said without even thinking about it.
“But he is dead, and the others we picked up along the way now make their home here,” Varrick reminded.
Fia was not pleased with that reminder. “I do not like to think any of the others mean you harm. They seem like good people.”
He pulled her into his arms. “Perhaps, but you at least need to consider the possibility.” He hugged her, reassuring himself that she was safe. “I am sorry you must go through this.”
“You brought me here to help and I am glad I can help, and I am pleased that no witchcraft was used to see it done.”
Varrick stiffened, his muscles growing taut around her. “I struck a bargain with you I will not keep.”
She had to think about what he meant, not recalling, and when she did, she smiled. “Aye, if I settled this without using witchcraft you would free me of our marriage and let me go.”
“I am not letting you go,” he said, tightening his hold on her.
She rubbed gently at the deep grooves his annoyed scowl had forced between his eyes, trying to ease them. “I do not want to go. I want to stay with you always.”
Varrick went to kiss her when someone rapped on the door. He mumbled an oath, annoyed at the interruption, gave her a quick kiss, and released his wife to open the door.
A woman stood there with a young lad; his hand wrapped in a bloody cloth.
“My lord,” the woman said, startled to see him there.
Fia hurried around her husband. “Come in. What happened?”
“He did not listen to his da when he warned him not to touch his sword.”
“You won’t do that again, will you, lad,” Varrick admonished, his voice not only stern but his expression as well.
The lad’s eyes turned wide, and he shook his head. “Nay, my lord, never again.”
“I will return for you, wife,” Varrick said, reminding her that she was not to go anywhere without him.”
“Aye, my lord,” Fia said, then turned her attention to the lad.
Fia gazed at the few items on the table in her husband’s solar. Surprisingly, she had more people seek her healing skills than she expected and that had kept her at the cottage well past midday.
All the women she had tended had whispered their support for her and encouraged her to stay strong.
One elderly woman had been blunt saying, “Fools every one of them. They fear a knowledgeable woman, so they deem her a witch.”
Her mum and grandmother had often warned the same but did not let that stop them. They both continued to seek knowledge and taught her to do the same, though cautiously. Sometimes, though, that wasn’t always possible and questionable chances had to be taken.
Her musings were interrupted, hearing her husband’s angry, raised voice just outside the door.
“Quell it, Argus! Quell it now or I will strike down with my sword or bare hands, if necessary, anyone who dares to speak such treacherous words.”
Fia inched a bit closer to the door to listen, Argus not speaking as loud as her husband.
“A few worry she is devious and will escape, through no fault of your own, before you have a chance to burn her,” Argus said. “And they believe a spot should be made ready in the area of the woods where no one will go for her to be burned so that her death will cleanse it and make it safe for forest life to return there.”
“Who are those who say this?” Varrick demanded.
Fia braced her hand on the wall to steady herself, feeling her husband’s rage racing through her. It was so palpable that anyone could feel it and no doubt it was one of the reasons why his warriors had obeyed him without question. They feared that power he emanated.
“I will see to it,” Argus said.
“I asked you a question,” Varrick snapped harshly. “Who says this?”
“Those who have not served you long,” Argus said. “The ones who have served you through endless battles do not question you. Their trust and respect remain strong.”
Fia sighed in silent relief that Argus did not surrender the names of the warriors since, feeling her husband’s rage, she feared what he might do to them.
“Separate them,” Varrick ordered. “Put them on sentinel duty with an older warrior. They need a lesson in loyalty.”
“Aye, my lord.”
Fia was pleased that her husband did not let his rage rule but rather handled the difficult situation with wisdom.
“One other thing, Argus,” Varrick said. “No one goes beyond the castle walls without my permission.”