Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 95326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“You’ve lost your courage,” Melvin whispered.
“Nay, I just found it,” Cavell said, his eyes on his wife hugging the old woman who had collapsed against her, weeping.
“This will not go well with the nobleman I gave my word to about Edith,” Brother Emanual said, ringing his hands.
“There is an easy solution to that. Tell him she died in the fire,” Cavell advised, slipping the dagger into its sheath.
Brother Emanual looked affronted, ready to argue, then stopped, his brow scrunching in thought for a moment before saying, “The other monks know.”
“Another easy solution,” Cavell said. “Edith will collapse in front of everyone and be declared dead. I will have my men see to her burial while you keep your monks busy with burying your dead. No one needs to know otherwise, and I will see she uses another name once it is done.”
“Your men—”
“Would not dare defy my orders,” Cavell finished.
“I agree, an easy and good solution,” Brother Emanual said.
Cavell leaned in close to the monk. “Betray me on this pact, Brother Emanual, and I will find you and next time you will feel the blade of my dagger slice your throat.”
Brother Emanual paled. “You have my word, sir, that Edith died here today.”
“Good, then you will live a long life,” Cavell said and left the monk’s side to go to his wife and he quickly explained everything to her and Edith.
“I can do that, sir, I can pretend to die,” Edith agreed eagerly. “And I will assume my mum’s name, Ann. You won’t be sorry for helping me, sir. You will see I am a good woman.”
“Aye, Ann, you will be a good woman, or you will face the wrath of a Gallowglass warrior,” Cavell said.
Edith shivered and clung to Elsie.
“See it done, wife, while I speak with others and learn more of what went on here,” Cavell ordered and went to walk away, then stopped and waved at the old woman to step away. When she did, he stepped in front of his wife and gave her arm a gentle squeeze. “I know how upsetting this all must be for you, but I give you my word that we will find your sisters and bring them home.”
Elsie confessed her worry. “I know Leora can well look after herself, Sky not so much, and I fear who may have taken her.”
“And so you should.”
Cavell turned to Melvin, the man showing up unexpectedly far too often.
Melvin kept his eyes on Cavell. “You know as well as I do that there is only one man who would not think twice of setting a monastery to burn… Lord Slayer.”
CHAPTER 10
Melvin’s remark had continued to repeat itself in Elsie’s head, but she had had no chance to discuss it with her husband. He had been intent on taking their leave from the burnt abbey so there had been no time to talk. He had avoided speaking with her about it on their journey home and even more so when they arrived at midday the next morning.
Fear poked at her, and she did her best to keep it at bay, not let it interfere and stop her from doing whatever needed to be done to bring her sisters home.
The thought continued to haunt her as she went looking for her husband after helping May tend Ann. She had repeated the fabricated story she had devised along with Cavell about Ann so many times since arriving home that she was beginning to believe it.
Ann had been found traveling alone on their return journey home. With no place to go, Elsie had offered her a home with the clan and Cavell had granted permission. It was a simple and believable enough story that no one would question, and no one had. She had worried that possibly one of the ten men from the clan might let their tongue slip one day, especially after an over-consumption of ale or wine. However, after Cavell had threatened them that if any one of them spoke about it, they would all lose their tongues, her worry faded. Cavell had made them responsible to keep check on one another, making it improbable that any of them would have a slip of the tongue.
Ann and May got along well, especially when Ann had begun detailing her experience delivering bairns, most births going well though also having her share of heartbreaking ones. Elsie was not sure where Ann would reside and was pleased to learn that Sweeney, one of the eldest members of the clan, had finally moved in with his sister, making it easier for her to look after him. It would be suitable for Ann, and Elsie had Alda see to having the cottage prepared for the older woman.
Elsie was eager to finally discuss with her husband what they would do about finding Leora and Sky and returning them home. She stopped once she entered the Great Hall, wondering where he might be, someone having told her that he had seen Cavell enter the keep. She did not think he would be in their bedchamber with so much that needed his attention now that he was chieftain.