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)
“No man should drink alone,” a woman said and sat down opposite Cavell at the table.
Cavell raised his head enough to catch a bit of an ample-breasted woman and a pleasantly scented one at that, a flowery sweet scent drifting off her. She no doubt had readied herself to sell her wares at market day and he wouldn’t mind obliging her. It had been too long since he had enjoyed coupling with a woman or even sharing a fast poke with one.
“Buy me a drink?” she asked.
He motioned the server lass with two fingers, and she was soon at his table refilling his tankard and placing another in front of the woman.
The woman wasted no time swallowing a good portion of ale, then reaching across the table to take Cavell’s hand.
“I can tell you’re a loner, but there’s no need to spend the day or night alone,” she said, giving his hand a gentle squeeze.
Her invitation aroused him and there was nothing better he would have liked than to accept it, but once she saw his face… he drew back his hood as he raised his head.
She gasped, the shock making her unable to look away.
Cavell drew a coin from the purse tucked at his waist and laid it in front her. “For sharing a drink with me.”
She grabbed it and smiled. “Get me drunk enough and I’ll share a bed with you.”
Damn, if he wasn’t tempted, especially since she was attractive and well-endowed. He enjoyed a good-sized woman that could take a good pounding from a man.
“Curdie! You promised the day to me,” a man, lean and with a quick stride, called out as he approached. He stopped abruptly when he reached the table and caught sight of Cavell. “Bloody hell!”
“He’s a gentleman this one, Meldon. Paid for my drink he did, then paid me for having a drink with him,” Curdie said in defense of Cavell. “He’s generous, unlike you.”
“Come away from him, Curdie,” Meldon cautioned with a wave for her to come to him. “You don’t want to be with the likes of him.”
People were starting to take notice and Cavell didn’t need that. He grabbed another coin and pushed it across the table to the woman. “Go!”
Another coin made Curdie hesitate, thinking how generous he would be if she coupled with him.
“He’s Cavell of the Gallowglass,” Meldon said, his voice raised in fear.
News was spreading about the vicious and victorious battle the Gallowglass had fought and the warrior, Cavell, who had been left forever marked with its memory. Soon there would be no place where he would not be recognized.
Curdie gasped as she rushed to her feet, keeping a tight hold on the two coins, and hurried to Meldon.
“What do you want here?” a slim man asked.
“You dare ask me that!” Cavell barked at the man as he brought his fisted hand down on the table. “No one questions a Gallowglass warrior.”
The man bobbed his head as he hastily apologized. “Forgive me, sir, I meant no disrespect.”
“Leave me to enjoy my drink,” Cavell ordered, and he was soon left alone, people drifting off, whispering and stealing glances back at him.
There was no point in staying there now. People would avoid him, and all would talk in whispers… about him. He would learn nothing. He also risked the chance of some fool trying to show he could fight and claim victory over a Gallowglass warrior, and he was too angry to fight today. He was angry that he had yet to find his wife and angry that his scars deprived him of poking a sweet-smelling woman. That much anger would have him beat someone senseless.
He downed the last of his ale and debated on whether he should have another or take his leave.
“Cavell!”
Cavell groaned low. A fool who thought to challenge him. He ignored the shout and raised his tankard to the serving lass.
She approached hesitantly.
“Leave the jug,” he ordered and laid several coins on the table for her.
She quickly scooped them up and hurried away.
If he was going to fight, he intended to make sure he had enough ale to drink after he beat the fool senseless.
“Cavell!” the man shouted again.
He stood slowly and removed his cloak, taking his time to drape it over the bench, all the while keeping his eyes on the man who challenged him. He was big and thick, his nose crooked, which meant he had fought before and was not afraid to fight again.
Cavell walked toward him. “Are you sure about this?”
The man laughed. “A Gallowglass warrior afraid to fight?”
A curious crowd was gathering to watch, and not one of them joined the man in laughter.
“I like to give a fool a chance before I send him off bloody and weeping like a bairn,” Cavell called out, and laughter broke loose.
That he was laughed at made the foolish man even more foolish, and with his face flushed red with anger, he ran at Cavell.