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)
“What do you intend to do with the Lowlanders?”
Cavell glanced around the room again. “If I am right, they will never make it back to the Lowlands, at least not until we discover who, out of the three sisters, is the one wanted by this unknown person who wants her returned. They would be wise to remain here until then, but that is not my decision to make.” He nodded toward Frewen, the blood gone from his face and a thick coating of honey on a small wound by his hairline, busy talking among his men. “He needs to see to his men right now. I will discuss it with him soon enough.”
“A camp will need to be set up for them. The Gallowglass warriors who returned with me are setting up camp, we can add the Lowlanders camp onto theirs,” Melvin said with a sheepish grin.
Cavell smiled and shook his head, thinking someone had told Melvin what had happened when the Lowlanders arrived here. “Do you want to see them all die of fright?”
Melvin laughed.
“Do what you think is best,” Cavell said.
“Truly? You leave the decision to me?” Melvin asked, surprised.
“I trust you to do what is right.”
“Aye, sir, I will,” Melvin said, bobbing his head. “Warriors who fight a good fight should always be treated well.”
“And that is why you are my counsel,” Cavell said.
“I will see to it right away and look forward to talking with you later,” Melvin said and hurried out of the room.
Cavell felt a gentle hand at his back that followed along his arm and to his chest as his wife walked around from behind him.
“He is proud to serve you,” Elsie said, leaving her hand to rest on her husband’s chest.
“And I am glad to have a trustworthy friend to help me.” He brushed stray hairs that had fallen loose from her braid off her face and while he could see fatigue creeping up on her, he knew she would never admit to it. “You could use a douse of fresh air. Come walk with me a bit before I go and speak with the Gallowglass who returned with Melvin.”
“A most welcome invitation,” Elsie said with a smile and hooked her arm around her husband’s.
The village was abuzz with busy chaos, the clansmen doing all they could to help settle the large Gallowglass troop that had arrived to help protect them. With some trepidation, older children took food and drink to the warriors and Elsie didn’t blame them. Many of them were massive men with numerous scars that marked their battle worthiness.
Elsie had to smile when she spotted Kara walking through the troop of warriors without fear and knew she was busy counting.
“That lass is fearless,” Cavell said, having spotted her as well.
“And she will have a good count of warriors, who recently arrived opposed to those already here and then a compilation of them all, for us when she is done,” Elsie said with pride in the lass and pointed in the distance near to where a camp with makeshift shelters was being constructed. “Is that the area where you will have more dwellings built?”
Cavell nodded. “Aye, though they will be longhouses like Slayer has for his unmarried men. I want to make sure the warriors are housed well before winter sets in. With the amount of warriors who arrived today that should prove no problem and I hope to have a few single dwellings done as well since I expect some of the warriors to find wives here.”
“Our clan grows,” Elsie said, beaming with joy.
“I would not be surprised if next summer a slew of bairns are born.”
“I hope to contribute to that slew,” she said.
He looked at her as if expecting news.
“Not yet, but it shouldn’t be long now before a possibility turns positive and as I promised, you will be the first to know.”
Cavell grinned and lowered his head and voice, saying, “With as much as we couple, I do not know how you could not be with child.”
“You are right, and we should continue coupling so your seed has no choice but to take root.”
He chuckled. “I whole heartily agree.” He kissed her quickly. “While I would love to continue walking and talking with you, I have duties to tend to.”
“As do I,” Elsie said, already feeling her husband’s absence in her heart and it growing as he walked away.
She turned around to return to the keep when she saw Ann speaking with Wadely, by the stable, though it appeared they argued more than conversed, Ann being the aggressor. Elsie hurried toward them.
“You are lying!” Ann accused, shaking her finger at Wadely.
“What goes on here?” Elsie asked, her tone firm.
Ann turned to Elsie, clearly upset. “I just saw the leather vest Wadely stitched for Chieftain Cavell and recognized those perfectly crafted cross stitches. There is only one person who could have taught him that skill… Eudora. My mum taught her, but she perfected the stitches. I have never seen another hand do such skilled work until today when I saw the vest. He learned that skill from my sister Eudora.”