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 goes on here, brother?”
Cavell turned, shocked to see his brother Harcus dismounting his horse. He may have been surprised to see his brother, but he was more surprised he had not heard him approach. It confirmed what he feared. If he did not remain numb, he would fail to rescue his wife.
“What are you doing here, Harcus?” Cavell asked.
“Duties have kept me busy, but I thought it was time we talked after the incident when I last was here. But I see I have chosen a bad day for a visit. I saw Gallowglass gathering as if for battle, injured Lowlanders, and worry in people’s expressions upon my arrival, so I ask again… what goes on here, brother?”
“I have no time to explain it all. I need to find my wife. She has been abducted along with two others in the clan.” Anger flashed in his eyes hearing his own words, blaming himself, and fighting to keep himself numb to it all.
“I will join you,” Harcus said, keeping his tone steady while silently cursing his brother for discovering far too soon that his wife was missing.
“Father would not approve.
“Father is not here,” Harcus said, needing to remain close to his brother so he could save what he could of his mission to find the right sister.
Cavell had no time to argue with him… Elsie came first. He also had no time to waste thoughts on his brother or father.
Melvin rushed toward him. “We found the tracks.”
“Lead the way,” Cavell ordered and followed Melvin, Harcus trailing behind them.
They went on foot, not to disturb the tracks, men and horses trailing behind them. Cavell kept his focus on one thing and one thing only… rescuing his wife.
Clouds moved in overhead darkening the sky, signaling the arrival of an impending storm but a far worse storm brewed on the ground as Cavell followed the tracks through the woods. The atmosphere hung heavy with anticipation though not for the storm whose first faint rumbles of thunder echoed in the distance. It was the anticipation of what they would find and who would die today for daring to abduct Cavell’s wife.
The rustling leaves quieted, and the distant call of birds fell silent, sensing the imminent tempest. A strong breeze turned gentle, brushing through the treetops, as if whispering a warning to the creatures below. The once serene forest now seemed anxious, its inhabitants seeking shelter and safety from not the impending deluge but from fear of what the scarred Highlander would rain down upon their home.
Cavell kept a steady pace, a double-sided axe gripped in his hand as he trudged through the woods, his footfalls heavy and determined as he followed the tracker.
Elsie tried not to think of what would happen if her husband did not find her. The thought of dying was bad enough but being taken to the Lowlands never to return home, never to see her husband again tore viciously at her heart. She would do whatever she needed to do to return to him, but what if she was with child? How could she dare try such a dangerous trek while round with child and what if her child was not welcomed where they took her? Would they take the child away from her? The thought was unbearable to consider. She had to do whatever she could to delay their journey to give her husband time to reach her, the two possible fates not at all to her liking.
She wondered why they were still traveling on foot, though she was relieved they did. It gave her husband time to find them. Her relief was short-lived when only moments later they came upon a troop of men with horses drinking from a rushing stream.
“We cannot get on those horses,” Elsie whispered to Wadely and Ann as they huddled close once brought to a stop, one of their captors going to talk to the men already there while the other men snatched up what food was left on the fire spit.
“These are ruthless men. They will hurt us if we do not do as they say,” Wadely said.
“I am exhausted,” Ann said, looking at the stream and licking her dry lips. “And parched.”
Elsie was just as parched and she called out, “We are thirsty.”
“Drink your fill,” the man who led them there ordered with a nod to the stream.
Wadely helped Ann to her feet and to the stream, and Elsie followed.
A thought came to her and after they were settled at the edge of the creek, she whispered in between drinking the water she scooped up in her cupped hand. “They need me. If I accidentally fall in here, they will have to go after me. We will gain time that way.”
“They need me more, let me do it,” Wadely said.
“It must be me,” Elsie insisted.