Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 36428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
“It has been known to last a week,” Olwen said.
Cree liked hearing that even less. He would not be happy spending a week here. And what would the clan leader say about his unexpected guests? Would he welcome them, or would he find disfavor with them? He decided to find out what he could about the clan laird.
“Your clan laird may not welcome a lengthy stay from my wife and I.”
“Lord Tiernan is a good man but a man whose commands are obeyed without question and that includes any guests who stay here,” Olwen warned.
“Then he is much like myself, for I rule the same way,” Cree said, not one to bow to another’s command though honorable enough to respect another man’s command in his own home… within reason.
A lone howl penetrated the keep’s stone walls, silencing them both.
“That sounded close,” Cree said.
“That howl calls out to find a lost wolf,” Olwen said.
“You can distinguish the various howls?” Cree asked, surprised and curious.
Olwen nodded. “I have heard them since I was young. I know the different howls. They are beautiful in their own way and deadly in other ways.”
“Wolves are dangerous animals,” Cree said, pointing out the obvious.
Olwen voiced her own opinion. “They are no different than people. They protect their pack as humans protect their clan. They hunt together, making sure all in the pack are fed just as clans hunt and store food to keep their people fed, and when one of their own is in danger, they do whatever is necessary to save him or her just as clans do.”
“You speak as if wolves are more human than animal.”
“Their instincts are the same—protect what is theirs,” Olwen said, coming to a stop in front of the bedchamber where Dawn rested.
“OLWEN!”
The forceful shout echoed through the keep, causing Olwen to jump in fright, though not Cree. He braced himself, ready to defend himself and Dawn if necessary.
“Lord Tiernan has returned,” Olwen said anxiously.
“I should go meet him,” Cree said and hurried to peek into the bedchamber to make sure his wife was as he left her. She looked to be resting comfortably, a soothing rise and fall of breath to her body, and he shut the door, eager to meet the clan leader and judge for himself what type of man he was.
“Morning might be better for you to meet with Lord Tiernan,” Olwen suggested as if reluctant.
Cree had no intention of waiting until morning. “That would not be right of me to do, showing up here and spending the night without making myself known to him. Now lead the way.”
“OLWEN!”
“Lord Tiernan grows impatient, and I do not blame him. Now take me to him,” Cree ordered with a scowl that had Olwen hurrying to do as he commanded.
Cree thought she would take him to the Great Hall, but she led him down another narrow passageway and stopped in front of one of two doors.
“You will wait here while I speak with him,” she instructed and did not wait for a response. She entered the room.
Cree remained rooted to the spot where she left him, staying silent so he could hear anything that might be said. Unfortunately, he heard nothing. He feared meeting no man, though most men feared meeting him, his reputation often preceding him, and he did not mind that they did. It often gave him the advantage.
Olwen opened the door and stepped to the side. “Lord Tiernan will see you now.”
Cree entered the room and Olwen hurried out, shutting the door behind her. The room was not well lit. A large fire in the stone hearth provided most of the light but only to half of the room. The other half was immersed in darkness.
Cree went to the hearth, turning to stare into the darkness, the only place Lord Tiernan could be. If the man had evil intentions, Cree would be ready for him. If he remained silent, in an attempt to intimidate Cree, he was doomed to fail.
“The fog can be dangerous in these parts.”
Lord Tiernan continued to conceal himself but that did not bother Cree. “Which is why I am grateful for your generous hospitality in allowing my wife and I to shelter here, Lord Tiernan.”
“How could I deny the infamous Lord Cree?”
“You have me at a disadvantage, Lord Tiernan. You have heard of me while I have not heard of you.”
“We are a small clan, known to a few trusted friends, and we tend to keep to ourselves.”
“I regret having to intrude on your privacy, but it could not be helped. My wife was injured and needs rest before she can travel again,” Cree said, making it clear that he had no intentions of going anywhere just yet, whether the man liked it or not.
“I would be remiss and unkind to turn someone away in a time of need. You are welcome in my home until your wife is well enough to travel. You have no warriors with you?”