Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 30228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 151(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 151(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
“I’m so going to miss him. You will take care of him, won’t you?” Purity asked concerned.
“Don’t worry. I’ll see King kept safe.”
“I’ve tried to resign myself to my father’s decision to send me to the convent, but I’m having difficulty. I don’t want to go,” Purity admitted.
“I don’t blame you. Did he say how long you would be there?”
“He didn’t, but I think his plan is to leave me there until he arranges a beneficial marriage for me and if that proves futile, then I suppose he’ll simply leave me there forever.”
Tears rose in her already red and puffy eyes.
“You cried most of the night?” Raven asked, her heart hurting for her friend.
“I couldn’t stop. I’m heartbroken over this and I fear what will happen to me.”
“At least we have today to enjoy and celebrate Oria and Royden’s marriage,” Raven said and was struck by the sadness that welled along with Purity’s tears.
“I won’t be enjoying the festivities. As soon as the ceremony ends, two of my father’s warriors will escort me to the convent.”
Sorrow for her friend was replaced by sheer anger. “Your father refuses you a last bit of enjoyment, and he doesn’t even care enough to escort you there himself?”
“I never mattered to him. I am nothing more than a burden to him,” Purity said.
Raven rubbed at her chin. “He can’t send you away after the ceremony if he can’t find you?”
Purity paled and shook her head. “He’d be furious if I hid from him.”
“What would he do to you? Not send you to the convent?”
Purity’s eyes went wide at the thought. What could he do to her that was worse than being sent away?
“The only thing that would happen is that your departure time would be delayed.”
Purity shrugged in resignation. “I would love that, but I don’t have the courage.”
“I have enough for us both,” Raven assured, her smile bright enough for them both.
The sudden toll of a bell had them jumping to their feet, but it was the horrific scream that got them running.
“Attack! Attack!”
Chapter 9
Raven almost toppled forward she came to such an abrupt halt as did Purity when they reached the edge of the woods. She had thought she knew fear, had felt it on occasion, but she hadn’t truly known its depth until this moment seeing a horde of warriors descend on the village and the keep. Horrifying screams filled the air as swords and battle axes were swung with a vengeance.
How could this happen? Arran had been sure they’d be safe this day. Raven couldn’t fathom how they had gotten past the sentinels without being seen. She shook her head. There was no time to debate it. Had there been time to get the women and children inside the keep? She had to find out and see what she could do to help her clan.
She frantically searched for her da and brothers amongst the battle. She spotted Royden fighting off two warriors and blessed him for being so skilled.
Oria.
She could at least find out if Oria was safe in the keep.
Raven turned to Purity. “I need to find Oria.”
“Don’t leave me,” Purity said, her face so pale, Raven feared she’d faint.
“Go back in the woods and hide,” Raven ordered. “I’ll find you when this is done.”
Purity nodded, turned, and hurried off, King following her.
Raven hurried to the kitchen in the back of the keep. She could gain entrance that way, avoiding the battle that raged near the keep doors. The kitchen was deserted and she hurried through to the Great Hall to find several women and children there and the doors secured with a thick board.
“Where’s Oria?” Raven demanded of anyone who could answer.
“She was outside helping the women and children inside and someone grabbed her and dragged her away,” one of the women said.
Raven recognized her. It was Flora, the woman Arran favored. “Stay here for now.”
“There are too many of them. They’ll defeat us,” another woman said, her weeping so heavy Raven could hardly understand her.
Raven offered what she could. “Stay strong. It’s the only way to survive.”
She hurried out of the keep through the kitchen once again. She had to find Oria. She had to keep her safe for her brother. She went around the back of the keep to peer around the side, trying her best to avoid capture herself. She couldn’t help anyone if she was caught and dragged away.
Her heart pounded unmercifully in her chest and fear mingled with anger. She had to find Oria, she had to. The fighting continued, all in the Clan MacKinnon fighting valiantly along with the various clan chieftains and their warriors. Clanging swords rang in the air, the smell of blood stung her nostrils, and screams could be heard from the wounded and dying.
Raven wished she had the skill to wield a sword along with her brothers, but she had no such talent. The only thing she could do was what she did best—sneak around without notice and do what she could to help.