Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 111362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
He roared in fury, it turning fast to screams as the fire caught his flesh and began to consume him.
She grabbed the young nun, frozen with fear, and rushed past the burning man and down the hall.
A roar behind them let her know that he followed.
“Don’t look back, run,” Sorrell ordered when the young nun went to turn her head. “You need to direct us out of here, to the front where my husband’s warriors are camped.”
The nun nodded, took hold of Sorrell’s hand and ran with all the strength and speed she had, Sorrell keeping pace with her.
They both felt the heat of the burning barbarian grow closer.
“Not far,” the young nun said, after a few moments. “The next turn.”
It came upon them fast and they almost toppled as they took the turn, but helped each other to remain on their feet. The door was only a short distance away and they rammed into it when they reached it and stumbled out of the abbey into the night and the light rain that fell.
“John! John!” Sorrell screamed as she and the nun righted themselves and kept running.
Ruddock thought he heard his wife shouting for John, but she had given her word she would remain in the room. She would honor that word unless…
He turned away from where he stood talking with the barbarian leader and ran toward his wife’s frenzied shouts. Several of his warriors followed, while others remained keeping an eye on the troop of barbarians.
Rage roared up in Ruddock when he saw a man in flames following after his wife and the young nun with her. The man didn’t get far. He collapsed to the ground, the flames completely engulfing him.
Ruddock rushed to his wife and she threw herself against him, and his arms went around her, holding her tight.
“He wanted her dead,” the young nun said breathless. “He said so. Lady Sorrell saved us. She set him on fire with a log from the hearth.”
Mother Abbess and several nuns came racing toward them. “What happened here? Sister Eleanor, have you no shame being out here in front of these men in your nightshift?”
“Take pity on her, Mother Abbess, she has been through an ordeal tonight,” Ruddock warned. “Take her inside and see to her.”
Two nuns hurried over to the young nun and wrapped their arms around her and guided her back to the abbey.
“I will have an explanation of what went on here tonight, Lord Ruddock,” Mother Abbess said. “I have turned my eyes away from many things over the years, but one of my postulants out in the dark of night only in her nightshift, a man’s dead, burning body, and a group of barbarians on the sacred grounds of the abbey, is something I cannot ignore.”
“Unless you want to be exposed to more unholy doings, I suggest you retreat inside the abbey,” Ruddock said.
“This isn’t the end of it, Lord Ruddock,” Mother Abbess warned and walked away.
Ruddock cared not what the Mother Abbess thought. He cared only about his wife and what had happened to her.
He looked to one of his warriors. “Have Erland bring Asger to me.”
The warrior took off to do his lord’s bidding.
“Sorrell.” Ruddock said, his hand going to her chin to lift her head. “I need to know you’re unharmed.”
Her husband’s comforting arms had calmed her with their strength and warmth, helping her breathing and racing heart to calm as well.
She smiled softly ready to reassure him. Unfortunately, it turned to a wince, a stinging pain hitting her hand as she went to hug him tight.
“My hand,” she said, bringing it around and giving it a look.
Ruddock winced himself, seeing the redness that ran along the side of her left hand.”
“A burn, though not a bad one. The skin does not blister,” Sorrell said.
“You grabbed a burning log out of the hearth?” he asked, recalling the young nun’s explanation.
“Aye, it was the only thing I could think to use and the closest to reach. I grabbed the end of the log that had yet to catch the flame. I must have gotten too close to the embers as I grabbed the log.” She tilted her head. “Thinking on it now, why would that barbarian want me dead? It makes no sense. I have no connection with them.”
Aye, you do have a connection… it’s me, he thought, but said no more.
“I assume you spoke with whoever leads this horde of barbarians. What did he say?” she asked.
“This particular group trades with my clan from time to time. They were returning from there and—”
“Why come this way? Their home is far north and across the sea from here.”
“They have trade agreements with other clans and were on their way to speak with one.”
“Why would anyone align himself with barbarians?” she asked.
“It depends on the tribe. Some are not as ruthless as people think while others are pure evil.”