Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 102573 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102573 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
“I pray that is true, my lady,” Wilona said with little resolve.
“Have you been to see your nephew?” Tavia asked to divert attention from Wilona’s worries.
It worked and the next half hour was spent in pleasant talk.
“You bring hope when I feared there was none,” Wilona said when she walked to the door with Tavia.
“There is always hope, Wilona,” she said, something she had once found difficult to believe, and Fen and she left the cottage to continue their walk.
Tavia thought to see how Lath fared as she did at least once a day, but it was still early, and she did not want to disrupt anyone’s sleep. She headed back to the keep planning to return to the warmth of her bedchamber when Fen gave a low growl. She strained to see through the darkness that was beginning to fade and was surprised to spot her husband walking behind a few cottages. She hesitated a moment, though only a moment, then she pressed a finger to her lips to order Fen to remain silent and followed discreetly behind her husband.
She would be discovered easily with the darkness fading away if she were not careful, so she kept to the darkest shadows as she and Fen kept a distance behind her husband. She held back when she heard voices and tucked herself at the edge of a cottage to listen.
“Have you found anything?” Bhric asked.
“Nothing,” Sven said, annoyed. “Which is even more disturbing since tongues already wag and will create something out of nothing.”
“Was that the intention all along?” Bhric asked. “To make the clan worry?”
“I suppose, but what if it was one of ours?” Sven suggested.
Anger sparked in Bhric. “You think anyone from our tribe would dare do such a powerful ritual without my consent?”
“I do not know what to think. This land is foreign to me, and I miss home,” Sven admitted.
“I will not hold you here if this place has yet to feel like home to you. If you wish to return home, I will not stop you nor will I think any less of you. I understand, for there are times I miss home myself.”
“Why not leave another in charge here and return home where our hearts and souls truly belong?”
“I gave my grandfather my word that I would rule Clan MacShane with honor and strength and see it kept safe as my ancestors did before me. And also see that it retained its strength and power. I will dishonor him and the Clan MacShane if I fail to keep my word.”
Tavia listened intrigued. She had not given thought to the immense responsibility of what inheriting the title of the Clan MacShane would mean for Bhric. He had to unite a tribe and a clan, both far different from each other and bring them together as one, live as one, fight as one, survive as one without alienating the other.
“This killing will not set well with our people,” Sven said.
“Nor Clan MacShane,” Bhric said. “They will think the Northmen are up to something and be cautious around us, making it more difficult for all to get along.”
“Your word is law. Use it as you must,” Sven advised.
“Until I know more I will issue no commands, though I will demand that no rituals take place without my permission.”
“A good start,” Sven agreed. “And how about the hound Fen? Does your wife keep him as a pet?”
Tavia did not have to see Sven to know he was smirking. It was evident in his tone.
“Fen will decide his fate,” Bhric said.
Tavia did not like her husband’s response. It made her think that he was waiting for Fen to make a mistake and that would determine his fate, a fate that would not be to her liking.
Tavia could tell Sven’s smirk had vanished with how serious his voice turned.
“Maybe, but tongues wag wondering that if she can command a mighty war hound such as Fen will she be able to command the powerful, Northman warrior Bhric as well?”
“And who dares question that, the Clan MacShane?” Bhric asked with a snappish bark. “It best not be anyone in the tribe or else I…”
Tavia could not hear the rest since the two men walked off and their voices grew distant. She did not want to follow too closely for fear of being caught. It would not bode well for her to be found spying on her husband. But she did not think her husband would have welcomed her company when speaking with Sven, so what choice had she?
She remained where she was for a moment and decided it was best if she made herself known. Light was breaking through the darkness and her presence would be discovered. She followed after the two men and was surprised to find them nowhere in sight. She had not thought she had been that far behind them.