Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 91636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“Have you decided what will be done with me and my men?”
“That is not why I am here. You know more about this leader of the Wolf clan than I do. I have heard stories, thinking them mere myths, for I have not seen him in these parts.”
“He handles the unrest in his lands north of Scotland. From what I have heard he rules much of the land and its people by fear. None dare oppose him. I heard he is called Wolf hence the name of his clan.”
“What would bring him here?”
“I asked myself the same question,” Raynor said. “If his plan had been to seize your land, he would have arrived with a massive amount of warriors.”
“You say you chased him off the island, the Isle of Non. What was he doing there?”
Raynor stood, the ale and food having been delivered, as Tarr poured them each a tankard of ale. He gladly took one.
“That was even stranger. He was there with a minimum of a dozen men, and his presence discovered by sheer accident. We gave chase and they took off without a battle. I followed them to the border of my land to make certain they were gone.”
“This Wolf does not sound as if he would be spotted by accident.”
“Another thought of mine also,” Raynor admitted. “Why, though, would he want me to know he was there? He plans something. But what?”
“Whatever it is I’ll be ready.”
Fiona caught up with her sister as she walked out the door of the keep.
“The day hints at winter, you should have a shawl about you,” she admonished.
Aliss slowed her pace as they walked down the keep stairs. “I was in a hurry and not thinking.”
“What troubles you?” Fiona took off her green shawl and draped it over Aliss’s shoulders.
“Now you will be cold.”
“I am fine,” Fiona insisted, and took the basket her sister held, slipped her arm around hers, and led her to a favorite spot of theirs beneath a large tree near the meadow. It was a secluded enough for them to talk, yet they were not out of sight of the village.
“I think Raynor plans his escape very soon,” Aliss said after sitting.
Fiona plopped down beside her. “I really do not think Tarr intends to harm Raynor and his men.”
“Confinement wears on Raynor and I cannot blame him. I would go insane if kept imprisoned for any length of time in a solitary room.” She shook her head. “That is not what is important. I think he will ask us to go with him when the time comes.”
“This upsets you? Have you come to care for Raynor?”
“Nay,” Aliss said firmly. “He is handsome and seems a good man, but I have no such feelings for him. I but worry about us.”
“How so?” Fiona asked concerned.
“What will become of us? I grow tired of this charade, of watching how I act and what I say. I miss being able to fully concentrate on my healing, and I miss my identity. Some people call me Aliss, others refer to me as Fiona. How long must we continue this?”
“I think I am making progress,” Fiona reported proudly.
“Truly?” Aliss asked surprised.
“Tarr has suggested we build a bridge where we can meet in the middle.”
“That sounds promising,” Aliss said excited. “Perhaps this will turn out better than we had expected.”
“It is possible, but we must continue to have patience.” She rubbed her sister’s arm. “Can you do that awhile longer?”
“Of course I can. I was just feeling worrisome today.”
“Raynor must do what he must; you have done all you can for him,” Fiona said. “Are you certain, though, that you have not come to care for him?”
“I am certain. I have enjoyed his company. He showed interest in me and it was easy to speak with him. We shared stories of our youth and of my healing skills, and he knew I was Aliss—that I will miss.”
“It will not be long before our identities are revealed, but we will do the revealing.”
“I will have patience till then.”
Fiona was relieved to hear the confidence in her sister’s voice. “I think we will do well.”
“I do like it here,” Aliss admitted. “The clan has generously welcomed us and genuinely accepted us. It is as if we have always been part of the Hellewyk clan.”
“I feel the same myself. They have not once treated us like outsiders.”
“It would be a good place to call home.”
“I agree,” Fiona said. “It has been a long time since we have felt at home.”
“Uncle Tavish did his best to make us feel welcomed.”
“And Leith did his best to make us feel like outsiders.”
“He was jealous of you,” Aliss said. “He was jealous that his father talked more with you, his niece, than with his own son.”
“That was because uncle Tavish knew his son was an idiot.”