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)
“I know he follows; I counted on it.” He pounded his chest. “It does my heart good to see that young men remain foolish when it comes to love.”
“Raynor will know you are traitor to your people when you murder Tarr.”
“I will raise no weapon against him.”
His intentions dawned on her and fueled her already boiling anger. “You plan to make the Wolf clan look responsible for his death—”
“Do not forget yours,” he chuckled. “Between both your deaths, there will be no man, woman, or child of the Hellewyk clan who would refuse to battle the Wolf clan. Add the Blackshaw warriors to the mix and victory is guaranteed.”
Fiona wanted to shout, scream, cry out her rage but that would only please him, instead she chose words that would strike doubt in him.
“You forget one thing.”
“I forget nothing; it will all come to pass.”
She snickered to herself, pleased that she was about to land a solid blow to his confidence. “Will it? You forget the prophecy.”
“Why would Odo take Fiona to the land of the Wolf?” Aliss asked, pulling the hood of her wool cloak up on her head, the wind having whipped it off for the third time.
“Perhaps he learned something that would help us to—”
“You refuse to believe your uncle a traitor,” Tarr accused.
“He could be protecting Fiona.”
“Why not tell us his intentions?” Tarr asked, appearing as unsettled as his stallion that snorted and pawed the ground. “Why did he not seek our help? Why sneak off without a word?”
Raynor remained firm in defense of his uncle. “I am sure he will have a good answer when we confront him.”
“Can you tell how far they are from us?” Aliss asked.
“If we keep a swift pace, we may be able to meet up with them by midday.”
“They will be expecting us,” Tarr said.
“There you have answered Odo’s intentions yourself,” Raynor claimed. “He does not hide from us; his trail was easy to follow.”
“For you his nephew.”
Raynor reared up in his saddle. “You accuse me?”
“I take no chances with Fiona’s life.”
“You think I do?”
“By refusing to admit that your uncle may be culpable for your sisters’ abduction then, yes, you take a dangerous chance. You risk your sister’s life.”
“Tarr is right, Raynor,” Aliss said. “We must assume and prepare for the worst, and if we are wrong we hurt no one, but if we are right—”
“We rescue Fiona and finally bring an end to this madness,” Raynor finished.
“You stand with us or against. I need to know,” Tarr demanded.
“I would die to keep my sister safe.”
“You may get that chance,” Tarr said. “I have a feeling Odo has planned well and I think he involves the Wolf clan.”
“We should hurry,” Aliss urged. “The weather does not bode well for us. We must attempt to beat the approaching storm.”
Tarr’s dark eyes narrowed. “I will unleash a storm far more destructive than you have ever seen if Odo hurts Fiona in any way. Let us go. I grow tired of the hunt; it is time to attack.”
Fiona had worked the leather ties loose that bound her wrists without anyone being the wiser. She would be able to slip her hands free when she was ready. She took stock of her situation. Only two men rode with Odo, a third always out scouting the area.
She slipped her cloak over her hands when she saw that Odo approached on his horse.
“You watch, wait, and plan. I admire your warrior skills, so unusual in a woman. I think it is time to put them to a test. Give me your hands.”
She obliged him and he laughed when he saw the loosened ties.
“Finish ridding yourself of them, your attempt to free yourself has set for a better scene.”
She worked her way out of the ties and tossed them to the ground.
“Dismount.”
She slipped off her mare giving her rump a pat, letting her know she was to stay close by. She watched with curiosity for Odo’s next move.
“Tarr cannot be far behind, so we have little time—and I do want your body found on his land. He will be livid when he thinks the Wolf clan invaded his property and killed his bride-to-be on their wedding day.”
“Your plan is flawed. Even if you manage to kill Tarr and me, there is still my sister to deal with. She will demand answers—”
He snickered. “I have plans for Aliss.”
That did it, now she was going to have to kill him. There was no doubt about it.
“You do know I am going to take great pleasure in gutting you.”
“You will be too busy fighting the Wolf clan.” He gave a wave and out of the woods stepped several men garbed in wolf skin, the head and face of the wolf forming a helmet of sorts and concealing their faces.
She counted six as they formed a half-circle in front of her.