Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 98745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“You will get no advantage from me for your disadvantage,” she warned, annoyed at his confidence.
“Disadvantage?” he asked, his smile remaining.
“Aye, if you think this challenge has anything to do with fierceness then you may as well surrender now since you have already failed.”
His smile vanished and he yanked her tight against him and lowered his head until their noses almost touched. “I never fail, wife. It will go no other way but my way. But do feel free to challenge me. I thrive on challenges.”
She pressed the tip of her nose to his and said, “As I said when we met… there is always a first time.”
A shout from Finley ended their discussion and Leora watched him and another rider approach.
She was relieved by the interruption. His voice not only held the power of command, but his touch did as well. She felt it race through her and take hold as if taking possession of her, and she silently warned herself to be careful. Her husband was fiercer than she thought.
“What have you learned, Penn?” Noble asked before the barrel-chested warrior brought his horse to a stop.
Leora was surprised at the contrast between the warrior’s sheared head and his bushy red beard and moustache that appeared to devour his mouth. He had more hair on his face than his head. She thought for sure both would stifle his voice, but he had a strong, distinct voice that was easily heard.
“Two men claim to call themselves Chieftain of Clan Skirling, neither are fit to do so, and neither are from Clan Skirling. And there are none in Clan Skirling fit or wise enough to lead the clan. The people themselves seem to be a good lot but suffering, their chieftain having been unwise. Much help is needed there. As you know, the land does not sit far from Clan Ravinsher, and the people there worry that Lord Slayer will take over their clan and Clan Skirling will exist no more.”
“Our men remain where they cannot be seen?” Noble asked.
“Aye, sir, they do, and are prepared for your arrival,” Penn said. “Also, Lord Slayer sent a small troop of warriors to wait with us for your arrival. Ross leads them and he has a message for you from Lord Slayer. They expect you in about three or four days.”
Leora had sat silent, listening to them, though excitement surged through her hearing that one of Lord Slayer’s warriors was at Clan Skirling. She would see if he knew anything about Sky and if he could possibly take a message to her to let her know that Leora was close and would see her soon.
“Did you come across any mercenaries on your way here?” Noble asked.
Penn shook his head. “None, but then I took a quicker path that is less traveled.” He nodded toward the prisoners standing together, the troop having been brought to a halt with his arrival. “I see that you came across a few.”
“Some claim they did not know it was Gallowglass they would face,” Noble said.
“Foolishness is not an excuse,” Penn said.
Leora had a good idea those were not Penn’s words. It was more something she would expect to hear her husband say. Her husband was rigid about obedience, and she wondered why. She had time to find out just as she had time to decide what to do about their marriage. Her only concern now was her sister Sky, all else could wait.
They were soon on their way again and both she and Noble remained silent. She had much on her mind, and she imagined Noble did as well. It was quite a while later when Noble finally broke the silence.
“If Clan Skirling is offered to me, it would mean you would remain close to your sister Sky.”
“That would be selfish of me to want her nearby. Sky needs to return home and be with family,” Leora said, a tightness settling in her chest when she thought about what Sky had gone through at the abbey.
She wondered how her sister was after having lived with a hood over her head and chained to the wall for a few weeks. It would drive any sane person mad and yet the abbey supposedly had taken on the task of helping the insane. Leora had seen firsthand that had not been true.
“I have my doubts that Slayer will allow your sister to leave his care. Knowing him, he would feel it was his duty to see his brother’s widow kept safe.”
“Perhaps Penn heard something about my sister, I could ask him,” she suggested.
“You will say nothing to him,” Noble ordered.
“Why?”
“Because I command it.” He pressed his finger to her lips to silence any protest. “No more. It is done.”
Maybe for him but not for her, though she held her tongue since arguing would get her nowhere. When she got a chance, she would speak with Penn.