Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
“It would depend on the reason for your disobedience.”
Her curiosity still not satisfied, she asked, “So, if I went into the forest myself, what would be my punishment?”
“I would beat you senseless!” he threatened.
Her eyes went wide, his anger was so intense, then she felt it… his heartbeat. It pounded wildly as if in fear and that was what caused his response, fear. He feared for her safety.
She spoke gently. “You would never beat me, never raise a hand to me, never hurt me.”
“You are so sure?” he snapped, annoyed she was right. He would not raise a hand to her, no matter how angry he got, he would never strike her.
“Aye, I am sure. You do put fear in me sometimes, but I believe it is because I can feel when you are angry and how it grows in intensity until you finally erupt and roar with it. It overpowers the senses.”
“I forbid you to use your witchcraft on me!” he ordered, surprised that she would even admit that she did.
“It is not witchcraft. It is simply something I sense,” she said.
“You are forbidden to sense it,” he demanded.
She was about to tell him it did not work that way, that she could not stop it if she wanted to but thought it wiser to simply say, “Aye, my lord.”
“Speak of this to no one,” he ordered.
She did not need to sense anything to understand his order. After today’s incident in the woods all would believe her a powerful witch, but if they knew she sensed what he felt they would believe her an evil witch. And that frightened her.
Another thing that troubled her was that the voice had warned her to argue with Death and, in doing so, was it a warning that the God of Death had taken up residence in the woods?
The next morning Brock stood before Lord Varrick and a crowded Great Hall to receive his punishment.
“Do with me as you will, my lord,” Brock said boldly. “I was proud to have witnessed the power of the witch, a power that will save our clan.”
Varrick did not take kindly to the cheer that rang out for Brock and he let his displeasure be known, rising with such force out of his chair at the dais and pounding his fist on the table that many drew back in fright even though they sat a distance away.
“You cheer disobedience from a clan warrior? If he cannot be trusted to follow orders, how then do his fellow warriors trust him on the battlefield?”
Several of the clan warriors pounded the table where they sat in agreement with Varrick.
“You dishonored the clan, Brock,” Varrick said. “You will no longer fight alongside the clan’s mighty and renowned warriors, but that is not your punishment. I have yet to decide on that. Brother Luke step forward and receive your punishment.”
Brock stepped back, anxious to take his leave.
Varrick was aware that many believed Brother Luke tried to help the clan and did not deserve to be punished. Varrick did not agree.
“My word is law here, Brother Luke.” Anger filled Varrick’s every word. “You obey it, or you leave, and since you failed to obey it, you are no longer welcomed here.”
Brother Luke was as shocked as were others, several loud gasps circling the room.
“I beg of you, my lord, please do not cast me out in the snow and cold,” Brother Luke pleaded. “Please. Please send word to Abbott John and see if he will allow me to return.”
“You can go ask him yourself,” Varrick said, having no pity for the man.
Brother Luke continued to beg. “Please, my lord. I will mind my tongue while you wait word from him.”
Varrick gave it thought and knowing monasteries were often helpful to him and his warriors when he traveled and battled, he did not want the mistreatment of a monk to follow him. “If you fail to do so I will throw you out into the snow myself.”
“Aye, my lord. Aye,” Brother Luke said and bobbed his head before hurrying off.
“Listen well,” Varrick called out so all could hear him. “My word is to be obeyed without question. If you disobey my word, my laws, you will suffer dire consequences. Now go and tend to your tasks.”
“She wins the favor of the clan with what happened in the woods,” Argus said a couple of days later. “Most believe she can cure or curse anyone or thing. And they are not happy that you delay her return to the woods.”
Varrick could not argue that as he approached the healing cottage and saw that the two warriors he had left to keep watch over Fia were keeping keen eyes on all that surrounded the cottage.
The clan did not hide their displeasure with him, wearing it boldly on their faces nor could the unease that permeated the village be ignored. And it annoyed Varrick that it had affected his warriors, something that Argus also felt.