Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 95326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“Aye,” she agreed but did not move, finding pleasure in his arms.
A crack of a branch sounding like thunder to their ears had Cavell rushing her off his lap to bring them both to their feet, then he drew his sword and shoved his wife behind him.
“Who goes there?” he shouted.
Elsie’s legs went weak when she peeked around her husband’s wide shoulders and saw the man with the battle axe step out of the woods.
CHAPTER 5
“I have a message.”
Cavell recognized the man… Melvin, a Gallowglass warrior. He was short in height, thick in body and kept his hair sheared to the scalp, insisting it benefited him. Perhaps it did, but more likely what benefited him was his amazing skill with a long-handled battle axe that had left many a warrior dead on the battlefield.
Cavell sheathed his sword, then scooped up the sack of food and handed it to his wife. “You will eat while I talk with this man.”
“He is a Gallowglass warrior?” Elsie asked, taking the sack, and hugging it to her chest.
“Aye, and there is nothing to fear from him,” Cavell assured her.
“I trust your word, husband,” she said and caught a brief glance at the man to see if he showed any surprise that she referred to Cavell as her husband. His expression did not change. So, either the news had reached the Gallowglass, or it mattered not to them.
Cavell took hold of his wife’s arm to help lower her to sit near the fire and stay warm while she ate. He took the opportunity to inform her—“A wife stays out of Gallowglass matters.”
She saw the warrior nod in agreement with Cavell.
“As you say, husband,” Elsie said, behaving as expected, though ready to follow them, unnoticed, to hear their every word.
She was glad it wasn’t necessary to trail them when her husband approached the man and remained where he stood to speak with him.
“What is the message and who sent it?” Cavell asked, prepared to decipher it since the Gallowglass spoke in ways that only they would understand.
“A situation brews and Lord Slayer wants his warriors aware of the impending problem and prepared for what might come.”
“Tell Lord Slayer that I am always prepared,” Cavell said, concerned by what he heard.
“Lord Slayer will be pleased to hear that, and he extends congratulations on your marriage that brings substantial benefits and will serve you well. Noble also extends his well wishes for a long and fruitful marriage.”
His concern grew hearing that and his response confirmed he acknowledged the message. “My appreciation to his lordship and Noble.”
“You should also be aware that unfettered renegades prowl the area for work.”
“I will keep watch,” Cavell said, the message disturbing and a signal that something substantial was brewing. “You are welcome to camp with us for the night, Melvin.”
Elsie was not surprised by her husband’s invitation. Gallowglass warriors were known for their close ties.
“I am grateful and pleased to accept your offer,” Melvin said.
Elsie tore what was left of the bread and cheese into several pieces for them all to share and laid out what quail eggs there were. That the man ate sparingly was not something she expected. Warriors who visited her clan often gorged themselves on food and drink, not even thinking food might be sparse for the clan members.
Elsie held her tongue as the two men talked, thinking she might learn something, but their conversation remained light, and it was not long before the small meal was finished and blankets were made ready for sleep.
Her husband curled himself around her when he joined her on the blanket, hooking his arm over her waist to draw her back snug against him and drape his cloak over her to keep the chilled night air at bay.
The heat of his body soon worked its way into her, comforting her, and with her worries waning, sleep soon sneaked up and claimed her.
Cavell found himself content wrapped around his wife while he waited for her to fall asleep so he could talk privately with Melvin. His thoughts, however, remained troubled. He needed to confirm with Melvin what he had deciphered the message to truly mean. That by referring to Slayer, a feared and mighty leader of the largest and most powerful Gallowglass group of warriors in the area, as Lord Slayer meant not only his father had died, but his older brother who would rule the clan upon their father’s death had also died, leaving Slayer to rule Clan Ravinsher. That both men were dead was suspicious and Cavell wondered what happened to them. Their deaths also meant that Slayer would no longer rule over his troop of warriors since it would be more important that he lead his clan.
Cavell heard Melvin stir and he looked past the campfire’s flames and saw the man was awake and waiting to talk just as he was, and he gave him a nod. Relieved exhaustion had claimed his wife and she slept soundly, he eased himself off her, taking his cloak off and tucking it around her to keep her warm. He joined Melvin where he sat on the opposite side of the fire.