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)
Melvin barely closed the door when Elsie asked anxiously, “My sister Sky, you spoke to her?”
Melvin cast a quick glance at Cavell, then seemed to struggle to respond.
“Is my sister all right? Please, Melvin, tell me,” Elsie asked, her stomach knotting with worry.
“Lord Slayer would not let me speak with her. He gave his word he would relay the message, but he refused to let me see her and believe me, Mistress Elsie, I tried, knowing how important it was to you. Though he did tell me to inform you that she was well and safe and there was no need to worry about her.”
“How do I know that for sure if you never got to see her?” Elsie said, having hoped for a response from her sister to know for sure she was well and safe.
“When Slayer says that your sister is well and safe believe him,” Cavell said, hoping to ease his wife’s worry. “Trust me on this, wife. He is a man of his word, a man of honor.”
“I have little option than to do anything else, though I do trust your word, husband,” Elsie said, her worry calming some.
“What did Lord Slayer have to say when you told him that Sky and her sisters were in danger, Melvin?” Cavell asked, eager to know if it was news to Slayer or that he had already found out.
“He knew, though how I don’t know, but he is aware of it.”
Cavell was surprised that was all he said about that and went on delivering more news.
“He was not happy to hear about Clyde. Naturally, he plans to revenge his death, though presently his thoughts are heavy on his father and brother’s deaths. He believes the rogue group of mercenaries may be responsible for his brother’s death, but he does not know who poisoned his father. His thirst for revenge is great and I can tell you now that he intends to make the culprits suffer horribly for it. And he will do the same to whoever killed Clyde. He was furious when I told him of Clyde’s death. He is out for blood, Cavell, and I fear he will spill much blood before this all ends.”
Cavell was afraid of that and worried it might mean endless battles before the truth was finally discovered.
“Did he say anything of Noble?” Cavell asked.
“Noble was tracking for Slayer, but when he received news of being wed to Leora and discovered her missing from the abbey, Slayer released him from the chore to go find his new wife.”
“There has been no other word of Leora?” Elsie asked, her worry growing once again. At least she knew that Sky was protected, not so Leora. She continued to be all on her own somewhere.
“Only that Noble has grown frustrated that he cannot find her,” Melvin said. “Unusual for him since I don’t believe anyone has ever eluded his fine tracking skills.”
Elsie did not want to think of what it might mean that a skilled tracker could not find her sister, but it was unavoidable. She feared Leora had met a horrible fate and lay buried somewhere she would never be found.
Cavell could see the fear on his wife’s face for her sister and hoping to ease her burden of worry, he offered a bit of encouragement. “It seems that your sister is as brilliant as you at avoiding being found. I would not be surprised if she disguised herself as a monk just as you did.”
“I can only hope,” Elsie said, praying her husband was right.
Melvin kept his eyes on Cavell as if purposely avoiding a glance at Elsie. “There is something else Slayer discovered that he wanted to make certain you know, but he says it is for your ears alone.”
“Does it have to do with my wife and her sisters’ parents not being their true parents?” Cavell asked, the thought having come to him when Melvin spoke of Slayer releasing Noble from his duties.”
Melvin’s brow scrunched. “How did you know?”
“Slayer would have never released Noble from tracking his father and brother’s killer unless something proved more imminent and since we discovered it as well, I assumed it was what he would want me to know as I would do the same for him. Did Slayer say how he found out?”
“From friends in the Lowlands, though he did not elaborate on the friends,” Melvin said. “He did, however, say they were an extremely reliable source. Someone searches for a female, taken at birth, who belongs to a prominent, aristocratic family.”
“And this prominent family just discovered this?” Cavell asked.
“Slayer does not know if it is the family who searches for the woman or even why after all these years someone searches for her,” Melvin said. “The search led to unwanted bairns or bairns in danger when born that were placed with couples in the Highlands. Three females were placed with Chieftain Norris and his wife, Terena. But the origin of each female is unknown and so the hunt is on to find one particular one. Slayer is trying to find out more and says he will send word if he learns anything. In the meantime, he says to remain cautious, and Noble has been warned to do the same. He also sent a generous troop of warriors to reside here leaving it up to each one if they wish to make a permanent home here. Several volunteered to come once they heard they could have a permanent home. Slayer has secured the safety of the clan for you.”