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)
“No, sir, I do not,” Wadely said.
“The old woman’s story sounds more believable,” Harcus said and with a quick swing of his dagger, he slashed at Wadely tearing through his sleeve and along his arm. Blood poured out soaking his torn sleeve. “Let’s try that again.”
CHAPTER 26
A strange feeling that he needed to see his wife poked at Cavell. Instinct was a warrior’s best friend, so he had learned not to ignore it and was glad he hadn’t when he couldn’t find her.
“Melvin!” he shouted, spotting him talking with May.
He and May hurried to Cavell.
“Have either of you seen Elsie?” he asked, worry having made him irritable.
“Last time I saw her was with you,” Melvin said.
“The last I saw of her was in the keep tending to the wounded,” May said.
Both were before he left his wife to talk with the Gallowglass warriors. Where could she have gone?
“I cannot find her,” he said, his remark sending a rash of fear racing through him.
“She must be here somewhere,” May said, “perhaps she is with her da.”
Cavell shook his head. “Nay, I went to see for myself. She was not there and her da was sleeping.”
“Have you asked around the village?” May asked.
“Someone saw her walking toward the keep which was where she was going when I left her.”
“There was much chaos today with Melvin returning and the Lowlanders being attacked. She is probably busy helping someone,” May said and spotted Mab with Kara. She waved them over. “Have you seen Mistress Elsie, Mab?”
“I saw her a while ago by the stable with Wadely and Ann. The three were talking,” Mab said.
“Four,” Kara said. “There were four of them. A man was behind the stable.”
“Did he join the three?” Cavell asked, grateful the young lass had a penchant for counting, though he did not like hearing someone lurked behind the stables.
“I don’t know. My mum called out to me and I had to rush off.”
“Mab, you and Kara go and fetch a treat from the kitchen for being so helpful,” Cavell said, fighting to talk calmly when he wanted to roar with anger.
Kara squealed with delight and took Mab’s hand to tug at her to walk faster.
“Bloody hell,” Cavell said and spit out several more oaths. “I am a fool. The attack on the Lowlander troop was a diversion to keep us busy so they could snatch what they’ve been after.”
“One of the three sisters,” Melvin said and looked ready to hurry off. “I will get a search started.
“Have them search for Ann and Wadely as well,” Cavell ordered. “And ready the Gallowglass, they go with me.”
Elsie tore at the hem of her underdress to wrap the strip of cloth around Wadely’s arm.
“You will be naked by the time I get done with him if he doesn’t stop lying,” Harcus warned.
“Tell him what he wants to know,” Elsie urged Wadely.
Wadely acquiesced. “I know Eudora. I have stopped by her place frequently through the years and we established a close friendship.”
“Close enough that she confided in you?” Harcus asked, his patience waning.
Wadely hesitated.
Harcus brandished the dagger in his face. “I grow impatient.”
Regret that he betrayed his friend’s trust could be heard in Wadely’s voice. “Eudora told me that she ran from trouble she had gotten into in the Lowlands. She never said what it was, and she never made mention of birthing bairns.”
“Where is her home?” Harcus asked.
“Three days from here and secluded in the forest,” Wadely said.
“You will take my men there,” Harcus ordered. “This is where I leave the three of you. I need to visit my brother and keep him busy so that he doesn’t realize his wife is missing until you are far enough away that he cannot find you. And if my men find that you lie, Wadely, your death will not be quick and painless.”
“So, you spare none of us?” Elsie asked.
“If you are the right woman, your fate will be decided in the Lowlands, if not?” Harcus shrugged, then grinned. “You get to stay in the Highlands… under a mound of dirt. That is if my men take the time to bury you. Otherwise, the forest animals will feast well.”
Harcus left them to talk with his men.
Elsie fussed over Wadely’s wound so she could whisper to him. “You spoke the truth?”
“Partially,” Wadely murmured.
“What part might that be?” Ann whispered, her back to their captors.
“Eudora is dead.”
Elsie understood. “You delay giving my husband time to find us.”
“Aye,” Wadely agreed, “and he will find us. He is Gallowglass.”
Cavell turned numb. It was necessary when going into battle, not to feel anything, not to care whether you would meet death that day. Not caring gave you power. It allowed you to swing your weapon without thought, strike down the enemy with not an ounce of regret. He needed to remain numb hunting for his wife, for if he allowed himself to think about her and what she might be suffering, he would lose his mind and the ability to rescue her.