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)
The matter was settled for them when a man approached them.
“It’s been decided. We only need two of you,” the man said.
Elsie realized his intentions and as he raised his booted-covered foot to give Ann a shove into the stream, Elsie grabbed hold of her arm and went tumbling into the rushing water with her.
She heard another splash follow her in and worried the man went in after her, then she heard Wadely shout her name and knew he had jumped in of his own accord. This would gain them much time, though could cost all of them if not one or two of their lives.
Elsie was grateful to Leora for forcing her and Sky to learn how to swim and though the rushing water was in command, she managed to keep her head above water, not so Ann. The strength of the rushing water had ripped them apart as soon as it got hold of them. Ann now flapped her arms in a desperate attempt to keep from going under, but she was not successful. Her head dipped beneath the water again and again.
Elsie did her best to reach Ann and caught her before she went under for what Elsie feared would be the last time. The woman latched onto her, and Elsie struggled to keep them afloat. She had to get them to shore, the water was too cold to remain in too long.
Wadely bumped into them, and Ann lost her grip on Elsie and the raging water swept her up and away.
Elsie wanted to scream in frustration as she went after the woman. Ann disappeared around a bend and Wadely was already out of sight. She feared both were lost and the cold would get her soon if she did not get out of the water.
She came around the bend and was ever so relieved and grateful to see that Wadely had gotten hold of Ann and had almost reached the bank. She tried to reach them but couldn’t, the strong current rushing her away.
“Hide!” Wadely called out.
He may have cautioned her to hide, but he was also letting her know that he intended to do the same with Ann.
Elsie found herself further downstream than she hoped to go but it enabled her to get out of the stream more easily, the force of the water slowing. She lay exhausted on the bank of the stream listening for footfalls, fearful someone had chased after them, following their plight from along the bank and waiting to capture them once they got out.
Cold seeped through her, shivering down into her bones and she told herself to move, find a place to hide, but that took strength and she feared she had none left. A moment more, just a moment, and she would get up.
That was when her ear caught the sound of horses’ hooves pounding the earth.
Cavell waited for Melvin’s return. He and two other Gallowglass warriors scouted ahead to learn what awaited them. It seemed like Melvin was taking forever when he had only been gone a short time. His glance darted about, sensing something was wrong and fearing what his delay could mean for his wife yet knowing from endless battles he could do more harm to her than good if he were not patient and learned what awaited him and his warriors so that he could reposition his warriors and adjust his plan if necessary.
“I have your side, brother,” Harcus said, waiting beside him.
Melvin finally appeared. “Twenty men no more and something is wrong. I do not see Elsie or the other two and the men run frantically about yelling at each other.”
“We go in,” Cavell said and took off without waiting for Melvin, fearing what may have happened to his wife though thinking she may have escaped them. Whatever way it might be, he needed to find her.
He let out a tremendous roar that echoed through the woods as he descended on the camp, a signal for his fellow Gallowglass warriors to attack and they did, pouring in from all sides. Swords and axes clashed, the rogue mercenaries skilled warriors but by no means a match for the overpowering Gallowglass warriors. Even his brother fought bravely, taking down three men with ease. But he needed some left alive so he could find out what happened to his wife.
Cavell made sure to wound not kill those he fought when possible and the battle ended quickly though not fast enough for Cavell. He rushed the surviving warriors on their knees, some with wounds that still bled.
“I will ask this once and if I get no answer, I will cut out every tongue here,” Cavell threatened with an intensity that left no doubt he would do as he said. “Where is my wife and the other two people you abducted?”