Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 36428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
Dawn smiled and patted her chest then his.
“You will take no foolish chances in defending me,” he ordered, but loved that his wife would do so as she had done in the past, which meant she would do it again. “No unnecessary chances, Dawn.”
She nodded to put him at ease, but, like him, there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do to protect him and keep him safe.
A kiss sealed their commitment to each other, and they went to the Great Hall.
As soon as Cree spotted Olwen, he called out to her. “Could you summon the healer for my wife, Olwen, she would like to speak with her.”
“Aye, my lord,” Olwen said with a bob of her head and hurried off.
“Perfect, now I can get to Tiernan’s solar without Olwen alerting him to my arrival.”
Dawn shooed him off to hurry before Olwen returned and as he rushed out, she sat at a table by the hearth to wait for Lynall.
Cree gave a quick rap on the closed door before opening it, startling Lord Tiernan and the man inside. “I wanted a word with you but being you are already occupied, I will wait outside your door until you are done.” He was letting Tiernan know he would not be ignored.
“That is not necessary, Lord Cree. We are finished,” Tiernan said and turned to the man. “Do as I’ve ordered, and we will speak later.”
The older man gave a respectful nod as he passed by Cree. If the clan truly were a pack of werewolves, they were polite ones. Though he had seen politeness used as a ruse to trap people. Somehow, he did not get that sense from Clan MacMadadh.
“How can I help you, Lord Cree?”
“It is I who wanted to offer my help, Lord Tiernan. You have been more than generous and kind to me and my wife, and seeing how thick the fog is I can only imagine how difficult it must be to keep your clan safe from predators. So, I am at your service if you require any help in defending your clan.” A slight smile touched his lips. “Or to help find that little devil of a lad, Tade, since he went missing again—”
“He’s missing?” Lord Tiernan asked, stepping forward, ready to go search for him.
Cree raised his hand. “Only briefly, he is safe.”
“That lad tries my patience. He is brave but foolish as only the young can be.”
“True enough but do keep in mind that I will raise my sword for you, if necessary,” Cree said, wanting Tiernan to understand he could rely on him to help.
“I appreciate that, Lord Cree, and I am honored that you would offer and know that Clan MacMadadh is a loyal clan to those who are loyal to us.”
“That is good to know. Now tell me, is this heavy fog a challenge that some might think of as an advantage?”
“Only for those familiar with it,” Lord Tiernan said and pointed to the table for Cree to sit.
Cree did, and Tiernan joined him, filling two tankards with ale and handing one to Cree.
“I saw how familiar with the fog Sim was, walking me to the stable without any difficulty,” Cree said, so Tiernan would know that he noticed and had an inkling of what might be going on at Clan MacMadadh.
“A necessity we have all come to learn,” Lord Tiernan said with a slight nod.
“And do you have foe who are familiar with the fog?”
“One or possibly two and although they are a distance from here, the fog would provide a useful cover for them if they thought to attack us.”
“Do you know if either have recent thoughts to do so?” Cree asked.
“As you know, land is power and wealth in the Highlands. I recently acquired more land from a neighboring clan in exchange for supplying them with food during the winter. Clan MacMadadh possesses exceptional hunting skills, we never lack food, whereas the other clan is sparse of hunters. I hope to acquire more land through such negotiations and there are those opposed to my expanding my holdings.”
“You dislike battle.”
“I abhor battle and the senseless killing that goes with it. I prefer to live in peace when possible. Unfortunately, it is not always possible.”
“I understand and feel the same after years of fighting other peoples’ battles. I prefer to live out my days peacefully with my family, my clan, and while that might not always be possible, I will strive to make it so.”
Cree wanted to make sure that Tiernan understood that he had no desire for bloodshed but would shed it if it meant leaving here safely with his wife.
“I understand, Lord Cree. We do whatever we can to protect family and clan, and once again I appreciate your offer of help and will do all I can to make sure you and Lady Dawn leave here safely.”