Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 42873 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42873 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Cree summoned Dylan, a warrior who had proven himself time and again, and waited now for his orders.
“Henry will detail where the warriors wait along the way. You will take twenty men and remain where they cannot see you. If you hear my signal, you will take those men out before reaching the camp I go to,” Cree ordered.
“Aye, my lord,” Dylan said and dismounted to walk off and speak with Henry.
“You ride with me, Gerald,” Cree ordered.
“With honor, my lord,” Gerald said, raising his head with pride.
Cree kept an even pace, knowing someone would make themselves known once they got close to the campsite, and someone did.
A large man draped in a tattered plaid and worn shirt suddenly appeared in front of them. “You will follow me and if anyone pulls a weapon, you will all die.”
The warning did not worry Cree. His men had been trained well and would do nothing unless he signaled them to.
When they reached the campsite, Cree’s warriors were stopped on the outskirts, and Cree and Gerald were led into the camp.
Cree’s eyes shifted quickly around the camp taking in all that he could, seeing where the camp might be the most vulnerable and where men could be stopped from reaching the other campsite, not that it would matter much. Cavell used the tactics he had learned from Cree and no doubt a man waited undetected if Cavell was unable to alert the other campsite that help was needed.
“You learned well,” Cree said to the man near the center of the camp, his back to him.
Cavell turned. “I did, which is why I suspect you have more men with you than seen here.”
Cree kept a stoic expression, though he was stunned by the change in the man. Gerald had mentioned Cavell’s face was scarred but never had he imagined such numerous scars, many still healing, that made him almost unrecognizable. Even the overly confident glint that had so well-defined him was gone replaced by a cold emptiness that warned he was a man who had lost his soul.
“What do you want, Cavell?” Cree asked, sensing this was not going to go easy.
“Coin and land to call my own,” Cavell said. “I heard how well you have done, and I want my share.”
“You would have gotten it if you had stayed with my crew,” Cree reminded him.
“Regardless, I still want my share,” Cavell said with an icy stare that would shiver most men.
Cree, however, was not most men.
Cree turned a glare on him that had some of Cavell’s men taking several cautious steps away from him. “Or what?” he demanded, though knew the consequences since Cavell had learned them from him.
Cavell grinned. “You ask what you already know.”
Cree almost cringed at the way the smile distorted Cavell’s scarred face. It made him appear more monster than man.
“I want to hear it from you,” Cree said.
Cavell shrugged as if it made no difference to him. “I will see your warriors and William suffer one by one and quite enjoy it. Though, I am a more patient man than you, so I will give you three days to bring the coin and assign a portion of your land to me.”
“That is generous,” Cree said.
“You once were generous with me, I show the same now to you,” Cavell said. “Your men will be treated well until you give me reason to do otherwise.”
“I will speak with them,” Cree said, leaving no doubt he would have it any other way.
“I expected as much, but do not linger. I want you gone from here soon enough,” Cavell said and waved a pointed finger in a direction to Cree’s right.
His warriors were on their feet when Cree reached them, Reed standing in the lead.
“Gerald, no doubt, detailed the attack,” Reed said as soon as Cree reached him.
“He did,” Cree said, keeping his voice for their ears only. “Tell me what you have observed so far.”
“From what I have witnessed, I believe he does not mean us harm, my lord. He could have taken our lives during the attack and he didn’t. He also does not treat us poorly. He sees us feed, though it is obvious some here do not agree that he does so. It makes me think there are opposing thoughts to what goes on here.”
“You have done well, Reed,” Cree praised. “Continue to keep a keen eye. I will see you freed in time but for now, you must remain patient. Though know I do not leave you on your own.”
“I understand, my lord,” Reed said. “Worry not about us. We will do well and be ready when you are.”
“I will count on that, Reed.”
“We will not disappoint, my lord,” Reed assured.
“Of that I have no doubt,” Cree said. “I go now to speak with William.”
“He is frightened, my lord. I have ordered the men to protect him.”