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)
“Nay! I say you are an idiot,” Old Mary said. “The children are not unruly; they are at play. That is what Lady Dawn said to you since you are too much of an idiot to understand it.”
This was one time Dawn was glad no one could hear her laugh.
“I am not an idiot, old woman,” Tate snapped.
“Old Mary,” she corrected. “And show some respect to an elder unless, of course, you are lacking in manners as well as being an idiot.”
Dawn had to turn her head away, fearful her eyes would betray her laughter.
“I will have you know that I have impeccable manners, having had attended endless noble gatherings and I have even been in attendance of high nobility. I am far from a commoner,” Tate said, letting her know of his displeasure at being insulted.
“Idiot,” Old Mary said again and shooed at him. “Off with you while I talk with Lady Dawn.”
Tate looked about to burst with anger but restrained himself and with a respectful bob to Dawn, said, “I will speak with you later, Lady Dawn.”
Dawn acknowledged him with a nod, and he turned, shaking his head, and strode angrily away.
“There is something about that man that hides,” Old Mary said, watching Tate for a moment as he walked away, then turned to Dawn.
Dawn patted the spot beside her.
“As much I would love to join you, I would never manage to get up from there if I even could manage to lower myself down there to sit,” Old Mary said and chuckled, continuing to lean on her staff.
Dawn noticed she had been using her staff more often when she walked and that worried her. She could not bear losing Old Mary. Her heart would break. She loved the old woman dearly.
She gestured slowly, though like Lila, who understood her every gesture or expression, so did Old Mary, probably even more so.
“Do not worry about me. I am good and though my old bones continue to pain me; it is not yet my time to leave this earth.”
Dawn was relieved to hear that and with a tilt of her head shrugged.
“Why have I come to see you? Do I need a reason?”
Dawn quickly shook her head, then scrunched an angry face and shrugged once again.
“Why am I cantankerous? I wish I knew. I can feel a hollowness, or better yet a soullessness, but I do not know where it comes from or why I even feel it. But it disturbs me.”
Dawn gestured, suggesting that perhaps something had changed with the successful outcome Old Mary had sensed for the abduction when Lila and she had spoken with her about it. It had made Dawn wonder if her husband had been successful in his talk with securing the release of William and the others.
“It is possible, but I believe there is more to it than only that.”
Dawn gestured again.
“Aye, eventually things show themselves more clearly. The problem is that I fear evil may somehow be involved with this soullessness I sense or caused it. So, I tell, you, Dawn, keep alert and keep watch.”
CHAPTER 5
Cree arrived home after supper, later than planned, having spent time talking with Dylan and making a series of plans that would cover several unexpected situations. He hurried up the stairs to the keep, eager to see his wife. He stopped abruptly not soon after he entered the Great Hall, a scowl rising on his handsome face. Then he strode forward with purposeful strides toward the table where his wife sat with Tate, her face bright with a smile and laughter at whatever tale the man was spinning.
“DAWN!” Cree yelled.
Tate jumped in fright, not so Dawn. She turned a generous smile on him, letting him know how happy she was to see him.
Cree stopped in front of the table, focusing a scathing look on Tate. The man stared at him frozen in fright.
“MOVE!” Cree shouted.
Tate almost fell off the bench as he scurried to get off it. Finally finding his voice, though he croaked as he spoke. “I should take my leave.”
Dawn went to gesture and Cree shot her a warning look. She laid her hands on the table and sent him a look that meant they would talk about this later.
Tate backed away from the table as he said, “I hope to speak with you tomorrow, Lady Dawn.”
“My wife is busy. I will let you know when she can speak with you next,” Cree ordered and walked around the table, Tate hurrying away and out of the keep.
Dawn’s brow puckered as she gestured.
“Aye, I was rude,” Cree agreed and filled a tankard with ale. “You appeared to find the fellow entertaining.”
Dawn nodded and gestured again.
“He made you realize how much you miss drawing,” Cree said to confirm what he clearly understood but annoyed him to discover.