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)
“Meet my demands and this will be done. I will give you three more days to think on it,” Cavell said.
Cree grew more suspicious than he already was. “You bide time. Why? What causes this delay?”
“You are still distrustful as ever,” Cavell accused.
“Something I take it you tell me I should be.”
“You were always wise.”
“I thought you were as well,” Cree said.
“I thought I was too, I learned otherwise.”
“I need to know more.”
“Trust me, you don’t,” Cavell said.
“You said yourself I am distrustful,” Cree reminded.
“Stay that way,” Cavell urged.
Cree stepped away from him, shaking his head as if disagreeing with something that was said, and whispered, “We need to meet privately.”
“That will not be possible.”
“You do not command these men?” Cree asked, stepping toward Cavell.
“Not all of them.”
“If I meet your demands, will this be done?” Cree asked.
Cavell laughed heartily and it had several of the men smiling in belief that their leader held the upper hand.
“You have never met anyone’s demands,” Cavell said, laughter still crackling in his voice.
“If you knew that, why abduct my men?”
“A question you should think on,” Cavell said. “Now they will be happy I have gotten them more time, though the fools do not realize I have given you time as well. Use it wisely.”
Cree had dozens of more questions to ask him, but it would not be wise to prolong their talk and cast suspicion.
“I want one thing from you. A sign of faith that I can trust you,” Cree said.
“What is it?”
“I want you to free William.”
Cavell shook his head. “It is the one thing I cannot do.”
Cree went to argue, then realized that William was somehow the key to this abduction. “I will speak to him.”
“That I can allow.”
Cree held his tongue as did Cavell as they returned to where Blaine had remained waiting.
“Lord Cree will visit with his men and will give us what we ask for in three days’ time,” Cavell said.
Blaine nodded, a smile creeping up at the corners of his mouth.
“Take him to his men so he may talk with them a few moments,” Cavell ordered.
“Aye,” Blaine said and nodded for Cree to follow him.
Cree could not argue that his men were not being treated well. They all appeared fit, and none complained about hunger, but all were impatient to return home. It raised suspicions in Cree. Prisoners or hostages were rarely treated well. That his men were not being made to suffer told him that whoever was behind this was not looking to make an enemy of him.
Who would do that and why?
“You do well, William?” he asked, visiting with him last.
“Aye, my lord. I suffer little. The worst of it is missing home. I fear I will never want to venture away from Clan Carrick again. How is Lady Dawn? And the twins and Tynan, and Beast?”
“They are all well,” Cree assured him. “Has anyone of the abductors spoken with you?”
“Nay, my lord, and I prefer it that way. Some of those men look pure evil,” William said and shivered.
“Stay strong and I will have you home soon,” Cree said. “Your new cottage is waiting for you just as you designed it.”
“I cannot wait to see it, my lord, and to get started on the other projects we have for the village. I have designed much of it in my head, and I am eager to get it drawn.”
“That reminds me, William. A friend of yours arrived at the village and was upset to learn of your capture. He claims he is an artist and you told him about how talented Dawn is and how he had to meet her and see for himself.”
William’s brow drew tight. “His name, my lord?”
“Tate.”
William’s brow shot up. “Tate said he was a friend?”
“Aye, he did. Is he not your friend?” Cree asked, worried his wife could be in danger from the man.
William shook his head. “Nay, my lord. He is more than a friend… he is my brother.”
CHAPTER 9
“Where is he?” Cree shouted, not finding anyone that could tell him where Tate was or his wife upon his arrival home. He hadn’t located Sloan yet either which irritated him even more, but then he had come straight to the new keep.
Tynan quickly hugged his grandda’s leg, his small eyes wide with fright while Valan grabbed his wooden sword ready to fight.
Kirk scooped Tynan up, feeling his little body tremble against him, and was about to speak when Lizbeth stepped forward.
She shook her head. “A name, Da. We cannot help you without a name.”
At that moment he saw Dawn clearly in his daughter and knew if his wife had been born with a voice she would have been as bold as Lizbeth at that age, and it gave him hope that she would be much like her mum. Though Lizbeth was part of him as well which quickly dashed his hope that she would be reasonable.