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)
“You think the cleric would not have looked at your drawings to see if you delivered what was wanted? What would happen if he learned you failed to provide drawings of the watchtower and what could be seen from it? What then would happen to your brother?” Cree asked and watched Tate’s face pale with his every word.
“So how then do we rescue my brother?” Tate asked.
“Since I still do not trust you, I will not reveal my plan to you,” Cree said and stood, offering his hand to his wife to stand as well, and she took it.
Tate hurried off the bench opposite them. “You have a plan? This is good you finally have a plan.”
Dawn smiled as she gestured.
“My wife knows me well. She says that I have always had a plan.”
Tate stared at him silent for a few moments. “You have?”
Cree shook his head. “How ever did you survive your journey here to the Highlands when you pay little attention to what matters?”
“I relied on the two men who brought me here.”
“And you have relied on your brother’s help as well?” Cree asked and he took hold of Dawn’s hand and walked to the door.
“Aye. As I have said, William has been good to me,” Tate said.
“What happens if William does not survive, and I order you to leave here with no one to guide you home?” Cree asked.
Tate paled once again. “But you have a plan and you said you would let nothing happen to William.”
“And yet it could. What then?” Cree asked.
Tate’s hand covered his mouth as he shook his head slowly and his eyes widened in worry. He hurried to follow Cree and Dawn outside and stopped abruptly when he saw they had waited just outside the door for him.
“A man must learn to survive on his own. Learn that before it is too late,” Cree advised. “William does what he must to survive for now. You need to do the same.”
“I am trying, my lord.”
“Try harder,” Cree said and headed down the stairs with his wife.
Sloan hurried toward them, shaking his head. “You are not going to believe this.”
“Tell me and be done with it,” Cree said, joining Sloan in shaking his own head.
“Another cleric has arrived seeking shelter for the day.”
“So, my wife did spot the robe of a monk yesterday,” Cree said, knowing his wife would want to hear it confirmed.
“Was the robe light or dark brown, my lady?” Sloan asked.
Dawn quickly pointed to the sun that was fast disappearing behind a gray cloud and shook her head.
“Dark?” Sloan asked to be sure.
Dawn nodded.
“This monk’s robe is light,” Sloan said.
Dawn gestured, asking if Henry had found any tracks in the woods since she was yet to hear anything about that.
“Henry found nothing, my lady,” Sloan said.
Cree saw the disappointment on his wife’s face. “Perhaps it was not a monk’s cloth you saw, Dawn.”
She shrugged, both men understanding she asked if not a monk’s robe, then what did she see?
“That is something we need to think on, for I have no doubt you saw something,” Cree said and though his wife nodded at his acknowledgment, he could see the news had upset her.
A quick gesture from her returned their attention to the monk.
“Aye, we need to find out if this monk is truly a monk or if he is here for the drawings as well,” Cree said. “See the monk is kept occupied with food and drink while I speak with Tate. This time he can help us determine why the monk is here.”
“You want me to find out if this monk was also sent to me?” Tate asked. “But what of the one in your dungeon?”
“Who is to say another was not sent—by someone else,” Cree suggested.
“This grows more confusing by the day,” Tate said and began to pace in front of Cree, where he stood in front of the dais.
“Aye, that it has, and it is why your help is needed, the sooner the better,” Cree urged.
Tate stopped pacing and kept his voice low. “Your plan. You do not want this to interfere with your plan.”
“You are paying better attention.”
Tate beamed at Cree’s praise. “I can do this, my lord. I will approach the monk—”
“Nay. You will go find a tree to sit under where you can be clearly seen drawing and wait for the monk to approach you,” Cree ordered. “Someone will be nearby to hear what is said.”
“What if the monk grows suspicious?”
“Worry not, the monk will pay no heed to those around,” Cree assured him.
“I will gather my drawing items and go do as you say,” Tate said with a nod and hurried out of the Great Hall.
Cree turned to Sloan. “All is set?”
“Aye, they wait to see where Tate sits and will listen closely,” Sloan confirmed.
“And the other?”