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)
“I am as well, brother,” Tate said, and they both laughed.
“Tate still has to survive the trip home,” Cree reminded them with a slight teasing twinkle in his eyes, though the laughter died in both men as Cree’s words settled in.
“Do not worry. I will send a troop of warriors with Tate to make certain he survives,” Cree said.
Both men thanked him profusely before taking their leave and shortly after they did, Kirk entered, followed by Sloan and the men Cree had ordered brought there. About a dozen of his warriors trailed them in and fanned out behind the five men after Sloan lined them up in front of the dais where Cree and Dawn sat.
“I want the truth and I want it NOW!” Cree commanded.
CHAPTER 15
Cree’s hand shot up when they all went to talk at once. “Do not utter a word until I demand it of you!”
Faces pinched in annoyance, all except Cavell, he stood relaxed and confident and that had Cree’s thoughts swirling with various possibilities.
“Blaine!” Cree called out. “Who do you work for?”
Blaine pursed his lips tight as he stared defiantly at Cree.
“Have it your way,” Cree said with a shrug. “We will see if you feel that way after you spend some time in the torture chamber.”
Dawn kept her own lips closed tight wanting to laugh since no torture chamber existed. The dungeon was torture itself.
“Sloan, cut one of his fingers off to give him a taste of what awaits him,” Cree ordered.
Sloan pulled his knife from its sheath.
Dawn was relieved the man hurried to speak since she knew her husband would see it done if the man remained silent.
“King Alexander, my lord, and it would be wise of you not to cause me and my men harm since we are the king’s warriors and the king did order that your warriors not be harmed if possible, and I made sure they weren’t.”
Cree’s first thought was, of course, the King would order that no harm be done to the warriors. He would want them strong and ready to fight for him when necessary.
Cree’s hand shot up to silence Blaine when he went to say more, then he looked to the man he had punched. “Who do you work for?”
“I am Ulf and as Cavell said, I am part of the Gallowglass.”
“And who hired the Gallowglass to spy on me?” Cree demanded.
“This would better be discussed in private,” Ulf suggested, not hiding his annoyance.
“Not necessary,” Cree said. “I know who hired you… Håkon the King of Norway.”
Ulf’s eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared letting Cree know he was right.
“Which one of these monks belongs to you?” Cree asked, his eyes still on Ulf.
“That one,” Ulf said, anger tightening at the corners of his mouth as he pointed to the one in the dark brown robe.
Cree looked to Blaine and nodded at the other monk. “That makes this one yours.”
Blaine nodded reluctantly.
“Which of you is responsible for sending a man dressed in a monk’s robe to spy on me?” Cree demanded.
“That would be me,” Ulf admitted reluctantly.
Cree was pleased to prove his wife had seen what she had claimed to see, which no doubt gave her satisfaction.
He looked to Ulf. “Why did you ride on my home?”
“What choice did I have?” Ulf said with a shrug. “With our man captured, my only option was to deal with you directly.”
“Why not simply do that from the start? Why the deception?” Cree asked.
Ulf seemed to search for an answer.
Cree leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. “Your delay in responding tells me you search for a lie to tell.”
Ulf had no trouble responding quickly to that. “Nay! Nay!
“Then tell me why you were ordered to come here?” Cree asked.
Blaine hurried to speak up. “He came here to get the drawings, to see what fortifications you have and what protection the watchtower affords you.”
Cree swerved his head to glare at Blaine. “Which is why the King sent you?”
Blaine realized his mistake too late, muttering to himself as he shook his head.
Cree stood. “What you mean is how will the watchtower benefit either of the kings should it come down to battle. Though, what both kings want to know most is… whose side will I fight on if it comes to battle?”
Dawn was grateful she had kept her lips tightly closed or the gasp that rose in her would have slipped out. Silent as it would have been, it still would have displayed her shock and no doubt her fear. She had not given thought to that possibility, or perhaps she had not wanted to. A battle between two such powerful rulers would claim endless lives and she did not want her husband’s to be one of them.
“And whose side would that be?” Blaine asked, almost daring Cree to choose anyone other than King Alexander.