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’s voice filled the Great Hall. “The one I pledged my support to!”
“Who is that?” Ulf asked, anxiously.
“It is the message you will take back to your kings and it will give them the answer they seek,” Cree commanded.
Blaine was quick to ask, “The drawings—”
“I will see you both get a few,” Cree said.
This time, it was a smile Dawn stifled since the drawings her husband would share with the men were ones Cree had ordered she and Tate to work on after it became known he was William’s brother. They were intended for this purpose since none of them depicted the areas correctly. They were drawn to mislead, and Tate was warned never to reveal elsewise. He had hastily agreed after Cree told him that he would spend the rest of his life in the dungeon if he ever failed to do so.
“They are for King Alexander’s eyes alone,” Blaine argued.
“Do you think that a wise decision with King Alexander presently in negotiations? In sharing this, would it not prove he wishes for an amicable settlement thus he hides nothing?” Cree asked. “And what is there to hide anyway? Nothing that would make a difference to either king.”
“Lord Cree is right,” Ulf said. “It would be good for the negotiations.”
Cree gave a quick glance at his wife. She looked exhausted, no doubt from fighting the pain, and she had slumped slightly to her side in the chair. She needed to rest.
“We are done here!” Cree declared, with a single pound of his fist on the table. “Sloan will provide you both with the drawings, then you will take your leave. My warriors will escort you off my land. I suggest you make haste to report your findings. I am certain both kings would prefer to be the first to receive the news.”
Cree sent Cavell a gesture that he was to stay, and he did, the others following Sloan out of the keep, Cree’s warriors trailing behind them.
“Kirk will share a brew with you, Cavell, while I see to my wife,” Cree said and turned, not giving him a chance to disagree, not that he thought he would. There were things Cavell needed to tell him and Cree intended to make sure he got the truth.
Cree was prepared for an argument from his wife and instead he was greeted with outstretched arms. Her response worried him. She had to be in great discomfort not to remain in the Great Hall when he confronted Cavell.
He eased her out of the chair, and she leaned heavily on him when they walked. When they reached the stairs and he saw the agonizing look on her face as she glanced up the curving flight, he did not hesitate. He lifted her as gently as he could and carried her without a word of protest from her to their bedchamber.
“You will remain in bed,” Cree ordered once he got all her garments off, but her shift.
Dawn nodded, aware she needed the rest.
“I will have Elsa brought to you.”
“I am already here, my lord,” Elsa said from the open doorway. “I thought it was time the bruise was bathed with the comfrey, and I will make a brew that will help ease the pain some.”
“Then I will leave my wife in your capable hands,” Cree said and leaned down to kiss his wife. “I will tell you all later.”
Dawn smiled as she slipped her hands around to the back of his head and pressed her brow to his after they kissed as if she did not want to let him go.
“I love you. Rest and we will talk later,” he whispered and kissed her once more before leaving her side. “Keep the pain from her as best you can,” he said, stopping next to Elsa. “I hate to see her in pain.”
“I will do all I can, my lord,” Elsa said.
Cree glanced at his wife, her eyes already closed, and relieved that she was finally resting, returned to the Great Hall. He joined Kirk and Cavell where they sat at a table near the hearth, a servant filling a tankard with ale for him after he sat.
“All has worked out well,” Cavell said, partially raising his tankard in a salute to victory. “You are as wise as you have always been. Now let’s talk about my payment of coins.”
“First, the truth,” Cree said. “As I said earlier, you would have never allowed your plan to be highjacked. It was your plan all along to be highjacked. Your plan also included me rescuing you and the punch I gave Ulf should have been for you since it was you who ordered him to ride with a show of force on my home.”
“I knew it would not be easy to fool you,” Cavell said with a laugh.
“Yet you continue to think you can,” Cree challenged. “I do believe what you told me about your da. He was always a selfish and greedy bastard, but that is where my belief ends and your lies begin. So, if you command Ulf and his crew, where did you get the motley crew you used to capture my men?”