Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 30228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 151(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 151(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
“I see your point,” her da said, “but under no circumstance are you to join the fray. Do I make myself clear?”
“Aye, Da,” she said with a nod.
Her da stood and went to her. “There is one thing that I will have your word on, Raven.”
Fear clenched Raven’s stomach when she saw her da’s eyes grow moist.
“If for some reason you are separated from me and your brothers, you will survive until we reach you. No matter what, you are to survive. On that, I’ll have your word.”
She’d never heard her da sound so adamant and it sent gooseflesh running over her, though she did as her da asked. “You have my word, Da.”
He hugged her tight, tighter than he’d ever hugged her, almost as if somehow his hug could keep her safe. What frightened her even more was that she worried it would be the last time he ever hugged her, and she clung to him afraid to let go.
“There is nothing to worry about. Today we wed,” Royden said, reaching out to take Oria in his arms and stop her pacing in front of one of the many trestle tables in the Great Hall. “The troop sent to escort the cleric should be here within the hour and shortly after that we’ll be wed.”
“There’s still time to run, Oria,” Arran said with a laugh as he approached the couple.
“Never,” Oria said, smiling.
“A fearless woman, if only I could find one,” Arran said with another laugh.
“You’re off to see how the sentinels do?” Royden asked as if his brother needed reminding.
Arran turned serious. “All looked good only a short time ago. I don’t think there’s anything to worry about today. You’ll be husband and wife soon enough. And I expect to be made an uncle not long after.”
Oria’s cheeks blushed.
Not so Royden, he grinned. “We’ll get right to work on that.”
Oria’s slight blush flamed, turning her cheeks bright red.
“You better hurry,” Raven said, rushing past them to the doors. “With as much as Arran pokes Flora he might make you an uncle first.”
“Raven!” Royden and Arran shouted as their sister scurried past, avoiding Arran’s arm that shot out to grab her.
This time it was Oria’s turn to grin and Royden and Arran’s to be embarrassed.
Raven hurried outside to wait for Purity. They wouldn't have much time to spend in the woods alone before the ceremony if she didn’t arrive soon. She watched and waited eagerly for Purity’s arrival and seeing people drop their heads back to cast their eyes to the skies, she did the same.
A sharp catch in her chest had her hand pressing at the spot when she caught sight of the dark clouds that shadowed the morning and had snuffed the warmth from the air, leaving it chilled. In her excitement to talk with Purity, she hadn’t taken notice. She made a point of doing so now. She slowly turned her glance away from the sky to glance around. Excitement stirred for this special day. Smiles were abundant and laughter heard, yet there also seemed to be an unease. Smiles faded and whispers were shared in a few who gathered. And eyes were endlessly drawn upward to the dark sky. She wondered if they thought as she did. Was the darkening sky a portent of things to come?
She shook away the ominous thought when she caught sight of Purity. She rode with her brother on his horse, their father riding beside them and a troop of a dozen warriors with them. Oria’s father, Chieftain William of the Clan MacGlennen, along with six of his warriors followed behind.
Bayne and his father paid Purity no mind when they dismounted. They were too intent on speaking with the other arriving chieftains.
“We don’t have a lot of time. Let’s get King and head into the woods,” Raven suggested as soon as Purity reached her.
Purity hugged King as she and Raven made their way out of the barn.
Surprised by the group of chieftains that stood talking, Raven came to an abrupt halt as did Purity. Raven couldn’t hide the unease of seeing so many clan chieftains gathered together milling about in talk, not a single smile on their faces. Another ominous sign indeed.
Raven made sure they kept their distance from the group, circling around them to reach the edge of the woods.
When at the edge of the woods, Raven stopped and looked back. This may be a celebration, but it also was going to be a meeting of the chieftains from the surrounding area. Battle plans were about to be made today.
She would have loved to hear what they were saying, but she had only so much time with Purity before she was sent away and at the moment that was more important.
They sat on the ground in their favorite meeting spot and King crawled all over Purity, purring endlessly and rubbing his head against her.