Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 101336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
“The usual chieftains and lords that visited with him, some seeking his counsel on matters, others requesting help. Lord Slayer spoke to every one of them when they arrived to pay their respects to him after his father was buried. Most left pale or shaken, others so frightened, you would think they had just spoken to the devil himself. It was obvious every one of them were far too frightened of Slayer to harm his father.”
A shout from the kitchen summoned Euniss.
“I must go tend to my duties unless there is something else you need from me.”
“Nay, you have been most generous in helping me and I am grateful.”
“Oh, I just remembered,” Euniss said, turning around after reaching the door. “After Lord Slayer spoke to me about our healer, Verina, and the possibility of her poisoning Lord Bannaty, I recalled a cleric that had arrived here just before Lord Bannaty had turned ill, then he vanished just before Lord Bannaty died. I recalled Verina speaking with him often.”
“Was the cleric known to Lord Bannaty?”
“Nay. He never entered through the gates. He always kept a pious stature, keeping his head bent, his hood pulled down, and his hands clasped in prayer. I must tell Lord Slayer right away. He will want to know and see if he can find the cleric.”
“You are busy. I can tell him, and he can seek you out to question you further,” Sky offered.
“That would be most helpful,” Euniss said and lowered her voice for only Sky to hear. “Thank you, Lady Sky.”
It was good that Sky’s back was turned to those working in the garden or they would have seen her surprised look. With her marriage to Slayer a secret, she had not fully grasped her position here and what it meant to be his wife, to be the lady of the castle. It quite intimidated her. However, she was learning, first from her time imprisoned in the abbey, then rescued by Slayer and their time at the cottage, and now here at the castle, that locking herself away would not serve her well. It was time she freed herself, especially after hearing about Lady Candra’s plight.
She recalled when Euniss showed her Lady Candra’s solar. There was a small hearth that kept the room comfortably warm, and a single chair and table where the woman would have sat. She remembered seeing a large basket piled with various pieces of embroidered cloth left unfinished. She imagined Slayer’s mum sitting there before the hearth, embroidering in peace and silence day after endless day, heartbroken, never having the courage to free herself.
“Never. Never will I be like her, Angel.” Sky smiled, thinking how her sisters would have freed her from such a horrible situation, but believing now that she not only had the strength but the courage to free herself. Oddly enough, she owed that discovery to a powerful Gallowglass warrior.
“Let’s go find Fane, Angel. We’ll check the pen first and bring the other hounds some bones,” she said, hoping Slayer had kept Fane with him.
She slipped Angel into the pouch, thinking she would not need to carry her around soon, though the kitten did seem to enjoy it, peeking her head out in interest as they walked through the village. Suspicious glances were cast her way, but she paid no mind to them while keeping a keen eye on her surroundings, continuing to hope she would see Fane with Slayer.
The hounds greeted her with eager barks, and she smiled seeing how happy they were to see her. Angel leaned further out of the pouch anxiously searching for Fane.
The wolfhound was nowhere to be seen and Sky was pleased. It meant Slayer had kept Fane with him.
The hounds’ tails wagged with such excitement that their whole backsides shook, letting her know they were thrilled to see her, and she need not fear them.
“It is good to see you all again,” she said and pulled out bones from the sack she carried to hand one to each of them. They eagerly snatched her offering out of her hand and went to lay down to enjoy their feast.
“Enjoy, my friends. I will see you tomorrow, and I will see what other treat I can find for you.”
The hounds’ heads went up at the mention of a treat and after she sent them a wave, they returned to enjoying their bones.
“I believe Fane is with Slayer, Angel, so let’s find them both,” she said, after turning away from the pen and Angel agreed with a strong, for her size, meow.
She kept her eyes peeled for Fane and Slayer as she wandered through the busy village. It wasn’t until she approached the gate that she caught sight of her husband. He was speaking with a warrior and Fane stood by his side until he caught sight of Sky.