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)
Sky recalled that Slayer introduced her as a guest at Clan Ravinsher. Was Warrand’s forthcoming marriage to her never made known?
It was a question she hoped Ruth might know the answer to, although she did not ask it directly. “I thought I recalled hearing something about a marriage being arranged for Warrand.”
“Aye, it was time for Warrand to wed but Lord Bannaty had yet to decide on a union that would benefit the clan.”
So, the clan was never told of Warrand’s forthcoming nuptials, but why? Why would Lord Bannaty hide it?
“Lord Bannaty always did what was best for the clan and Lord Slayer is doing the same. The clan will always come first to him and that is the way it should be,” Ruth said. “I should be going. I promised Wade oat cakes today. You must visit me soon. We can share a hot brew.”
Never had Sky been invited for a hot brew with anyone and her face lit with a smile at the invitation. “I would love to.”
Ruth stood and Sky stood with her.
“Midmorning is a good time for a visit on any given day,” Ruth said.
“I will see you soon,” Sky said, looking forward to it.
Ruth stopped after taking only a few steps and turned around. “I just remembered something about that encounter with the woman who shares your eye color. She carried a pup with her in a pouch, much like you carry the kitten at times.” She shook her head. “It was probably a young lass’ imagination, but I could have sworn it was a wolf cub she carried.”
Sky remained where she was, lost in thought. Was there any significance to the wolf cub and her repetitive dream about the wolf she had when she was young? Could it possibly have something to do with where she came from and who she truly was?
“Oona, you should not be bothering the lady,” Glynis scolded her daughter.
“She is my friend. Angel is too,” Oona said, hugging the kitten.
The young lass’ words touched Sky’s heart, and she smiled. “Oona is no bother, and she is right. Angel and I are her friends.”
Glynis glanced around, seeing that the garden workers had ceased working and were staring at her.
“I understand,” Sky said, drawing Glynis’s attention. “It is difficult to be dismissed by your clan because you do not think as they do.”
“Mummy, look.” Oona pointed to Sky’s braid. “The flower. I picked it for her. She put it in her hair.” The lass giggled. “It looks pretty.”
Glynis smiled. “It does look pretty, Oona, and that was very kind of you to do.”
Oona abandoned the kitten to scurry over to Sky and attach herself to her leg with a hug. “I like her. She is nice. Be her friend too, Mummy.”
“Aye, Oona, Sky is nice,” Glynis said and looked at Sky. “And I would like to be her friend.”
“I would like that as well,” Sky said.
“We will chat the next time Oona plays with the kitten,” Glynis offered.
“I look forward to it,” Sky said, amazed that she had made three friends in such a brief time. It filled her heart with joy and gave her hope for the future here at Clan Ravinsher.
Sky thought of seeking out her husband after Oona and her mum left, but she needed time to think, clear her head, make some sense of things before she spoke with him. Working in the garden would help with that and while Angel settled herself under the bench to sleep, she went to work in the garden.
She was pulling weeds, thinking on the plants, allowing nothing else to interfere with this moment of peace and clarity when a shadow fell over where she knelt. She turned her head, tilting it up to see who it was and was surprised to see one of the lasses who helped tend the kitchen garden.
“Wild pottage for your garden,” the young woman said, stretching her hand out, offering Sky the plant.
Sky took the plant from her. “Thank you for sharing it with me.”
“It grows abundant in the woods,” the lass said, “but we grow it in the garden, so the cooks have plenty to add to the stews. It was a favorite of Lord Bannaty’s. I can show you where it grows one day if you’d like.”
“That would be most kind of you,” Sky said, not actually accepting or refusing her offer since she knew Slayer would never allow her to go into the woods just yet.
The lass smiled, nodded, and hurried to return to her task, the other workers quick to gather round her.
Sky wondered over the sudden interest in her. Had Ruth and Glynis speaking with her turned people curious enough to talk with her and judge her for themselves? Or had she been here long enough for them to see that she posed no threat to them? Whatever the reason might be, she chose to remain hopeful.