Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 104340 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104340 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
She could tell Flanna the truth but odd as it seemed, it would be better to let things remain as they were. Otherwise gossiping tongues would be wagging about how the mighty warrior Cree wouldn’t waste his seed on her. She would be ridiculed even more.
She cupped both hands and with palms down ran one over the other.
Flanna confirmed she understood with a nod. “It’s over.”
Dawn smiled.
Flanna shook her head sadly. “It’s only just begun.”
Dawn walked to her small cottage, keeping her head down and avoiding glancing at anyone. She heard the whispers, the chortling, though she was surprised when Old Mary grabbed her arm and stopped her.
“They should all be grateful to you. You saved them from his wrath.”
Dawn watched Old Mary hobble away and wasn’t sure if it was Colum or Cree’s wrath she meant.
She continued to her cottage and wasn’t surprised to see Lila waiting in her doorway. As soon as Drawn was a few feet from her, Lila spread her arms wide and Dawn hurried into them. Lila ushered Dawn inside and the two cried together.
When their tears were spent, Lila sat dawn down at the table and fixed a hot brew for them both and they talked.
“Did he hurt you?” Lila asked as if she would kill Cree if he had.
Dawn shook her head and motioned that she was fine.
“I wished your first time could have been different and with someone you loved.”
How did she make Lila understand that that was never meant to be? No matter how much she wished for it or her friend wished for it, it was not something she would ever have. And it was best she accepted it and continue to survive. And that meant not lingering on something that could not be changed.
Dawn motioned that she desperately needed to wash and Lila hurried to set a pot of water to heat. Within the hour she was freshly washed and wished she had a change of clothes since the scent of Cree was strong on her garments.
Lila had talked the whole time, though Dawn had expressed a gestured or two regarding the babe Lila carried. It wouldn’t be long now and she wanted to make certain her friend was feeling well. She, herself, may never have children, but Lila’s children would be like having her own and that pleased her.
Dawn walked Lila to her cottage two doors down. Lila was a spinner and a fine one at that. She worked daily on her spindle and distaff in her cottage producing the fine yarn that Colum traded with the aristocracy, leaving the villagers to wear threadbare garments. Lila had made sure to keep the scraps and from them had made several garments for her unborn babe.
They were just a couple of feet from Lila’s cottage when the village alarm bell tolled sending fear through the villagers. Men, women, and children began rushing about, the dire warning continuing to clang ominously.
Lila shouted, “Look.”
Everyone followed her pointing finger to see smoke rising in the cloudy sky and they all ran toward it.
The prison hut was on fire, the flames growing out of control.
Dawn stared in shock and disbelief. What had happened? Was Cree inside?
Lila huddled beside her and they watched as John, the guard shouted at the men who had formed a bucket brigade, Paul being one of them.
“Faster,” John screamed.
The men did their best to rush the pails down the line more rapidly, but it didn’t matter. Flames engulfed the small hut and in minutes it collapsed sending tendrils of fire and sparks spiraling into the air.
John ordered the women to join the men and Dawn pushed Lila away when she went to follow her. She pointed to a spot by one of the cottages where Lila could watch but not be seen and shoved her toward it. Lila didn’t argue she went.
They couldn’t let the fire spread. They had to extinguish ever last ember or chance losing other buildings. The whole village could go up in flames if they didn’t stomp out what remained of the fire. It took hours of hard work, but every last spark was finally snuffed out. Men and women let their buckets drop from blistered hands and aching limbs. Husbands and wives hugged each other in relief and children clung to their parents’ legs as the all headed to their individual cottages.
“Stay where you are,” John shouted.
Everyone froze and Dawn saw that Paul sent a warning look to Lila to stay put and not show herself.
“The prisoner has escaped. Your liege lord and his warriors have gone after him and will return victorious. Now get to your duties.”
Exhausted from their ordeal, their bodies too tired to move, they inched along to their perspective chores knowing that John would report those who refused to obey. And Colum would show no mercy upon his return, especially if Cree could not be found.