Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Surprise registered on Brack’s face. “They intend to stop Autumn from ever reaching Torrance?”
“Aye, and they don’t mind dying to see it done.”
“It makes no sense,” Brack said shaking his head. “Why now the sudden interest in Autumn?”
Knox wasn’t sure how much he wanted to share with Brack. Before he said any more, he needed to find out what Torrance intended to do with Autumn, but not from Brack.
“A good reason for me to continue the mission and find Autumn before anyone else does,” he said, which made him wonder what his wife was up to.
CHAPTER 27
Dru dismissed the servants, letting them know she didn’t need them. She then found her way to the kitchen, sweet talked the cook into giving her some bread and cheese to take with her while she walked through the village.
In no time, she was strolling cautiously through the village, the cool autumn air crisp against her skin. Her curiosity drew her deeper among the cottages, where she spotted a familiar face—Mara, a woman she’d spoken with briefly during a previous passing.
Mara looked up from her task, her brow wrinkling. “Dru, is that you?”
Dru smiled warmly, joining her. “It is.”
She returned the smile. “I almost didn’t recognize you all cleaned up.”
“Aye,” she said, offering no reason. “How fares the clan these days? It seems… changed.”
“Aye, changed indeed,” Mara replied softly, glancing around to ensure no one overheard. “Lord Torrance, he’s different now. Still quick-tempered and harsh when angered, but he’s seen to the repairs of our homes and stocked our supplies for winter. It has everyone whispering.”
Dru leaned closer, intrigued. “Whispering about what?”
Mara’s eyes darted nervously before answering quietly, “Some wonder if he plans to winter here, and why he hasn’t returned home to his wife, Esme. His actions puzzle us all.”
Dru considered this carefully, but her thoughts were abruptly interrupted by shouting. She turned quickly as did Mara, her eyes going wide with fright at the sight of a young lad, barely five years, in the grip of a large, rough-handed warrior who shook him violently.
“Penn!” Mara cried, running toward him.
Dru followed, realizing the lad was Mara’s son.
“Please, Elden, he didn’t mean anything,” Mara pleaded.
“He’s annoying, always asking questions, always getting in the way,” Elden said, giving him another good shake.
The lad paled, and his small arms stretched out in desperation to his mother.
“I’ll keep him out of your way. Please just let him go. He’s just curious, that’s all,” Mara begged.
“A good beating will knock the curiosity out of him,” Elden said with a sneer and raised his large hand.
“Only a coward would pick on a small child who doesn’t have the strength to fight back,” Dru called out for all to hear.
Gasps were heard and people stopped their chores to stare.
Elden tossed the lad aside and Mara rushed to grab him and hurry him away, though not far enough that she couldn’t see what might happen to Dru.
“You’re the one who needs a beating for calling me a coward,” Elden threatened.
Dru laughed. “You’d have to catch me first and you’re too big and fat to be able to do that. And you’re ugly too.” She wrinkled her nose. “And good, Lord, do you stink. Did you shite yourself?” He didn’t really stink, not much, but at least it kept him distracted from the lad.
Laughter was heard.
Elden’s face blossomed bright red, his chest heaved, and he snorted like an angry bull about to charge. “I’m going to beat you senseless.”
“What are you waiting for?” she challenged, dancing backward as she waved him on.
Elden snorted again as he charged at her, but she was prepared. She swung her cloak off and threw it over his head as he got near.
He fumbled as he tried to pull it off but only made it worse and lost his balance, falling to the ground and bouncing when he hit it.
Cheers erupted and Elden pulled the cloak off his face just as Dru took a bow.
“I’m going to kill you,” Elden said through gritted teeth.
The crowd went silent, and no one dared move.
Elden scrambled to his feet and pulled a dagger from his boot, but again Dru was prepared.
She had spied a bubbling cauldron not far from her and she ran towards it.
Elden sneered and went after her. “You can’t get away from me.”
When Dru reached the cauldron, she grabbed one of the wood bowls nearby and dunked it in the cauldron to scoop up whatever bubbled. She turned just as Eldon reached her and threw it at his hand.
He screamed, dropping the dagger.
Dru backed away from him. “You should be grateful I didn’t throw it in your face and leave you uglier than you already are.”
Laughter was heard again.
Elden grew even more furious when he saw that his fellow warriors were joining in the laughter.
“Why are you just standing there? Grab her!” Elden shouted.