Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 99206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
“Reena requires no cottage, she will reside in the keep.”
“It is Brigid I speak of. She let Old Margaret have the cottage she herself first admired and then walked away from another, thinking it better left for a larger family even though she favored it.”
Magnus pointed to a cottage close to the keep. “How about that one?”
It looked as though it was tucked partially in the woods. The thatching on the roof needed repair and it was overgrown with weeds and brush, but it was a good size, and Magnus knew Reena would be pleased to have her friend close by.
Thomas gave it a quick glance, then glanced from the keep to the cottage and back again several times. “Close,” he mumbled and hurried off.
He returned in haste with Brigid in tow.
“It is a good cottage for you, and close to the keep, where Reena will reside. Now have a look and claim it so that it will be done.” Thomas seemed adamant, so Brigid obliged him and looked over the cottage.
A chill wind had arrived with the pending storm clouds. Brigid wrapped her dark green wool shawl more tightly around her and hurried into the cottage, Thomas waiting at the end of the path that led to the door.
His thoughts centered on the work that was needed, and it was not long before the shutter to one of the two windows was thrown open, only to fall off the cottage wall and crash to the ground.
Brigid laughed, looking out the window. “Thomas, this is perfect.”
“Good, then it is yours. We will gather your belongings and move you in, and I will repair the roof—”
“Tomorrow,” Magnus finished. “Brigid can stay in the keep until the cottage is ready; there are more important things that must be done this day.”
Thomas nodded, understanding that protection of the village and keep was of the utmost importance; the rest would be seen to in time.
“Find Reena, Brigid, and both of you move your belongings into the keep for now,” Magnus said.
Brigid bit at her bottom lip, cast a glance to the ground, then turned around from the window. A brief second later she walked out of the cottage toward Thomas. She stood half behind him, as if seeking his protection.
Magnus realized her reluctance to answer and instantly understood. “Where is Reena?”
Brigid hesitated once again.
“Answer me now,” Magnus snapped.
Thomas looked to Brigid. “He protects what is his.”
Brigid’s worry eased a little, and she answered. “A portion of Dunhurnal land was mapped by her father, and she wanted to make certain no changes had occurred since it had been mapped.”
Magnus swore beneath his breath. “Do you know where exactly she went?”
“Nay, but she seemed to feel it was imperative that she see to this area immediately.”
Magnus wished he had Reena in front of him, for he would shake some sense into her. She must have thought it important to go off on her own when she knew Kilkern was not far off. Was she attempting to prove herself useful? “Has she been gone long?”
“Aye,” Brigid answered with a nod.
“Did she tell anyone else of her intentions?”
Brigid shook her head. “But she is not alone. Horace went with her.”
“That certainly relieves my concern,” Magnus said. “A pint-sized woman followed by a cowardly pup.”
He was about to direct Thomas to send a group of warriors out to search for her when one of his men approached them on a run.
Out of breath, he fast delivered the news. “Kilkern is in sight, and he has Reena with him.”
Magnus issued orders to Thomas to ready the men. He instructed Brigid to alert the villagers to the situation, especially Reena’s parents, and have them all gather in front of the keep.
Tension and worry soon filled the chilled air as the villagers hurried to obey their new lord, and the sky overhead darkened, causing many to whisper of ominous possibilities. They huddled together as thunder rolled in the distance, and Brigid, along with Reena’s parents, stood in front of the crowd, anxious to see that Reena was unharmed.
Warriors lined the battlements, their bows and arrows in hand and ready for battle. A circle of warriors protected the villagers and the keep, and more were dispersed in the woods, where they could not be seen but their arrows would soon be felt.
Magnus stood in front of the villagers. His garments were all black, except for the silver metal studs that crisscrossed over his leather tunic, and his long hair framed a face that, while handsome, looked devoid of emotion. He appeared ready to destroy anything that stood in his path—even the devil himself.
Peter Kilkern approached at a slow gait with several of his men following behind. Reena walked beside his horse with a trembling Horace in her arms. It was not until they were close enough that Magnus saw the bruise on the side of Reena’s mouth.