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)
He studied the map hoping it would give him a clue to her hasty departure when he noticed the metal rings in the one cell. It did not take him long to rush out of the room.
She would hear of her foolishness from him. Whatever had possessed her to go to the dungeon alone? He rushed into the great hall at the same time Thomas entered from the front doors with Brigid close behind, followed by Horace, who was barking and growling uncontrollably.
Magnus had never seen the dog so upset and so ready to attack.
“He started a few minutes ago and I cannot calm him down,” Brigid said. “It is so unlike him.”
Horace jumped up and down in front of Magnus, turned to run, and then jumped up in front of him again.
“He tries to tell you something,” Thomas said.
“Brigid, do you know where Reena is?” Magnus asked, though only to confirm his own thought.
“Aye, she foolishly went to the dungeons insisting she had discovered something of great importance. I told her I would inform you and Thomas as to her whereabouts as soon as you both returned.”
“Trouble,” Thomas said.
Magnus nodded. “Kilkern is in the keep.”
“What?” both Thomas and Brigid asked in unison.
Magnus detailed his opinion on the situation and Brigid grew upset.
“He will hurt her,” she said, close to tears.
“He will not have the chance.” Magnus turned to Thomas and nodded for the man to step away from Brigid so that they could talk in private. He instructed Thomas as to what was to be done, then he turned back to Brigid. “I need you to do something. Do you feel strong enough to help Reena?”
Brigid swallowed back her fear. “I often wished I had had a second chance to have helped my husband when Kilkern attacked him. I do not wish to regret not helping Reena. I will do whatever you wish of me.”
“This is what I need of you. It involves Horace,” Magnus explained, then, making certain all was understood, he hurried to the dungeon, Brigid keeping a firm hand on Horace.
Thomas took Brigid’s free hand. “I am sorry that you regret not helping your husband, but I am not sorry that you did not, for if you had helped him Kilkern would surely have killed you, and then I would have never known you. I love you, Brigid.”
“Oh, Thomas, I love you too,” she said and squeezed his hand.
He hugged her tight, then stepped away. “Now we must help Reena. Do as Magnus instructed—no more or less, understood?”
“I understand, and do not worry, Thomas. I know Magnus and you will save Reena. I will do nothing foolish. I will wait and release Horace at the signal.”
“Good, then I go save your friend and mine.”
Magnus heard the muted scream as soon as he reached the partially open door to the dungeon. It speared his stomach like a red-hot iron ready for branding; he took a quick flight down the steps, torch in hand and ready for battle. He knew it was necessary for him to remain as calm and in control of his anger as possible. Reena would only be in more danger if he allowed his anger to interfere, a difficult task knowing she suffered because of him.
His only weapon was the knife in the sheath at his side, but it mattered not, for he would kill Kilkern with his bare hands if necessary.
He rushed down past the empty prison cells and into the torture chamber, where he stopped abruptly, his eyes going immediately to Reena. Her wrists and ankles bled raw from the scraping of the metal against skin, and her slim body was drenched with the pain of being pulled in opposite directions.
“The Legend is here,” Reena said, smiling through her pain.
Kilkern did not care for her caustic warning, and with a simple pointing of his finger her chains tightened. She bit at her lip so she would not scream.
“Let her be, Peter, it is me you want,” Magnus demanded.
“Is this not what you did to my father?” Kilkern asked in anger.
“And what of your father’s actions against my mother?”
Kilkern shrugged. “She was a woman who did her duty and bore him a child. She served her purpose.”
“The purpose being Dunhurnal land,” Magnus said, remaining where he stood and glancing occasionally to Reena. When this was done he would see to tending her. He would wash away the blood, bandage her wounds, and ease her pain. He would do it himself; no one else would touch her. He alone would see to her care and make certain she healed and suffered no more, not ever again.
“I will not debate this issue with you, brother,” Kilkern said on a laugh. “Dunhurnal land will be mine, and you will pay for killing my father. You will pay with your life, and if you wish to save the life of the woman you love—”