Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 99325 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99325 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
She walked to the door, leaving the sleeping Horace by the hearth.
Thomas turned to Brigid. “Will you tell me now why you shed tears?”
“Memories,” Brigid said on a whisper, and tears rushed once again to fill her eyes. She did not want to cry, least of all in front of Thomas, but the memories had lingered in her thoughts, and she suddenly ached to have her husband’s arms around her once again.
The tears ran down her cheeks, and she wiped them away, though they persistently continued to fall. “Please excuse my foolishness.”
“You are not foolish,” Thomas said softly.
“Aye, I am.” A sob rose in her throat, and she fought it back.
Thomas watched her struggle, and it hurt him to see her suffer. He waited and watched and did not know what to do. Finally he could not take any more, and without thought to his actions he scooped her out of her chair and into his beefy arms, where he held her tightly.
Brigid surrendered to her pain, burying her face in Thomas’s hard chest, and sobbed.
Reena dusted the biscuit crumbs from her hands before she entered the keep.
Magnus stood near the dais, speaking with two of his men. When he caught sight of her he dismissed them and walked to where she waited by the hearth.
“I want to continue our mapping today.”
“That is fine, but there is an area on the map I am working on that puzzles me, and I thought perhaps we could have a look at it today, especially before the snow falls again.”
“It is not far?”
“Nay,” she said with a shake of her head. She hurried over to grab the map she had tucked in the corner by the hearth before going to visit Brigid. She spread it open on the table. “This is the map I began last night, and that is the area in question.”
Magnus looked to where she pointed. “Why do you question it?”
“The hill dips and the trees are dense; unless I can see the terrain up close, I cannot map an accurate lay of the land. And I think this would also prove an advantage point to an approaching enemy.”
Magnus studied her work and had to agree. “You have done a fine job, and I can understand your concern.”
“Thank you, my father taught me well,” she said with pride. “When I was young he would take me with him on his mapping quests and teach me what to pay attention to. It is because of him I am a skillful mapmaker.”
“But have no doubt you possess your own unique ability. Now let us go investigate this area of land that intrigues you.”
Reena smiled and rolled up the map. “I was hoping you would agree. I much prefer to have a clear outline of a map before I begin another one.” She tucked the map away in the corner and waited as a black fur cloak was brought to Magnus.
He resembled a large beast of prey as he descended the keep steps, and those who caught sight of him hurried off, many blessing themselves as they went.
Old Margaret was not one who feared him, but then she had lived long and seen much. Many villagers wondered over her age, for though her face was worn with wrinkles, there was a youthfulness to her that was remarkable. Short and slim, she moved with a graceful slowness that was either forced by age or due to the fact that she was in no hurry. No one knew for sure, but all respected her.
She walked up to Magnus and Reena. “The woods are quiet today; you will learn much.” She lowered her voice. “And be careful, someone watches.”
“I appreciate your warning,” Magnus said. “Do you have all you need?”
“I have all that is necessary,” she said with a smile. “Need brings trouble. Go now, for the snow will fall soon enough and this time it will be heavy.”
Reena gave her a quick hug and promised to visit with her soon.
Four of Magnus’s men joined them as they reached the edge of the woods, two dispersing in opposite directions and the other two, James and Philip, remaining near Magnus and Reena.
The fresh dust of snow made the woods appear magical. Everything in sight sparkled with a white freshness that startled the eyes. With no clear path to follow, they made their own, Magnus’s men taking the lead and proceeding with caution.
Reena studied the area well and corrected James when he faltered in direction.
James looked to Magnus. “Reena knows the way, do as she directs,” Magnus responded.
Reena was pleased with his confidence in her, but then she knew well of what she spoke. They arrived at the designated spot within no time.
It was a section of land that ran like ripples of small hills and was sheltered by dense trees, a perfect place for launching an unsuspected attack, or shelter from prying eyes.