Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 91636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“He takes too much time,” Fiona said, looking to John, the larger of the two guards.
“He told us to wait on his return. We wait.”
Fiona knew not to waste her time arguing with him. He would do what he was trained to do, follow his chieftain’s orders.
With each passing minute her concern grew, and when early morning turned to early afternoon it was obvious something was terribly wrong.
John appeared the one in charge, for if one warrior dare move from their position his look alone would stay the man.
“We cannot continue to remain here and do nothing,” Fiona demanded. “Something is wrong. Tarr would have returned by now.”
She was surprised when he agreed with her.
“Aye, you are right.” He looked to the man beside her. “Patrick, tell the men to prepare. We cross the stream.”
Fiona almost sighed with relief, though instead she sent him a firm nod, acknowledging his wise decision.
The men were ready and eager, the horses impatient, and John’s hand poised ready to give the order to cross when James, one of the warriors who had gone with Tarr, walked out of the woods and waved for them to cross.
John did not hesitate; he lowered his hand, signaling the men to cross. Fiona knew as he did that the warrior would have died before calling them into a trap. It was a matter of honor with a Scotsman.
James approached John, walking between his and Fiona’s horse. “Raynor’s men have taken Tarr.” He then turned and looked to Fiona. “The message is that you are to come alone to Raynor’s keep if you want to see Tarr and your sister.”
“Fiona goes nowhere,” John said firmly.
Fiona sent the man a scathing look. “That is not for you to decide.”
“My orders were to protect you. I cannot do that if you ride into our enemy’s hands. Raynor sets a trap, and I will not be fool enough to send you into it.”
“If Raynor wanted Tarr dead he would be. It is obvious he wants something from us and I want something from him—Tarr and my sister alive and well.”
John mumbled beneath his breath, Fiona hearing an oath or two while he scratched his bushy mustache.
“What you are telling me is that we have little choice.”
“Now you understand.”
“What I do not understand,” John argued, “is how do I protect you.”
“You don’t; I protect myself.” Fiona slipped off her horse. “I will need more weapons and a means to strap them to me. Raynor will expect me to be armed, and I do not want him to find all my concealed weapons.”
John ordered the men to dismount, then he and James helped ready her.
“How much time do I give you before I strike?” John asked, strapping a knife to the under part of her forearm while James worked at her ankle.
“No more than an hour. That should be enough time to convince Raynor to free the prisoners.”
John and James stopped what they were doing and glared at her.
Fiona glared back. “Raynor kidnapped my sister and then he had the gall to take Tarr. Do you think I go to reason with the fool?”
“You said ‘convince,’ ” James replied.
Fiona drew the knife from the sheath attached to her arm. “A sharp blade convinces nicely.”
John shook his head. “I would doubt your ability if I had not seen your skills.”
Fiona returned the blade to the sheath. “Good, then you will have no cause to worry. Now, get the men mounted, we ride to Raynor’s keep.”
“We will remain a strong force for Raynor’s men to see,” John promised as they rode.
“Send one of the men to Kirk to advise him we may need more men, but he is to do nothing until word is received.”
John followed her orders without thought of objecting, and she was pleased that he trusted her decisions and respected her command.
It was a couple of hours before they reached the keep and Fiona knew it would not be difficult to take it even with the few men they had. The keep was not fortified with a surrounding wall and was constructed of more wood than stone, though it appeared that construction was about to begin on something. Stone and felled trees were stacked in piles around the keep.
“Take note of the men positioned in the trees and how the men as well as the women are armed,” Fiona said at their approach.
John nodded. “A broom or rake can serve well as a weapon.”
“They are ready to defend their home if necessary. Be prepared.”
They were stopped on the outskirts of the village and Fiona was waved on.
“One hour; no more,” John reminded.
Fiona nodded and rode her horse forward.
Two warriors halted her mare at the steps of the keep and while one handled her horse, the other told her to follow him.
Fiona was fully alert to her surroundings. She could tell that much in the village was newly built and the people protective of their homes and land. Cattle were plentiful and grazed in the field to the right of the keep and beyond. Garments also appeared newly stitched, and Fiona wondered if Raynor had suddenly acquired wealth.