Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
“Death joins the battle,” Argus said, and it sent a chill through everyone except Varrick.
“Stay safe,” Varrick said and kissed his wife and as he walked away with Argus a horn sounded the alarm… the battle had begun.
Varrick walked the battlements, encouraging his warriors and ducking the arrows that flew overhead. The flaming arrows were quickly snuffed out in the piles of snow they landed in. Ladders that were braced against the castle walls were shoved off before a man could put a foot to a rung.
Morning would reveal what damage the enemy had suffered and give Varrick a better view of what he was up against. He had no worries his clan would survive a long siege if necessary since he had planned for such a situation. He doubted the group that attacked could maintain such a siege since it was the dead of winter, and the cold alone would hamper them, not to mention lack of food. It was what puzzled him about the attack. Why would anyone be so foolish to attack him in the winter or attack him at all? It made no sense.
Argus echoed his thought. “This attack makes no sense.”
“I was thinking the same,” Varrick said, his anger flaring when he spotted his wife tending to a young warrior fallen by an arrow.
“Lady Fia is fearless,” Argus said, seeing what caught Varrick’s attention.
Varrick shook his head. “Foolish is more like it.”
“I have heard the warriors ask her to curse the enemy.”
“And her response was, I am a healer. I do not harm,” Varrick said.
“Nay, she tells them that the enemy was cursed and doomed when they raised a weapon against the mighty legendary Highlander.”
That his wife spoke with pride about him had his heart swelling with joy and the words came easily to his mind… I love you.
His wife turned her head and smiled when she spotted him. Keep your mind on the battle, husband. I love you too.
He knew not magic let them speak to each other without truly speaking, but he was pleased they shared it, not that he would let anyone know, for it would only add to the belief that Fia was a witch.
“She told you the enemy was near, didn’t she?” Argus asked and did not give Varrick a chance to respond. “What if she is one of them?”
“This is not the time to argue over that,” Varrick said, his eyes flaring with anger. “We have a senseless battle to win.”
“Aye, a good word for it… senseless. Why attack at night? Who do we fight and why? And where is Worth?”
“You made sure a guard remains on the dungeon?” Varrick asked. “There is a good chance Worth and Abbott John work together.”
“Aye, first thing, but he hasn’t been seen there.” Argus saw where Varrick’s glance had taken him. “Lady Fia is a brave one, seeing to the few injuries without fear of the arrows flying. Perhaps her witchcraft is so strong she does not have to worry about that.
Varrick watched her tending to another wounded warrior, though it did not appear serious the warrior talking pleasantly with her and not a cringe of pain to his face.
“One day you are going to realize the truth about my wife that she is nothing more than a good woman and a skilled healer.”
“We’ll see about that, for I worry what foolish thing you will do if proven otherwise.”
“And what will you do when I am proven right?” Varrick asked.
“I would gladly admit it.”
“Then be prepared, for that day will come,” Varrick said and saw his wife catch his eye and wave.
Fia smiled when her husband returned her wave, then his attention was drawn elsewhere, and she watched him disappear along the battlements. So far, no warriors had suffered serious wounds, only minor, annoying ones, though she feared as the battle progressed that would change.
She finished tending to a minor wound and finding a couple of her supplies were low, she decided to hurry to her healing cottage and gather more. With so many about, there was no need to worry about her safety, though she maintained caution, keeping alert to all around her. She would get what she needed and return to the Great Hall until she was needed elsewhere.
It did not take long to gather what she needed, and as soon as she stepped outside, a word shouted in her head.
Danger!
The warning came too late.
Something struck her and darkness claimed her.
“Move your worthless arse! He is not a patient man.”
Fia cringed at the pain in her head and the jabs and bumps her body was suffering as she was dragged along the ground. She was glad she had enough sense about her to recognize the voice. It was Abbott John, but how had he escaped?
“You struck her too hard, or she would have woken by now and could have walked and saved us time.”