Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 95326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Melvin had volunteered to join him as well, claiming that he and Cavell alone could handle the matter better than the ten men combined. Besides, Melvin had no choice. Slayer no doubt warned him to keep an eye on Cavell to make sure he got the truth of what was going on at Clan Murdock or face his wrath. And even Slayer’s men did not want to be anywhere near him when he let loose his wrath.
“On our return home we will celebrate that you are now Chieftain of Clan Murdock, and I am overjoyed my sisters will be there to celebrate with us,” Elsie said, riding alongside her husband. “The clan is thrilled with the news and is grateful you will now lead them.”
She only hoped he was as thrilled and would want to remain chieftain and her husband. He had not spoken a word to her about it and she worried he might refuse it and their marriage as well. She hoped by mentioning it, he might talk with her about it, but he had remained silent and watchful since leaving the clan.
“What do know about this Brother Kendrick who your da believes would keep you and your sisters safe?” he asked.
“It is the first time I heard his name, perhaps my da got the name wrong.”
“Possibly, but it does tell us one thing. If this man would keep you all safe, it means you were right that your da sent you to the abbey to protect you. And with how pleased he was that I was there with you, I would think he wed you to me for the very same reason… to keep you safe.”
“But from what?” Elsie asked.
“That is a good question and your da may be the only one who has the answer unless we can find Brother Kendrick and see what he knows.”
“It should prove a fruitful day,” she said, relieved the day was finally here that she would see her sisters freed and be reunited with them. She missed them so much but had tried not to dwell on it. She did not want to let fear rule her. It would do no good and only get in the way of what needed to be done.
“Until we have your sisters in hand, the day is like any other day,” Cavell cautioned. “And you, wife, will remain quiet and follow my every word when we arrive at the Abbey.”
Elsie bit at her lip, fearful it might be difficult for her to do that when she wanted to lash out at the monks who made them, and others, suffer to cleanse them of the madness.
“Bite your tongue if you must, to hold it, for if you let it loose with anger there is no telling what the monks might do, and I would prefer not to kill any of them.”
Her eyes rounded. “You would kill them to free my sisters?”
“I am Chieftain of Clan Murdock and I have every right to stop anyone any way I choose from preventing me from removing your sisters from that place.”
Elsie’s heart swelled with hope hearing her husband claim himself Chieftain of Clan Murdock and doing whatever was necessary to help her sisters.
Cavell caught a sudden scent in the air and sniffed. The acrid odor was familiar. It was the smell of what was left of villages after the Gallowglass attacked and set fire to all the structures. Something had been set to burn, and the closest place would be the abbey. He cast a quick glance around and spotted it… smoke billowing in the distance, rising past the treetops.
Melvin rode toward them and looked where Cavell did. “A fire and a large one. It must be the abbey.”
Elsie had caught the burning scent herself and her glance had followed her husband’s. Seeing the smoke billowing high in the air had her catching her breath and her fear soaring for her sisters. When Melvin voiced her fear, she did not hesitate, she urged her horse into a run, taking off.
“Bloody hell,” Cavell said and went after his wife, leaving Melvin to command the few warriors.
Smoke continued to spiral in the air and her stomach clenched, terrified of what she might see when the abbey came into view. The air grew thicker with smoke the closer she got, causing her to cough and her eyes to tear or were the tears for what she might face?
“Please. I beg of you. Please let my sisters be safe,” she prayed aloud.
The sounds of crackling fire and splintering wood reached her before she saw the ancient stone walls of the monastery engulfed in flames. Her heart felt as if it shattered, fearing the monks had not gotten to the prisoners quick enough or hadn’t bothered to rescue them.
Elsie threw herself off the horse when she brought it to a stop and stumbled toward the one monk she recognized, Brother Emanual. She ran at him, pounding her fists into his chest and sending him stumbling.