Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 42873 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42873 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Cree joined his wife at the table as did Sloan.
Dawn eagerly tapped her lips, pointed to her husband, then tapped her chest.
“Aye. I know you are eager for me to tell you about Cavell,” Cree said, thinking on the man he had not seen in years.
“He was an exceptional warrior when he fought alongside us. I can only imagine the warrior he has become after all this time,” Sloan said.
Dawn looked to her husband, impatient to hear about the man.
Cree did not keep her waiting. “He arrived one day requesting to join my band of men.”
Sloan laughed. “Claimed he could best Cree in a fight and did not wait to get permission.”
Dawn turned wide eyes on her husband.
Sloan laughed again. “Cavell did not know what hit him, Cree took him down so fast.”
Dawn smiled, imagining the scene.
“Fine featured, over-confident, quick with his mouth, and a skilled warrior that few could match, though at first I thought him a fool and was going to send him on his way,” Cree said. “‘One battle, just let me join your men in one battle and if I do not prove my worth, I will trouble you no more’, he told me. I agreed and was surprised to see his skill surpassed many of my warriors.”
Dawn shrugged.
“You want to know why he left,” Cree said.
She nodded, though her husband needed no confirmation.
“About two years after he arrived, he came to me and told me he had been approached by an elite group of mercenaries—the gallόglaigh.”
“The Gallowglass, fierce and powerful warriors but cruel and soulless. It is said they will die rather than surrender,” Sloan said and shook his head. “Glad we did not meet their standards.”
Dawn raised her brow in question.
“They are a mix of Norse and Scottish descent and come from the Lords of the Isles clans,” Sloan explained. “Cavell comes from one of the isles but is not in line to inherit a title or land, if I remember correctly.”
“That is what I recall as well,” Cree said. “I bid him well and that was the last I saw or heard of him until today.”
“It would appear he never achieved his fortune if he is demanding land and coin from you,” Sloan said.
Dawn scrunched her brow, shook her head, and patted her chest.
“It does not make sense to you,” Cree said, voicing his wife’s gesture. “Mercenaries have no friends. Most are loyal to those who can pay the highest price.”
“If he is being paid well, why demand land from you?” Sloan asked, then hastily followed with another question. “What if he is not being paid but does this on his own?”
“But why take hostages and make demands? Why not come to me?” Cree speculated.
No one had a chance to respond, Tate hurrying into the room, calling out, “Is it true? Has William been abducted?”
“Aye, it is,” Cree confirmed, having known the news would spread fast through the village.
“William is a good man. You must do everything you can to free him,” Tate said, his hands clasped tightly as if begging Cree.
“Have no fear. William will be returned home safely,” Cree assured the man. “You know William well?”
“As well as can be expected after having spent a short time with him, though it felt like we had known each other for many years,” Tate said. “William is a remarkably talented man.”
“On that we agree,” Cree said.
“Will you retrieve him soon?” Tate asked anxiously.
“I assure you that William, along with my warriors, will be rescued,” Cree said.
“Your warriors, of course, my thoughts were focused on William, but I pray your warriors will be safe as well,” Tate offered.
“You may go now,” Cree said, dismissing the man.
Tate nodded and gave a quick glance to Dawn. “I hope to meet with you soon.”
“As soon as I grant permission,” Cree said, something about the man irritating him.
“Aye, my lord,” Tate said with a nod and wisely left the keep.
“Shall I assemble a troop of warriors?” Sloan asked.
“Speak to Gerald and see how many men Cavell has, then make ready with a sufficient amount.” Cree knew his wife would not like hearing what he was about to say so he avoided glancing her way when he added, “And I will be the one delivering my response to Cavell.”
Dawn glared at her husband later that night in their bedchamber and Cree did his best to avoid her eyes. He had intentionally avoided her after letting Sloan know he would be the one to deliver his response. He knew she would object and detail numerous reasons why he should not go, and they were probably all valid ones. But he would not send Gerald in his stead. He wanted to face Cavell and see for himself what the man had to say. But then Cavell knew full well that Cree would respond to the demand in person. The question to consider—was Cavell setting a trap for him?