Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 102573 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102573 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
“The clan favors her, some of our people warm to her and then there are those who distrust her. They wonder how she commands the war hounds so easily and how their leader went from disappointment in his chosen bride to declaring his love for her. Then there is what happened with Marta. She has been good to many, and they are upset that she lost her position in the keep. Clan MacShane on the other hand loves Lady Tavia and finds no fault with her. All of that is according to your sister.”
“And how does my sister truly feel about my wife?”
Sven laughed. “You know your sister.”
“She will find out for herself.”
Sven nodded. “Should I watch out for anything in particular?”
“You seem to have it all in hand just keep me apprised.”
“Should we be concerned?” Sven asked.
Bhric said what he did not like to think. “It is a possibility.”
“Lord Bhric,” Tavia called out, waving him over.
“None of us gave it thought, my lord,” Bernard said in way of an apology when Bhric reached the table where they all sat.
Bhric slipped in beside his wife on the bench. He rested his hand on her thigh and gave it a squeeze while looking at Bernard. “Tell me.”
Greta responded. “From what Bernard tells us there are various possibilities that can be causing the illness… poison being one of them and a distinct possibility.”
That Bhric had not expected to hear. “What makes you suspect poison?”
“Bernard is not ill while the whole clan suffers,” Greta said. “The question is why?”
“Birger sent me to scout deeper into the woods to see what might be afoot,” Bernard explained. “I was gone several days and returned to find the clan struck with sickness.”
Hertha continued to explain. “He had not eaten any of the food the others had and once home he ate what food he had with him.”
“All ate the food from the storage shed,” Bernard said. “I am eager to return and dispose of all the food there. If it proves the food is poisoned, the clan will heal and get well.”
“They are only poisoned enough to make them ill?” Bhric asked. “What of the ones who have died?”
“It would seem so,” Greta said, “and as for those who died? They either consumed more than others or they were weak to begin with and not strong enough to fight the poison. Or they could have gotten a portion of food that was more heavily poisoned.”
Bhric did not like what he was hearing.
Sven felt the same. “Someone tries to weaken the clan, make them unable to defend themselves.”
“Aye,” Bhric agreed. “I will have a cart prepared with food for you to take with you. See that Birger has guards posted on the food shed once you restock it and ask about who was seen coming and going from it. A troop of warriors will go with you, but they will camp a distance from Clan Strathearn. They will scout the area and see if they can find anything and keep you all safe until the sickness passes. You will keep them apprised of how things go, and they will pass it on to me. You will rest tonight and leave in the morning.”
“Aye, my lord, I will see to it, though I would prefer to leave as soon as the cart is ready,” Bernard said. “The faster I return, the faster many may heal. Besides, I have come to care for a woman in Clan Strathearn and she has taken ill. I would like to return to her as soon as possible.”
“You are a good and brave warrior, Bernard. I will not forget it,” Bhric said.
“Thank you, my lord, but I do nothing more than my duty.”
“You will rest while the cart is prepared with food for you,” Bhric ordered.
“I am grateful, my lord, and look forward to reporting good news to you.”
“Come and rest at my cottage,” Greta offered. “Hertha and I will prepare a mixture that will prove helpful to those more ill than others.”
“Bernard,” Tavia said as he stood to go with Greta and Hertha. “Please tell my da to get better soon so he may come and visit with us and see how happy I am with my husband and new home.”
“I will tell him, my lady, and I am sure he will be pleased to hear how well you do for he has worried over you as do others in your clan,” Bernard said and walked off with Greta and Hertha talking.
“I will see all is made ready for Bernard,” Sven said and left as well.
Bhric’s hand left his wife’s leg to slip his arm around her slim waist and tuck her close, pleased by her remark. “So, you have come to realize what a wonderful husband I am?”
Tavia kissed his lips lightly. “There are some things I favor more about you than other things—” She scrunched her face.