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)
“Wise decision, Reed,” Cree said and left him to follow the man to where William was being held.
“My lord,” William said, a tremble to his voice as he hurried toward him.
Cree’s brow shot up when he saw the wound on the side of his brow. “You were harmed.”
“Nay, my lord,” William said, touching the wound tenderly. “A wound of my own doing when I fell off my horse in fright. I am ashamed to admit that I am not fearless like your warriors.”
“As long as you are well, nothing else matters,” Cree assured him. “Though you will need to be patient until I can secure your release.”
“I can manage, my lord,” William said, though with a hint of uncertainty.
“Enough! It is time for you to leave,” Cavell called out.
Cree walked over to the man. “Harm them in any way and I will see you suffer for it.”
Cavell glared at him. “You knew me before the changes to my face. Do you think you can make me suffer any more than I already have? Bring the coin or what was done to me will be nothing compared to what I do to your men.”
“Fair warning, Cavell. You will forever regret making an enemy of me.” Cree turned his back on the man and walked away.
“I know you will leave men in the woods,” Cavell called out.
“My men do not hide like yours do. They watch and wait.”
“There is nothing for them to see,” Cavell said, his voice still raised.
“Then you have nothing to fear,” Cree called out, mounted his horse, and left without casting a glance back at Cavell.
“You have my mother’s talent,” Kirk said, sitting on a blanket under a large oak tree as the twins ran in play with other children and Tynan napped peacefully next to Dawn.
Dawn stopped drawing to cast a curious look at him.
“You would like to know about her,” her da said, easily understanding his daughter’s curious expression.
She nodded eagerly and left the board she had placed the piece of parchment on to rest comfortably on her lap.
“You are much like her, good height, determined nature, and courageous.”
Dawn tapped her lips and shrugged.
“Nay, she could speak,” her da said, understanding Dawn wanted to know if she had been voiceless like her. “She made herself known just as you do. She gave her opinion whether my father asked for it or not and thought nothing of calling him a fool when she believed he made unwise decisions.” He laughed. “She was often right.”
Dawn laughed even though it could not be heard, though her broad smile and the sparkle in her eyes showed it clearly enough.
“You would have gotten on well with her.” He pointed to her drawing. “You draw a part of the woods from memory?”
She hesitated, then nodded.
“There is more to the drawing?”
She nodded again.
“Too detailed for you to explain it all?”
She nodded again.
“Another time,” her da said and again she nodded.
Her da returned to telling her tales of her grandmother and kept Dawn laughing as she continued to draw.
“Wonderful! You are drawing and from memory,” Tate said, gazing down at the parchment once he got near enough. “What place is this?”
Dawn pursed her lips and tapped her fingers against them.
Tate appeared confused.
Kirk interpreted. “A secret place.”
Dawn confirmed with a nod.
“It is a small dwelling and appears well hidden among the trees and foliage,” Tate said, twisting his head to try and get a better view of it. “I never expected your work to be so remarkably detailed. Looking upon your drawing makes me feel as if I am standing there seeing it for myself.” He tilted his head to get a better view. “Why is it a secret?”
Dawn looked to her da.
Kirk hid his grin when he said what he knew his daughter’s response would be. “It would not be a secret if she told you why it is a secret.”
Tate’s cheeks heated in embarrassment. “Of course, how foolish of me. It is just that your drawing shows it as such a serene place that I would love to see it for myself. You absolutely must do more drawings for me, perhaps the village or the castle.” He gasped. “The large tower behind the castle, the view must be breathtaking from there, perhaps you could draw that.”
Peals of laughter and screams of delight kept Dawn from responding and she shook her head when she saw that Lizbeth was riding Beast as if he were a horse and directing him as to what child to go after.
“I will see to her,” her da offered and hurried to his feet.
“How do you draw with unruly bairns about?” Tate asked with distaste.
Dawn gestured quickly.
Tate shook his head. “I am sorry. I do not understand.”
“You are an idiot.”
Tate jumped and turned, startled to see an old woman behind him, leaning on a tall staff. “Lady Dawn says I am an idiot.”