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)
“Why did he not come to you for help?” Sloan asked, shaking his head at the news.
“Pride, no doubt.”
“Or he believes he can get more coin this way,” Sloan suggested.
Dawn held up three fingers and shrugged.
“I wonder the same myself, wife,” Cree said. “Why give me three days when he appears in such dire need? There is something more to this abduction than we can see.”
Dawn nodded and raised three fingers again.
“I agree,” Cree said. “It has something to do with the three days he has offered me.”
“A three-day delay makes no sense,” Sloan said. “It gives you time to plan a possible attack and yet Cavell does not seem concerned about that.”
Dawn gestured as if counting and stacking coins on the table and shrugged.
“Aye, I intend to give him sufficient coin to help him and his men, though I will know what caused his terrible situation. Land is another matter. Land ownership brings power and influence with it and that I will not give away.”
“Cavell spent enough time with us for him to know that,” Sloan reminded. “Why would he ask for something he knows he has no chance of getting?”
“To get what he believes he will be able to successfully secure for himself and his men,” Cree said.
“More coin,” Sloan said.
But Cree wasn’t sure if he agreed.
After Sloan left the solar, Cree turned to his wife. “Any idea of what Cavell truly wants?”
Dawn gestured a question.
Cree shook his head. “You wonder if this is a mission for someone other than himself?” When she nodded, he asked, “Then why demand money and land if he is already being paid?” He shook his head and answered his own question. “He saw an advantage to the mission to gain more than what he is being paid.”
Dawn shrugged as if it was a possibility, then pointed to her husband and nodded, then tapped her chest and shrugged again.
“I know the man better than you so I should know?” he asked.
She nodded.
Cree wrinkled his brow. “So, if this is a mission for someone other than himself, he purposely took it to get to me?”
Dawn’s brow went up as she shrugged, suggesting it could very well be so.
“Why would he do that?” Cree’s question was more for himself than his wife, but, not surprisingly, she supplied the answer.
Trust, she mouthed.
The wrinkles in Cree’s brow deepened.
Dawn gestured.
“Aye, I am a man of my word, for what honor does a man have if he does not keep his word?” Cree’s wrinkled brow suddenly arched. “Cavell is counting on that but for what?” He shook his head. “This cannot just be about coins.”
Dawn agreed with a nod.
“So, what is it that Cavell truly wants from me and how far is he willing to go to get it?”
CHAPTER 6
“The design of the village is remarkable,” Tate said, walking along one of the paths with Dawn.
She gestured, hoping the man would understand her.
Tate appeared confused for a moment, then he smiled. “William. You give William all the credit.”
Dawn smiled and nodded.
Tate shook a scolding finger at Dawn. “That is not entirely true, my lady. William mentioned that you had a strong hand in the design, and I believe much of what I am seeing is due to your talent. I would be pleased if you would draw the village for me so I may benefit from your skills.”
The man did nothing but praise her drawing talent, overly so to Dawn. She smiled softly and nodded.
“I will leave more parchment paper for you in the Great Hall,” Tate said and walked toward the watchtower gate.
“STOP!”
Cree’s booming voice halted Tate’s steps and his body quivered when he turned.
“You sought no permission to go beyond the tower gate,” Cree reprimanded.
“Forgive me, my lord,” Tate said humbly. “I did not realize.”
“My wife should have,” Cree said, sending her a scathing look. “Where is Beast?”
“The large dog is with the children,” Tate said.
“My wife needs no one to speak for her,” Cree reprimanded again.
Tate wisely remained silent as he lowered his head.
Dawn gave her husband a quick gesture.
“I do not care if you wish to show him the view. The rules are meant to be obeyed,” Cree said harshly. “Return to the other keep. Work is going to be done in this area and no one is allowed here until it is finished.” He turned and strode off without another word.
Tate was silent as they walked the paths once again, though this time it was to leave the village. He saw that Dawn seemed lost in her thoughts and once they were on the road back to the old keep, he asked, “I am sorry I got you in trouble with your husband. I meant no harm.”
Dawn shrugged and waved it off as unimportant.
“He must have much on his mind with William’s abduction. Does all go well with it?”