Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 101336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
“I counted the same,” Slayer agreed and looked to his wife.
Sky had waited to see if he would permit her to join in and she was pleased that he did. “I got twelve as well.”
“You say Glen got one more than you,” Slayer said.
“Aye, thirteen was what he counted,” Reed confirmed.
Slayer looked over the captives and called out, “The first who tells me who escaped from your group will be freed.”
They all started yelling out names and Slayer waited, not saying a word, letting them call out name after name until the voices died and no one spoke. They stood staring, waiting for Slayer to speak.
Sky watched fascinated. Her husband had to know they all would attempt to throw a name at him in hopes of being freed. Yet he stood there and did nothing but listen. She pondered what his plan might be, then one man spoke up.
“He snuck in and snuck out. He’s not one of us.”
All heads turned, their eyes going to an older, grey-haired man. A blood-stained bandage was wrapped around his leg, and another circled his arm.
Slayer waved him forward. “Come we will talk.”
CHAPTER 20
Sky expected to be dismissed upon entering the Great Hall with her husband and was pleased, though surprised when informed otherwise.
“You may join me at the dais while I question the man, but you will remain silent,” Slayer said and with a light touch of his hand on her lower back guided her around the dais to sit. “Not a word,” he reminded and only after she sat, did he settle himself in the chair beside her.
Jugs of cider and ale were brought to the table and tankards filled while bowls of food were sat in front of them. Sky’s stomach gurgled reminding her that she had yet to eat this morning.
“Eat,” Slayer ordered. “The morning meal has been delayed long enough.”
Sky did not hesitate. She reached for a quail egg and a piece of bread just as Reed entered with the prisoner. She was reaching for another quail egg by the time the man reached the dais, his wounded leg leaving him with a slow gait and a visible limp.
“Your name?” Slayer demanded when Reed forced the man to a stop a few steps away from the dais.
“Lester, sir,” the man said, staring at the food with hunger in his eyes.
“Tell me of the man who snuck in and out of the prisoners’ circle.”
“I did not see him sneak in. I did not even give it any thought until you asked about him and I looked around and did not see him there.”
Sky now understood why Slayer had handled the situation as he did. He knew someone would think to look around and see who might be missing.
“He looked no different from us, though talked more with a grunt of sorts. He was about my height, though younger than me. Common enough features, at least from what I could see through the dirt and sweat worn on his face. He hadn’t been injured. He sat beside me, worried over our fate and if more mercenaries would attempt to kill the woman.” Lester went to nod at Sky and stopped when she raised her head. He stared, not able to look away.
“Take your eyes off her,” Slayer ordered.
Lester turned his head away and shifted his injured leg with a grimace.
“What else did this man say to you?” Slayer demanded.
“He told me the coin was not worth it and blamed a friend for talking him into joining the mercenary group for this mission alone.”
“So, you’re a motley crew that was hastily thrown together for this mission,” Slayer said, having realized that upon first seeing them and learning that his two dead warriors had managed to kill twelve more of them before losing their lives. If the fools had planned well and worked in unity, the outcome could have been vastly different.
“When you’re hungry, sir, you’ll do just about anything for food,” Lester said. “I have nothing left, no family, no home—”
“No clan?” Slayer asked.
“Nay, sir. It was swallowed up in a quick battle and the new chieftain made it clear that if you could not do your share, you were no longer welcome in the clan. My leg had been damaged in a previous battle and never healed right.” He glanced down at the bloody cloth around his leg. “It’s probably worse now.”
“What else did this man say to you?”
“He said women weren’t worth the trouble they caused, especially the beautiful ones.”
Lester barely shook his head, but Slayer caught it and demanded, “What have you not said?”
“The man said something odd but now getting a closer look at one of the Murdock sisters his words make sense.”
“What words?” Slayer asked, the annoyance in his voice warning that he was losing his patience.
Lester hurried to respond. “He said, “‘Beauty or not, it is good the woman with the strange affliction dies.’” He shook his head in a way that questioned. “No mention was ever made about a Murdock sister with an affliction. So, how was he aware of it?”