Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 89331 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89331 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Torin did not hesitate… he let out a roar and ran.
Torin’s roar brought Flora to an abrupt halt and turned to see her husband running toward her, then she turned quickly back to look at the cleric and saw the dagger. Instinct had her turning and running toward her husband.
The cleric also let out a roar as he ran toward Flora, raising his dagger, ready to plunge it into her.
The cleric was near on top of Flora when Torin reached her and with a quick shove, he sent his wife tumbling to the ground and the blade headed straight for his chest. His hand was quick to grab the cleric’s wrist and as Torin threw himself against him, he gave his wrist a hard twist and felt the dagger plunge into the cleric as they toppled to the ground.
Torin was off the cleric in an instant, a quick glance confirmed he was dead. Another quick glance found the other cleric on the ground dead, Walsh standing over him, a bloody sword in his hand. He turned and rushed to his wife.
Flora was sitting up, a wince on her face and her hand at her hip.
“I hurt you,” Torin said, silently cursing himself as he bent down beside her to slip his arm around her.
“Nay, it is the bruise that has yet to heal from my last fall,” she said. “You took wise action, husband, but then I knew you would, that was why I ran to you. You are far better able to protect me against an attack than I am in protecting myself. Though, I believe it wise that you do not wait in teaching me how to defend myself as you had suggested.” She grabbed his arm and leaned forward to get to her feet.
Torin tightened his arm around her and lifted her to her feet.
“Are you unharmed, my lady?” Kinnell asked when he reached them.
“Aye, I am good, Kinnell.”
“Tell me,” Torin ordered, angry that his wife once again came near to losing her life and here on home soil where she should not have to fear anything.
“They are both dead. Walsh killed the other one. He was close by and did not hesitate to help. Some of the warriors were quick to respond to your roar but were too far away to reach you in time.”
“No one, not one single soul is permitted to cross that bridge unless I give permission,” Torin ordered, keeping his wife tucked firm against him.
Kinnell shook his head. “No one gave thought to the clerics.”
“They were not clerics,” Flora said. “Their belts were different. If they were from the same monastery, their attire would be identical. It is a rule that must be followed in the monasteries.”
“Is that why you were headed their way?” Torin asked.
Flora went to explain and stopped a moment. “I see your point. It would have been wiser of me to tell you what I surmised instead of going to speak to the two men. I should have thought better of it since I also questioned why a monastery that cast out a cleric would care if he was properly buried and how did they find out he had died in the first place.” She looked from her husband to Kinnell. “Did either of you send word to the monastery?”
“Bloody hell,” Torin said never having thought of it.
Kinnell shook his head, annoyed himself.
Flora shook her head as well. “The bigger question though is why does someone want me dead?”
Flora sat in the Great Hall, her hands cupped around a tankard soaking in the heat of the chamomile brew. She had sustained a chill from sitting on the snow-covered ground and needed to warm herself. What warmed her more, though, was the laughter she heard and the smiles she saw when she had entered the Great Hall. There was a contentment and joy in the keep that had not been felt for an awfully long time and she had not been the only one to have restored it. It had been her husband as well. He had shown his clan strength and that in turn had encouraged them to do the same. The Clan Norham had needed uniting, and they were now engaged in doing just that.
Torin finished talking with Kinnell and joined his wife at the table closest to the hearth after sending the man off to carry out his orders.
“Are you still chilled?” Torin asked and seeing that her hands still trembled, he was about to grab her cloak left on the bench to drape over her shoulders when she stopped him.
“I prefer your body’s warmth. It chases the chill much faster.”
Her remark stirred him, but then it had not taken much lately for him to grow aroused around her. That he was attracted to her was undeniable but what also was undeniable was how much he cared for her.