Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 92771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
“Asher is angry that Lord Torrance has assigned another to a task he believed was meant for him alone. Lord Torrance wants his half-sister found so he can secure a marriage that would benefit the clan, though more so him. There is speculation that he’s searching for a wealthy, elderly lord who he can do away with right after the marriage so he can rule the clan and marry his sister off yet again to the next wealthy, elderly lord. He intends to use her to claim more and more land. Asher had no luck in locating the woman, so Lord Torrance assigned the task to a mercenary called Knox.”
“I know him, not well, but we fought in a battle together. He is a large man with much strength to him and he is skilled with most weapons. He’s a quiet man, not saying much.”
“And a man whose fine features have women often pining over him from what I heard the women say about him,” Dru said. “And he prefers them tall and hefty since he is such a large man.”
“Now there’s a man who would ignore you whether you stink or not,” Nug said with a chuckle.
“One less man you have to battle to win me, Nug.” Dru laughed when he lacked a quick response. “Go on, I’ll wait. You’re bound to think of a snappy reply by the end of the day.”
“Don’t bother, Nug. Dru is far too quick with her mouth,” Quint cautioned.
Dru continued. “Lord Torrance had promised Asher a sizeable plot of land for finding his half-sister. From what’s being speculated, Asher’s failure to find her fast enough, had Lord Torrance assigning the task to Knox, but Asher refuses to give up. He wants that land.”
“Or it could be a lie to keep secret what Asher is really doing for Lord Torrance,” Nug said. “Torrance always lied and manipulated when he was young. Ryland and I learned that time and again. He’s no different today than he was back then.”
“There may very well be something to that,” Dru said, filling her tankard with more cider. “Lord Torrance could be keeping a secret, but I believe Asher is as well.”
“What makes you say that?” Nug asked.
“Whispers overheard, rumors circulating that since after the battle Asher is not pleased with the orders Lord Torrance has given him. They are at odds. I also overheard Asher’s man yelling at Brother Peter. It had something to do with Lord Torrance, but I couldn’t hear it clearly. Brother Peter spoke softly; I assume trying to calm the man down since I couldn’t hear what he was saying. Then the man’s anger exploded, and he punched Brother Peter knocking him to the ground. That was when Brother Peter started begging for mercy. But the man showed him none.”
“What did you do, Dru?” Quint asked.
“I launched myself at him.”
“That wasn’t a very wise thing to do,” Quint admonished.
“Maybe, but I’m quick on my feet. I figured the distraction would create enough time for the cleric to escape, then I could take off.”
“After suffering some hits that left you bruised and bloody,” Quint reminded.
“The reason I was about to take my leave when Brother Peter suddenly clobbered the man in the head with a stone, knocking him out. We both got out of there fast enough.”
“Maybe the cleric knows more than he’s saying,” Nug suggested.
“I’m more concerned with why one of Asher’s men is in the area, and if there could possibly be more of his men lurking nearby,” Quint said.
“Lord Torrance could be planning a surprise attack on the clan,” Nug said, worry filling his eyes at the mere thought.
“But if that were so he would still have mercenaries hunting down any MacLeish warriors who may not have made it home yet,” Quint said.
“Knowing Torrance, he’s up to something,” Nug said.
“If he is, he’s keeping it quiet and that’s not an easy task. One word to one person is all it takes for secrets to be revealed,” Dru said. “Maybe Brother Peter knows something since he may have spoken with Lord Torrance.”
“I intend to speak with him after we’re done here,” Quint said. “What we know so far is that Lord Torrance sent word that Clan MacLeish and its warriors and people are to come to no harm. Lord Torrance and Asher are at odds. Asher has, supposedly, gone in search of Torrance’s half-sister, yet one of his men, maybe more, are in the area. And one attacked Brother Peter. We will see what Rufus has to say when he returns with a response to the message I sent.”
“What message?” Dru asked.
“You were gone before we devised a plan,” Nug said.
Quint went to explain when a rapid knock sounded at the door and a servant called out, “Rufus has returned home… alone.”
CHAPTER 24
“Please, Shade, bring him here so I can hear what he has to say,” Caleb pleaded with her after she was informed that Rufus had returned.