Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Aliss chose a good-sized basket from the ones stacked in the corner near the fireplace. She grabbed the dark red wool cloak from the peg near the door and flung it around her shoulders as she hurried outside.
The sky had become overcast in the last hour, causing a slight chill to the spring air and hinting at rain. She would forage for her plants until she felt the first raindrop.
“Where do you go?” John asked.
Aliss was not surprised by his presence, for she had noticed that he always lurked nearby. “To see if one of the women would join me in the woods to search for healing plants.”
“That is not a good idea right now.”
Though small in stature and with average features that drew little attention, John still demanded notice. His strong presence and sharp mind made people aware of him and had earned him the respect of the clan Hellewyk. Of course, they had thought him a cleric.
“Why is that?” Aliss asked as John approached her.
“Rogan prefers you remain near.”
She almost laughed but thought better of it. “Does he fear I would try to escape? Where would I go?”
“It is not where you would go. It is who might take you.”
This time she chuckled. “He worries that the healer he abducted will be abducted?”
John did not find her response humorous. “You are under the Wolf’s protection now. You can hunt for plants another time.”
She did not wish to argue. “No, I cannot. I need to make certain I have a sufficient supply of healing plants. Is there no one who could accompany me?”
John ran an apprehensive glance around the surrounding area. “I need to remain here right now.”
“Is something wrong?”
He appeared uncertain, purposely holding his tongue.
“A sensible explanation might change my plans.”
He yielded. “A band of marauders have sacked a farmland not far from here. Rogan set chase after them and has ordered everyone to remain in the village.”
“A wise edict.”
John seemed surprised by her response.
“I can be sensible when reason prevails. I will consult with Rogan to see when he feels it safe for me to enter the woods.”
“Till then?”
“I have much to occupy me. You need not worry,” she assured him.
He cast an anxious glance toward a small cottage tucked near the woods, smoke puffing from the single chimney.
“Anna waits for you?”
He sighed. “We have missed each other.”
“Go to her then and make up for lost time.”
“I am to look after you,” he reluctantly admitted.
“I will be tilling the soil for a garden unless I am called to tend the sick.”
His shoulders slumped. “I should help you.”
“Nonsense,” she said and shooed him away. “Go. I am particular how my garden is tilled and tended.”
“Rogan would expect me to help,” he said, slowly stepping away from her.
“I will deal with Rogan.”
He grinned. “Are you sure of that?”
She crossed her arms. “You should be worried about Rogan dealing with me.”
His grin faded. “Do not underestimate the Wolf. He can strike when least expected.”
“I will keep that in mind,” she said, and when John turned and walked away gooseflesh crept over her skin.
While Aliss preferred not to be acquainted with that side of Rogan, she knew she had no choice. Fiona would remind her that ignorance of an enemy would guarantee defeat. She would need to understand Rogan, whether she wanted to or not, whether she feared to or not.
She returned the basket to where she had found it, switched from her cloak to her shawl, and found a large tan cloth she fashioned into an apron to protect the only garments she possessed. Then she determined the best area for a garden, and after finding a pick, she began to till the soil.
She loved the scent of freshly dug earth. It stung the nostrils like an intoxicating perfume. She piled the rocks she unearthed for later use and continued to enjoy her laborious task. She wanted the rich soil ready to receive the few seeds she had in her healing basket and the plants she hoped to acquire on her foraging expedition.
Aliss stretched her back, easing her aching muscles, when finally she stood at the end of the large plot she had worked on for several hours. The first drop of rain had struck with the last turn of the soil. She was proud of her accomplishment and relieved that she would have a bed to receive the much-needed batch of healing plants.
She turned, ready to seek shelter, when out of the corner of her eye she caught a quick-moving shadow. Uncertain if it was her imagination playing tricks on her or someone actually loitered in the woods, she pretended to finish the already completed job while keeping an eye on the shadows that appeared to dance like demons among the trees.
Then like a flash of lightning she caught two glowing orbs burning bright green between the leaves of a low-hanging branch.