Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 91636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“Help me rid him of his boots,” Aliss said to her sister. “Then we will see to his shirt. I want to make certain I missed no wounds.”
Fiona went to work on one leather boot as Aliss saw to the other.
“Tarr demands our presence at supper,” Fiona said, dropping the boot to the floor.
“I have work to do here. I have no time to eat.” Aliss collected both boots and set them aside. “His shirt.”
Aliss eased the wrapped plaid from his shoulder.
Fiona made quick work of his blood and grime-soaked shirt with her knife, slicing it down the middle, and with a few more quick swipes of her blade the shirt was off.
Fiona grabbed hold of her sister’s arm to get her attention. “If we both do not appear at supper, Tarr will grow suspicious. I imagine he already thinks that the healer of the twins will remain with Raynor. We must attend supper together.” Fiona released her sister.
“I cannot leave him for long.” Aliss bent over Raynor to examine the bruising.
Fiona paced beside the bed. “What if we debate between us which one of us will return to help him? It would confuse Tarr—”
“And give you an opportunity to eat more with me not there.”
Fiona sighed with delight. “That sounds wonderful for I am starving.”
“And I am not,” Aliss said, and pushed the wooden chest in front of the bed around to the side.
Fiona hurried to help her sister until they had it next to the top of the bed.
Aliss placed her healing pouch on top. “I am going to need more candles, a bucket of water, and clean cloth—and that fire needs stoking. I do not want this room to grow cold.”
Fiona saw to the fire, adding several logs from the stack next to the hearth and stoking the burning ashes. “I will find candles and get you water, but remember you must be ready for supper and you must show no concern about rushing back to Raynor.”
“Do you think this ruse is for naught? Tarr has made it clear that he intends to marry one of us, and he is a man who is accustomed to having his way.”
“You think we are incapable of defeating him?” Fiona sounded cautious.
“We are stubborn, you and I.” Aliss’s smile faded with her words. “But so is Tarr. He is attentive and listens well, hearing even what is not spoken.”
“I realized the same myself,” Fiona admitted. “He hears beyond what people say and understands well their actions.”
“Which is why you pleaded for Raynor?”
“You left me little choice, sister. You demonstrate extreme courage when it comes to defending the weak and ill. I could see in Tarr’s dark eyes what he thought.”
“That I was Fiona, his future bride.”
“We have done well together thus far in keeping him confused. Now our chore becomes more difficult.”
“I thought the same,” Aliss said. “Tonight when you return from time spent alone with Tarr, you will need to tell me all that you and he discussed. We will need to apprise each other of all discussions we separately have with him.”
“This way he will never be certain which twin he speaks with.”
A pitiful moan had Aliss turning to Raynor. “I need water to tend him.”
“I will get it for you, but make certain you leave time to freshen yourself for I cannot abide the grime that sticks to me and I intend to scrub myself clean.”
“Do not worry. I will do the same.”
Fiona stopped before reaching the door. “We will win this, Aliss.”
“If so, will our victory be as sweet as we anticipated?”
The twins entered the hall. They had washed off the dirt and blood of battle and donned fresh clothes, dark green skirts and pale yellow blouses. Their skin shone and their cheeks glowed pink. Their long red hair was tied back, though one twin’s stubborn strands fell loose while none were out of place on the other. They approached the table together.
“No victory celebration?” Fiona asked, stopping in front of Tarr and glancing around the empty hall. “I expected to find you at the dais flanked by your men raising tankards in triumph, yet you sit at a common table with a lone man.”
“She certainly speaks her mind,” the man said with a deep laugh.
“And you are?” Aliss asked with overt sweetness.
“Kirk,” he answered, standing as if he had been gently called to task.
Tarr made the introductions. “Kirk is a good friend and a new father.”
“How delightful,” Fiona said with a single, loud handclap. “A son or daughter?”
Kirk grinned, his thick chest growing wider and his full face bursting with pride. “A son.”
“Much good health and happiness to him,” Aliss offered sincerely.
“And who do I thank?” Kirk asked teasingly.
“The choice is yours, Fiona or Aliss,” Aliss said.
“Then, I thank both and look forward to getting to know both.” Kirk grabbed an apple from a bowl on the table. “I must be on my way. Enjoy supper and good night to you all.”