Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 100029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Brogan looked to the hills. “There is no mist.”
Annis kept her voice low. “People would think me crazy if they heard me say that the mist obeys the witch. But I believe it does and the mist will roll in if she wishes to talk with me.”
Brogan went and grabbed his cloak he had hung on a branch, then returned to take her hand. “Let’s get that food and be on our way.
“Not a spot of mist to be seen,” Brogan said as he studied the area around him. “Does the path seem more,” —he scratched his head— “of a path, if that makes sense?”
Brogan halted his steps alongside Annis when she stopped, her hand still wrapped in his. He did not intend to let go, worried if he did the mist would roll in quickly and steal her from him.
“I thought the same,” she said, her eyes on the ground. “It appears as though it has been traveled more. How can that be when no one can reach here without passing the village?” She shook her head. “And no one has passed through the village. We were the last ones to walk here.”
Brogan cast a slow glance around. “Maybe there is another entrance to the path.”
“Aye, over the hills,” Annis said, tilting her head back to glance up at the sprawling hill, its very top encased in mist. “That is a dangerous trek I doubt anyone would attempt.”
“I wonder what brought the witch to this particular place?” Brogan said.
“It has to have something to do with the curse.” Annis went to continue walking, then stopped suddenly, squeezing Brogan’s hand. “The bairn. The two-day-old daughter believed dead. She is here in this area.”
Brogan’s skin turned to gooseflesh. Could it be possible? “You think the witch has returned to protect her? And why now after all this time?”
“I do not know her reasoning, but it would make sense of why the witch has suddenly returned.”
“She did tell you not yet,” Brogan reminded. “If the lass, Wynda, is here, why does she wait?”
“I do wish she would talk with me, so we can see this done,” Annis said as they continued walking again.
Brogan was glad she included him, that she thought them cohorts in this quest. He could not, nor would he allow her to go off on her own. He would go completely insane with worry.
“What would you ask her?” Brogan said.
“I would want to know if the lass Wynda did survive can she break the curse and if so, how can I find her and how does she break the curse?”
“I want it to believe it is possible—”
Annis interrupted, knowing what he would say. “But you have been disappointed many times before and worry you will be again.”
“You understand.”
“I have been disappointed myself many times, though none can compare with what you suffer. I still understand how you feel. But all those disappointments made me realize one thing—never would I give up. I would keep trying as long as I had breath in me.”
Brogan chuckled. “You are persistent.”
“Does that annoy you?” Why she asked puzzled her and why she should care how he responded puzzled her even more.
“Actually, I admire your tenacity,” he said with a tender smile. “You let nothing stop you. you forge ahead and see it done no matter what others think. I have met and known many women in my life, but none as remarkable as you.”
Annis laughed. “I am like no other, as my mum often told me, of which she was grateful.”
“I agree with your mum. You are like no other,” he said. And I am grateful for that, for you belong to me and me alone. Words he wished to say aloud, but not yet.
Her stomach gurgled loudly.
“You are hungry and so am I,” he said. “The stream is not far ahead. We can stop there and eat.”
They settled near the bank of the stream and feasted on cheese, quail eggs, and dried meat, all provided by Brogan’s father.
Brogan had helped ease her down to sit after she had winced when trying to do so herself. His strong hands had gripped her arms and lowered her slowly and did not release her until she settled comfortably.
“Your tongue must charm far better than I imagined for your father to agree so readily with your requests. I thought he would deprive you of things until his demands were met.”
“He knows what fights he cannot win and avoids them. He also knows I would let no harm befall my clan. I would do whatever was necessary to see it stay strong.”
“Then you will sire an heir?” Another question she had no idea why she asked.
“I would not want a son or daughter to suffer the curse. Odran and Rannick feel the same as I do, that if we are the last of our clans then the curse dies with us.”