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)
He moaned and groaned and held his gut.
Fiona leaned down, her lips near his ear. “I have a brew here for you. Now the problem is that if I am Aliss the brew will certainly heal you. If I am Fiona, then the brew will surely kill you. So I leave the choice to you. Drink or not to drink.”
She held the tankard to his lips.
His decision was quick. He pushed the tankard away and stood of his own volition. “I feel fine,” he said and hurried out the door.
Fiona was pleased to see Leith’s face turn red with fury, and she would not have been surprised if smoke spewed from his nostrils. Tarr on the other hand appeared impressed.
He looked ready to approach Fiona when the door opened suddenly. A stranger entered, looked over the room and, when his eyes connected with Tarr, he hurried toward him.
Tarr met him halfway, a concerned look on the warrior’s face.
“Raynor has attacked the keep.”
Tarr’s men were on their feet reaching for their weapons.
Tarr turned to Leith. “I leave shortly. Have the twins ready for the journey. They go with me. When I find out which sister is Fiona, I will wed her and return Aliss to your clan.”
Chapter 3
Fiona and Aliss were on horseback before they were given a chance to refuse. Their meager belongings had been hurriedly packed with the help of a few clanswomen, and Fiona had grabbed Aliss’s healing basket as she was rushed out the door of their cottage.
They had been placed protectively in the middle of the Hellewyk procession of warriors, riding beside each other.
“Victory is ours in the first skirmish,” Fiona said, her words for her sister’s ears alone.
“True enough, but Tarr retaliated by spiriting us away. He is not giving up; he is waging war, and he intends to win.”
“As do we. If we keep him confused he will grow frustrated and finally surrender and send us home.”
Aliss disagreed. “I do not think so. He is a warrior intent on victory.”
“Then we must remain vigilant at all times.”
“And patient,” Aliss reminded. “It will take patience to outwit Tarr.”
“I have a lot of patience,” Fiona snapped. “It is an idiot I have no patience with.”
Aliss cringed. “I can see that lack of food has made you grumpy.”
Tarr’s sudden presence interrupted any further complaints from Fiona.
His gorgeous black stallion pranced and snorted on approach and nestled close to Fiona’s gray mare.
“I have been told that Fiona is an excellent hunter, skilled in various weaponry, and that Aliss is a superb healer.”
“You think to determine our identity that way?” Fiona asked, though she sounded more as if she accused.
Tarr was just as blunt. “Your identity will be made known sooner or later. Our clans will unite through marriage and there is nothing you can do to stop it.”
“You think so?” Aliss snapped.
“I have no time to debate this matter.” He glanced from one to the other. “If your skills are needed use them.”
“Who is this Raynor?” Fiona asked, prepared to fight if necessary.
“Raynor of Blackshaw is a Viking Scottish chieftain who claims that a section of my land belongs to him. It has been an ongoing battle for years.”
“Obviously with you continuing to be the victor,” Fiona said.
“What is mine remains mine.” Tarr reined the horse away from Fiona. “Remember that and keep alert. Raynor is unpredictable.” He rode off with a shout to one of his men.
“He is a handsome and fit man,” Aliss said.
Fiona turned her head with a jerk. “If you think so favorably of him, you wed him.”
“I am not interested in marriage. I just took more notice of him while he spoke with us. His features are not hard to gaze upon and though the size of him can intimidate, it offers protection. His clansmen must certainly feel safe with him as their chieftain.”
“I can see how his people would feel safe,” Fiona grudgingly agreed. “But his features mean nothing if he is not a man a woman can trust and depend on. And as for you not being interested in marriage? Love can change all that.”
“I do not want it to,” Aliss said with a firmness that had her sister raising a brow. “I do not want my work replaced by love. I would like love to compliment my work and I do not believe there are many men who would find patience with my propensity for healing the ill.”
“Find an ailing man and you both will be happy.” Fiona laughed; Aliss did not.
They camped just before nightfall and the atmosphere was one of caution. Guards were posted around the camp, and several men disappeared into the shadows of the night presumably for added protection.
Fiona was disappointed when no food was offered, and she wondered if she would last until morning without a morsel to fill her protesting stomach. She almost hugged her sister when she passed her a hunk of bread and cheese as they lay huddled next to each other by the fire.