Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 115248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 576(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 576(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Tarass was pleased to know that Snow’s da would have approved of their marriage.
“You and your men are welcome to stay the night. While Abbot Bennett and his crew will make it to the monastery shortly after darkness falls, night would descend on you well before you reach home,” Tarass said.
“And the long, tumultuous day has proven too much for these old bones,” Polwarth said.
“A room will be prepared for you,” Tarass said.
“You are too generous, Lord Tarass. I should at least be in the stocks for what I did.”
“I agree and would oblige you, but my wife would come to your rescue and free you even if she had to sneak out of the keep in the middle of the night, paying no heed to her blindness, to do so. On that, I am certain.”
Polwarth smiled. “I can see Snow doing that and succeeding.”
Fear poked at Tarass at the thought of his wife doing such a dangerous thing.
“There is food and drink in the Great Hall for you and your men.”
“My two men who followed my orders. What will happen to them?” Polwarth asked.
“While again, I would see them at least suffer the stocks for a few days, they brought no harm to my wife so I will let them go unpunished, not something I would usually do. Though, know this, Lord Polwarth. You owe me and some day you will repay me.”
“On that you have my word,” Lord Polwarth said.
Tarass ordered the evening meal brought to his bedchamber. It arrived well before he did, a few matters delaying his return to his wife. However, he was glad to see Snow sitting at the small table, big enough for him and her alone, and piled with food that Snow was enjoying.
“You’re hungry tonight,” he said and chuckled, since she couldn’t see him smile.
“Very hungry,” she admitted, her cheeks turning pink at how much food she had put in her bowl.
“I’m pleased to hear that, since I’m feeling the same and look forward to stuffing myself,” he said and leaned over her to kiss her lips. He came away, licking them. “Meat pie, a favorite of mine.”
“Hurry. Sit and tell me all,” Snow urged impatient to hear what had been discussed.
“First you will tell me how your knee does,” he said.
“It feels much better, and the pain is not as bad when I stand, and the swelling has gone down quite a bit.”
Tarass lifted her and the chair with ease, turning it away from the table. “I’ll see for myself.”
Snow lifted her nightdress, Nettle had helped her into, exposing her knee.
Tarass flinched, seeing the bruise that had deepened considerably, though she’d been right about the swelling. It had gone down. It made him want to go and beat Polwarth senseless.
“His kick wasn’t meant for me, and I would suffer anything to protect Thaw,” she said, able to see, fuzzy though it was, his brow narrow in anger since he was so close to her.
“Thaw is there to protect you,” Tarass scolded.
“He’s only a pup,” she reminded.
“And he will never grow into a warrior if you don’t let him,” Tarass said and kissed her before she could respond, then lifted her and the chair to settle her at the table.
Snow gave thought to the wisdom of his words.
Once Tarass sat, he didn’t waste any time. He told her everything Polwarth and he had discussed in between enjoying the delicious fare.
“I didn’t think he had anything to do with the pools of blood. The myth belongs to your mum’s people so it would make sense the person responsible is of that origin,” Snow said.
“I doubted it as well, but I needed to ask. The puzzle goes unsolved,” Tarass said, frustrated that even the smallest clue eluded him.
“This snow doesn’t help. It limits travel and discussion with others who may be of help,” Snow said, enjoying the tasty heather ale. “I can’t help but wonder if that man with the many markings had news for you.”
“What makes you think that?” Tarass asked.
“He and Finn suffered the same fate and Finn had news for you, so it makes one wonder if the man with the markings also had news for you.”
Tarass enjoyed talking with his wife. She had a sharp mind, sometimes seeing things he didn’t.
Snow scratched her head and narrowed her eyes in thought. “I wish we could make sense of the pools of blood. Are they a message of some sort? Or are they meant to instill fear and weaken your leadership? It would help to know the why since it could lead us to the who.”
They continued talking, conversation eventually turning to things they did when young and more laughter than talk followed.
Snow yawned once or twice, but when her yawns grew Tarass took note and saw what he hadn’t noticed before, how tired she was. And why wouldn’t she be with the day she had.