Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 99206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
She laughed and kissed him. “I will remember that and make certain to wake you the next time I have trouble sleeping.”
He kissed her before lowering her to the floor.
She turned to Thomas. “Good morning . . .” He did not look happy, and she grew alarmed. “What is wrong?” She looked to Magnus. His smile had faded.
“A message from the king.”
Reena braced herself for the news.
“The king orders Brigid to produce the map that Kilkern has accused her of stealing, and if she does not, then the king’s men will journey here to question her and determine who speaks the truth.”
“They will torture her,” Reena said on a whisper.
“They will not touch her,” Thomas said, his large fist pounding the table.
Horace jumped, whimpered, and attempted to bury his head under Reena’s dress.
She soothed him with a pat on the head and a few soft words, but still he kept his snout under her dress.
“What can we do?” she asked. “And does Brigid know of this?”
“Nay,” Thomas said quickly, his voice low. “And she will not know. She is happy planning our wedding, and I will not see her robbed of her happiness. Magnus and I discuss now what can be done.”
“Then I join this discussion,” Reena said and walked around Magnus to take a seat on the bench next to where he had been sitting. Horace was quick to trail her, bone in mouth. He slipped beneath the table for added protection, lying beside her.
Magnus returned to his seat.
“You have the map to show the king’s men,” Thomas said. “Will that not satisfy them?”
Magnus shook his head. “Unfortunately not, since Kilkern claims another map exists that disputes my claim.”
“And by claiming that Brigid holds the map he puts pressure on us.”
“Aye,” Magnus agreed. “He knows I cannot prevent the king’s men from speaking with Brigid, for then I defy the king and make myself appear guilty. All will think that I had Brigid steal the map for me.”
“But you did not know Brigid, you only met her when you arrived at the village,” Reena said.
“It is for me to prove otherwise. Until then it is assumed she acted on my behalf.”
Thomas rubbed his chin, the look of concern heavy on his face. “Kilkern believes he has you in a chokehold.”
“Nay, not me—Reena.”
“I don’t understand,” Thomas said.
“Kilkern believes that I will come to him and willingly agree to map the land in exchange for Brigid’s safety,” Reena explained, then turned to Magnus. “He wishes to use me against you, and when he discovers we are in love and will wed he will be doubly pleased. Who knows of our intention to wed?”
“Thomas,” Magnus said with a nod toward his friend. “I thought that you would prefer to tell Brigid, so I have said nothing, and now I see that it would be better if it remained a secret.”
“Aye, our wedding must wait.”
“Nay,” Magnus said adamantly. “It will not wait. We wed in a few weeks’ time. Brigid can be trusted to keep the plans a secret, and I expect this matter to be settled by then.”
“I agree she can keep a secret, but what of the present problem? What happens when the king’s men arrive?” Her voice was filled with concern. She would not have her friend suffer; she would do whatever was necessary to prevent it, even if it meant mapping for Kilkern.
“I know your thoughts, Reena, and do not even think it,” Magnus warned. “No map, no proof that this land is his, and he discredits himself in front of the king when he cannot produce the map. He is shamed before all and stripped of any possessions, even the small piece of land granted the Kilkern name in the wedding agreement.”
“Then your revenge is complete?” she asked.
“Aye, for he will have nothing and can do nothing but beg for even a morsel of food.”
“As you did?”
“I want him to have a taste of the life he and his father forced on my mother and me. Perhaps in the end I will be merciful and let him die with a full belly.”
There was not an ounce of compassion in his words, and Reena realized he must know what she had discovered last night. She shivered at the thought.
“For now our concern is Brigid. Kilkern will more than likely attempt to abduct her in hopes that Reena will barter for her safety. He had also made mention to the king that he would be lenient with Brigid if she returned the map to him, having her serve her punishment as service in his keep.”
Thomas snorted. “Service him is what he means.”
“True enough,” Magnus agreed, “but his leniency makes him appear a better man to the king. After all, she was a mere tenant on his land. Her punishment could be death for stealing from him.”