Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 103333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
“I didn’t think he would trust me, but a Hunter, one who serves him?” She shook her head, finding it difficult to believe.
“The king trusts no one and I cannot say I blame him. He has been burned more than once by people who claimed to be loyal. But enough of this. We leave now before anything else may prevent us from leaving. First, let your friend tend to your face.”
Again, there was concern in his voice. “It is not necessary. The strike was hard, but it left no damage and I am as anxious as you to leave Caerith.”
She took hold of his hand and thought she caught a pleased look in his eyes.
They had taken only a few steps when Dar said, “I am eager to hear about the other vision you had.”
She almost stumbled over her own feet she was so startled that he knew she had another vision.
“I have come to know you well,” he said as if that could explain it.
Perhaps he did know her more than she realized, but then she had come to know him as well or was it that she knew that… “Hunters watch and learn about their prey before they strike.”
To her surprise he grinned.
“So true, which helps when a Hunter weds a woman who is too tenacious for her own good.”
She had always been told how gracious and patient she was, but then she was an herb-scribe and patience was required for such tedious, though interesting work. Never had she been called tenacious and hearing it gave her a strength she hadn’t realized she possessed.
“Too wise,” she corrected with a smile, “or so says the king.”
“Either can prove dangerous, so tread lightly in what direction you take,” he advised. “For now, I look forward to discussing your vision when the opportunity allows.”
That he didn’t demand that she tell him immediately made it easier to say, “Aye, I will tell you about it… and more.”
Chapter Nineteen
Village of Falkrith in Venngraith
Home of the Hunters’ Chieftain
* * *
“It will be tomorrow evening before we reach my home, so we have time for you to tell me what you saw that had you holding your tongue,” Dar said low, so the Hunters following behind them could not hear. “And I remind you that we pledged to speak truthfully to each other.”
“I need no reminding,” she said, and wondered if he did, not about the pledge, but how the hurt of his betrayal still stung. She would have preferred him to be truthful to her. Yet if he had been, she would have run from him. What then may have happened to her? He had kept her safe and continued to do so.
“You don’t trust me,” he said when she failed to say more.
She tilted her head and smiled softly. “That’s the strange part. There is a part of me that does and a part—”
“That cannot help but doubt.” He nodded. “I understand. In time…”
She hoped that would prove true.
He tucked her closer to him when the horse jostled, the terrain rough. “Tell me what you saw.”
“First, I will need to go back to the night we made camp after leaving Barloch,” she said and explained how she saw the dark, ethereal shape hovering over Muir and how it warned her to stay silent.
Dar kept his voice to a whisper. “That hints of dark magic. It is good you said nothing about it.”
“I saw the image again when the king’s warrior struck me. The figure shook its finger at me in warning once again. The first time was to warn me to hold my tongue and tell no one what I saw. The one today? Giving it thought, I believe it was warning me not to search for her.”
“This stays between you and me,” Dar ordered, fearful of what such news could bring.
Elara felt the same. “I agree. It is for us alone.”
“This could prove a more dangerous quest than I first thought,” Dar said, his brow creasing.
“What choice do we have? We must see it done.”
“I will increase the Hunters who go with us.”
Elara’s eyes went wide. “We cannot take Hunters with us. We must go alone, just you and me.”
“Absolutely not,” he snapped. “I will not take a chance with your safety.”
Elara pushed at his chest to ease away from him. “No healer will speak to me if Hunters are with us.”
“What of me? Will they turn their backs on you when they spot a Hunter with you?” he asked. “I tell you now. I will not hide who I am again nor am I ashamed of who I am. Hunters have a long, proud heritage in Scotara and I will not deny my legacy.”
“And healers are just as proud of their peaceful, healing culture. It was one thing when the king sent Hunters to question the healers and a far different thing when he sent them to take healers by force. With talk of war spreading, the king would be wise not to make enemies of his people.”