Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 105132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 350(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 350(@300wpm)
They were well away from the site of the attack when Seger rode up beside them.
“It bothers me that they knew where to find us.”
“It bothers me more that I don’t know who they were,” Dravic said.
Adira felt his arm tighten slightly around her.
“Mercenaries?” Seger asked.
“Some, perhaps. Men who fight together that poorly generally fight for coin rather than loyalty.”
“Then someone paid them.”
“Aye,” Dravic said, the thought gnawing at him.
Seger looked toward the surrounding forest. “Someone Tharne has planted here?”
Dravic was silent long enough that Adira wondered if she had missed his answer.
“A good possibility and, if so, how many more loyal men has he managed to plant here?”
“Hunters search. They will find them, my king.”
“Hunters have never failed me. I do not expect them to start now.”
“We won’t, my king.” Seger started to ride off, then stopped. “There is something else I nearly forgot.”
“What is it, Seger?”
“Some of the men have noticed symbols carved into trees along the way. None recognize them. We thought nothing of it at first. This is Driochmor, and we assumed they were markings belonging to the people here.”
“Why mention them now?”
“Because we’re seeing more of them. At first, it was one here and there, but they have grown more frequent.”
Dravic glanced at the trees surrounding them. “What kind of symbols?”
“Several different ones. None that mean anything to us.”
“The next time one of the men spots one, have him point it out to me.”
“As you say, my king,” Seger said with a nod and rode off.
Seeing what it was like for a king was one thing, but hearing it made Adira understand even more the tremendous amount of responsibility Dravic carried on his shoulders. One decision could mean life or death for countless people. That was a far heavier burden for one person to bear.
Ernach approached. “We lost time.”
“Then we make it up tomorrow,” Dravic said. “Do you know of a safe place to camp for the night?”
“There is a place ahead where we can camp. Easily defended, with enough shelter for the wounded, so Merek told me, should it be needed.”
Dravic glanced at him. “How far?”
“We should reach it before dark.”
“Then that’s where we stop.”
Ernach nodded and rode ahead.
Dravic watched him go. Too many questions crowded his thoughts. Who had sent the men who attacked them? How had they known where to find him? And how had the exceptional healer known Cadby lay dying in a forest in Driochmor?
He looked down at Adira. She had rested her head against him, her eyes closed, though he doubted she slept.
He would keep her safe, but was that even possible here in Driochmor? An area of his own kingdom he was not as familiar with as he should be. A fault of his grandfather’s that he intended to correct.
They reached the campsite shortly before darkness settled over the forest.
Merek had been wise to inform Ernach of this place. A rocky rise protected one side while thick trees sheltered another, leaving only two approaches that would need guarding.
A sudden thought had Dravic wondering why Merek had told Ernach of this place. Had he some knowledge of the attack? Been part of it? Had he changed his mind after getting to know the king some and offered a bit of safety?
Who could he trust?
He glanced down at Adira, her soft smile no doubt pleased they were stopping for the night.
Without a doubt he could always trust her even more so now that he knew that she loved him and he certainly loved her.
The claim came so easily that it startled him, and Adira must have felt it since she hurried to glance at him.
His heart thudded in his chest, seeing the concern in her eyes. Or was it that he finally admitted to himself how he truly felt about her? And when the bloody hell had it happened?
Seger approached, leaving Dravic with no time to give it thought. Besides, this was not the time or place to even consider it.
Dravic issued orders to Seger as soon as he drew near.
Seger wasted no time in seeing the king’s orders carried out and making sure horses were tended, fires set, and the wounded tended to.
Dravic saw Adira settled by one of the campfires before he went to make sure all was set for the night and made certain the food Merek had provided was distributed to the men.
By the time he finished, darkness had settled completely and several fires burned throughout the camp.
His gaze found Adira almost immediately. She sat near one of the fires and the sight of her stirred an ache in him that had nothing to do with worry over the blow to her head.
He wanted her beside him. He wanted her beneath the blankets with him, his body wrapped around hers, where he could feel for himself that she was safe throughout the night.