Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Bria found herself tracing a finger over the pendant.
“Let it be for the night,” Kaelan said. “Tomorrow will bring more questions.”
“Aye,” Bria said softly, though wondered if it would bring any answers.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Hunters
And the King’s Command
Kaelan slid his arms around Bria’s waist from behind as she finished braiding her hair and pressed a kiss to her neck.
“I would much rather spend today alone with my wife.”
Bria smiled. The suggestion was tempting. Very tempting. After everything they had learned and everything they still needed to face, the thought of spending the day tucked away in their cottage with no one demanding answers appealed greatly.
She turned in his arms. “So would I.”
The smile that spread across his face was enough to make her consider abandoning all responsibility.
Almost.
“But we have questions that need answering,” she reminded him. “And war continues to creep closer.”
His expression darkened slightly. “Unfortunately.”
Bria reached up and ran her finger lightly over his lips. “We will make time for ourselves.”
“Sooner rather than later,” he said as if declaring it an edict.
He kissed her then, quick but thorough enough to make her forget what they had been discussing.
When he finally released her, he rested his forehead briefly against hers. “Very well. We shall seek answers.”
“But?” she asked, his tone telling her there was more.
“But I reserve the right to complain about it.”
Bria laughed. “That seems fair.”
“Let us start the day,” he said, taking her hand, “and see it done quickly so we can return to the cottage early, before dusk.”
Bria did not doubt they would, hearing the determination in his voice.
The moment they stepped outside, Bria sensed something was different.
The settlement buzzed with activity. Not the peaceful activity she had witnessed the previous evening. This felt restless.
People stood in small groups talking quietly. Others moved with purpose between cottages. More than one conversation stopped abruptly when Kaelan and Bria passed.
“…Hunters…”
“…should never have been allowed here…”
“…the council approved communication with the king…”
“…necessary but dangerous…”
Bria exchanged a glance with Kaelan. His concern mirrored her own.
Kaelan stopped a man carrying a basket of apples. “Do I hear right? Hunters are here?”
The man nodded. “Lord Oaken’s granddaughter arrived this morning along with her husband.” His expression soured. “He brought Hunters with him.”
Kaelan’s brow rose. “How many?”
“Ten or more.” The man shook his head. “People are uneasy about it.”
Bria understood why. The last time Hunters had entered Leighfeld, they had taken healers from their homes. Even knowing those healers had eventually been returned did little to erase the memory or the fear their arrival had left behind.
“What are they doing here?” Kaelan asked.
“That is the problem, no one knows,” the man said and walked off shaking his head.
Bria looked toward the council building. Whatever brought a troop of Hunters into Driochmor, she doubted it was good news. And judging by the growing tension in the settlement, everyone else suspected the same.
As they continued toward the building, Bria counted more Hunters than she expected. Some remained with the horses near the edge of the settlement, while others stood in small groups throughout the grounds. None appeared threatening yet neither did they appear relaxed. Hands rested near sword hilts and eyes remained watchful.
The Hunters studied the settlement and the settlement studied them. No one seemed willing to trust the other.
Bria noticed villagers altering their paths rather than walking too close to the armed men. The Hunters appeared equally cautious, as though uncertain what to expect from those who called Driochmor home.
A pair of Hunters stood near the door of the council building, their attention settling briefly on Kaelan.
Bria felt his body tense beside her, though not with fear, but with assessment.
The same look appeared on the Hunters’ faces. Warriors measuring another warrior.
Then the door opened and the two Hunters immediately stepped aside.
A tall man emerged. Dark hair brushed his shoulders and gray eyes swept across the settlement before settling on Bria and Kaelan.
The reaction was immediate. The tension surrounding the entrance eased, not completely but enough.
The Hunters respected him and the people of Driochmor appeared to trust him. Few men could move comfortably between two worlds that often viewed one another with suspicion. He could be only one man… Dar, husband of Elara.
He stepped forward, his attention shifting first to Bria.
Kaelan stepped closer to his wife, not taking his eyes off the man, and spoke, “I am Kaelan of Northland, and this is my wife, Bria of Willowmere. And you are?”
“Northland,” Dar said, taking note of it. “I am Dar of Venngraith and husband of Elara, granddaughter of Lord Oaken.”
Before another word could be spoken, a familiar voice sounded overhead.
“Finally.” Fiora dropped from the sky and landed directly between them and shook her tiny finger at them. “There you are. What took you so long?” She cringed. “Never mind, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know what you were doing. But you have kept everyone waiting long enough. Now hurry your pace, important matters need to be discussed.” Her wings fluttered impatiently. “Like, why Hunters are wandering all over the settlement.”