Chapter 24

CHAPTER 24

" P lease, Shade, bring him here so I can hear what he has to say," Caleb pleaded with her after she was informed that Rufus had returned.

"That's up to Quint, but I will suggest it," she assured him, relieved he was improving greatly day by day. "And tell your wife," —she looked at Ula— "that she needs to get out of this room some."

"Shade is right, Ula," Caleb said. "You spend endless hours here."

"When I am sure you are well enough, only then will I leave your side briefly," Ula argued.

"The bairn needs some brisk autumn air and a good wander now and again," Shade said.

"What bairn?" Caleb and Ula asked.

"The one inside you that has been growing for three months now," Shade said with a smile, having discovered it when she had hooked arms with Ula when they had taken a rare walk one day. She had been curious if something else was keeping Ula from eating besides her worry for her husband. "With your thoughts only for your husband, I assumed you didn't realize it, but it shouldn't wait any longer. You need to know so you know when to rest and eat and get out of this room now and again for the bairn's sake."

Caleb was smiling from ear to ear. "I'm going to be a da. Thank you, Shade, thank you for saving me so I can be here for my son or daughter."

Ula's hand had gone to rest on her stomach. "You're right. I never even gave it thought."

"It isn't necessary to bring Rufus here, Shade. I would rather time with my wife right now."

Tears began to roll down Ula's cheeks as Caleb patted the spot beside him in bed. "Come. I need to hold you."

Ula looked anxiously at Shade.

"Just be careful of his wounds. They continue to heal," Shade advised, and Ula gently got into bed with her husband.

Shade left the room closing the door behind her and sending a silent prayer of thanks for Caleb continuing to heal so well. She stopped abruptly when she rounded a curve on the stairs, startled by her husband's sudden appearance.

He hurried his arm around her waist. "I was coming to get you. Rufus has returned and I thought you would like to be there when Nug and I talk with him."

"I heard. I was coming to find you, after hearing some good news."

"Good news is always welcomed."

"Ula is with child," she said, her smile wide with happiness for her friend.

"Caleb must be thrilled to hear it, and I have no doubt it will make him heal faster. Such news always thrills since it means his bloodline will live on. Now come and let's hear what Rufus has to say." His arm left her waist, and his hand took hold of hers as he walked in front of her to lead them down the stairs.

Shade hadn't thought of that. Without a child, Quint's bloodline would end with him. She wondered if that thought ever disturbed him.

Rufus was in the solar along with Nug and Dru when Quint returned with Shade. Rufus was finishing his tankard of ale and Nug filled it again once he placed it on the table.

Rufus took another gulp before speaking. "I haven't drunk or eaten anything since yesterday. I wanted to return as fast as I could."

"Eat, and talk between your bites," Quint said.

Rufus eagerly snatched up a quail egg and shoved it into his mouth, gulping down more ale after swallowing it. "Lord Torrance accepts your offer but warns that no harm is to befall Clan MacLeish, or you will pay with your life. He also made it clear that Ryland was to be kept alive and that he had special plans for him. He ordered you to announce to the clan that you will rule in his stead, and they are to obey you or suffer the consequences. Also, anyone you deem a threat against him is to be kept imprisoned until his arrival. He also tasked me to relay a message to two mercenaries, Witley and Monty." He paused to take a drink.

"The message for the two?" Nug asked impatiently.

Rufus hurried down another gulp before responding. "They are to do as The Monk commands. He also demanded that you provide any help to a mercenary called Knox, if he should show up here. He is on a special mission for Lord Torrance." He reached for a piece of bread, hurrying it into his mouth.

"Did you hear any word about the mercenary, Asher?" Quint asked.

Rufus nodded and swallowed more ale before speaking. "Aye, I was just going to tell you about him. The two, Asher and Lord Torrance, are at odds. Many heard them arguing and someone said they saw Lord Torrance strike Asher. Something bad is brewing between them. Some believe it started with a mission meant for Asher and given to Knox and there were whispers of something to do with Coggshall Abbey."

"What about the abbey?" Quint demanded anxiously. Before he met Shade, he didn't care what people thought of him. His only care was for revenge for Amara and the monks. Now, however, he wanted to prove his innocence, so that his wife was not made to suffer for something he never did.

"Something about another group of monks who are soon to make their home there and it wasn't received well by one of them but which one, Lord Torrance or Asher, I don't know."

That worried Shade. The monks could cause trouble for her if they decided to speak out against her. Their presence could also prove dangerous for Quint, believing he killed their fellow monks.

"Did Lord Torrance say when we should expect him?" Nug asked.

"Lord Torrance hopes to get here before winter sets in, if not, he will not be here until winter fades," Rufus said.

Nug smiled, pleased hoping for the latter.

Quint thought otherwise. He intended to spend the winter with his wife in her cottage where they could be alone. Though with another group of monks taking residence there that might prove troublesome especially if he couldn't prove he didn't murder the monks.

"You did well," Quint said. "I am sure Corrine and your daughters are eager to see you. If you think of anything else, let me know."

Rufus nodded and stood, eager to take his leave.

"One more thing, Rufus," Shade said. "Was that the first time you met Lord Torrance, or had you met him while serving with the mercenaries?"

"I saw him from afar a few times, but this is the first time I spoke with him. Though, I can tell you from experience that he is a feared man and rightfully so. I saw what he ordered his warriors to do to his foe and even to his own people who disappointed him when I served him. And I heard that his wife trembles before him, she fears him so much, though I didn't see that for myself."

"You have given us much, Rufus, and I thank you for your help," Quint said.

"It is I who owe you thanks. You saved my family from starvation and reunited us and for that I am grateful, and there is nothing I wouldn't do to help you."

"You have already done more than enough. Go be with your family," Quint said.

A teary-eyed Rufus hurried and took his leave.

The door barely closed behind the man when Nug spoke. "I pray Torrance doesn't arrive until after winter. It will give Ryland time to form a plan then contact us. We can be ready for Torrance when he arrives and bring this to an end with his death."

"Be careful saying such things, Nug, with Witley and Monty around," Quint warned.

"I will watch my tongue," Nug assured him. "I believe it would be wise to send some men to the North and see if Ryland has gone there in search of help."

"See to it but tell the men to be careful what they say and how they ask things," Quint said. "We don't want any word getting back to Lord Torrance."

"I will see it done," Nug said and hurried from the room.

"You should go rest, Dru," Shade said, seeing her rest her arm gently against her side.

"My thoughts as well," Dru said and eased herself off the bench and shuffled slowly out the door.

Quint's arms barely got around his wife's waist when someone rapped at the door. He scowled. "I cannot wait until we are home in your cottage, alone."

"Our cottage. Our home," Shade said, "and I feel the same."

Our home. It was something he never thought he would have again after losing Amara. But he'd been given a second chance with Shade, and he was eager to start their life together in their home.

"Enter," Quint called out, hoping to keep it brief with whoever was there. As soon as Brother Peter entered, he knew the visit would not be brief.

"I found who I was looking for… Shade," Brother Peter said with a chuckle. "I asked about seeing Chieftain Ryland so I can pray over him. I was told by all I asked that I needed to get permission to see him from you."

"Aye, he is in my care, and no one sees him unless I allow it since he needs rest to recover from his many wounds. I am afraid I cannot grant your request, but your prayers are appreciated no matter where they are offered."

"I bow to your expertise, Shade, and I will pray for Chieftain Ryland and pray I will be able to visit him soon," Brother Peter said.

"A moment of your time, Brother Peter," Quint said. "I have a few questions for you."

"Of course, my son, I am pleased to be of any help you may need."

"I must be off," Shade said. "I have recovering warriors to tend to."

Brother Peter smiled pleasantly. "You are a true angel, my dear. Everyone I meet remarks on how you have not only helped the injured but how you have saved lives that most thought beyond help."

"I do what I can," Shade said and turned to kiss her husband's cheek, though more so to whisper, "I miss you already."

"I will find you," he said, returning the whisper as his hand drifted down along her arm to take her hand and give it a gentle squeeze.

Shade smiled and a faint pink stained her cheeks.

Quint slipped his arm around her waist to walk her to the door and before she stepped out of the room, he leaned in close to her and whispered, "Later I am going to make your entire body blush."

Shade gasped softly, her blush deepening. "The cleric will hear."

"We commit no sin, we are wed, and he knows that for sure since he wed us. Now go but remember that later I intend to make you blush all over." He shut the door, the image of her now red cheeks burned in his memory and bringing a smile to his face. A smile that vanished as soon as he turned and faced the cleric.

"I was right. You two are in love," Brother Peter said pleased.

"Very much so," Quint confirmed. "Now tell me what one of Asher's men wanted with you."

"I don't know the man you call Asher, though I heard that he works closely with Lord Torrance. The man, who you believe to be Asher's man, confronted me on my way here?—"

"You meant to come to Clan MacLeish?"

"Aye," Brother Peter said, bobbing his head. "I could not forsake my duty after seeing so many wounded fleeing from the direction I was headed. So, I knew I was needed here more than at Clan Glencairn. The other cleric I was with, the one who recognized you as The Monk went on ahead to Glencairn. I turned around to come here, stopping often to pray and give aid to the wounded along the way."

"That is most kind of you. Now tell me about the man who confronted you."

"He appeared suddenly and demanded to know what I was doing in the area and my response seemed to displease him until he finally accused me of spying for Lord Torrance."

"And are you spying for Lord Torrance?" Quint asked.

"Good, Lord, absolutely not," Brother Peter said affronted. "I am a man of God. I do not spy. I offer hope to the needy and absolution to the wicked. You would do well to consider that. Confess that you killed the monks at Coggshall Abbey, and I will absolve you of the sin."

"Vicious, senseless murders like those cannot be absolved by mere words, it takes revenge to bring those souls peace," Quint said.

"And what about your soul, my son?"

Quint chuckled. "I have that angel you mentioned who looks after me."