Has there been any news on the search for Seth or Goddard?” Cree asked letting Sloan know that they would talk no more of Dawn.
“Not yet, though I cannot understand why Goddard would take the chance of returning to simply attack Dawn.”
“He didn’t,” Cree said and Sloan stared at him waiting for an explanation. “Goddard and Colum are not men who would waste time on Dawn unless she had something they wanted.
Sloan nodded. “Information.”
“No doubt they thought she knew more than she had told them when I was held captive, a ruse that worked well for us, and Colum would not want to return to the Earl of Carrick without a stitch of useful information that would help the earl to regain his land.”
Sloan grinned and raised his tankard. “And little does Colum know that there is a new Earl of Carrick.”
Cree raised his tankard as well. “To us all, living and dead who helped to achieve land of our own where we will now know some peace.”
They drank and then Sloan asked, “What do you think Roland Gerwan, former Earl of Carrick will say when he learns that he is to give you his daughter to wed?”
“Gerwan is not a foolish man. He knows if he does not comply that the King will simply claim the rest of his land whereas his land, in a sense, remains with future heirs and he gains the extra advantage of having the infamous Cree as a son-in-law.”
“And guarantee his safety and that of his holdings.”
Cree raised his tankard. “And gain the King my presence in this area and firm obedience from the ruling lords.”
“Do you think someone will try again to take Dawn?”
His eyes narrowed again, the crease between them deepening. “Colum is no fool, though he is desperate and desperate men can do foolish things. The fatal mistake he made was harming someone who belongs to me. Now,” —he shrugged— “he will pay for it.”
“You don’t intend to stop hunting for him,” Sloan confirmed.
“His time is limited. I will find him and…”
Cree did not need to detail what would be done to the man. Sloan knew all too well what happened to men who brought harm to anyone under Cree’s protection.
“Have all the villagers been assigned chores?” Cree asked.
“You assigned the very last one yourself,” Sloan smirked.
Cree glared at him, though issued no threats. Sloan had a quick wit and would not disrespect him, though he would be honest with him and Cree counted on his honesty.
“See how each fair at their chores and if any have any particular skills we can use. Have you taken Turbett to the miller yet?”
“Turbett’s damn annoying to work with,” Sloan complained. “If he wasn’t such a great cook—lord his bread is delicious—I would run a sword through him.”
“His bread is tasty because he works with the miller to produce a good ground grain. And see that the miller knows he is to follow Turbett’s instructions without question.”
“You put this on me so you do not have to deal with the insufferable man.”
Cree quirked a brow. “I put this on you, for if I handle it Turbett will end up dead and we will end up with tasteless food.”
“I will see that it is done,” Sloan said without hesitation.
“I thought you might.” Cree stood after downing the last of the ale in his tankard.
“You will stay with her tonight?”
“Since when do I have to keep you abreast of my actions?”
“Since I have never seen a woman who ties you in knots as this one has.”
Cree sat again. “You evidently have something to say concerning Dawn so say it and be done.”
Sloan leaned closer so they could not be heard, more servants having entered the Great Hall in preparation of the evening meal. “We have each had our fill of women, not growing attached to any particular one knowing what we had to do. You still have to finish what we’ve started. You must wed a woman for what she can bring to the marriage; more land and more power. And she in turn will produce heirs to guarantee the future of your name and holdings and those to come after us.”
“I know all this; I don’t need reminding.”
“I think you do when I see the way you look at the silent one. You have not fully satisfied your lust for her. Be done with it, have your fill, enjoy and let her go. And be careful not to leave her with child and run the risk of having a son who cannot speak, for your enemies would take full advantage of it. Keep your heart as silent as it’s ever been or risk losing everything you have fought and sacrificed for.”
Cree stood and without saying a word left the Great Hall. He made his way to the front of the keep and stood on the steps surveying the village and the land beyond that now was his. Sloan had been right, they had fought endless battles, lost many good men and made many sacrifices to have a home and Sloan had assumed that he had turned his heart silent in order to reach his goal.