Chapter Eighteen
Dawn was angry. It wasn’t until several hours later when the sun was barely on the horizon that they finally stopped at a deserted croft and she was able to let her anger loose. Her hands flew wildly around her in gestures and though Kirk and Torr probably didn’t understand a word of it, they certainly could see how upset she was
She repeated her last gesture several times, patting her chest and pointing to the door.
Kirk shook his head. “I am sorry; I can’t take you back to Dowell.”
Her hands started flying again and then slowed as she realized that the cottage had a blazing fire in the hearth, food on the table, and three narrow beds across one wall. They hadn’t randomly chosen this place to stop; they had planned on stopping here. They had planned on abducting her.
Dawn ceased all gestures and looked from Kirk to Torr, shrugged and scrunched her brow asking why.
Kirk pulled out a chair at the table. “Please sit and we’ll talk.”
Dawn sat wanting to hear what he had to say but also wondering over her options. She wanted to go home but they had traveled a good distance and with the snow she would be foolish to try to escape and make it home on foot. Besides Cree had told her often enough that she belonged to him and he would not let anyone take her away from him. Once he found out about the abduction he would come after her, though that could take time considering Cree’s own predicament. That gave her a thought and she began to gesture again, though slowly.
“I told you she’d figure it out quickly,” Torr said to his father, smiling with pride.
Kirk nodded, his own pride obvious. “You are correct. There has been no attack on Cree. We needed his warriors to believe that to give us time to get you safely away. Our tracker is rarely visible so it was easy for him to pose as one of Gerwan’s men and deliver the false message. He played his part well. Appearing exhausted from his rush to get help, Sloan insisted that he remain behind. Our tracker provided Sloan with precise direction, giving us plenty of time to carry out our plan. ”
The news that Cree was all right filled Dawn with such relief that she sighed silently. Cree was safe and he when he discovered her gone, he would come for her. For now she would listen to what Kirk had to say. With that thought in mind, she gestured that they should talk.
“I ask that you listen to all I have to say,” Kirk said. “Lives depend on the decision you will make, including yours.”
Dawn pointed at him, then to her temple, then gestured as if she was shooting an arrow and then pointed to herself.
Kirk nodded. “I think I know who has been trying to kill you, though I have no proof, but it makes the most sense.”
Dawn waited eager to hear more.
~~~
It was just passed sunrise when Sloan realized that it had been a ruse and he feared the worst, though truthfully the worst wouldn’t be Dawn being abducted. It would be what happened when Cree found out about it.
He alerted the men who had already surmised the same and saw fear in their eyes. They too did not want to face Cree. They had seen him angry and it was not a sight one wanted to ever see again.
Sloan had them keep a fast pace wanting to return home and see if his fears were founded, though he had no doubt they were, but he could hope. Unfortunately, all hope was dashed as an hour later they converged with Cree and Gerwan’s troop.
One sight of Sloan had Cree halting the caravan and riding to meet him and his men.
“Tell me Dawn is safe,” Cree demanded as the two men reached each other. His stallion pranced and snorted seeming to sense his master’s agitation.
Sloan hesitated and fiery anger sparked in Cree’s eyes. Sloan drew back, as if scorched by their heat and spoke quickly. “A messenger arrived several hours before sunrise to inform us that you had been attacked and needed help. I gathered the men and left Dawn in—” Sloan shook his head. “My concern was for you and I did not see it for the ruse it was. Torr swore he would see no harm came to Dawn.”
“Of course he wouldn’t you fool,” Cree spat. “He believes that she is his sister. He would not hurt her, but he would abduct her given the chance, which you gave him.”
Sloan was wise enough to remain silent.
Cree looked past Sloan to Elwin. “I trusted you to put Dawn’s safety above all else.”
Elwin hung his head. “I am sorry, my lord, I was foolish.”