“Look around you,” Cree whispered. “Kellmara’s men stand close and listen. They would stop him from saying anything their chieftain does not want known.”
Torr turned away, running a hand through his hair as if frustrated and gave a quick glance around. Cree was right. The warriors had moved closer and made no attempt to hide their presence or that they listened most curiously.
Cree turned back to Owen who had put more distance between them and with a calm that belied his words said, “When this is done, your lands will be mine.”
Owen blanched, though squared his shoulders. “When this is done I will not only hold more land, I will hold a title just like you.”
Cree took a quick step forward once more and Owen scrambled back out of reach.
“When this is done,” Cree said in a harsh whisper, “I will see you dead. You have my word on it.” Cree turned and mounted his stallion.
“And I will be the one who kills him,” Torr said with a look in his eye that dared Cree to argue with him after mounting his horse.
The two turned and rode off without another word. This time the Kellmara warriors did not escort them out of camp, though they kept steady eyes on them.
Cree’s men waited for him on the edge of the camp, alert and ready for anything. The twenty men were not enough to battle the large contingent of Kellmara warriors, but add the fifty that surrounded the camp and the fact that one of Cree’s warriors were worth two of any other warrior and that meant the Kellmara warriors were outnumbered.
“Do you think Owen has been promised land and a title or is it his own foolishness that has him believing such nonsense?” Torr said.
“I think that depends on the information he has and how badly someone wants it. And it would seem that the Earl of Kellmara wants it badly.”
Torr did not like the feeling that caught at his gut. The King had decreed his marriage to Wintra and only the King could see it undone. So there was nothing for him to worry about, or was there?
Chapter Twenty-five
Wintra and Dawn stood on the keep steps looking out over the village. It was late afternoon, the sky was gray, the air crisp, and light flurries fell. Villagers scurried about busy with their chores and daily routines. All seemed well except that Cree and Torr were two days late in returning home. No message had been received concerning their delay, and the two women were worried.
Sloan did not seem concerned, though he had told them that if Cree had not returned by tomorrow, he would send men to see what had caused their delay.
Wintra tried to convince herself that Torr and her brother were fine that they would return home soon and all would be well, yet nagging doubt would not let go of her. What if the Earl of Kellmara had attacked Cree and his troop and left them for dead? What if at this very moment Torr lay bleeding and helpless somewhere? Endless worries had filled her head and upset her stomach to the point where she could not eat.
Wintra turned her head to look at Dawn when she felt her hand grasp her arm. Dawn was pointing down the length of the village and up toward the rise. Wintra’s stomach tightened so badly that she thought she would double over. Was that Torr and Cree coming over the rise? She prayed to the heavens and all who would listen to please let it be so.
Dawn held her arm firm, stopping her from rushing off the steps and through the village to greet them. She shook her head at Wintra when she tried to yank her arm away and gestured with her one hand.
Try as she might, Wintra could not understand what Dawn was saying. She was grateful when Old Mary suddenly appeared and quickly interpreted.
“It would not be proper for either of you to run and greet the men you love. You must not let others see that you worried over them, for it would cause others in the village to do the same. You must stay strong and remain here on the steps to demonstrate the confidence you have in your men.”
Wintra nodded, though wished she could join the village women who ran to greet their men without hesitation. She grew impatient as Cree and Torr rode at a leisurely pace through the village, the villagers crying out hardy welcomes that they had returned home safely. She understood then, watching the scene unfold in front of her, how important their entrance to the village was. The obvious joy and pride on the villagers’ faces for the returning warriors left them feeling safe and protected.
Dawn finally let go of Wintra’s hand and walked down the steps, Wintra hurrying alongside her. They reached the bottom as Cree and Torr brought their horses to a halt a short distance from them.