Cora’s hand went to her chest, and she sighed in relief. “Aye, my lord, I will bring everything posthaste.”
Cree and Dawn were settled at a table both facing the hearth, their legs stretched out to the flames’ heat when Cora entered with two servants. Cree helped Dawn to turn around on the bench before he did as well.
Cora filled two tankards with a steaming brew after dismissing the servants, then she stood in front of the table waiting, still a bit anxious.
Dawn nudged her husband who was focused on more than a light fare spread across the table.
He looked up. “You serve us generously when your husband worried about having enough food.”
Cora’s hands dug into the sides of her garment with worry. “Guests are always well-served regardless of the circumstances, my lord. Besides, Mistress Tavia’s husband will arrive soon, and Lord Bhric brings much of what we need.”
Cree’s warriors had already been instructed to hunt for their food once here. He would not have them be a burden on Newlin. He would see that some of that hunt made its way to the people.
“Tell me of Bronwyn,” Cree ordered.
“Bronwyn was a good worker, quiet, kept much to herself after an accident left her scarred and robbed her of her pretty features. She kept her distance from men, some not treating her as respectfully as they once did.”
“Any particular man who may have bothered her more than others,” Cree asked.
Dawn was pleased with her husband’s query. He wondered the same as she did… could Bronwyn have met a different fate? Could her disappearance have nothing to do with the others who had gone missing?
“Not after she defended herself against one with a dagger, left a good nick on him, she did, my lord. When Chieftain Newlin found out about it, he told Wilbur that he got what he deserved,” she said with a smile of admiration for the lass.
“Did you notify Chieftain Newlin as soon as Bronwyn failed to arrive for her duties?” Cree asked.
“Those who work the kitchen arrive according to their duties. Bronwyn arrived later than the others and remained much to herself—”
Cree interrupted her. “Are you saying no one took notice of her absence?”
“Her absence was not immediately noticed, but it did not take long for it to be discovered and Chieftain Newlin informed. A search was made of the village and the woods.” Cora sniffed back tears. “How could anyone want to harm such a good lass? She bothered no one.”
Lonely, Dawn thought, having felt it herself before Cree came into her life. Bronwyn bothered no one because no one paid her heed. She was lonely. Could that have any bearing on why she disappeared?
Cree dismissed Cora and turned to his wife. “I can hear your mind churning.”
Dawn nodded.
“Trying to make sense of it all when there seems to be no sense to the disappearances,” Cree said, and his wife nodded, agreeing. “None of those missing would walk off on their own especially with it being winter. They would never survive.” He speared a piece of meat with a knife. “And who is that fellow found in the woods and what was he doing there? Passing by? Searching for someone?” He scowled. “With more questions than answers, this could take forever to solve.”
Dawn shook her head firmly, refusing to even consider their stay could be longer than either of them would like. She gestured a thought that had nagged at her, placing her fingers tucked tight together at her lips only to yank them away, spreading them wide as she shook her head.
Cree could almost hear her words so familiar was he with the gesture. It was one she made when she thought someone was lying.
“Who could be lying?” he asked.
Dawn shrugged, not knowing, and tapped the side of her head letting him know it was a thought.
“It’s a good thought since if someone does lie, it means that someone is hiding something. And that something could be what we need to solve this mystifying situation.”
They continued talking, sharing ideas, and when finished, Cree suggested, “You should rest some.”
Dawn smiled, shook her head, and walked her fingers in front of her husband’s face.
“You want to go for a walk?” he asked, thinking he would never get his wife to rest.
Dawn nodded and moved to slip off the bench, her husband’s hand to her arm stopping her.
“You have been outside enough today. You should rest,” Cree said, thinking he would not see victory in this skirmish.
Dawn shook her head and held up two fingers close together to Cree’s relief.
“A short walk,” Cree said and was glad his wife nodded.
Cree did not need to nod to Dermid to follow as he and Dawn left the keep, he kept close behind them.
“You will rest after this,” Cree insisted.
Dawn hugged her husband’s arm and nodded, already feeling the need to do so, as they entered the village.