Flora was surprised to see large snowflakes falling. She had been so engrossed in looking around that she had not even noticed.
“A moment more,” Flora said. “Was a single arrow found anywhere on the ground?”
“Nay, my lady,” a warrior said.
“Spread out and search around and see if you spot one before the snow can hide it from us,” Flora ordered.
Anwen joined in with the warriors, their heads bent searching.
Flora was just about to give up when Anwen shouted.
“I found it.”
Flora looked to see her holding a single arrow and smiled. “Wonderful! Now we can return to the village.”
“You should have never left the village in the first place, wife!”
CHAPTER12
Flora waved the arrow in the air as she approached her husband. “We found the arrow Walsh mentioned. It tells us that at least part of the man’s story is true.”
Torin stood in the middle of the bridge, his arms folded across his chest and his face puckered with anger. “You lied to me. You told me you were going to see Iona.”
“I did not lie,” she said as she approached him. “I planned to see Iona, but first I wanted to see where Walsh killed the man and also to see if an arrow could be found to confirm his tale.”
“And what if he simply dropped an arrow on the ground himself to make his tale appear true?” Torin challenged.
“I thought the same but why concoct such a tale when Walsh simply could have said that he came upon the man, and they fought?”
As usual his wife gave a reasonable explanation. “I suppose you have a valid point.”
Flora smiled and hurried her step to him, and her foot caught on an icy patch and her feet went out from under her.
Torin had no intention of being too late to prevent his wife from toppling to the ground for a second time today. He sped toward her, and his arm made it around her waist just in time to yank her up and stop her from hitting the stone pathway.
Flora winced, a pain stabbing at her back.
Torin mumbled several oaths. “I’ve hurt you.”
“Nay,” she assured him. “I felt the pain when I stood before in the keep. I think something poked me in the back when I fell and left me bruised.”
“We go see Iona now!” he ordered, annoyed that he had not made her do so immediately after the fall.
She held up the arrow. “If the man who shot the arrow was a skilled marksman, then I am sure he would be particular about his arrows. This should match the arrows in his quiver and help to confirm Walsh’s tale.”
“Anwen!” Torin called out and the woman took cautious steps once on the bridge to reach him. “Take the arrow to Kinnell and tell him to see if it matches the other arrows in the dead man’s quiver.”
Anwen bobbed her head and took the arrow Flora handed to her.
Torin cast a scowl at his two warriors, who had positioned themselves at the end of the bridge. “My wife is not allowed to cross this bridge without my permission.”
“Aye, my lord,” both echoed together.
Flora stepped out of his embrace and cast a puzzled look on him. “Am I a prisoner here?”
“Of course not,” Torin said.
“Then why do I need your permission to leave the isle?”