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“I will count on that, Reed.”

“We will not disappoint, my lord,” Reed assured.

“Of that I have no doubt,” Cree said. “I go now to speak with William.”

“He is frightened, my lord. I have ordered the men to protect him.”

“Wise decision, Reed,” Cree said and left him to follow the man to where William was being held.

“My lord,” William said, a tremble to his voice as he hurried toward him.

Cree’s brow shot up when he saw the wound on the side of his brow. “You were harmed.”

“Nay, my lord,” William said, touching the wound tenderly. “A wound of my own doing when I fell off my horse in fright. I am ashamed to admit that I am not fearless like your warriors.”

“As long as you are well, nothing else matters,” Cree assured him. “Though you will need to be patient until I can secure your release.”

“I can manage, my lord,” William said, though with a hint of uncertainty.

“Enough! It is time for you to leave,” Cavell called out.

Cree walked over to the man. “Harm them in any way and I will see you suffer for it.”

Cavell glared at him. “You knew me before the changes to my face. Do you think you can make me suffer any more than I already have? Bring the coin or what was done to me will be nothing compared to what I do to your men.”

“Fair warning, Cavell. You will forever regret making an enemy of me.” Cree turned his back on the man and walked away.

“I know you will leave men in the woods,” Cavell called out.

“My men do not hide like yours do. They watch and wait.”

“There is nothing for them to see,” Cavell said, his voice still raised.

“Then you have nothing to fear,” Cree called out, mounted his horse, and left without casting a glance back at Cavell.

* * *

“You have my mother’s talent,”Kirk said, sitting on a blanket under a large oak tree as the twins ran in play with other children and Tynan napped peacefully next to Dawn.

Dawn stopped drawing to cast a curious look at him.

“You would like to know about her,” her da said, easily understanding his daughter’s curious expression.

She nodded eagerly and left the board she had placed the piece of parchment on to rest comfortably on her lap.

“You are much like her, good height, determined nature, and courageous.”

Dawn tapped her lips and shrugged.

“Nay, she could speak,” her da said, understanding Dawn wanted to know if she had been voiceless like her. “She made herself known just as you do. She gave her opinion whether my father asked for it or not and thought nothing of calling him a fool when she believed he made unwise decisions.” He laughed. “She was often right.”

Dawn laughed even though it could not be heard, though her broad smile and the sparkle in her eyes showed it clearly enough.

“You would have gotten on well with her.” He pointed to her drawing. “You draw a part of the woods from memory?”

She hesitated, then nodded.

“There is more to the drawing?”