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“Others would speak up,” the man insisted but not with confidence.

“Not if coins were offered to them,” Noble said.

The man’s eyes shifted nervously.

“One way or another you sealed your fate,” Noble said. “Tell me all you know, and I will make your death a quick one. Stay silent and I will see you suffer endlessly.”

“I have a family who needs me,” the man said as if it would make a difference. “They must be suffering greatly.”

“Then why leave your family in such dire circumstances?” Leora asked. “A man who loves his family would not abandon them when they already suffer. He would do all he could to feed them and see them safe. The forest teems with life. A good husband and father would hunt, fish, and teach his children to do the same but he would never leave them when they needed him the most. You lie.”

“My wife says what I thought myself, but there is more that troubles me about your tale and quite a tale it is. We discovered a troop of men in the area, and I imagine they search for you. I believe you chose to remain a captive so you would get another chance at killing my wife, escape, and collect the reward. But there is only one reason the troop searches for you… you are the man who leads them… you are Kinnel.”

“That is brilliant, husband, I did not think of that,” Leora said with admiration and pride.

“It takes a mercenary to know one,” the man said,

Once again, Leora spoke proudly. “My husband is no common mercenary. He is a fierce Gallowglass warrior who leads an elite troop of skilled warriors.”

The warriors, who surrounded Kinnel and those nearby who heard, lifted their chins and expanded their chests with pride.

“Let me live and I will tell you all I know,” Kinnel said.

Noble’s expression darkened and his words sounded like a declaration. “You will tell me all you know either way.”

“So, either way I am a dead man?” Kinnel asked, a nervous sweat breaking out along his brow.

Noble’s eyes settled directly on Kinnel’s eyes. “You intended to kill my wife and still would if given the chance. What do you think your fate will be?”

Finley approached in haste. “Our men return with a message from Lord Slayer.”

“Tie him to a post,” Noble ordered. “I will deal with him later.”

“Do not think to send me to the keep,” Leora said when he turned and looked at her. “And do not try to stop me from asking if your men saw my sister.”

“Your shoulder?” he asked.

“No pain will stop me from inquiring about Sky,” she said adamantly.

Noble did not hide his annoyance. “You admit you’re in pain.”

“How could I not be when a chunk of stone hit me but my worry for my sister is far greater than the pain in my shoulder. Besides, it is not bleeding, and time is the only thing that will ease the pain. Have you not fought through pain yourself?”

“Aye, but that is different and don’t ask me how, it just is,” Noble said when she went to argue.

She saw the concern in his deep blue eyes for her and a warm comfort settled over her. She hooked her arm around his. “It is very thoughtful of you not to want to see me suffer any pain, but please believe me when I tell you it is bearable.”

“If the pain grows worse—”

“I will tell you. Now let’s go see what news your men have brought from Lord Slayer since I know you will not want to delay your search for Lance much longer.”

Noble quickly shielded his wife with his body when shouts suddenly filled the air, but stepped aside when he realized they were shouts of joy. Taking his wife’s hand, they hurried to see what caused the happy excitement.

Carts piled with sacks of grain and baskets filled with various foods, and one overflowing with cloth rolled into the village. Farm animals followed behind them: cows, pigs, sheep, and chickens. There were two other carts, though they were covered, and Leora wondered what they held, though she caught a peek of something hanging through the wooden slots and knew the cart carried weapons. Lord Slayer not only saw them well fed but had also supplied them with enough weapons to protect themselves.

“I can take stock of this at the keep and see it is distributed fairly,” Leora said. “The servants there can help me.”

Noble was glad to turn the task over to his wife, her commanding nature could easily handle it. He directed the carts to the keep and Lord Slayer’s men as well. Noble instructed the men in the clan who had once tended the animals to take care of the new arrivals and they did with enthusiasm, guiding them to the different pens, some in the process of being repaired.