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News was heard now and again from wagging tongues in the village and Leora was not sure how much to believe since words carried from person to person often changed along the way. She was relieved when Penn brought her a direct message from her husband.

“The man responsible for firing the arrow has been found but the wounds he received from trying to escape capture from our warriors are so severe he would not survive travel. Chieftain Noble hopes to reach him before death does.”

“How long do you think he will be gone?” Leora asked.

“It depends, mistress, on what is learned,” Penn said. “If it is discovered that he is not the only one in the area, then a search will be necessary and that will take time. But worry not, for I remain here to see you are kept safe.”

Leora smiled, not wanting to display her worry. “I appreciate that, Penn.”

Penn was so taken by her smile that his cheeks flushed red, and in his hurry to leave turned and bumped into Calla. He grabbed hold of her, his barrel-like chest almost sending her reeling. His cheeks flamed even more and after he muttered an apology, Calla smiled gently. His feet couldn’t move fast enough as he hurried to escape the uncomfortable moment.

“It seems Penn does not do well around women,” Leora said, offering an explanation for Penn’s unease.

Calla continued staring after Penn. “I have noticed that the few times I tried to speak with him.”

Leora detected a hint of interest not only in Calla’s voice but the way she seemed unable to take her eyes off Penn and that she had tried to speak with him a few times had Leora believing the young woman was interested in him.

“Penn is a fine man,” Leora said, hoping to help a budding relationship get started.

“Gentle yet strong as well,” Calla said, her eyes still on him as he rushed out the door.

“Mistress!” Brenda called out and Leora hurried to the young woman who was tending Finley.

“Pull it out now and sear the wound,” Finley insisted. “I need to help the chieftain.”

“I am not sure if it is wise to do that,” Brenda said. “I believe we should wait until the nuns get here. They will know what to do.”

“I have seen enough arrow wounds to know what to do. You pull the arrow, sear the wound, and send them back into battle,” Finley said and went to stand as if to prove himself right.

He cringed and would have collapsed if Leora and Brenda had not rushed to grab him and help lower him to sit on the bench.

“You will stay put,” Leora ordered sharply.

“A wise command.”

Leora turned along with the others to see Mother Abbess as well as Novice Angelica, who had helped Mother Abbess tend her wound when at the abbey.

“We were on our way here when Chieftain Noble’s troop came upon us,” Mother Abbess said as she and the novice approached Leora. “Removing an arrow without careful examination could lead to death.” She looked at Finley. “Do you want to die today?”

Finley shook his head, words eluding him as he stared at the woman, her firm stance, her strong voice, and her nun habit much too intimidating for him to argue with her.

“I always knew you were a wise man, Finley,” Mother Abbess said and got to work on his wound.

Leora remained in the keep as she promised her husband she would, going to the dais to sit while Mother Abbess and the novice, as well as Brenda, tended to Finley. Calla stood by in case anything was needed.

So much had happened and continued to happen in such a short time that it was difficult to make sense of it. It was coming on nearly a second moon cycle since she had left her home and started her journey as a married woman. Not that her marriage status mattered at the time, though that had changed. She had come to admire the man she had been forced to wed and her heart was telling her that it was far more than admiration she was feeling for him.

“You look heavy with thought, Leora,” Mother Abbess said, joining her at the table on the dais.

“You are done? Finley will do well?” Leora asked anxiously, wondering how long she had been lost in her thoughts.

“Almost. Novice Angelica is more than capable of seeing to what remains and then she will settle him comfortably in his cottage. She will also make sure that he does what he has been told, allowing the wound to heal before he returns to his duties.”

Having gotten to know Finley’s dedication to Noble, Leora couldn’t help but chuckle. “That will not be easy.”

Mother Abbess chuckled as well. “I have no worries where that is concerned. Novice Angelica has the voice of an angel and the nature of a commander and while young, she can be quite formidable.” She reached over to Leora and laid a gentle hand on her arm. “You smile but behind it I see concern in your eyes. What weighs so heavily on you, my child?”

“I would share with you, but you are a nun and have no experience with what troubles me,” Leora said softly.