Page 41 of Highland Hearts

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“Time is growingshort to save my brother,” Tate said the next morning after breakfast and everyone had taken their leave except Cree and Dawn. “You should have let me give the cleric the drawings I had and let him leave. You could have followed and captured the culprit.”

“You think the cleric would not have looked at your drawings to see if you delivered what was wanted? What would happen if he learned you failed to provide drawings of the watchtower and what could be seen from it? What then would happen to your brother?” Cree asked and watched Tate’s face pale with his every word.

“So how then do we rescue my brother?” Tate asked.

“Since I still do not trust you, I will not reveal my plan to you,” Cree said and stood, offering his hand to his wife to stand as well, and she took it.

Tate hurried off the bench opposite them. “You have a plan? This is good you finally have a plan.”

Dawn smiled as she gestured.

“My wife knows me well. She says that I have always had a plan.”

Tate stared at him silent for a few moments. “You have?”

Cree shook his head. “How ever did you survive your journey here to the Highlands when you pay little attention to what matters?”

“I relied on the two men who brought me here.”

“And you have relied on your brother’s help as well?” Cree asked and he took hold of Dawn’s hand and walked to the door.

“Aye. As I have said, William has been good to me,” Tate said.

“What happens if William does not survive, and I order you to leave here with no one to guide you home?” Cree asked.

Tate paled once again. “But you have a plan and you said you would let nothing happen to William.”

“And yet it could. What then?” Cree asked.

Tate’s hand covered his mouth as he shook his head slowly and his eyes widened in worry. He hurried to follow Cree and Dawn outside and stopped abruptly when he saw they had waited just outside the door for him.

“A man must learn to survive on his own. Learn that before it is too late,” Cree advised. “William does what he must to survive for now. You need to do the same.”

“I am trying, my lord.”

“Try harder,” Cree said and headed down the stairs with his wife.

Sloan hurried toward them, shaking his head. “You are not going to believe this.”

“Tell me and be done with it,” Cree said, joining Sloan in shaking his own head.

“Another cleric has arrived seeking shelter for the day.”

“So, my wife did spot the robe of a monk yesterday,” Cree said, knowing his wife would want to hear it confirmed.

“Was the robe light or dark brown, my lady?” Sloan asked.

Dawn quickly pointed to the sun that was fast disappearing behind a gray cloud and shook her head.

“Dark?” Sloan asked to be sure.

Dawn nodded.

“This monk’s robe is light,” Sloan said.

Dawn gestured, asking if Henry had found any tracks in the woods since she was yet to hear anything about that.