Branan . “ I bring with me my cousin, Guy, and brother by law, Alaric, we also wish to pledge our blades in service to the true Warden of Inglewood. With us are the tradesmen who worked in my holding, we have nowhere else to go. ”
idth="48" align="justify"> Branan’s throat tightened. “ I mean to bring an end to that persecution , ” he said, the softness of his voice conveying the power of his determination.
Greystoke smiled brightly and glanced at Geoffrey whose shoulders visibly relaxed.
Branan extended his hand first to Greystoke as the ranking noble . “ We ll met, ” he said. “ I offer ye the protection of Thistlewood. Ye are most welcome here. ”
Greystoke accepted his outstretched forearm with a strong grip of his own. “ Thank you, MacTavish. ”
“ Follow my Uncle Duguald, he will help get ye settled. ”
The young knight nodded and signaled his men to dismount.
****
Over the next few days, Catriona discovered herself drawn to the small area Branan used for his woodworking. She watched in amazement as he planed a large beam.
“ What's that for? ”
He glanced up and smiled, running his hand over the oak. “ One of the beams for the new roof. ” He straightened and motioned to her. “ Look at this. ”
She followed him and he hefted a large support block. “ This i s one of the joist s . Even thou
. Evengh we are pressed for time rebuilding this tower, I dinna see a reason for things to be plain. ”
Catriona gazed at the wood, her eyes wide. A beautifully carved angel emerged from the grain, its hair, wings and garments flowing around the support as if it would spring from its perch at any moment.
“ Branan, ” she whispered in soft amazement. “ This is beautiful. ”
“ Thank ye, lass. ”
She looked around the small shed and saw more pieces Branan had been working on, a large table for the great hall, chairs, and many other items. Most had decorative carvings on them. They were not extravagant, nothing that would slow production of the pieces, but they were beautiful.
“ You have great talent, Branan. ”
His cheeks darkened a little. “ 'Tisna much, lass, but I do what I can. ”
“ Did Duguald teach you? ”
He nodded. “ Our clan has a fine reputation for wood working. As soon as I arrived, Duguald and the other man began teaching me. I enjoy the feel of the wood. ”
“ Will you show me how you create such beauty? ”
He gaped at her moment.
“ What's the matter? ”
“ I've...I've ne'er had a lass interested in how I do my work. ” His lips curved upward in a mischievous smile. “ They only cared about the results. ”
“ You know this lass is different from the others and I'm intrigued with your art. ”
“ Art? ”
“ How else can I describe it? ” She pointed to a large chair which had a charcoal pattern traced on it. “ Now, tell me about that one. ”
“ Verra well, lass, ” he replied.
Soon, Catriona was not only watching him work but helping as well.
Chapter Seven
The Hunt
Despite renewing her friendship with Branan, Catriona felt as if she fell into a pit of despair. Three weeks had passed since their arrival at Thistlewood , but her nightmares of the burning manor house only grew worse. She slept little and lost her appetite. It was as if a chasm of blackness threatened to engulf her. She joined in the work at the tower each day. Even though more people arrived at Thistlewood regularly, Catriona knew everyone was needed to help. But most days , she struggled to find the strength to rise from the bed. All she wanted to do was sleep - yet that thought terrified her , for when she slept, the nightmares became real.
Richard shocked her, visiting the camp every few days. Catriona did her best to avoid him. She was too weary to argue with him. When he walked in her direction, she usually went the other way. She found Gavin and Branan both watching her closely. Many times, if Richard continued his pursuit , either one of
idth="48" align="justify"> Branan’s throat tightened. “ I mean to bring an end to that persecution , ” he said, the softness of his voice conveying the power of his determination.
Greystoke smiled brightly and glanced at Geoffrey whose shoulders visibly relaxed.
Branan extended his hand first to Greystoke as the ranking noble . “ We ll met, ” he said. “ I offer ye the protection of Thistlewood. Ye are most welcome here. ”
Greystoke accepted his outstretched forearm with a strong grip of his own. “ Thank you, MacTavish. ”
“ Follow my Uncle Duguald, he will help get ye settled. ”
The young knight nodded and signaled his men to dismount.
****
Over the next few days, Catriona discovered herself drawn to the small area Branan used for his woodworking. She watched in amazement as he planed a large beam.
“ What's that for? ”
He glanced up and smiled, running his hand over the oak. “ One of the beams for the new roof. ” He straightened and motioned to her. “ Look at this. ”
She followed him and he hefted a large support block. “ This i s one of the joist s . Even thou
. Evengh we are pressed for time rebuilding this tower, I dinna see a reason for things to be plain. ”
Catriona gazed at the wood, her eyes wide. A beautifully carved angel emerged from the grain, its hair, wings and garments flowing around the support as if it would spring from its perch at any moment.
“ Branan, ” she whispered in soft amazement. “ This is beautiful. ”
“ Thank ye, lass. ”
She looked around the small shed and saw more pieces Branan had been working on, a large table for the great hall, chairs, and many other items. Most had decorative carvings on them. They were not extravagant, nothing that would slow production of the pieces, but they were beautiful.
“ You have great talent, Branan. ”
His cheeks darkened a little. “ 'Tisna much, lass, but I do what I can. ”
“ Did Duguald teach you? ”
He nodded. “ Our clan has a fine reputation for wood working. As soon as I arrived, Duguald and the other man began teaching me. I enjoy the feel of the wood. ”
“ Will you show me how you create such beauty? ”
He gaped at her moment.
“ What's the matter? ”
“ I've...I've ne'er had a lass interested in how I do my work. ” His lips curved upward in a mischievous smile. “ They only cared about the results. ”
“ You know this lass is different from the others and I'm intrigued with your art. ”
“ Art? ”
“ How else can I describe it? ” She pointed to a large chair which had a charcoal pattern traced on it. “ Now, tell me about that one. ”
“ Verra well, lass, ” he replied.
Soon, Catriona was not only watching him work but helping as well.
Chapter Seven
The Hunt
Despite renewing her friendship with Branan, Catriona felt as if she fell into a pit of despair. Three weeks had passed since their arrival at Thistlewood , but her nightmares of the burning manor house only grew worse. She slept little and lost her appetite. It was as if a chasm of blackness threatened to engulf her. She joined in the work at the tower each day. Even though more people arrived at Thistlewood regularly, Catriona knew everyone was needed to help. But most days , she struggled to find the strength to rise from the bed. All she wanted to do was sleep - yet that thought terrified her , for when she slept, the nightmares became real.
Richard shocked her, visiting the camp every few days. Catriona did her best to avoid him. She was too weary to argue with him. When he walked in her direction, she usually went the other way. She found Gavin and Branan both watching her closely. Many times, if Richard continued his pursuit , either one of
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