Page 13 of Cree & Dawn and the Wolf

Dawn smiled and bobbed her head as well.

Cree was pleased with the way Lord Tiernan greeted Dawn, acknowledging without saying that he knew she had no voice, leaving for no awkward moments.

“I hope you are feeling much better, Lady Dawn, and that you both slept well,” Lord Tiernan said.

“We sleep well thanks to your generous hospitality,” Cree said, “and I am eager for your healer to see Dawn and advise us on what would be best for her.”

“Our healer, Lynall, should return soon and will be only too glad to help in any way she can,” Lord Tiernan assured Cree and turned, extending his arm toward the dais. “The meal awaits us.”

Cree seated his wife before taking a seat next to Lord Tiernan and asked what was most on his mind. “Has the fog dissipated?”

“I fear not. It continues to linger this time of the year. It could be two or three days before you are able to travel safely, especially with the wolves on the hunt.”

“It must be difficult to live in an area so infested with wolves,” Cree said.

“The clan has come to understand them enough for us to reside in some form of compatibility. We do not bother them, and they do not bother us.”

“Yet they prowl your village. Doesn’t that disturb your people?” Cree asked, trying to make sense of the relationship Clan MacMadadh had with the wolves while trying not to visit the thought of werewolves.

“Knowledge of the wolves is essential to survival and Clan MacMadadh has gained such knowledge through the years and is able to live without fear of them.”

“A wise approach to the problem,” Cree said with a nod. “I am relieved to hear that the missing bairn was found.”

Lord Tiernan smiled. “Tade can be handful, having a mind of his own for one so young.”

Dawn appeared to pay attention to the conversation while she was actually watching Lord Tiernan. Having lacked a voice since birth, she learned at an early age that a person revealed much about themselves through how they spoke with others, their gestures, and their facial expressions. Most people, particularly women, would not see past Lord Tiernan’s handsome features, not so Dawn. She saw that he was a cautious man, careful of what he said, what he revealed, which meant he was careful what he said around strangers, or he harbored secrets that he made sure to keep hidden. It was easy to see he was a confident man, not easily intimidated, even by her husband, not easy to do with the size of her husband and a reputation that many feared. One thing that appeased her worry some was that she did not think him an evil man. Evil was difficult to hide. It showed itself in little things and she saw none of those things in Lord Tiernan. Still, there was something about him that was strange, and she could not make sense of it.

“I have one of those willful ones myself, my daughter Lizbeth,” Cree said with a smile, thinking of his daughter who was forever determined to have her way.

Talk continued of family, Lord Tiernan making certain to include Dawn in the conversation as they ate.

“I would advise you to remain in the keep until this fog lifts at least enough for you to see where you walk,” Lord Tiernan cautioned as the meal was coming to an end.

“I will not leave my horse untended, nor leave his care to another, especially in a place unfamiliar to him,” Cree said.

That her husband left no room to be denied spoke of his commanding nature and strength and she saw that Lord Tiernan had no intention of arguing with him.

“I will have someone take you to the stable after we finish here, so you do not get lost in the fog again.”

“I appreciate that,” Cree said.

Talk continued for a short while until Lord Tiernan offered, “I can have you escorted to the stable now, if you’d like.”

“Now would be good,” Cree said. “My wife can wait here for me.”

Dawn knew that was an order and she acknowledged her husband with a smile.

“You might be more comfortable by the fire, Lady Dawn,” Lord Tiernan offered. “There is a chill in the air today that warns winter might not wait for autumn to finish.”

Dawn smiled and nodded in agreement with him and took her husband’s arm after he assisted her to stand and escorted her to a table close to the hearth.

“I won’t be long,” Cree said, depositing a kiss on his wife’s cheek, then followed alongside Lord Tiernan out of the room.

“Is there anything else I can get you, my lady?” Olwen asked.

Dawn smiled pleasantly as she shook her head.

“Our healer should return soon.”

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