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“The God of Death,” Varrick said as if it had been settled.
“What if it isn’t? What if it is an evil man out to do an evil deed? What if those wild hounds are not wild but commanded by an evil man? What if it is someone who wishes evil upon you and is seeing it done?”
“Why not just battle with me?” he asked, having considered the same himself.
“He could be too fearful of losing to you in battle, and so he tries another way to destroy you to rob you of all you have, including your clan’s loyalty, their trust and respect for you.”
Varrick gave it thought. “But why?”
“Greed. Jealousy. Ignorance. Insanity. A slight you may have caused him. Truly, it could be any number of things that would make sense to him.”
“How do you explain the absence of the animals in the forest? Or the deep sleep of the trees that you felt? Or the deaths in the clan?”
“There is no stopping death nor is there any rhyme or reason to death. Animals instinctively avoid danger. They sense a storm’s approach and will wisely seek shelter before humans do. Trees also can sense when something is amiss and seek to protect themselves the best they can. Those vicious hounds could have sent the animals and birds scurrying for safety.”
“But why that particular area?”
“It is a far heavier wooded area than the forest that surrounds it, making it a good place to hide,” Fia suggested. “It is a thought you should consider and discuss with Argus and others. Given a different possibility of what may be causing the problem, will have others thinking and looking at it differently and possibly discovering not only the truth but a solution. I am sure many men you defeated in battle would not mind seeing you defeated.”
Varrick gave thought to her suggestion. It could very well prove to have some credence to it. And while he would have discussed it further with her, her sudden shiver told him… “You have spent enough time in the snow.”
“Aye,” she agreed, another shiver running through her.
Varrick hurried her to her feet.
“You will give it thought?” Fia asked as he slipped his arm behind her back and guided her to the keep.”
“Aye, wife, I will give it thought.”
CHAPTER23
Varrick stretched his arm out and Sinead landed effortlessly on it. “Good flight, lass.”
Sinead squawked as if in agreement.
He had walked through the village just as dawn began to peak. It was the third day now since he had made sure to leave his bedchamber before his wife woke. It was only the second day home since their return when she had told me she was healed and they could resume making love. And that might have been so, but he wanted to be certain. An extra day or two wouldn’t hurt, but with how adamant his wife had been, he worried that one intimate touch and he would be…
“Bloody hell,” he mumbled.
One delicate touch of her hand and he’d surrender to her, he was that hungry for her. His one consistent thought was to grab hold of her, toss her down on the bed, enter her swiftly, and ride her fast and hard to finally satisfy the aching need that tormented him and her as well.
“Bloody hell,” he mumbled again and warned himself to stop thinking about his wife or he might just return to his bedchamber, and… he shook his head, chasing away the vivid image that rushed into his head.
He needed to keep his wit about him. There were more important things that needed his attention, though he found his wife to always be at the top of the list. He shook his head again to clear it. Ever since he had discussed the possibility with Argus, Corwin, and Marsh that it could be someone who intended him harm, the idea had taken root, and tongues had begun to wag.
Sinead squawked, letting him know someone was nearby and took off in flight.
Varrick turned annoyed he had allowed his thoughts to grow so heavy that he had not heard who approached. And Sinead would not squawk at someone she knew.
“My lord, I did not mean to disturb, but I have had no chance to thank you for your generosity in helping me and my wife,” Seth said as he approached cautiously.
“It is my wife you should be thanking,” Varrick said. “Lady Fia has a far more generous heart than I do.”
“But I am wise enough to know that it is you who commands, my lord.” Seth smiled. “Age does have some value to it.”
Seth fell into step beside Varrick as he walked. “Were you a warrior, Seth?”
“I participated in my share of battles, when necessary, but it was the land, the earth itself, that I favored. One can feel the life pulsate in it.”
