OATHTAKER

Chapter 8, Part 1-1

"You mean fear? I thought the house would fall down."

Mara chuckled. "Anything else?"

"No, I don't think so."

"Believe me, you'd know if you'd felt anything like what an Oathtaker feels."

"Are you and Dixon Oathtakers to the twins?"

"I'm Oathtaker to both of them. But Dixon swore the same oath that you just did—and with the same results."

Dixon returned.

"When we get a chance, we'll discuss this further," Mara said.

"Ahhh . . . I had to do a little explaining, there. Ted and Faith both wondered what happened."

"What did they say?"

"Only that they're as confused as we are. I'd told Ted yesterday about what happened when I asked you to let me help with the girls. But now, with Nina getting such a response to her vow . . . Well, it's all very confusing. Anyway, he agrees this deserves a closer look, but for now, he'd like to take us to sanctuary. It would be nice to stop there for a short time. What do you think?"

"Yes, I'd like to take a few minutes to offer my thanksgiving," she said, "but we should get moving quickly, so let's bring our belongings along and be on our way from there. Agreed?"

"Yes," he said.

"Have you any thought about which direction we should head in from here? Without knowing what Lucy thinks, and since we don't know who might be seeking our whereabouts, I feel lost."

He pulled out a chair and sat down. He placed his elbows on his knees and his chin in the palm of his hand. "Rowena and I mostly stayed on the move, but that would be much more difficult now with the girls. It would be nice to stay in one place, at least for a time, but we can't head to Lucy's until she clears us for that. Still, the Good One will guide us if we keep our minds open and listen for His direction . . . I suppose there's always the City of Light. I know a lot of people there—including some Rowena trusted and greatly respected. Besides, getting lost in a crowd could be just the thing."

He glanced at Mara, a question in his eye. "Or we could head to the hinterlands. No," he then said, "never mind that. If anyone is hoping to find Rowena through me, they might have sent spies ahead thinking that my childhood home would be a natural place for me to go."

Mara sat next to him. She tapped on the table. "I trust your instincts."

"We'll talk more about this on the way then." He stood to take his leave. "We should set out within the hour."

"I'm finished here. You coming, Nina?"

"If you'll take Reigna, I'll get my things and be down with Eden in just a minute."

Faith greeted Mara and Dixon when they made their way into the kitchen. With the house so full, she was serving breakfast in shifts. Francis and Patrick sat at one end of the table, Ted at the other.

"'Mornin' again, Dixon. 'Mornin' to you too, Mara. A lot of commotion already today, huh? Well, I hope you two rested well." Ted slapped Dixon lightly on the back, directing him to an open chair, then guided Mara to another. "A couple more hungry mouths here!" he called out. "Let's get some more of that great breakfast over this way."

"Let me help," Dixon offered before taking his seat.

Faith jostled him. "No, I wouldn't hear of it. There's only so much room in here and you'd just be in my way."

"Well, if you're sure—"

"Sit. Sit," she ordered, gently pushing him aside and pointing to his chair.

Dixon sat.

Mara smiled at how malleable he was in Faith's capable hands.

Faith set out dishes for everyone, then refilled plates and bowls of eggs, scrambled and sprinkled with cheese and chives, crispy bacon, slices of sweet melons and pears sprinkled with finely chopped rosemary, and crusty bread.

Nina arrived with Eden. Then they all ate, enjoying breakfast over small talk.

"We're ever so grateful, Ted, Faith, Francis, for everything," Mara said when they were through, "but we should go."

Dixon stood. "We'd like to stop briefly at sanctuary, but we'll not stay long. We need to get underway while the day is still fresh."

"Very well then," Ted said. "What about you, Francis?"

"I have to go to sanctuary, Patrick," Francis told the boy. "You can stay here or go along with me and Grandma Faith—if you're not naughty."

"I wanna go with you, Dad! And I amn't naughty, Dad, I amn't!" the boy responded.

The kitchen erupted in laughter.

"He's adorable," Mara said.

"Yes," Faith agreed, "he certainly keeps us on our toes." Then she turned to Patrick. "Bear can't go into sanctuary, so you'll have to leave him here."

"Say, Ted, since we're leaving directly from sanctuary, what do you recommend? That we ride or lead our horses?" Dixon asked.

"I'll follow and take them along with Patrick, while you all visit," Francis offered.

"Excellent, thank you."

***Thank you for taking time with Oathtaker. I sincerely appreciate your votes and welcome your comments.*** 

Oathtaker is an award-winner in the 2014 Readers' Favorite International Book Award contest. A completed work, it is currently available in print form at CreateSpace at createspace.com/4767727, in print and for your Kindle on Amazon (see the link) and from Barnes and Noble for your Nook.