Loving a Thief

Chapter 28

Chapter Twenty-Eight

I woke up early that day. The day that Arianna would either become queen, or stay a prisoner. I dressed quickly and I put on my favorite shirt. I brushed my hair and teeth then checked on my sisters. Sarah and Amelia were still sharing a room but Jasmine was given a room to herself. We walked to the kitchen and ate our breakfast. I hardly touched my food. What will happen when they find out Arianna has escaped? This question kept whirling in my mind. I tried to come up with every possible outcome, but unless God preformed a miracle and Arianna came back, the ending will not be good.

“Henry?” Amelia stared at me like she was waiting for an answer.

“I’m sorry. My mind is somewhere else. What did you say?”

“How are you feeling?”

“As nervous as ever. I hope everything will turn out fine,” I answered.

“I’m sure God is on our side. Have faith, Henry.”

After breakfast, Sarah, Amelia, and I went to the library. Amelia found a book and a comfortable spot to sit, while I found a book of fairy-tales to read to Sarah. Her favorite seemed to be Robin Hood for she made me read it to her twice. At noon we ate a small lunch. Jasmine and Prince Garrett ate with us. Then we prayed for awhile, asking God for His protection, wisdom, and patience. Sir Peter walked in when we finished.

“It’s time to go,” he said. “Will you come with me, Henry, to collect the prisoners?”

“I see no reason not to,” I replied. “Amelia, I don’t want Sarah to come with us to the town square. She will be better off her. Please find Miss Zimmerman and make sure she is watched over.”

“Yes, Henry. Come along, Sarah.”

Sir Peter and I walked out of the library and down the hall until we reached the stairway leading to the dungeon. I felt the air grow colder every step I took down. I pulled my coat a little tighter around me and slipped my gloves on. We reached a door guarded by two men. At the sight of us, the guards opened the door without being asked. We walked over to the first cell. Sir Peter revealed a key and unlocked the door. The hinges squeaked as the door opened.

“Aaron son of Blake, it is time to leave,” said Sir Peter.

Aaron stood up and walked over. Sir Peter handcuffed the man. I lead Aaron to the front of the dungeon and stood next to him, making sure he would not try to escape. Sir Peter walked over to Arianna’s cell and unlocked the door.

“Princess Arianna, it’s time to go,” said Sir Peter. It was quiet for a minute. “Where is she?”

“I do not know,” I heard Fredrick reply.

“She has escaped then?” asked Sir Peter. Silence was his answer. “Prisoner escape!” he shouted as he locked the cell door. “Henry, tell the others to go ahead to town. I will be with them presently. Take Aaron with you. You there, guard! Go with Henry and make sure the prisoner does not escape. You, sound the alarm. I will question Fredrick,” ordered Sir Peter.

He walked briskly back to Fredrick’s cell. He opened the door and started to yell at Fredrick, asking questions like: where is she? How long has she been gone? And who helped her escape? Fredrick, being loyal to Arianna and I, refused to answer. Each time Sir Peter questioned, Fredrick remained silent. It was not long until I heard the sound of skin against skin. Fredrick was being beaten. I grew enraged.

“Make sure he does not escape. Hold the chain tightly,” I said as I handed the chain connected to Aaron’s shackles to a nearby guard.

I picked up a pair of handcuffs and ran to Fredrick’s cell and entered the room. Fredrick stood in front of Sir Peter, his back straight, a red hand-print across his cheek. Sir Peter’s hand was raised, ready to strike. I grabbed his wrist and brought his arm behind his back and held it there. Sir Peter whimpered.