Hoodwinked: The Summoning Book One

Chapter 9

The captain of the guard dragged the young lady through the vestibule, the parlor room, the study, the servant living quarters, the dining room, and lastly the bedrooms. There were paintings of meadows, of animals, of sunsets, and of ponds.

There were three portrait paintings; one of an old man in a robe standing by a map of the stars; a young woman with dark hair wearing a green frock with her face tilted to press a kiss to the forehead of the baby in her arms; the side view of a little girl wearing a gardening hat, chasing a white goose. None of them were helpful.

The captain looked down at the girl at his side and quietly studied her. She was still crying and avoiding eye contact. Either she was hiding something or she was too frightened to meet his gaze. He was uncertain.

"Tell me truly, are you not the daughter of Lord Briggon?"

When the girl remained silent, he continued. "Your life may hang in the balance. Are you willing to die for a girl too cowardice to step forth and accept her fate? Are you truly Otswana Briggon?"

Finally, the girl looked up at him and met his glare. She spoke not a word. The girl only defiantly nodded her head.

"Very well, then. Before we leave, is there anyone to whom you wish to bid farewell?"

The girl nodded her head. The captain grabbed her arm and led her back to the courtyard where the groups remained standing, shivering in the cold evening air. "Go on, say your farewells. We have a long journey and you most likely won't see these people again," the captain told the girl. He released her arm.

The girl ran to the group, singling out a giant of a man as well as a woman who shared similar features with this young lady. Two boys crowded around them and sobbed together as they said their goodbyes, calling her by the name of Gracelyn.

"Captain? Your orders, sir?" Jorwel asked as he approached the captain of the guard.

The captain looked at the sergeant. He glanced around at his soldiers who were witnessing the spectacle. It pained him to admit to himself what had to be done. He could not back down. He was their captain. "This girl will receive six lashings for deceiving me, Jorwel. Tie her hands to that tree branch over there. Only desist if she reveals which of these girls is Otswana. They are hiding the princess here in the manor. We cannot leave without her."

"Yes, sir," Jorwel replied. He marched up to the family and tore the girl from their grasps.

"By order of Captain Greypol, first commander and captain of King Dregan's army, you are to be punished for bearing false testimony of your identity," Jorwel announced in a raised voice, so as to be heard above the continuous wailing and imploring cries.

The captain did not heed them. He watched as the soldiers, Darzaveous, Kertzavol, and Numef forced the girl to stand before the tree. They held her person still as they tied her hands to the lowest branch.

The captain solemnly stepped up to Jorwel and held out his hand. "I will deliver the punishment," he said calmly.

"Yes, captain," Jorwel placed the horse whip in his hand and took his place to stand guard around the residents of the manor.

Captain Greypol took in a deep breath and slung his arm back for the first lashing. The girl's piercing scream jolted the captain. A red stain seeped through the back of her dress.

Klav paused. He had never, in his seven years of serving in the king's army, had to strike a woman, until this day. "Put a gag on her," he ordered his soldiers.

As he watched his soldiers tie a small rope around her head, the Draconian captain used this moment to build up courage. He did this by feeding off his guilt to carry out the girl's punishment. It was the only way he knew how to fulfill his duty.