A Duty Fulfilled

Chapter 2

                    Peter Chamberlain, second Duke of Holt, braced his foot against the bowsprit of the ship that had been carrying him since earlier that previous morning. He'd left England for the first time since his father had died over a decade ago.

''There she is,'' the captain of the ship, Tall Tom, was suddenly by his side.

Peter allowed a smile to crawl up the side of his mouth, ''aye.''

The Isle of Holt. A small, beautiful island nearly a two day's sail away from England's coast.

It was covered with forests, hills, and rivers. Peter didn't remember much about Holt since his father had been sending him to school on the mainland since he was nearly eight.

''We'll reach it before nightfall if the winds keep up,'' Tall Tom glanced up at the mainmast.

''I was wondering then if I might spend the night on the ship and make my presence known in the morning. My uncle is unaware that I am arriving.'' Peter lifted the spyglass and stared at the dark line just on the horizon.

''Of course, your Grace.''

''Wonderful,'' Peter handed the spyglass to Tall Tom, ''I can assure that you will be paid well for your trouble.''

'' 'Tis no trouble, your Grace. I am only doing my passion; sailing the seas on my ship.'' Tall Tom smiled, showing yellow and several missing teeth.

             Peter half smiled and moved to the main deck where his university friend, James, was staring off into the sea. The man was a couple of years younger than Peter. And despite their difference in ranks, James had become almost like a brother to Peter.
"Holt is lining the horizon, we shall reach it by nightfall." Peter crossed his arms and felt the salt air tussle his reddish-brown hair. The sea had always appealed to him. Perhaps it was because, as a child, his nurse had taken him for long walks upon the coasts that lined Davenshire------Holt's capital. 

Peter still remembered Holt's dark forests, rocky coastlines, beautiful sunsets, and peaceful people. 

His father, Duke Baldric, had been a fine ruler. Appointed by the king himself, and one of the first dukes in all of England. 

                 Although, that was really all he knew about his father. 

Peter had never really been familiar with the Duke. Though he was his son, they'd never had an intimate relationship. When not attending business in Holt, Duke Baldric was away, aiding the king in foreign affairs.  

Peter's mother, Duchess Margaret, had died of fever when was five. Peter remembered but a few things about her. A couple of them being the way she'd sing to him, or how she held his hand through walks in the garden. 

After she died, the Duke grieved immensely, shutting himself away from the rest of the world. And Peter. But Peter didn't mind at first, he'd amused himself with playing or reading. Then, as he got older, sword fighting, archery, or even jousting. And when Father still paid no heed to him, Peter devoted all of himself to archery and spending time in the cathedral with the priest. 

When his father sent him to the mainland, Peter had all but welcomed the chance to get away and discover something new. 

                 Cambridge had given him that. He'd received the finest education and even had the chance to meet King Richard himself. And as heir to the duchy, he attended parties where hundreds of nobles gathered. They'd all recognized him as Duke Baldric's son, however, no one seemed personally acquainted with him. 

When he died, Peter had journeyed to Holt for a week to attend the burial and other business. But being only eleven, his uncle, and father's brother had offered to lead Holt until Peter reached nineteen. In fact, Peter suspected Uncle Richard would have gladly received the dukedom, had Peter offered it to him. His uncle had even mentioned it a time or two.