A Duty Fulfilled

Chapter 3

Davenshire was lifeless when the sun sank. Except for the guards who prowled the streets looking for anyone who might have stayed out past the curfew.

Avelina pressed herself against the side of a house to hide within the shadows as a guard passed by. She tugged her black cape closer to her shoulders and glanced across the street where Adam was squatting in the darkness.

All they needed was for the single guard to pass by, they would then have three minutes to break into the market stand. Lord Richard's market stand where food was sold for too high a price and at too little quantity.

Adam was to whistle a birdcall, and together they would raid the merchant's house.  All their reapings were to be given to the homeless orphans that seemed to roam the streets of Davenshire in great amounts. Stealing was just if it was to be given to someone in need.
The guard passed, and a sudden gust of wind lifted strand of Avelina's dark hair, and carried the shrill whistle from Adam's lips.
Looking up and down the street, to make sure no one was in sight.
She darted across the street and followed Adam into the small house where the merchant lived. The merchant should have lived in a much bigger house, but since Lord Richard received almost all profits, most merchants lived in smaller homes.
"Stay here," Adam whispered in Avelina's ear.

Avelina nodded and pressed herself against the wall of the small kitchen. It was a two-story townhouse. Almost all the family, except for the servants slept upstairs.

Adam walked almost soundlessly down a corridor to find the storeroom. Avelina's job was to keep watch and see that no one woke.

The house was almost completely dark and silent. The only sound Avelina could hear was her soft breathing.

Always remember, Lina, to listen to the music of stillness.

Father's voice came unbidden. It normally did, whether in times of quietness, or times of great concentration.

The feeling of longing hit her again so suddenly it made her chest ache. Grief was abnormal like that, it cut a hole so deep within one's soul, and it never healed. It was a scab that kept ripping open. That was how her mother, the renowned Lady Thalia, had described it, and indeed it felt accurate.
Mother. She was a portrait of beauty, grace, and dignity. Even when circumstances had demanded otherwise of her.
When word had been received of Duke Baldric's son's death, Lord Richard had immediately stepped into place. He treated anyone with loyalty to Duke Baldric as an enemy. That had included Avelina's parents. Her father, Lord Farren, or Matthew, to his friends and family, had been loyal to the Duke, and actively so. It hasn't taken long for Lord Richard to pinpoint Avelina's father and demand his loyalty.
Lord Farren was smart. He could see past Richard's charm and smiles. Underneath was a cunning schemer capable of great evil.
Lord Richard had allowed Father to keep his life, but stripped the entire Mason family of their noble titles. Five years later, Avelina's brother, James, was killed in an uprising against the despicable earl. Then, several years later, Lord Farren subcomed to his illness and joined his son in death.
Avelina hated to remember those days.
Her mother, and sister, Isolda, were forced into a small house outside of Davenshire.
Together, the three had done their best to make a home by picking up broken pieces.

A door creaking open caught Avelina's attention.
Her heart started pounding hard against her chest and she reached for the dagger hanging at her belt. Her hood was pulled over her head, and her hair tied back with a piece of string, concealing her identity.
It was too late to run for the door, and the approaching footsteps were too light to be Adam's.
Avelina glanced wildly around, it was too dark to make out much, but she caught the faint outline of a table sitting in the middle of the kitchen.
Avelina dove for the table and pulled her legs under just as torch light filled the room.
The table was large enough to cover Avelina fully and also allow room for her to peak under.
A slim woman, who looked to be a maid of some sorts, took a board that held chopped dark green leaves and dumped them into a nearby bowel.
Avelina relaxed a little, it was just a kitchen maid who'd forgotten to put away remnants of the evening before.
Suddenly, the maid screamed. A shrill sound that was sure to wake the entire house.
Avelina looked over her shoulder and saw Adam bolt from the corridor.
Avelina scrambled from underneath the table and ducked she saw a pot headed for her head.
The maid screamed again as Adam knocked the torch from her hand.
All of the sudden, a kitchen knife appeared in the maid's hand. Adam slammed into Avelina as he ran for the door.
The maid slashed at them both with her knife.
Avelina pulled herself from the floor and dashed out of the door.
She flew across the street and concealed herself within the allys. She didn't even glance behind her to see if Adam followed. He was always at her heels.
Avelina weaved her way through the back streets, and strangley staying away from any patrolling guards.
It wasn't until she came to the outskirts of Daneshire that she stopped, gasping for air.
Avelina braced her hand on the wall of an old building and tried to catch her breath. Trying to outrun those in hot pursuit had become all too common for her.
After several moments, she straightened, grimacing at the pain in her side.
Before her, stones and sand separated her and the sea. All was quiet, except for the waves crashing against the sand. The harbor was about a mile up the coast, leaving this part of the beach near desolate.
Except for a splashing commotion near the shore.
Avelina squinted her eyes and confirmed that there was something, or perhaps someone, heaving onto the beach. Or at least trying to. Whatever was out there was being tossed and turned in the water.
Avelina shrank back into the shadows, whoever was struggling was in obvious need of her help. But what if it was one of Lord Richard's guards?
If so, she could get dragged to the castle for being out past curfew, and being attired in mens' clothing.
Avelina frowned and glanced back to the water. Something still splashed almost desperately.
Without another thought, Avelina sprang out from the shelter of darkness, dropping her bow and quiver on the sand.
The moon shone brightly, and glinted off the restless waters as Avelina plunged into the waves. She was a strong swimmer and knew this part of the coast well.
"Help!" A male voice called as soon as he laid eyes on Avelina.
Avelina ignored the way the ice-cold water seeped deeper into her bones and used strong strokes to bring her closer. But she almost stopped when she realized it wasn't the man who needed assistance, but the fellow he was trying to keep above water. The figure didn't appear to be moving.
Avelina dove under the salty waves and grabbed what she assumed was a man's torso and propelled him towards shore. His friend helping alongside her.
Several times, a strong current tried to pull them back into the sea, but Avelina kicked all the harder. Just when she thought she would succumb to fatigue, her feet touched sandy bottom. Although her toes were so numb she almost didn't feel it.
Finally, after much trial, she, and the lanky man heaved the broader man onto the dry beach.
"Peter," Lanky instantly turned his friend onto his stomach and rubbed his back. "You cannot die now."
"What can I do?" Avelina had collasped on her hands and knees out of exhaustion.
Her eyes and chest burned, and her clothing suddenly felt so heavy.
Lanky didn't respond, he kept hitting his friend's back, then pressing his fingers to the neck, looking for a pulse.
Suddenly, the man he called Peter, coughed, then vommited upon the sand.
"Thank God," Lanky sat back on his heels and ran his fingers through his hair. He looked at Avelina then for the first time since she rescued them.

"I thank you, my lady. I fear we would have drowned had you not come upon us."
"It is my honor to help someone in need."
"Its the first act of kindness we have received since arriving at Holt."
"I am sorry to hear that, Holt in the past has been know for its goodness and peace." Avelina tried to stand, but sat back down when weariness washed over her.

Lanky surprised her by actually snorting.
"We were treated in no such manner. I would think Lord Richard would treat and noble guest with more dignity and honor."
"Noble?" Avelina frowned, it had been years since anyone noble had visited Holt.
"Perhaps you ought to tell her our names." The near-drowned Peter  whispered hoarsely, obviously still very weak.
"Of course, I nearly forgot," he stood. "I am James Smith of London England accompanying Duke Peter of Cambold. Well, technically Holt, now isn't it?"
           Avelina's mouth dropped open.
"You're Duke Peter?"
The so-called Duke grunted and tried to sit up. Avelina had never wished more for light so she could make put the man's features.
"I am. And I am vexed that I need to run from soldiers on my own island."

"But that is preposterous. You can't be Duke Peter." Avelina stood now too, ignoring the dizziness that nearly toppled her over.
"I can be whatever I wish, thank you." Duke Peter's words were laced with ice.
         Just then, Avelina noticed torch light further down the coast towards Davenshire, and the sound of voices.
"We can't stay here." She lowered her voice, and started moving towards the shelter of the buildings. They would go back to the house she shared with mother and Isolda. It wasn't that far, and maybe then she could question these strangers. Though she didn't know them, she believed them to be harmless.
           "Come, follow me. I'll know of a safe place where you can hide and rest."
"And why should we trust you?" James said cooly.
"Because you value your lives and right now," Avelina turned to look at the oncoming guards. " You really don't have another choice. Especially if you are who you say you are."
Duke Peter scoffed and mumbled something under his breath.
          "Fine then, lead us to saftey, mystery maiden." James helped Peter up, and awaited her direction.