A Duty Fulfilled

Chapter 4

                    Peter's chest stung. It felt as though he'd swallowed fire and was burning from the inside out. He leaned against James as they hurried down a path that wrapped around Davenshire. Following the maiden that had rescued them from drowning. 

His mind still couldn't wrap around the events of that night. And even at that moment, he wondered if he was in a dream. 

''My home is within the forest, you may hide there for the present time.'' The lady had a cultured tone, her voice was smooth and pleasant. Although her personality reflected something a bit different. 

How dare she say to his face he wasn't Peter Chamberlain, Duke of Cambold. It infuriated him to the point where his face turned red and his limbs stiffened. 

But then again, she was hiding him from the guards. 

''This way,'' she whispered and took them off the path and into the forest. He couldn't get a good view of her profile, but against the moonlight, he could see she had dark hair and was dressed in men's breeches, a leather jerkin, and a dark cloak. 

                    She glanced behind them, giving him a shadowed view of her cream-like skin, and dark brows. Though a bit even-tempered, she was beautiful.

Just then, thunder rolled above them. 

''God be praised, that rain will wash away our tracks.'' She said quietly. 

''My lady, I don't believe you have given us your name,'' Peter shook out of James's arm and followed the maiden's near running pace. 

She was silent for several moments, then answered, ''Avelina, from the house of Mason.'' 

Avelina Mason. Not of noble blood then. 

''What is your name?'' She asked. 

''I've already told you.'' 

They crossed over a small, grassy knoll just then, and Peter could see light from a small cottage some distance away tucked into the trees. 

                  ''You can't be Duke Peter. Duke Peter died many years ago.'' She said much certainty. 

''Duke Baldric was my father, Duchess Margaret was my mother. I was here last when my father died, then I went back to the mainland to finish schooling. My uncle, Lord Richard, has taken my place since I've been away, but I've come back now.'' 

Avelina was silent, as though pondering what he said. Just then, rain started to fall heavily. 

''Hurry,'' she said and started running. 

''Tell me,'' Peter said, refusing to let weariness overtake him. ''Why can't I be the duke? Who said I died?'' 

Avelina merely glanced at him and kept her pace. 

When she didn't reply, Peter decided perhaps now wasn't the best time to find answers to his mounting questions. 

                       The trio ran hard against the rain for nearly ten minutes before Avelina led Peter and James in the back door of the small, but comfy cottage. 

''Mother!'' Avelina called into the doorway and though still standing in the rain, Peter took time to observe his surroundings. 

It was too dark to see much, but he could tell they were in the middle of a forest. The cottage had a thatched roof and smoke poured out of a chimney. 

''Come inside,'' Avelina motioned for them to come inside the house. 

The rain pelting his back suddenly ceased as he stepped inside.