A Duty Fulfilled

Chapter 7

                ''Keep moving,'' Avelina whispered to herself for the hundredth time. It was the only thing that kept her from stopping in the dark tunnel and screaming. She didn't know where she was, and couldn't see any of her surroundings. 

She could hear screams and cries above her, and she assumed she was still somewhere under Lord Grimald's manor. 

Lord Grimald. Father Bennet. Aldwin. 

What had happened to them? 

Did they make it out? Where they safe? They had planned for such an attack ever since their meetings had first started. But one could prepare all they wanted, and never execute the plan perfectly when the time came. 

 Avelina released a frustrated cry and stopped. Slumping against the tunnel wall. 

Tears stung her eyes, but she held them back. If she cried now, she'd lose any other sense she had left. 

                  She'd gotten separated from Adam and Peter when she'd whispered final instructions to Aldwin and Father Bennet about where to run and hide. When she turned around, Adam and Peter's light had gone. 

Avelina had tried to take the route that led out of the tunnel, but she'd heard the guards coming towards her, panicked, and taken the next path she'd come across. She'd found her way along by feeling the walls. 

Avelina inhaled deeply. If she was going to find her way out, she needed a clear head. If she was still under the manor house, then an exit was nearby. Perhaps if she waited for some time, until all had quieted above, she could look for it. 

As much as she hated to stay put, it was probably best that she didn't try to find the exit. The one Father Bennet, James, and Aldwin had taken would lead them out to the woods next to the manor house. They'd be able to make a clean escape from there.  Lord Grimald had always said that since Adam and Avelina were the fastest runners amongst the group, they'd take a different exit out. The more people traveling in different directions, the harder it would be for Lord Richard to catch all of them. 

                 Avelina felt her eyes start to droop, and she forced them open. It wouldn't do for a couple of guards to stumble upon her while she slumbered. 

She filled her mind with questions instead. 

How had the guards found them? Few people knew where the rebel meetings where held. And they all were trusted people, although perhaps not as trustworthy as she'd first thought. She hated to think that one of their own had done this. But that was the only way. Lord Richard trusted Lord Grimald, and he would've needed serious reason to doubt him. 

Despite her efforts, her eyes fought against her alertness and finally consumed her into a doze. Probably due to her lack of sleep the past nights. 

She slept harder than she'd ever anticipated, and it wasn't until she felt a probing in her side, that she awoke. 

''She's alive,'' a deep voice drew her around. 

''What is it?'' Another voice, a man's asked. 

''It's a girl, you oaf.'' The deep voice quickly snapped her out of her trance. 

               Avelina opened her eyes to see two largely built soldiers holding a torch above her head and staring down at her. 

Her mouth went dry. 

Two soldiers attired in Holt's green and gold colors. 

''Good morning, my lady.'' The guard on the left, holding the torch, smiled, revealing a missing tooth.