A Duty Fulfilled

Chapter 13

          Avelina wasn't exactly sure how, but somehow the group made it through the night and didn't break until morning the next day. Exhausted to the point where they couldn't walk, they found a small cavern and slept. Aldwin scouted briefly and informed them that Jonathon and his men were heading down the cliffs. Likely back to Davenshire to assist his father. They slept until just after noon and continued down the cliff. They reached the forest by dark. 

Adam shot a deer and cooked it over a fire, but still refused to speak to her, or anyone else. They all ate in a silence of the uncomfortable kind. Afterward, they all agreed they should get sleep before continuing. 

            Avelina huddled under her blanket, curling against the chill. Summer nights were still a bit cold even with the trees above protecting them from the soft breeze coming from the cliffs. 

She closed her eyes and tried to sleep, but sleep seemed inevitable. Her mind was too busy roaming over the events of the past days. Had it only been slightly over a week since she'd met Peter? It felt like a lifetime ago. And to think......they were as close as they'd ever been getting bringing Lord Richard down. Their chances weren't good at all, but they had a real plan, and that was more than Adam, Avelina, Aldwin, Lord Grimald, and Father Bennet had ever had. 

She couldn't explain it, but she felt hope in Peter's leadership. Avelina hadn't had hope for a long time. But she'd begun to feel many different things she hadn't felt ever. And some of them she couldn't really explain. For example, why had Father Bennet's words from the cave the night after the manor fire never left her? 

I will pray for God to change your heart. 

Nine simple words that had begun to resurface from her memories and played over and over again in her mind. Had he meant them? And was God actually changing her heart? 

The other questions she had were about Peter. Why had Adam's warning to her only awakened more fondness towards Peter?

               Avelina sat up, deciding sleep was pointless and scooted closer to the dancing flames they'd cooked the deer over. It was large enough to provide some warmth, but they'd still kept it small in the case that Jonathon was prowling around. 

Across from the fire, Adam tossed restlessly in his sleep, and Avelina felt rather sorry for him. Though he hadn't intended to, Peter had taken over their small group. Adam had always led, he had always made the decisions and created strategies. Perhaps that was another reason why he'd been so cantankerous. 

And that was yet another question she had: Why had she accepted a stranger's leadership? A week ago she wouldn't have appreciated a foreigner's ideas or suggestions. Except, Peter wasn't a foreigner, and he wasn't a stranger. It seemed Avelina had many questions but few answers, and she wished desperately that she could be with her mother. While it was possible she wouldn't have the answers, she would've provided a listening ear to Avelina. 

A twig cracked softly, but Avelina's trained ears darted towards the direction of the sound. A tall broad figure was standing five paces from where she sat. Peter's handsome face was illuminated by the fire's gentle light. 

                 ''I was scouting around the camp. I didn't realize anyone was still awake.'' He said quietly. The chirping of crickets making it hard to hear his words. 

''I couldn't sleep,'' Avelina pulled the blanket closer to her. 

''Neither could I,'' he smiled and sat down an arm's length away. 

For several moments, the sounds of nightfall bridged the sound of silence and Avelina hoped he couldn't read the questions about her feelings clouding her head.