A Duty Fulfilled

Chapter 17

''Your maids will be here shortly to help you dress,'' the guard said curtly before closing the door.

''What for?'' Avelina cried before the door slammed shut. Leaving her in a large bedroom chamber.

She hit the door with her fist, then winced after it collided with the wood. A bit harder than she thought. When no one came to hear her plea, she turned around to the look at the room. A stone fireplace stood at the far end of the chamber. A bed and several stuff chairs were arranged neatly, and a large window allowed light from the afternoon sun to stream onto the rug covered floors. Avelina hadn't had anything like this since their manor house had been taken. She ran over to the window, perhaps she could jump. Although, the guards had carried her up several flights of stairs. Likely, she was in a secluded part of the castle. The window overlooked a courtyard with bushes and flowers. Beyond that on one side was a smoking Davenshire and the sea. On the other side where the mountains and trees.

Avelina turned her eyes away from the city that seemed black and looked out at the sea. It was all so beautiful and yet it was stained with evil people's deeds.

Avelina looked down. She was several stories up and it was much to far to jump without injuring or killing herself. She then glanced to the woods that lay beyond the castle wall, and then to the mountains beyond the woods. Was Peter there? Were they attempting a rescue? Or would they simply have to wait until Davenshire was taken over by the rebels?

A soft knock at the door drew her attention back to where she had entered.

''I do not wish to be disturbed,'' Avelina said. She needed to find a way to escape.

''Lady's maids, my lady,'' a female voice said gently.

Lady's maids? Why would Jonathon send lady's maids to her?

''I want to sleep, I am very tired.'' Avelina insisted.

''I am sorry, my lady, but his grace wishes to see you. We were to give you beauty treatment by his order.'' The voice behind the door didn't cease.

Ah, that made more sense.

A male voice cursed behind the door, and suddenly it was banged open. A guard and three maids stood there looking at her. Avelina stared at the guard and recognized him as Captain Elric. She shivered in spite of herself and backed up several steps. Captain Elric's eyes were narrowed dangerously and he stalked to her.

''Duke Richard has waited long enough.'' He growled and snatched her arm roughly, dragging her to the door.

Avelina yelped and beat against his chainmail arm. It didn't seem to affect him.

The maids exclaimed quietly and murmured, but no one stopped him as Avelina sent pleading looks towards them.

''I implore you to let me go!'' Avelina demanded for what felt like the thousandth time that day.

''Only if you swear not to run or scream,'' Elric snarled, his black eyes bored into her.

Avelina tilted herself as far away as she possibly could from him. Her jaw tightened, but she nodded.

Elric grunted indicating his momentary satisfaction. His scars seemed even more pronounced in the dim lighting of the corridor as he walked beside her. Avelina wanted to shrink away from him, but she didn't want to show fear. She forced herself not to blend into the stone walls.

She shot a quick look behind her shoulder at the maids who still stood by her chamber door. They bowed their heads when their gazes met.

Avelina's teeth clenched, no one was willing to stand up for her. They were all too afraid. But then, one look at Captain Elric would frighten anyone. And Lord Richard had a reputation for being ruthless. The smoke rising from the ashes of Davenshire was proof of that. Avelina allowed her gaze to linger on the pitying looks from the maids. She needed allies, and she sensed that not everyone's hearts were hardened towards goodness and justice.