A Duty Fulfilled

Chapter 18

                    ''I will not be tossed away like this!'' Isolda lifted her chin and stared defiantly at Lord Richard. 

''Take her away,'' Lord Richard waved his dismissively at Isolda.

''No!'' Isolda screamed and pleaded to Jonathon, ''tell your father, Jonathon! Tell him he can't go back on his word! His vow!'' 

Jonathon hardened his jaw and stepped away from Isolda and towards his father. 

''Wait! Please!'' Avelina held up her hands and looked at Richard. ''Do not hurt her.'' 

Richard raised his brows but didn't stop the guards from dragging a crying Isolda. Avelina felt her own tears sting her eyes as she watched Isolda disappear through the doors. But she knew there was nothing she could do. 

''I will not hurt her,'' Richard stared at his son with a glint of pride in his eyes. ''She will be well-taken care of.''    

Avelina wasn't sure of his words. 

                       ''Where is my mother?'' She asked, her voice thick with emotion. 

''She is well.'' Lord Richard seemed to forget she was there and turned to Jonathon. ''And what has the prisoner told us?'' 

''The captured crew from Peter's ship have told us that James Smith is a close friend of Duke Baldric's son. However, he stands by his story that the duke was killed on the cliffs despite our methods of interrogation.'' Jonathon's face remained impassive and spoke as if he was reporting what he had for breakfast.  

Avelina's stomach twisted at the mention of James. What exactly were their methods of interrogation? 

Richard turned his gaze back to Avelina. 

''And what say you?'' 

''It is as he said: Duke Peter was killed on the cliffs just as his father before him.'' Avelina swallowed hard, and she hoped they couldn't see her hands shaking. 

                          ''Send a group of searchers into the cliffs, I want his body found.'' Lord Richard instructed Captain Elric who stood by the double doors. ''James Smith is of no consequence, dispose of him immediately.'' 

Avelina's heart lurched and she shook her head, ''why? He hasn't done anything!'' 

''He was consulting with at least one known rebel and a tyrant trying to take over Davenshire, the penalty for such a crime is death.'' Lord Richard started for the double doors. 

''Then kill me!'' Avelina cried, hot tears stinging her eyes. She wouldn't let Peter's best friend be killed because of her crimes. 

''And what would that do? Death is too minor a punishment for your despicable crimes against Holt.'' Lord Richard was looking at her now with a cold stare that made her remember why she hated him. 

''He is to be hung tomorrow when the sun is at its highest.'' Lord Richard directed to Captain Elric. 

                         ''No! My lord, I beg you! I will do anything you ask of me! I will marry lord Jonathon this eve if you wish it! He does not deserve to die!'' 

''Silence!'' Lord Richard bellowed loudly and Avelina flinched slightly. He gave final orders to Captain Elric and left the great hall. 

''Take her to her chambers,'' Jonathon gave the charge to a guard standing by the doors. 

''Wait, please, I beg you,'' Avelina touched Jonathon's arm, hoping he could see the earnestness in her voice. A tear ran down her cheek and her lip quivered. ''Let me see him, please.''