The walls of Restin came into view as the group trotted along the road. Traveling on the road had been a refreshing experience for the group. Amelia and Joedan had kept up their training with the others guiding them. Commander Griff didn't let up even a little on Joedan and even started taking over Amelia's training. The group had grown closer over their return journey.
As they approached the walls, Amelia leaned over to Commander Griff, "Something's wrong."
"Why is the bridge up during the day?" Griff asked, the other guards were wondering the same question.
As they approached, guards lined the top of the wall. Commander Griff looked up, "Guards, what is the meaning of this?" he said as he pointed to the bridge.
The guards didn't respond but there was more commotion as more gathered. In the span of a few seconds the number of guards on the wall tripled, and that's not all. The guards pulled bows and drew back arrows as they pointed them down towards the group. The group, startled by what was happening, looked around at each other. Amelia was worried, what would cause the guards to draw weapons on them? On her?
The captain at the top of the wall spoke loudly, "Traitors. We were warned of your return."
"Traitors?" Commander Griff barked back.
"The duke has gone missing," the captain continued. "You are all under arrest."
"You can either come willingly, or we have the authority to use whatever force is necessary," the captain said as he stared threateningly down at the group.
Not knowing what else the group could do, they all dismounted their horses and lowered their equipment to the ground. The bridge started to lower and the guards stood in a line at the base.
As the bridge settled the captain came forward. Taking one look at Commander Griff he said, "I am sorry to have to do this, sir. You trained me for this position," the captain allowed a moment to show his vulnerability before straightening himself and motioning his men forward.
The men came forward with chains. One by one, the group's wrists were wrapped. The guards surrounded them and proceeded to push them forward into the city.
Along the streets citizens stood, some were quiet, some were outraged. Many insults were thrown. Amelia tried her best to hold her head high. This was her city, her people, and it hurt more than she wanted to admit to have her people lose faith in her.
The group was led down the familiar path as they approached the metal gate. A guard stood at attention before the captain instructed him to allow them through. Walking down a familiar hallway, Joedan shook his head. He was starting to think being in this city was bad luck for him and always would be. They were led to a cell at the end. Amelia was placed in a cell by herself. The rest of the group was ushered into a cell across the hall. The guards slammed the doors closed and locked the latches before turning and walking away.
Griff took a seat, quiet and somber. The rest followed suit as they found a place inside of the cell to drop to the floor.
"Where's Ralph?" Joedan suddenly spoke up.
The group looked around the cell and in the confusion, they hadn't realized Ralph wasn't among them.
"That slimy.." Griff huffed.
Wringing his hands together, he tilted his head back. He didn't know what was going on, but something had happened to the duke. And if the duke was missing, then who was running the city? Hardening his face, Griff could only think of one name.
'Reginald.'
*****
"Count," the captain said, "Commander Griff and the others have returned and we have apprehended them," the captain stood stiffly before Count Reginald.
"Just Griff, Captain," Count said, "He is no longer a commander of anything," he said with a hard glint in his eye.
"And Amelia? Did you separate her from the others like I ordered?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Good, good. Well it is good that we have apprehended the culprits. I worry about the fate of our beloved duke, but it does give me some small comfort to know those responsible are no longer walking around free."
"Yes, sir," the captain spoke.
"And the vagrant?" the count asked.
"We have him sir, we've kept him apart from the others."
Folding his hands together, the count smiled. A small smile, he didn't want to appear too eager. Henry, his driver, stood faithfully to his right. Things were going well, better than expected actually. The idea was brilliant really, one of his greatest, he thought. Took care of all of my problems in one go and now the city belongs to me. Taking a moment to compose himself, he looked back at the captain, "Thank you, Captain, that will be all. In a few hours, I want you to bring Amelia to me."
"Yes, sir," the captain said as he took a bow, turned and then exited the count's office.
The captain was having trouble buying the count's version of events. He was having an even harder time believing that miss Amelia had anything to do with it? Commander Griff had been his training officer back in the academy. He remembered Commander Griff as a man of principle. What would possess the Commander to suddenly turn traitor after years of faithful service?
The captain shook his head as he continued to walk out of the estate and back towards the city jail.
*****
A guard came down the hallway, clinking his keys along the bars. As he approached them, the group watched as he turned towards the cell Amelia was in. Amelia had been quiet ever since they had been apprehended. Joedan felt bad for her, he knew how much she cared for this city.
The guard at the gate inserted his key and opened the lock. Pulling the door open, he motioned to Amelia to rise.
She didn't.
She was in no mood to play along. The guard was also in no mood to play along. Entering quickly, the guard grabbed Amelia roughly by the shoulder and yanked her to her feet.
The guard leaned into her space, "I wasn't asking."
He gave her a shove as he pushed her towards the cell door. Amelia made eyes with the group as she turned the corner and was ushered down the hallway and out of their sight.
Joedan turned to Griff, "What do you suppose that was?"
"Nothing good," the commander replied.
The commander had already shared his suspicions with the group. He had no way to prove the count was responsible, other than the sickening feeling in his gut any time he was around the guy. It was no secret to anyone how much the commander and the count despised one another. How the count ever came to be the chief advisor, Griff would never understand. The duke had been like a brother to him, and he took it as a slight against the duke to allow such a man to be in his confidences.
Taking a look around the room, the commander looked at each man before saying, "I don't know what's about to happen, but we need to be ready. I smell treason. And we're the unfortunate sobs the trap has been sprung on." With that somber note, the commander tilted his head back, wringing his hands again, and closed his eyes.
Joedan didn't know what to think either, but he wasn't going to just sit quietly while they were led to slaughter. He was tired of being wrongfully accused and imprisoned.
He would find a way to figure out what was going on and he would put a stop to it.