There was a cry as Amelia watched the knife sink into Joedan's shoulder.
The count laughed and pulled another knife from his jacket. "I can do this all day," the count growled.
"I've been itching for a knife fight," he took another swipe but Joedan dodged it.
"You should probably get that itch checked," Joedan shot back as he brought his sword around again. The count stepped back out of reach.
The duke made his way over to his beloved daughter.
"Daddy?" Amelia said, recognizing the older man.
"What are you wearing?" she said as she tried not to cry.
"Well, I saw the lad there try it and I thought, hey, that's an original idea. You look beautiful by the way," he said as he embraced his daughter.
"Hope you're not too upset we crashed your wedding?" He asked.
"Can I have my mace?" She looked at him stubbornly.
"Well, I don't know, dear, I kinda think I get what ya like about 'em now," he said, as he swung it around casually.
"Daddy, give me my mace," Amelia cried.
"Okay, fine. But I've had about enough of this. Don't think you'll have much use for it." Saying that, the duke put two fingers in his cheeks and whistled loudly. All eyes drifted towards the front of the room.
The duke stood there.
Face of stone.
The people suddenly realized who they were looking at and started pointing back and forth. The guards turned and directed their eyes to the altar. The fighting quickly stopped.
All except for one man who hadn't turned to look at all the commotion. The count's slicked back hair had become unruly, he was bleeding from a strike he had taken on his arm. Both men stood breathing heavily as their eyes stayed locked on each other.
"Oh, Reginalddddd?" came the loud sing-song voice of the duke.
The count stumbled. Looking once at Joedan, he turned. He started to sputter but wasn't able to get a comprehensible word out. The count looked at Amelia and saw Henry standing there.
"Henry," the count shouted. His eyes darting over to Amelia, his intention clear.
Henry did not move.
"Henry?" The count tried again, weaker than the first time.
Realization struck, the count lowered his knives. Everyone had turned on him. He heard Joedan sheathe his sword behind him. Even that stupid farmer thinks he's better than me.
The count became furious.
Suddenly, he spun around angling one of his knives and reached for Joedan. Joedan tried to slide out of the way and managed to miss the worst of it before the knife was driven into his thigh. Griff stood to the right of the count and he raised his sword, point at the count's neck.
"One more move and I'll drive this straight through your neck and into the floor."
The count dropped to the floor, knife clattering at his side. Stepping forward, a man dressed in the guard uniform lowered his helmet. Joedan looked as Ralph approached the now downed count.
Ralph's arm cocked back and his fist connected hard with the side of the Count's face as the count fell to the floor. Ralph stared down hard at the man on the floor as the man slowly recognized who had just hit him. Ralph smiled, his eyes still hard.
Joedan stumbled. His shoulder had been bleeding through most of the fight and now his leg was failing to hold him up. Swaying, Joedan's knee started to buckle.
Before he could fall, Amelia was there. She clung to his side as she supported him from falling all the way over.
"Hey princess." Joedan said.
"Hey, Farm boy." she smiled back.
"Good plan wasn't it?" he said, lazily.
She sighed at him but couldn't hide the smile that broke through. This big, dumb idiot. She held him as she looked back to Commander Griff and the count kneeling on the floor.
The duke stepped towards the count. "Reginald."
"I don't know whether to be more ashamed of you or myself," the duke spoke.
"How I missed all of this over these years," the duke shook his head. "Your ambitions have blinded you, Reginald. In your thirst for power, you lost your way."
The duke beckoned to Trevor and Caleb. "I don't yet know whether to send you to a cell for the rest of your days, or to just let the axe fall and be done with you altogether."
Motioning to the count, the duke ushered Caleb and Trevor to apprehend the count. "Take him to the jail for now."
The two men shackled the count's wrists behind his back as they raised him off his knees, escorting him out of the hall.
Commander Griff lowered his sword, looking over to Amelia and Joedan. "He needs to see a healer."
Amelia sharpened her gaze. Ralph approached Amelia as he lowered to one knee in front of her.
"What is this?" Amelia said, looking to her father and then to Commander Griff.
Commander Griff placed a hand on Ralph's shoulder. Amelia tensed. Why were they being friendly with the man who kidnapped her? Why was the man still kneeling at her feet?
Ralph looked to the floor. Taking a deep breath, "Miss Amelia," he said.
"I know nothing I say can change what me and my brother did to you." Ralph started.
"You're right," Amelia said, as she struggled to control her temper.
Joedan was getting heavier and she was torn between standing here listening to this man or helping Joedan get to a healer.
"It's because of the man you're holding up, that I kneel here today before you," Ralph said.
"When he could have ended my life, he chose mercy. When he could have left me in a cell, he offered me a chance."
Amelia knew what she needed to do, but oh, why did it have to be so hard. Why couldn't she be angry? Why couldn't she hold this man responsible and punish him?
"I do not ask for your forgiveness," Ralph said, "Only that you let me serve in your estate."
Amelia stayed silent, but Griff moved towards her, "We need to take him. He's lost a lot of blood and he can't afford to lose much more."
Amelia turned and Griff grabbed the other side of Joedan as the two worked together to carry Joedan out of the reception hall.
The duke stood behind Ralph. Coming beside him, the duke reached out and lifted up Ralph's chin. Looking into his eyes, the duke spoke, "you've done all you can do, Ralph. I will not determine your fate." he said as he motioned for Ralph to stand.
"As for my daughter however, it is not my decision to take from her." he said as he stepped out of the reception hall.