"Get up," came the gruff voice of Commander Griff. He jangled the keys as he turned them in the lock. Pulling the door open, he waited for Joedan to stand.
"The duke has summoned you."
Commander Griff stepped back waiting for Joedan to step out of the cell. He pointed forward and waited for Joedan to start walking, closing the door to the cell, he turned to follow Joedan. Commander Griff escorted him to the entrance of the prison where more guards met them.
"Commander," the captain said as they approached. "We can take the prisoner from here."
"I will be coming with you, I'd like to see what "this one" does," as Commander Griff pointed back to Joedan.
Together, they all stepped out and onto the street making their way to the estate. The guards led Joedan to the throne room. As Joedan approached the throne, there was no one seated.
From a door to the side, out stepped a tall man with slicked back hair. Commander Griff's jaw tightened for just a second. Joedan almost missed it, if he hadn't been scanning the room.
"Commander," the count said.
"How good of you to join us? Do you have nothing else more important to do than to accompany a prisoner to see the duke?" His eyes sharpened as he made eye contact with Griff.
"Oh nonsense, Count," said Griff.
"I have many capable people under my authority that can handle the prison while I'm away for a few minutes," Griff said with a sly smile.
Knowing the Count wouldn't call him out for it. Before the Count could throw another verbal jab, the duke walked through a door on the other side of the throne, stopping the potential conflict in its tracks.
"Ah, Commander," said the duke. "It has been a long time, it is good to see you, old friend. How fares things over at the prison? How is the wife?"
"Things are good, your excellency. Thank you."
"This the prisoner?" the duke asked, pointing a finger towards Joedan, speaking to Commander Griff.
Joedan did not like being referred to as if he was not in the room, but he knew the duke was a powerful man so he kept his face schooled.
"This is the man spotted with Amelia upon her return to the city," said Griff.
The duke looked over at Joedan, he continued measuring up Joedan as the silence grew between the two. Tapping his fingers on one arm of the chair, the duke scratched his chin.
"Hmm.." he muttered. "Joedan, is it?" Joedan nodded.
"My daughter spoke very highly of you. As a father, I want to offer my gratitude for her safe return."
Joedan couldn't understand the duke's reasoning. If he was so thankful, then why had Joedan been tossed into a jail cell as soon as he arrived? Joedan continued standing, silent.
"As a duke, I find myself in a difficult position. The abduction of my daughter has made this city look weak under my leadership. I have tasked the Count to track down the kidnappers, but he tells me the trail has gone cold. Perhaps I can hear your version of events? The count shifted slightly while the duke was speaking.
Joedan took a moment to put his words together, "Duke, I come from a family of humble farmers. Each day, I head out to our fields and I plant the seed so we might bring a harvest at the end of the season. The day was like any other day. I had taken a break in the shade, after several hours of work, when I heard the sound of a woman screaming. What I witnessed was a woman in the center of two men, as these two men attempted to subdue her and carry her into a structure in a neighboring field."
The duke said, "And then you did what?" still tapping his fingers on the arm of his chair.
" I heard the two men inside talking about a ransom and someone coming to meet them for the girl. I knew it would be a challenge to try and deal with both men at the same time, so I created a distraction that caused one of them to leave. I dealt with the other one and then I approached Amelia and removed her restraints. I told her I wasn't there to hurt her and told her we needed to hurry. I brought her back to my farm, and hid her in my shed until later that evening. She told me she didn't know where she was and needed help to return to her father." Joedan said clearly.
"And then what?" the duke said.
"We began our journey back here, it was about a five day journey by foot."
"And you're the one who bought my daughter a mace?" the duke said with a glint in his eye. "That girl always did have a flare of a temper on her." He smiled fondly at the memory.
"You've given me much to ponder, Joedan. There is no doubt in my mind, you went above and beyond the call of duty to bring my daughter safely home to us." The duke thrummed his fingers again. Looking off towards the Commander, then his eyes made their way to the Count.
"Were it a different time, perhaps I could choose a different course of action, but unfortunately, I find my hands tied. Ironic thing it is, to be the most powerful man, but yet not have the power you want to have." He said, with a small smile. Like that made what he was doing any better, thought Joedan.
"Let me deliberate amongst my advisors and I will have an answer for you in due time." The duke stood and walked back towards the door he had come from and left the throne.
"Well, Commander, as great as this has been, at last it is time for us to part ways again. Will I be seeing you again when the next prisoner comes before the duke? The count said, dripping with sarcasm, his smile ending in a scowl.
"Count, I assure you, when my whereabouts become your business, I'll be sure to inform you." Griff smiled proudly and turned, grabbing Joedan's arm as he ushered them both from the throne room.
Griff escorted Joedan back to the jail, walking down the hall back towards his cell, Griff opened the door. Letting Joedan walk in of his own will this time, the commander waited for Joedan to enter the cell. Closing the door behind Joedan, Griff slotted the key, turning the lock. Without a word, Griff turned and left.
Joedan sat down, back against the wall, looking towards his familiar window. "Now what?"