(A/N: so much curiosity about Cedric, Goodwyn, the influence of Hexley, etc. I love it! I will say this: I think the inspiration for Hexley comes predominantly from my favorite character created by Sarah M. Eden, a regency fiction author- The Duke of Kielder. Keilder was physically scarred as a boy and the circumstances that led to him being physically scarred also scarred him emotionally. He builds up a cold persona. Because of his looks and the mask he wears, he earns the nickname of the dangerous duke. No one dares contradict him. Even members of the royal family yield to him. But Kielder is not really so bad. At his core, he cares deeply about his family, has a strong sense of justice, and is willing to stand up for what is right. But if you do happen to get on Kielder's bad side, watch out! He won't hesitate to put you in your place.
I own nothing!)
A few days earlier
It was very dark as the sun had set but the young man had a bit of unfinished business in the village. He stepped inside of the constabulary and pulled his hood off his head. The constable looked up.
"My-"
"Shh," the visitor interrupted. "Remember, no one knows I'm here."
"Of course Sir."
"Good. Now where is the little lowlife?"
The constable pointed the direction to a dark and damp cell. The visitor looked in on the occupant. It was evident the prisoner was in a lot of pain. Even the slightest movement of his head seemed to solicit a wince. The prisoner looked up at his visitor, loathing in his eyes.
"Well, well, come to let me finish my business?"
"No. I just wanted the satisfaction of telling you what's going to happen to you."
The prisoner scoffed. "What's the worst you can do? You denied me my vengeance on the little harlot, shot me, and gave me to the constable. What more can you do?"
"A lot more," the visitor grinned smugly. "I can beat you further. I understand her father was very angry and beat you senseless. I'd be happy to do it again. And not only that, I can order you sent to any prison I chose."
The prisoner's eyes widened.
"You have quite the list of crimes- mostly assault and murder. It's no wonder the reward for your capture, dead or alive, was so hefty. Hmm… dead or alive. Maybe I should just put you out of your misery and end your vile existence."
The prisoner continued to stare wide eyed and trembling, his face getting paler by the moment. As if to scare the prisoner further, the visitor reached behind his back and pulled out a pistol. He pointed it directly at the prisoner's head. He chuckled darkly.
"No, that would be too generous for you." The visitor put the pistol away. "I am sending you to Purdan Prison."
The prisoner choked on his own breath. He heard enough stories about that prison. It was as good as a death sentence to its inmates. And those who lived, would spend the rest of their days wishing they were dead.
"No! You can't do that!"
"I just did. Get a good night's sleep. In the morning, you will be leaving Dunwittie and Cantare Valley for good."
The visitor started to turn to leave.
"You stinking high born trash! You're no better than that tramp the mayor has the audacity to claim as his own!"
The visitor turned back to face the prisoner.
"Constable, open the cell door!"
The prisoner grew silent as the door opened. The visitor grabbed the prisoner by the collar of his tattered shirt.
"If you so much as think a cruel word about her, I will personally come visit you and thrash you so horrendously that you will wish yourself dead."
"Ha! Don't go denying it. You know just as well as I do that Sofia is-"
The prisoner didn't get a chance to finish the insult as a fist came down on him. A few minutes later, the visitor dumped the prisoner on the floor, satisfied with the personal justice he had delivered. The prisoner was too weak to do anything more.
The visitor stepped out of the cell, allowing the constable to lock it again.
"Impressive, Sir. I still think you should allow me to tell Mayor-"
"You are only allowed to tell him where that insolent lowlife is going. Tell him about me and I will follow through on my threat from the forest."
The constable nodded. "Yes My Lord."
The young man shot a glare at the constable who in turn paled as he realized his mistake.
"Sir," the constable corrected himself.
"You are lucky there is no one here to hear your blunder. Good day."
With that, the young man pulled his hood back up and left the constabulary.
oOo
Sofia perused the books in Roland's library. None of the books appealed to her though.
The library door opened, getting her attention. Sofia looked up and saw Roland step in.
"Hi Dad."
"Sofia, I just spoke with Constable Miles. He said Graham was sent to a remote prison where he will stay until the end of his life."
"Just like that?" Sofia asked. "No trial?"
Roland shook his head. "No trial. Graham is gone forever."
Sofia nodded. "I suppose all the women he's gone after can heave a sigh of relief now. I think I'm going to go riding now. And no Dad. I'm not taking an escort. Say what you want about it. I don't want one."
Roland sighed. The last couple weeks since the incident, he'd been trying to convince Sofia to have an escort when she went riding. But she continued to say no.
Sofia left the library. After a moment, a different brunette stepped in.
"She didn't say anything about the mystery person who helped her that day?" Miranda asked.
"I didn't get a chance to ask. Constable Miles, Sofia, and Amber are all very tight lipped about who intervened."
"Something else is on your mind."
Roland glanced up at his wife. "Something is bothering me about this situation. Graham got sent off very fast to prison and without a trial. And there won't be a trial. He's just going to stay there. And the prison he was sent to, not just anyone can be sent there. Not just anyone can send prisoners there. Someone very powerful is interfering."
Miranda's eyes widened. "Who though?"
"That's the question, now isn't it?"
oOo
Sofia settled Minimus into a very familiar, though small, stable. She glanced at her arm where a basket of goodies she made that morning were resting. She smiled as she walked around to the front of the cabin. She knocked. After a moment, Cedric opened the door widely.
"I never did thank you for your help a couple weeks ago," Sofia said as she stepped inside. "My dad just told me that Graham was sent to a remote prison for good."
Cedric nodded. "Good. That weasel has no place anywhere else."
Sofia sat the basket down on the table. She grabbed the tea kettle and set it on the stove.
"That was thanks to you. What did you say to Constable Miles that day? Whatever you said really made a difference."
Cedric shrugged. "Nothing of great importance."
Sofia scowled. "You're deflecting. You can tell me anything."
Really? Even that I pulled rank?
"It doesn't matter now. Graham is where he belongs and he will stay there."
Sofia nodded as she sat down at the table. Cedric sat by her. Sofia started pulling the food out of the basket.
"Well, enough about that rat," Cedric continued. "I'm more interested in the food you brought."
Sofia looked slightly perplexed. "I thought you cooked."
"Who do you think made breakfast the morning after I found you?"
Sofia nodded. "That's right. I didn't think of that."
"I can only do a few basic items. Certainly nothing like your pastries."
Sofia nodded. "Then maybe I could teach you a few more things in the kitchen. I'm nowhere near as good as our chef, but I'm not too bad."
"Have you ever made fly cakes?" Cedric tried not to sound too hopeful.
Sofia shook her head. "I've only heard of those. My dad has had them before. He was traveling through Mystica Prata County when he first tried them."
Why doesn't it surprise me that he is familiar with them?
"They are local to Mystica Prata. If you ever go there, you should try them."
Sofia nodded. "You've been to Mystica Prata then?"
Pttf. I've more than been there.
"It's been a long time but yes."
Sofia looked at him intrigued. "Isn't it a very long way from here? I seem to recall hearing it's at least a day with good weather."
Cedric nodded. "About two days by carriage with good traveling conditions."
"Wow, that is far. What's it like there?"
Cedric paused. Just how much could he say without raising suspicions?
Sofia leaned somewhat close to Cedric, ready to hear his every word about the distant place.
"It's different from Cantare Valley. There are many festivals in the villages during the summer. Winters are fierce but they give way to the brightest spring colors. After it stops raining, that is."
"It sounds amazing there," Sofia said.
"Yes, I suppose it is."
Cedric found himself leaning ever so slightly towards Sofia. His heart pounded fiercely in his chest as he suddenly imagined bringing the young lady to Mystica Prata. He'd show her its many wonders. He would… he would…
Suddenly, the tea kettle started whistling. Cedric looked past Sofia towards it.
"I'll grab the tea," Cedric said.
With a perfect excuse to distract himself, Cedric took a moment to mentally kick himself.
Merlin's mushrooms! What were you thinking?