Chapter 7
Captured
Marilyn couldn't believe what she just heard. This man standing before her was one who had caused great persecution to the Knights of the Prince. But now he had changed. It was hard to believe.
"My real name…is Derek. I apologize for not being perfectly honest with you, but now that you know my story I hope you can understand why."
Carter was the first to speak. "Of course, Derek," he said, using the man's real name. "Anyone probably would have done as you did–were they in the same situation."
"There is nothing to apologize for." Marilyn said.
"Now," Robert declared. "Before we do anything else, I suggest we all have something to eat."
The suggestion was met with hearty approval, and after staying late to talk more they retired to their rooms.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~
Derek woke in the middle of the night with a strange sense of foreboding. Slowly he got out of bed, dressed, and crept downstairs. All was silent, save for the hoot of an occasional owl and the sound of crickets.
Still, Derek's feeling of unease grew as caught the slightest flicker of motion from outside a window.
Crash! A large stone hurled through the window, narrowly missing his head. Darkly dressed figures broke down the door and rushed in with drawn swords.
The chaos increased as–from upstairs–he heard his friends hurriedly moving around. They had awoken when the stone broke the glass, and now were making their way downstairs.
Derek noticed Carter, Robert, and Marilyn charge into the room as he defended a side cut from the man in front of him. Preoccupied with his current duel, Derek didn't notice another man come up from behind him.
Searing pain flooded through him as a dagger was thrust into his unprotected side. White light flashed before his eyes when the sword hilt slammed down on his head. Voices shouted as he was dragged outside.
The stable behind the house was on fire, hungry flames licking at the wooden roof. Wind-carried sparks flew to the roof of the house, and quickly ignited.
Shoved onto his knees, head reeling, Derek glanced to either side of him to see his friends bound as well.
"Your days of hiding are over!" A tall, blond-haired man–obviously the leader–declared. "You and your friends will face the consequences of your choice!"
"Wait!" Derek called.
The guardsman beside him struck his face with a gauntleted fist. Derek ignored the blow–though blood trickled down the side of his face–and addressed the leader.
"I'm the one you want," he said. "Let the others go free and take me!"
The man turned and looked at him curiously. Coming closer he grabbed Derek face, turning it this way and that in the flickering firelight. A grim smile slowly spread across his face.
"Hmmm. So you are," the man confirmed. Abruptly he turned to the other men with him and said, "wait until we've gone, then you can release the rest."
Derek was hauled to his feet, led over to a horse, and placed on top of the beast. Looking back he could see tears in Marilyn's eyes—and in those of Carter and Robert.
Mounted atop his own horse the leader rode off, holding the lead of Derek's horse.
A/N: what do you think will happen to Derek? Keep reading! (R&R)