The Kiss From a Dragon
Page 32
CHAPTER 57 – The Three Sisters of Barnesbay
Dawn had just broken as the sisters approached their cottage. The three horses they had loaned from Fryd and Ellory at the White Horse inn at Mallam had done them proud. The innkeepers had recognised Jana and Cerana straight away and were only too glad to help. They even offered to put them up for the night, but the sisters were so keen to get home, Cerana politely refused, and left with a promise of returning the horses within a week, with full payment and eternal gratitude.
They were tired, battered and bruised, but they were together. Returning home had never felt so good to any of them.
Cerana smiled as her younger sisters rode behind her, talking and giggling as if nothing had happened. They had all been through so much, and to see them so happy once more gave light to her heart. But as Cerana led her siblings past the small stream and into the garden, her heart sank.
Standing either side of the porch, two armour-clad guards turned in her direction and stood to attention. Cerana halted her horse, her sisters still unaware of the unfolding situation. When they realised Cerana had come to a halt, they soon stopped their laughing.
Cerana held back her tears. She was afraid that at some point, this situation might arise. She had escaped the city guards after being found guilty of murder; it stood to reason that they would one day catch up with her. The euphoria of saving her family had caused Cerana to push the burden to the back of her mind, albeit temporarily. But the sight of the guards on her doorstep knocked the wind out of her spirits once more.
“Oh no,” Esteri whimpered.
“You’ve got a nerve showing up here,” Jana spat. “She’s a hero, not a criminal.”
Cerana held up her hand towards her fiery sister. “It’s okay Jana. This had to happen eventually.” She had already resigned herself to her fate. She was tired of running.
One of the guards, a young man with a handsome face and shoulder-length blonde hair, stepped towards the sisters. “Miss Cerana Proudstone?” he asked with a cheery voice.
Cerana nodded. “I am she.”
“Please, don’t take her, she saved me,” sobbed Esteri.
“Miss Proudstone, I have no intention of taking you anywhere,” the young guard said, a broad smile on his young face.
Cerana frowned. “You…you don’t?” she said, clearly puzzled.
“Of course not!” he added, as if it was the most ludicrous statement he had heard today. “We’ve been waiting for you to return, though.”
“So I see,” Cerana said. “What is going on here?”
“We wanted to tell you in person. The charges against you have been dropped, Miss Proudstone.”
Cerana sat on her horse, frowning. Her sisters looked shocked.
“It has come to light that you were wrongfully charged,” the guard continued.
“What?” Cerana snorted.
“We arrested a man named Tavlor Corr, shortly after your trial. Under intense interrogation, he let slip that he murdered Alleran Goldthorn, and together with his brother, kidnapped Miss Jana.”
The sisters were stunned. “But, but, but…” Cerana could not find any words.
“Yes, not the sharpest dagger in the armoury, our Mister Corr,” scoffed the guard. “He also admitted further murders, one of which you were also accused of.”
Cerana shook her head in disbelief.
“The king has written to you, but we wanted to tell you in person. It was us two who escorted you to the trial after you were imprisoned.” He gestured to the second guard, who nodded his bald head. “We felt guilty after we heard. Wanted to apologise in person. And let you know the good news, seeing as you obviously haven’t already heard!”
“No,” Cerana stuttered. “We have been….away for a while.”
“Well then,” the guard said jovially. “We will keep you no longer. You are a free woman once more, Miss Proudstone.” The guards bowed together before heading away towards the northern path.
“Wait,” said Cerana, before the guards could leave. They turned to face her. “So, that’s it? I am no longer classed as a criminal? There will be no further charges against me?”
“That’s right, Miss Proudstone. Free. Go in peace.” The guards turned and left, this time disappearing around the side of the cottage.
Cerana turned to her sisters, who beamed at her with excitement. She was still in shock. “Did…did that just really happen?” she said.
“Yes!” cried Esteri.
“It did! I can’t believe it, C!” Jana shrieked. “You’re free!”
Cerana managed a smile as the realisation hit her. “I’m free….”
“I must bake a cake!” yelled Esteri, throwing her hands into the air. The sisters all laughed aloud. Alighting their horses, they tethered them to the makeshift stable.
As they stood in front of the cottage, hand in hand, the sisters collectively groaned at the sight of the mess before them. The front door was hanging off its hinges, somehow the dining table was on the front doorstep, and at least three sets of window shutters were broken. The guards that came to find her after her escape must have torn the place apart in their search. And in the end, it had all been for nothing. Cerana had proven her innocence, albeit with a little help from Tavlor Corr.
“We have a lot of work to do,” Cerana said glumly.
Jana was looking on the bright side. “Yeah, but it is good to be back.”
Cerana nodded.
Esteri was furious. “What have you done to my house?” she yelled, a look of disgust on her pretty face. “I leave you alone for FIVE MINUTES, and look what you’ve done!” Her shoulders sagged, she threw back her head and groaned loudly before disappearing past the table into the cottage, Dramilath’s long cloak trailing behind her. Jana and Cerana just looked at each other, lost for words. Then they laughed aloud. From inside, Esteri let out another groan of anguish.
Doors and shutters can be replaced. Lives cannot. It matters not, the state of the house, Cerana thought to herself. All that matters is we are here again. Together.
She still could not believe quite what had just happened. But whatever the reasons, Cerana Proudstone did not really care. She was free, her family was free, and Evorene was saved from disaster. Not that the realm was even remotely aware of Moriallaj’s plan, and never would be. And maybe that was for the best.
Holding each other’s hands, the two elder sisters entered the cottage and went to search for their young sibling. Inside, Esteri grumbled, banging things around in the bedroom. “We’d better go help her,” Cerana said to Jana.
“Yeah, before she bursts another blood vessel.”
Cerana and Jana walked into the bedroom, where Esteri was busying herself and muttering. They were all ready to begin a whole new chapter of life together. And this time, nothing would separate the three sisters of Barnesbay.
THE END
About The Author
C. D. Pennington
This is the first novel written by C.D. Pennington.
More novels are in development, please check the website for further details:
www.cdpennington.com
Chris lives in Harrogate, North Yorkshire (United Kingdom)