Page 91 of Picking Up the Gauntlet

“I’m sorry, Father. I didn’t mean for anyone to get hurt.” Raven truly did feel sorry for everything. She hadn’t really thought about how her decisions would affect so many others in a bad way.

“Do you understand what kind of position you put me in?” asked Corbett.

“I do now,” she answered. “That is why Jonathon needs to withdraw from the competition.”

“Aye, I agree,” said Corbett. “I cannot let this charade go on any longer.”

“Father? You aren’t really going to declare Whitehead the winner, are you?” asked Rook.

“Well, I can’t declare Jonathon the winner, because if I did, it would bring doom to us all,” said Corbett. “I will not do anything to bring about the downfall of my family.”

“Corbett, don’t make our daughter marry a man she doesn’t love,” said Devon. “Have a heart.”

“I have no choice, Devon,” he told her. “The purpose of this tournament was to find a husband for our daughter. I can’t let a commoner get away with impersonating a knight, and I certainly cannot let him win the competition.”

“You can’t proclaim Whitehead the winner,” spat Raven. “Please.”

Corbett looked over at Raven next. “It no longer matters because Jonathon can’t compete anymore now that you’ve broken his arm. He has no choice but to withdraw. I’ll tell the herald to announce that Sir Whitehead is the winner.”

Corbett left to talk to the herald.

“Nay,” cried Raven, running over and clinging to her mother. “Mother, do something. Please, change Father’s mind.”

“I don’t know what I can do, but I’ll try to talk to him,” said Devon. “I only wish you would have gone to him in the first place like I asked you to. Now, there isn’t anything any of us can do to change the outcome.”

She followed her husband.

“Well, I guess that’s it, then,” said Jonathon, holding his arm and wincing in pain. “Rook, can I ask you to help me from the horse? I’m in a lot of pain and don’t want to fall again.”

“Of course,” said Rook, helping him dismount. “Well, at least, now no one has to ever know Sir Nevar’s true identity.”

“I suppose it’s better this way,” said Jonathon. “Raven, the last thing I ever wanted was to put you or your family in such a horrible position. I’ll pack up my things and leave at once.”

“Nay,” cried Raven. “I don’t want you to go.”

“Sir Nevar has withdrawn from the competition with a broken arm, having nothing to do with the blow from his competitor,” called out the herald, causing the crowd to hush. “Therefore, Sir Whitehead of Liverpool is declared the winner of the tournament by default. He has won the hand of Lady Raven in marriage. Please join your husband-to-be up at the nobles’ platform, Lady Raven.”

“Nay,” cried Raven, terrified to go.

“Sister, go. If you don’t, it will only be more problems for all of us,” Rook told her.

“I won’t go. I won’t leave Jonathon.” Raven’s world was crashing down around her and it was all her own fault.

“Cousin, ye must,” said Lark. “I’ll go with ye.”

“I’m not going,” she said stubbornly.

This time Rook grabbed her by the arm. “We have all been through hell and back for you, little sister, but it has come to an end.”

“I told you, I’m not your little sister. We’re twins, you fool. Let go of me.” Raven struggled under his grasp.

“Raven, please go. It will be the best for all,” said Jonathon sadly. “Do it for me.”

“I’ll go, but this is far from over,” said Raven, letting her brother lead her away.

Jonathon gave the horse’s reins to Albert, and made his way back to the smithy, feeling like his life had come to an end. He’d tried everything in his power to help Raven, but there was nothing more he could do. He loved her and didn’t want to leave, but he had no other choice.

He was a commoner.