Page 163 of Feathers in the Wind
With Hawk Tower destroyed the highest vantage was afforded by the Gatehouse tower and by the time Farrington's standard came into view, the officers of the garrison including Jack Farrington and Deliverance waited for him there.
Luke had his eye glass trained on the approaching force. He set it down and shook his head. “It's not a large force,” he said. “One hundred men at the most. No guns.”
He raised his glass again as a single horse detached itself from the main body and rode slowly towards the castle. The rider carried the white flag of parlay. Recognising the magnificent chestnut stallion and the rider as Sir Richard Farrington himself. Farrington stopped within musket range and looked up at the wall.
Luke addressed him. “My lord, what can we do for you?”
Farrington shifted his grip on the flag pole. “I have come to speak with my son.”
“Which son?”
Farrington's gaze travelled across the row of faces visible above the battlements. His gaze lingered on Jack and then moved back to Luke.
“I have only one son,” he said. “And you are holding him captive.”
Jack sighed and out of the corner of his eyes Luke saw Ned clap him on the shoulder.
“Colonel Charles Farrington is to be sent to Gloucester to face trial for his crimes,” Luke replied. “What is your business with him?”
Farrington's shoulders stiffened. “A father's wish to speak with his son. Nothing more.”
Luke turned and gave a nod to the soldiers on the gate to open the door within the gate. Farrington rode forward, dismounted, laid the flag on the ground, unbuckled his sword and placed it carefully on the ground before crossing the bridge.
Luke waited for him in the courtyard with an escort of four armed soldiers. Farrington looked from one to the other and across at the Thunderer. Luke's men had dragged the great gun inside the castle and it now stood as an impotent testament to their survival.
“I honour your flag of truce,” Luke said, indicating the escort. “This is just a precaution. I'll take you to the prisoner.”
“Before you do, I would speak with you and Mistress Felton,” Sir Richard said.
Luke nodded and, indicated for Farrington to follow him to the Great Hall where Deliverance waited.
As he fell into step beside Farrington, the man said in a low voice, “Is it true?”
“Is what true?” Luke asked
“The stories I had relayed to me about the fate of the Byton garrison?”
Luke nodded. “The garrison had surrendered. Your son ordered them to be tied them in pairs and their throats slit. I saw the bodies.”
Farrington looked away.
In the Great Hall, Deliverance stood waiting for him, with Penitence at her side with Jack Farrington.
Luke gestured at Deliverance. “Your son’s crimes don't end at Byton. He threatened to strip and rape Mistress Felton. Do you want me to continue?”
Sir Richard shook his head. All his confidence and swagger had gone from him. He looked old and tired.
“You still have one son,” Deliverance indicated Jack.
The older man looked away from his son. “Jack is lost to me. I can never forgive his treachery.”
“Even after you have seen everything Charles is capable of?” Deliverance said. “Would you rather hold on to a cold-hearted murderer or have a man of honour and integrity.”
Farrington’s gaze flicked to his youngest son. “Jack has betrayed his family. That is the worst betrayal. Now take me to my son. My only son.”
“Father please, what Charles did was the act of a monster,” Jack said.
Sir Richard ignored him and turned towards the door. Deliverance looked from father to son and turned pleading eyes on Luke. He shook his head, trying to convey to her that this was civil war and the Farringtons and the Feltons would forever stand on either side of a line that could not be crossed.
