• The Prouds 296

Chapter Forty-Four

When Hammond woke up and learned of Milton’s
departure, he was surprised and knew that something had
happened. He suspected that Milton went to tell the
princess about his plan to retaliate against her and that he
was going to help her run away to her father.
Hammond and the Small One headed quickly
towards the land of the Prouds, without resting or stopping
until they got there by sunset of the same day Milton had
arrived.
Reynold saw Hammond. “Where is Jarvis?”
But, Hammond did not reply and rushed into his
house looking for Florrie, but he did not find her, so he
asked the servants about her, and they told him that she had
left with Milton.
He closed his eyes realizing that it was all over and
the water of revenge, which was going to put out the fire of
remorse, had evaporated for good, so he collapsed.
He was in great pain because once Florrie got to her
father, it would be impossible for him to retaliate against
her. He would not be able to get her no matter how hard he
tried because being with her father was like being protected
by thousands of walls, the wall of Widea, the king’s army,
the king’s allies, and the king himself. Therefore, he
became filled with despair, which would accompany him
forever.