A Chosen Love - Book 1 The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chapter Fourteen

 Leopold pointed out to Elissa the various houses build along the inside of the castle wall.

They passed the house where the falcons were kept, then the large chicken coops. Next, they came to a well-guarded but insignificant building beside a tall tower.

"Most of our jewelry is imported from the Kingdom of Pernia. They have expert craftsmen who are famous throughout Europe. This workshop here is the only place in Frencolia that any manufacturing or reconstruction, is done."

Leopold held Elissa close to him whilst the guards unlocked the heavy, metal-braced doors.

As Elissa was drawn though the doorway, she wondered if she would ever become accustomed to the way everyone bowed or curtsied.

Several older men hurried to bow to greet the prince, offering their time and service to do his bidding. They poured over the ruby necklace, taking it close to a large lamp to examine the complicated fastener.

A breathless messenger entered the chamber. Taking in great gulps of air, he said, "Excuse me, Your Highness... Prince Leopold, King Friedrich... commands your presence... immediately! There are messengers from Reideaux."

Leopold gently took Elissa's hands in his and kissed them both, making her shiver. Never had anyone kissed her hands so affectionately. He spoke kindly, "Tonight, you will dine with us and you'll meet my parents. I'll come for you. You mustn't be fearful, my dear Elissa."

He turned and nodded to the doctor, saying, "Rao Chang will escort you to see your horse."

The ruby necklace was left with the jewelers and Elissa walked with Rao Chang to the stables.

They passed dog kennels and yards where pigs were penned. Boars were kept for sporting amusement; sows for breeding; piglets and pigs of all sizes and colors were fattened for eating.

The other side of the animal pens, farriers worked their forges in a massive, open workshop built into the wall, and Elissa could see hundreds of tools hanging from special fixtures attached to the high stone ceiling through which huge chimneys ascended, expelling black smoke to the cloudless sky.

Elissa felt reminded of her home in Leroy, only this castle and its grounds were larger and of a grander scale. "Who lives in the round houses?" Elissa asked, speaking loudly to be heard above the din.

"Servants, soldiers and their wives, some..." Rao Chang's voice was cut short by a loud cry.

An old man approached the doctor, shaking his bony forefinger. Drawing nearer he shook the finger in Chang's face, almost striking the doctor's flat nose.

"You! Chang! Sorcerer! Warlock! Abomination to the Lord God! Thus it is written, 'Ye shall not use enchantments; ye shall not seek after wizards to be defiled by them!' The Lord, He is God."

The doctor pushed the wrinkled hand back from his face, steering Elissa around the croaking confrontation.

The old man called at their backs, "Beware you who are enchanted by such witchcraft!" He continued his tirade as Jane and Samuel moved by, "It's an abomination to the Lord God! Thus saith the Lord, 'An enchanter, or a witch is an abomination unto the Lord; and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee!' Thus it is written!"

When safely in the relative calm and quietness of the stables, Elissa asked Rao Chang as she stroked Blue, "That old man; who was he?"

Jane drew near to hear the doctor's answer.

"He's mad," Rao Chang's voice was even, "his name is Godfrey. When he was younger, he was a counselor for King Friedrich. He's old and well past listening to. However, the king still consults him, sometimes."