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

Chapter Thirty-three

Pamela rode alongside Elissa. The pace was barely walking gait and Pamela chatted as they traveled the short mile to Kings Castle.

"The men will be some while. If I know them, they'll scarcely make it back tonight. The ale-house will be empty before they all leave there!" Pamela said, adding, "I'm pleased with your choice, Lady Elissa, Leopold and Estelle are well-suited."

Elissa mused, For the past six years, previous to my coming to Kings Castle, everyone in Frencolia accepted the fact that Lady Estelle would one day be the queen of Frencolia. Also, reports of Sir Louis' fixation for me have never been kept secret. I just have to go along with it all and see what happens. Anything can happen; everything can change... she smiled, as she realized, Yes Lord God, YOU are on my side, so help me...

"Sir Louis is the out-going one. Always trying something new. Life with him will be exciting. Will you live in Frencberg or will he install you as Baroness at Chanoine?" Pamela asked.

Elissa had not considered such matters and she shrugged off the questions in silence, feeling glad when they rode across the moat bridge. "Go ahead, Pamela. Have the bath prepared please. I need a long soak to get rid of all the dust and grime. The way I feel, I'd like to soak all night."

Elissa led the two horses to the care of a lone stable boy, noticing how few guards and soldiers there were around the castle grounds. Everyone was at the field, celebrating.

The queen's extensive foot-escort had accompanied Her Majesty through the front entrance of the castle.

Elissa lingered under the cherry tree, running her hand absentmindedly along a branch, thinking of Godfrey. She would miss Godfrey.

Turning at the sound of something approaching, she saw Blue, wandering from the direction of the vegetable garden. She hurried to his side.

"Blue! What are you doing here? Sir Louis was supposed to ride you to the tournament... you have a fleece on, who was riding you?" Her voice died; two soldiers appeared as though from nowhere. Elissa commanded, "Take my horse back to the stables. He shouldn't be wandering about."

One soldier stepped in front of her, saying, "Neither should you, Lady Elissa. We thought your horse would attract your attention! How provident that there's no one here with you; how much easier you've made it for us."

Frightened by his words and tone, Elissa backed away. She was going to tell him that Blue wasn't her horse now, but the smirk on his face disturbed her.

Turning, she gasped as a soldier, who had silently stepped up behind her, took hold of her wrists.

"Quick, Dennis, grab our horses and we'll be on our way," her captor urged, tightening his grip on Elissa's wrists as she struggled. He ordered, "Colin, tell the men on the gate we're ready."

Dragging her to Blue, another soldier lifted her up on the lambskin fleece fastened to his back. Elissa wanted to scream when the soldier mounted behind her, but no sound came out; she wanted to beg them to release her, but again, words were stuck in her throat.

Four guards on duty at the back gate joined the group, and now there were seven. The soldier behind her urged Blue into a gallop.

It was some miles before Elissa found her voice.

Looking up at the soldier's lined face, she asked, "Is this Dorai's idea?" But her soft words were lost in the passing air, and he did not answer. She wondered if her brother had decided to play a practical joke on Louis...

Relaxing somewhat as she considered this reasonable idea, she knew Dorai's anger could cause him to do something uncharacteristic, such as a timely 'abduction'!