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

Chapter Thirty-four

The orange sun sank low in the flaming sky as the village of Chanoine came in sight. Elissa kept looking back but no pursuit appeared. She wanted to conserve Blue's strength until it was needed, so she had not expended his energy more than she felt necessary.

The out-lying huts and cottages of the village were deserted.

Elissa realized that most residents would be in Frencberg today. Their baron's 'fate' was of earnest interest and many of Louis' servants and soldiers would have families and friends living in this village.

Circumnavigating the village walls, Elissa felt Blue take control of the route he trod. The walls of the manor house lay ahead and as the sun sank behind distant mountains Elissa heard sounds of horses' hooves approaching the path Blue had taken. Sliding off his back, Elissa slapped his rump. Running to a small field shed beside the path, she crouched behind it.

Blue did not go towards the front gate, but cantered off around the walls. There must be a back entrance, Elissa thought, that's unusual, but expedient for me...

A group of ten soldiers led by a knight rode towards the main gates, continuing across the moat bridge and into the manor house grounds. Elissa saw these men were different from the group who had kidnapped her and realized they might be returning after the tournament; perhaps they had to report for duty here, she reasoned. Not everyone can be away during national events such as king's tournaments. Robberies often take place at villages and manor houses. Thieves know this is prime time to do their criminal work.

Elissa followed the path Blue had chosen, around the moat circling by the tall walls. Rounding the back corner, she saw a ramp across the moat leading to a slit-like opening in the wall, only just wide enough for a horse to enter.

Moving cautiously across the ramp and under the arch in the wall, Elissa crept through the open gate. A distant hum of men's deep voices came to her ears.

It was now past twilight and a full moon had risen. She wished she had worn green again today. The white and silver lace mantle over her purple gown glittered conspicuously in the bright moonlight. Flattening herself into the shadow of the wall, she slid along until she came to a clump of gooseberry bushes where she crouched, peeping out from among the leaves.

Soldiers marched towards the narrow gate, two carrying torches. As they neared, she heard their words...

"You say the Master's horse came through this gate? No one was riding him? How can it be?"

"I've no idea, Sir. Blue was kept in the stables at Kings Castle. Sir Louis gave the horse to Lady Elissa."

The men moved out through the open gate.

They were gone for some while and Elissa waited nervously. She had no idea what to do next. Not wanting to trust another soldier, she decided she would sleep amidst the gooseberry bushes if she had to! At least it's not going to be a cold night, she consoled herself.

The guards returned.

A heavy voice spoke, "Fetch fresh horses and ride back to report this to Sir Louis. It's most extraordinary."

"Why not wait until morning? Sir? Seems Sir Louis will want to celebrate all night if I know him!"

"No. Sir Louis will have our hides if we don't report this to him, even if it means nothing. I think maybe someone stole the horse and Blue got away from them somehow, but..." The men moved out of Elissa's hearing.

She heard the gate locked, chains connected and drawbars pushed in place. The ascending sound of boots on stone steps told her that someone had ascended to the wall walk where the watch was kept.