A Daughter's Love - Book 2 The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chapter Thirty

Miles disappeared before the fleeing company was in view.

Aware they were being pursued, the criminals moved faster, taking the lesser known paths, south-west, towards the Frencolian border.

Brownlea's stamina matched that of the military mounts, but the girl kept the horse at a reasonable distance behind the company. Her mind was with her father; defenseless, unable to direct his horse. Bound to the heavy, high-pommelled saddle, he would be bouncing about precariously.

Great surprise engulfed the trackers as they rounded the corner to meet an ambush.

Jobyna pulled up in time and was able to keep out of range of the flying arrows, cursing men, and swinging swords. Retreating back to the last bend, she left the road and guided Brownlea around a long stretch of rocks and bush. Several hundred yards further on, she was able to bring the horse back on the rarely used track. To her glad surprise, she found herself on the other side of the battle.

Ahead of her, disappearing up over a knoll and around a corner, were the pack-horses and her father, followed by a knight. She knew she had been seen, and the knight turned his horse, blocking her way as she approached.

"Miss Jobyna! You shouldn't be here!"

The deep voice told Jobyna that it was Sir Tristan. Remembering his past loyalty to her father, she did not feel afraid of him.

She pleaded, "Sir Tristan, there are more knights and soldiers coming. Felix will be on his way here too. Please let my father go. Take the invention and leave him, please."

He snatched the reins from her hands. Brownlea skittered sideways and she clung to his mane. Jobyna gave one more plea as she righted herself on the horse's back, "Whatever you are going to get from those people, my mother will give you more. Much more! Please Sir Tristan!"

He hesitated but briefly, then moved off, leading Brownlea, urging his horse on faster.

The company arrived at another dividing of the paths. There were three pack horses with three mounted soldiers leading them and one soldier who drew Chatelain's horse along.

They turned to stare maliciously as Tristan drew nearer with Jobyna who had eyes for her father alone.

She was not prepared for his unwelcome stare, which flew like a dart into her heart.

Chatelain saw his daughter's chin tilt upwards as though in defiance, and he marveled at her courage.

"We'll divide. You all know where to rendezvous." Sir Tristan pointed the guards of the pack-horses along the west-bound road and turned to Jobyna.

"Climb over behind your father where I can watch you both," he commanded as he drew Brownlea alongside. A soldier dismounted to assist her across.

Tristan stayed behind, leading Brownlea alongside his horse. Where the path grew narrow, they had to move in single file.

Jobyna held onto her father's bound hands and received a measure of comfort to feel his fingers wriggling as though to reassure her.

The horses walked on stony ground, between overshadowing cliffs. Jobyna turned her head upwards to view the narrow space of sky far above overhanging rocks.

It seemed forever before they came out into the murky sunshine again and the path began to widen.

Jobyna looked back over her shoulder and saw that Tristan was also keeping his head turned. He began to drop behind and Jobyna realized he was trying to discover if they were being followed.