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

Chapter Thirty-One

Chatelain could see guards up on the battlements of the Border Castle. 

The constant guard was commissioned to watch for the welfare of the kingdom. He knew the soldiers could see for miles around; in the distance, Grior would be visible and maybe even Litton on a clear day. Mountains between hid Chanoine. 

As he approached the castle entrance, Chatelain knew by the sound of the gates opening that his approach had been noted.

Riding under the barbican and into the small courtyard, the father's worst fears were realized as his eyes fell upon Sir Tristan and four belligerent men waiting mounted beside the three pack horses. A group with two knights and several soldiers were conferring with the unfaithful Tristan. Ignoring their drawn swords and hostile stares, Chatelain rode to the main entrance of the keep and dismounted, carefully carrying his precious daughter.

With a fierce set to his face, which would make the most dispassionate soldier cringe, Chatelain bellowed that the guards stand aside and allow him, the Baron of Chanoine, to enter so that his injured daughter could receive help and attention.

Chatelain knew that he had no rights to demand entry to this fortress. Although Frencolian knights took oaths to protect the innocent and help the oppressed, he knew that to many men, the parroted words were hypocritical. However, at the sight of the arrow protruding through the blood-stained dress at the shoulder of the small girl held in the large man's arms, the guards backed against the walls allowing Chatelain to pass.

Tristan strode across to the doors and followed Chatelain into the entrance foyer. Waving a small short double-edged sword, the knight commanded, "You'll leave the child here. She'll be taken care of and returned to her home. You'll come with us, Chatelain."

The baron answered with a defiant stare. Tristan kept his eyes on his prey, and Chatelain realized the younger man was unable to look at Jobyna.

Chatelain accused, "Look at her, Tristan! This is your work. You fired this arrow. It will be upon your conscience if she dies!"

Turning at the sound of footsteps on stone steps, he said to Tristan, "I won't leave her. Find me the most able physician in this castle."

The doors from the great hall swung open and three men, wearing the casual tunics of soldiers off duty, strode towards them.

"Ruskin!" Chatelain's heart leapt with thankfulness before unwelcome fears surfaced.

Tristan backed towards the outer doors, and the baron hoped that Ruskin had no part in Tristan's plans. The guards joined Tristan's hasty exit, but Chatelain's attention was back on the under-cover knight from Litton. Shaking his head as Ruskin looked down at the shivering, partially conscious child, Chatelain asked, "What brings you from your post at Litton, Ruskin?"

"I have to do duty at the border. It is my month on; I'm on nights this week." He looked into the father's eyes, "What happened? I heard you were confined to the Chanoine district, Sir Louis —Chatelain. How did your daughter get injured like this?"

"I'm relieved that you're not involved," Chatelain said, instantly regretting his words but his focus was on his daughter.

Jobyna whimpered and moaned.

A pleading note entered the previous harsh tone of the father's voice, "The arrow ... it's been in for almost two hours and must be removed. Are Simon and Marco still resident here?"

"Yes, and two other monks; Josh and Olaf. Josh is the one to deal with it, Sir Louis, Chatelain —bring her to the clinic." Ruskin turned to one of the men with him, "Philippe, fetch Josh and Marco. They'll be in the dispensary, or else, look in the green house."

Chatelain placed Jobyna carefully on a bench.

Ruskin helped prop her on her left side and he sent Montie, the other man, to bring rugs and pillows. She struggled feebly and the men strove to keep her from turning on to her back. Clinging to her father, she began gasping in pain with each breath she took.

Josh and Simon entered the small chamber, followed by Marco, Olaf and Philippe. Gathering around the father and daughter, the strangely garbed monks conferred briefly then sprang into action.

Ruskin helped Jobyna sit whilst Chatelain sought to encourage her to drink a concoction Josh prepared. Pain-destroying medicine had been mixed into warm milk and honey. Jobyna was very thirsty, but the sweet liquid seemed to burn her throat and she choked on it, causing incredible pain to her shoulder, chest and neck.

Chatelain leaned her head on his chest and murmured comforting words before commanding, "Drink the milk, Jobyna. Just a few more sips." He turned her head back and put the goblet to her lips.

Beads of perspiration formed on her waxen brow and Chatelain saw the effort she mustered to obey him by swallowing the fluid as he forced it between her lips. He sponged her face with the cool cloth Josh handed him, speaking reassuring words in her ear. The frail grip of her left hand slackened and the father breathed a sigh of relief, knowing she had succumbed to the effects of the drug and now knew no pain.

Josh worked around Chatelain, who still sat on the bench, holding Jobyna to his chest. The monk cut the girl's dress from her shoulder and sponged the congealed blood, both where the arrow had entered and exited her shoulder. His eyes met the stricken stare in Chatelain's as they saw the swelling and purple color, which had spread across her chest and up her neck. Josh ordered Ruskin and Philippe to take a pack horse and ride up into the pass to fetch back as much ice as they could carry.

"Ice?" Chatelain asked after Ruskin had gone.

"Yes." Josh met Chatelain's frown and explained, "If we pack it with ice and clamp the shoulder still, we should be able to draw the arrow out without making an incision. The ice will stay any hemorrhaging."

The monk paced around the bench before saying, "I hope the child is strong. It's a cruel injury that could put paid to the most robust soldier." Josh's face was filled with questions but his self-control prevented the asking.

Ruskin, however, burst back into the small cell, demanding an explanation. "Tristan and Dane have secured the Castle!" He strode around the bench to Chatelain. "Tell me what's going on, Chatelain!"

After a brief silence, Ruskin snapped, "Tristan said that if you'll go with them, then they'll leave and the ice can be fetched for your daughter."

"I'll do as they ask," Chatelain said, supporting Jobyna's head as he lowered her to the bench.

"I won't permit it!" Ruskin said with fervor. "We've as many men here as Tristan has working for him. I've called everyone to duty and my men have control of the keep. The only advantage Tristan has, is that he's in control of both gates. Tell me about it, Chatelain, all of it."

The baron explained the stealing of the press, his abduction and Jobyna's subsequent rescue.

He concluded, "We crossed a company on the path and I guess Jobyna encountered them and gained their assistance. After some miles, they caught us. I've no idea how many from each side became casualties, but it was just after this that Jobyna cut me free and I was able to escape.

"Tristan wants me as well as my invention. I suppose those who paid him to steal it wish to hold the inventor at their command. It's simple, Ruskin. Just let me go with them. It's meant to be."

Chatelain's face was resigned and he bent to kiss Jobyna's forehead. Josh and Marco had been fussing over her, checking her pulse, whispering in undertones, gently dabbing on oil they claimed would prevent more bruising.

Ruskin had already made up his mind. "No, Chatelain!"

He turned to Philippe. "In case the baron gets ideas of sacrificing himself to that traitor, I want guards on this chamber. The king will have our heads if we allow his cousin to be taken now!"

He shot a final promise into the baron's white face, "Someone will get that ice."