A Brother's Love - Book 3 - The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chapter One

A deep, throaty laugh reverberated around the crowded great hall in the manor house at Chanoine. Merriment swelled as all joined in the laughter.

The Absolute Monarch of the Kingdom of Frencolia sat in the center seat of honor. His only son, young Crown Prince Charles sat one side; and his first cousin, Louis Chatelain, the Baron of Chanoine, occupied a place of honor on his left.

"Perhaps Cousin Chatelain will give us the facts, Son," King Leopold said and commanded, "Chatelain, tell us the truth. Did that green-eyed scrap of a maid I have to claim as my cousin once removed, really rescue you?"

Chatelain nodded, smiling, "Yes, Cousin Leopold." Louis' large hand squeezed his wife's small fingers; his warm brown eyes contacted those of his three sons and then met the disbelieving, envious stare of Ellie, the elder daughter.

"Tell us about it, Cousin." The king mirrored the impatience of his son and he spoke with his hands as well as his tongue, "The truth please— not the exaggerated account we've been hearing from those who have no idea!"

An all-engulfing silence encompassed those in the great hall. Louis Junior clenched his fists, waiting. Marcus and Ellie, twins, held their breaths.

Luke leaned forward on the bench he sat upon, his eyes wide with anticipation. Frencolian knights waited for the baron to speak, as did the captains, the Reeve of Chanoine, the guards and servants flanking the walls.

Beside the criminals who abducted the baron, no one but the father and his daughter, Jobyna, knew exactly what had transpired, two weeks ago, on that dreadful spring afternoon.

Drawing a deep breath, the baron spoke with his warm brown eyes upon the captivated gaze of his beautiful wife, "As you know, I was taken from here, by Tristan; gagged, and trussed up like a chicken, tied to his high-pommelled saddle. Another rider held my horse's reins, leading it."

The baron turned to look at his cousin the king and reading the question in the royal eyes, he said, "I'd never seen the man before, he wore the Frencolian uniform, a soldier's."

Everyone in the hall knew of the king's fervent anger regarding traitors.

Chatelain continued, "My bonds were braided strips of leather and I had no hope of forcing myself free.

"You can imagine my surprise when a company from which I'd been swiftly concealed, returned from behind to confront my captors.

"Jobyna had ridden her new horse all the way from Chanoine for nearly two hours, hoping to find me. Having seen my bonds, she brought a sharp carving knife from the carpenter's workshop that she hid it in her sleeve, hoping somehow to get close enough to cut me free." Chatelain paused, and listeners subconsciously drew closer.

"When the battle began, Jobyna left the path and rode behind rocks and bush off the roadside, rejoining the track behind Tristan and the man who had me in tow.

"She deliberately allowed Tristan to see her and capture her." Frowning as he remembered his dismay at the sight of his daughter in such danger, he smiled wryly and continued, "Tristan didn't imagine Jobyna would carry a knife, and he made her climb up behind me where she sat astride, gripping the pommel.

"The horses were spurred along much faster and Tristan dropped back to keep a watch for pursuit. The rider controlling the reins of our horse was occupied with watching the path ahead and keeping our horse from pulling away. This area of the forest tracks is unpredictable and dangerous."

The baron paused for a breath, which caught in his throat as he recalled his feeling of deep despair due to his daughter's capture.

"I was amazed to feel Jobyna cutting the bonds from my hands. She freed me from the pommel and cut the leather around my arms and chest. My mind swam with the reality of escape and I wanted to break away quickly with Jobyna but as I removed my gag, Tristan bellowed a warning. The brigand leading my horse halted and turned. I managed to push him sideways off his mount.