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

Chapter Eleven

The sun set on the day of Louis' burial amidst colors flaming with crimson and shades of orange. Snow-capped mountain peaks blushed iridescent pink.

Laughter rang out amidst tears as the Chatelains shared their evening meal with the king. After the meal, the baron took the Gospel Book and read the twenty-third Psalm.

Luke confided a victorious glance with his mother. As the father prayed, Jobyna fell asleep, and no one noticed until after the 'Amen'. Sabin carried her to her bedchamber, with Elissa following.

The mother muttered, "She's getting much too big for this. Anyone would think she's still a baby!"

When Elissa had put Jobyna to bed, she joined Sabin in the preparation of a guest-chamber for the king. She realized that Leopold had not brought any attendants with him; he had come unescorted. She frowned and realized she must speak with her husband about this unusual and dangerous deviation from Royal Institution.

King Leopold carried his own flasks with him and he had drunk enough strong wine to be intoxicated. He raised the clay vessel to his cousin and taunted him, "There's no better way to deal with one's sorrows than to have the edge of grief removed in the enjoyment of a good brew. Share some with me, Louis!"

Elissa, having returned to announce that the king's chamber was now at his disposal, listened with pride as her husband answered, "You'll suffer tomorrow, Leopold! And the downward plunge will make the merriment of tonight seem to have never existed. I know. I've been there, remember? Don't tempt me with your emotion-dampening drug. I will have my grief! I will ride with the flow of my sorrows until I reach the shores of healing and serenity."

Pointing a wavering finger at his cousin, the king's words were slurred, "Ah yes, Louis! But there's a big difference! You have, alive, your son and heir, Luke. And you have, alive, your much-loved wife, Elissa. And you have, alive, a beautiful daughter. Yes, Louis, and you have your God, even if I don't bow to Him! What have I for comfort? My riches? Bah!" He hiccupped several times—then continued, "What good are riches? If I poured them over my head and bathed in them, they're no comfort! Take pity... on... your cousin... Louis... let me... share..." The king slumped forward and began to snore softly.

A commotion advanced through the open doors and Chatelain stood as Felix strode into the great hall.

"The king's knights are here, Your Majesty. They demand entry to have an audience with you." He did not realize he was speaking to a king who slept soundly for the first time in months.

Felix stood aside as Sir Samuel and several other king's knights strode purposefully into the great hall. It was at this moment that Chatelain remembered that the king had been alone at the burial. Even when they returned to the manor house, he had noticed the king handing the reins of his horse to Felix but it had not occurred to him that his cousin was without his essential escort.

"My cousin sleeps," Chatelain said simply as Sir Samuel drew near in concern as to the king's condition.

The baron put the stopper in the half-empty flask, saying, "He's ingested a lot; it was full."

"It is good to see him sleep, Baron Chatelain. He's hardly slept since the queen died. He haunts the castle corridors at night, crying for his wife and his lost heir." Stepping closer to the baron, Samuel whispered, "And he makes me walk with him along other dark places during the day."

Chatelain knew that Samuel referred to the secret tunnels, which only the king and closest companion knew about.

Imagining the baron's question, Samuel said, "No. He's not made me heir, yet. The king has other plans first."