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

Chapter Sixteen

Sir Keith and Sir Denby had been resident at Chanoine for a month before Elliad John Pruwitt declared himself King of Frencolia.

A statement was published, asserting the necessity for Elliad to be king, and depositions were sent to every district.

The pronouncement claimed: 'Due to the mystery of King Leopold's disappearance, and with the overwhelming support of the Revered Knights of Frencolia, Elliad John Pruwitt will rule the kingdom to keep the law and order and to save the country from sliding into ruin.'

"Why did he wait a month?" Sir Denby growled, having read the document.

"He's too cunning to spoil his plans by making a premature claim. His efforts in the search have made it appear as though he wanted Leopold to return," Sir Keith answered. "I say he wanted to be sure that King Leopold is dead. I say, somehow Leopold has played his own trick upon the impostor."

The two men were once again conferring with the baron in his office.

"You're quite sure Elliad had all this planned, aren't you?" Chatelain said, looking from one man to the other. "You'll have to be careful to whom you say such things now. To speak against the king in such a way will be taken as treason."

The sound of the bell, tolling out from the village, caused the men to sit in silence.

Chatelain verbalized his thoughts, "This declaration will be read out in every village and town in Frencolia, making it official. It'll take a civil war to reverse the claim!" He stood, saying, "You're welcome to remain here as long as you wish; for myself, I've work to do."

As he descended the stairs, Chatelain murmured, in prayer, "God, You appoint kings. Lord, we're going to need your help with this one!"

Sir Keith and Sir Denby debated the situation, and came to the conclusion that a civil war, fought at this stage would be won by the new monarch. What reason was there to fight such a war? No crime had been announced against Elliad. Only time would tell. Both knights expected to receive messages, summoning them to a meeting of Frencolian knights, at which this unprecedented matter would be discussed.

The communication arrived two days after Elliad crowned himself king, and the visitors left Chanoine. With them, the last close contact with knights loyal to King Leopold, save Sir Felix, departed from the baron of Chanoine.

Elissa was less worried than Chatelain, at first, with the idea of a new king. As she pointed out, unless Leopold and Samuel returned, Jobyna was saved! Chatelain had not thought of the situation from this angle before. Elissa was quite sure that Leopold had gone into self-exile.

"I can see your cousin abdicating. This is the sort of thing he would do," Elissa claimed.

"You have no idea what you're saying! Leopold has too much royal blood in him to neglect his throne in such a way." Chatelain shook his head. "If what you say was true, then why was Leopold not official about it? No, Sir Keith might be right! But who am I to meddle?"

"What do you mean?"

Instead of voicing the knight's fears, Chatelain debated with himself, "Leopold might be hiding. Though, probably not for over a month." He was going to say that he had an idea where the king could be, but he also remembered his oath, his personal helplessness.

"No," he countered, answering his inward questions, "no, I will not meddle. God's will be done; and I know God will have His Way in the end, in spite of man's schemes and interruptions. I have meddled enough!"

"Well, if Leopold is in another kingdom with Samuel, it means Jobyna is safe." Elissa could think of nothing else.

"Safe? You don't know what you're talking about." Chatelain's voice had dropped to a menacing tone. He emitted a brief, helpless laugh that was choked as it emerged. "There's no peace and safety in Frencolia! Even with Leopold as king, I was abducted. Then we have had the dreadful disease..." He almost said, 'And my Cousin Leopold has likely been murdered!'—But he felt he was jumping to a conclusion that could be wrong and cause his wife needless worry.