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

Chapter Twenty-Six

 Elissa had been awakened by the sounds of calls of loyalty and had risen and dressed.

She checked that Luke and Jobyna still slept. Sabin stepped towards her as she left Luke's room. He whispered, "The king and his henchman have just gone into the office with my master, just the three of them. I'll stay here and watch that Luke doesn't wake and come down."

Nodding in thankfulness for Sabin's foresight, Elissa moved silently down to pace back and forth in the empty corridor, outside the office.

Upon hearing Elliad's shouting his disapproval and dismissal of her husband, she stepped into the small book room next door to the office. Pulling the door almost closed, she sat to pray.

She heard the clicking of the office door opening, followed by Elliad's raised voice and realised they were now in the corridor, right outside this book room. She held her breath as Elliad's voice came to her ears...

"So, Chatelain, Louis, either you tell me what I wish to know, or we begin with the executions. This is your last chance."

Louis did not reply.

The king asked, "Shall we flog the lad with the leg first, then hang him?"

When Louis stayed silent, Elliad spoke to his bodyguard; "We'll go down now and begin with him, Berg."

The big man stepped away and Elliad turned to follow.

"Please, Sire, I need... time... to think..." Louis said, wanting to stall. He knew this plea was pathetic, like that of a child.

Elliad thumped his fist hard on the wall.

Elissa, just the other side, jumped in fright.

The king's voice was menacing as he yelled, "What? One moment, you say you know nothing, and now you want to think? You do know, don't you?"

The interrogator stepped closer to his victim and Berg shuffled at his side.

The huge knight grabbed both hands at Louis' chest, bunching his tunic, pulling his victim forward before wrenching upwards, pressing Louis backward against the wall, holding him there while raising a clenched fist as though to strike.

"Wait!" Louis urged.

"Right, wait," Elliad commanded, and the knight released their prey.

The king leaned one hand on the wall, close to Louis' head leaning to speak in his ear, "You are aware that once we've hanged all the men, we do have other methods for you?" Drawing back, he drew a deep breath as he read Louis' stare of defiance.

"Allow me to speak, King Elliad," Louis pleaded. He paused, and the king took a step backwards, folding his arms, waiting. Berg released him.

Louis tried to weigh his every word before he uttered it. "You are king in Frencolia. I have a dilemma, Sire. The previous king, who could still live, made me swear an oath that I forget all the secrets of the kingdom and speak of them no more; until his body is found, Sire; I swore not to speak to anyone of such matters, no matter what is done to me."

Elliad promised, "You will be rewarded, Chatelain, Louis, if we find his secret place. We will be able, at last, to lie the late king at rest and we can put all the affairs of the kingdom in order."

"Just tell me the truth and while I seek it out, you'll be confined, but after that, if I find proof of your revelation, you will be rewarded."

"Let us step back into my... your office, Sire, and I will draw a map for you... that way, I do not break my pledge to not speak of it...