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

Chapter Thirty-Five

Sabin wasn't at all happy with the reception at Litton. 

The children were quickly hustled to the watch-care of servants and escorted with the baron's children to a chamber from which Sabin was barred.

Baron Tolard showed sympathy when Sabin explained their position, but others in the household were hostile to this 'servant of Chatelain.'

Even Ruskin, the baron's chief servant, had an ominous, defensive stare about him. Time passed, and Sabin's anxiety increased.

Baron Tolard said he was unsure whether or not the children could have refuge in Litton. When he suggested that he might have to turn them in, if the king so commanded, Sabin was filled with trepidation. He wished they could leave and ride on to Grior.

Sabin's uneasiness increased as he realized that the children were prisoners, not guests. He was thankful that they had food to eat but sensed the mood of the Baron's staff against them. 

Sneaking to the stables, the servant checked the horses and made sure they were safe and well fed.

Storm clouds gathered, threatening to break. To the south, streaks of lightening lit the sky and Sabin hoped they would not have to ride into that tempest. The day turned dark and night would fall early.

Gleaning as much as he could from sullen servants, Sabin learned that the news of Shepherd John's escape last week had been exaggerated beyond all truth.

As if it wasn't bad enough in reality, the servant thought.

Uneasiness tingled in Sabin's veins, and as he again walked to the stables, wanting to be sure that all was ready if they must depart, Felix and his company rode across the moat bridge.

"The children —are they safe?" Felix called to Sabin.

Hurrying to Felix as he dismounted, Sabin asked, "The Master?"

Felix did not spare words to relate the dread news to Sabin just as he himself understood it; "The baron and baroness are both dead. You must escape, now, with the children."

"Dead?" Sabin shook his head in unbelief, "You can't mean it, Sir Felix!"

"I saw it man!" Felix gripped Sabin's shoulders and shook the large frame. "I was on the wall. Sir Louis and his wife were in the garden when Elliad arrived. They had been there for about half an hour,  just sitting as though waiting..." 

Felix voice rang with an awe-filled quality, "The... Baroness... Lady Elissa... she waved to me. I don't know why, but I waved back. I desperately wanted to help them escape. I came down and spoke to Sir Louis, hoping he would take hold of an extra sword I took with me; I told him that there were those who would help him, they were just waiting for him to give the word... but he growled at me and said he wanted to talk with the king. I've never seen Sir Louis stare at me like that before, in such a fierce way. He said to leave them both alone, and not interfere." He wiped his eyes. 

Felix's voice was laced with bitterness, "Lamond was there with just two men, guarding them. As if he needed to guard them! They were so calm—serene. If only Sir Louis had given the word, I'd have fought with him, for their lives... to death, if necessary." Felix stared at his men as they shifted uneasily. Tears slipped down several of the men's cheeks. 

His voice broke as he concluded, "That big brute! He... he killed them... right there... in the garden!" 

"Who, who did it? —Elliad?" Sabin felt numb, but he had to ask.

"No... that brute, Berg!" Felix wiped his tears with the back of his hand. "They're dead! And I can't believe it. One thrust, Sabin that was all. Chatelain was embracing his wife and..."