Chapter 7

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It was obvious to Jobyna that the seal was of great importance, but she had no idea who would recognize it. Blowing the ink until it was dry, Jobyna carefully folded the small piece of paper and tucked it in the palm of her hand, closing her fingers around it.

She peered around the door, telling the waiting Nita she could reenter the room. Nita looked at her mystified, and when Jobyna didn't offer any explanation, the silence thickened.

Tolson rushed in, "Ruskin says not to bother him with nonsense! He also said that if you value your life, Jobyna, you must flee and hide!"

"What rubbish," Jobyna said and laughed, "I didn't come here to hide and I'm not going to flee. I came to surrender myself, even if it means going to King Elliad himself!" Frowning at her in astonishment, Nita and Tolson conveyed an attitude of dismay as if they did not know 'this' Jobyna! 

She smiled at their serious faces before saying slowly and with finality, "God will take care of me. If I die, I'll live in Heaven. If I live, then I will die one day, and then live in Heaven. There's nothing to lose. Take me to Ruskin, Tolson, and I'll speak with him myself."

Together they searched the great house, but Ruskin was not to be found. Giving up their investigation of the manor house, they trudged across the courtyard and through the garden to a row of small houses by the river. Tolson knocked on one of the front doors, which was opened by a stout, blonde-haired woman.

"Sabra; where's Ruskin?" Tolson asked. She disappeared without replying. Tolson shrugged his shoulders and waited. A few moments later, Ruskin appeared.

"Ruskin, I must speak with you privately," Jobyna said, looking up at the towering servant, her heart pounding. Ruskin beckoned her to enter his small house. "Will you wait for me, Tolson?" Jobyna asked, and Tolson nodded.

Two small children sat on the kitchen floor, playing with clay bricks. Sabra gathered the one child in her arms, beckoning the older to follow; she entered the adjoining room closing the door soundly.

With a wave of his hand, Ruskin motioned for Jobyna to sit on the wooden bench.

Jobyna ignored the gesture. Drawing herself to her full height, she looked up into his eyes and said, "Ruskin, what I am going to show you may mean nothing to you. If that is so, then you should forget you ever saw it. If you do know what it is, then I need your help." Jobyna unfolded the paper so Ruskin could see her drawing of the seal.

Ruskin's reaction was swift and violent, leaving her breathless. "Where did you get that?" he shouted at her. Snatching the drawing from her fingers, he crumpled it tightly in his large hand.

"So, you must be a Frencolian knight!" Jobyna voiced, quietly but with triumph. Ruskin clamped his hand over her mouth, his other large one, still holding the paper, flew to grip the back of her neck.

"Quiet!" he ordered, "It's not for you to talk about, not here. Answer my question. Where did you get it?"

"I drew it," she replied.

"We must go somewhere else." Releasing his hold on her, he regained some composure, his face a mix of confusion and concern.

Throwing the small ball of paper into the fireplace, Ruskin watched the flames destroy Jobyna's art. "Tell Tolson to show you to his father's office and I'll meet with you there, alone, right away. " Frowning deeply, he threw his cloak around his shoulders. Opening the door, he pulled his boots on and strode quickly across the courtyard to the gate.

Jobyna waited in the office with great tension on her face. She heard Ruskin ordering Tolson, "Go at once to your sitting room with your sister and stay there!" 

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