Treasures - Book 4 The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chapter 12

The continuing spring rains gave an extended time for the meetings with the knights at the knights' tower near Mayhew.

Luke was bored. News of Jobyna was spasmodic and sketchy. His impulsiveness tempted him to escape from here and go to her side. "At least we could die together," he mused.

The library at the knights' tower was stocked with a great wealth of books. Luke found consolation here as he loved to read and study. There were books dating back to the time of Christ. He read books about Rome, the Vikings, and different countries of the world.

Luke was surprised, and just a bit jealous, to know Sabin was included in the senior knight's meetings. They treated him, Luke, like a kid, and he was almost sixteen.

Sabin did not return to Luke at meal times and as the days dragged by, Luke felt cross and resentful.

He discovered a Gospel Volume on the library shelf. The cover was plain and unlabelled. It felt a lifetime since he had held a Gospel Book in his hands.

The words encouraged him and uplifted his spirits, comforting his heart and soul. He read Psalms right through, all fifty chapters that were included in this Latin translation.

Sabin found Luke in the library. The lad had recovered from his negative feelings and spoke cheerfully. Sabin told Luke the senior knights had requested that he join them for dinner. 

Things are looking up; thank you God... he told himself. A feeling of guilt washed through him and he told himself, I'm so selfish; I need to do as Brother Theon said once; we should not make everything about us but about God.

Luke was allocated the head of the table and, with a hand on Luke's shoulder, Sir Dorai drew the seal out from the boy's tunic with his other hand, placing it so all could see its wonder. 

The servants brought the meal to the door. Sabin and a senior knight carried it from there to the table. Sabin served them all with roast chicken, pork, beef, dumplings, and a large variety of cooked vegetables. Hot fruit and milk puddings and were served. Luke could not remember eating such a sumptuous meal for a long time and enjoyed the satisfaction it brought to his stomach. Sir Dorai noticed with pleasure the return of Luke's appetite and the clarity of his speech.

With his goblet lifted high, Sir Dorai pointed it towards Luke, calling, "To Frencolia." All others echoed his words, and Luke raised his goblet and said, "To Frencolia." They all laughed and drank to the well being of their country.

Nothing could have prepared Luke for the meeting that afternoon. He blocked from his mind his previous thoughts and wonderings relating to the men's discussions, knowing they would be including his future in their deliberations. He wondered, Will I be allowed to live, or will I die?

They entered the conference room and Luke was presented to five of the oldest men he had ever seen.

"Lord Jamess, Lord Peters, Lord Farey, Lord Wolfer and Lord Shellac, this is the boy, Luke Chatelain."

Luke shook hands, one by one, as they stepped close to him to look at the seal. Lord Farey touched the jewels on the seal with trembling fingers while gripping Luke's hand tightly with his other hand.

Gripping Luke by his shoulders, Lord Shellac bent to kiss the seal. With tears in his eyes, he said, "Praise God, this seal found good hands and a good heart. May the Lord God bless you and be with you, Luke Chatelain."

Luke filled with wonderment as Sir Dorai announced, for his sake, that these lords were the counselors of the senior knights and their advice was taken to be sacred.

Sabin had not been invited to this conference and Luke was alone with the nineteen men who, next to the king, were responsible for the affairs of the Kingdom of Frencolia.