Treasures - Book 4 The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chapter 13

The bad weather, the storms, gales and hail, had served as a wonderful cover for the kingdom-changing decisions made at the knights' tower near Mayhew.

Elliad was lulled into thinking the weather was his safety and it was some time before news of trouble was delivered to his ears.

The lords returned to their various hometowns, again taking great risks due to the weather. Plans had been compiled but the final military choices were left in the hands of the senior knights.

The soon-to-be-crowned king was now included in all discussions and his opinion asked. Luke found no reasons to disagreed with their recommendations.

He learned that the knights were men of action.

In six days Elliad would be given the written mandate.

Before this time, the knights planned to rescue Jobyna from Kings Castle. Luke was thankful for this provision and was greatly encouraged as plans were laid for the rescue. He sat in all the meetings with eagerness and learned a lot about feasible strategic planning.

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As soon as Jobyna was able to sit up unaided, the doctor and the nurse, with their most satisfactory monetary rewards, said they would return to their homes.

"I'm pleased that you're recovering so fast now, Miss," the nurse said, "We've done our best, and with a girl with the will to survive, well it makes it easier, it does. Selected servant women will continue to care for you, Miss Jobyna, under the direction of a special doctor."

The old doctor told her before he left. "When you're well enough to talk, you'll be presented to King Elliad. You must begin to think about the things he might ask you and you must be compliant."

The woman who fed Jobyna and cared for her the day the nurse left was sullen and silent. Jobyna had the definite feeling that this woman held resentment and dislike toward her.

Later in the morning, two men came into the room; Jobyna recognized one of them. She had heard him addressed as 'Doctor Gilbert' and had memories of him but could not place him very well or remember when or where she had heard his name. He was in charge of mixing her medicine. Of a slight build, Doctor Gilbert's straight brown hair was streaked with gray. The sadness haunting his light brown eyes was accentuated by the marked downturn at each corner.

"Jobyna," the doctor told her, "This is Doctor John, a doctor from Samdene. King Elliad has appointed John to take care of you. You are to do as he says so you'll soon be completely well."

Jobyna scrutinized the new doctor. She remembered her father's friend, and King Leopold's counselor, Sir Samuel, who was from Samdene. Though much younger, this man, John, reminded her of Samuel. It was the blue eyes and thick eyebrows that sparked the resemblance. Also, Shepherd John, how much she loved him, and Jane. She still felt sad that young John and Jane, both died from the plague.

Frowning, Jobyna tried to think where John and Jane would be now... she wondered if she had misplaced some memories in her time of illness...

John had wavy brown hair and his blue eyes were accentuated by his pale skin. His eyes seemed to look into her very soul. Jobyna lowered her eyes and her head. She remembered the stream and thought, No, I mustn't fight against the current; the flow of life is taking me on further to recovery and eventually to a meeting with King Elliad.

Doctor John left the mundane care of Jobyna to the women, but he was always present to administer her medicine and feed her at mealtimes. She was able to consume a little bread soaked in the broth they'd been feeding her and when John brought each spoonful to her mouth, his blue eyes searching into hers made Jobyna feel hot and uncomfortable.