Treasures - Book 4 The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chapter 17

Luke rode a horse around the small garden and courtyard at the border castle.

There were tender vegetable plants sprouting and he was careful to keep to the path lest the hooves squash the tender foliage. He looked up as he heard the drawbridge being lowered over the moat. Two knights on the other side waited to cross. News, he thought, riding towards the stables.

Leading the horse to the groom who approached to take it, he waited for the knights to dismount.

Escorted by the men through the hall, he entered the office where Sir Valdre waited. Sir Dorai, who had stayed at the knights' tower at Mayhew, had sent information.

As usual, the senior knight read the communication to himself first. It was a lengthy message, and there were several pages in the pouch. Sir Valdre ordered the messengers to wait outside the door.

Luke, trying to be patient, watched Sir Valdre's face.

The moments passed inertly.

Valdre sat deep in thought for a while after he studied the papers. Luke knew he wouldn't hide anything from him but the silence made him apprehensive.

"Elliad has answered the mandate he received yesterday with a statement of his own. He writes that he cannot accept that mandate and claims Luke Chatelain lied to the lords and senior knights, bewitching them with the stolen seal. He is saddened by such treachery and hopes the loyal men of Frencolia will see through Luke Chatelain's deception."

Sir Valdre took a deep breath before continuing, "Elliad is accusing you, Your Majesty, and your sister, of conspiring together against the kingdom of Frencolia. He states —and of course, we know it is false— he states that Jobyna Chatelain has confessed to poisoning King Leopold, that your father and you helped her to hide his body in a secret cave."

Luke felt his heart pounding in his chest. Valdre continued, "Elliad demands that you surrender to him so that peace will be restored to Frencolia and King Leopold can be given the state funeral he deserves."

Luke opened his mouth to speak.

Valdre hushed him with a raised forefinger, but his voice was soft, "There's more, Luke. He, Elliad, writes..." the knight turned the paper towards Luke. "Read it yourself..."

Luke was aware of great emotion on Valdre's face. He took the document and read the passage indicated to him, "If Luke, Son of the late Chatelain of Chanoine does not surrender by the end of this week, then Jobyna, Daughter of the late Chatelain of Chanoine, will be executed for her treason against the Kingdom and the Throne." The decree was signed, "King Elliad John Pruwitt, King of Frencolia."

Luke felt numb. He stared unseeingly at the tapestry on the far wall, his mind trying to picture his sister in her happier days.

This threat of her death was a heartbreaking blow.

Accompanying papers gave details of other plans being carried out around the country. Luke had difficulty keeping his mind on Valdre's conversation. Valdre explained, "Foot-soldiers are being organized into companies, each knight responsible for one hundred men in units of ten, captained by soldiers on horseback. Men from every walk of life have signed up in support of you, Luke. The new enlistments are sick and tired of the reign of terror and bloodshed governed by Elliad. The country is preparing to do battle. There'll be no talk of you surrendering."

The boy-king understood that his surrender was out of the question. Elliad would kill him and all those loyal to Frencolia and carry on in his depraved ways.

"All villages, towns, castles and towers in the country are being prepared for siege, so Elliad will have nowhere to go in Frencolia if he leaves Kings Castle," Valdre said, his voice still soft. "I'm somewhat concerned that Elliad's statements about King Leopold's poisoning will be believed by some, but I'm sure Sir Dorai will be taking care of this in a counter-statement to Elliad."