Treasures - Book 4 The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chapter 21

Jobyna was escorted to an apartment at the back of the castle that night. A set of three rooms revealed a dining-sitting room, a bedroom and a bathroom; all brightly painted and lavishly furnished. A generously round marble bathtub was set into the floor of the bathroom and servants filled it with hot water. As the water was poured in from large pottery urns, a slave sprinkled it with herbs and petals.

As in a trance, Jobyna soaked her tired limbs in the fragrant, tepid waters; the aroma soothed her aching body and overwrought mind. She tried to remember how long it had been since she had indulged in the simple pleasure of a bath. The manor house had one bath only, a huge wooden tub with handles on it so it could be carried from room to room. Servants spent hours heating enough water for the bath and for the economy, several people bathed in the same water.

Jobyna had never before seen a bath like this one. She'd seen drawings of baths like it in a book about ancient Roman times. She lay back, letting the water soothe away her worries. Be like the stream, she reminded herself, to go with this current is wonderful.

A slave-girl wearing a round gold earring and wearing the initials K.E. on her tunic washed and dried Jobyna's hair, patting it with a soft, velvety towel. Jobyna would rather have done it herself but the slave-girl had held onto the towel until Jobyna released it.

Rubbing oil into Jobyna's back, the girl also twirled her hair into long ringlets, which shone in the candlelight. The slave carefully rebound Jobyna's hand with a fresh cloth bandage. Jobyna studied the lovely slave-girl while she tended to her needs. It intrigued her that she did not speak and Jobyna believed she had been commanded to be silent.

The beautiful silk nightgown, satin sheets, feathered mattress and satin-covered pillows contrasted greatly to the previous night spent in the cave sleeping on the cold, hard floor. Even compared to the small, gray-walled room she had been in while she was sick, this was fabulous, beyond her most inventive imagination. She dare not allow her thoughts to wonder a reason for this luxury for her, a prisoner. It was so good, so unexpected. She remembered she must thank God for the good things, too! Nothing in this life should be taken for granted, she thought.

The silent slave-girl curled up on a mat beside her bed. As Jobyna heard the scrupulous soldiers change guard outside the door she slowly sank into slumber surrounded by the softness of satin sheets.

Except for long escorted walks, twice daily, along the corridors of the castle, Jobyna was confined to her room. A tempting variety of food was offered her and she ate until satisfied. The rose color returned to her cheeks and she began to feel well.

The crimson cloak had been taken away; it was returned, having been altered to fit her. A woman announcing herself as 'Boey' bustled in and measured Jobyna, chatting cheerfully all the time.

"What are the measurements for?" Jobyna dared ask.

"Oh, I'm not allowed to answer any questions, luv. Just you relax, everything's goin' to be all right," Boey answered.

This unenlightening answer mystified Jobyna.

Boey continued to bustle in and out, bringing dresses of all colors and styles for Jobyna to try on. It was obvious the clothes were being altered for her.

What's going on? What is going to happen? Jobyna wondered, and then remembered, she must go wherever this current took her, the answer would be just around the corner.

The slave girl's large brown eyes never left Jobyna. She was constantly there to do everything she could for her mistress, not allowing Jobyna to comb her hair, or pull on slippers herself. Jobyna could not bear the silence between her and the girl. When they were alone, she entreated, "Please tell me your name... please." The girl shook her bowed head, her black curls covering her eyes. "We're alone, no-one will hear; please talk to me, I need someone to talk to!"

The girl's wide eyes stared into Jobyna's, as she continued, "You've no idea what I've been through, I need you to talk to me, tell me what's happening out there..."

Taking Jobyna's hand, the slave girl led her to the couch. When Jobyna was seated, the slave knelt in front of her and opened her mouth. Pointing inside, she made a guttural, gurgling noise, "Uh, ug." Instinctively Jobyna closed her eyes, her stomach churning. Half of the girl's tongue was missing.

Forcing herself to recover quickly, Jobyna grasped the girl's hand in hers, saying, "I want to be your friend."

The slave-girl pulled away, shaking her head as Jobyna continued talking, "I'm a prisoner, too. There's no difference between you and me —there never was— our family doesn't believe in slavery."

Jobyna thought of Elliad and asked, "Did Elliad have that done to you?" The girl again bowed her head.

"Well, he did this to me." Jobyna held up her bandaged hand, "He would have broken all of my fingers. He said he'd have my tongue too. He might still do it..."

Tears flowed down the slave-girl's cheeks, she moved closer, still kneeling on the floor by Jobyna's feet, her fingers gently stroking Jobyna's arm above the bandage.

Taking Jobyna's other hand, she kissed it. Boey rushed in.

The slave girl sprang to her feet, a guilty look on her face.

"What is this girl's name?" Jobyna demanded.

"Nobody knows, she can't tell," Boey answered, "Who cares anyway? —She's a slave."

Jobyna said obstinately, "I care. I care very much! A person needs a name."

Boey retaliated in loud tones, "A slave ain't a person. A slave is a thing, like a horse, or, furniture. It ain't fitting for one of your station to be speaking like this!"

Jobyna did not understand the servant's conclusions and felt reprimanded. Boey was about the age of Jobyna's mother and Jobyna knew she was treating her like a child. Her father had servants on the manor payroll and others who worked for their board and keep. She knew of other barons who owned slaves, but her father had declared his slaves 'free men' after he had become a Christian.

When Boey left the room, Jobyna said to the girl, "I'm going to call you 'Ellice', which means 'Jehovah is God'. Is that all right with you?"

The girl nodded in submission.

Jobyna continued, "You do need a name. I just can't say, 'Hey you with the brown eyes'—can I?"

The girl smiled a sad smile, her lips pressed together tightly.

Jobyna chatted to Ellice, telling her about her parents and their home. "My Mother's name was Elissa which means 'Consecrated to God'.

"Elliad had my parents killed because they refused to give him our Gospel Books. How old are you? Just nod when I get to your age." She began at fifteen, but the girl shook her head until Jobyna came to twenty-one. She nodded. "You look much younger." Her age amazed Jobyna; she herself, not yet fourteen, was taller.

After all Ellice has suffered maybe she didn't grow any more, Jobyna mused, I hope I don't stop growing. "You're very pretty," Jobyna said, making Ellice blush.

Jobyna avoided talking about Luke but she thought of him often and prayed for his well-being. "Most of all," she prayed, "May Luke feel you are with him, Lord."