Treasures - Book 4 The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chapter 23

Awakened by an urgent voice, Jobyna wondered that she had slept and wished to go back into the comforting dreams of the night.

Boey demanded the sheets. "I've got to pack them; they're waitin' to take the last of them trunks."

All Jobyna wanted to do was to sleep...

She felt the bedcovers dragged away.

Ellice helped her dress, having set aside a plain woolen dress and jacket-like shawl. Jobyna recognized the boots as her own, the ones she'd worn to Kings Castle. Ellice wore a simple wool dress and riding boots. The slave girl carried her own plain brown cloak and Jobyna's crimson one.

Slaves entered and carried the trunks away.

The next few hours seemed a confused dream to Jobyna.

Boey stayed with her, continually cautioning the silent Jobyna to stay quiet. Ellice placed Jobyna's cloak around her shoulders.

The courtyard at the back of Kings Castle was a seething mass of people, horses and carts. Torches, sparsely placed to the walls, cast limited on the industrious people. Horse-drawn carts moved slowly across the moat bridge. The only sounds permeating the cool night air were made by horses' hooves, their snorting and whinnying and the turning cartwheels grinding on the paving stones. No one spoke. Trunks, bags, and packs were loaded, covered and tied down. The exodus progressed like clockwork, smoothly, quickly.

Jobyna saw Elliad riding towards her, leading a horse. "Brownlea," Jobyna whispered. The horse nuzzled her in a familiar way. Vapor from the animal's nostrils rose in the frosty air. Stroking his nose fondly, Jobyna felt she had found a long lost friend.

Elliad pointed to Ellice, "Ride this one, slave." Then to Boey, "Get on the cart, woman, don't dawdle."

He dismounted and Jobyna recognized the horse, "Speed." She added, with a questioning tone, "This is Luke's horse." Her eyes spat at him, saying, How dare you ride my brother's horse.

Elliad lifted her up onto Speed's back. "Yes, your father had some excellent horseflesh." He mounted behind her. A terrible sinking feeling overwhelmed Jobyna. Elliad was making sure there was no chance of her escaping. He turned Speed, who trotted over the moat bridge, his hooves echoing out a hollow song.

The back exit of the castle opened on to the city orchards, gardens and farmland.

Within minutes they were clear of Frencberg.

The road they took grew narrow quickly and there was only just room for the carts to traverse some places.

Elliad rode near the back of the company. Jobyna guessed the mounted soldiers she had seen in the courtyard would be following them. She had no idea how many people were involved, but realized there was an atmosphere of finality. This is the end, she thought. Elliad really is leaving Frencolia. My country, my home... Tears rolled down her cheeks as she gripped Speed's mane with her right hand. It will be good for Frencolia, she told herself, and for Luke, to be rid of Elliad, but I hate it. I hate it...

The stretching sunrise was fanning golden shafts of morning light when Elliad reined Speed to a halt. He turned the horse around on a rocky platform beside the path, allowing others to pass.

A triumphant smile covered his face; his eyes shone with victory. He had done it!

Soldiers he left to guard Kings Castle would just now be conveying his communication to the Frencolian knights. If the knights believed that message, he would have at least another week before anyone came in pursuit. The soldiers remaining behind had been promised great reward if they followed through with Elliad's orders. They would leave Frencberg in just under one week to join him, leaving two days before the next deadline.

~~~~~

In the expanding morning light, Jobyna could see they had climbed some way and were able to view a breath-taking panorama of the kingdom of Frencolia.

Kings Castle was far away, in the distance, like a gray rock surrounded by lush green. To the north, sleepy smoke from the fireplaces of Ahren — the 'eagle' city on a hill — rose lazily in spirals, hovering peacefully above the horizon. North of Ahren but out of sight now was a knights' tower.

Elliad did not speak, but Jobyna's heart cried out, Goodbye Frencolia. Goodbye Luke! She knew they were at the eastern border and within a few short minutes, Frencolia would be a memory.

Elliad had chosen the shortest route to the closest unguarded border crossing. The moment of silent farewell was over.

As Elliad urged the horse on into another country, tears flowed unheeded down Jobyna's cheeks. She tried unsuccessfully to stop her shoulders moving as she sobbed.

It was a heartbreaking day for the captive princess.