Treasures - Book 4 The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chapter 26

Sabin ran toward Luke who was about to mount a horse. Luke had decided he would canter around the courtyard. 

"Sir Dorai's at the gate, Luke! He'll have news!"

Luke was fearful. "Sir Dorai has come, himself?" he queried, feeling his heartbeat increase as he saw Sabin's serious face. It's obvious he has really bad news... He hurried to the portal where soldiers were lowering the drawbridge and winding up the portcullis. While waiting, Luke imagined the worst.

By the time Dorai had crossed the bridge and dismounted, Luke's eyes spilled tears. He did not know how he could endure his sister's funeral. He dashed the tears away as Dorai motioned the knights with Luke to move inside the knights' tower. 

At the office door, Dorai nodded to Sir Keith who alone followed Luke into the room.

"Sit down, Your Majesty," Dorai said. His agitation was obvious. "I have good news and I have bad news..." he paused, not sure where to begin.

Luke said quietly, "Give me the good news first and maybe I will be, more sustained... to take the bad news." Luke was certain he would hear that Elliad had killed his sister, and he wanted to stall the confirmation of such tragedy.

"The good news is that Elliad and his followers have left Frencolia. This in itself is a great victory, a triumph for our kingdom. We have secured possession of Kings Castle. There was no battle, no soldiers lost..."

Luke waited.

"The bad news, I'm sorry to be the one to tell you, Luke," Dorai said, putting aside formality for the sake of the personal nature of the next statement, "Is that Elliad," — Luke closed his eyes — "as far as we can tell, he's taken your sister, Jobyna, with him as his hostage."

"She's alive?" Luke's face broke into a tremulous smile. All thoughts of his sister's predicament were highlighted with relief. "Jobyna's alive!"

"Elliad left servants and women in the castle, those too old, or very young orphans; those unable or unwilling to travel. Some of the adult servants reported they saw your sister presented at a celebration feast some hours before Elliad departed. They said she sat at the table beside Elliad and was dressed like a princess with a diamond tiara on her head. She appeared to be in good health, they said. 

"That reminds me; the rest of the bad news is that Elliad has taken the treasures of Frencolia with him.

"Also, we have the body of King Leopold lying in state in the throne room." Dorai went into the details of his entry to Kings Castle through the tunnel; of the passages being open; the entry from the tunnel into the throne room and then all the way out to the treasure chamber.

Astounded at Luke's acceptance of his sister's kidnapping, Dorai hoped the real reaction was not delayed. He was glad when Luke's positive attitude continued.

The two senior knights listened as Luke said, "God will take care of Jobyna. She will, in God's time, be returned to us. I'm just so very glad that she's alive; and she's well, my prayer is answered..."

Dorai told Luke, "There are many things to consider in Frencolia first and when those are taken care of, a large army will be sent to fight if necessary for Jobyna's release. Elliad must be brought to justice. But, at present, King Leopold's funeral is paramount. His body will lie in state for ten days and then he will be laid to rest in the tomb of his predecessors. The second important event will be your coronation, Luke."

Luke found it hard to think of much else, other than his sister's survival. True, she was a captive, but as Sir Dorai had said, they would follow and rescue her.