Castles - Book 5 - The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chapter Five

Messages King Luke received from Proburg and Chezkovia, favored Elliad. This distressed the young Frencolian king greatly. He could not understand the mentality of such kings and princes.

The latest message from Proburg infuriated him.

Sir Dorai reminded him, "Elliad has great treasures. He can buy his way in or out of almost any situation. The amount of treasures he possesses speaks all languages."

"But he's using my sister as well. You said this Prince Gustovas in Proburg has four sons. How old is he?"

Sir Dorai told him, "He's about thirty-nine or forty."

"Thirty-nine!" Luke's voice grew louder, his tone raspy and high, "And he writes such rubbish! If it wasn't for his law in Proburg against polygamy, he would have Jobyna's hand in marriage? This prince wants to know if we would agree to his purchasing Jobyna as a wife for his youngest son! What does he think she is? Some piece of jewelry to be bought or sold? He has the audacity to compliment me in such terms about my sister! He writes of the castle he's given Elliad, to 'keep the Princess Jobyna safe.' How dare he do this, when she belongs here in Frencolia! He's an accessory to Elliad's crime. We must write and tell him that I want her returned to Frencolia!"

Sir Dorai raised his hands, "Calm down; Luke, my son. There are ways and means to work through this. Also, ways to make matters worse. Elliad will have filled the prince's head with lies, you can be sure of this. He'll be in great glory, painting a wonderful picture of himself. Elliad might even have told the prince that Jobyna's willing to be there with him. How do we know what stories he concocts? We'll wait until Elliad settles, then decide what action to take. Prince Gustovas, I hope, will be more sympathetic when he hears the truth! We must not spoil the future with rash statements and hasty decisions. It's good to know that Jobyna is well; she's holding up under such great strain. Remember too, Prince Gustovas is no fool; he writes such words from a safe distance. It may be a different matter were we face to face!"

A message arrived from the kingdom of Bavarest. They had suffered the most from Elliad's rampages. The king there was willing to join Frencolia in making him pay for his crimes.

Bavarest was presently sending troops out to retrieve stolen goods, seeking revenge on murders committed in their country.

King Jarvis pledged to keep in frequent communication with Frencolia, and would inform them how their counter-attack went. Luke was heartened by this response.

Days were filled with duties at court; positions still needing to be filled, decisions waiting to be made; compiling of messages, receiving and dispatching of information; the circles of communications widened. Strasland, the neighboring country on the west, wrote of various raids Elliad had made over the past six years, pillaging and murdering. The king of Strasland likened Elliad to a Viking raider, merciless and bloodthirsty. He offered allegiance, troops and help to capture Elliad, remarking, "If the despot has gone north, then good riddance; we hope he'll stay there and we pray that King Luke's sister will be safely returned to your kingdom."

Luke did not doubt Elliad would want to stay away from Frencolia.

Thoughts of Jobyna's captivity troubled him; he felt helpless and impatient, bound by inter-kingdom intrigue, unable to rescue her.

One day, Elliad, one day, he said to himself.

Sir Dorai addressed Luke later that day. "I have a request, Son."

Luke waited for his uncle to explain.

"My wife and children are at Leroy and I have not seen them, but briefly, for months. I would like to bring them here to live. We could take up residence in the castle or occupy a place of our own in the city."