Castles - Book 5 - The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Part Thirteen

Jobyna blinked her eyes, trying to focus them on her surroundings.

The room was small and emitted a comfortable feeling. Warm aromas together with the smell of newly baked bread permeated each corner. A woman she had never laid eyes on before sat in a rocking chair, knitting. The lady's face was lined and weatherworn, but she radiated a certain kindness and serenity. Her black hair was flecked with gray, like salt and pepper.

Jobyna struggled to sit, the effort making her groan. Her leg felt like a lead weight.

The woman rose quickly at Jobyna's cries and came over to the bed. She patted her charge's hand. "Well, good afternoon, Princess Jobyna. I'm Brenna, the doctor's wife. How are you feeling now?"

"Much better, I think. Did, my knee..."

"My husband put your knee-cap back in place and bandaged it. He said he's hoping it will recover quickly and you will be able to walk on it soon; you just need to rest it for some days yet." Drawing a breath, she said, "You must be hungry."

Inhaling deeply, Jobyna gave a sigh of pleasure. "That's fresh bread!" She remembered the letter Elliad said she would be allowed to write to Luke. A long sigh escaped as her head turned downward and sadness covered her face.

"What is it, Dear?" Jobyna was silent. Elliad had said it was to be 'just between me and you.'

Brenna said in her pleasant voice, "I think I know what you're wondering about. Well, King Elliad has told us that you're going to write a letter to your brother. He asked us to help you with it. As soon as you eat some food and feel stronger, I will help you write to him." The look of pleasure that raced to Jobyna's face confirmed to Brenna that she had guessed correctly.

Jobyna was ecstatic. She must pray the letter would not only be written but would go on to Luke in haste and she would be allowed to receive word from him. She scarcely dared to think that Elliad might let her hold and read a Gospel Book. These thoughts cheered her more than any that had crossed her mind since she had been happy at home with her parents and Luke.

The letter was more difficult to write than Jobyna had imagined. So much had happened yet she could tell Luke so little. How could she tell him about the brand? About her dislocated kneecap? She longed to write of her dislike of the plundering, to complain about the tedious journeying; how she hated the miles separating her from Luke. She wanted to tell of Berg's death and of Elliad's injury but she knew the offender would censor her letter before it was sent. Disappointment replaced her joy of writing to Luke. The knowledge that her words would not be just between the two made her want to give up. However, she persevered and was able to put her signature to a piece of work she regarded as satisfactory.

Jobyna had been with Sleven and Brenna for three days and accepted their bribe to eat satisfactorily before writing the letter. Sleven had replaced her fruit juice with goat's milk and the improvement to her health already showed in the rosy hue of her cheeks.

"Eat little and often," the doctor commanded. Tempting morsels were served six times during the day. Brenna didn't force Jobyna to eat or complain when she didn't but she insisted she drink the milk. Brenna quickly learned the food Jobyna enjoyed most and increased the quantities of these dishes. Bread rolls and vegetable soup or stew were favorites, and Sleven saw with satisfaction that this part of his work would be the easiest.

Homey comfort and warmth surrounded her in the doctor's apartment. The rooms were less elaborate than the ones she had occupied on the third floor. Situated on ground level between the kitchen and servant's quarters, mouth-watering aromas of baking pervaded the six rooms. Tantalizing odors wafted from the castle's great ovens.