Castles - Book 5 - The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chaper Sixteen

Prince Dorai carried the tubular package into King Luke's office. Marked 'confidential', the package was sealed with Elliad's K.E. seal. This was the first communication from the exile king since he left Frencolia. The uncle longed to break the seal and open the tube, but it was addressed to 'Luke Chatelain of Frencolia'. Elliad did not address Luke as 'King'.

Luke strode breathlessly into his office. He stared at the tubular leather-bound package. Breaking the seal, he untied the leather cord asking, "Who brought this?"

"Two of Elliad's knights. We're questioning them but we have to be careful. They say your sister's safety is at stake for their being well treated and given a safe return," his uncle replied.

Luke unrolled the parchment. "It's Jobyna's handwriting!" he exclaimed.

'Dear Brother Luke,' he read to himself then read aloud, knowing his uncle was anxious, waiting... "Dear Brother Luke, I am so excited to be writing to you that I hardly know where to begin. So much has happened since I left Frencolia that it would take much paper and ink to write about it all. The important thing is that I am able to 'talk' to you in this way, and you can write back to me. Please write and tell me how you are.

"I'm glad to be at a settled destination. The journey was an ordeal and I'm glad it's over. I'm being well cared for and trust you do not worry. King Elliad allowed me to write this letter to you. He said I can have the Gospel Book of King Leopold's, which was in the treasure cave. I hope you found it. It was hidden in a cleft up on the same side of the valley as the cave. Please send the book to me with your letter so I will have the comfort of reading the greatest words my mind can ever take in." Luke's voice broke here. Passing the letter to his uncle, he sat down with his head in his hands. Prince Dorai took the parchment, his eyes searching to find the place where Luke had broken off.

"I pray for you every hour and for Frencolia. May God keep you in His care, not as I am, but free..." his voice trailed off. Then he resumed reading, "We will see each other, Brother, if not here, then in Heaven. Write soon. My deepest love and affection go with this letter. Jobyna Chatelain."

Luke's mind was filled with the dominating thought that Jobyna was desperately ill, maybe even dying. Elliad, with some strange compassion, had allowed her to write this letter. Even his uncle had to admit there seemed to be no real purpose for Elliad to have allowed her to write. No trickery was apparent. There seemed to be nothing he could gain from her requests.

Luke asked for counselors to be brought to read the letter and give their opinions. While this was being arranged, he went with his uncle to talk to the two knights who had brought the letter. This proved rather fruitless. They had seen Jobyna and apart from looking tired and thin, she was well, they said. The people spoke of her as 'The Princess Jobyna, from Frencolia'. They told them she had been introduced to Prince Gustovas and Princess Rhaselle of Proburg, and now in Chezkovia, she was to meet the Czar's son, Kenrik. Eventually she would go to Jydanski and be presented to the Czar himself.

Luke commanded that the two men be escorted to the guest quarters. Although treated as guests, they were to be under strict guard and all communications with them were to be limited to the essentials. No information about kingdom matters was to be passed.

The Gospel Book, which had been retrieved within two weeks of Jobyna leaving Frencolia, was brought. Counselors perused it thoughtfully. Notes at the back, written in King Leopold's handwriting, were of special interest and scribes were ordered to make a copy of all Leopold's words, lest the late king's writings be lost forever. Otherwise, it was an ordinary Gospel Book, containing twenty-three books of the Bible. The scribes worked through the night, using bright lamps and changing writers every two hours. Luke read the references the birth of Elliad's father 'Elliot' in Chezkovia; and consequently, Elliad's childhood. There were also notes made of the time when King Leopold and Luke's father were close confidantes. The lists of names with meanings were carefully copied, but nothing could be seen that seemed to be of particular benefit or value to Elliad.

Sorrow overwhelmed Luke as his counselors agreed with him that the Book must, indeed, be for Jobyna. It was possible it was a death wish allowed by Elliad. Luke felt bereaved of his sister once more and was certain he would never see her again. He paced the floor all night long, trying to form words in his mind to put in his letter to her. He knew for certain that Elliad would read the communication. Eight different letters came from his pen. He tore each one up as he read it. He revealed too much, writing as though they were his final words to her. Too much grief was conveyed, too much longing for his sister's presence with him at Kings Castle in Frencberg. Abandoning the letter writing, the frustrated king went to watch the scribes at work.

Prince Dorai found his nephew there in the morning. Luke told him, "I can't write the letter. Adequate words evade the parchment. I wish I could take the book to her myself."

"Try again after breakfast, Son. Keep your mind on Jobyna's last few sentences and the hope she has to see you again. Write of your hope to see her. Let her know you have not lost faith, she needs that much. Tell her of the good things that are happening in Frencolia."

After breakfast, Luke took up fresh parchment and wrote,

"My very dear Sister, Jobyna,

"If it was hard for you to write to me, it has been just as hard for me to reply. I would much rather bring this Gospel Book to you myself. May God's words give you strength, faith and hope every hour of every day. How much love can one send in a letter? Then I wish to send more. I am well and trust God for the future, both for Frencolia, for myself and for you. Remember, dear one, there are no mistakes with God, only appointments He sets for us.

"It would take weeks to write down all that has happened. I am looking forward to the time we can talk and be together once more. Apart from your absence from Frencolia, everything happening in the kingdom has been positive. The Gospel Book is read daily in each village and town, as well as in the great square in Frencberg. Children are being taught to read. Can you believe, Sabin is learning to read and write and is making great progress. We have sent a message to the evangelist who is in Spenola, inviting him to come back to our country. There is a great thirst for teaching from the Gospel Book. I have wished every day for your presence here to enjoy the things God is working out. All that Father wanted for our family is being shared with everyone.

"My love and prayers go out to you. We will meet again. Remember, even in your captivity, you are free in Christ. My brother-love for you grows stronger every day.

"Your affectionate brother, King Luke Chatelain, Frencolia."

Prince Dorai read Luke's letter several times. "It will be a miracle if this gets past Elliad," he said, his eyes upon Luke's claim as 'King Luke Chatelain'. This possession of title pleased the uncle but he knew it would infuriate the exile.

"I just wish we could do something to him. Something very final," Luke said with the sound of hopelessness in his voice. "He has got away with everything and our hands are tied from making him pay for it!"

Knights had been sent out several times and messages brought back were the same each time. 'Elliad was ahead of us all the way.'—'Elliad has too much strength and power.'

The country he was in now, Chezkovia, was supportive of him, they had even allowed him to live in the stronghold of the Baltic Castle.

"We must have the support of other countries if we wish to go to war against Chezkovia. Our army is less than one quarter the size of the Chezkovian forces. They have the latest armor, weapons and battle equipment. We must bide time, build our strength, and see what alliances we can form. It would be better to have Jobyna rescued without bloodshed," Prince Dorai told Luke and the counselors. "We must see what a smaller group can do, traveling incognito. Maybe they will execute a successful rescue and Elliad can be assassinated secretly. Whatever we do, must be well thought out and meticulously planned."

Luke added, "Yes, and we must pray. God can choose to use many or a few to do what He purposes. The way He works is His way, not the way of men."

The Gospel Book, with the letter tucked safely in the front cover, was carefully bound in a leather binding and addressed, 'To Jobyna Chatelain, care of Elliad John Pruwitt, exile king, Baltic Castle, Chezkovia.'

Escorted to the border with their important package, the two knights left that day.