Castles - Book 5 - The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chapter Twenty-Two

 Jobyna, Boey and Ellice sat on the one wide seat of the carriage in silence for the first few miles.

Julian had closed the shuttered 'windows' of the plain black carriage and none of them dared to open one lest he see them. It was dim but comfortable and Jobyna marveled at the speed and smoothness of the ride.

Boey had brought the crimson cloak and riding boots and Jobyna exchanged her soft slippers for the boots. The cloak was now too small and much too short. She hoped no one would see her in it as the garment appeared to belong to a younger sister and made her look awkward. She was disappointed that she would not be at the Baltic Castle to be rescued by Sleven but was consoled to think that he and Brenna were safe. She wondered why Hagan wanted to find Sleven and she hoped her doctor friend would not walk into a trap when he arrived back at Elliad's castle.

When Julian and Jobyna had walked to the stables, she had seen many Chezkovian soldiers with Elliad's knights. That was proof enough that Elliad's power and control had expanded; it was plain for anyone to see, Jobyna thought. Julian rode Speed and she saw a Chezkovian soldier in his red and white uniform sitting smugly on Brownlea. The shadows of his eyes held recognition towards the princess, and Jobyna wondered if she had seen him somewhere before. While composing an appropriate verbal protest for the rider of her horse, Julian silenced any exclamation as he grabbed her arm and pushed her into the carriage. The fat man locked the door from the outside and she knew she was traveling, not as a princess but as a prisoner.

Dull miles passed by quickly. Boey began to chatter about the weather and how much she looked forward to the warmer season. The morning was almost gone when the carriage drew to a halt.

"Make way for the Princess Jobyna!" Julian called, his high raspy voice speaking in broken German.

The reply came short and sharp, "Make way for the Czarevna Cynara!"

Jobyna was able to understand their words and she held her breath, as the voices conferred. Sounds of horses moving came to her ears and after a few moments, Julian opened the carriage door.

Unfolding the steps, he announced, "The Czarevna wishes to speak with Princess Jobyna." In a quieter tone, he said, "Get out, slave."

Ellice stepped down and Jobyna could see a beautiful red carriage, ornamented with gold engravings, from which two ladies-in-waiting were alighting. As Julian took Jobyna's arm, he hissed in her ear, "You must be brief!"

Jobyna, wonderment on her face, stepped up into Cynara's spacious carriage.

"Jobyna!" Cynara hugged her affectionately. "Is it really you? You look simply wonderful, I can hardly believe it is the same person! Look at you; your cloak is too small. Are they taking you to the capital? Yes, I suppose so."

Jobyna didn't have a chance to get a word in. "We're going to Proburg. Things are so boring at the palace. Politics. That's all I ever hear! But you look so good!" Cynara inspected Jobyna's smiling face. Jobyna's natural beauty overwhelmed her.

Jobyna found her voice. "How did you get Julian to let me talk with you?"

"Haven't you heard of a little bribery, darling? That grubby little fat man, is that Julian? Just as well I guessed he's greedy! His nasty little eyes lit up like diamonds when I offered him a few gold pieces. I'm so glad I saw you before we left."

Julian knocked on the door.

"Oh, do have fun in the capital."

Jobyna worried that this was all Cynara was going to say. "You said 'we,' Cynara, who else goes with you?"

"My younger brother, Kedar. He was nine last week and he's beginning his training in Prince Gustovas' court." She waved her gloved hand towards the door, "He's out there, on his horse somewhere. Kedar is the main reason I'm going to Proburg. Father wants me to see him settled, but if I feel like it, I might stay there for a while myself, especially if Konrad's not at Landmari. If I do see that crazy prince, I will return home immediately!" She was quiet for a moment.

Jobyna asked, "How are things in Jydanski?"

"I simply don't want to think about the place! That's another reason I'm glad to be getting away."

"How is your father?" Jobyna persisted.

"He's crabby as ever —at least with me— he's been off at me since that Elliad of yours came, mind you, he's not 'your' Elliad any more." Her voice softened to a whisper, "My step-mother! She's another reason I want to get out of that place. So indiscreet! Father doesn't see past his nose. He thinks Elliad is marvelous, but..." Cynara broke into a long discourse in German. Jobyna's eyes widened to think of Elliad and Terese having an 'affair', but most of Cynara's chatter was lost to her.

"I have to go, we must make Landmari Castle before sunset." She didn't wait for Jobyna to say more, but kissed her cheeks in dismissal, speaking encouragingly, "Just keep your chin up and I'll look forward to seeing you when I return, Princess Jobyna. Remember, we are royal friends." She knocked on the carriage door. A Chezkovian soldier opened it.

"Thank you for stopping to talk, Czarevna Cynara. I cherish your friendship," Jobyna said. As the soldier took her arm, she glanced around. They were at crossroads. Dozens of mounted soldiers waited in formation in front of, and behind, the carriage. Jobyna wondered where the boy, the Grand Duke Kedar, was. The ladies-in-waiting stepped back into the carriage and Julian took Jobyna's elbow, propelling her towards the vehicle that would take her to Elliad. With a sinking heart, she wished she could have gone with Cynara, but knew it would take more than a bribe for Julian to allow that to happen. Julian folded the steps back to the inside, checked the shutters and locked the door.

The rest of the journey was uneventful. The three women fell asleep before the destination was reached. A double jolt woke Jobyna and she opened her eyes to find her head on Ellice's shoulder, but her thoughts were back at Elliad's Castle. "The Gospel Book! What happened to the Gospel Book?" she cried.

Boey sat upright, yawning, "I put it in the cupboard in the doctor's living room. Wasn't no point bringing it here. Causes too much trouble, them Books."

Jobyna's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of voices outside the carriage. The door was unlocked and opened. A uniformed man with a book and quill stood at the opening. Julian watched him write.

Jobyna guessed they had arrived at some gate and their entry was being recorded.