Castles - Book 5 - The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chapter Twenty-Three

 Late afternoon sunshine greeted Jobyna as she stepped out of the carriage.

She remembered her arrival at Kings Castle in Frencberg, the first castle she had seen. It was difficult to believe only a year had passed since then. Jobyna imagined herself to be years older.

Holding the side of her skirt with one hand and taking Julian's hand with the other, Jobyna's vision filled with the most amazing building. In all her wildest imagination she would never have dreamed up such a palace. The stationary carriage stood in a tremendous courtyard, enclosed by a pillared clerestory that stretched as far as the eye could see. Along the clerestory, soldiers with spears extended stood vigilantly on guard, two for every pillar. Dropping her hand, Julian directed her by gripping her arm above her elbow; his fat fingers pressed firmly into her flesh. Jobyna turned as he drew her towards a massive marble terrace extending the width of the courtyard.

Jobyna counted ten white marble levels as she ascended. Pillars towering above blocked out a complete view of the magnificent palace frontage. High arched carved doors graced the entrance.

Jobyna pulled her cloak off, pushing it into Ellice's waiting hands. Julian drew his charge along to the end door, which was opened by two stately palace guards. Inside, a marble stairway greeted them.

Counting the steps to seventeen, Jobyna walked in step with Julian. She ignored the loathsome, creepy feeling his being vibrated, and concentrated on counting. Ten paces along a landing then another seventeen steps, twice; she realized they were three floors up. Her riding boots resounded loudly on the pale blue marble landing.

Two guards opened doors on the fourth landing, barring Julian's way. They allowed Boey and Ellice to follow Jobyna.

The guards spoke to someone on the other side of the door who in turn spoke to the three women, "Come." A wide balcony stretched out before them. The attendant knocked at a door halfway along the balcony.

Jobyna felt as much a prisoner as she ever had. Elliad's castle or the czar's palace, it was the same. Grandeur and beauty around her were lost in the fact she was not free. Such splendor made the stone walls of Kings Castle in Frencolia seem shabby in comparison, but she knew where she would rather be right now!

The captive remembered the walls and floor of the Frencolian throne room were intricately patterned with etched gray marble, but the rest of the castle was constructed of gray stone.

Opening the door, a woman nodded to the attendant.

No announcement was made. The woman spoke quickly to the man who replied equally as fast. Jobyna recognized her own name, wishing she could understand their conversation.

Sensing herself under inspection, Jobyna looked at the new face. The woman's piercing black eyes seemed to remove the very skin from Jobyna's face and neck and she was relieved to see the masked doll open her mouth to speak, "Princess Jobyna. Come in."

The three entered the room. A small foyer decked out with vases of fresh flowers was also decorated with large potted ferns.

"My name is Sofia. I've been assigned to be responsible for you. I belong to the palace and do only what I am told. It would be to your benefit, Princess, to do the same." Her brightly painted lips spoke perfect Frenc in soft, deep tones. Long, red-tipped fingers stretched to open a door, gesturing them to go ahead of her. Jobyna felt sickened and overpowered by the strange sweet perfume the woman emitted.

The captive stepped into the massive room. Carpeted steps led down to a huge cushioned sitting area, where built in couches encircled low tables. The other end of this sunken circle was a long dining table, polished to a shine, like glass. An elaborate golden candle chandelier glittered above it. Pillars stood behind the table and archways with open doors led out on to another balcony. In other circumstances, Jobyna would have been fascinated by the dazzling wonder of her surroundings.