Castles - Book 5 - The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chapter Twenty-Four

"... Twelve... thirteen... fourteen... fifteen." Jobyna counted the paces from one end of the sitting room to the other. Touching the door, she calculated fifty times of walking back and forward, then she quoted Scripture aloud.

For the past two weeks, each day had been the same as the day previous.

Breakfast was brought. Ellice waited until her mistress had eaten then ate from what was left. There was always plenty to spare.

Each morning Jobyna walked back and forth in the confined space, alternated with reading, drawing and painting.

Sofia brought juice about midday.

Every afternoon, the bath became a frothy myth of perfume and bubbles.

Jobyna was aware that servants replaced the candles in her rooms while she bathed; Ellice replaced those in the bathroom later.

Ellice pulled the cord and Sofia allowed the slave to leave with a basket of washing, bringing back fresh towels and linen. Jobyna learned from Ellice that the slave-girl was to go through the wardrobe and remove the clothes that didn't fit her mistress, replacing them with garments that did. Ellice, pulling on the cord, went freely in and out, making Jobyna envious of this small freedom.

Sofia was not one to converse with her charge and when Jobyna said brightly, "Good morning, Sofia, how are you today?" There was never any reply.

Walking while quoting the twenty-third Psalm, Jobyna's mind raced back to the time she had recited it to Berg and he was comforted. God knew if Berg was in Heaven. If so, this captivity would be worth something. She smiled as she reached the words, "Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table for me, in the presence of mine enemies..." She touched the wall, turning. Sofia entered the apartment, staring at the girl and frowning. Smiling, Jobyna said to her, "I walk back and forth thinking of green pastures and still waters..." her voice trailed off at Sofia's stony stare of scorn.

The chamber-lady opened her perfect ruby-red lips to speak to Jobyna while passing Ellice a parcel. "You'll be dining tonight with the czar's wife, Her Imperial Highness, Czarina Terese. You must properly prepare yourself to match the occasion." Sophia swept out of the room.

Ellice opened the cloth parcel, revealing the sparkling diamond tiara and ruby necklace. A tight feeling constricted Jobyna's throat. She was trapped and had to do as commanded. She determined she would control her tongue and speak only when spoken to.

It was late when Sofia entered the room. Passing a dinner tray to Ellice, her eyes scrutinized Jobyna as she spoke, "The Czarina Terese awaits you, Princess Jobyna."

Jobyna followed Sofia's lead. After two weeks' confinement, the massive dining chamber dazzled the captive princess. She focused her eyes on a woman standing beside the long dining table. Czarina Terese wore an elaborate jeweled crown on her swept-up dark brown hair. Jobyna thought she looked very young to be the czar's wife, and she could not forget Sleven's description or Cynara's words. Jobyna walked towards the czarina, a few cautious steps, then curtsied low.

"Come." The czarina sat, beckoning. "Sit." She motioned to a chair that Sofia pulled back from the table. Jobyna was reminded of Elliad and his incessant commands.

The table was set for two and women wearing the same uniform dress as Ellice waited on them. Terese gestured once more, "Eat." Knowing she was under observation, Jobyna helped herself from the many bowls. Sofia poured steaming amber fluid from a tall silver jug with a long spout into two small porcelain bowls each with a handle. Copying the czarina, Jobyna sipped the hot liquid.

"Tea. Have you had it before?"

"No, Your Imperial Highness," Jobyna answered. The mixture tasted like perfume. She sipped again but as she swallowed, her face mirrored her feelings. At the click of Terese's slender fingers, Sofia brought some juice, pouring it into a silver chalice. Terese ate in silence, watching Jobyna as a cat would a mouse. An amused smirk lingered on the cosmetics of her finely featured face. Jobyna could not begin to guess what she was thinking.

The meal over, Jobyna was thankful her trembling hands had obeyed the careful directions of her mind, and she had not disgraced herself by spilling anything.

Sofia poured wine at a low table in the sitting area and Terese rose, speaking as though to an inferior being, "We will recline and I will tell you some things you need to know."

Reading a warning in Terese's tone, Jobyna reminded herself to be quiet unless asked to speak. Terese reclined on a long low couch, beckoning the captive to sit beside her on a floral-covered footstool.

After a short silence, the czar's wife drew a deep breath and verbalized most astounding news, "Elliad John Pruwitt is dead, Jobyna. He was executed for treason against the czardom of Chezkovia." She paused, a triumphant sneer on her face, awaiting Jobyna's reaction.

There was no retaliation or joy, for Jobyna was too shocked to react. She knew it true, Elliad had committed treason, but to think he had finally been found out and was dead. She had expected many things, but not this! Maybe her nightmares were over...

"You belong to Czar Kievik now. In a few days, you will be presented to my husband in the Oval Crown Room of Chezkovia." Terese continued to study Jobyna's face. The czarina colored and said, "You are so composed, Princess. And I am jealous indeed of your flawless face. What are you thinking, Jobyna, now of Jydanski?"

"I, I, but, I believe you, Czarina Terese." Jobyna bowed her head in submission. She was going to add 'maybe His Highness will send me home.' but thought better of such a statement. She remembered Ada and Ranée, wondering if it was the czar who had dealt with them the way Ellice had graphically described.

Passing the girl a silver chalice of wine, Terese spoke in her commanding tone, "Then we'll drink to your life in Chezkovia. May you please the czar as much as you please me."

Jobyna did not like these words; she had no desire to have a 'life' in Chezkovia! Terese lifted the chalice, drinking deeply. Jobyna's hand was frozen. Czarina Terese lowered her silver receptacle. "You do not drink with me?" The amused, contemptuous look swiftly turned to disdain and her haughtiness clouded with anger.

"Pardon me, please, Czarina Terese," Jobyna said, hoping she could successfully calm her superior, "I do not tolerate wine, but would be glad to drink with you if I could have more juice, please."

Terese clicked her fingers and Sofia brought the juice from the table. Pouring it into a clean chalice, she handed it to Jobyna who raised the chalice and said cheerfully, "To Chezkovia. I pray for peace and prosperity for the czarina and her husband, Czar Kievik."

Terese relaxed. "I am impressed with you Princess Jobyna. You are congenial and submissive to your station. Indeed, but I cannot believe you have beauty as well as a peaceable personality. Some would find that sickening. The perfect princess, and the perfect slave, all in one. Such a mass on hair and that rarest of color, red." She rose abruptly. "Sofia will inform you when the czar expects you. It will be later in the week. My husband and I are making tours of goodwill..." Terese extended her hand to Jobyna. "Just remember, you are here to please the czar."

Chilled by Terese's parting words, Jobyna rose. Taking the czarina's slender hand, she curtsied, surprised when the czarina planted a light feather kiss on one cheek. She watched speechlessly as Terese moved to double doors, with golden crowns etched into them, beyond the dining table. Jobyna's hand was grasped firmly in Sofia's and she was hastily led back to her pretty prison.

Jobyna told Ellice what the czarina had revealed about Elliad's execution. Scarcely blinking, teardrops like diamond bulbs rolled down Ellice's cheeks. Jobyna knew these tears were not out of pity or commiseration for Elliad, but due to the fact that she was free of his terrible tyranny.

"Maybe it was the czar who did that to Ada and Ranée," Jobyna proffered an explanation. Ellice shook her head. "Elliad?" Jobyna asked, "Did you hear someone say this?" Ellice nodded.

Jobyna wondered if she had a nightmare whether it would be about the czar. I'm not going to have any more nightmares, she reminded herself. She wondered what Czar Kievik would look like. She thought of Kenrik and Cynara and decided their father would have dark brown eyes and raven hair like his children. Maybe he was going gray.

I can wait! The longer the better, she thought.