Castles - Book 5 - The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chapter Twenty-Five

 Fast losing her sense of time, Jobyna drew a simple calendar on parchment. Ellice helped her, gleaning information from the servant's quarters, and the captive saw it would soon be April, springtime in Frencolia.

Jobyna had counted eight monotonous days since she had dinner with Czarina Terese when, finally, the summons, from Czar Kievik came. It was in the form of a Chezkovian guard who simply knocked on the door, opened it and called, "Princess Jobyna is summoned to come with me as soon as she is presentable to stand before the Czar of Chezkovia." After a pause, he called, "I await the princess here. Do not take too long." And the door closed.

Ellice helped Jobyna dress. The slave combed her hair with a wide-toothed comb, making it jump with coppery life at each stroke. Jobyna had an icy feeling of dread and fear frozen deep in her heart. Chastising herself for being childish, she prayed for the emotional strength she needed to face her new owner. By the time she was ready, Jobyna felt calmer. Czar Kievik would allow her to go home; surely Cynara's friendship would mean something to the father.

Jobyna was directed into the czarina's chamber for the second time. Czarina Terese waited at the door and Jobyna was surprised. She had expected the guard or a knave to accompany her, not the czar's wife. It was comforting to know that the dreaded escorts on Elliad's arm were over.

Jobyna still could not understand the cool, contemptuous set of Terese's heavily made-up face. In comparison, Sofia's 'mask' was friendly. She curtsied to the czarina who commanded, "Follow me."

Led into the foyer, out into the corridor, through the doors by which she had originally entered, Jobyna relaxed and mentally prepared herself to enjoy this occasion and store such an event in her memory. She was on her way to meet the Imperial Kievik, the famed Czar of Chezkovia. Palace guards fell in step behind her as Terese walked past the stairwell, along another corridor.

Descending a central, open, curved staircase, Jobyna realized they were in the heart of the huge palace. The wide stairs were covered with plush velvet-like red carpet. These were the steps the czar and czarina walked on each day. She wished Cynara were here and wondered if she would see Kenrik.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Jobyna's eyes beheld a circular reception room. She had to turn her head to view the grandeur of the auditorium.

Guards stood to attention at the entrance doors and for a brief moment, Jobyna thought one of them looked like Julian dressed in a red and white uniform. Dismissing the thought as fantasy, the reaction returned spontaneously, making her heart race as she found herself face to face with Brian dressed in the Chezkovian red and white. She heard his deep voice announce, "Her Imperial Highness, Czarina Terese of Chezkovia," as palace guards swung open the doors to the Chezkovian Crown Room. Terese walked to a wide red carpet runner that curved to lead to the dais. Her tall graceful figure obscured the czar from Jobyna's apprehensive view. She dared to glance around. It surprised her that there was no reception line. Apart from Brian and four guards, the massive oval room was empty. Terese curtsied low, ascended the dais and sat on the smaller throne to the left of the czar.

Brian, his throaty voice reverberating in the empty auditorium, announced, "The Princess Jobyna." He did not say, 'of Frencolia,' or 'of Jydanski,' as Jobyna had expected. Stepping out automatically, Jobyna moved toward the middle of the oval room. Gold, red and white ornamentations glittered before her eyes, and she was aware of the brilliant crystal chandeliers blazing like diamonds around the chamber. Daring not turn her head, she kept her eyes fixed on the dais. The czar seemed a long way away.

As she moved closer, her heart seemed to beat like a pulsating drum in her throat. The enthroned Imperial Czar wore an elaborate headpiece. The crown of Chezkovia, an incredible jeweled dome, glittering its matchless value into Jobyna's apprehensive eyes; the jeweled pattern on the top was set above a ball of gold. The czar's costume had a high collar and glittered gold with hundreds of red, green and blue jewels, set in dazzling intricate embroidery all over the royal chest.