Castles - Book 5 - The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

 Before Jobyna even roused, Konrad arrived with the breakfast tray.

Franz told him about the nightmare and when she awoke, he questioned her, "You weren't afraid of Franz, were you?" Not waiting for an answer, he said, "You mustn't be afraid, for he is harmless."

Jobyna frowned then said, "I suffer nightmares due to my active imagination. My mind plays dreadful tricks on me. It helps when I pray, and sometimes in my dream, I realize God is with me. He reminds me it is just a dream and I sleep properly. Most of my nightmares are about Elliad and torture. I'm sure they'll cease when I get home." Smiling she added, "I'm sure you didn't need to know all that, Prince Konrad."

Konrad smiled a soft smile at her, making her feel off-center somehow and wondering, Is he thinking I am a joke?— Or what? She wished she could read thoughts.

He said, "Doctor Sleven is coming today. It will be difficult to bring him down here, but we are going to try tonight when everyone's sleeping. You must see if you can catch some extra sleep today; you look tired." Konrad noticed dark rings under her eyes. "Brian is using Audric Castle as head-quarters for the search for you and it's too dangerous for you to be moved at this stage."

Jobyna asked, "Brian knows Sleven; won't he be suspicious?"

"Sleven is pretending to help with the search for you. He'll work with Brian to gain the reward so he can receive a portion. Just think, Jobyna, you are worth five hundred horses!" He laughed then seeing her frown, he dropped his humor, asking, "Thinking of horses, Jobyna, what does your horse look like?"

She remembered now. It was Brownlea he had been asking about when she told him about the brand. "He has a white triangle on his brown forehead and two 'E' brands. One brand is placed over the Chatelain 'C,' and the other is burnt into his fore-flank."

"I thought so. I've had him transferred to my stables. Dael has over a hundred horses and yours will not have been noticed or missed. No-one is allowed in my stables but my men." Konrad assured her.

"I had a small pack, with clothes in it," she remembered, "I wonder where it is..."

Konrad told her that the pack was in Dael's possession. One of the stable hands had given it to him. "To ask about your clothes will arouse suspicion."

He asked Franz to bring his cloth, bowl and pitcher of freshwater so she could wash, telling her it was the best he was able to do for now. "The kitchen staff have always accepted the fact that food is brought below but suspicions will be roused if other items are transported to the dungeons. Dealing with Dael's present mistrust is difficult enough!" He stood, saying, "I'll be back with Sleven later in the evening. I'm going to help Dael and Brian in the search for you."

Jobyna washed in the icy cold water. She was thankful to feel refreshed but wished she had a comb. Wetting her hands, she raked them through her hair before braiding it. She wanted to be ready to put her hat on and leave when the moment came.

The day passed quickly. Jobyna read more of the writings of Paul, Letters to the Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Thessalonians. She turned back to Romans and worked on placing chosen verses into her absorbent memory.

After midnight, they woke her, and she was overjoyed to see Sleven who hugged her close, kissing her forehead and cheeks, exclaiming, "You're looking well, my daughter. How do you feel?"

"Actually, I feel good. I've not been getting any exercise, though. I've been reading." She told him.

"The rest will be good for you. You've got a long journey ahead."