Castles - Book 5 - The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chapter Thirty-Two

Taking fruit and bread-crusts for Brownlea and Speed, Jobyna sought out these two faithful friends in the stables.

She was pleased to find them rested and content. Luke, Prince Dorai, Prince Konrad, Doctor Sleven, the other visitors, and the Frencolian council had been in conference for two days and she wondered what the outcome would be.

Disturbing memories descended depressingly on the princess as she walked the corridors of Kings Castle. The ordeal she had suffered there relived in her mind and she asked herself many questions, wondering how she could have behaved differently.

Deciding she needed to conquer her fears once and for all, she ascended the steps to the great battlements. Jobyna strolled to the places where she'd walked as a prisoner of Elliad, a year ago. Across the moat, she saw the city of Frencberg and the high cliffs encasing the valley where Luke and she had discovered the treasure cave.

Moving further along the rampart, she looked down upon the place where she had seen Elliad John in the midst of a company of soldiers. It had seemed to her, at the time, that he was a captive on horseback. A thought struck her mind, Why wasn't he wearing his crown? He's such a strange man, so unpredictable, living so many different roles... he looked more like a prisoner than a king. Now, he has the crown of Chezkovia on his un-royal head.

Jobyna's hatred of castles was still strong; but with Luke, her uncle and aunt, and cousins around her, maybe she could tolerate this fortress. It did not seem unfriendly to her now that Luke was king.

Luke had told her that he had commissioned the manor house at Chanoine to be rebuilt and he would take her out there to view the progress as soon as possible. She could help choose furnishings.

A monument had been erected over their parent's graves and he wanted to have a memorial service there, with Jobyna. He did not tell her that he'd already held such a service, on the anniversary day, one year after their murders. He had despaired of seeing his sister again, and here she was now.

The outcome of the conference was that a contract was to be drawn up and would be taken to the various kingdoms that had been negatively affected by Elliad's pillaging, and others westward in close proximity. If the nations would join together against Elliad as a murderous lunatic —not against Chezkovia or Czar Kievik— then an end could be brought to the matter. Whether Czar Kievik was still alive or not remained to be discovered.

Sir Dorai verbalized the situation aptly, "Once the kingdoms sign the contract, Elliad is as good as dead!'"

The thought of men preparing for battle made Jobyna shudder and she hoped no one would be lost in the carrying out of the contract. Her concern did not extend to Elliad and his men —she hoped they would receive all they deserved.

Jobyna voiced to Luke her joy to be home and when he told her they would ride to Chanoine the next day she could scarcely sleep for excitement.

Sleven, Fritz and Gregory would return to Proburg, taking a copy of the contract to Prince Gustovas. They would meet with Czarevitch Kenrik and his men from Chezkovia. The delegation from Reideaux would take a copy of the contract to King Kelsey. Other Frencolian knights would courier copies of the contract to the kingdoms of Strasland, Zealavia, Bavarest, Danzerg and Muldaver.

As for Konrad, he and his men would stay in Frencolia. The prince wanted to discover more about Luke's kingdom; to climb some of its mountains and to see for himself how Luke was using the Gospel Book to guide the way he reigned.

Konrad wrote a message to his father, confessing he was in Frencolia and requesting his father's approval to stay for a while.

~~~~~

Residents of Chanoine were out in full to greet the royal party. The road to the manor house was blocked with the crowds. Soldiers had to move excited children off the road to allow the celebrities to enter.

News that the Princess Jobyna Chatelain was visiting brought inquisitive Frencolians from neighboring villages.

Cheering and shouting, they threw flowers in her path. Many tried to pass bouquets and gifts to the beautiful princess.

Jobyna, full of joy, held her breath as Brownlea carried her across the flower-decorated moat bridge to the home she loved.

Luke had ordered the builders to make the house as near the original as possible. The only difference was new height on the gate tower to enforce security.

The young king planned to stay in the manor house himself whenever he was able. Pleased to have Speed back, Luke drew the horse alongside his sister, nodding towards the front garden. Konrad was instantly at her side to help her dismount.

As if I need this prince, Jobyna told herself. Having dismounted, she took his hand then wondered why she let him near her. I like him, but rather as a brother —and if he wasn't a prince— but I'm not going to think about him. He'll go back to Proburg to his mountains and book copying in that secret dungeon.

The memorial service was brief.

Luke read from the Gospel Book and his voice resounded across the moat, "Jesus said, 'Let not your heart be troubled, believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions.'

"'I am the Way the Truth, the Life.' Jesus also said, 'I am the Resurrection and the Life, he who believes on Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.'"

Surprised that she did not feel bitterness, Jobyna was able to wholeheartedly join Luke's prayer of thanksgiving that God was in control. The road had ended for her dear father and mother, as one day it would end for them. To die was not something to fear, it had been living that had been hard. I miss them both, so much, she inwardly lamented, wanting her parents there with her and not buried in this grave.

Wiping tears from her cheeks, Jobyna viewed the glass case containing the Gospel Book, beside the two crosses. A handsome reflection joined hers as she looked into the raised glass lid.

Konrad stooped to whisper in her ear, "You are the most beautiful princess on earth, and surely the most courageous and wise."

Luke's reflection appeared on her other side and Jobyna turned to face him. "Luke! It's so good to be home!"

With a king on one arm and a prince on the other, Jobyna turned towards the manor house where they would share the first meal to be had within these new yet memory-filled walls. In spite of its unfinished state, the manor house already felt like home.

Together in Frencolia, Jobyna and Luke looked forward to the freedom and felicity of the faultless future.