Secrets - Book 7 - The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chapter 19

Ruskin and company, with the four under discipline, left Chanoine to return to Frencberg immediately after the burial. It was now early afternoon.

Ellice, accompanied by two messengers sent by Sabin, had found it surprisingly easy, last evening to go to the sanctum, light a large lamp and write two letters at the large office-like desk.

Jobyna slept and Corissa was resting, so Ellice had 'free time', a rare thing to her. She assured Luke that Jobyna's anxiety over the grave had dissipated and she had rested since Sir Sabin had left. She also wrote, "Lady Corissa has not left your sister's side, Sire. She is of great comfort, help and friendship to the princess. I do think that we will all sleep well tonight. God bless you." After rolling and sealing it, she wrote, 'King Luke Chatelain, Kings Castle' on the outside.

To Sabin, Ellice wrote, "First, I want to congratulate you, Sir Sabin, on your new appointment and say that you are most deserving of the honor of this title. Also, thank you for your signal of 'farewell' today. I am honored. I pray you have a restful sleep and I pray for God to bless you. Your friend, Ellice." Sealing the second one, Ellice rolled it and scribed it, 'Sir Sabin, Aide-de-camp, Kings Castle'.

The messengers had introduced themselves to Ellice, giving their names, "Victor and Coleman."

"Coleman is taking these scrolls, riding with a quad that waits with horses near the stables and I will stay here in the manor house in the case that you wish to send a message at any time night or day. I will be ensconced in the annex by the kitchen and if I'm not there for a short time, the kitchen staff will know where I am. If you need to write a message urgently, I have my own portable tablet that I keep with me at all times." Victor pointed to the leather tote on the floor.

Bowing, Coleman left, taking the scrolls with him.

~~~~~

Jobyna's sleep had been unbroken since eating the food brought to her late last night. She felt so much better about everything, more positive. "Morning-time isn't always my favorite time, but I feel so good today, like everything will all work out for good," she said to the others, "I need to trust God more, but like my mother said about my father... I got my randomness from him, he liked to 'meddle,' so she called it. I like to think I can help others and fix things; do you think it is the same thing as 'meddling' Corissa?"

"Well, meddling is involving yourself in affairs that have little or nothing to do with you, so you're not meddling if the matter is to do with you..."

"All right then, I feel so much better today, so I might go and investigate a bit! Investigating isn't meddling! Are you with me?"

"Of course, Princess."

Ellice wrote a note declaring she had a headache and, after sharing breakfast in the small hall with Jobyna and Corissa, she went back to the bedchamber to rest. Followed by Corissa, Jobyna sought the opportunity to enquire about the market in Chanoine. To her disappointment, the markets were no more than before, they were held twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays. It was Saturday. She spoke to Chrissy, the chambermaid. "I wish to buy some fabric, Chrissy. There must be a fabric merchant in the village."

"Yes, Princess, there is."

"Tell me which house I go to; better still, you must be able to get away for half an hour or so, Chrissy, you can take us there," Jobyna said. The maid's face dropped, and her thick brows knit together in frustration. "What is it?" Jobyna asked.

"I haven't quite finished here, Princess, but after that, I have the rest of the day off." Chrissy hoped that her plans would not be thwarted.

"Then tell me where to go?"