Kingdom's Dawn (17 page)

As the sun peeked from behind the remaining storm clouds, Leinad heard the familiar terrorizing sound of the Moshi Beasts. They were returning!

Leinad forced himself to move in the opposite direction. With each step, strength returned to his legs, and he remembered how to run. He moved as fast as he could, but the sound of the Moshi Beasts grew steadily in spite of his efforts. His lungs began to hurt, but he pressed on.

The ground rose slightly ahead of him, and he could not see beyond the crest of the nearby horizon. The brown mass of chirping Moshi Beasts was closing on him quickly. He reached the top of the rise and saw a large earth basin not more that a hundred paces away. The surrounding terrain fed water into the basin to form a temporary oasis whenever it rained. A large tree grew at the far end of the shallow pond.

Leinad knew he would not make the tree in time. He figured that the Moshi Beasts might be able to climb anyway, so he sprinted for the shallow pond.

He looked behind him, and the beasts were almost upon him. The last few paces seemed agonizingly long, but he dove for the water just as the Moshi Beasts reached his feet. He splashed wildly, expecting to feel the searing bites all over his body once again—but he did not.

Leinad stood in knee-deep water and looked at the edge of the pond just a few steps away. The Moshi Beasts were gathered and chirping at the edge, but they did not advance past the waterline. Their incessant chirping seemed to scold Leinad for ruining their feast.

He fell to his knees, exhausted and sore … but saved.

The Moshi Beasts eventually left to search for other prey, but Leinad stayed in the water many hours beyond their departure. He quenched his thirst with the murky water, but his hunger grew. Weariness pulled at his limbs, and he made his way to the far end of the pond where the tree stood.

Leinad was exhausted, having gone two days with no sleep and no food. He was in pain, having endured the lashes of Barak, the scorch of the sun, and the bites of the Moshi Beasts. He did not dare leave the water, but he could not lie down and sleep either.

He fell to his hands and knees at the water's edge, beneath the shade of the large tree. He crawled to the base of the tree and laid his head in the mud, just out of the water.

Other animals came to drink from the water, which would not last long, but Leinad did not notice. He was deep in the cavern of sleep.

When Leinad awoke, it was dark, and he was cold. He did not know how long he had slept, but the cool night air indicated that morning was close. The water had receded beyond where his feet lay. Leinad was thankful the Moshi Beasts had not returned, for his protection would soon be gone. He knew the desert drank up any standing water within days of a heavy rainstorm.

At first, his arms and legs refused to move. He forced himself to crawl the remaining distance to the base of the tree and leaned against its trunk. He pulled his knees close to his chest to retain what body heat was left. Dried mud clung to his skin from his face to his feet.

He shivered and looked up into the branches of the tree and was strangely comforted. His mind was drawn back to another tree years ago that had shaded him and his father back on the Plains of Kerr near their farm. He ached for those pleasant times and the companionship of his father.

The dawn was edging closer to begin another day, and first light began to break the night-sky blackness.

“Father, did you know what would become of your son?” he asked out loud, breaking the desert night silence. “Did you know that your training would lead me to this desolate place?”

Leinad began to question all that he was taught. Questions rose that he had not dared to ask before, but the solitude of the desert night forced them from his lips.

“Who is this King that you taught me to serve? Who is this King that you taught me to honor? Who is this King that you say loves this land and the people in it?”

Only silence replied, and he wondered if he would ever know.

“I AM!” A powerful voice shattered both the silence and his questions.

Leinad leapt to his feet and turned. The rush in his body overcame any pain he was feeling. Not sure of where the voice came from, he crouched and searched in fear.

“Who's there?”

“Leinad … do not be afraid,” the rich voice responded compassionately.

“Who are You?”

Leinad realized that the voice came from the other side of the tree, and he moved to the side to see better. The morning light was growing. A majestic form adorned in royal clothes stood before him. A white stallion stood beside the figure.

Leinad thought he must still be dreaming, or perhaps hallucinating from lack of food. He trembled not only
because of the chill of the night, but also because of the power that emanated from the one before him.

“Who are You, sir?” he repeated.

The one before him did not seem to need the morning light. His stature was regal, and the likeness of His face was majestic. Though His eyes seemed to burn like fire, compassion accompanied His gaze.

“Leinad—”

He had never heard his name spoken with such depth of familiarity.

“I am the One your father taught you to serve. I am the One he taught you to honor. I am the One who loves this land and the people in it. I am your King!”

His words resonated off the basin slopes, and Leinad felt more insignificant in His presence than he had ever felt before. Now he trembled in his heart for having doubted the one who stood before him. He knelt before the King in humility.

“Please forgive me, my King. I am not worthy to be in Your presence.”

The King walked toward Leinad and stood before him. “Rise, Leinad.”

Leinad slowly stood but dared not look the King full in the face.

“You have been faithful, but yet you doubted,” the King said. “Now be faithful … and never doubt.”

Leinad slowly looked up and beheld the royal King.

“I shall never doubt again, my Lord.”

The King penetrated Leinad's thoughts with His eyes.
There was nothing Leinad could hide from the King, and he knew it. The King smiled and placed His hand on Leinad's shoulder.

“Come, Leinad. You must eat and heal.”

The King gave Leinad food and fresh water that nourished his body and his spirit. He also gave Leinad water to wash off the mud and to clean himself. The King dressed Leinad's wounds with the same sweet smelling ointment Gabrik had used on Peyton, and then He covered them with bandages. He gave Leinad fresh clothes that fit him perfectly.

Leinad had shoes on his feet, clothes on his body, and food in his stomach. By late afternoon, Leinad felt human once again, but he was still exhausted from the previous day's ordeal.

“Lie down and rest, Leinad,” the King said.

“But my Lord, what if the Moshi Beasts return?”

The King looked at Leinad unconcerned. “They will not return. Rest.”

Leinad submitted and lay down beneath the large shade tree. The sun did not seem as hot, and his wounds did not seem to hurt as much. Within moments, he fell into a long, sweet, peaceful sleep.

When he awoke, the crisp desert morning air greeted him, and so did the smell of breakfast cooking on a fire. Leinad had slept the rest of the day and on through the night. The King gave Leinad food to eat but took none for Himself.

Midway through breakfast, Leinad realized in astonishment that the wounds on his body did not hurt. He gingerly
felt under his arm where the first Moshi Beast had bitten him.

“You may remove the bandages at your convenience,” the King said. “Your wounds are healed.”

Leinad pressed where the wound ought to be and felt nothing. He looked at the King in amazement. “But—”

“Leinad, from this day forward, you will no longer question the purpose of your mission.” The King spoke firmly and with incredible authority.

Leinad was still amazed at the release of pain, but the King's words enticed him to listen closely.

“The people I have chosen are in bondage under Fairos of Nyland. I have heard their cries, and the time for their deliverance is now.” He paused. “You will deliver them.”

Leinad's eyes widened. “But my King, I am but one man, and Fairos is powerful and an experienced warrior. How could I possibly free the people?”

“I will be your power, and I will give you the experience you need to defeat him.”

Leinad slowly shook his head. “Surely, my King, You must seek someone better than me … some mighty warrior with an army of gallant men. I could not possibly do what You—”

“Leinad!” The King's voice was quite forceful. “I have chosen you for this day. I know you better than you know yourself. I will prepare you for this crusade.”

Leinad bowed low. “Yes, my King. I will try with my very life to do as You ask.”

The King went to the white stallion and retrieved an object wrapped in fine linen.

“Are you ready to accept the responsibility of one who serves the King?” he asked Leinad.

“I am, my Lord.”

“Then take your sword and boldly follow Me!” commanded the King as He unveiled Leinad's sword.

“My sword!”

“I gave this sword to you years ago because through it I will deliver My people.” The King allowed Leinad to take the sword. “You were chosen to carry the sword because your heart was always loyal and true to Me. You may not have understood the significance then, but today begins your transformation … and the kingdom's transformation through its might. I will help you unlock the power of this sword to do My will and begin to transform this kingdom from chaos to hope.”

Leinad held the sword and looked upon its beauty with a new understanding. The mark of the King in the pommel was prominent. In his awe, Leinad realized that it had never been
his
sword. It was, and always would be, the King's.

“I thought Keston had the sword. How did You get it?” Leinad asked.

“No one carries a sword that bears My mark except by My permission. Are you fit for training, young Leinad?”