Kingdom's Hope (13 page)

“Who are you, sir?” Leinad asked.

The man looked at Leinad warmly. “I am a man from a distant land.”

The stranger's horse reared, and then he bolted straight for the trees. There was no fear, no hesitation, as he rode into the Vale of the Dragons. He was like no other man the kingdom had ever seen.

THE REGATHERING

Tess and Audric were given positions in Kergon's palace with Leinad and were treated quite well. Their stewardship of Kergon's resources quickly won them additional responsibilities, authority, and some freedom. Leinad was pleased to be reunited with his companions, but his heart was still heavy with sadness for the bondage of the King's people.

Kergon's pride continued to swell along with his accumulated wealth. The city of Daydelon was the envy of the kingdom, as well as a treasured prize for the many enemies Kergon had made over the years.

Leinad often escaped for a short time to enjoy a walk along the river. On a few occasions, Tess was able to join him.

Today, Leinad had finished his duties and returned to the river that beckoned him to freedom. He stopped beside a tree that stretched its branches across the gently flowing
water. He knelt beside the river's green bank. In the serenity of his surroundings, he could not help thinking about the golden days in Chessington.

His life had been a strange compilation of adventures. From the sweet days of his youth to enslavement, wandering, and finally settling in the Chessington Valley, Leinad still wondered at times what his end purpose for the King would be. Every time he helped the people forward, calamity and disaster tore at them like a hungry lion. Was this his purpose? It seemed futile, and yet he knew that the King was so much bigger than the circumstances they faced. Surely the vision Leinad's father once spoke of would be revealed, and he would discover his final purpose in the King.

As the memories of the past months flowed through his mind, he remembered the warning of the Silent Warrior in the forest outside Chessington. That had been the beginning of their captivity. But he also remembered the Silent Warrior's words about the duration of their captivity—seventy weeks. Leinad's soberness turned to anticipation when he realized that their time of captivity was nearly fulfilled.

Leinad became aware of a presence behind him. He turned to see a large man kneeling beside him.

“Leinad,” the man said in a hushed tone while staring into the water, “tonight Daydelon will be overtaken. You must get word to the people to stay within their homes. Tell them not to fight, for Kergon's enemies have no quarrel with the King's people. They do not want slaves; they want the wealth of the city and to kill Kergon. Tomorrow you will all be free.”

The man promptly stood and left without giving Leinad
any opportunity for questions. It seemed to be the style of the King's messengers.

That night, a large and silent force gathered outside the grand gates of Daydelon. A smaller force of men entered the river that flowed under the city wall and swam beneath the surface to gain access to the city. Once inside, they quietly overpowered the gate guards and opened the doors for the waiting army.

Kergon's slumbering army and citizens were taken, and before the break of dawn of the next day, Kergon lay dead. The mighty reign of the Kessons was over. Daydelon's precious treasures were looted, and those residents who resisted were killed.

Leinad petitioned Drasius, the commander of the conquering army, to allow his people to leave. Drasius was more than willing, for slaves were only a burden to an army looking for gold and silver.

W
ITHIN A FEW DAYS, MOST OF
the people of Chessington were en route back to their beloved valley. Some chose to stay in Daydelon, for they had grown accustomed to the city and to the lifestyle of the Kessons.

For those who rejoiced at their freedom and longed to return home, their joy was turned to sorrow many days later when they entered the Chessington Valley and beheld their city. Chessington lay in ruins, and nothing of value remained, save the noble few who had endured the
constant raids that a city without defenses invited.

Leinad felt the heaviness of his own heart and tried to overcome it with words of encouragement and promise to the people.

“People of Chessington, do not despair,” he urged. “The King is with us … we are His people. One day He will bring peace to Arrethtrae. There will be no more slavery, no more fighting, no more thirsting, and no more hunger. The King did not leave us; we left the King. Let us resolve in our hearts never to leave the King again. Let us resolve to follow the Code forevermore. Let this day be known in all of Arrethtrae as the day that the people of Chessington did not falter—the day we rose above the ashes of a destroyed city and stood firm.

“Let us raise up an army of noble warriors to defend our city. Warriors who swear to follow and uphold the Code. These warriors will be called the Noble Knights and will be your protection and your guide. We will build our city again. We will stand tall in the valley once again!”

The people were moved by Leinad's passionate words and rallied on the crest of the hill that looked down into the valley. Though their road ahead would be difficult, it was theirs alone to journey.

They were a hearty people who had endured much. Their tenacity to survive against all odds had established their hearts in the King's land. Their folly had been in believing the deception of those who hated the King.

But all along, they had known the right path, and this time they believed they could follow it.

THE PROMISE

Once back in the city, Leinad went to the palace and descended the steps into the prison cell where he and Tess had spent most of the battle with the Kessons over a year earlier. He pulled the loose brick from the corner and hoped he would discover his treasure. There lay the beautiful sword Gabrik had given him many years before. He pulled his sword from the dirt alcove and felt whole once again.

The months passed, and Leinad was true to his word. He trained an army of noble men who were true in deed and in heart to the King and the Code. Under his masterful swordsmanship training, the Noble Knights became feared among all bandits and thieves that attempted to raid Chessington. All of these gallant men swore their allegiance to the King and to Him only. Leinad was careful to instill the principles of loyalty, honesty, integrity, courage, and humility into his training of the Noble Knights. These were the principles of
the Code. These were the principles the Noble Knights lived and died by.

Chessington was now protected and was in the process of being rebuilt. It would take years to attain the glory of the golden years they had once enjoyed under Quinn's rule. However, the people persevered. It was a time to rediscover their identity with the King.

Tess and Audric were instrumental in helping Leinad restore the order of the Code and in training the Noble Knights. Tess's skill with the sword quickly won the respect of the knights. Any who might ridicule her were immediately silenced once they felt the sting of defeat beneath her swift blade. She also proved herself in battle many times against the various bands of thieves that tried to loot the city.

Leinad chose Audric to lead the Noble Knights, for his experience was the greatest among the men, and Leinad knew that his heart belonged completely to the King.

“Leinad,” Audric protested when he learned of Leinad's decision, “you are the one to lead the Noble Knights, not I.”

Leinad, Tess, and Audric stood in the middle of the square after a training session with the Noble Knights. The coolness of the late afternoon air marked the change of seasons in the land.

“No, Audric,” Leinad said. “I will never accept the leadership of the people. It is not my mission. I will guide, admonish, and encourage them, but I will never be their ruler.”

Audric crossed his arms, and his gentle eyes were partially obscured by his furrowed eyebrows. He looked as though he was seriously considering opposing a decision of Leinad's for the first time ever.