Kingdom's Reign (13 page)

“Brenton!” I commanded. “Take two men and make a break for Elttaes!” I shouted above the yells and crashing steel. Elttaes was not too far for a horse at full gallop. This battle would not last long, but at least there was a chance.

“No need, sir. Look!” He pointed to the line of trees.

From the road in the trees to Elttaes came the delicious sight of our rescue. Cullen broke through first, followed by fifteen knights with swords drawn and ready for battle.

Although we were still outnumbered, the fight quickly turned in our favor. Soon there were fewer of them than us. The skill of the Knights of the Prince far surpassed that of any band of renegades. They fell into retreat, but we pursued. It was not enough just to survive—we owed the people of
the kingdom freedom from the likes of men such as these. William, Talea, and a few men stayed behind to care for our wounded.

“Cullen,” I called and pointed toward the enemy leader as he entered the trees. He nodded, and we focused our attention on him. After a feverish chase through the trees, we surrounded the man and ordered him to disarm and dismount. I commanded the man to be bound and began questioning him.

“Who are you?” I asked. The man's only reply was a disdainful look and silence.

“Why do you fight against the Prince and His knights?” I was angry, for some of my men were wounded if not dead because of him. At the mention of the Prince, the man spit at me and cursed.

“Your Prince claims to bring freedom to Arrethtrae, but it is not freedom for everyone … only for
His
people!” he replied.

I restrained myself. “The Prince wants the best for all. Only those who work evil deeds are imprisoned and punished.”

“Then you admit that there is not freedom for everyone?”

I shook my head. “The freedom you talk of would deny others their freedom. That is anarchy and brings destruction to the kingdom,” I replied, trying to quell the anger that was rising within me.

“There is no difference, for the Prince imprisons those who refuse His rule … and there are many!” The man glared at me with hatred in his eyes. “I want the freedom Histen offered.”

“The freedom you talk of is self-serving and brings destruction and devastation to those who are not powerful enough to defend themselves. The freedom of the Prince is selfless and brings goodness to everyone … no matter how weak or poor they might be. Only those who are wicked of heart will stand against the Prince, because they are full of pride, arrogance, and selfishness. You and those like you would not hesitate to harm and even kill others to get what you want.” My anger became evident in my voice as I leaned closer to this rebellious man's face. “What you do not understand is that someone will always be more powerful than you, and one day he will destroy you to get what he wants. Your freedom is not freedom at all—it is bondage! Those who support Histen are fools who cannot see beyond their own petty lusts!”

I backed away, looked at the man, and let my anger subside.
He did not speak, but I could see the loathing in his eyes. I gazed upon him in pity and bewilderment—how could a heart be so cold and deny things so good? His twisted and despising frown was broken only by a repetition of foolish words full of cursing. I questioned him further to attempt to discover the whereabouts of his men, but he was insolent and made it very clear that he would not cooperate.

“You will be taken to Chessington, where you will stand before the Prince to be judged according to your deeds,” I ordered.

The encounter with this man troubled my spirit, for only now was I beginning to understand the depth of wickedness a man's heart could attain. Even under the blessing of a just and noble King, where peace was promised and good health was available for all, where the spirit of brotherhood was desired and prosperity thrived, some hearts refused to yield the evil they clutched so tightly. This was a sad realization—that even in paradise, serpents lingered.

On our return back to the clearing, I had an opportunity to thank Cullen. “You saved us, Cullen. How did you know to come?”

“You said you would follow us a day later, but you didn't arrive,” he said. “I could only assume that you ran into problems, so we came to offer help.”

“We were delayed when we stopped to help a young woman. Your timing was impeccable, sir,” I said. “Did Elttaes greet you well?”

“Yes, quite,” he said soberly.

“Your family?” I could tell from his tone that his discovery had not been favorable.

“No one is left, Cedric. Histen's devastation was far-reaching,” he stated.

I touched his arm. “I'm sorry, Cullen … I truly am sorry. How is Keely doing?”

“She'll be all right—with time.”

We arrived back at the clearing with the leader and four other prisoners. I hurried to my fallen men while Cullen and Brenton took care of the prisoners. None of my men were dead, but William and Kendra were attending one who had taken a thrust to his chest. It was serious, but the Life Spice was strong in all of us, and it was working quickly within this man.

William worked to stop the loss of blood. “Kendra, please fetch my water flask on my horse,” he said. She quickly walked the few paces to retrieve it.

Cullen walked over to check on the men. “How are they doing?” he asked.

Kendra's back was to us, but I heard her gasp. She dropped the water flask. As she turned around, her face was pale and her mouth had dropped open.

“Cullen!”

Cullen hesitated, and then his eyes became wide with excitement. “Kendra!”

They ran and embraced each other tightly. Both of them began to weep. Our realization of what was happening was
slow but no less shocking. Cullen and Kendra were brother and sister! The odds were a million to one against it, but here we were, witnessing the impossible.

“Keely … what about Keely?” Kendra asked frantically.

“She is fine, Kendra. She's in Elttaes. You will see her soon!” Cullen said with a smile as big as I'd ever seen on him.

Kendra told Cullen of the fate of their parents, and it hurt him terribly, but the joy of seeing Kendra alive was great consolation.

We carefully transported our wounded to Elttaes and rested there for a number of days. We welcomed the respite and enjoyed seeing the reunion of Kendra and Keely. For Cullen and his sisters, it was a time of great rejoicing.

LEINAD AND TESS

After leaving Cameria, Talea and I journeyed from region to region and city to city helping to establish the Prince's selected prefects and governors. Brenton and his twenty-five knights traveled with us, for there was still an occasional skirmish with Histen loyalists.

We arrived in Daydelon many weeks later and enjoyed a time of fellowship and rest with Leinad and Tess. Leinad's duties were especially challenging since Daydelon was one of the largest cities to be governed, and he had the added responsibility of guarding the prisoners from the entire kingdom.

Talea and I ate a wonderful meal at their palace while Brenton and the men benefited from the comforts and amenities such a city had to offer. After the meal, we all took a walk by the river that ran through the midst of the city. It was a favorite place for both Leinad and Tess. We enjoyed sharing the peaceful stroll with them as Leinad took us to the place
where a Silent Warrior had visited him when he was a prisoner of Kergon's so many years ago. I enjoyed seeing the place that had only been an image in my mind from Leinad's stories. Talea walked ahead, arm in arm with Leinad, as Tess and I sat upon a bench beneath a shade tree near the river's edge.

“When Talea was a child, she used to beg me to see her father,” Tess said as we looked down the walkway toward them. I saw Talea lay her head briefly on Leinad's shoulder.

“Was it hard raising her without him?” I asked

“She was a delightful girl … full of energy,” Tess replied. “It was hard being unable to share her with the one I loved. I could see Leinad in her face every time she smiled. It was also hard not knowing what to tell her, for I did not know exactly what the future held.”

“You did a wonderful job, Lady Tess,” I said. “Talea is a talented and tough lady.”

Tess smiled at me. “Perhaps too tough, Cedric?” she asked as she raised her eyebrows. She must have seen my perplexed look.

“I can see that you have feelings for her, Cedric.”

I could feel my cheeks color slightly. I considered denying it, but she continued.

“Please be patient with her … The Silent Warriors took Talea under their tutelage—they so enjoyed her zeal for a challenge. Yutan became a father to her when Leinad could not. She learned their ways and, I'm afraid, their ability to fulfill their missions without emotion. They are, shall we say, elusive—wouldn't you agree?”

Elusive … that's Talea
, I thought.

“You are part of her mission, Cedric. In order to fulfill her mission, she can't—won't—allow much more than an elusive friendship.”

I thought about what she was saying, and it made a lot of sense. It helped me understand Talea so much better. Part of the mystery of this woman was solved.

I looked at Tess. “Thank you, Lady Tess. I have struggled with understanding Talea since the day I met her, and yet I can't help but be drawn to her. She is a special woman.”

“That she is, Cedric. The Prince saw something unique in her from the beginning. That is why she is with you as your assistant. Your mission is vitally important during these formative years of the new kingdom, and He knew your challenges would be many.”

“She has been invaluable indeed,” I replied. “I am continually amazed at how well she can discern people and even situations, but oddly enough, she doesn't seem to know me at all. Why is that, Lady Tess?”

Tess smiled again and placed her hand on my arm. “That, my dear Cedric, is something you must figure out on your own.” She stood up from the bench, and I rose too. “Shall we catch up with them?” Tess motioned toward Leinad and Talea.