by Chuck Black
As we walked, Lucius and the armies of the cities encompassed the Beloved City of the King and the Knights of the Prince, intending to bring battle to the valley once again. Great were the numbers of the evil army that surrounded us—like the sands of the sea. We broke from the northern edge of the courtyard, a fair distance up the valley, as our fellow warriors positioned themselves around the perimeter of thousands of frightened people.
It was a peculiar feeling. Ten years earlier, in the same valley with many of the same warriors, a similar battle had been fought—only we had been in the hills with the element of surprise to our advantage. I had hoped it would be the battle to end all battles, but today was proving me wrong.
The Prince and our small band of knights broke from the people and continued twenty paces into the open country of the higher valley—and waited.
“Have faith, My knights,” was all that the Prince said. Once again I was in the company of heroes. These men and women were the emblem of the Code the kingdom had lived by for many years. It was an honor to stand with them this hour … even if it would be our last.
We did not have to wait long, for Lucius’s confidence in his victory negated any need for a surprise attack. They came from the east, they came from the west, and they came from the north. It looked so hopeless. Not even the Silent Warriors were with us.
Lucius marched south down the valley to meet the Prince. Those who followed him seemed to stretch forever. As he neared our position, he halted his forces some forty paces away. He broke from the mass with five of his Shadow Warriors by his side and approached the Prince. They dismounted and covered the remaining few paces.
Here before us stood the epitome of wickedness. I remembered facing Lucius many years ago in the streets of Chessington just before the Prince called us home. The vengeful wrath that shone upon his face today was more ferocious than ever before. I supposed the years in the pits of the Wasteland had taken the bitter heart of an evil warrior and seared the lust for revenge even deeper into his every fiber. He bore the deep scar of his previous encounter with the Prince … a scar that had never let him forget his failure.
The Prince of all that was good stood face-to-face with the prince of all that was evil.
“You have no escape … Your destruction is in my hand!” Lucius said with vehemence as he clenched his fist to emphasize his words.
“Your arrogance has always been your weakness, Lucius. And it will be your destruction,” the Prince replied. His voice was stern but amazingly calm.
This enraged Lucius—he seemed desperate to force the Prince to yield.
Lucius’s face crinkled in an expression of hatred. “Bow before me, and I will kill you and only half of these pitiful Followers of yours. If you do not, I will not leave one beating heart in this valley or in all of Chessington!”
“I will not bow before you, nor will you draw one drop of blood from any of My people.” The Prince’s voice began to rise, and His wrath began to emanate so powerfully from His being that Lucius cowered for a brief instant, and his men stepped back. Even now, with all odds against the Prince, they still feared Him.
“In your contorted mind you believe you are free, Lucius, but you are actually a prisoner of your own future—a future that will end today!” the Prince said fiercely.
Lucius recovered and sneered at the Prince. He spoke loudly for all to hear. “Look to the hills! What I see is your destruction—not mine!” he bellowed.
The Prince glared at Lucius with eyes that burned like fire. “Yes, Lucius. Look to the hills—your judgment draws nigh!”
The Prince pointed upward to a ridge just east of Chessington, where Lucius’s forces were not. There, upon a gallant white stallion, was the form of a lone Man carrying a longbow and one flaming arrow. He could not be mistaken for any other, for His form was too majestic. It was the King! He rode His steed along the ridge of the valley and into the forces of Lucius. They parted like the wake behind a ship to allow His passage until He sat abreast of our position in the lower valley. I glanced at Lucius—the arrogance and vengeance in his face had turned to consternation.
The King drew back His bow and let fly the single arrow. Every eye in the valley watched the fiery arrow fly toward us. It arced high across the evil army and plunged into the soft soil but a few paces to our right. The flame extinguished immediately. Then very slowly, something strange began to emanate from the head of the embedded arrow. Like the oozing of blood from a wound, a bright, fire-red substance began to spread across the lush ground. It seemed to devour the grass and Life Spice plants—gaining momentum with each passing moment. I saw Tess grab Leinad with a fearful look upon her face.
“Vactors!” she whispered. Leinad looked anxious too.
“What is this?” Lucius exclaimed and looked at the Prince.
“Vactors of Fire, Lucius, and your judgment,” He replied.
The Shadow Warriors standing with Lucius stepped backward in sheer panic, away from the spreading fire-red mass.
The Prince turned to us. “Do not fear. You have been sealed to the King through the bitter wine. Stand still.” His calm voice helped, but the panic so evident in Lucius and the Shadow Warriors was unnerving.
Lucius and his men ran toward their horses as the leading edge of the Vactors of Fire reached the feet of the Prince. They did not touch His feet but bypassed and continued to spread at an incredible speed. I reached for Talea’s hand as the Vactors of Fire neared us … and passed on. Like a rock thrown in a still lake creates ripples that flow outward, the Vactors of Fire spread outward from the arrow. A pungent orange fog rose up from the consumption of the vegetation. The fire-red color of the Vactors combined with the rising fog gave the impression that fire was burning up the valley.
Lucius was the first to feel the torment of the King’s judgment. The Vactors of Fire reached his feet and began to envelop his legs. He screamed and turned to face the Prince one last time. He fell to his knees with a clenched fist in the air and a curse on his lips … and then he was gone!
The Vactors of Fire reached the front edge of Lucius’s army and consumed them without a moment of hesitation. Soon the entire army was in complete hysteria, but there was no escape. They had come in rebellion against the Prince and the King. It was hard to watch their demise, but it was their own doing. The Vactors of Fire raced across the valley, consuming everything and everyone in their path—except those who had been sealed to the King by drinking the bitter wine. They spread in all directions to the uttermost parts of the kingdom, and then the episode ended as quickly as it had begun. When all had been consumed, the fire-red color of the Vactors faded to a dull gray, and the pungent orange fog slowly dissipated.
The King rode His steed down the valley to the stunned people below and dismounted near the Prince. The majesty of the King and His Son overwhelmed us. This was the end of one kingdom and the beginning of another. We stood here before Them, saved and alive, simply because They loved us. The entire valley full of people knelt before Them unified in awe and adoration. He was our King … We were His people.
The King placed His hand on His Son’s shoulder.
“It’s time to take Our people home, Son,” He said, with love and admiration in His eyes.
The Prince placed His hand upon the King’s.
“Yes, Father … Let Us take them home, where We will live with them forever, and there will be no more sorrow!”
The King lifted His hands to the sky. “Rise up, faithful servants of the King,” He exclaimed for all to hear. “Rise up and be glad, for I will take you to a new kingdom!”
Leinad stood, raised his sword high in the air, and shouted. “The King reigns … and His Son!”
The Chessington Valley erupted in unison. “The King reigns … and His Son!”
The people rejoiced, and I embraced all of my fellow brothers and sisters in victory. Lucius and his Shadow Warriors were gone—it was finally over!
I found Talea and pulled her close to me.
I kissed her, and she embraced me. Victory was sweet—as was our newfound love for each other.
THE FINAL KINGDOM
The King and the Prince led us to the waiting armada of ships in the Chessington harbor. The Silent Warriors searched the entire kingdom for any others of those sealed to the King, including the people of Norwex, and brought them to the docks.
We are sailing to a new kingdom, where a New Chessington awaits us. It is our final voyage to the ultimate kingdom. The King promises new life and adventure that we cannot imagine. My life has already been an adventure of wonder, for the King and the Prince brought me from the depths of peasantry to the heights of nobility. Without the Prince, I was empty and without hope, but now I am a fellow heir of the new kingdom. I became a Knight of the Prince because I believed in Him. It is a faith I will never let go of, for His love for me is endless. His love for you is endless too … Do you believe?
The King reigns … and His Son!
Discussion Questions
To further facilitate the understanding of the biblical allegory of this series, a few discussion questions and answers are provided below.
CHAPTER 1
1. The Great Sea represents the separation between heaven and earth. On his voyage to the Kingdom Across the Sea, Cedric meets Cullen of the United Cities of Cameria. What does Cameria represent?
2. Cedric explains that Cameria stood strong with Chessington when times became difficult. In what way is this an allegory for today?
CHAPTER 2
1. When Cedric arrives at the Kingdom Across the Sea, he is reunited with his friends. They cannot enter the great city because the Silent Warriors are guarding the entrance. Only the Prince is deemed worthy to enter. Find a passage in Revelation where only Jesus is worthy to accomplish a task.
2. Cedric and the rest of the people could only come to the King by trusting in the Prince. What Bible verse tells us that the only way to the Father is through Jesus?
CHAPTER 3
1. The Prince has prepared a home for each of His Followers. What Bible passage promises a home in heaven for each believer?
2. All of the Followers of the Prince are invited to partake in a grand feast. This is symbolic of a great supper that is to take place in heaven, described in Revelation 19:7–9. Can you find a parable that Jesus taught concerning a great supper?
3. In this chapter, Cedric is surprised to discover that not only is Leinad still alive, but he looks young again. Leinad explains that the Life Spice has restored his body. What does the Life Spice represent here?
CHAPTER 4
1. In this chapter we finally learn the mysterious identity of Talea. Who does she represent?
CHAPTER 5
1. The Prince continues to teach and train the Knights of the Prince. He warns Cedric that “the most dangerous threat of evil is when it seems to be absent.” This foreshadows the rebellion yet to come. Why is this statement so true even today? Find Scripture to back up your answers.
2. This chapter tells of Lucius’s reign of terror in the kingdom under the pseudonym of Alexander Histen. What time in Bible prophecy does this represent?
3. Read Hosea 6:1–3 and Hosea 14:1–7, and describe how this parallels when Gabrik relays the repentant words of the citizens of Chessington to the King and the Prince.
CHAPTER 6
1. The Prince and His army travel to defend Chessington against Lucius and all those who serve him. Can you find Bible verses that talk about Jesus’ returning with His saints to defend Jerusalem?
2. Which great biblical battle is represented in this chapter?
3. Read Philippians 2:10–11, and describe which scene in this chapter is used to symbolize this biblical event.
CHAPTER 7
1. What does the Wasteland represent?
2. The Prince begins to rule in Arrethtrae. What does this symbolize biblically?
3. The Prince gives authority to His faithful knights to help Him rule in the kingdom. Can you find any Scripture to support this?
CHAPTER 8
1. Cedric tells us that Cullen’s good attitude helped the other Knights of the Prince overcome their feelings of apprehension. Have you ever encouraged someone who was afraid to obey God?
2. Cedric encourages the knights in leadership to gain the trust and respect of the people they rule. Why do you think this is wise?
3. Cedric and William enjoy a close relationship that surpasses even that of brothers. Why do you think this is? What does this represent, and can you think of a Bible verse that talks about such a relationship?
CHAPTER 9
1. In this chapter, Cedric teases Talea about her greater age, and Talea replies that she has lived her whole life where age is irrelevant. What is the significance of her statement?
2. Kendra tells the story about how her brother and younger sister became Followers of the Prince, which caused a great division in their family. Later in her story she says she doesn’t know what happened to her siblings. What does this symbolize?
3. Earlier in Kingdom’s Reign, a terrifying creature called a scynth attacks the crew of Cedric’s ship. Now we learn more about this beast. From the book of Revelation, can you find what this creature might represent?
4. Cedric and Cullen apprehend the leader of the vicious warriors that attacked the procession of knights. Cedric is initially angry with the man because of his words against the kind of freedom the Prince offers. However, Cedric later pities the man because of his ignorance. One of the great paradoxes of Christianity is that you are most free when you surrender your life to Christ. Have you ever completely surrendered to Christ?
CHAPTER 10
1. In the beginning of this chapter, we read that there are occasional skirmishes with Histen loyalists. What does this symbolize, and why is this significant?
CHAPTER 11
1. Cedric journeys to Chessington to see the Prince. During their visit, the Prince asks Cedric how he is faring in his performance as a knight. When Cedric says he has continued his training, the Prince responds, “Knighthood is in the heart and in the mind.” What does this mean?
2. What do you think is significant about the bitter wine?
CHAPTER 12
1. In this chapter, Cedric and Talea duel. What does this symbolize?
2. Cedric realizes that the King gave Arrethtraens the right to choose evil or good. Why do you think the King allowed His people to choose for themselves? What does this represent, and what does it mean for us?
CHAPTER 13
1. In this chapter we finally learn what the secret meetings were all about. What major biblical event is allegorized in this chapter?
2. Why does Jaret choose Alexander Histen over the Prince?
CHAPTER 14
1. Cedric states that “the wicked heart of man” aided in the release of the King’s enemies from the Wasteland. Find some Bible verses that talk about the nature of humankind without Jesus.
CHAPTER 15
1. What is the importance of Cedric and Talea’s encounter with the scynths?
CHAPTER 16
1. Find the verses in Revelation that are symbolized by Lucius and his evil army surrounding Chessington.
2. What is the significance of the Vactors of Fire? Why does the King use them to execute His judgment on Arrethtrae? What does this symbolize?
CHAPTER 17
1. What does New Chessington symbolize?
2. The Kingdom Series is exciting because it is an allegory of the greatest story ever told. However, what is even more exciting is that this story isn’t just a story. Everything in the Bible is true. Therefore, not only can you enjoy the drama of this fictional story, you can also be a true follower of Jesus Christ in reality. So I ask just as Cedric did: do you believe?
ANSWERS TO DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
CHAPTER 1
1. The United States of America.
2. The United States and Great Britain played key roles in reestablishing Israel as a nation after World War II,
a significant fulfillment of biblical prophecy. Since then, these nations have supported and helped protect God’s chosen people through much adversity.
CHAPTER 2
1. In Revelation 5:1–7, God holds a book that is sealed, and an angel asks, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” No man was found worthy in heaven or on earth except for Jesus.
2. John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
CHAPTER 3
1. John 14:2–3.
2. Luke 14:16–24. In this parable the master of the house invites everyone to come, but only a few do.
3. The Life Spice represents God’s power over all life in the universe—from the power to heal here on earth to the redemption of our bodies by the Resurrection, as stated in Romans 8:23.
CHAPTER 4
1. Talea represents the children who died in the womb.
CHAPTER 5
1. First Peter 5:8 tells us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” Lions sneak up on their prey and pounce on them when they least expect it. Therefore, we should never become lackadaisical in our walk of faith.
2. The rise to power of the Antichrist as described in Revelation.
3. Many Bible verses foretell how the Jews will return to the Lord in the last days and finally accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
CHAPTER 6
1. Revelation 19:11–16 and Zechariah 14. There are many others.
2. The battle of Armageddon.