by Chuck Black
The week prior to the wedding was full of festival and celebration. Lady Moradiah brought fifty of her personal knights with her to Chessington as well as many attendants and friends.
Leinad rejoiced with his friend, but something disquieted his spirit, and he was reserved in his participation in the festivities. Though celebration was in the air, Leinad’s heart became heavy.
“My dear friend, Leinad!” Quinn exclaimed as Leinad entered the great hall during the final preparations. They embraced for a moment.
“It is good to see you, Quinn,” Leinad said with as much smile as he could muster.
“And you! Are you enjoying the celebrations?”
“Of course. It looks like your wedding will be the event of the decade. Quinn …” Leinad hesitated.
“I know that look, Leinad. Tell me what is on your mind.”
Quinn put his arm around Leinad and pulled him into a walk down the great hall. Tomorrow was the day, and the hall was decorated with vibrantly colored banners, flowers, and greenery. Tables were being prepared with regal cloths and ornate centerpieces.
“Does Moradiah have a heart for the King?” Leinad asked.
“Of course she does,” Quinn said with a broad smile. “No, no.” He stopped and spoke to a servant. “The musical instruments will be over there. Move that table and prepare it.” Quinn turned back to face Leinad. “I hope you will not have such a heavy heart on my wedding day, dear friend.”
Leinad smiled slightly.
Moradiah entered the far end of the hall with some servants following her. She issued some orders, and they quickly became busy arranging various items in the hall.
“Moradiah, come and greet our friend, Leinad.”
She approached them with all the grace of a queen. She was very beautiful. Leinad bowed and lightly kissed the hand she offered him.
“Hello, Leinad.” Her voice was appealing and slightly lower in tone than most ladies. She smiled and dropped her gaze to Leinad’s feet. Then she slowly brought her eyes up to meet his.
Leinad blushed slightly. “My lady,” he said with a nod. She made him uncomfortable in more ways than one.
“I trust you are enjoying yourself?” she asked.
“How could one not enjoy all the celebration that surrounds us,” Leinad said. “I must be on my way, however. I am due for a lesson with the knights.”
“We shall see you tomorrow then,” Quinn said.
On his way out of the palace, Leinad passed two of Lady Moradiah’s personal knights. He nodded a greeting, but they only glared at him in return. They were fierce-looking men. Life was about to change in Chessington. Leinad could feel it.
THE POMP AND CEREMONY of the next day were beyond anything the people had ever experienced. The Knights of Chessington were dressed in their regal apparel, and the ladies wore gowns that were the envy of country wild-flowers. Even Tess wore a beautiful gown that framed her true beauty. For most, the day was a celebration of grand proportions.
The wedding was grandiose and took place in the early afternoon. Afterward, the palace, the square, and most of the city were filled with music, dancing, food, and drink. In the palace hall, the celebration continued for hours, and Leinad did his best to appear celebratory.
Toward evening, he left the hall to search for some solitude. He passed four of Lady Moradiah’s knights and three giggling young ladies. The effects of strong wine enticed them to folly. Leinad found some retreat in the palace garden. His smile faded, and the heaviness he was fighting returned.
A few moments later, his thoughts were interrupted by a familiar gentle voice.
“What is bothering you, Leinad?”
Tess gracefully walked toward Leinad. He turned to greet her and suddenly became aware of how beautiful she was. It was rare to see her wearing such an elegant gown. Her long hair was loosed from the braid she usually wore, and it flowed freely around her shoulders. Though she was not primped and fitted with expensive jewelry like the rest of the ladies, she did not need it. The kindness and loyalty in her heart radiated more beauty than any exterior ornamental trappings. For a moment, Leinad felt strange inside.
“You look beautiful, Tess,” he said somewhat dazed.
Tess blushed and lowered her eyes.
“I’m sorry … I didn’t mean to …” he stammered.
“It’s all right, Leinad. Thank you,” she said and gently touched his arm. “Are you all right?”
Leinad looked away. “No, Tess. I can’t shake this feeling of dread. Something is wrong. I don’t trust Moradiah or her knights.”
“Yes, I feel it too,” Tess said. “But what can be done?”
“I don’t know. I’ve talked to Quinn a number of times, but I’m afraid he has become blinded by his love for Moradiah.”
“She makes me the most uncomfortable of all,” Tess said with a slight scowl on her face.
Leinad felt reaffirmed by Tess, but he did not like to see her as troubled as he was.
“Say, I haven’t had the pleasure of dancing with you yet. May I?” He held out his arm for her.
She smiled and took his arm. “I’d be delighted.”
On their way back to the hall, the four knights of Moradiah accosted them.
“Hey, pretty lady, why don’t you come and spend some time with us?” one asked in a repulsive manner. The others laughed.
“Watch your manners, gentlemen!” Leinad said.
“We’ll do as we please with you or the lady,” the knight said, emboldened by the wine in his blood and the number of his friends. They reached for their swords.
Leinad stepped between the men and Tess. “Your words dishonor the lady, the Code, and the King!”
“Your Code and your King we do not have nor do we want, but give us the lady and you may pass without feeling the steel of our swords!”
They began to draw their swords, but before the tips had cleared their scabbards, Leinad’s sword was at the throat of the leader. Shock was on his face for the speed at which Leinad responded to their threat. The four of them froze with swords half-drawn.
“Return your swords and disband, or your friend will find it difficult to swallow any more wine,” Leinad said.
The leader nodded slightly against the sharp edge of Leinad’s blade, and the others backed away and disappeared down the hall. Leinad withdrew his sword from the throat of the man but did not sheath it. The man scowled at Leinad and retreated down the hallway.
Leinad turned and faced Tess. There was no fear in her eyes, just deep concern.
“The problem with wearing a gown is that it clashes with a sword,” she said.
IN THE GREAT HALL, SPEECHES and toasts were being offered. Quinn offered one to the everlasting love he had for his new bride. He encouraged her to speak a toast of her own.
“The city of Chessington is truly a great city,” she said
Acclamations of “Hear, hear!” rang throughout the hall.
“And I am honored to be a part of your noble heritage. Your lord, my husband—” Moradiah reached for Quinn, and he took her hand with a smile on his lips—“is the greatest lord in the entire kingdom!”
More acclamations followed. She reveled in the praise.
“Together we will build a kingdom that will span from coast to coast. My knights will join yours, and the power of Chessington will be unmatched by any army in history.” Her voice rose in volume to bring emphasis to her words. “I will be queen, and Quinn will be king!”
All of the people in the hall rose to their feet in cheers, roused by the spirited words of Moradiah. Quinn stood with his new wife, and they raised their hands in self-glorification.
“No!” came the powerful voice of one man. “Quinn, this is blasphemous!” Leinad shouted above the rest of the noise.
The hall became hushed, and Moradiah’s beautiful face turned to fierce anger at his rebuttal.
“There is only one King in Arrethtrae!” All of Leinad’s restraint was broken by Moradiah’s words.
His zeal for the Code and for the King empowered his words and thoughts. “The knights of Moradiah do not follow the Code and do not serve the King. To join them to us is against all we believe in and work for!”
Moradiah’s anger turned to rage. “My knights are mighty and strong. They do not need the Code to build an empire for us, and they can quiet your insolent tongue as well!”
Quinn tried to soothe both Leinad and Moradiah but to no avail.
“Bring your best to the square tomorrow,” Leinad said. “Let the people judge whether the King’s sword is able to overcome the treachery of your knights!”
“They will be there!” Moradiah exclaimed.
Leinad and Tess left the hall as Quinn tried to recapture the festive spirit of the wedding celebration. Leinad paused on the steps outside the palace and looked at its magnificent structure. Tess stopped beside him. Fury was in his eyes.
“For the love of a woman he has turned his back on the King and the Code,” Leinad said. “Now he leads the people astray as well. The golden days in Chessington are over, Tess.”
Darkness fell upon Chessington that night. It was a darkness that would eventually fill the lives of all.
KERGON AND THE KESSONS
The next afternoon, Leinad rode into the square and dismounted. It was already nearly full of people. Leinad walked to the center of the square, where a young oak tree had recently been planted.
Audric and Tess were waiting, concern written on their faces. Leinad was relieved that Tess did not try to talk him out of facing Moradiah’s knights. He knew she understood that it was more than a contest between men; it was a contest between principles and beliefs. Those are the battles worth fighting for since they determine the future of peoples, cities, and kingdoms.
Moradiah and her knights arrived shortly thereafter, but Quinn was absent. No matter the outcome, he would stand to lose the most, and Leinad suspected his absence signified the anguish in his heart.
As Leinad went to address Moradiah, Tess and Audric joined him with swords at their sides.
Leinad stopped. “I will not allow you to jeopardize your lives. This contest is the King’s, not yours.”
“You are a servant of the King, and so are we,” Tess said. “Therefore, the contest is ours as well.”
Leinad sighed and crossed his arms over his chest. “Please withdraw. I need to face them alone in order to stay focused. You will only hinder me.” He felt bad saying these words, but he did not want them to be hurt because of his challenge.
Audric placed his hand on Leinad’s shoulder. “Give the word, and we will be at your side.”
Leinad was thankful for his faithful friends and wondered if they were the only ones in all of Chessington who would stand with him that day. Tess and Audric withdrew, and Leinad faced Moradiah and her fierce knights alone.
“I fight for the King and for the Code He gave us to live by. My sword is His sword. My life is His life. Without the King and without the Code, the sword will ultimately bring destruction to those who wield it. Thus the challenge is given!”
Moradiah’s knights were more thugs than knights. Leinad wondered how many raids they themselves had instigated. Whether thugs or knights, they were large, muscular, and no doubt skilled with the sword.
Moradiah spoke. “Beloved people of Chessington! Leinad has robbed you of the pleasures of life for far too long. This King and the Code he speaks of are but a fairy tale meant to keep you under his control and to keep you from enjoying life without restraint. I will free you! The death of Leinad will initiate the beginning of a new age in Chessington … an age of enticing life like you have never experienced before!”
The people seemed taken with Moradiah. Though angered, Leinad was amazed at how Moradiah’s words flowed like sweet honey from the comb. He could tell that they were like delicious morsels to most of the people listening.
Leinad drew his sword, and the first knight engaged him. Leinad was too angry to play the gentleman. The knight’s blows were hard but reckless. Leinad attacked with great speed and precision. Within a moment, the knight was kneeling on the ground, bleeding from his side and unable to continue. He cursed at Leinad, still unwilling to yield in his defeat.
Leinad turned to face Moradiah’s next ruthless knight. She did not seem concerned and motioned for him to engage Leinad. Again Leinad quickly defeated the knight, but it was soon clear that he faced not only the skill of the knights, but also the conniving strategy of an ambitious and wicked woman. Each knight was stronger and more skilled than the previous. Moradiah was saving her best knights for last, thus allowing them to study Leinad at length while he expended the best of his energies on the weaker knights.
Although Leinad had no doubt that it was Moradiah’s intent not only to defeat him but also to kill him, he did not kill his defeated foes. Those he could not disarm, he wounded enough to incapacitate them. It was not in his heart to needlessly kill, not even these scoundrels.
The fights wore on until only two of Moradiah’s knights remained. Three abandoned swords lay on the ground from the previous duels.
Moradiah was clearly becoming agitated as each of her knights was removed from the courtyard to be bandaged. She called the last two knights over and spoke a few hushed words to them.
When the first knight came to face Leinad, hatred burned in his eyes. They engaged, and their swords flew with tremendous speed and power. Leinad blocked a cut from the left with the flat of his sword and countered with a cut from the right. The knight blocked Leinad’s sword and followed with a quick thrust toward Leinad’s chest. Leinad parried at the last moment, but the tip of the sword cut his tunic on the left shoulder.
Leinad was tiring, and he knew that this man was fresh and fueled by the words of hatred Moradiah had spoken in his ears. Leinad refocused his thoughts and called on his final reserves of strength.
The knight could not withstand the onslaught of incredibly swift cuts and blows brought down upon him. He was in full retreat and stumbled backward to the ground just as Leinad heard a warning cry.
“Behind you, Leinad!” Tess screamed and drew her sword, but she was too far from the fight to impede the last knight, who was attacking Leinad from behind. Moradiah had signaled him to engage Leinad even though the current duel was not over. It was a treacherous attempt to win at any cost.
Leinad turned his head just in time to see a deadly cut speeding toward him from behind. In an instant, he fell to the ground and rolled on his back. The sword passed above Leinad as he rolled behind the attacking knight. Leinad maintained his momentum and pushed off the ground with his hands to catapult him into a standing position.
The knight recovered from his missed cut, turned about, and quickly brought another slice across Leinad’s chest. Leinad had fully regained his feet in time to block the slice and executed a quick combination that put the knight on the defensive.
The knight that had previously stumbled to the ground regained his feet and was behind the knight that Leinad now engaged. Leinad knew he could not afford to engage both knights simultaneously, especially if they bracketed him with one on each side. At least now they were both in his direct view.
At Leinad’s feet lay a sword from one of the previous duels. He deftly transferred his sword to his left hand, then placed the toe of his right foot beneath the blade of the sword on the ground and flipped it into the air. He grabbed the sword out of the air with his right hand and quickly spun full circle to his right. The sword in his right hand gained tremendous momentum through the spinning maneuver. As the tip of the sword arced around and approached the direction of the knights, he released it with deadly accuracy. It flew with the speed of an arrow released from a bow.
The closest knight just barely dodged it. The second knight, however, could not see the deadly projectile until it was too late. The sword penetrated his right shoulder to halfway up the blade. The knight dropped his sword and screamed in agony. He stumbled away from the fight and fell to the ground on
one knee while clutching his wounded shoulder with his left hand.
Leinad now focused on the remaining knight. In one swift movement, he executed a powerful bind on the knight’s sword, and it flew out of his hand and into the air. Leinad charged to put the man in retreat and grabbed the sword before it fell to the ground. The knight, Moradiah, and the people stood still, stunned expressions on their faces.
Leinad now held both swords as he walked toward Moradiah, who looked angry yet fearful as he approached her. Leinad stood before her, his jaw clenched and his nostrils flaring. He threw the knight’s sword at her feet in contempt. She responded with a sneer, then turned in a huff and strutted back to the palace.
“Let this contest be a testimony to the truth of the Code and of the King,” Leinad said to the people. “The smooth words of Moradiah are blasphemy and will bring destruction to Arrethtrae, Chessington, and your very homes if you believe them. You know what is right … you must choose!”
The people were somber. Leinad could not read them well that day. He knew that some were loyal to the King, but his heart remained heavy in spite of his victory.
Leinad, Tess, and Audric mounted their horses.
“The King reigns!” he proclaimed, and they left the square.
OVER THE NEXT YEAR, Leinad felt Moradiah’s influence over the people strengthen. He was no longer a guest at the palace. At first, he fought her influence, but the people seemed bent on believing her eloquent words, and they eventually sank into a lifestyle of reckless, pleasure-filled living.
Quinn became a shell of his former self under Moradiah’s overbearing, crafty, and manipulative ways.
The selfishness of the people soon began to wreak havoc on the community. The ways of the Code became archaic and foolishness to those who loved to please themselves. In their abundance and security, the people and the Knights of Chessington became lazy and apathetic. They did not realize how vulnerable they had become because of their drift from the Code and from the ways of the King.