Kingdom's Hope

by Chuck Black

  The dragamoth finished the second slab of meat and resumed its hunt for more. Its eyes caught Leinad’s movement, and it screeched before pursuing its next prey. Other dragamoths screeched from the valley trees, drawn by the hunt of the first.

  The distance to the rock formation was too far, and Leinad knew he wouldn’t make it in time. He threw one of the swords as far toward his companions as possible and turned to face the beast. It was a terrifying sight to see such a voracious beast charging at him.

  Audric ran to gather the other sword, but he could not reach Leinad in time. It was a hopeless moment … or so it seemed.

  The tree line moved again, but this time no dragamoth emerged. Instead, a man on a white horse charged into the clearing and raced toward the attacking dragamoth.

  Stunned, Leinad simply readied his sword.

  The man covered the distance to the dragamoth quickly—gleaming sword in hand. The dragamoth, intent only on Leinad, leapt into the air to pounce.

  The gallant man on horseback reached him before he landed. Leinad dove to the side as the rider made one quick power cut across the neck of the dragamoth and severed its head. Its body landed with an empty thud in a limp pile where Leinad once stood.

  Sounds of exclamation filtered down from the people watching on the city wall.

  The man turned his horse and faced Leinad. There was something familiar about him. Leinad felt he was in the presence of the King again … but he was not the King. The man was young and possessed the perfect form of a knight’s knight. His brow was noble, and his eyes burned like fire. His sword was truly magnificent, nearly identical to another that Leinad had once seen.

  Who could this be? Then Leinad remembered the traveler who had helped him and Tess many years ago in the Tara Hills Mountain Range when they were starving. Was this the same man?

  The man reached out his arm. Leinad recovered himself and grabbed hold as the man lifted him to the back of his horse. A moment later they were back at the rocky outcropping with Audric and Tess. They dismounted, and the man drew another sword to hand to Tess. Now all were armed.

  The horse galloped to the city wall and trotted back and forth along its length, waiting for the call of his master.

  Two dragamoths emerged from the tree line and descended on the fallen creature’s headless body.

  The gallant man turned to face Leinad, Tess, and Audric. His countenance was determined, but he evoked a strange peace that passed on to Leinad and, he was sure, to Tess and Audric as well. Somehow, Leinad knew they would make it through. There was no time to discover who the man was—they just knew that he had the skill, the wisdom, and the power to defeat these vicious creatures.

  “Attack the dragamoths in teams of two,” the man commanded. “One distracts while the other strikes. Aim just below the jointed neck. If that is not possible, its heart is just behind the forelegs.”

  Another dragamoth parted the tree line and made straight for the boulders.

  “Is there fire?” Leinad asked.

  “There is no fire, but it will spit a deadly acidlike poison once it realizes you are attacking it. Stay clear of the direction of the mouth.”

  The approaching dragamoth was larger than the other three. Its screech was lower and even more threatening than the others. It reached the rock formation and paused, perhaps deciding which prey to devour first.

  The stranger positioned himself directly in front of the dragamoth, fearless and confident. His stature emanated power.

  The creature snapped and swiped at the stranger with one of its claws. The stranger’s sword flew with blinding speed and severed the forearm of the creature. It screeched an ear-piercing cry, and a stream of yellow fluid burst from its mouth. Its aim was poor, and the fluid splattered on the boulders behind them. Smoke rose from the boulders where the fluid landed.

  Leinad ran to the creature’s side and plunged his sword deep into the body just aft of the forearms. The dragamoth convulsed, and its tail whipped and struck Leinad across his side. Leinad slammed into a rock and struggled to regain his breath.

  The creature fell to the ground, writhing momentarily before becoming still in death.

  The cries of the dying dragamoth drew the attention of the other two beasts, who quickly advanced on the four brave warriors. Audric took up a position to fight the first one, and the stranger joined him while Tess positioned herself to face the next creature. Leinad stood to help Tess and felt an intense burning inside his chest. The pain was excruciating.

  Once again, sounds of astonishment were heard from the crowd on the wall above, for no man or team of men had ever faced a dragamoth and lived, not even with weapons.

  Leinad drew the dragamoth’s attention away from Tess, for he knew that the strike of his sword was now weak. The dragamoth screeched and poised itself to pounce. Tess moved in quickly from the left and struck the creature with the deadly edge of her sword, but it moved at the last instant, and her blade struck the bony joint of the neck. Tess fell below the creature as it recoiled and screeched in anger. A stream of yellowish poison flew straight at Leinad. He fell to the ground and rolled, barely escaping the deadly fluid. Tess rolled to avoid the sharp claws of the powerful hind legs.

  The creature lowered its head to capture Tess in its jaws. She rolled to her knees and thrust her sword past the deadly jaws and deep into its throat. The dragamoth clamped down on the sword, nearly taking Tess’s arm with it. The blade penetrated clear through the neck. The dragamoth could not screech or spit as it clawed at the weapon with its front claws.

  Leinad tried to stand, but the broken ribs in his chest made it impossible. “Tess! Here!” he called and threw his sword toward her.

  She grabbed the sword and plunged it deep into the heart of the flailing dragamoth. The creature collapsed to the ground dead.

  A moment later, Audric and the stranger killed the remaining creature. Four dragamoths lay dead in the clearing, and four warriors stood, ready for more.

  “Leinad!” Kergon shouted down from the lofty heights of the wall. “Surely your King has delivered you. Return to the gate, for no man, common or noble, can do what I have seen here today.”

  The four quickly made their way to the gate, and the stranger mounted his horse.

  “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. Surel
y 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.

  WITHIN 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.

  Leinad read the concern of his large friend and knew that his quiet demeanor was a deterrent to his accepting the leadership of the Noble Knights.

  “Audric, you are the most experienced, the most skilled, and the most worthy of all the Noble Knights.” Leinad said. “I understand your hesitation, but that is why you are perfect for the position. You are not a glory seeker. What you do will be tempered by humility, wisdom, and experience. Tess is more than capable to help train, and Kendrid can be your second, for he has won the respect of the other men as well.”

  “You sound as if you are going away,” Tess said to Leinad with one eyebrow raised. “Is there something you’re not telling us?”

  Leinad paused, unsure how to respond to her keen insight. “All of this is part of the King’s plan for the future of Arrethtrae.” Leinad swept his hand, as if across the city of Chessington and the valley beyond. “But something is missing, and I know that somehow I must find out what it is. We have arrived at the door to a grand kingdom, but the key is missing. This key is the vision in my life that I’ve been searching for, Tess. Over the past months, I have realized that my mission is the quest for this key. It is what my father spoke of. He knew—and now I know—that I must find it. I feel the call of the King, but I do not know where to go.” Leinad turned to Audric. “That is why you must take leadership of the Noble Knights.”

  Audric’s attempt at a rebuttal was interrupted by the hasty approach of a mysterious rider. He rode off the main street and directly onto the square. He was dressed in full battle attire, and his size, especially atop his large powerful steed, was intimidating.

  “Sir Leinad of Chessington?” he asked in a deep voice.

  Leinad stepped forward. “I am Leinad.”

  The warrior glared at him as if to adjust his preconceived perceptions. “Si
r Gabrik is in battle with the Dark Knight and his Shadow Warriors. The situation is grave, and he has dispatched me to bid you to come to him.”

  “Let me gather the Noble Knights, and we will come to his aid,” Leinad said.

  “No. The distance is too far, and Chessington will be vulnerable,” the warrior said emphatically. “This is not a fight for them yet. They are not ready to fight the Dark Knight or his Shadow Warriors.”

  “Then how can I be of service?”

  “Mount up and ride with me back to the battle.”

  Tess stepped forward. “I will come with you.”

  “This is for Leinad alone,” the rider said.

  Tess turned toward Leinad while not turning her back completely to the mysterious rider. “How do we know that he is not an enemy of the King and is luring you into a trap?” she asked with concern in her eyes.

  “Sir Gabrik has what you search for, Sir Leinad,” the rider said impatiently. “It is why he sends for you, but we have no time to spare. If Lucius overtakes our force, Chessington will not survive, and the future of Arrethtrae will be lost forever.”

  Leinad put his hand on Tess’s shoulder and looked into her deep blue eyes. Tess was an interesting balance of beauty and warrior. She was too tough for the ladies of Chessington but every bit as refined thanks to Lady Weldon of Daydelon. She was too lovely to be treated as one of the men of Chessington but every bit as skilled with the sword thanks to Leinad. Her allegiance was to the King, and her heart belonged secretly to another. Leinad sensed more than concern in her gaze, but the concern was what he addressed.

  “I must go, Tess. It is why I am here!”

  Tess stared unapologetically into his eyes and then looked at the mysterious rider. She leaned forward to speak quietly into Leinad’s ear. “Watch your back, mister … and promise you’ll come back to me.”

  Leinad struggled with the passion in her quiet voice. Their dangerous adventures of the past had stirred concern in Tess before, but somehow this was different, and Leinad felt it.