by Chuck Black
The Prince smiled. “Gavin, your heart is now set upon the right course, but you are not ready.”
Gavin’s enthusiasm faded. “What do I lack, my Lord?”
“You lack a sword.”
Gavin’s heart became heavy. He looked down at his lame arm and knew that he would never be able to wield a sword with it again, for as the days had passed, no strength returned.
“I will go as a knight without a sword to move the hearts of men to You, my Lord. I am not afraid,” Gavin said.
“You may indeed reach the ears of men with your words, but you must remember that your enemy is neither the men of dissension nor even the Noble Knights, but the forces of the Dark Knight and his Shadow Warriors. They would run you through before a word could pass your lips.”
Sorrow filled Gavin’s heart as he realized the truth of the Prince’s words. A moment of illumination filled his mind.
“You were dead and yet now live … Surely there is a way to heal my arm,” he said with new hope.
“No, Gavin, your weakness will be My strength, and I will sustain you,” the Prince replied. “Not even the forces of the Dark Knight will prevail against you!”
“How is this possible, my Prince?”
The Prince stood. “Rise up and draw your sword.”
Gavin stood and drew his sword with his left hand. He looked upon it and realized once again that this was the sword that had brought great affliction to the Followers of the Prince. The Prince held out His hand, and Gavin yielded his sword to Him. He brought the pommel of the sword to His lips and kissed the seal of the King. He returned the sword to Gavin, and somehow it felt different.
“The sword is the same, but your mind is enlightened, and therefore the sword’s purpose is now magnanimous,” the Prince said. “You have one good arm. I will train you so your skill in its use will surpass even your previous ability.”
Gavin hesitated. He did not believe he could even get beyond the awkward feeling of holding the sword in his left hand. “Your confidence in me is unmerited, my Lord, but I will try.”
And the training began.
For many days, Gavin struggled and became frustrated, for it was difficult to feel so inept with a weapon that had once felt like an extension of his body. However, once it became natural to hold, progress transpired rapidly, for the knowledge of mastery was already available to him. Each day the melodic clink of steel filled the country air, and the pain of his past receded beyond memory. At first the steely rhythm was slow and broken, but as the dawn of each day came, the audible intensity of the exchanges was a clear indication of Gavin’s improvement. The Prince was patient and tireless as He honed Gavin’s skills to perfection. Neither the sun, nor the rain, nor the wind of the day deterred their sessions, and Gavin began to feel whole once again. The persona of a true and gallant knight filled his soul. By the end of the training, Gavin’s mastery exceeded far beyond his prior level, and there was not a blade in all of Arrethtrae that could compare.
One morning after Gavin had eaten, he arose and came to the Prince to begin their session, but the Prince did not draw His sword.
Gavin tilted his head slightly. “What is it, my Lord?”
“Your training is nearly complete. Soon you must leave Me to fulfill your mission, and I must return to My Father.”
“I will not rest until every man, woman, and child in Chessington is granted the opportunity to hear and believe in You, my Lord,” Gavin said.
The Prince shook his head. “No, Gavin. I do not send you to Chessington. I send you to the far reaches of the kingdom.”
Once again, Gavin was bewildered at the ways of the Prince. He wrestled with his former biases regarding the people of the kingdom—Outdwellers, many of whom were sworn enemies of Chessington.
“But the people of Chessington are Your people, my Prince. The Outdwellers are at enmity against Chessington and are not worthy,” Gavin replied.
“All people in the Kingdom of Arrethtrae belong to the King. None are worthy and few will find the way, but all are called. The King’s people of Chessington have hardened their hearts toward Me. Because of this you will make knights of all people in all regions, and Chessington must suffer many trials. This is the age of the Outdwellers.”
In spite of all he had learned from the Prince, Gavin was again perplexed. As he slowly discarded the residue of his own wisdom, he became awestruck at the depth and width and height of the wisdom of the Prince. One city was far too small to contain the compassion of the King and His Son, and an excitement began to build within Gavin as he understood the magnitude of his new mission.
“Forgive me, my Prince … I understand.”
The Prince looked into Gavin’s eyes, and Gavin felt once again as though his heart were being examined.
“You must beware of the Dark Knight and his Shadow Warriors, for they lie in wait to kill you. Are you prepared for the great adversity that will come if you serve Me?” the Prince asked.
“I am, my Prince!”
“Then kneel.”
Gavin knelt, and the Prince drew His sword.
“You have knelt as Gavin of Chessington. By the might of the King and the power of His sword, I knight you Sir Gavinaugh of Arrethtrae, Knight of the Prince!”
There at the shores of the Crimson River, the Prince knighted a young man and finished the transformation from enemy to servant.
“Rise, Sir Gavinaugh. I have made all things new in you. Your name, your sword, and your mission will be the witness of your belief in Me to all people.”
Gavinaugh rose, and there was a fire in his heart that burned hotter than ever before, for now it was fueled by the inexhaustible truth of the Prince.
The Prince placed a hand on Gavinaugh’s chest. “Go forth, Sir Gavinaugh, and make the Kingdom of Arrethtrae into one land, one people, and one knightly order. Take My freedom to them and the promise of My return. Your quest is noble and you are worthy to fulfill it!”
Gavinaugh placed his hand over the Prince’s to make his oath. “To the last beat of my heart, I will, my Prince. I so swear!”
CHESSINGTON’S HOPE
The tale of Sir Gavinaugh is one that has reverberated in the great halls of castles throughout the kingdom, for his quest to journey to the ends of the kingdom is renowned, and his fierce battles against the Noble Knights and the Shadow Warriors are the fabric of legends. Unfortunately, I, Cedric of Chessington, must pause just now to ready my steed and my weapons for battle. Our ranks are set and the orders are soon to come, for the Prince is drawing near. What a day this will be! The great city below us is in peril, and her citizens do tremble in fear, for they know that the Dark Knight and his evil army come for them. For many years they turned their hearts away from the Prince and the truth He brought, but now they understand and their deliverance is at hand. I pity them for their fear and rejoice for them in their hope. The Prince is here!
Perhaps very soon you will join me again to finish the glorious tale of the gallant Sir Gavinaugh and his quest for the kingdom of Arrethtrae. It is a tale of adventure, love, adversity, and great struggle—a tale that compels me to tell it, for the legacy gives purpose to this battle ahead! Until then … Godspeed, my friend!
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. What group of people do the Noble Knights represent?
2. Who does Kifus represent?
3. Kifus lives at the remnants of Lord Quinn’s palace. This is also the place where the Noble Knights have their discussions and training. What is this representative of?
4. In this palace is a special room: the Chamber of the Code. Only Lord Kifus and the top five Noble Knights are given access to this room. The people of Chessington aren’t ever allowed into this chamber. What does this symbolize?
CHAPTER 2
1. What biblical event does the �
��incident” in this chapter represent?
CHAPTER 3
1. Who do you think Demus might represent? Why?
CHAPTER 4
1. What biblical encounters are represented when Demus, Braden, and Jayden attack the stranger in the first part of this chapter? Does this event seem familiar? Find an example of this event in the Bible.
2. Do you remember in this chapter as well as in Kingdom’s Edge when Demus asks the stranger if he really is the King’s Son? Find the Scripture verses that this question alludes to.
3. When Kifus announces his conviction that the stranger is from the domain of the Dark Knight, what does this represent?
4. At one point during the Noble Knights’ discussion, Demus leaves, saying he doesn’t consent to the direction the discussion is going. What might this represent?
5. Once the Noble Knights decide to capture the stranger, Kifus says the way won’t be too difficult because one of the Followers “has a fancy for silver.” Who does this Follower represent biblically?
6. At the end of the chapter, Demus and Gavin discuss the stranger one last time. Demus says, “Instead of taking my life, he spared it. We went to kill him, and yet he showed us mercy.” What is this a foreshadowing of, and what does it symbolize?
CHAPTER 5
1. Gavin thinks the stranger looks defeated, like a “helpless lamb” during the interrogation by the Noble Knights. What does this symbolize? Find a verse to support your answer.
2. The stranger’s physical abuse by Bremrick during his interrogation is an allegory of what?
3. Kifus finally asks the stranger if he is the Son of the King, and the stranger replies, “I AM.” What event does this represent?
CHAPTER 6
1. Immediately after the death of the stranger, Gavin assumes that Chessington’s problems are over because he doesn’t think anyone would continue to follow a dead leader. How is Gavin right, and how is he wrong?
2. What important biblical event is symbolized by the doors of the Chamber of the Code being destroyed? Why is this so important?
CHAPTER 7
1. In this chapter we hear that the Followers stole the body of their leader, whom they claimed was the Prince. Do you remember from Kingdom’s Edge what really happened? What biblical event does this portray?
2. Up until this point, we’ve been getting another perspective on events that occurred in Kingdom’s Edge. However, the death of Severin is a new incident: what biblical event does it portray?
3. Read Severin’s speech to the people again. Then read Stephen’s final speech in Acts 7:2–53. Does it surprise you that a common Jew could be so knowledgeable about Jewish history and theory? Why do you think this is?
4. After the death of Severin, we are given the most obvious clue yet on Gavin’s biblical character. Who does he represent?
CHAPTER 8
1. Gavin and Kifus are disgusted to learn that the Followers call themselves Knights of the Prince. What might this represent?
2. Gavin is full of zeal to eliminate the Followers, so Kifus issues an edict for Gavin to seek out and arrest the Followers. What does this portray?
3. Despite his abuse, William shares words of compassion about the Prince and His ways with his captors. Can you find a verse in the Bible that supports William’s attitude? When William tells Gavin that the Followers have dispersed, what does that represent?
CHAPTER 9
1. Who might the swordsmith represent?
2. After Gavin meets massive warriors chasing a peasant girl, he realizes he was mistaken in disregarding their existence. This was because he was “too intelligent” to believe the stories about them. Too many people intellectualize Christianity and claim that religion without proof is false. This teaching discredits the concept of faith. What does the Bible say about faith?
3. Gavin remarks, “The affairs of Outdwellers are not the affairs of the Noble Knights.” What does this attitude represent?
CHAPTER 10
1. In light of everything that happens in this chapter, what do you think Denrith represents?
2. When Gavin is near death, he realizes that although he lived his life in a way he thought honored the King, he was empty in the end. Why?
3. In this chapter, Gavin receives a unique opportunity: he is given a front-row seat to the spiritual battle for his own soul. Find a verse in the Bible that talks about this.
4. Read the account of Paul’s conversion in Acts 9:3–8. Look at verse 5 in light of what the Prince says to Gavin. What do you think it means?
CHAPTER 11
1. Weston places incredible faith in Gavin because he believes “in the Prince and in His power to transform the hearts of men.” In turn, Bensen, although suspicious of Gavin, risks his life because of his trust in Weston. Have you ever placed your faith in someone solely because of Jesus’ transforming power? What happened?
2. What does Gavin’s flight through Eagle Pass represent?
CHAPTER 12
1. When Gavin talks to Addy and Keaton about the Prince, he says, “That which I thought was right is wrong. And that which I thought was wrong is true.” Have you ever found out that something you believed was not as it seemed? What might have helped you make a better decision? Find a Bible verse that talks about good and evil.
2. Addy says the Prince did more wonderful things than could be contained in “all the parchment in the kingdom.” What Bible verse in John 21 is this alluding to?
3. When Gavin finally eats, he is famished. Find a verse in the Bible that also talks about Saul being hungry after three days of blindness and hunger.
4. After he drops his sword, Gavin reflects, “With this sword I wrought devastation when I believed I was bringing justice—for the King, no less!” What does this represent?
5. When Gavin explains how he acquired Triumph, he says the horse was a gift from a man “on his way to a distant land.” The next day this stranger gave Triumph to Gavin’s mother and said, “The compassion of One heals many sorrows.” Who was this man, and what did he mean by his words?
6. Weston is pleased by Gavin’s state of heart, which he says is necessary to follow the Prince. What is this attitude, and why is it so important?
7. Gavin almost dies from a severe fever caused by his wound from the Shadow Warriors. His life is spared when Sir Nias brings a healing salve to apply to Gavin’s wound. What does this event portray?
8. What do you think is significant about the name of the river Gavin must travel to?
9. Kifus and the Noble Knights are enraged that Gavin has become a Follower, and they’ve sworn to hunt down and execute him. Find a verse in Acts that shows the allegory.
10. Gavin is amazed to find how quickly Weston becomes like a brother to him, and Weston replies that the Prince creates brotherhood between men. Find some verses in the Bible that talk about this.
CHAPTER 13
1. Lindan, the head Silent Warrior who escorts Gavin, says that the Dark Knight wants Gavin dead because he underestimated the Prince’s plans. What does this mean?
2. Another Silent Warrior, Porunth, remarks, “The ways of the Prince are often a mystery to us.” Find a Bible verse that supports this view.
3. Porunth also tells Gavin that there is one person who doesn’t want Gavin dead or think harshly of him. Who is this person?
4. Gavin asks Lindan if the Prince has come back to rule Arrethtrae, but Lindan says that when the Prince does come back, “it will be not as a pauper but as a king, and every soul in the kingdom will know that it is He who reigns!” What is Lindan referring to? Which biblical event does this symbolize? Find a verse in Philippians that supports your answer.
5. The Prince tells Gavin that he cannot repay his debt, but he can be forgiven because of his broken heart. Find some verses in the Bible that address “broken hearts.”
6. The Prince also says He doesn’t need Gavin’s strength, but his heart. Find a verse in the Bible that talks about this. Also find a verse that talks
about the true peace Gavin experienced.
7. Gavin journeys to the Crimson River to gain new understanding about the Code and the ways of the Prince from the Prince Himself. Why do you think this is important? Read Galatians 1:15–18 to help find your answer.
8. In this chapter, it says “the Prince opened [Gavin’s] eyes,” and Gavin “pitied the Noble Knights he had left behind, for their eyes were blind.” What does this symbolize? Find some Bible verses that address spiritual blindness.
9. What is the significance of Gavin’s weakened right arm, and what does this represent? Find a passage in 2 Corinthians to support your answer.
10. What is the significance of the Prince’s statement, “The sword is the same, but your mind is enlightened, and therefore the sword’s purpose is now magnanimous”? What about “It was difficult [for Gavin] to feel so inept with a weapon that had once felt like an extension of his body”?
11. What is the allegorical meaning behind the King and the Prince’s love for the entire kingdom? Find a verse to support your answer.
12. What biblical event is allegorized by Gavin’s name change? Find the first instance where Saul’s new name is used in the Bible. Then find a verse that talks about things made new.
ANSWERS TO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
CHAPTER 1
1. The religious leaders of Israel during the time of Jesus.
2. Caiaphas, the high priest at the time of Jesus Christ’s death.