Kingdom's Reign (14 page)

Somehow I felt confirmed and better equipped to move forward with the mission the Prince had given me.

KINGDOM COME

Over the coming months, the Prince ruled Arrethtrae with wisdom, compassion, and justice. He was not simply a good king—He was a perfect king. Power corrupts even the best of men because of their innate desire to acquire more and more. The Prince, however, was different, for He already owned everything. He wanted the best for His people, not for Himself. Within a few short months, the goodness of His rule had already begun to transform a land and people once ravaged by power-hungry men like Fairos and Kergon, who had ruled regions of the Kingdom as vicious castle lords, and ultimately Lucius himself.

The Silent Warriors all but disappeared, for this was an age of peace and prosperity meant for Arrethtraens. The Silent Warriors' service to the King to protect His people was now accomplished by the Knights of the Prince. Their role of delivering the words of the King to the people was unneeded, for the
King was here in the form of His Son. Their battle against the Shadow Warriors was, for the most part, over, since the Dark Knight and most of the Shadow Warriors were captive in the prison pits of the Wasteland. Many of the Silent Warriors were charged to guard this massive prison. No Arrethtraen knew the whereabouts of the Wasteland, for it was a place of desolation reserved only for Lucius and his evil Shadow Warriors.

The Life Spice thrived in Arrethtrae and soon brought healing and good health to all of the people. It grew everywhere—in the cities, on the hills, and in the valleys. Cities were rebuilt; crops were planted; trade prospered. Roads were built, and places of learning were established to teach many the knowledge of the Prince, which seemed inexhaustible. Every corner of Arrethtrae reaped the benefits of prosperity brought to the land by the Prince's reign. It was a golden era that far surpassed even the glory days of Quinn.

Chessington became the hallmark of greatness in Arrethtrae. It became known as the Beloved City of the King. The palace of the Prince gleamed in its brilliance, testifying to the fact that a grand and noble man reigned over the kingdom. The Prince loved His people, and they loved Him. I remembered that day many years ago, before the great battle, when the Prince had first come to Arrethtrae. I had watched Him care for hungry, dirty children in the streets of Chessington. I would never forget the tears that flowed from His eyes as He felt compassion for the hopeless. I had watched a tear fall from His noble cheek and into the dust of the land. I now knew that He saw the pain of the people and yearned for the future He could bring them.
That tear had watered land that would one day burst forth in abundance under His tender care. This was that day—a day of abundance!

The threat of corrupt deeds by evil men was nearly eliminated. Talea and I traveled without the protection of other knights now, and we could move from region to region much faster. The challenge of our mission to mediate and resolve conflict diminished. We now mostly carried progress reports and news from city to city, as well as mandates from the Prince. I enjoyed most of it, for it was a way to see my friends numerous times throughout the year.

Talea and I became companions in an odd sort of way. With long distances to travel and no one else to talk to, we began to understand each other better … at least as friends. I learned to keep a healthy separation between us emotionally, simply because I knew she wanted it that way. But as hard as I tried, I could not ignore my feelings for her. I kept them closely under guard, however, for I was not sure that she would ever feel the same about me. In fact, I occasionally wondered if she didn't desire our mission to end so she would not have to spend so much time with me. Yet she softened a little over time, and I saw her smile at me more and more. Those were the moments I cherished. Overall I felt awkward—I had never felt this way about a lady before. Unfortunately, I had no one to turn to for guidance. I could not figure Talea out or how I was supposed to feel. This nebulous thing called love seemed so easy for some, but for me it was like trying to sail without the wind.

One aspect of our relationship was not difficult to figure
out however. I came to trust Talea completely. She had Leinad's wisdom and Tess's uncanny discernment … and more. She had learned the ways of the Silent Warriors well and used them to aid me whenever possible. She was invaluable to me as an ambassador in many regions and cities.

The Prince had decreed that a feast was to be held each year in the grand city of Chessington to celebrate the day of victory for the people. Invitations were extended to every man, woman, and child in the kingdom. At the first feast, there was much pomp and ceremony, with delicious cuisine from all across the land. The great Chessington Valley was temporarily transformed into a grand courtyard so that all who wanted to could attend. The feast of celebration lasted five days. At its conclusion, a small goblet of bitter wine was given to all who desired to seal themselves to the King. The Prince stood upon a high platform for all to see.

“People of Arrethtrae!” His noble voice echoed down the valley for all to hear. “You are the heart of the King's kingdom. The depth of Our love for you cannot be measured. We have overcome the Dark Knight, and this is a time to remember Our victory!”

The valley erupted to cheers of adoration. The Prince waited for quiet to return.

“Today we celebrate that victory. The wine in your cup is bitter. Do not drink it if your heart is not completely the King's. To drink unworthily is unforgivable. We drink this bitter wine as a vow to remember
the destruction that living without the Code will bring. It will seal you to the King and to Me forever.”

The Prince lifted His chalice high into the air. “One King, one Prince, one Code. The King reigns … and His Son!”

Thousands of voices lifted into the air and repeated the words of the Prince as they drank from their goblets of bitter wine. It was difficult to swallow, for it was indeed bitter. With one swallow, my cheeks became flush and my stomach was upset. The taste lingered long afterward. Some did not drink, for they had come only for the celebration. Without a heart completely sewn into the fabric of the Code, the King, and His Son, there was nothing to compel one to drink the bitter wine.

What a strange way to end the feast
, I thought. But who was I to question the Prince?

After the celebration at the Beloved City of the King, each city hosted a celebration feast for those who could not attend at Chessington. The prefects and governors were all given the bitter wine to offer at their feasts as well. Those who drank were sealed to the King and the Prince.

At the third feast, William announced his engagement to Kendra, and I rejoiced with him.

After the fifth feast, Talea was called to embark on ambassador missions on her own. She and I were each assigned assistants. It did not take long for me to grow lonely for her. Even though I had struggled with repressed feelings, in my heart I desired to be near her. However, each year we joined together again to travel to the northern regions of the kingdom just before the yearly feast. Our separation during the year
seemed to soften Talea's heart toward me, for which I was thankful, but I expected her to eventually find someone to marry since I did not appear to be the one for her. With each year that passed, I was thankful it never happened. I looked for a wife, but my eyes always came back to Talea. I chose to enjoy my time and my friendship with her—it was the time of year I relished most.

I visited with the Prince whenever I was in Chessington. I always looked forward to meeting with Him because He refreshed my soul like cool mountain water quenches the parched palate of a traveler. After the seventh feast He called for me, and I entered His throne room. I approached and knelt before the King of Arrethtrae.

“Rise up, Cedric … How is my faithful friend?” He asked with a smile on his lips.

I never quite felt comfortable being called a friend of the King, for I knew I did not deserve it. Yet knowing He thought of me as a friend empowered my resolve to not fail Him.

“I am quite well, my Prince,” I replied. “Throughout the kingdom, there is peace and prosperity. You have transformed Arrethtrae into a glorious kingdom!”

I lowered my head in deference.

“Your service has been invaluable to me, Cedric. You have done well.” He escorted me to the palace garden as we talked. I looked out upon the beautiful city of Chessington as He spoke.

“As an ambassador, you have excelled. How is your performance as a knight?” He asked.

I was taken aback slightly—the years of peace had invited complacency in the honing of certain skills as a knight. There are the skills of a gentleman I was required to rely upon daily as an ambassador, but there are also the skills of a warrior.

“I will not forget Your words, my Lord,” I replied. “I will continue my training every day.”

“Knighthood is in the heart and in the mind, Cedric,” He said.

“Yes, my Lord.” I knew that He had once again seen into my heart and now found a lack of vigilance. “I will refocus.”

He nodded, and we resumed our walk. This walk, and many others, always seemed to encourage and convict me at the same time. Being with the Prince was like looking into a mirror that reflected the secret truths of my heart—truths that even I did not recognize.

Nine feast celebrations came and went. Each one heralded the incredible blessing of the Prince's rule over Arrethtrae. All manner of sickness was eliminated. The kingdom was young and full of life. I imagined it was like the days of Peyton and Dinan, when the King first established Arrethtrae. The goodness of the Prince seemed to extend to forever. I came to love the annual feast for many reasons. It was an honor to pledge my allegiance to the King and the Prince each year. It was also a time to see all of my friends once again—William, Rob, Barrett, Cullen, Leinad, Tess, and many, many more.

At the conclusion of the ninth feast, the King issued a decree that every Knight of the Prince and every man, woman,
and child who was sealed to the King must attend the tenth celebration feast.