Kingdom's Reign (9 page)

Within moments, Micalem and Gabrik engaged from the
east; Gavinaugh, Weston, and Keanna from the north; and Keef and Ramon from the west. The enveloping army of truth and justice swallowed up the dragon. I could see panic sweep through the Shadow Warriors and Lucius's Arrethtraen loyalists.

For most, the fight eventually moved from the backs of horses to the ground, where one's sword was more stable and sure. My current adversary was weakening, and I stole a moment to look to the Prince. Both He and Lucius had removed their helmets to allow for better vision. Though hatred spewed from Lucius toward the Prince, Lucius could not defend against the perfection of His sword. The Prince pounded each strike upon Lucius until there was a gap in his guard. The Prince then seized the opportunity and sliced the sword across Lucius's face, which left a long cut from the corner of his eye to his chin. The perfect, unscarred complexion of the Dark Knight was no more. Lucius stopped and reached for his face and saw his blood spill through his fingers. The fury in his eyes erupted through his sword, but it was small in comparison to the judgment wrath of the Prince—justice for all the murder, the pain, and the destruction to the kingdom and to the people empowered the Prince's arms. He gave Lucius no opportunity to yield honorably.

Lucius attempted an advance and a thrust at the Prince, but the Prince easily countered a circling slice that would have split any other adversary in two. Lucius was able to retreat just enough to escape with a nonfatal gash across his chest. The Prince stared with fiery eyes at the Dark Knight, and I saw Lucius's pride succumb to a moment of sheer terror. I think that only now, after generations of time, did he grasp the complete
and total supremacy of the Prince over him. The realization was temporary, however, and his hate-filled countenance returned.

William and I remained close, watching each other's backs, as did Rob and Barrett. Many comrades lay on the ground, but I did not see any who were dead. Many were injured, however, and I hoped the Life Spice within them would keep them well. The injured fell back and were replaced by others. We were nearby to Leinad and Tess and saw the mastery of their skill with the sword. It was an honor to fight for the King and the Prince next to such legends as these!

As the battle progressed, it became apparent that our victory was only a matter of time. It was a battle with a sure end. I advanced on another of Lucius's Arrethtraen loyalists, but he backed away in retreat with his free hand forward. He did not yet dare lay his sword down. Many of us were receiving the same response from even the Shadow Warriors. The only real fight left was that between the Prince and Lucius.

Lucius could not yield, for the pride of his past would not let him. At one point, Lucius charged upon the Prince in a careless attack. The Prince parried the reckless thrust and
could have easily run the Dark Knight through, but He didn't. Lucius's momentum took him close to the Prince. In one swift move, the Prince stepped aside and struck Lucius in the head with the pommel of His sword. Lucius collapsed to the ground—motionless. The fight was over, and so was the battle, for when Lucius fell, the will of his army was broken. The forces of the dark army began to drop their swords until the sound of clashing steel was no more.

The eyes of every man fell upon the Prince—both enemy and ally.

Micalem raised his sword in triumph. “Behold, the King of Arrethtrae has come!” he proclaimed and then knelt before the Prince.

As was foretold, every knee bowed down and proclaimed that the Prince was now King of Arrethtrae—from Silent Warrior to Shadow Warrior to every Arrethtraen. The Prince stood alone and welcomed the proclamation, for it was His Father's will. In my heart I knew that this was the beginning of an era to which even the days of Quinn could not compare, for every fiber of our King was true and noble. Power could not corrupt Him, for He already had all power and yet remained pure. I did not see pompous arrogance in Him as He stood the proclaimed King of Arrethtrae. No … I saw the restored joy that you see only on the face of a father whose child has been safely returned to him. The peace in the Prince's heart flowed out to the people, and those who loved truth and justice were comforted. Those who did not were ashamed.

Shortly after the people had accepted the reality that true
victory was won, the city of Chessington rose up with shouts of adoration and praise for their new King. Fenton led his men and the rest of the city in a victory celebration as they welcomed the Prince as King of their city and of Arrethtrae. It was a celebration of the ages to end the battle of the ages, for only now could the King's people enjoy the fulfillment of complete restoration through the Prince.

RETURN TO CAMELOT

The Prince ordered that all the injured be treated. The Dark Knight and the Shadow Warriors were gathered together under the guard of the Silent Warriors and taken away to the prison pits in a distant place called the Wasteland. The rest of the enemies of the King were given an opportunity to swear their allegiance to the new King of Arrethtrae. Those who did so were released to return home without weapons, and those who did not were eventually taken to the prisons of Daydelon in the land of the Kessons.

The news of the battle at Chessington and Lucius's defeat spread quickly through the kingdom. The few remaining forces of the Dark Knight dispersed and became a challenge for us to find. Nearly every city welcomed the Prince as King with open arms—some out of joy and some out of fear. The daunting task of restoring truth, justice, and honor to the kingdom lay before us. I could not even begin to know how the Prince was going
to accomplish it, for you cannot order a heart to change, and many hearts were still inclined to do evil. Many were joyful and desired the peace that the Prince wanted to give them. But many struggled, for even though they wanted to change and embrace good, they had lived so long under the evil rule of Lucius that it was hard for them. Some harbored rebellious and evil hearts and did not want to change at all. They still loved Lucius and his wicked ways. Unfortunately, these people were also very deceptive and difficult to root out.

A few days after the great battle, the Prince called His knights before Him on the palace grounds of Chessington. The palace—and the entire city of Chessington for that matter—had fallen into a state of disrepair. The palace, the city, and the people had been abused and mistreated for many years during Lucius's reign. Now it was time to rebuild, restore, and reclaim all that had been taken under his tyrannical rule. There amidst the partial ruin of the palace stood the Noble One, unperturbed by the formidable task of renewing an entire kingdom. We gathered in silence as He looked over us and beyond, to the future of His people.

“My gallant knights, from this day forward Arrethtrae will be a kingdom of peace and prosperity once again.” His penetrating eyes fell upon us, and His regal form seemed immovable. “You will be My arms of justice; you will be My arms of compassion. Together we will restore Arrethtrae to the perfection it was before the Dark Knight's shadow of evil fell upon the land. You have been faithful … you have been loyal … now you will reign with Me!

“Sir Leinad and Lady Tess, Knights of the Prince, to you is given the city of Daydelon. Rule with hearts of wisdom and with the courage the King has relied upon in times past.

“Sir Gavinaugh and Lady Keanna, Knights of the Prince, to you is given the region of Namor and the seas of the south.

“Sir Weston of Cresthaven, Knight of the Prince, to you is given the city of Thecia in the heart of the kingdom.

“Sir William of Chessington, Knight of the Prince, to you is given the region of the United Cities of Cameria.

“Sir Rob of Chessington, Knight of the Prince, to you is given Kroywen, first city of the United Cities of Cameria.

“Sir Barrett of Chessington, Knight of the Prince, to you is given the city of Chandril.

“Sir Cullen of Elttaes, Knight of the Prince, to you is given the city of Elttaes, second city of the United Cities of Cameria.

“Sir Gunther of Norwex, Knight of the Prince, to you is given the city of Norwex …”

And thus was given rule of all the regions and cities to the Knights of the Prince. The Prince looked at the knights as He gave them their reigns. I waited and listened, but no assignment was given to me. Did the Prince see something in me that might inhibit my ability to rule a city or a region? I rejoiced with each of my companions but admittedly was downhearted, for I felt as though I must have failed my Prince.

“Sir Deidrik of Canterbury, Knight of the Prince, to you is given the city of Canterbury.

“To all of My city prefects and regional governors, rule
with wisdom, compassion, and diligence, for you are My eyes, you are My arms, and you are My lips. Stay true to the Code!”

My heart was broken, until the Prince paused and looked directly at me. His gentle smile warmed me, and I found contentment in His gaze.

I will gladly be a servant in the house of my Lord rather than rule a city
, I thought.

“To Cedric of Chessington, Knight of the Prince”—He paused, and I wondered if each knight had felt as I did when the Prince looked upon me. The strength in His eyes seemed to flow into my heart—“I give the role of ambassador to all of the kingdom of Arrethtrae. From Chessington, Cedric will deliver My words and My missions to all.”

I lowered my head in gratitude, embarrassed at my previous feelings of self-pity.

A moment later, we all knelt in unison before our King of Arrethtrae. I am sure each of us felt honored and undeserving of the authority the Prince had entrusted to us. We resolved in our hearts to fulfill our responsibilities as knights beholden to the Code.

“Rise up, My knights,” said the Prince. “Prepare yourselves to go forth and deliver the peace and prosperity I have desired for this land from the beginning. Take to the people that which restores.”

The Prince held up a flowering plant of the Life Spice. “Take the Life Spice to all the people. Plant it in your cities and in your valleys and in your hills. Fill the kingdom so that all may be healed and restored. The days of sickness and pain
are gone. From this day forth, Arrethtrae will be a kingdom of peace, prosperity, and good health!”