Kingdom's Dawn (4 page)

Tess fell in love with country life immediately. The kindness Peyton and Leinad showed was so unknown to her that she could hardly accept it. Unfortunately, she knew nothing of personal hygiene, and Leinad enjoyed watching his father get flustered trying to explain the importance of basic personal cleanliness. It took four attempts at a bath before Tess emerged from the bathing room to Peyton's satisfaction. The brushes and combs that once stroked the hair of Leinad's mother now found use on soft strawberry-blond hair. Beneath the dirt and grime was the sparkling, freckled face of a pretty little girl.

Tess quickly fell into a routine of chores around the farm. Her years of serving Miss Wimble had developed an incredible efficiency in her work. She worked hard, long hours, and Leinad suspected she was trying to somehow repay the fatherly love and care that Peyton gave her. On many days, Peyton had to order her to stop her labor. The
healthy meals she now ate strengthened her slender body and gave her energy to accompany her lively spirit.

Leinad assumed the role of big brother, though he was initially uncomfortable with it. Tess was succinct and Leinad liked that about her. He also enjoyed her infectious smile. Her manners and crude speech, however, left much to be desired. Leinad nearly winced every time she spoke.

“You two's goin' off ta practice again?” she asked as Leinad and Peyton donned their swords. She was sweeping the floor and asked the question without pausing her work.

“Yes, we are, Sunshine,” Peyton said with a smile. The nickname he'd bestowed on her was a perfect fit. “Why don't you come with us and enjoy the fresh air today?”

“I's got too much work ta do, sir,” Tess said, still not quite sure how to address Peyton. “Besides, I still ain't quite figured out what sword fightin's got ta do with farmin'.” Tess's broom stopped, and she looked at Peyton with a genuine look of curiosity.

Peyton's smile broadened. “Okay, Tess, you can stay. But promise me you'll at least take a walk around the farm and enjoy a bit of the sunshine.”

“Yes, sir.” The broom's motion recommenced. “It's a fine time ta pick some blueberries anyways.”

“Tess, you're not a slave anymore,” Peyton said. “Besides, with you doing all the chores around here, you're going to end up making Leinad and me lazy!”

“I's jest doin' my part, Mr. Peyton, sir,” Tess said sincerely. “Why, I's doin' less than I was and gettin' more than I had. I just want to make sure I's earnin' my keep.”

Peyton walked toward Tess and stopped the broom.

“This is your home now, Tess. You do not have to earn a place here. It is yours forever if you want it.” Leinad knew that his father was continually trying to reaffirm Tess and provide security for an insecure little girl.

T
HE SKY SEEMED BRIGHTER
to Leinad today. As usual, training went well, and Leinad worked hard on developing patience and discipline. It was not natural for him though, and it was a difficult lesson to learn.

“How are you doing with a young lady in the house, Leinad?” Peyton asked as he and Leinad walked toward their favorite oak tree for a time of rest.

Leinad smiled at the thought of Tess. “I'm doing okay, although I have to admit it's taking some adjustment.”

“Yes, I agree,” said Peyton. “I know that bringing her into our home is a disruption, but something about that little girl just grabbed my heart, and I couldn't turn my back on her that day in town.”

“She sure has a way of telling it like it is, doesn't she, Father?” Leinad said, preparing his father for a subject that was nagging his mind.

“Yes, she's a pretty discerning little lass.”

Leinad was silent for a moment. “Father, Tess is right about farming and sword fighting, and I feel less and less like a farmer with every passing day.”

Peyton responded to Leinad's comment with a moment of silence, then put his arm around his son's shoulder as they neared the oak.

“Leinad, your insight is true. Farming is honorable, but
I have prepared you for a much greater calling.”

The two found rest as they sat against the oak and drank cool water from their flasks.

“Son, you are a boy on the verge of manhood. I sense that you are looking for more purpose in this life than to eat and sleep and wait for the next day's sunrise. Am I right?”

“Yes, Father. I'm just not sure what that purpose is or how to find it.”

“What you are feeling is the pull on your heart to fulfill a greater calling … a calling for which I am preparing you.”

Leinad was both curious and confused.

“Which of my teachings are most important to you, Leinad?” Peyton asked.

Leinad reflected on the years of training and teaching his father had given him. Only now was he beginning to realize that nothing his father did or taught was by accident. All was done with purpose. He thought about the intense sword training. Although he felt confident with the sword, there was no one to compare his skills to other than his father, and he believed he was far below that level of mastery. He thought about the academic teachings of quill and ink and speech. He thought of the daily reinforcement of character building that his father carefully grafted into his spirit. All of this, and yet he knew what was worth much more.

“To be loyal to the King, even unto death, and to have compassion for my fellow man,” Leinad said with conviction.

“And why is this so important, son?”

“Because the King is good and worthy of our loyalty,” Leinad said.

“But you have not even met the King.”

Leinad leaned forward from the tree and turned to question his father's eyes. This was new ground, and he approached curiously and cautiously. Something in his soul was yearning for more.

“No, I have not met the King … but you have. I have learned from you, I have questioned you, but most of all I have watched you. I know you, Father. There is not another man in the kingdom more honest, generous, compassionate, or courageous than you. If the King deserves the complete loyalty you give Him, then I do not need to see Him face-to-face to know that He is worthy of my complete loyalty as well.”

Peyton lowered his eyes. Leinad sensed a sadness overcome his father and did not understand why. An awkward silence ensued, broken only by the voice of a meadow bird. It was Peyton who spoke first.

“I am thankful you see the King for who He really is and that your loyalty is sure, but I am not worthy of the high praise you give me.” Peyton turned slightly from his son and seemed to struggle to maintain a steady voice.

“Before you were born, I once failed the King.”

Leinad could not make himself see his father as anything other than what he was now, and there was no flaw in his character. Besides, how could a common farmer fail the King in any significant way? Never before had his father been so vulnerable with him. Leinad was not sure how to proceed.

“Father, you are a man of unfailing loyalty to the King. Any offense or neglect that you might have committed has surely been forgiven.”

“Yes.” Peyton took a deep breath. “But my failure will haunt me to my death.”

Peyton turned back to face his son and placed a firm grip on his shoulder. “The King's heart is deep for the people of this land, and though you have not met Him, He knows you.”

“Father, where is the King, and why hasn't He established His kingdom in Arrethtrae?” Leinad asked.

“The King lives in His kingdom across the Great Sea. From all I have heard, it is a kingdom like no other. It is a kingdom of wealth, beauty, and mysterious wonders. It has even been said that there is a spice there that brings healing to the body … even the restoring of youth to the old.

“Some time ago, there was a rebellion in this glorious kingdom, led by none other than the King's first warrior, Lucius. Lucius was a brilliant swordsman and tactician. He was able to entice one-third of the King's best warriors to join him in his attempt to overthrow the King. However, his attempt was thwarted, and instead he and his rebellious warriors fled across the sea to come to Arrethtrae, our land. You see, Leinad, Lucius was so full of pride and jealousy that when he lost the war, he wanted to take revenge on the King. He knew that the King loved this beautiful land and the people in it and that He had planted a new kingdom here. Lucius came here to destroy the land and to destroy the people.”

Leinad knew somehow that his father's words were connected to the higher calling they had talked about earlier … a calling to which Leinad was only now opening his heart.

“I have protected you from much of the anguish this kingdom has endured as a result of Lucius's influence. But one day you must face those hardships, for the paradise of the original kingdom is lost.” Peyton paused, and Leinad was compelled to focus on every word his father spoke.

“Leinad, what I am going to tell you is hard for me, but it is necessary for you to understand who you are and how this all applies to you,” Peyton said as Leinad swallowed the last bite of some fruit and tossed the remains.

Leinad adjusted himself so he could face his father and waited patiently for him to gather his words.

“Many years before you were born, the King found a promising young man and woman to help Him begin a new kingdom. It was to be a kingdom of peace, harmony, and prosperity … a kingdom of promise and hope.” Peyton paused and took a deep breath. “Your mother and I were that man and woman, Leinad, and we were chosen to usher in the beginning of this paradise.”

Leinad replayed the words in his mind to make sure he had not misheard. Were they not spoken by his father, he would have thought them to be the boastings of an idiot.

“Bear with me, son, and all will make sense when you've heard it in its entirety. Why the King chose me I will never know, for I was certainly undeserving. That is what I find so remarkable about the King—He chooses the lowly to accomplish the lofty. The beautiful land of Arrethtrae has always been in the center of the King's heart. It was a glorious time—the dawn of a kingdom, and your mother and I were a central part of it. The King built a majestic castle—no, it was a palace. The great hall in the
keep was grand indeed. The entire palace was ornate, with rare and exquisite tapestries and decorations. It was built from the finest timbers and stone of the land. There were many magnificent courtyards, but your mother's favorite place to be was in the beautiful, lush garden. She loved to walk beneath the shade of the trees and smell the fragrant flowers.

Leinad saw the ache in Peyton's heart through his eyes as he reminisced about his time with his wife.

“We were young, in love, and living a life that no one could ever believe. The King appointed servants, huntsmen, cooks, and a garrison of guards to serve and protect the palace. We were the lord and lady of the land. I came to know the King personally, Leinad!”

“Father, how can this be?” Leinad said. “Friends with the King? All I know is this life of farming, and I have known nothing else. How can this be?”

“Perhaps I have kept this from you for too long, but you have never known me to exaggerate. Nevertheless, what I tell you is true. The King befriended me. He trained me in the art of the sword by day and walked with me in the cool of the garden by evening. I will serve no other, for there is no other like Him. I came to know the purity and goodness of His heart, the power and strength of His arm, and the wisdom and mercy of His judgment. Many men have tried to rule as king and many more are to come, but only He is worthy and deserving.

“The King wanted me to rule by proxy, for He spent most of His time across the sea. In His absence, I was to govern the land. He trusted me with a fresh, new kingdom.”

Peyton's eyes saddened, and the pain in his voice was obvious.

“Father, no matter the tale, I will not judge you.” Leinad rested a hand on his father's arm and looked earnestly into his eyes. “What I hear will not change what I know to be a man of honor. Please let me learn that I might not fail. There is a fire that kindles in my heart, and I don't know why or understand it. Somehow I know it is connected to you, the King, and your story.”

“Late one summer day,” Peyton continued, “a tall, handsome man came to the gate of our palace bearing gifts he claimed to be both rare and exquisite. Except for his footman and driver, this noble-looking gentleman was alone, and your mother and I allowed him and his carriage entry through the gate and into the courtyard. He introduced himself as Lord Sinjon, from the distant land of Hadenborough. He did indeed carry fine linen, spices, and other gifts that we had never seen before. Your mother was taken with the quality of the items.

“But the King had warned us not to receive gifts of any kind from those we did not know. ‘Surely, madam,' the gentleman said to your mother, ‘the King did not intend for you to refuse such beautiful gifts as these from a man of my stature, did He? After all, what harm can come from accepting one small gift of adoration?' I watched her struggle with principles and loyalty in silence. Finally she yielded to his insistence, for these were gifts that no one in the kingdom had acquired. I watched her delicate hand reach forth and receive the gifts, and I said nothing … nothing, Leinad! That was my crime, which I shall live with forever.”