Kingdom's Quest (22 page)

Keanna stood up and pointed the knife at him.

“I have served under enough masters to know the good ones from the evil. Get away from him!” she yelled and drew back Gavinaugh's sword.

The Shadow Warrior cursed and drew his sword. “Fools! I will spill the blood of you all!”

Weston and Sandon drew their swords and positioned themselves between the warrior and Keanna.

“Leave, or the only blood spilled will be your own!” Weston said.

Suddenly, the sound of many horses began to filter through the spires of the dragon's lair. The Shadow Warrior cursed again. He quickly mounted his horse and departed. A moment later the clearing was filled with a dozen massive warriors. Porunth dismounted and came to Gavinaugh. Keanna knelt down opposite the warrior.

“Gavinaugh,” Porunth said.

Gavinaugh opened his eyes and tried to speak but couldn't. Porunth motioned to one of his men, and he brought a pack to him. Together they tended to Gavinaugh's wounds and gave him water to drink. Porunth applied sweet salve to his wounds and dressed them with fresh bandages.

There in the eerie shadows of the Tarmuwth's lair, the Silent Warriors encircled the hero of the Outdwellers and watched him fight for every breath and for every beat of his heart. The moments passed, and Gavinaugh slipped in and out of consciousness. Keanna squeezed his hand and would not let it go. Porunth held a small vial to Gavinaugh's lips and carefully poured its contents into his mouth.

“He will not make it here,” he said quietly and then looked at Keanna.

“No … no! Don't take him from me,” she pleaded.

“He will die, Keanna.”

She looked at Porunth and then at Gavinaugh.

She knelt down and kissed him. Although the anguish in her heart was obvious, she eventually released him to Porunth to save his life. “I shall never love another,” she said, and her tears spilled onto Gavinaugh's cheeks.

Weston placed his arm around Keanna's shoulders. He lifted her up, and the Silent Warriors carried Gavinaugh away.

The sorrow of that night hung thicker than the fogs of Moorue about the hearts of his companions, and Keanna seemed as though part of her had died.

KINDRED QUESTS

Keanna, Weston, and Sandon rode in silence back to Namor, for they were not prepared to begin the long journey back to Chessington and Cresthaven. They arrived at Captain Dante's estate late on the third day. Dante greeted them joyfully, but there was no joy in their hearts. They told him of Gavinaugh's demise, and he mourned greatly with them.

After four days of rest and preparation, they rose up to depart Namor for Cresthaven.

On the morning of their departure, they sat to eat a final meal with Dante. Although there were various attempts to lift the cloud of oppression during breakfast, the sadness upon each of their faces was impossible to hide. Midway through the meal, a servant came to Dante and whispered in his ear.

“Very good, thank you,” Dante said and dismissed the servant before turning to the others. “It seems that a visitor from Chessington has just arrived and would like to see you before you depart,” Captain Dante announced to the sober trio. “He claims to have known Gavinaugh.”

They wondered if perhaps William or Cedric had come to visit them and the haven there. Dante brought them to a room in his manor
where they were greeted at the door by a large fellow who was blocking their entrance to the room.

“It seems Sir Gavinaugh is more headstrong than I realized,” Porunth said as he stepped aside. Gavinaugh was lying on a bed and carefully raised himself up on his elbow and smiled broadly.

“Gavinaugh!” Keanna screamed and ran to him. She embraced him, and he winced in pain, but it was soon replaced by a broad smile that expressed his joy. She sat on the bed next to him.

“It is good to see you, princess,” he said.

“I can't believe it is really you.” Her smile filled the room with radiance.

Weston and Sandon approached, and both seemed as giddy as schoolboys. Weston put his hand on Gavinaugh's shoulder as if to convince himself that he was real.

“What happened?” Sandon asked and looked at Porunth.

“During the days when we were preparing to ready our ship and take him across the sea, he recovered enough to refuse the voyage, in spite of the fact that he might still be in great danger.” Porunth walked over to them and became very serious. He looked at Gavinaugh, a bit perturbed, and then turned to the others. “He will not fully recover here. He could collapse at any time. It is foolish to leave him, but his mind seems to be set.” He looked at Keanna and raised one eyebrow, but she didn't see it for she had not taken her eyes from Gavinaugh.

“I am sure that my leaving him here will cause me no small amount of grief, but since I have come to know him, I have grown accustomed to that!” Porunth said as he walked over to Gavinaugh. He held out his arm and Gavinaugh took it.

“We are grateful to you and your men,” Gavinaugh said as he looked up at his large friend.

“And the kingdom is grateful to you,” Porunth said in return. He
gave a flask and some salve to Keanna. “Make him drink this, and apply the salve to his wounds each day until it is gone.”

“I will,” she said.

Porunth turned and walked to the doorway. “Gentlemen, it is time for me to depart.” He looked at his Arrethtraen friends and smiled. “It is a time of the Outdwellers. The Prince needs knights brave and bold to carry His words to the far reaches of the kingdom. Keep your swords sharp, and remember … we are always here, fighting with you side by side. Whether you see us or not, we are always here.”

With that, Porunth exited the room and disappeared into the secret world of the Silent Warriors.

Gavinaugh's recovery was slow, but he was fueled by the realization that his mission to train and equip his fellow knights was not yet fulfilled. If his days in Arrethtrae were to be cut short, he wanted first to be sure that the havens were ready to stand by themselves. He also did not deny that his heart could hardly bear the thought of Keanna dealing once again with the death of someone for whom she cared so deeply. He had spent many months trying to share the compassion of the Prince with her and win her forgiveness. In the beginning days of her new life as a Knight of the Prince, he could not abandon her, no matter the cost. He decided that the risk of dying from his wounds was not enough to nullify the joy of living even a short time with the affections of Keanna.

In time, Gavinaugh began to diligently train Keanna in the art of the sword, and her heart waxed strong in the ways of the Prince and of the Code. She became a mighty knight, who stood beside him and the other knights as they continued the mission given them by the Prince.

Gavinaugh, Keanna, Weston, and Sandon journeyed onward.
Before them lay the vast regions of a grand kingdom, and they had been called to go. It was a time to rise up and be strong—a time to honor the King and His Son. Gavinaugh felt the hearts of many people calling out for a Deliverer, and he had purposed in his heart to answer them with the only name that could ever bring them hope and new life—the Prince!

FINAL DAWN

Alas, the tale of Sir Gavinaugh and his valiant quest to reach the kingdom of Arrethtrae for the King and the Prince is told. I, Cedric of Chessington, count it a great honor to have known the heart of such a brave and courageous knight. The fame of the gallant Sir Gavinaugh went forth throughout the entire kingdom, and he is considered a champion for the Prince, for his sword flew forth to destroy the strongholds of many Shadow Warriors. Through his quest, many people were gathered to the Prince.

I tell the story of Sir Gavinaugh, not to bring glory to him, but to inspire others to rise up and put on the armor of the King … to cross the barren lands of the kingdom with hope and joy in the One who sacrificed Himself to save many, to bring the power of the Prince against the strongholds of the Dark Knight that imprison the souls of men. All who hear are called. All who are called are able.