Kingdom's Reign

© Chuck Black

EVIL'S BATTLE

Before me lies the grand city of Chessington. I have been away for a number of years, and I do not return to a city of joy, but to one of great apprehension. You see, I am one of thousands here, all ready for battle … the battle of the ages.

My name is Cedric. Through the tales of gallant knights such as Sir Leinad and Sir Gavinaugh, and through the tales of my own life, I have shared with you the story of the people of Arrethtrae, our kingdom. Few are as fortunate as you and I, for most have not let the history of our land or the promise of our future penetrate their hearts with true understanding. It is not by any measure of witty writing that my story will move your heart, but by the sheer truth of the mercy of a King and the sacrifice of His Son. It will change you for its hearing.

Leinad saw the birth of our kingdom and the promise of a deliverer. Unfortunately, he also saw the waning of belief in
this hope. I, Cedric of Chessington, saw the fulfillment of the promise Leinad awaited. It came from across the Great Sea in the form of a man—not just any man, but the Prince Himself. He came dressed in the rags of a peasant and taught of His Father the King. Many believed Him, but most did not. I saw the fire in His eyes, the mercy in His acts, the love in His heart, and the power in His words. He trained me and the other Knights of the Prince in the art of the sword. The Prince was a master swordsman, and we became an extension of His mighty arm. He taught that without belief in the Code, the sword was meaningless and even detrimental to the kingdom, for it was the Code that brought allegiance to the King and compassion for our fellow man.

My time with the Prince was precious, albeit short-lived. Those in power considered Him a threat—a threat to be silenced—and so they killed Him. The Prince died for me, for you … for us all. My grief was deep and my sorrow without measure. But then, through the majestic power of the King, the Prince arose and lives again! Yes, He lives again! I must say it twice, lest I question the believability of my own memory, for that day shook the very foundation of the kingdom and will bring its enemy, the Dark Knight, to his knees once and for all.

The Prince left us and returned to His Father across the Great Sea. We did not want Him to go, but it was His way. He came to prepare us for our mission in the kingdom, which was to tell others about Him and train them for the ultimate battle to come. Those years He was away seemed long and without end, but every day we rose to fill the kingdom with the good
news of the Prince and His love for the people of Arrethtrae. His life and His teachings possess the power to change the very hearts of men—even mighty men such as Sir Gavinaugh, who was at one time a fierce enemy of the Prince and His Followers.

During these waiting years, we traveled to the far reaches of the kingdom, endured many hardships, and saw strange happenings of all sorts, but those tales are for another day. Eventually the Prince came back for us … for all the Knights of the Prince and for those who were loyal to Him. He took us across the Great Sea to be with Him and the King. It was a reprieve from the persecution that was mounting in the end days, but it was not the end of our mission as His knights—it was the beginning of a new mission!

It is on that voyage home, to the Kingdom Across the Sea, that my story resumes. Upon my steed, as we await the massive evil force that comes to destroy our beloved city, there is a final moment to reflect back on my away years … years that bring understanding to this impending battle.