Kingdom's Reign (17 page)

VENGEANCE OF A DRAGON

The rebellion began in Norwex, but we had no way of knowing how many other cities had joined or if they even knew of the rebellion. The tenth feast of celebration was just five weeks away. It was to be the greatest of them all, for everyone sealed to the King was to attend.

I felt helpless as I sat on the cold stone floor of the cell. The hours passed. More and more cells were being filled with Knights of the Prince and anyone bold enough to stand against the rebellion. We asked the newest prisoners for news of the city, and it sounded like the rebels were in complete control. I inquired of Talea, but there was no word from anyone. I was nearly out of my mind wondering what had happened to her. I did not know if she was dead or alive.

If the Shadow Warriors were successful in finding the Wasteland and releasing Lucius, I did not dare to think how far the rebellion would run. There was still a chance that the
Silent Warriors would thwart their plan. It was all I could hope for.

Two days passed with no food or water. We were becoming faint and petitioned the rebel guards, but they were completely apathetic toward us. Finally, on the morning of the third day, water and a bit of food was given to us. But the waiting was more agonizing than the painful hunger in my stomach. Our cells were full, and we heard that the rebels had killed many. They had made a temporary prison camp, where many others were evidently taken. Gunther tried to find out about his wife and daughter but was unsuccessful.

The hours passed slowly, and the days even more slowly. Three weeks passed, and I began to wonder if there was any hope of being discovered by our fellow knights this far north in the kingdom. On the morning of the twenty-second day, our food and water came as usual. Three guards delivered our food. Two entered the prison hallway, but the third was delayed. When he came in, he wore a hood that covered most of his face. He did not stop at the nearest cell, as was usual, and the prisoners there made a ruckus. The other two guards turned around to see what was the matter.

The hooded guard drew a sword that I recognized in an instant. The other guards dropped their trays of bread and began to draw their swords, but Talea was too quick for them. Within a moment, both guards lay dead on the stone floor. We were all stunned to silence, and I couldn't believe my eyes. Talea threw back the hood and searched the cells. All of the knights were to their feet and quietly cheered. I was ecstatic to
see that pretty face of hers and called to her quietly. Talea found me, opened my cell, and gave the keys to the other knights within, who in turn quickly opened all the other cells. I grabbed Talea and smiled with a joy that I had thought was lost forever. I hugged her tightly.

“Ah … careful,” she said and winced.

“I'm sorry …” I felt foolish for momentarily forgetting her wound. “Thank the King you're alive!” I stepped back and looked at her. “How?”

“I'll explain later,” she said and smiled at me as she never had before. She briefly put her hand on my cheek. For almost ten years I had looked for the smallest hint of affirmation from Talea, and I found it in that single small act.

“I brought you a present,” she said and opened her cloak to reveal my sword. She handed it to me, and I numbly took it as I tried to shake myself back to the reality of our situation. She turned to exit the cell, but I grabbed her arm. She looked back at me over her shoulder.

“Thank you!” I was grateful for more than my sword.

She smiled a knowing smile.

We quickly and quietly marshaled ourselves in the prison hall. Gunther, Talea, and I moved closest to the door that exited the hall.

“There are five guards in the main guardroom … Two are still asleep,” Talea whispered to the men. Approximately forty Knights of the Prince stood behind us, waiting to fight for the King—bare-handed if need be.

Gunther spoke softly. “There are three other prison halls
like this one … all probably full of fellow knights. It's a good bet they are being given their rations now too. We must move quickly to catch them off guard.”

“Split into three teams—one for each hall,” I ordered. “Secure the doors until we can recover the main guardroom and get swords to you.”

We readied ourselves and opened the door slowly until the room was visible. The first guard spotted us, and we burst into the room—all forty of us. Talea and I made quick work of the nearest two guards. Gunther and a fellow knight recovered their swords and joined us as we engaged the remaining guards. Within moments, we controlled the main guardroom. Shortly after that we controlled the entire prison. We locked the rebel guards in the cells and formulated a plan to recover the city.

We exited the prison and discovered no resistance in the city of Norwex. It was baffling—there appeared to be no rebels anywhere other than the prison. We encountered women, children, and an occasional older man, but no rebels. At the location of the temporary prison, we found only a handful of guards, and they relinquished without a fight. We released all of the prisoners. Two Knights of the Prince were among them, as well as Gunther's entire household.

“Gunther!” Raleb shouted and ran to him with little Ava following close behind.

“Raleb! You are all right!”

Gunther knelt down and hugged Ava tightly.

Talea walked to Raleb and embraced her. “Thank you.”

“I am so thankful you survived, Lady Talea,” Raleb said.

Talea turned to me. “When the rebels came to the manor, Lady Raleb hid me in a secret chamber with food and water. The Life Spice healed me, but I did not dare leave until I felt I could use my sword effectively. It was difficult to be patient.”

I turned to the two knights that had been held captive in the temporary prison, hoping they may have seen something to help explain what had happened.

“Gentlemen, can you shed some light on what has happened?” I asked.

“Yes, Sir Cedric …” one said, then paused as if unwilling to reveal what he knew. “They came from the northeast. Shadow Warriors … thousands of them!”

His words hit me like a hammer. “Lucius? Did you see … Lucius?”

The knights lowered their eyes and nodded affirmation.

So the pits of the Wasteland gave up their evil host
, I thought.
Simply because the wicked heart of man wanted it
.

“And the rebels?” Gunther asked.

“They joined the Shadow Warriors and left Norwex over seven days ago. We don't know where they were going,” replied one of the guards.

“I know!” I turned to face Gunther. “The tenth feast is less than two weeks away. It is a gathering of all the Knights of the Prince and all people sealed to the King. Lucius's escape, this rebellion, and the tenth feast are no coincidence. All cities will be vulnerable if the Knights of the Prince are all at Chessington. The Shadow Warriors are probably leading rebellions throughout the kingdom.”

The realization that the entire kingdom was in jeopardy slowly dawned on us all.

Talea broke in. “A gathering of all of the King's people in one valley, completely unaware that Lucius is leading a kingdomwide rebellion to destroy them …”

How quickly paradise could be lost again because of the pride and greed of evil men! I knew that Lucius's vengeance would be satisfied by nothing less than the death of the Prince and of all His people.

“Gunther, you must gather all people sealed to the King and get them to Chessington,” I said. “Avoid all cities. Use the Knights of the Prince for protection. It will become more dangerous the closer you get to Chessington, so be extremely careful. Talea and I must ride ahead and try to get to the Prince before the feast and warn Him. It may be too late already—Chessington is a distant ride from here.”

Gunther nodded. “I understand, Sir Cedric. The King reigns …”

“And His Son!” I replied.

Talea and I quickly gathered provisions, rounded up fresh horses, and rode south to the Beloved City of the King. How we would make it through the forces of Lucius and the rebels was something I dared not contemplate. I just knew we had to do it, for we were the only ones aware of the impending destruction!

FROM THE CAVERNS OF SEDAH

Talea and I rode as hard as our horses would allow.

I was thankful for a half moon, which enabled us to ride even at night. We slept three to four hours a day and traveled the rest. By the fifth day, we and our steeds were spent, so we camped in a wooded area just north of Salisburg for an entire night to recover and build our strength. From Salisburg on, we knew it would be difficult to avoid Shadow Warriors and rebels. All of the Knights of the Prince and those sealed to the King would have already left their cities many days ago to make the tenth feast. Talea and I would find no help from anyone … We were alone in enemy territory.

We built a fire for warmth that night but kept it small. Although I was exhausted, my apprehension kept me from any sleep that was refreshing. I wanted to go on but could not. It
was like trying to run in the knee-high waters of a sandy shore. I rolled over on my blanket and saw the peaceful face of Talea sleeping next to me. The chirping of the crickets and the cool night air were familiar and soothing but not as comforting as seeing Talea near me. My thoughts turned to her. Only when I thought I might lose her had I realized just how much she meant to me.