Kingdom's Reign (2 page)

I remember the night that Keef, a mighty Silent Warrior, awakened me from a deep sleep to board the ships that would take us home. The Prince came to gather His people and take us across the Great Sea to be with the King.

My encounter with the Prince was by far the most life-changing event I have ever experienced. Seeing Him alive again after witnessing His death was the most kingdom-shaking event I have ever experienced. But perhaps the
strangest
moment in my life was when I encountered an old friend …

THE JOURNEY HOME

I left the Prince's embrace to board one of the many ships that waited to take us across the Great Sea. For a time, my mission in Arrethtrae was complete. I had yearned to reunite with the One who gave me purpose in life. I had worked to serve Him with honor and faithfulness while He was away. And He gave me the words I craved: “Well done, Cedric. Well done.” Like a man arriving home after a long journey, I found rest in His words and in His embrace.

The Prince first came to Arrethtrae to save the kingdom and change the hearts of the people. There is no other like Him … no other who is worthy of the loyal service of all. The Son of the King came as a peasant and served us before we could serve Him. His nature is pure and His heart compassionate. His words are wise and His vision sure. I will follow Him to death, if need be. But I know in my heart of hearts that He will lead us only to life. The road has not and will
not be easy, but I will follow, for He is great and His plans are grand.

The ships we boarded were gallant, three-masted vessels with a full rigging of sails that beckoned the wind from a dozen seas to carry them into their waters. They were sturdy yet built for speed. The main deck of each ship was over thirty paces from stem to stern with a quarterdeck and a half-deck above. A lower deck provided space for supplies and for most of the passengers. All of the ships' crews were comprised of Silent Warriors who were very experienced seamen. Conversation with the crew was limited, for they assumed their duties onboard with the utmost diligence.

On the main deck of my ship, I searched the faces of my many companions. I looked for William, my lifelong friend, but I discovered that he had boarded another ship, as had Rob and Barrett. Commanded to be silent, for the entire kingdom was asleep and the exodus of the Knights of the Prince and His people was not complete, I smiled and nodded my greetings to my fellow workers who sat upon the deck. We were going home! It sounded strange yet felt perfect, for this home was a place we had never been, but the King awaited us there.
What will this great kingdom be like?
I wondered.

Our ship launched out into the sea, and I found a place of solitude near the bow, beneath the foresail. The wind in my face and the sound of the waves breaking on the bow took me back to a time when I was a fisherman, before I ever knew of the Prince. As Arrethtrae faded into the horizon, I found myself lost in thoughts of wonderment at the path my life had
taken. Long after the coasts of Arrethtrae had disappeared, my solitude was interrupted by a solid voice behind me.

“Sir, I'm sorry to disturb you,” the young man said somewhat hesitantly, “but I feel I must introduce myself.”

I looked up into the bright face of a handsome young man and rose to my feet. “You are not disturbing me at all,” I said with a smile as I offered my hand. “I am Cedric of Chessington.”

“I know who you are, sir,” he said enthusiastically as he took my hand. “For many years I have desired to meet you again.”

“Then we have met before?”

“Yes … when I was but a youth. I am Cullen of the United Cities of Cameria.”

I felt such joy to know that the words of the Prince had brought people from the distant lands of Cameria to these ships this day. I recognized his accent from that region. It was unique in that it seemed to mesh the accents of all lands into one.

I released Cullen's hand. “Unto this day, the people of Chessington are indebted to the great land of Cameria and her people,” I said. “These final days in Chessington were only bearable in large part because of your people and your help against her enemies.”

My words to him were not flattery. Cameria was one of the last regions in the kingdom to hear the story of the Prince, and I had made one of the first journeys there. They embraced the truth of the Prince with eager hearts and quickly became a beacon of light for the entire kingdom. When much of the kingdom turned against Chessington, the five United Cities of
Cameria stood firm in their support of the King's city and His people. Supplies of food and swords were sent without request for trade. But in the final days, even Cameria began to waver as the return of the Prince seemed to linger.

Cullen smiled at the compliment I offered and momentarily looked down in respectful humility. When he lifted his eyes to mine again, I saw the spark of life in him that only a believer had.

“Sir Cedric,” he said. “I heard your words of the Prince that day many years ago, and my heart nearly burst within my chest!”

His eyes gleamed, and his countenance radiated with enthusiasm. I could imagine the excitement with which he had shared the story of the Prince with others.

Cullen stood tall and confident. His build was average, but his cheekbones and chin were sharp. His hair was a common brown, but his dark eyes were not common at all.

He continued. “I wanted to believe your words with all of my heart, but it seemed too good to be true. I gave every ounce of my being to live by the Code and learn the ways of the Prince. I guess I needed to prove that it would change my circumstances. It worked, but I was not prepared for the biggest change of all—in myself! I found purpose for my life and a cause much greater than any selfish venture I thought I desired.” He smiled broadly. “Thank you, Sir Cedric … thank you!”

I placed my hand on his shoulder. “Cullen, your words have made all of my journeys worth every step. You do not need to thank me, for as you discovered, I cannot contain the hope that was given to me.”

In the midst of the Great Sea, our homecoming was already beginning.

“Have you any family onboard, Cullen?”

“Yes … some,” he said with a mix of emotions.

I felt a bit foolish for asking the question, since the story of the Prince often split family members' loyalties. Our voyage across the sea this day clarified the permanence that such a separation of hearts within a home caused.

Cullen spoke again. “My parents and my next younger sister would not accept the truth of the Prince and His promise.”

“I'm sorry.”

A smile crossed his lips. “But glory to the King, my little sister, Keely, is here with me.” It was clearly a comfort to him.

“Excuse me, gentlemen, does this young lady belong to either of you?” The question came from a young woman, who was as pretty as her voice. She was guiding a girl toward us who looked as though she'd been caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

Cullen's smile disappeared as he looked down at the lass. “What have you been up to, Keely?”

I could tell in an instant that the girl was as spunky as a tree squirrel. She couldn't contain the broad grin that spread across her freckled face. It was a look of curiosity more than mischief that lit up her eyes.

“I just wanted to see,” she said as she pointed up to the crow's-nest at the top of the mainmast.

“I'm sure she would have made it if I hadn't stopped her halfway up,” replied her chaperon, a grin on her face as well.

Keely turned to the young lady. “I'm sorry, miss. I'll not try it again.”

I found it difficult not to gaze at the woman who had brought Cullen's little sister to him. I wondered what kind of lady would climb the rope ladder to the crow's-nest to apprehend a curious girl when any number of Silent Warrior crewmen could have taken care of the matter. She seemed to have authority of some sort onboard the ship. Her attire was not of the style one might see most Arrethtraen ladies wear. Her blouse and trousers were loose fitting, but were tight at the waist, ankles, and wrists. A three-quarter cape fell from her shoulders to her thighs. It was not the apparel of any I'd ever seen, but it suited her well. Her hair was long, dark brown, and tied in a single braid that fell midway down her back. Yet it was the beautiful sword hanging at her waist that truly set her apart from most other women.

She placed a friendly hand on Keely's head. “See to it, little miss,” she said firmly but kindly, “or the captain will have a word with you. And you won't find him nearly as forgiving.”

“I'm sorry,” said Cullen, slightly embarrassed. “I'll keep a closer eye on her.” He looked sternly at Keely, but she didn't seem bothered by it a bit.

I bent down to Keely. “Hello, Keely. I am Cedric.”

She confidently held out her hand. “I'm pleased to meet you, Sir Cedric. Cul says you're the best swordsman in the kingdom!”

I shook her hand. “I can hold my own, Keely, but there are many men … and women”—I added as an afterthought and
stole a quick glance at the young lady standing behind the girl—“that are as skilled with the sword as I.”

“You mean like Talea?” she asked.

“And who is Talea?”

Keely pointed to the woman behind her.

“Pleased to meet you, gentlemen.” Talea bowed her head slightly. I was thankful she didn't offer her hand since I wouldn't have known whether to kiss it or shake it.

“I am Cedric of Chessington,” I said with a bow, “and this is Cullen of the United Cities of Cameria.”

Talea's businesslike countenance did not dim her brown eyes, which sparkled with life. I imagined that a younger Talea wrestled with the same spunky spirit Keely seemed to possess. Although the morning sun had not yet broken the horizon, I could see a noble look upon her face that was woven into every feature from her brow to her chin. She looked into my eyes without hesitation, and I was somewhat mesmerized, for I seemed to gain energy from her gaze. It was not a look of affection but one of question and resolve. Then, for one brief instant, a nearly imperceptible look of embarrassment crossed her face.

“Which region of Arrethtrae are you from?” I asked.

Talea seemed to struggle to find an answer to my question and then reached for her sword. Her face became tense, and her eyes seemed to gaze clean through me and into the receding darkness beyond. The lighthearted mood of our conversation quickly transformed into a moment of uncertain stress. I could tell by Talea's expression that something
was wrong, and I naturally moved my hand closer to my sword. In an instant, the building anxiety exploded.

Talea drew her sword and yelled,
“Get dow—!”

The last of her warning was cut off by the most hideous screech I have ever heard. It was of such a nature that our first reaction was to drop to the deck for cover. Talea brought a powerful upward slice to bear on a winged creature that screamed past our heads from behind. She followed the slice by dropping to the deck herself, but her blade had found its mark. The screech of the attacking beast became the momentary wail of a mortally wounded monster. It hit the side rail of the ship with a solid thud and careened over the edge to the frothy waters below. The entire encounter happened so quickly that I scarcely got a glimpse at the creature. Its body and wings looked dark and leathery, but that was all I could see in the receding darkness of the early morning dawn.