Kingdom's Reign (4 page)

“William!” I exclaimed and ran to meet him.

We embraced with the love of brotherhood. It had been
many days since I'd seen him, and I was delighted to hear his voice and see him again.

“William! It is good to see you!”

“And you, my brother!” he replied. “Isn't this amazing?” he said, sweeping his arm across the glorious scene.

“Indeed, my friend,” I said with a silly grin on my face. “Did you ever dream of such a place as this?”

He laughed and shook his head.

“Have you seen Rob or Barrett?” I asked.

“Yes, we traveled on the same ship together. I left them just there,” he said, pointing to a group of people.

We approached, and I was once again reunited with my friends and fellow warriors of many years. I introduced Cullen to William, Rob, and Barrett. Rob's smile was as big as ever I'd seen, and Barrett was more peaceful than the crystal sea beyond the city. Something unusual was taking place, and I didn't know what it was. Each of my friends seemed somehow greater than I'd remembered. I attributed it to the majestic surroundings and the excitement of the moment, but even I felt quite different. I took a deep breath and was all the more invigorated.

“What now, my dear fellow companions?” I asked.

“We wait, I guess, for the rest of the carriages,” replied Barrett.

As the passengers of one carriage disembarked, I saw Keanna step out and behold the beauty around her. I went to greet her and could see a look of great expectation in her eyes. Her journeys with Sir Gavinaugh throughout the kingdom of Arrethtrae as a Knight of the Prince had won her a place of
honor among the legends of great knights, especially when she carried on the great mission of the King after Gavinaugh fell in battle and was taken across the sea.

“Welcome home, Keanna.” I bowed to her.

Her face seemed to glow as she looked to the grand city beyond the gates. “Cedric … I never imagined it could be so beautiful!”

“Yes … and we are yet on the outside. I think perhaps the wonders within will overwhelm us.”

She broke her gaze from the splendor of the scene and looked at me. Her eyes sparkled. “Do you think I will see him?”

“I do.”

She looked back at the city, and I wondered if she was going to burst from the anticipation of her reunion with Gavinaugh.

“Come. Please join us,” I said and led her to our group of friends.

The last of the carriages finally arrived, and the massive courtyard was filled with thousands of people. Shortly thereafter, all the Silent Warriors came to a position of readiness, raised their trumpets, and sounded three brilliant notes in unison. One noble Silent Warrior stepped forward and stood before the people. Our congregation became intently silent to listen for whatever message was to come.

“I am Micalem—keeper of the City of the King. Who is worthy to enter?” He asked the question with great authority.

A second Silent Warrior came forward to stand beside him. “What deems a man worthy?” he asked for all to hear.

Micalem responded with a shout. “He is worthy who has
followed the Code without fault. He is worthy who has honored the King with his life and sworn allegiance to Him and Him only. He is worthy who has served the King in truth, justice, and honor. He is worthy who has offered compassion to the weak, the destitute, the widowed, and the poor. He is worthy who has lived for the King and served others without personal gain. He is worthy who has never abandoned a fellow knight in battle or in peril. He is worthy who has equipped, trained, and prepared for battle against the forces of the Dark Knight. He is worthy who has served the King and fainted not in the day of battle. He is worthy who has not used the sword to seek selfish gain but executed justice and the will of the King. He is worthy who has been merciful, loyal, courageous, faithful, and noble, but above all, who has been humble before the King and before men. He is worthy whose words have always been spoken in truth.”

He paused and looked over the people in the courtyard. No one uttered a sound.

“Who here has fulfilled every article of the Code and is worthy to enter the gate of the City of the King?” he asked again.

No one dared move, for we all had failed in some way and were not worthy. It was a solemn moment broken only by a stirring at the back of the courtyard furthest from the gate. Soon all eyes turned to behold what manner of man would dare come forward to meet such a challenge. The throng of people parted to give way for the man's approach to the gate. As the man passed by, people began to kneel, until He was before all and all were kneeling. He stood before the massive
Silent Warrior, who suddenly did not look quite as noble with this man near him.

Micalem opened his hands and spread them low before the Prince. “Only You are worthy, my Prince!” he exclaimed and knelt down before Him.

The remaining Silent Warriors also knelt before the Prince and exclaimed in unison, “Only He is worthy!”

The Prince, dressed in royal robes, turned to face us and lifted His hands into the air as if to enclose us in His embrace. “These are worthy, for I died for them and they believed in Me! Open the gates, and welcome them home!”

The Silent Warriors stood, opened the gates, and blasted forth a song of triumph on their golden trumpets. The people all stood and cheered, for our joy was full and our hearts were home. We were delivered and redeemed, and the Prince had brought us home!

AN “OLD” FRIEND

Once within the walls of the city, we were greeted with pomp and ceremony. It was a time of great celebration. I saw the gallant Sir Gavinaugh waiting to embrace Keanna, and she ran to him. Their reunion brought tears of joy to us all, for we knew the longing in her heart when he was taken from her. He looked strong and whole once again.

The Prince had prepared a home for each of us that was every bit a palace. We rested for one day, and the following evening we anticipated a grand feast with the King. The beauty of the King's palace was indescribable. Gold, jewels, elegant tapestries, polished marble floors, archways, balconies, towers, fountains, and lush gardens proclaimed magnificence throughout. The inner courtyard was set to accommodate the thousands of new residents at a feast beyond imagination. The head table was set on the marble deck, and the Prince sat to the King's right.

The majesty of the King seemed to radiate in all directions. A jeweled crown sat upon His brow, and a royal robe flowed around Him. As He gazed across the court of loyal knights, His countenance strengthened the hearts of all. The Prince had His Father's eyes, and they too burned like fire. But today the fire was warm, and His joy was obvious to all who saw Him. His people were here to celebrate their homecoming, and He was pleased!

The supper was splendid. Every dish was palate perfection … and there were many.

After the feast, there was music and fellowship. I became reacquainted with many friends I had not seen in years. Once I released the burden of apprehension I had continually fought in Arrethtrae, it was a joyous time. In spite of this, something strange nagged at me, but I could not put my finger on it.

Of all my reunions, one was foremost in my mind. I searched the mass of celebratory people hoping to find an old friend—Leinad. I consciously pushed away the possibility that he might have died—he had been an old man when he was taken from Arrethtrae so many years before. I began asking people about him, but no one knew where he was. My search was reminiscent of the last time I had tried to find him in Arrethtrae. That search, however, had ended sadly, and my heart began to ache. As I continued looking, I found William once again.

“William, do you think it possible that our old friend Leinad might still live?” I asked.

William looked sad. “I have searched and searched, Cedric, but to no avail. Surely the Prince will know. Perhaps we can inquire of Him.”

“Gentlemen, can I help you with something?” The question came from behind us.

We turned to see a handsome and refined gentleman who looked to be a few years older than I.

“If only you could, sir,” I said. “But I am afraid we are looking for someone that only the Prince would know of.”

“What does he look like?” the man asked politely. “Maybe I can help you find him.”

The thought seemed futile since even William and I, who knew what Leinad looked like, could not find him. I had no desire to describe Leinad's appearance to the man, so I waited for William to respond, but he did not. I looked his way, and William seemed bewildered and lost in thought.

I turned back to the gentleman. “He is an older man, and I'm afraid his health may have failed him by now. I fear he has passed on, though I cannot be sure.”

I glanced at William to see if he had returned from wherever his mind had taken him. He no longer looked bewildered; he looked downright afraid.

“Ah, Cedric and William,” the man said.

I turned back to the man, and the hairs on the back of my neck began to tingle. Something bizarre was awakening in my mind. William grabbed my arm and stepped back, pulling me with him. His eyes were fixed on the man before us.

“It's … it's … not possible!” he exclaimed.

“William! What's going—?”

He interrupted me before I could finish. “Leinad!” he whispered and pointed at the man.

“What?” I looked at the man once again.

The smiling gentleman gazed into my eyes with warmth and compassion, but I was not comforted. His features were familiar, but I was sure that William had lost his mind. This man was mature—a bit older than I—but he was certainly not the age of an old man. Leinad would be very old by now … many years older than when I last saw him. William still looked as though he had seen a dragamoth.

I stared hard at the man. “What is your name, sir, and how do you know ours?”

“Cedric, William … please don't be alarmed. It is I, Leinad.”

In a moment my mind crossed over the barrier of reality and contemplated the possibility that this was indeed Leinad. My skin crawled with bumps from head to toe, and I felt the same shock William was exhibiting. His hand still gripped my arm.

I shook my head. “Impossible!” I exclaimed quietly.

“So it seems, Cedric,” the man said. “But do remember where you are, my old friend. The King is a king of wonder, and so is His kingdom. I have waited to see you for many years. Will you greet an old friend?”

He offered a hand, and I could hardly force myself to take it. His hand was firm and full of life—the way it had been when I was a boy, when he sliced apples for me and told me grand adventure stories. I struggled with reason, doubt, and hope all at the same time.

“But how …?”

“It is the Life Spice, Cedric,” he said with a smile. “Haven't you felt it already too?”

He was right. I had both felt and seen
something
in my fellow companions. It was part of the mystery I hadn't been able to identify but had attributed to the wonder of the new kingdom.