Kingdom's Hope

by Chuck Black

  Leinad wondered if he would ever see Tess or Audric again.

  THE DAYS BECAME WEEKS, the weeks became months, and the months became a year. Though the bondage for the King’s people was much more bearable than what they had experienced under Fairos in Nyland, they longed to be free and return to Chessington. Leinad knew that the King was aware of their predicament, and so he encouraged the people whenever he could.

  Leinad’s service to Kergon changed over the months. At first he was kept under close supervision and performed hard manual labor. But as he proved himself trustworthy, Kergon’s captain gave him more and more responsibility and freedom. One of his duties included organizing the purchases required to maintain palace operations. Through these contacts, Leinad learned that Tess had been sold to a wealthy widow who was sympathetic to young ladies up for sale in a city that was less than scrupulous in its treatment of slaves. Though he hadn’t seen Tess since their arrival in the city, he was relieved that she was in a moderately safe environment.

  One day, Leinad was inspecting a number of carts loaded with produce that was to be delivered to the palace. Two other palace servants accompanied him. The shop owner bragged incessantly about the quality of his produce, and Leinad was becoming annoyed with the man.

  “You will not find produce as fine as this in all of Daydelon,” the shop owner said with a smile as he followed Leinad through the inspection. A contract to sell goods to the palace was envied by most merchants.

  “I’m sure your goods are top quality,” Leinad said. “But I must inspect them thoroughly anyway.”

  The shop was in the central part of Daydelon called the Market, where the gentle sound of the river mixed with the daily routine of market activity. By night, the river’s flow was a gentle, soothing lullaby to those near enough to hear it. Large trees and shrubs lined the streets and walkways. The Market was clean and neat and a delightful place to conduct business. On a day like today, with the sun shining bright in the blue sky, the streets were teeming with activity.

  Leinad stepped around the shop owner to advance to the next cart and bumped into a finely dressed woman inspecting an intricate dining plate. The plate fell to the ground and shattered into a hundred pieces.

  “Oh, I am so sorry, my lady,” Leinad said as he knelt down to gather the broken pieces. He hoped that she was not a lady of importance in the city, for such an incident with a slave could be disastrous.

  “You’re going to pay for that!” the shop owner screamed as he exited the shop.

  Leinad continued to work at gathering the pieces. “The expense is mine,” he said. The shop owner arrived at the scene red-faced and angry.

  “How much was the dish?” Leinad asked.

  The shop owner stated a price that Leinad knew was probably twice its value, but he reached for the palace money bag and hoped he could explain himself to Kergon’s treasury officer.

  “Thank you, Lady Weldon,” Leinad heard the shop owner say politely as he fumbled to open the bag.

  The woman paid the shop owner, and he disappeared back into his shop.

  Hardly daring to look the woman in the eye, Leinad thanked her. He knew she must be a prominent woman by the shop owner’s response.

  “Please forgive me, my lady,” Leinad said and bowed.

  “It’s quite all right, young man,” she said. “Just be a little more careful when you’re about your business.” Her speech was refined and dignified. “Tess, come along,” she called into the shop.

  Leinad nearly fell over at the mention of Tess’s name. He raised himself up and turned to see Tess exiting the same shop. His heart leapt within his chest at seeing her, for it had been over a year since they were last together.

  She was dressed in fine clothing and looked like a lady of stature herself. She stopped midstride and astonishment overcame her. Her eyes widened and her mouth parted slightly, but quickly transformed into a jubilant smile.

  “Leinad!” she exclaimed and ran to him.

  They embraced, and Leinad felt true joy in his heart for the first time since their enslavement. Somehow he knew it was true for Tess as well. They stepped back from one another as if to convince themselves that they were truly together again, even if it was for just a moment.

  “Tess, is it really you?” Leinad said with wonder. He never would have believed that the freckle-faced little girl of Mankin would grow up to be the lovely, refined woman that stood before him.

  “So this is the young man you spoke of so glowingly,” Lady Weldon said.

  “Lady Weldon, please meet Sir Leinad of Chessington,” Tess said with pride and dignity in her voice.

  Leinad bowed a second time to Lady Weldon and was amazed at how polished Tess’s speech had become.

  “I am pleased to meet you, Sir Leinad,” Lady Weldon said.

  “The pleasure is mine, my lady,” Leinad said as he finished bowing.

  “I have some unfinished business in the shop across the street. Tess, join me after a bit.”

  “Yes, my lady,” she said with a smile that radiated delight and appreciation.

  Leinad turned to one of the other servants and asked him to finish the inspection for him.

  Tess put her arm through Leinad’s. “Shall we take a walk, sir?” she asked sweetly.

  Leinad smiled and led them toward a walkway that skirted the river. It was odd for him to see his sword-fighting companion as a poised and dignified young lady. It was apparent that Lady Weldon had given Tess what Leinad and his father never could. His feelings and his words felt awkward to him at first. It was like getting to know her for the first time.

  “Enslavement has suited you well, Sunshine,” he said.

  She dropped her smile. “Too well, Leinad. Look at me. Although I am a servant at her estate, Lady Weldon treats us more like daughters than slaves. I am spoiled and feel guilty when I see the plight of our people. It is difficult for me to come to the Market like this, but Lady Weldon occasionally insists. It has been months since my last visit.”

  Leinad placed his hand on Tess’s hand that held his arm. “Of all people, Tess, you should not feel guilty about being treated well, and I am glad you came to the Market today.”

  She smiled, but Leinad knew that the words would not change her feelings. “Have you heard anything of Audric?” he asked.

  “No, I have not. I hope he is well. Some of the people are serving under difficult masters.”

  “Yes, I know. With my new responsibilities at the palace, I have been able to contact many more of the people. For most, the bondage weighs heavily on them.”

  Tess looked down and away.

  “I’m sorry, Tess. I didn’t mean to—”

  “It’s all right. I know what’s happening here. I would leave in an instant if given the chance,” she said defiantly. “How long will the King leave us here, Leinad?”

  “The time is not far off, Tess.”

  They walked and soaked up every moment they had together, for their next visit might be months away, if ever.

  On their return, Leinad thanked Lady Weldon for allowing them time together and for affording Tess a safe haven in the midst of captivity. It was a day that both Leinad and Tess cherished for weeks to come.

  INTO THE JAWS OF DRAGAMOTH

  Kergon continued to prosper and conquer. He became powerful in the region and in all of Arrethtrae. As Kergon’s fame and influence grew, Leinad observed, so did his pride. With no force strong enough to penetrate the great city, Kergon believed the title of King was his to take. The lesser lords could not dispute him. They either vowed their allegiance or were overthrown.

  Kergon ordained one day to confirm his crown. The palace grounds were prepared, and the boulevards were lined with all the inhabitants of the city. When the palace trumpets sounded, every man, woman, and child was to bow to demonstrate allegiance to Kergon as King of Arrethtrae.

  It was a day of pomp and ceremony in the palace, but for one man, it was a day of intense sorrow. Leinad knew he
could not kneel, and he was willing to accept whatever consequences fell upon him. What saddened his heart was that others would be forced to accept the same fate or compromise their convictions because of the fear that surely gripped them.

  Who will be strong and die … who will be weak and live? he wondered. Oh Tess, that I could spare you this day.

  Kergon’s guards were placed throughout the mass of people to maintain order and to ensure submission.

  Kergon stepped onto the high balcony of his palace, which overlooked his great city, and the trumpets blew. The mass of people knelt in unison before the self-proclaimed king. All the people … except three.

  “Kneel down, Tess!” Lady Weldon exclaimed.

  “I am sorry, my lady. I cannot. There is only one King of Arrethtrae, and I have already sworn my allegiance to Him.”

  “This is something I cannot protect you from, Tess. Please kneel,” Lady Weldon said softly.

  Tess looked kindly on Lady Weldon. “Thank you for all you have done for me, my lady.”

  “Kneel or you will die!” an approaching guard shouted.

  WITHIN A SHORT TIME, LEINAD, Tess, and Audric were brought before Kergon.

  “It is good to see you, old friend,” Leinad said quietly to Audric as they waited for Kergon to approach them. Leinad could tell by Audric’s tattered clothing that his captivity had been difficult.

  Audric grinned lightheartedly. “And you, my friends,” he nodded.

  Leinad’s respect for Audric had grown tremendously over the years. He was a man of intense loyalty and convictions—two qualities Leinad found lacking in most men. The forthcoming adversity seemed easier to bear knowing that Audric and Tess were by his side. From the days of Fairos until now, they had been Leinad’s faithful companions and supporters. Their devotion to the King had been steady and sure through the years. They were true Knights of the King as well. Standing tall, the three of them now faced certain death for defying Kergon’s claim to be king of Arrethtrae.

  Kergon left his balcony and approached them, anger burning in his eyes. He was a distinguished-looking man with a beard that held streaks of gray. He carried himself with an authority that demanded submission from all of his subjects—almost all.

  At his approach, the four guards surrounding Leinad, Tess, and Audric saluted. Kergon stopped before them with his chin raised slightly.

  “I am told that the three of you have refused to kneel and swear your allegiance to me as king,” Kergon said with restrained anger in his voice. He stepped closer to Leinad. “You have been a faithful servant for some time now. You have earned my trust. To show you that I am a merciful king, I will allow you and these other two to kneel now so that you may live.”

  “Lord Kergon,” Leinad said boldly, “though you give us a hundred chances, we will not kneel before you to swear our allegiance to you as king.”

  Kergon’s face turned red. Such defiance was not thought possible in his city.

  “We have sworn our allegiance to the one true King of Arrethtrae,” Leinad continued. “There is not nor ever will be another.”

  “Then you will die, and your King can do nothing to save you!”

  “You are mistaken, Lord Kergon. Our King is more than able to save us,” Leinad said. “Though should He choose not to, we are prepared to die as Knights of the true King of Arrethtrae.”

  “Guards! Take them to the Vale of the Dragons!” Kergon commanded. “And spread fresh meat up to the tree line to entice the dragamoths!”

  The guards brutishly escorted the three of them out of the presence of Kergon.

  Though they had not seen the Vale of the Dragons, they knew what cruel death lay before them. The northern wall of Daydelon was higher than the other walls and bordered a large, densely forested valley. No man had ever traveled the valley, for it was inhabited by the ferocious dragamoths. Kergon utilized these beasts to his benefit. A small clearing in the valley vegetation near the wall provided a natural arena for him to feed his enemies to the dragamoths. Two extension walls were built that joined the main city wall to eliminate the possibility of escape. There was no need to bind the victims. Their only choice was to await their fate in the clearing or venture past the valley tree line into the habitat of the dragamoth—an unthinkable prospect.

  Leinad, Tess, and Audric were forced to don clothing that was splattered with the blood of goats. Six guards then led them to the base of the north wall, where a large iron door was the only barrier between them and the jaws of the dragamoths.

  “You have seen these dragamoths?” Leinad asked Audric.

  “No, I have only been told of them.”

  “Tell us,” Leinad said.

  Audric looked sympathetically at Tess.

  “I am afraid, Audric, but I am not a coward,” she said. “We need to know what we will be facing.”

  He nodded. “It is said that the dragamoth can smell as well as a dog … thus our clothing. Most of them are half again as tall as a man, but some are said to be twice that size. They run faster than a man but slower than a horse. Their claws are long and their teeth are sharp. And …”

  “Yes?” Leinad said.

  “And it is said that they breathe fire.”

  “Fire?” Leinad asked.

  Audric raised an eyebrow and tilted his head slightly to affirm his own doubt. Tess’s eyes widened, and they all fell silent.

  “Well, I can see why the antelope were leaping to their deaths back in the Red Canyon.” Tess said. “Do you know of any weakness we can exploit?”

  Audric crossed his muscular arms and took a deep breath. “It is said that they can only see movement, but without weapons and with our clothes splattered in blood, I don’t see how that is going to help us much.”

  “Maybe not, but it’s something,” Tess said.

  Just then a guard on horseback arrived at the gate with two slabs of fresh meat dangling from each side of his saddle. His face was white with fear.

  One of the guards looked through a small hole into the clearing. “All clear!” he shouted.

  Two other guards removed the iron lock and opened the doors just far enough for the guard on horseback to exit.

  “Ride fast, Garth, and you’ll make it,” said one of the guards as he slapped the horse’s back end.

  The rider was gone in a bolt, and the doors were closed and locked behind him. He was back at the door a moment later. The guards opened the door and let their terrified comrade and his horse, minus the slabs of meat, back into the city.

  The gate guard signaled for the other guards to bring the prisoners to the gate. As they passed, the gate guard leaned close to Leinad’s ear and spoke softly. “Some of the riders did not make it back from their meat drops. You may find a sword or two near the tree line if you dare to venture that close to the abode of the dragamoths.”

  Leinad nodded his thanks, and the guards pushed them into the Vale of the Dragons.

  Clean white bones were scattered throughout the clearing, which was quite wide. Two walls extended from the city wall well into the dense vegetation of the valley. Leinad looked up the enormous city wall and saw the tiny figure of Kergon amidst a throng of onlookers.

  Leinad noticed that one slab of meat had been dropped near the tree line, which was a fair distance from the city wall. The only protection was an occasional outcropping of rocks; the second slab of meat lay near the largest outcropping.

  They moved quickly but cautiously toward the rock formation. Once there, Leinad turned and held out his hand to Audric and Tess. “It is an honor to face death in the company of two gallant knights such as you.”

  Audric and Tess took his handshake and nodded.

  “The King reigns,” Leinad said.

  “The King reigns,” they replied.

  A hideous screech filled the air. Leinad had heard that sound only once before—in the Red Canyon. Chills flowed up his spine.

  “I want you to wait here,” he said.

  “What are you doing?�
� Tess asked with a look of concern on her face.

  “Wait here. I’ll be back.”

  Leinad grabbed the fresh meat and ran toward the tree line. Another screech, much closer than the first, filled the air. Leinad scanned the ground as he ran and kept a watchful eye on the distant trees ahead.

  Finally, he reached the other slab of meat near the tree line. He dropped his cargo and fervently searched the ground. He found a number of horses’ bones mixed with those of men. Another terrifying screech blasted from the trees, and Leinad knew that a dragamoth was approaching fast.

  He moved a pile of bones—success! A rusted sword lay beneath.

  Leinad grabbed the sword and started his run back to the boulders. Off to his right he spotted the hilt of a second sword almost covered in dirt. He chanced a detour to retrieve the second sword, though he knew the extra time might cost him.

  © Marcella Johnson

  The thick vegetation of the tree line moved and parted. A dragamoth leapt through the opening and screeched the cry of a merciless predator.

  Leinad froze with his hand on the hilt of the buried sword and his eye on the terrifying dragamoth.

  The dragamoth was slender and looked built for speed. The upper and lower jaws were long and lined with razor-sharp teeth. Yellow catlike eyes gave the creature its limited sight. The base of the head terminated smoothly into a long neck that seemed to have an extra degree of motion at a joint one-third of the way toward the body. Short, powerful arms with long, ripping claws gave the dragamoth added weaponry to use against its prey. Longer muscular hind legs supported the body and gave it incredible speed for a creature of this size. Its final weapon was a long, powerful, and flexible tail. From head to tail, the dragamoth’s skin was lizardlike and colored in streaks of yellow and dark brown.

  The dragamoth paused and licked the air with its forked tongue, smelling the fresh meat. It moved toward the meat and swallowed one slab whole. While it was occupied with its meal, Leinad resumed his sprint back to his companions at the boulders.