Leinadâs soberness turned to anticipation when he realized that their time of captivity was nearly fulfilled.
Leinad became aware of a presence behind him. He turned to see a large man kneeling beside him.
âLeinad,â the man said in a hushed tone while staring into the water, âtonight Daydelon will be overtaken. You must get word to the people to stay within their homes. Tell them not to fight, for Kergonâs enemies have no quarrel with the Kingâs people. They do not want slaves; they want the wealth of the city and to kill Kergon. Tomorrow you will all be free.â
The man promptly stood and left without giving Leinadany opportunity for questions. It seemed to be the style of the Kingâs messengers.
That night, a large and silent force gathered outside the grand gates of Daydelon. A smaller force of men entered the river that flowed under the city wall and swam beneath the surface to gain access to the city. Once inside, they quietly overpowered the gate guards and opened the doors for the waiting army.
Kergonâs slumbering army and citizens were taken, and before the break of dawn of the next day, Kergon lay dead. The mighty reign of the Kessons was over. Daydelonâs precious treasures were looted, and those residents who resisted were killed.
Leinad petitioned Drasius, the commander of the conquering army, to allow his people to leave. Drasius was more than willing, for slaves were only a burden to an army looking for gold and silver.
W ITHIN A FEW DAYS, MOST OF the people of Chessington were en route back to their beloved valley. Some chose to stay in Daydelon, for they had grown accustomed to the city and to the lifestyle of the Kessons.
For those who rejoiced at their freedom and longed to return home, their joy was turned to sorrow many days later when they entered the Chessington Valley and beheld their city. Chessington lay in ruins, and nothing of value remained, save the noble few who had endured theconstant raids that a city without defenses invited.
Leinad felt the heaviness of his own heart and tried to overcome it with words of encouragement and promise to the people.
âPeople of Chessington, do not despair,â he urged. âThe King is with us â¦Â we are His people. One day He will bring peace to Arrethtrae. There will be no more slavery, no more fighting, no more thirsting, and no more hunger. The King did not leave us; we left the King. Let us resolve in our hearts never to leave the King again. Let us resolve to follow the Code forevermore. Let this day be known in all of Arrethtrae as the day that the people of Chessington did not falterâthe day we rose above the ashes of a destroyed city and stood firm.
âLet us raise up an army of noble warriors to defend our city. Warriors who swear to follow and uphold the Code. These warriors will be called the Noble Knights and will be your protection and your guide. We will build our city again. We will stand tall in the valley once again!â
The people were moved by Leinadâs passionate words and rallied on the crest of the hill that looked down into the valley. Though their road ahead would be difficult, it was theirs alone to journey.
They were a hearty people who had endured much. Their tenacity to survive against all odds had established their hearts in the Kingâs land. Their folly had been in believing the deception of those who hated the King.
But all along, they had known the right path, and this time they believed they could follow it.
THE PROMISE
Once back in the city, Leinad went to the palace and descended the steps into the prison cell where he and Tess had spent most of the battle with the Kessons over a year earlier. He pulled the loose brick from the corner and hoped he would discover his treasure. There lay the beautiful sword Gabrik had given him many years before. He pulled his sword from the dirt alcove and felt whole once again.
The months passed,
Leinad became aware of a presence behind him. He turned to see a large man kneeling beside him.
âLeinad,â the man said in a hushed tone while staring into the water, âtonight Daydelon will be overtaken. You must get word to the people to stay within their homes. Tell them not to fight, for Kergonâs enemies have no quarrel with the Kingâs people. They do not want slaves; they want the wealth of the city and to kill Kergon. Tomorrow you will all be free.â
The man promptly stood and left without giving Leinadany opportunity for questions. It seemed to be the style of the Kingâs messengers.
That night, a large and silent force gathered outside the grand gates of Daydelon. A smaller force of men entered the river that flowed under the city wall and swam beneath the surface to gain access to the city. Once inside, they quietly overpowered the gate guards and opened the doors for the waiting army.
Kergonâs slumbering army and citizens were taken, and before the break of dawn of the next day, Kergon lay dead. The mighty reign of the Kessons was over. Daydelonâs precious treasures were looted, and those residents who resisted were killed.
Leinad petitioned Drasius, the commander of the conquering army, to allow his people to leave. Drasius was more than willing, for slaves were only a burden to an army looking for gold and silver.
W ITHIN A FEW DAYS, MOST OF the people of Chessington were en route back to their beloved valley. Some chose to stay in Daydelon, for they had grown accustomed to the city and to the lifestyle of the Kessons.
For those who rejoiced at their freedom and longed to return home, their joy was turned to sorrow many days later when they entered the Chessington Valley and beheld their city. Chessington lay in ruins, and nothing of value remained, save the noble few who had endured theconstant raids that a city without defenses invited.
Leinad felt the heaviness of his own heart and tried to overcome it with words of encouragement and promise to the people.
âPeople of Chessington, do not despair,â he urged. âThe King is with us â¦Â we are His people. One day He will bring peace to Arrethtrae. There will be no more slavery, no more fighting, no more thirsting, and no more hunger. The King did not leave us; we left the King. Let us resolve in our hearts never to leave the King again. Let us resolve to follow the Code forevermore. Let this day be known in all of Arrethtrae as the day that the people of Chessington did not falterâthe day we rose above the ashes of a destroyed city and stood firm.
âLet us raise up an army of noble warriors to defend our city. Warriors who swear to follow and uphold the Code. These warriors will be called the Noble Knights and will be your protection and your guide. We will build our city again. We will stand tall in the valley once again!â
The people were moved by Leinadâs passionate words and rallied on the crest of the hill that looked down into the valley. Though their road ahead would be difficult, it was theirs alone to journey.
They were a hearty people who had endured much. Their tenacity to survive against all odds had established their hearts in the Kingâs land. Their folly had been in believing the deception of those who hated the King.
But all along, they had known the right path, and this time they believed they could follow it.
THE PROMISE
Once back in the city, Leinad went to the palace and descended the steps into the prison cell where he and Tess had spent most of the battle with the Kessons over a year earlier. He pulled the loose brick from the corner and hoped he would discover his treasure. There lay the beautiful sword Gabrik had given him many years before. He pulled his sword from the dirt alcove and felt whole once again.
The months passed,
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