Kingdom's Hope by Chuck Black Page A

and Leinad was true to his word. He trained an army of noble men who were true in deed and in heart to the King and the Code. Under his masterful swordsmanship training, the Noble Knights became feared among all bandits and thieves that attempted to raid Chessington. All of these gallant men swore their allegiance to the King and to Him only. Leinad was careful to instill the principles of loyalty, honesty, integrity, courage, and humility into his training of the Noble Knights. These were the principles ofthe Code. These were the principles the Noble Knights lived and died by.
    Chessington was now protected and was in the process of being rebuilt. It would take years to attain the glory of the golden years they had once enjoyed under Quinn’s rule. However, the people persevered. It was a time to rediscover their identity with the King.
    Tess and Audric were instrumental in helping Leinad restore the order of the Code and in training the Noble Knights. Tess’s skill with the sword quickly won the respect of the knights. Any who might ridicule her were immediately silenced once they felt the sting of defeat beneath her swift blade. She also proved herself in battle many times against the various bands of thieves that tried to loot the city.
    Leinad chose Audric to lead the Noble Knights, for his experience was the greatest among the men, and Leinad knew that his heart belonged completely to the King.
    â€œLeinad,” Audric protested when he learned of Leinad’s decision, “you are the one to lead the Noble Knights, not I.”
    Leinad, Tess, and Audric stood in the middle of the square after a training session with the Noble Knights. The coolness of the late afternoon air marked the change of seasons in the land.
    â€œNo, Audric,” Leinad said. “I will never accept the leadership of the people. It is not my mission. I will guide, admonish, and encourage them, but I will never be their ruler.”
    Audric crossed his arms, and his gentle eyes were partially obscured by his furrowed eyebrows. He looked as though he was seriously considering opposing a decision of Leinad’s for the first time ever.
    Leinad read the concern of his large friend and knew that his quiet demeanor was a deterrent to his accepting the leadership of the Noble Knights.
    â€œAudric, you are the most experienced, the most skilled, and the most worthy of all the Noble Knights.” Leinad said. “I understand your hesitation, but that is why you are perfect for the position. You are not a glory seeker. What you do will be tempered by humility, wisdom, and experience. Tess is more than capable to help train, and Kendrid can be your second, for he has won the respect of the other men as well.”
    â€œYou sound as if you are going away,” Tess said to Leinad with one eyebrow raised. “Is there something you’re not telling us?”
    Leinad paused, unsure how to respond to her keen insight. “All of this is part of the King’s plan for the future of Arrethtrae.” Leinad swept his hand, as if across the city of Chessington and the valley beyond. “But something is missing, and I know that somehow I must find out what it is. We have arrived at the door to a grand kingdom, but the key is missing. This key is the vision in my life that I’ve been searching for, Tess. Over the past months, I have realized that my mission is the quest for this key. It is what my father spoke of. He knew—and now I know—that I must find it. I feel the call of the King, but I do not know where to go.” Leinad turned to Audric. “That is why you must take leadership of the Noble Knights.”
    Audric’s attempt at a rebuttal was interrupted by the hasty approach of a mysterious rider. He rode off the main street and directly onto the square. He was dressed in fullbattle attire, and his size, especially atop his large powerful steed, was intimidating.
    â€œSir Leinad of