Kingdom's Hope by Chuck Black Page B

Chessington?” he asked in a deep voice.
    Leinad stepped forward. “I am Leinad.”
    The warrior glared at him as if to adjust his preconceived perceptions. “Sir Gabrik is in battle with the Dark Knight and his Shadow Warriors. The situation is grave, and he has dispatched me to bid you to come to him.”
    â€œLet me gather the Noble Knights, and we will come to his aid,” Leinad said.
    â€œNo. The distance is too far, and Chessington will be vulnerable,” the warrior said emphatically. “This is not a fight for them yet. They are not ready to fight the Dark Knight or his Shadow Warriors.”
    â€œThen how can I be of service?”
    â€œMount up and ride with me back to the battle.”
    Tess stepped forward. “I will come with you.”
    â€œThis is for Leinad alone,” the rider said.
    Tess turned toward Leinad while not turning her back completely to the mysterious rider. “How do we know that he is not an enemy of the King and is luring you into a trap?” she asked with concern in her eyes.
    â€œSir Gabrik has what you search for, Sir Leinad,” the rider said impatiently. “It is why he sends for you, but we have no time to spare. If Lucius overtakes our force, Chessington will not survive, and the future of Arrethtrae will be lost forever.”
    Leinad put his hand on Tess’s shoulder and looked into her deep blue eyes. Tess was an interesting balance of beauty and warrior. She was too tough for the ladies ofChessington but every bit as refined thanks to Lady Weldon of Daydelon. She was too lovely to be treated as one of the men of Chessington but every bit as skilled with the sword thanks to Leinad. Her allegiance was to the King, and her heart belonged secretly to another. Leinad sensed more than concern in her gaze, but the concern was what he addressed.
    â€œI must go, Tess. It is why I am here!”
    Tess stared unapologetically into his eyes and then looked at the mysterious rider. She leaned forward to speak quietly into Leinad’s ear. “Watch your back, mister … and promise you’ll come back to me.”
    Leinad struggled with the passion in her quiet voice. Their dangerous adventures of the past had stirred concern in Tess before, but somehow this was different, and Leinad felt it.
    â€œI promise, Sunshine,” he said quietly and close to her ear. “I promise.” He reached down and squeezed her hand.
    â€œI think it wise to ready the men,” Audric said with a voice of command. “There is a darkness that hangs in the air.”
    Leinad turned to Audric and nodded to affirm the transfer of leadership. He then hurried to his horse, mounted, and followed the mysterious rider north out of Chessington in a full gallop.
    T HERE WAS NO TIME FOR talk on the journey. Leinad and the mysterious rider drove their horses hard, for the urgency of the battle seemed to rise as distance passed.
    They continued north past Chandril. At nightfall theystopped at a river to drink and let their mounts recover some lest they collapse from the strain of the ride. Leinad discovered there that the name of his escort was Greshane.
    After a few short hours of rest, they crossed the river and pressed on toward the Northern Mountains, where few men journeyed and fewer lived. At the foothills of the mountain range, Greshane slowed their pace to a quiet trot and finally to a walk. At one point, in a heavily forested area, he stopped their advance completely and held his hand up for silence. Leinad listened and watched, but there was nothing out of the ordinary that his experienced senses could detect. Greshane was finally satisfied as well but still spoke softly.
    â€œDismount. We can travel more easily through the dense trees on foot. We are close to our encampment, but the Shadow Warriors are close as well. I am not sure what has transpired in my absence. I hope we are not too late.”
    â€œWhy is there fighting