Kingdom's Call (16 page)

The Prince tarried long with Gavin and explained many things. He taught him the true and intimate meaning of the Code in such a way that Gavin felt as though he were hearing it for the first time. The words on the ancient parchment lifted from the page and meshed with his mind and heart as the Prince imparted great wisdom and knowledge to him. They talked of things past, things present, and things future. With new understanding, his passion for the King and the Code welled up within him once again as the Prince opened his eyes to a new vision for the kingdom of Arrethtrae.

As the days passed, Gavin's wonder and awe at the wisdom and the character of the King's Son continued to grow. He discovered
new strength and purpose in His presence. All of the kingdom seemed to make sense now. He pitied the Noble Knights he had left behind, for their eyes were blind and this new truth was invigorating. He thought how ironic it was that those chosen and trained to prepare the way for the Prince were so blind that they not only did not recognize Him, but they were the instruments of His death. He wanted to shout the truth of the Prince from every street corner in Chessington.

“I understand the Code like never before, my Prince,” Gavin said after one of their many discourses on the King and His plan for Arrethtrae. “I am anxious to share Your truth with all of the people of Chessington.”

The Prince smiled. “Gavin, your heart is now set upon the right course, but you are not ready.”

Gavin's enthusiasm faded. “What do I lack, my Lord?”

“You lack a sword.”

Gavin's heart became heavy. He looked down at his lame arm and knew that he would never be able to wield a sword with it again, for as the days had passed, no strength returned.

“I will go as a knight without a sword to move the hearts of men to You, my Lord. I am not afraid,” Gavin said.

“You may indeed reach the ears of men with your words, but you must remember that your enemy is neither the men of dissension nor even the Noble Knights, but the forces of the Dark Knight and his Shadow Warriors. They would run you through before a word could pass your lips.”

Sorrow filled Gavin's heart as he realized the truth of the Prince's words. A moment of illumination filled his mind.

“You were dead and yet now live … Surely there is a way to heal my arm,” he said with new hope.

“No, Gavin, your weakness will be My strength, and I will sustain you,” the Prince replied. “Not even the forces of the Dark Knight will prevail against you!”

“How is this possible, my Prince?”

The Prince stood. “Rise up and draw your sword.”

Gavin stood and drew his sword with his left hand. He looked upon it and realized once again that this was the sword that had brought great affliction to the Followers of the Prince. The Prince held out His hand, and Gavin yielded his sword to Him. He brought the pommel of the sword to His lips and kissed the seal of the King. He returned the sword to Gavin, and somehow it felt different.

“The sword is the same, but your mind is enlightened, and therefore the sword's purpose is now magnanimous,” the Prince said. “You have one good arm. I will train you so your skill in its use will surpass even your previous ability.”

Gavin hesitated. He did not believe he could even get beyond the awkward feeling of holding the sword in his left hand. “Your confidence in me is unmerited, my Lord, but I will try.”

And the training began.

For many days, Gavin struggled and became frustrated, for it was difficult to feel so inept with a weapon that had once felt like an extension of his body. However, once it became natural
to hold, progress transpired rapidly, for the knowledge of mastery was already available to him. Each day the melodic clink of steel filled the country air, and the pain of his past receded beyond memory. At first the steely rhythm was slow and broken, but as the dawn of each day came, the audible intensity of the exchanges was a clear indication of Gavin's improvement. The Prince was patient and tireless as He honed Gavin's skills to perfection. Neither the sun, nor the rain, nor the wind of the day deterred their sessions, and Gavin began to feel whole once again. The persona of a true and gallant knight filled his soul. By the end of the training, Gavin's mastery exceeded far beyond his prior level, and there was not a blade in all of Arrethtrae that could compare.

One morning after Gavin had eaten, he arose and came to the Prince to begin their session, but the Prince did not draw His sword.

Gavin tilted his head slightly. “What is it, my Lord?”

“Your training is nearly complete. Soon you must leave Me to fulfill your mission, and I must return to My Father.”

“I will not rest until every man, woman, and child in Chessington is granted the opportunity to hear and believe in You, my Lord,” Gavin said.

The Prince shook his head. “No, Gavin. I do not send you to Chessington. I send you to the far reaches of the kingdom.”

Once again, Gavin was bewildered at the ways of the Prince. He wrestled with his former biases regarding the people of the kingdom—Outdwellers, many of whom were sworn enemies of Chessington.

“But the people of Chessington are Your people, my Prince. The Outdwellers are at enmity against Chessington and are not worthy,” Gavin replied.

“All people in the Kingdom of Arrethtrae belong to the King. None are worthy and few will find the way, but all are called. The King's people of Chessington have hardened their hearts toward Me. Because of this you will make knights of all people in all regions, and Chessington must suffer many trials. This is the age of the Outdwellers.”

In spite of all he had learned from the Prince, Gavin was again perplexed. As he slowly discarded the residue of his own wisdom, he became awestruck at the depth and width and height of the wisdom of the Prince. One city was far too small to contain the compassion of the King and His Son, and an excitement began to build within Gavin as he understood the magnitude of his new mission.

“Forgive me, my Prince … I understand.”

The Prince looked into Gavin's eyes, and Gavin felt once again as though his heart were being examined.

“You must beware of the Dark Knight and his Shadow Warriors, for they lie in wait to kill you. Are you prepared for the great adversity that will come if you serve Me?” the Prince asked.

“I am, my Prince!”

“Then kneel.”

Gavin knelt, and the Prince drew His sword.

“You have knelt as Gavin of Chessington. By the might of
the King and the power of His sword, I knight you Sir Gavinaugh of Arrethtrae, Knight of the Prince!”

There at the shores of the Crimson River, the Prince knighted a young man and finished the transformation from enemy to servant.

“Rise, Sir Gavinaugh. I have made all things new in you. Your name, your sword, and your mission will be the witness of your belief in Me to all people.”

Gavinaugh rose, and there was a fire in his heart that burned hotter than ever before, for now it was fueled by the inexhaustible truth of the Prince.

The Prince placed a hand on Gavinaugh's chest. “Go forth, Sir Gavinaugh, and make the Kingdom of Arrethtrae into one land, one people, and one knightly order. Take My freedom to them and the promise of My return. Your quest is noble and you are worthy to fulfill it!”

Gavinaugh placed his hand over the Prince's to make his oath. “To the last beat of my heart, I will, my Prince. I so swear!”

 CHESSINGTON'S HOPE

The tale of Sir Gavinaugh is one that has reverberated in the great halls of castles throughout the kingdom, for his quest to journey to the ends of the kingdom is renowned, and his fierce battles against the Noble Knights and the Shadow Warriors are the fabric of legends. Unfortunately, I, Cedric of Chessington, must pause just now to ready my steed and my weapons for battle. Our ranks are set and the orders are soon to come, for the Prince is drawing near. What a day this will be! The great city below us is in peril, and her citizens do tremble in fear, for they know that the Dark Knight and his evil army come for them. For many years they turned their hearts away from the Prince and the truth He brought, but now they understand and their deliverance is at hand. I pity them for their fear and rejoice for them in their hope. The Prince is here!

Perhaps very soon you will join me again to finish the
glorious tale of the gallant Sir Gavinaugh and his quest for the kingdom of Arrethtrae. It is a tale of adventure, love, adversity, and great struggle—a tale that compels me to tell it, for the legacy gives purpose to this battle ahead! Until then … Godspeed, my friend!

To further facilitate the understanding of the biblical allegory of this series, a few discussion questions and answers are provided below.