Kingdom's Call (4 page)

For some time there was little to report, and the months passed without serious incident. But eventually it became apparent to Gavin that the stranger's influence over the citizens of Chessington was growing stronger.

Lord Kifus called for another meeting of the Noble Knights. They gathered from all across the city of Chessington into the great hall. As usual, there were many pockets of discussion throughout the room. Gavin looked toward Demus and Braden. They had chosen a table off to the side of the hall and
were not joining in the discussion. Oddly, they were not even speaking to each other. Gavin supposed they were gathering their thoughts for the report they were to give the assembly.

The hall was called to order, and Lord Kifus rose with an air of authority. As time had separated him from his encounter with the stranger, Kifus had slowly reclaimed his pride and prestige among the men.

“Sir Demus and Sir Braden, tell us what you have learned of this traitor.”

Gavin noted that Kifus's selection of Demus and Braden as observers had not been an impromptu decision. Kifus's actions, Gavin knew, were always purposeful and planned. Of all the Noble Knights, Demus and Braden had the best rapport with the people. They were good friends and were often seen in Chessington together. Kifus knew the people would be much freer with information about the stranger to Demus and Braden than to any of the other knights.

Of the two men, Demus was the more reflective and Braden the more outspoken. Braden rose to offer their report. “Lord Kifus and Noble Knights of Chessington,” Braden spoke loud enough for all to hear. “We have followed this stranger and observed his actions for many days now. We can confirm that he is indeed a traitor, for he is actively training a force of men in defiance of our law. He is continuing his heresy of speaking against us and of proclaiming himself Son of the King.”

“This is an outrage!” Sir Jayden rose to his feet with a clenched fist and a red face that clearly indicated his anger. “Lord Kifus, how can we let this continue? We are being
shamed and disgraced before our own people, and we sit and do nothing!”

The assembly of knights joined with Sir Jayden in denouncing the stranger and his actions. There were many calls for death to the stranger. The roar of protests filled the hall, and Kifus found it difficult to regain order.

Kifus eventually quelled the knights. “Sir Demus, what have you to report?”

Demus looked a bit surprised. He slowly rose, and Gavin noticed that Demus and Braden momentarily locked eyes.

“Lord Kifus, what Sir Braden reports is indeed true. However, action must be taken with great caution, for this stranger has an ally that we do not—and a powerful one it is.” Demus paused and looked as if he did not want to continue.

“Who is this ally you speak of, Sir Demus?” Kifus asked.

Demus spoke hesitantly, for this statement would offend most of the knights present. “The people of Chessington.” Numerous looks of disdain were directed at Demus.

Kifus looked concerned.

Demus continued before losing the men's attention. “We have won the respect of our citizens, but we have not won their favor. This stranger has done both. His words and his skill with the sword have captured the hearts of the people in a way I have never seen. Whatever action we take must be done without stirring the people against us. His influence is growing more and more each day, and time is not on our side.”

Demus sat down, as did Braden. Kifus looked long and hard at Demus, and the knights waited for a response.

Kifus led the Noble Knights because of his skill with the sword, but a savvy mind was as much a weapon for him as a sharp blade. “Sir Demus speaks truth to us, gentlemen.” He nodded toward Demus. The tension in the hall abated somewhat, and Gavin saw Demus relax slightly.

“The stranger is not only skilled with the sword but is a cunning deceiver as well. We all know the foolishness of the people. This man has taken advantage of this and has become a great threat to the Code, the King, and our beloved city.” He looked toward Braden and Demus. “Is the stranger ever alone?”

“Not that we have ever seen or are aware of,” Braden replied. “He often trains with his men in the hills east of Chessington.”

“Very well,” Kifus said. “We will move when he is in the hills, away from the people. We know his men are unskilled and foolhardy. They are not a threat. Braden, Demus, and Jayden will attack him and reveal him to be what he truly is—a traitor.” Kifus looked to the three men. “Upon his defeat, you will command him to leave our city forever. But if he resists unto death … then so be it.”

This plan pleased the men, and Jayden looked delighted at the prospect of killing the stranger. The assembly was dismissed, but Gavin remained longer than usual. He walked toward Braden and Demus and heard quiet but strong words being exchanged between them. At Gavin's approach Braden saluted and dismissed himself.

“Sir Demus, your services to the King have been admirable,” Gavin said.

Demus bowed his head slightly. “Thank you, Sir Gavin.”

Demus and Gavin were fair acquaintances, and there was a genuine mutual respect between them. Gavin quickly scanned the room and relaxed his tone to one of familiarity. “You have never hidden your heart very well, my friend. What troubles you?”

Sir Demus was one of the older Noble Knights, and the slight wisps of gray near his temples seemed to add to the wisdom that was always present in his words. He never rushed into a situation without first considering the consequences and evaluating every option.

Demus looked into Gavin's eyes as if to question his motives. “I do not want to fight this stranger,” he said plainly.

Demus was a quiet man, but Gavin had never known him to be fearful. Or worse—a coward.

“I can understand your reservation, Demus. He is a skilled swordsman. There is no doubt of that. But surely with three of you the fight cannot last long and you are sure to be victorious.”

“I am not concerned with the outcome, Gavin,” Demus said. “I am concerned with”—Demus looked at Gavin directly—“our cause.”

Demus had just revealed a very dangerous possibility to him. Gavin paused and tried to discern the sincerity of Demus's comment. “What are you saying, Demus?” Gavin could feel anger rising within him. “That this stranger is something other than a traitor? That there is some flaw in our judgment of this madman?”

“No, of course not,” Demus said with some reserve.

Gavin looked sternly at Demus. “You have a duty and an
obligation to fulfill your mission. Do not let the charisma of a lunatic cloud your judgment, Demus!”

Demus's countenance revealed his own anger. “Are you questioning my loyalty, Gavin? I have dedicated my life to defending this city and my brothers here. My sword will not fail to defend the honor of the Noble Knights!”

Demus turned abruptly and left Gavin without another word. Gavin was further disturbed and somewhat surprised, for such a response from Demus was uncharacteristic. The influence of the stranger was reaching far beyond a few disgruntled peasants in the city, and Gavin was quickly becoming aware of the magnitude of the danger. He hoped that this surprise attack by three of their best knights would end it all, but in the shadows of his heart he saw a beginning—not an end.

 TROUBLED HEART

Demus, Braden, and Jayden converged upon the stranger without regard for the four peasants who were with him. The peasants were no match for the Noble Knights, and everyone in the hills that day knew it. Just prior to their engagement, one of the peasants threw his sword to the stranger. Wielding a sword in each hand seemed as natural for him as handling just one. The knights tried to encircle him, but steep terrain prevented their attempt, so they maneuvered apart to divide the stranger's attention.

Sir Jayden aggressively attacked from the left and Sir Braden from the right, while Sir Demus engaged the man from the front. Seeing the stranger's mastery over Kifus was incredible, but experiencing it firsthand was nothing less than terrifying for Demus. Within a few blows, Demus was awestruck at the power and skill of this traitor. With a sword in
each strong hand, he thwarted and countered the flashing steel of three swords simultaneously. It seemed as though the stranger knew the exact position and direction of each attacking sword even with his eyes averted. With each cut, Demus's sword did not simply meet resistance; it met immovable force equal to that of a brick wall. There was no giving or fainting of strength.

It was Jayden who made the first reckless attempt to kill the stranger. Apparently perceiving an opening, Jayden thrust at the stranger from the left. In one quick motion, the stranger parried the thrust to his back, blocked a cut from Demus's blade, and slammed the pommel of his sword into Jayden's head. Jayden fell immediately to the ground, unconscious.

Demus and Braden intensified their fight, for the error of their misjudgment was overtaking them. Demus countered a cut and brought a vertical blow from above upon the stranger. Braden timed a knee-high cut from the side, attempting to bracket the stranger between the two approaching blades with no escape. But to Demus's surprise, the stranger brought both swords up to block the cut from above, seeming to leave himself open to Braden's deadly cut from below. In an instant, the stranger leapt above the approaching cut and brought a forceful heel into Braden's chest, which sent him reeling to the ground without any air in his lungs.

Demus now faced the fierceness of the stranger's fight alone, and fear overwhelmed him. It was no contest, and Demus knew that he was only one or two blows shy of death.
This stranger, a true master of the sword, wielded two swords that had no equal. Demus held his sword before him and retreated one step, hoping only that his end would be quick and merciful. The stranger spun each sword in a circular motion and brought such strength to the double crosscut on Demus's blade that his sword was sheared in two.

Demus prepared for death as he looked into the stranger's face. In battle, the gaze of the victor over his defeated adversary was always full of wrath, for the blood of aggression required it. But as Demus looked into the stranger's eyes for the first time, he was dumbfounded. There was no wrath—no fierce anger. Demus's fear left him, and he wondered at his own heart. The stranger's gaze penetrated him like the steel of a blade but left no wound.

By now Braden had recovered and was approaching them from behind. The stranger placed a sword at Demus's neck, but Demus was no longer afraid. He knew his life belonged to this man, and he did not resist.

“Drop your sword,” the stranger said at Braden's approach.

Moments later, Demus and Braden, carrying Jayden between them, were walking away from the stranger. Demus paused and turned to look at the stranger once again. They had come to kill this man, and he spared their lives.

“Are you truly the King's Son?” The question left Demus's lips, and he felt as though someone else had spoken it. The question was spontaneous, something he could not contain.