Read Sir Bentley and Holbrook Court Online
Authors: Chuck Black
Sir Bentley and Holbrook Court
Praise for
Sir Bentley and Holbrook Court
“With sanctified imagination, Chuck Black transports readers back to the days of chivalry and valor, clashing steel, and noble conflict—but ultimately he transports readers to the eternal triumph of the King who reigns!”
—D
OUGLAS
B
OND
, author
of Hold Fast in a Broken World
and
Guns of the Lion
“Chuck Black is a word crafter who is able to weave Kingdom principles into the fabric of one's moral imagination. The characters he has created and the passions they exude will motivate readers to follow their examples, which have now been etched into their awakened conscience.”
—M
ARK
H
AMBY
, founder and president of Cornerstone
Family Ministries and Lamplighter Publishing
“My son, Nathan, loved the first book in this series, and he said the second was even better. In my son's own words, ‘Mom, it was exciting and full of mystery. It compelled me to read more. I couldn't put it down.’ As a mom and an author, I give
Sir Bentley and Holbrook Court
two thumbs up!”
—T
RICIA
G
OYER
, homeschooling mom and author
of eighteen books, including Generation
NeXt Parenting
Praise for
The Knights of Arrethtrae Series
“Chuck Black is a master storyteller. The fourteenth-century feel of his books is wholly captivating.
Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione
is no exception. Yet the principal anchors of the story—faithfulness, friendship, loyalty, redemption, and forgiveness—are what make it fully worthwhile. Expect to see very little of your young knight after he gets ahold of this book. He will more than likely emerge from the pages with an intensified determination to fight the battles in his own life as a faithful Knight of the Prince.”
—J
ENNIFER
I
GARASHI
, freelance writer, homeschool-resource
reviewer, and mother of an eleven-year-old Kingdom
series fanatic
“Chuck Black has once again transported his readers to the time of knights, castles, and damsels in distress. The Kingdom Series was such an enjoyable read that I was surprised to find
Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione
even more delightful.… I was drawn into the tale and cared almost immediately for the characters. I rejoiced in each victory, wept with each failing and loss. Chuck is clearly maturing in his skills, and I look forward with great anticipation to his forthcoming works.”
—G
AIL
B
IBY
, publications editor for the North Dakota Home
School Association and author
of North Dakota Guide to
Home School High School
“Chuck Black is the John Bunyan for our times!
Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione
is a reminder of the origins of the spiritual warfare we are to fight daily.”
—I
ACI
F
LANDERS
, inductive Bible study teacher
and homeschool mom
To Andrea
,
my wife, friend, and partner in this journey called life
.
Thank you for passionately living your faith
and for the vision, encouragement, love, and respect
you have given me
.
Kingdom's Heart: An Introduction to the Knights of Arrethtrae
Chapter 1:
Young Noble Knight
Chapter 2:
The Mettle of a Man
Chapter 3:
An Act of Treason
Chapter 4:
Outcast of Chessington
Chapter 5:
Counting the Cost
Chapter 6:
A Pauper's Life
Chapter 7:
Maiden of Mercy
Chapter 8:
Lord of Oppression
Chapter 9:
The Painted Ice Princess
Chapter 10:
A Sentence of Death
Chapter 11:
The Lord of Holbrook Court
Chapter 12:
A Dangerous Enemy
Chapter 13:
The Waters of Resolve
Chapter 14:
The Hog Farmer's Daughter
Chapter 15:
Because of the Gardener
Chapter 16:
The Ashen Knight
Chapter 17:
Camp of the Lucrums
Chapter 18:
The Yagormoth's Lair
Chapter 19:
Return to Holbrook
Chapter 20:
Guise Revealed
Chapter 21:
The Death of Love
Chapter 22:
Holbrook Foray
Answers to Discussion Questions
“Eirwyn” (written for
Sir Bentley and Holbrook Court)
An Introduction to the Knights of Arrethtrae
Like raindrops on a still summer's eve, the words of a story can oft fall grayly upon the ears of a disinterested soul. I am Cedric of Chessington, humble servant of the Prince, and should my inadequate telling of the tales of these brave knights e'er sound as such, know that it is I who have failed and not the gallant hearts of those of whom I write. For their journeys into darkened lands to save the lives of hopeless people deserve a legacy I could never aspire to pen with appropriate skill. These men and women of princely mettle risked their very lives and endured the pounding of countless battles to deliver the message of hope and life to the far reaches of the kingdom of Arrethtrae… even to those regions over which Lucius, the Dark Knight, had gained complete dominion through the strongholds of his Shadow Warriors.
What is this hope they bring? To tell it requires another story, much of it chronicled upon previous parchments, yet worthy of much retelling.
Listen then, to the tale of a great King who ruled the Kingdom Across the Sea, along with His Son and their gallant and mighty force of
Silent Warriors. A ruler of great power, justice, and mercy, this King sought to establish His rule in the land of Arrethtrae. To this end He chose a pure young man named Peyton and his wife, Dinan, to govern the land.
All was well in Arrethtrae until the rebellion, for there came a time when the King's first and most powerful Silent Warrior, Lucius by name, drew a third of the warriors with him in an attempt to overthrow the kingdom. A great battle raged in the Kingdom Across the Sea until finally the King's forces prevailed. Cast out of the kingdom—and consumed with hatred and revenge—Lucius then took his rebellion to the land of Arrethtrae, overthrowing Peyton and Dinan and bringing great turmoil to the land.
But the King did not forget His people in Arrethtrae. He established the order of the Noble Knights to protect them until the day they would be delivered from the clutches of the Dark Knight. The great city of Chessington served as a tower of promise and hope in the darkened lands of Arrethtrae. For many years and through great adversity, the Noble Knights persevered, waiting for the King's promised Deliverer.
Even the noblest of hearts can be corrupted, however, and long waiting can dim the brightest hope. Thus, through the years, the Noble Knights grew selfish and greedy. Worse, they forgot the very nature of their charge. For when the King sent His only Son, the Prince, to prepare His people for battle against Lucius—the Noble Knights knew Him not, nor did they heed His call to arms.
When He rebuked their selfish ways, they mocked and disregarded Him. When He began to train a force of commoners—for He was a true master of the sword—they plotted against Him. Then the Noble Knights, claiming to act in the great King's name, captured and killed His very own Son.
What a dark day that was! Lucius and his evil minions—now known as Shadow Warriors—reveled in this apparent victory. But all was not lost. For when the hope of the kingdom seemed to vanish and
the hearts of the humble despaired, the King used the power of the Life Spice to raise His Son from the dead.
This is a mysterious tale, indeed, but a true one. For the Prince was seen by many before He returned to His Father across the Great Sea. And to those who loved and followed Him—myself among them—He left a promise and a charge.
Here then is the promise: that the Prince will come again to take all who believe in Him home to the Kingdom Across the Sea.
And this is the charge: that those who love Him must travel to the far reaches of the kingdom of Arrethtrae, tell all people of Him and His imminent return, and wage war against Lucius and his Shadow Warriors.
Thus we wait in expectation. And while we wait, we fight against evil and battle to save the souls of many from darkness.
We are the knights who live and die in loyal service to the King and the Prince. Though not perfect in fulfilling our call to royal duty, we know the power of the Prince resonates in our swords, and the rubble of a thousand strongholds testifies to our strength of heart and soul.
There are many warriors in this land of Arrethtrae, many knights who serve many masters. But the knights of whom I write are my brethren, the Knights of the Prince.
They are mighty because they serve a mighty King and His Son.
They are… the Knights of Arrethtrae!