detested.
Is the peace of my heart the price I must pay to restore the order of the Noble Knights and the Code to their rightful place in
Chessington?
Gavin suddenly realized that his question might reveal a contradiction he had never considered before.
Why should a peaceful heart be the price of restoring the Code?
He quickly repressed the doubt that was inevitable if he followed such a line of thought. He shook his head as if to clear his mind, then pressed toward home.
 DESPERATE
The village of Cartelbrook was Gavinâs first target. He had received information that the haven there was the first and largest of the outlying sites the Followers were operating from. He knew of two others, but Cartelbrook was the closest. It was also said that the blacksmith there was one of the Followers, and shutting down the supply of swords from his shop was a primary focus for this mission.
The morning light was late to come, for the gray clouds above were thick, which prevented the warmth of the sun from welcoming the day. As Gavin and his knights rode, the dark clouds began to spit droplets of rain. By late morning, he halted his men just prior to a rise in the terrain leading into the village.
Triumph once again seemed agitated and difficult to control. Gavin yanked hard on the reins and the steed settled, but he felt the animalâs resistance continually. For years Triumph had been a faithful horse. In battle Gavin had come to relyheavily on the steed, for the horse seemed to know exactly what Gavin required of him in each encounter. In recent months, however, there was no unity or coordination in their actions, and Gavin had begun to consider doing away with Triumph.
âThere is no sneaking about today, men,â Gavin said, drawing his sword. The sound of fifteen other swords sliding from their scabbards joined his own. âFor King and Code!â
âFor King and Code!â they echoed.
Gavin and his knights stormed into the village on thundering steeds. The horsesâ hooves pounded into the wet earthen streets and sprayed a wake of mud in their path. He tried to ignore the terror on the childrenâs faces as the people frantically gathered their young ones to safety. For a moment he felt like they were the marauders he had fought against in years past that had terrorized the citizens of Chessington. He discarded these disturbing thoughts as they descended on the blacksmithâs shop and took its owner captive.
Two knights brought him into the street before Gavin.
âAre you a Follower of the imposter of Chessington?â Gavin asked brusquely.
The man was held in the grip of two knights.
âI am a Follower of the Prince,â the slender man said. Dark streaks of sweat and rain mixed with soot ran down his cheeks.
âAre you supplying the Followers with swords?â Gavin asked.
The man was silent. One of the knights restraining him hit the man with the back side of his gauntlet, and the man recoiled and winced. Just then, another knight emerged fromthe shop with a dozen swords bearing the mark of the King. Even though Gavin had expected this, he couldnât control the anger that rose within him. Those swords symbolized the months of turmoil Chessington was now enduring.
âWhere are the other Followers?â
The man looked up at Gavin but remained silent.
Gavinâs anger deepened. âDestroy the forge and the tools; then burn the shop,â he commanded. âSearch the other shops and homes. These people are not loyal to Chessington or to the Code. To hide a Follower would be foolish for them. Find them and bring them to me!â
Gavinâs analysis proved to be true. The village people were quite willing to reveal the Followers, especially when their families were threatened. Within a short time the knights had gathered another thirty Followers for the prisons of Chessington. There was an occasional fight, but the Noble Knights prevailed in every
Is the peace of my heart the price I must pay to restore the order of the Noble Knights and the Code to their rightful place in
Chessington?
Gavin suddenly realized that his question might reveal a contradiction he had never considered before.
Why should a peaceful heart be the price of restoring the Code?
He quickly repressed the doubt that was inevitable if he followed such a line of thought. He shook his head as if to clear his mind, then pressed toward home.
 DESPERATE
The village of Cartelbrook was Gavinâs first target. He had received information that the haven there was the first and largest of the outlying sites the Followers were operating from. He knew of two others, but Cartelbrook was the closest. It was also said that the blacksmith there was one of the Followers, and shutting down the supply of swords from his shop was a primary focus for this mission.
The morning light was late to come, for the gray clouds above were thick, which prevented the warmth of the sun from welcoming the day. As Gavin and his knights rode, the dark clouds began to spit droplets of rain. By late morning, he halted his men just prior to a rise in the terrain leading into the village.
Triumph once again seemed agitated and difficult to control. Gavin yanked hard on the reins and the steed settled, but he felt the animalâs resistance continually. For years Triumph had been a faithful horse. In battle Gavin had come to relyheavily on the steed, for the horse seemed to know exactly what Gavin required of him in each encounter. In recent months, however, there was no unity or coordination in their actions, and Gavin had begun to consider doing away with Triumph.
âThere is no sneaking about today, men,â Gavin said, drawing his sword. The sound of fifteen other swords sliding from their scabbards joined his own. âFor King and Code!â
âFor King and Code!â they echoed.
Gavin and his knights stormed into the village on thundering steeds. The horsesâ hooves pounded into the wet earthen streets and sprayed a wake of mud in their path. He tried to ignore the terror on the childrenâs faces as the people frantically gathered their young ones to safety. For a moment he felt like they were the marauders he had fought against in years past that had terrorized the citizens of Chessington. He discarded these disturbing thoughts as they descended on the blacksmithâs shop and took its owner captive.
Two knights brought him into the street before Gavin.
âAre you a Follower of the imposter of Chessington?â Gavin asked brusquely.
The man was held in the grip of two knights.
âI am a Follower of the Prince,â the slender man said. Dark streaks of sweat and rain mixed with soot ran down his cheeks.
âAre you supplying the Followers with swords?â Gavin asked.
The man was silent. One of the knights restraining him hit the man with the back side of his gauntlet, and the man recoiled and winced. Just then, another knight emerged fromthe shop with a dozen swords bearing the mark of the King. Even though Gavin had expected this, he couldnât control the anger that rose within him. Those swords symbolized the months of turmoil Chessington was now enduring.
âWhere are the other Followers?â
The man looked up at Gavin but remained silent.
Gavinâs anger deepened. âDestroy the forge and the tools; then burn the shop,â he commanded. âSearch the other shops and homes. These people are not loyal to Chessington or to the Code. To hide a Follower would be foolish for them. Find them and bring them to me!â
Gavinâs analysis proved to be true. The village people were quite willing to reveal the Followers, especially when their families were threatened. Within a short time the knights had gathered another thirty Followers for the prisons of Chessington. There was an occasional fight, but the Noble Knights prevailed in every
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