a way, didnât He?â I asked.
âThatâs right. I remember the day when the King told us of His plan to save this land. We could not believe He would jeopardize His own Son to save this kingdom. At first we thought it was foolish, but soon we realized it was pure loveâlove for the people. The Prince understood, and we knew He was the only one capable of being successful.
âWe were all at the palace to bid Him farewell. He came from the inner court, and we all knelt before Him. Thousands of knights in shining armor knelt before the Prince, who was dressed in dirty rags. But those clothes couldnât hide the splendor of His character, as you saw.â
âYes, Keef,â I said. âThere was something about that man!â
âWe rose and saluted the Prince with drawn swords as He passed between our lines. When He neared the gates,the King walked to His Son and embraced Him. I saw a tear fall from the Kingâs cheek and moisten the beautiful stones at their feet. Then He left. We tried to provide an escort, but He refused. He took no weapon, not even a sword. He said He would live as the people do for a time, and He limited our mission while He was here.â
Keefâs story provided many answers, but there was still one question to ask. âThe Dark Knight must have known that the Prince was in the kingdom,â I said, finding affirmation in a nod from Keef. âWhy didnât the Dark Knight attempt to kill the Prince before He had a chance to train and to build up our forces?â
Keef leaned forward, rested his left elbow on his knee, and placed his right hand on the other knee. His eyes sparkled as though he was anxious to answer.
âHe did, Cedric! Do you remember the last time you and William visited Leinad?â
âYes, it was just a few days before the Prince revealed Himself as the Kingâs Son in the square.â
âThatâs right,â Keef said. âLater that day, the Prince, Ramon, and I visited Leinad too. He had kept the sword of the Prince for years, waiting for the day to give it to Him. That was the dayâthe day when the âone who is worthyâ would carry the sword and deliver the people â¦Â deliver the kingdom!
âWhen we entered his home, Leinad came and stood before the Prince. He looked into the eyes of the Kingâs Son, then reached forth and placed his hand on the Princeâs chest. I could see the burden of fifty years leave his face. âNow I rest, for the mighty arm of the King has arrived!âLeinad said, and he knelt before the Prince. âYou are a true and faithful knight, Sir Leinad,â the Prince said. He helped Leinad to his feet. âPlease bring the chest,â Leinad asked Ramon and me.
âWe retrieved the old wooden chest from the corner, placed it at Leinadâs feet, and opened it for him. He carefully unfolded the cloth that was wrapped about the sword and reverently lifted it to the Prince. âOnly one is worthy,â Leinad said as the Prince placed His hand about the hilt of the beautiful sword. The Prince raised the sword before Him and proclaimed, âNow is the time. Let it begin!â
âAt the command of the Prince, two other Silent Warriors escorted Leinad to a ship that awaited to take him to the kingdom across the sea. His mission was complete, and the King had called him home.
âFrom Leinadâs home, we followed the Prince deep into the country on horseback. The Dark Knight knew that he would rule this kingdom forever if he could destroy the Prince. Thus â¦Â the challenge.â
Keef paused, gathering details in his mind.
âWhat was the challenge?â I asked, too impatient to wait for him to continue on his own.
After another moment of thoughtful silence, Keef continued. âThe Dark Knight challenged the Prince to a single duel, hoping to kill the Prince and end His mission before it began. The Prince accepted
âThatâs right. I remember the day when the King told us of His plan to save this land. We could not believe He would jeopardize His own Son to save this kingdom. At first we thought it was foolish, but soon we realized it was pure loveâlove for the people. The Prince understood, and we knew He was the only one capable of being successful.
âWe were all at the palace to bid Him farewell. He came from the inner court, and we all knelt before Him. Thousands of knights in shining armor knelt before the Prince, who was dressed in dirty rags. But those clothes couldnât hide the splendor of His character, as you saw.â
âYes, Keef,â I said. âThere was something about that man!â
âWe rose and saluted the Prince with drawn swords as He passed between our lines. When He neared the gates,the King walked to His Son and embraced Him. I saw a tear fall from the Kingâs cheek and moisten the beautiful stones at their feet. Then He left. We tried to provide an escort, but He refused. He took no weapon, not even a sword. He said He would live as the people do for a time, and He limited our mission while He was here.â
Keefâs story provided many answers, but there was still one question to ask. âThe Dark Knight must have known that the Prince was in the kingdom,â I said, finding affirmation in a nod from Keef. âWhy didnât the Dark Knight attempt to kill the Prince before He had a chance to train and to build up our forces?â
Keef leaned forward, rested his left elbow on his knee, and placed his right hand on the other knee. His eyes sparkled as though he was anxious to answer.
âHe did, Cedric! Do you remember the last time you and William visited Leinad?â
âYes, it was just a few days before the Prince revealed Himself as the Kingâs Son in the square.â
âThatâs right,â Keef said. âLater that day, the Prince, Ramon, and I visited Leinad too. He had kept the sword of the Prince for years, waiting for the day to give it to Him. That was the dayâthe day when the âone who is worthyâ would carry the sword and deliver the people â¦Â deliver the kingdom!
âWhen we entered his home, Leinad came and stood before the Prince. He looked into the eyes of the Kingâs Son, then reached forth and placed his hand on the Princeâs chest. I could see the burden of fifty years leave his face. âNow I rest, for the mighty arm of the King has arrived!âLeinad said, and he knelt before the Prince. âYou are a true and faithful knight, Sir Leinad,â the Prince said. He helped Leinad to his feet. âPlease bring the chest,â Leinad asked Ramon and me.
âWe retrieved the old wooden chest from the corner, placed it at Leinadâs feet, and opened it for him. He carefully unfolded the cloth that was wrapped about the sword and reverently lifted it to the Prince. âOnly one is worthy,â Leinad said as the Prince placed His hand about the hilt of the beautiful sword. The Prince raised the sword before Him and proclaimed, âNow is the time. Let it begin!â
âAt the command of the Prince, two other Silent Warriors escorted Leinad to a ship that awaited to take him to the kingdom across the sea. His mission was complete, and the King had called him home.
âFrom Leinadâs home, we followed the Prince deep into the country on horseback. The Dark Knight knew that he would rule this kingdom forever if he could destroy the Prince. Thus â¦Â the challenge.â
Keef paused, gathering details in his mind.
âWhat was the challenge?â I asked, too impatient to wait for him to continue on his own.
After another moment of thoughtful silence, Keef continued. âThe Dark Knight challenged the Prince to a single duel, hoping to kill the Prince and end His mission before it began. The Prince accepted
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