because He knew it was His final preparation for the monumental task before Him. Defeating the Dark Knight would confirm Him as the only true authority in Arrethtrae.
âOn the crest of a hill near the base of the NorthernMountains, we joined with two hundred mounted Silent Warriors. Apprehension hung in the air. Across a span of rugged terrain, many of the Dark Knightâs Shadow Warriors lined the horizon. The Prince rode before our solemn line. âThis is neither the time nor the place for battle,â He said for all to hear. âThis fight is for Me alone!â
âThe Prince rode to meet Lucius midway. As the distance between the champion of darkness and the champion of light closed, a silence fell upon the countryside. Even the birds stopped their song. It was as though nature itself recognized the potential peril of the land. Dark clouds had rolled in and obscured the sun, but now the air was silentâa calm before the storm. I remember thinking how ironic it was that the fate of all the people of Arrethtrae would ride on the outcome of this single fight, and they were completely ignorant of its happening.
âWith only a few strides between them, Lucius and the Prince dismounted and drew their swords. The ultimate battle between the two best swordsmen that ever lived was about to begin. Hatred versus love. Bondage versus freedom. The Dark Knight versus the Prince. The future of Arrethtrae was unfolding at this very moment.
âThey slowly circled each other at a safe distance, calculating and planning their strategies, it appearedâfeeling the terrain, anticipating strengths, looking for weaknesses. The silence of the countryside gave way to an eerie, low growl that built in strength and emanated from the unified voices of the Shadow Warriors. It was the taunting war cry of a vicious enemy, heightened by the distant thunder of storm clouds.
âMicalem was first to respond. âHonor â¦Â glory â¦Â power â¦Â the Prince!â he shouted. âHonor â¦Â glory â¦Â power â¦Â the Prince!â The chant flowed down our line until the words resonated off the hillsides and mixed with the opposing growl in a bizarre and unnatural song. The rhythm and intensity increased with the roar and flash of lightningâall in anticipation of the first strike.
âLucius and the Prince simultaneously positioned themselves and readied their swords. Lucius struck first, and both lines of warriors yielded to silent observation as the fight ensued. Lucius engaged with a quick combination, and the Prince met each stroke with precision.
âI realized that my heart was pounding and my muscles were taut. I tried to relax, but could not; too much was at stake. The fight quickly developed into a ferocious volley of cuts, slices, and thrusts. The steel of their blades screamed through the air unceasingly. Two unyielding masters were in a battle to the death. Lucius attacked with the speed of a viper, and the Prince countered with the power of a lion.â
Keef leaned back and drew in a deep breath. âI am a warrior well acquainted with battle, Cedric. But I must admit that the intensity of that duel between Lucius and the Prince made it frightening to watch.â
I glanced at Ramon. His eyes were shut, and a nearly imperceptible nod affirmed Keefâs feeling of unease during the fight.
âAt one point in the fight, Lucius aggressively advanced with a quick series of combinations that caused the Prince to move back. His foot caught on a stone behind Him, and He fell. Lucius instantly brought down a powerful verticalcut on the Prince. Flat on His back, and with no time or place to move, the Prince executed a quick parry that deflected Luciusâs blade. The sword tore into the ground to the left of the Princeâs shoulder.
âThe Prince rolled to the right and onto His knees, but the maneuver momentarily exposed His back to the
âOn the crest of a hill near the base of the NorthernMountains, we joined with two hundred mounted Silent Warriors. Apprehension hung in the air. Across a span of rugged terrain, many of the Dark Knightâs Shadow Warriors lined the horizon. The Prince rode before our solemn line. âThis is neither the time nor the place for battle,â He said for all to hear. âThis fight is for Me alone!â
âThe Prince rode to meet Lucius midway. As the distance between the champion of darkness and the champion of light closed, a silence fell upon the countryside. Even the birds stopped their song. It was as though nature itself recognized the potential peril of the land. Dark clouds had rolled in and obscured the sun, but now the air was silentâa calm before the storm. I remember thinking how ironic it was that the fate of all the people of Arrethtrae would ride on the outcome of this single fight, and they were completely ignorant of its happening.
âWith only a few strides between them, Lucius and the Prince dismounted and drew their swords. The ultimate battle between the two best swordsmen that ever lived was about to begin. Hatred versus love. Bondage versus freedom. The Dark Knight versus the Prince. The future of Arrethtrae was unfolding at this very moment.
âThey slowly circled each other at a safe distance, calculating and planning their strategies, it appearedâfeeling the terrain, anticipating strengths, looking for weaknesses. The silence of the countryside gave way to an eerie, low growl that built in strength and emanated from the unified voices of the Shadow Warriors. It was the taunting war cry of a vicious enemy, heightened by the distant thunder of storm clouds.
âMicalem was first to respond. âHonor â¦Â glory â¦Â power â¦Â the Prince!â he shouted. âHonor â¦Â glory â¦Â power â¦Â the Prince!â The chant flowed down our line until the words resonated off the hillsides and mixed with the opposing growl in a bizarre and unnatural song. The rhythm and intensity increased with the roar and flash of lightningâall in anticipation of the first strike.
âLucius and the Prince simultaneously positioned themselves and readied their swords. Lucius struck first, and both lines of warriors yielded to silent observation as the fight ensued. Lucius engaged with a quick combination, and the Prince met each stroke with precision.
âI realized that my heart was pounding and my muscles were taut. I tried to relax, but could not; too much was at stake. The fight quickly developed into a ferocious volley of cuts, slices, and thrusts. The steel of their blades screamed through the air unceasingly. Two unyielding masters were in a battle to the death. Lucius attacked with the speed of a viper, and the Prince countered with the power of a lion.â
Keef leaned back and drew in a deep breath. âI am a warrior well acquainted with battle, Cedric. But I must admit that the intensity of that duel between Lucius and the Prince made it frightening to watch.â
I glanced at Ramon. His eyes were shut, and a nearly imperceptible nod affirmed Keefâs feeling of unease during the fight.
âAt one point in the fight, Lucius aggressively advanced with a quick series of combinations that caused the Prince to move back. His foot caught on a stone behind Him, and He fell. Lucius instantly brought down a powerful verticalcut on the Prince. Flat on His back, and with no time or place to move, the Prince executed a quick parry that deflected Luciusâs blade. The sword tore into the ground to the left of the Princeâs shoulder.
âThe Prince rolled to the right and onto His knees, but the maneuver momentarily exposed His back to the
Similar Books
