Read Online Kingdom's Quest by Chuck Black - Free Book Online Page A

name,” said a young voice behind them.
    Gavinaugh and Keanna turned around to see a boy standing near them.
    â€œWho are the other statues of, lad?” Gavinaugh asked.
    â€œThose are the greatest lords that have ever lived in all the kingdom. We honor them with these statues and with the tournaments,” the boy replied. “I’m Julian,” he said with a broad smile. He looked to be about twelve years old. He set a bundle he was carrying on the ground and put his hand out.
    Gavinaugh shook the boy’s hand. “I am pleased to meet you, Julian. This is Keanna, and my name is Gavinaugh.”
    â€œYou’re obviously a knight … Are you here to fight in the tournament?” the boy asked.
    â€œNo, that is not my intention. Tell me, Julian, why don’t they know his name?” Gavinaugh said and motioned to the statue they were standing beneath.
    â€œThere is a legend that tells of a great knight who battled a fierce dragon to save a young maiden from being devoured. The dragon was so powerful that all who encountered it were destroyed. But this knight wounded the dragon and freed the young maiden from its lair. He then disappeared without anyone knowing his name. The noblemen of Thecia were fearful to not have a statue in his honor, for it is believed that he will someday return to kill the dragon that still hunts humans by night.”
    Gavinaugh marveled at the legend and was inspired by the boy’s words.
    â€œAnd what of the ribbons about the ankles of the statues?”
    â€œOh … those are the ribbons of the mighty knights fighting in the Tournament of Lords tomorrow. This tournament is the grandest of them all and is held only once a year. Each knight chooses one of these great lords to honor at the games as well as a lady from the women of nobility who will be watching. The names of the winning knight and the lady of the tournament are engraved in the bronze placard beneath the lord that is being honored. The highest-ranking knights get to choose first. Lord Culverton is always the first to be selected since he brings the best fortune to the knight who fights for him. Lord Rowland is also a favorite.”
    Gavinaugh looked around the circle of statues, and his eyes fell once again on the Unknown Lord.
    â€œThere isn’t a ribbon here. Aren’t there enough knights to fight in the tournament?” Gavinaugh asked.
    The boy began to laugh. “Hundreds of knights come hoping to fight in the tournament, but none are foolish enough to fight for the Unknown Lord.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œBecause every knight who has ever fought for the Unknown Lord has been defeated in the first round of the tournament,” the boy said. “It is believed that there is a curse—if a knight fights for the Unknown Lord and is unworthy, he will be defeated.”
    Gavinaugh realized that he had the perfect opportunity to gain the attention of the whole city in a day. He looked at Keanna. “May I have the ribbon from your hair?” he asked. She hesitated but yielded the white ribbon to him.
    Gavinaugh went to the foot of the statue and tied the ribbon about its ankle.
    Julian looked shocked. “But, sir …”
    â€œJulian, how do I let the tournament officials know that I wish to participate?”
    â€œBelieve me, Sir Gavinaugh, they already know,” the lad replied. “I just hope you don’t get killed.”
    â€œKilled?” Keanna asked.
    â€œYes, miss. The knights who fight are often killed, especially if they are unknown in Thecia. At the very least, the losing knight is seriously wounded. Every knight who has ever dared fight for the Unknown Lord has been killed. The last round of the tournament is always to the death. The victor must kill his opponent if he is to be the champion of the tournament. Those are the rules. Thirty-two lords, sixteen contests … so sixteen men will probably die