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

tomorrow, but they will be honored in the Great Hall of Knights. Their names will be carved into the stone wall of the amphitheater to show that they died with honor in the tournaments.”
    Keanna looked at Gavinaugh and then went to the statue. She reached for the ribbon.
    â€œMiss Keanna, no one is allowed to touch the ribbons once fastened!” Julian sidestepped in her direction. “You will be killed, and the death will be dishonorable.”
    Keanna stopped, and Gavinaugh gently pulled her hand away from the ribbon.
    â€œIt will be all right,” he said. He was saddened by the concern on her face, yet he was touched that she cared.
    A man dressed in official clothing approached with a quill and parchment. “Your name, sir?”
    â€œI am Sir Gavinaugh of Chessington.”
    â€œChessington? We have not had a knight from Chessington for many years.” The man looked at the statue of the Unknown Lord and then back at Gavinaugh. “And I suppose we will not have another for many more,” he said as he wrote Gavinaugh’s name on the parchment.
    â€œNormally the selection process for admittance into the tournament is stringent, and an unknown knight such as yourself must berecommended by one of the Thecian families of nobility. However, since we have not had a knight fight for the Unknown Lord in many years, I am permitted to make an exception in this case. The entrance fee of twenty florins will still be required
prior
to the tournament tomorrow.”
    The man raised his chin slightly as if to evaluate Gavinaugh’s ability.
    â€œI am certain you will not make it so far as to suffer the humiliation of facing the sword of Sir Bavol,” he said, producing a quick, condescending smile. “The first round begins at noon tomorrow. Since you have never participated before, you will want to discuss your obligations with an official prior to the parade at the north gate. A bit of advice … make sure your affairs are in order.”
    The man turned briskly and left.
    â€œI am sorry, Sir Gavinaugh … I tried to warn you. If you are defeated, you will probably be …” The boy glanced toward Keanna and then lowered his head.
    Gavinaugh placed a hand on the lad’s shoulder. “Do not fret, lad. The Prince will be with me, and I shall just have to be at my best.”
    The boy tried to smile but looked sad.
    â€œWho is Sir Bavol?” Gavinaugh asked.
    â€œHe has won the last four tournaments. He is a powerful knight. If he wins his fifth tournament, he will be granted the title of lord and receive great honor and wealth. Only one other knight has ever won such an honor, and that was many years ago.”
    Gavinaugh considered the boy’s words as he pondered the highly defined social system within which these people lived. He wondered if they would ever be able to accept the radical new ways of the Prince, for in the King’s eyes there was no peasant, merchant, or lord, just people who needed a Deliverer.
    â€œI am late on my errand, sir. Please excuse me. May the lords of Thecia protect you!” He turned toward Keanna and bowed slightly. “Miss,” he said and lifted his bundle. He continued on his errand just as Weston and Sandon rejoined Gavinaugh and Keanna.
    Keanna turned away and walked to the fountain.
    â€œWhat was that all about?” Weston asked.
    The following morning, there was much pomp and ceremony throughout Thecia. The entire city was caught up in the festivities, from the lords and ladies to the merchants and peasants. The amphitheater would host all of the various tournaments, concluding each day with a round of the Tournament of Lords. It was the climactic event that everyone desired to see.
    Gavinaugh went to the north gate early in the morning to see one of the tournament officials. Upon his return, the young lad accompanied him. Weston, Sandon, and Keanna were seated about a table at the inn eating