Kingdom's Reign Read online

  Of all my reunions, one was foremost in my mind. I searched the mass of celebratory people hoping to find an old friend—Leinad. I consciously pushed away the possibility that he might have died—he had been an old man when he was taken from Arrethtrae so many years before. I began asking people about him, but no one knew where he was. My search was reminiscent of the last time I had tried to find him in Arrethtrae. That search, however, had ended sadly, and my heart began to ache. As I continued looking, I found William once again.

  “William, do you think it possible that our old friend Leinad might still live?” I asked.

  William looked sad. “I have searched and searched, Cedric, but to no avail. Surely the Prince will know. Perhaps we can inquire of Him.”

  “Gentlemen, can I help you with something?” The question came from behind us.

  We turned to see a handsome and refined gentleman who looked to be a few years older than I.

  “If only you could, sir,” I said. “But I am afraid we are looking for someone that only the Prince would know of.”

  “What does he look like?” the man asked politely. “Maybe I can help you find him.”

  The thought seemed futile since even William and I, who knew what Leinad looked like, could not find him. I had no desire to describe Leinad’s appearance to the man, so I waited for William to respond, but he did not. I looked his way, and William seemed bewildered and lost in thought.

  I turned back to the gentleman. “He is an older man, and I’m afraid his health may have failed him by now. I fear he has passed on, though I cannot be sure.”

  I glanced at William to see if he had returned from wherever his mind had taken him. He no longer looked bewildered; he looked downright afraid.

  “Ah, Cedric and William,” the man said.

  I turned back to the man, and the hairs on the back of my neck began to tingle. Something bizarre was awakening in my mind. William grabbed my arm and stepped back, pulling me with him. His eyes were fixed on the man before us.

  “It’s … it’s … not possible!” he exclaimed.

  “William! What’s going—?”

  He interrupted me before I could finish. “Leinad!” he whispered and pointed at the man.

  “What?” I looked at the man once again.

  The smiling gentleman gazed into my eyes with warmth and compassion, but I was not comforted. His features were familiar, but I was sure that William had lost his mind. This man was mature—a bit older than I—but he was certainly not the age of an old man. Leinad would be very old by now … many years older than when I last saw him. William still looked as though he had seen a dragamoth.

  I stared hard at the man. “What is your name, sir, and how do you know ours?”

  “Cedric, William … please don’t be alarmed. It is I, Leinad.”

  In a moment my mind crossed over the barrier of reality and contemplated the possibility that this was indeed Leinad. My skin crawled with bumps from head to toe, and I felt the same shock William was exhibiting. His hand still gripped my arm.

  I shook my head. “Impossible!” I exclaimed quietly.

  “So it seems, Cedric,” the man said. “But do remember where you are, my old friend. The King is a king of wonder, and so is His kingdom. I have waited to see you for many years. Will you greet an old friend?”

  He offered a hand, and I could hardly force myself to take it. His hand was firm and full of life—the way it had been when I was a boy, when he sliced apples for me and told me grand adventure stories. I struggled with reason, doubt, and hope all at the same time.

  “But how …?”

  “It is the Life Spice, Cedric,” he said with a smile. “Haven’t you felt it already too?”

  He was right. I had both felt and seen something in my fellow companions. It was part of the mystery I hadn’t been able to identify but had attributed to the wonder of the new kingdom.

  “The Life Spice restores and heals the body,” Leinad said. “You saw it as a healing ointment when William was hurt, but its true form is the flowering plant that grows abundantly here in the kingdom. It is everywhere. In the water … in the air … in the food … everywhere. It is the King’s way of bringing new life, even to the old.”

  Years ago, I had once thought Leinad was becoming delusional, but now it was I who appeared to be losing my mind. I stood motionless, gawking at this man whose hand I held, trying to make sense of it all.

  “I do say, gentlemen, you look as though you’ve seen a ghost,” he said with a smile.

  William finally loosened his grip on my arm. “Leinad, is it really you?” he asked with excitement.

  Leinad chuckled. “You never did quite believe me, William, but now I see in your eyes that you are first to accept the incredible as truth.”

  I began to recognize again all the characteristics of my old mentor in the face and voice of this vibrant man before me.

  “Look around,” he said. “The only aged people you will see are those who have just arrived from Arrethtrae.”

  We looked, and he was right. That was the other part of the mystery I couldn’t put into words.

  Leinad looked at me again. “Tell me, Cedric, have you ever seen an old Silent Warrior? How old do you think they are?”

  I shook my head. “If this is true, sir, how … ah … young will you become?”

  “The Life Spice does nothing magical, Cedric; it simply heals the body and restores all functions to full health. I am not becoming younger; my body is becoming stronger. The heart, lungs, muscles, bones, skin, and even the mind are restored to their perfect design. It is an exhilarating feeling! You have only just begun to experience it.”

  I paused to consider my own body and realized he was telling the truth. I had never felt better, and each hour that passed was better than the last. The ache in my left shoulder that I had learned to live with was less painful now than ever before.

  “What of the children?” I asked, still trying to adjust to this concept.

  “They will grow into adulthood slightly faster than usual but without any hindrances due to illness or injury. They too will experience a perfect body.”

  William and I both stood in silent contemplation. I looked over at him and could see that he believed our friend.

  I smiled at my “old” friend and mentor. “Leinad, it is good to see you!” I opened my arms and embraced him. His strong arms wrapped around me.

  “And you, my dear Cedric … and you, William!”

  William and Leinad also embraced, and our surprise reunion became so joyful that I could not help the tears that welled up in my eyes. We talked briefly of many things. It was like having a dream of a lost friend, where you desperately try to squeeze every ounce of companionship from the passing moments before you wake. Finally, Leinad held up his hands to stop us.

  “Cedric, William, we have forever! Let’s not spoil our time in haste.” He laughed, and I realized that it was the first time I had ever seen Leinad truly laugh. Oh, it was good to be home!

  Something caught Leinad’s eye, and his laughter stopped. A smile was on his lips, and adoration filled his eyes.

  “Gentlemen, please allow me to introduce you to the companion of my heart … my wife, Tess!” He held out his left hand, and the sweet hand of a beautiful lady filled it.

  I had only imagined what Tess might look like. Leinad had tried to describe her to me once, and I had imagined the woman who filled his stories, but my imaginary Tess was nothing like the lady who stood before us. Something in her delightful smile was familiar … My Tess must have had the same smile, I thought. What a noble woman she was. Her dark auburn hair hung loosely about her shoulders. Leinad seemed taken with her even now … perhaps every time they met. She looked even younger than Leinad, but I quickly realized that she had lived under the rejuvenation of the Life Spice much longer than he. In her eyes, though, I could see the wisdom of age.

  William and I bowed, and she bowed her head in response.

  �
��It is an honor for me to meet you, my lady,” I said.

  “And I, my lady,” William said.

  It felt like we were in the presence of two Arrethtraen legends.

  “The pleasure is mine,” said Tess. “I have heard much of your courage and devotion to spread the good news of the Prince throughout the kingdom of Arrethtrae. On behalf of those who have gone before, thank you.”

  Her elegance and charm were unmatched when compared to any lady I had ever met, and yet she was thoroughly genuine.

  “My lady, your words are humbling and too generous, I fear. It is because of you and Leinad that hope was given to us. Your mission was honorable unto all. On behalf of those who have come after, thank you.”

  She smiled and accepted my praise gracefully. She turned to Leinad and kissed his cheek. “Hello again, husband,” she said quietly.

  Their marriage in Arrethtrae had been cut short by her injury, and I never thought we might meet her. I imagined that the few years of reunion they’d had here were not nearly enough to recover what they felt they had lost. It brought joy to my heart to know that my old friend could receive with gladness that which he’d longed for but never dared believe possible. I remembered seeing his old form, sitting at the table in his cottage outside of Chessington. He would gaze out his window, looking south to the waters, dreaming of the Kingdom Across the Sea, longing for his Prince and his Tess.

  I was able to find Rob, Barrett, and Cullen and introduced them to Leinad and Tess. The spirit of brotherhood within our small group was powerful.

  I put my arm around William’s shoulder. “What a day, my friend. What a glorious day!”

  MYSTERY’S KIN

  Leinad and Tess graciously invited me and many of my closest friends to their home the following week for a meal and fellowship. That allowed us enough time to settle in and partake in all the welcoming festivities that the King and the Prince had planned for Their people.

  Beneath the sunlight of a pristine day, I walked with William to Leinad and Tess’s palace.

  “William, it seems that every day we are here something new surprises and delights us, does it not?”

  “Indeed, Cedric,” he agreed. “I feel like a child of a wealthy family at a continuous festival.”

  Even the streets were awe inspiring. Having experienced just a few days of this glorious kingdom, I couldn’t imagine why the King cared at all about Arrethtrae. But I knew it was not the charm of the country, the beautiful streets, or even the magnificent city that swayed the heart of the King. It was the people. I had seen the King’s deep love for the people firsthand through His Son, the Prince—a love so deep that He offered His only Son to save them. It is the people who make a kingdom great, but the King’s love for them makes the kingdom even greater. I was realizing that these two kingdoms, both here and Arrethtrae, would forever be close to the heart of the King—not for their beauty but for the people within them.

  William and I walked up the steps of a great palace. No guards were necessary. We were greeted at the doors by a large fellow I immediately recognized from the ship. He did not seem surprised to see me. The ship’s crews of Silent Warriors had kept their distance from the Arrethtraen people during the voyage but were a bit more amicable since our arrival. I learned early on that Silent Warriors are extremely serious fellows.

  “It is good to see you, Yutan,” I said politely.

  “And you, Sir Cedric.”

  “This is my good friend William.”

  The Silent Warrior bowed. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Sir William.”

  “And you, sir,” William said.

  “Sir Leinad and Lady Tess are waiting for you in the great hall.”

  “Thank you, Yutan,” I said, and we walked in that direction.

  As we approached the great hall, the sound of voices and laughter began to fill the hallway down which we walked. We entered the great hall through two massive oak doors that were open wide. Leinad and Tess were just beyond the entrance and greeted us warmly. Cullen and Keely, Barrett and his family, and Rob had already arrived. There were a dozen others; some I knew and some I did not. As we talked, Tess saw someone behind us and excused herself.

  “So, Cedric,” Leinad asked, “have you adjusted to life here yet, or does the wonder of this kingdom still confound you?”

  “How does one adjust to paradise, Leinad?” I asked. “It seems to me that one must accept being surprised and delighted daily!”

  “Speaking of delight”—Leinad smiled and looked beyond us—“here comes a delight of which I dared not dream.”

  We turned about to see Tess walking arm in arm with another beautiful lady.

  “Leinad, look who has returned from a mission in time to join us for dinner this evening,” Tess said, beaming.

  Tess delivered the young lady to Leinad, who embraced her warmly. “Talea, I’m so delighted you could make it!” he said.

  The surprise on my face must’ve been evident, for here before me stood the mysterious woman from the ship. I couldn’t imagine what possible connection she might have with Leinad and Tess. Neither Arrethtraen nor Silent Warrior, she was an enigma that I resolved to find the answer to this evening.

  Talea kissed Leinad on the cheek as they embraced. I thought the greeting a bit too friendly, but Tess did not seem to mind at all. I knew that Leinad had never spoken of this mystery lady before, so their acquaintance must have been made since Leinad’s arrival here. And yet their affection for each other seemed to go deeper than friendship.

  Talea held Leinad’s hands and stepped back to look at him. “Father … it is so good to see you!”

  At that, I nearly stumbled backward. Talea—Leinad and Tess’s daughter! How could this be? Leinad delighted in welcoming his daughter—and in the shock on my face. “Cedric, you look almost as surprised as I felt when I learned of my daughter,” he said with a grin. “Talea, allow me to introduce you to the young man to whom I passed the mantle of my hope. Cedric, please meet Talea, my daughter.”

  Talea turned to face me and smiled with the same sweetness I saw in Tess. I realized that I had recognized Tess’s smile when I first met her only because I had first seen Talea. I tried to recover from what must have been a rather dumbfounded stare. Talea offered her hand this time.

  “I am pleased to meet you, Sir Cedric,” she said sweetly.

  “And I am pleased to meet you, Lady Talea … again,” I said, bowing and kissing the back of her hand. The fragrance of Talea’s perfume rose from her wrist and lightly filled my nostrils with a sweet scent I knew I would never forget.

  I rose up and felt some satisfaction in the questioning look upon Leinad’s face.

  “You have met before?” he asked.

  “As a matter of fact, we have,” I said. I let loose of her hand, and Talea glanced toward William. Leinad looked lost in thought, so I began the rest of the introductions.

  “Talea, this is my good friend William—”

  “Please forgive me,” Leinad interrupted. “William, please allow me to introduce you to my daughter, Talea.”

  They exchanged courtesies, and Leinad returned to his question. “How is it possible that you two have met?”

  I looked at Talea, but she seemed content to remain silent, so I spoke. “On our transport ship there was a mysterious young woman who was neither Arrethtraen nor a Silent Warrior. All of my attempts at discovering her identity failed, and she seemed to avoid me for most of the journey. Although you call her your daughter, I must admit that I am at a loss as to how this is possible.”

  Leinad laughed out loud. “Oh, what a coincidence that put you upon the same ship as Talea! I can imagine the awkwardness of it.” He seemed to thoroughly enjoy the thought.

  Talea looked a bit sheepish. “I am sorry, Sir Cedric, if you felt offended in any way. You see, I could not reveal my identity to you, nor could I lie. The wonder of the Life Spice had not been disclosed to you yet, and neither I nor any of the Silent Warriors were allowed to di
vulge anything of that nature while on mission. I spoke to you too much as it was, for your curiosity was great.”

  “There is no need to apologize, my lady,” I replied. “But I must admit that I am still puzzled as to how you are Leinad’s daughter.”

  Tess put her arm around Talea. “Talea is our one and only child, Cedric,” she said warmly. “In Arrethtrae, I grew weak from my injury, and I was taken across the Great Sea to the Isle of Sedah. My departure from Leinad was hard to bear, but the Silent Warriors who came for me said I would soon die if I did not go with them. Leinad insisted, and I finally acquiesced. What neither Leinad nor I realized was that I was with child. The voyage across the Great Sea nearly killed me, but once on the island, the Life Spice began to strengthen my body. Shortly thereafter, I found that I was carrying a baby.” She smiled at Talea.

  “I had a daughter and never knew it until I arrived on the island, Cedric,” Leinad said. He put his arm around Talea and Tess. “Can you imagine the day of my reunion with my wife and my daughter?”

  “But why were you taken to an island and not brought here to the kingdom?” I asked.

  “No Arrethtraen was allowed into the kingdom until the Prince had completed His mission. When He died and rose again, He came to the Isle of Sedah and brought us into the kingdom.” Leinad paused. “Only the Prince could unite us with the King. We all waited for Him. Even though I was not with you, I waited for the Prince as well.”

  I looked at Talea. “But those hideous creatures … Didn’t you say they came from the caverns on the Isle of Sedah? How did you survive?”

  “The island is divided by a mountain,” she explained. “One side belongs to Lucius; the other was protected by Silent Warriors and became a place of refuge for us while we waited for the Prince. I saw the scynths only once before—there on that island. Yutan told me they abide deep in the mountain in caverns, and only Lucius can control them.” She appeared unnerved. “I am glad to be here now.”