Free Kingdom's Hope by Chuck Black Page A

Leinadhad ever seen in him. It was as though he fought to cover the mistakes he’d made … against the people and against the King.
    Two Kessons engaged him at the same time, and it was too much. Audric tried to cover Quinn’s side, but a sword was thrust into his abdomen, and Quinn fell backward onto the granite steps.
    â€œNo!” Leinad shouted as he ran down the palace steps to his fallen comrade.
    A man on horseback rode up in full battle attire. The air of command was in him. “Do you yield?” he shouted.
    The Knights of Chessington fell back, and the fighting paused in response to Kergon’s question.
    Leinad knelt beside Quinn and lifted his head slightly. Leinad held his hand over the wound.
    Quinn coughed and winced at the pain. He grabbed Leinad’s tunic. “Leinad,” he gasped, “tell the King I am sorry. Tell Him I was wrong. I wanted to be a good leader for the people.”
    â€œYou were a good leader, Quinn,” Leinad said as tears welled up in his eyes.
    The agony on Quinn’s face eased slightly, and then he fell limp in Leinad’s arms.
    The silent moment of mourning that followed was interrupted by Kergon’s strong voice once again.
    â€œDo you yield?”
    Leinad let Quinn’s head come to rest on the steps and then stood to face Kergon.
    â€œWe yield.”
    Leinad looked out across Chessington. The once beautiful city was now a battle scene engulfed in flames. Cries and screams reached Leinad’s ears, and the tears in his eyes were not just for Quinn now.
    â€œPlease have mercy on the people, Lord Kergon. There has been enough death for today,” Leinad said.
    Kergon nodded, and the killing ceased.
    B Y DAY’S END , C HESSINGTON lay in ruins, and most of the people were gathered into a slave march to the land of the Kessons—to the city of Daydelon. The chains of bondage were latched once more onto the limbs of the people. It was the beginning of another dark chapter in the lives of the King’s people.

KERGON’S CAPTIVES
    Kergon left one of his top men in Chessington to rule the city and surrounding areas for him. Although nearly all of the inhabitants of Chessington were sent on the march to Daydelon, Kergon allowed a handful to remain in the city as subjects of his newly established lord. Most of these were the older people that Kergon did not think would survive the journey. Anyone with any influence or authority was taken, and thus Leinad, Tess, and Audric found themselves on a trek into bondage once again.
    The march to Daydelon was arduous. Although the terrain itself was not difficult, harsh weather during the three-week journey took a tremendous toll on the unsheltered people. Hard rains and cold nights resulted in many illnesses and even some deaths. Even though enslavement lay within the walls of Daydelon, the people were relieved to finally arrive at the end of their tortuous voyage.
    The city of Daydelon was an incredible sight to behold. In all of his days, Leinad had never seen such a magnificent feat of design and construction. A formidable wall encompassed the entire city, which straddled the river that supplied fresh water to the inhabitants. Both inside and outside the wall, lush vegetation embraced the monolithic stone structure. Vibrant gardens adorned the city streets, squares, and palace. Were it not for the rule of Kergon and the plight of the slaves, Daydelon would have appeared to be a paradise.
    Once within the walls, the people were taken to a servant preparation area. The men were divided from the women and children, and Leinad was troubled at the thought of not being able to protect Tess. He reminded himself that she was as tough as any knight he’d known. He would have to protect her through the training he had given her. These thoughts helped—a little.
    Over the next week, slave auctions were held to sell the people off to the highest bidders. Kergon profited greatly