Free Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione by Chuck Black

overflowed with meats, wine, and fruit. Cheers rose from a fenced-off arena just ahead, where groups of young people competed in some sort of sporting event. In the shadows, others paired off to flirt with each other.
    The gala celebration was like no other that Duncan had ever seen. He was momentarily dazzled by the opulence of it all … and surprised by the powerful pull upon his heart to join in and indulge himself. Then he looked to the far side of the castle and was immediately shaken from the lure of the castle’s torrid temptations.
    A gallery surrounded the exterior of the great hall, overlooking the castle yard and games arena. A lone figure stood there, peering intently down upon the festivities. Duncan was too far away to see the man’s face, but he seemed to watch the festival with a predator’s pleasure. Duncan’s mind was awakened to something great and evil happening that was masked by the delectable food and enticing music.
    “Duncan!”
    He turned to his left and saw Ancel pushing through the crowd toward him.
    “Duncan, what are you—?”
    Duncan grabbed the boy before he could say more and pulled him into a congested area far from the gate guards.
    “Are you all right?” Duncan asked Ancel, trying not to sound too angry.
    “I’m fine, but I want to get out of here.” Ancel glanced toward the sports arena. Duncan thought he looked like a frightened pup.
    “This place is—”
    “I know,” Duncan said. “Follow me.”
    The two walked to the gate, and Duncan held his head a little straighter as he approached. The two guards stepped in front of them, halting their exit.
    “No one is allowed to leave until morning!” one of the guards said sternly.
    Duncan considered making a run for it, but with the two massive warriors guarding the end of the drawbridge, he knew that their flight would be short.
    “My friend’s not feeling well,” Duncan said. “I need to take him home.”
    Ancel put his hand to his stomach and winced.
    “I’ll take him to the infirmary.” The guard grabbed Ancel’s shoulder.
    “No!” Duncan pulled the guard’s hand away. “I’ll take care of him.” He put an arm around Ancel and led him away from the guards, feeling suspicious stares on them as they went.
    They had gone but a few paces when they heard the thunder of a horse’s hooves on the wooden planks of the drawbridge. Duncan turned to see the guards stiffen to attention as a mighty knight in armor rode through the gates. An azure cape hung from his shoulders and draped about the haunches of his steed.
    “Where is Lord Ra?” the knight demanded as he reined in his horse. A guard pointed to the gallery across the yard. The knight raised his visor, peered toward the gallery, then looked down at the participants of the festival. Duncan realized the man’s identity only when their eyes met in a frozen gaze.
    Duncan broke eye contact and whisked Ancel through the crowd, hoping to lose themselves as quickly as possible. His heart pounded, and he could not help feeling that the walls of the castle were beginning to collapse on them. The spacious castle yard now felt like a small stone cell with nowhere to run.
    “We must separate, and you must mingle with the others until morning,” Duncan told Ancel urgently.
    “But I want to stay with you.”
    “No!” Duncan grabbed Ancel’s shoulder. “It isn’t safe for you to be near me. Get out of here at first light. Do you understand?”
    “Yes … but what’s wrong?”
    Duncan ignored the question and hurried away to hide among the frolicking bodies. He kept moving and stayed in the shadows as much as possible, hoping that morning would come quicker than calamity. But soon he spotted two large warriors moving youth aside to make their way to him. He instinctively reached for his sword, but his empty belt was a stark reminder of what he now knew to be a foolish decision. He had nowhere to run, no way to defend himself, and no one to help him.
    The two