Free Kingdom's Edge by Chuck Black

enemy. Anticipating Lucius’s next move, the Prince swiftly locked His sword above His head and caught Lucius’s next vertical cut. The Prince rotated on one knee and exploded a horizontal slice that moved at blinding speed full circle around to Lucius. Lucius jumped back as the tip of the Prince’s sword grazed his chest. This gave the Prince enough time to recover and reestablish His position. I heard Lucius curse over his lost opportunity.
    â€œThe thunderstorm was now upon us, and day turned to night. The lightning flashed from cloud to cloud, and the ground shook with the roar of thunder. Our horses pawed the ground nervously.
    â€œLucius advanced again. His fight teetered on the edge of recklessness—he was taking risks he had not taken in the beginning. He appeared to be obsessed with destroying the Prince and willing to risk injury to himself to do it. But the Prince stood firm, and there was no breach in His defense. Lucius’s ferocity was wearing him down, and the fight began to tilt. The Prince advanced with such power and speed that Lucius found himself in retreat. The sky began to unload its burden of water in a steady rain that soaked my clothes instantly.
    â€œLucius attempted a more offensive posture, but the Prince was now in control, and I’m sure Lucius knew it.
    The Prince paused and stared at His archenemy. The scowl on Lucius’s face revealed his hatred for this enemy and also, I think, his understanding that the future of Arrethtrae belonged to the Prince!
    â€œThe Prince advanced with combinations and maneuvers I had never seen before. His dominance over Lucius was unbelievable! It was time for the end, and the Prince brought forth a sequence of cuts that nearly paralyzed Lucius. One massive blow caused Lucius to lose his balance and his sword. The grisly weapon of the Dark Knight was finally still, and Lucius lay prone before the Prince.
    â€œThe entire line of Silent Warriors cheered in victory. The Prince glared at this enemy of two kingdoms and spoke. ‘My Father loved you, and you spurned His love. He has postponed your judgment for now. Your final destruction is yet before you, but it is a certainty!’
    â€œThe Prince withdrew and mounted His stallion. We rode to a distant camp. He was tired, and we guarded Him while He ate and slept.
    â€œTwo days later you saw Him in the square. From that day on, our involvement in His mission has been extremely limited. It was hard not to be by His side. When they took Him to the tree, a thousand Silent Warriors were ready to wipe out the entire city. But He forbade us. He did it for you, Cedric. He did it for all the people who will follow Him.”
    My eyes filled with tears again as I remembered that day in the square. How could anyone care that much for me?
    There was a long silence before Ramon spoke. “It is time to leave, Keef.”
    â€œYes, Ramon, I suppose you are right. Take care, Cedric.And remember, the story did not end at the tree. For you and your people, that is where the story begins.”
    â€œThank you, Keef,” I said. “Thank you, Ramon. I will not forget you. May we meet again someday!”
    â€œWe will, Cedric,” Keef said. “We will!”
    And with that, they donned their crude cloaks again and entered the streets. As the door closed, William stirred and awoke.
    â€œLie still, brother,” I said.
    â€œWhere are we, Cedric?” William asked. “I thought we were going to die. What happened?”
    I chuckled. “I don’t think you’re going to believe me, but I’ll give it a try anyway.”

NIGHT OF KNIGHTS
    The Knights of the Prince grew tremendously in numbers, and the anarchy of the kingdom seemed to match our pace. The kingdom of Arrethtrae was on the verge of self-destruction, like a volcano ready to erupt. We built and strengthened, but the Dark Knight countered with discord and chaos.
    We sent recruiters for the Prince to