Free Kingdom's Call by Chuck Black Page A

stumbled upon here?” the man asked with a wry grin. His voice was raspy and deep. There was not a hint of relief in this picture of evil that stood before Gavin.
    â€œPerhaps a frightened forest squirrel, eh, Sir Devinoux?” replied one of the men with a guttural laugh.
    Gavin wanted desperately to draw his sword for some security, but he was sure the action would bring death, so he stayed his hand. He needed to discover their intention before he succumbed to his instinct to fight these brutes.
    â€œNo, Sir Vicis, this is not a forest squirrel.” The leader’s face showed a moment of enlightenment. “This one I know. He does the bidding of our commander. This is Sir Gavin of Chessington—our ally!”
    The roar of laughter from the circle of brutes echoed through the forest and brought its inhabitants to silence. Gavin was disgusted and insulted.
    â€œWho is your commander?” Gavin asked.
    The five men slowly dismounted. Gavin was a full head shorter than any of the warriors.
    â€œDon’t you know?” the leader replied. “Your work is highly praised by him, Gavin.” He spoke Gavin’s name with such disdain that Gavin shuddered.
    Gavin’s hand moved toward his sword.
    â€œLord Lucius is pleased with your work, Noble Knight!”
    Gavin could refrain no longer, even if it meant his death. The insult to his honor was more than he could bear. He quickly unsheathed his sword and held it before the brute. None of the men responded or even seemed the slightest bit alarmed.
    â€œWithdraw your insults and stand aside!” Gavin commanded.
    The leader glared at Gavin for a moment with eyes of dark steel. “You are an ignorant fool, Arrethtraen knave! Draw your sword on Devinoux, and you will die!”
    The blurred motion of the warrior’s sword stunned Gavin. His sword was nearly blown from his hand on the first clash, and it was all Gavin could do to maintain his grip. There was no offensive counter, just defense and retreat. The warrior’s attacks were powerful and relentless. One dominant blow slammed into Gavin’s sword and moved its protection clean away from his chest. The warrior seized the opportunity to recoil and thrust his blade clear through Gavin’s right shoulder until the shorter edges of the sword began to penetrate his chest as well. Gavin screamed in agony and instantly lost the grip on his sword. His body convulsed from the steely invasion and his legs began to buckle, but the warrior held his sword up—still lodged in Gavin’s shoulder—to prevent Gavin from falling.
    Devinoux grabbed Gavin and pulled him farther onto the blade and close to his face. “Lord Lucius will be disappointed to lose such an effective puppet, but he will find another. The kingdom is full of fools such as you!”
    Gavin barely noticed the stench of the warrior’s breath, for he was edging close to unconsciousness in this excruciatingly painful position.
    The warrior abruptly withdrew his sword, and Gavin collapsed to the forest floor beside his useless weapon. The five warriors encircled Gavin with drawn swords to kill their victim in a semiritualistic sacrifice. Their faces held the sadistic and dark smiles of evil souls.
    Gavin was afraid, confused, and powerless. The purpose of his life and the quest of his journey seemed all wrong here at his final moments.
My King … I have given my life for Your honor. Why am I so empty in the end?
    The evil warriors held their swords high above Gavin, and he readied himself for his final breath.
    The neigh of a horse echoed through the forest trees. Although Gavin could not see the steed or his rider, he could see the stark fear that lit upon the faces of his executioners.
Has an army come to save me?
He was sure that only an army could frighten these brutes.
    The dark warriors abandoned their execution of Gavin and took defensive positions to face the apparent threat. One man rode