Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione (15 page)

“What is it?” Kendrick asked.

“It’s quite remarkable. Those beasts would devour any living creature, including each other … except Lord Ra. It was almost as if they knew he was even more vicious than they were. Lord Ra even named them.”

Kendrick sucked in a deep breath. Landor’s description of the blood wolves was helping him understand the mountain of evil he would soon face.

“When one beast would die or need to be replaced, the new beast would be given the name of the former. The beasts that protect the back of Lord Ra’s castle at Bel Lione are Hypoc, Deceptor, Toxica, Revel, Plezior, and Arrogoy. On the eastern and western land are Destroyer, Carnage, Chaos, and Tormentor.”

Kendrick thought for a long while. “How do I find the hidden entrance?”

Landor hesitated, then finally seemed to understand and yield to Kendrick’s determination. As the planning continued, he responded with more enthusiasm. Gradually, in the process, two knights from opposite ends of the kingdom talked and became friends. It was a peculiar friendship forged by forces beyond the shores of Arrethtrae. It was not without tension, however, for Kendrick was always aware he was wagering his life on the knowledge and experience of one of Lord Ra’s own knights.

The wager was great, but so was the stake—Duncan’s life, and the lives of the youth of Bel Lione. Kendrick had no choice but to pursue it,
and he would not be averted by blood wolves, Shadow Warriors, or even Lucius himself, for the power of the Prince was within him.

It was this power that lifted the words of the Code from its parchment and etched them on the fleshy tablets of Kendrick’s heart—words that said, “Never abandon a fellow knight in battle or in peril!”

INTREPID ENDEAVOR

Kendrick stayed with Landor two full days, and although he felt there was much more to learn from him regarding Lord Ra and the Vincero Knights, he also knew that each passing moment diminished the likelihood of Duncan’s survival.

The parting with Landor stirred up a strange array of feelings in Kendrick—gratitude, for this former ally of Lord Ra had offered him hope for his fellow knight, and sadness, for he knew he would never see his new friend again. Even if Landor trusted Kendrick never to reveal his whereabouts, the risk was too great for him to remain in his cabin. Landor would once again disappear into the vastness that the kingdom of Arrethtrae offered, whether in the uninhabited regions of the land or the anonymity of the crowded cities.

The two men stood face to face at the ledge they had climbed together just two days earlier. The silence between them told Kendrick that something about his visit had changed Landor.

“Landor, I am grateful that our parting is made with both hearts beating.” Kendrick offered his arm and a slight smile.

Landor responded with a nod and returned the gesture.

“Thank you for your help,” Kendrick said. “I am indebted to you … my friend.”

Landor met Kendrick’s eyes but did not speak. The firm grip of his hand on Kendrick’s forearm was enough.

Once they parted, Kendrick’s concern for Duncan quickly overwhelmed every other concern. He hurried down the mountain and returned to the small farm where he had quartered Pilgrim, then spurred the horse in the direction of Bel Lione. As he rode, he mentally reviewed every piece of information Landor had given him. He felt within his vest a second time, checking to make sure the two maps were there—one defining the location of the secret entrance into Lord Ra’s castle, and the other showing the labyrinth of tunnels and chambers within.

Kendrick arrived at Lionsgate by evening on his second day of travel. He considered initiating the rescue at once, but reason overruled desperation. The grounds surrounding Lord Ra’s castle were extensive, and navigating north around them in the dark would be nearly impossible. He was also exhausted from his journey back to Bel Lione. He ate the meal Lady Odette and Elise had prepared, then allowed the strong arms of slumber to pull him into his bed.

Morning beckoned Kendrick from his sleep. He rose quickly and dressed in dark clothing. Over a hurried breakfast, he conveyed his intentions to Lady Odette and her children, then excused himself to the stable to make preparations. He had just secured Pilgrim’s saddle when Ancel appeared in the doorway.

“Sir Kendrick … I … I …”

Kendrick turned to face him. “Ancel, everyone makes mistakes. The question is what do you do with the situation once you know it. Some men let their mistakes destroy them, but men of character embrace their mistakes and become stronger. The choice is yours and yours alone to make, but know that I don’t condemn you. Neither does Duncan.”

Ancel’s gaze went to the ground and then back to Kendrick. “May I come with you?”

“No.” Kendrick placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Your mother and your sister need a man of courage here.” Ancel nodded. Kendrick watched him disappear through the stable’s big front door.

“Thank you.” Elise stood behind Kendrick. Her arms were folded, her countenance somber. “I heard what you told Ancel.” She motioned with her head toward the door. “He’s been brooding since you left.”

“He’s a good lad. He just needs a little confidence.”

She nodded and didn’t move. She looked as though she was about to weep. “Do you think Duncan is still alive?”

“If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have planned his rescue.” He reached for his pack, trying to cover his own doubts with purposeful action.

Elise stepped closer, and a single tear fell down her cheek. “I’m so afraid—for Duncan … for you … for us all. Lord Ra is so powerful.”

“Listen, his power is nothing compared to the King’s.” Kendrick finished strapping the pack behind the saddle and turned to face her. “Elise, the Knights of the Prince are taking back from Lucius all that belongs to the King. There is such great power in Him and in the Prince that Lord Ra trembles at the thought of it. That power is with Duncan, with me, and with all who believe in Him.”

She studied him gravely. “I believe too. But please be careful.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed Kendrick’s cheek.

Kendrick smiled as he watched her leave. Elise was a beautiful young woman both inside and out, and Kendrick was glad she had chosen to give her heart to his young friend. Her love for Duncan solidified his resolve to face the day with courage.

He left the manor grounds astride Pilgrim, with Duncan’s horse in tow, and found himself grateful for the cool breeze. He had purposely worn armor that would allow quick and quiet movements, but even light armor warmed up quickly in the bright sunshine.

Following Landor’s recommendation, Kendrick journeyed north and then east, skirting the region under Lord Ra’s direct influence. The castle of Bel Lione was off to his right, but much too far away to be seen.
He arrived at the northern foothills of Mount Quarnell by midafternoon and then turned southwest for a time. He climbed a knoll, from which he could just make out the rear towers of Lord Ra’s castle in the distance.

According to Landor, this side of the castle was protected not only by the blood wolves but also by an outer wall that enclosed a bailey. The secret tunnel passed beneath this protective wall and outer yard and from there into the dungeon. Kendrick opened the map Landor had drawn for him and identified key terrain features to help him approximately locate the hidden entrance of the castle.

From this point on, Kendrick knew his senses must be on full alert, for he was entering the dark domain of the Shadow Warriors. The thought made his heart race, and he took several deep breaths to settle himself before folding the map and resuming his journey. He traveled much more slowly now and stopped often to check his location against the map.

After a while he spotted a jagged outcropping of rocks high above him and slightly to his left. Landor had called the formation Panther Peak, for its shape resembled the silhouette of a crouching panther. Kendrick made his way to the base of the peak and tied the horses there. He would cover the remaining distance on foot.

He found a clearing and stayed at its edge. The castle towers loomed much larger now, and his muscles tightened. According to his map, he would soon enter the territory of Lord Ra’s blood wolves. He returned the map once more to his vest and drew his sword. Feeling the golden hilt in his hand was comforting, for the power of the Prince seemed to flow through it and into his arm.

Kendrick reached the far side of the clearing and moved on toward the castle. The hidden entrance would be another five hundred paces directly before him. He placed each foot carefully, feeling for twigs that might snap and announce his presence. With each step, Kendrick sensed the darkness of evil beginning to envelop him. It took great concentration
not to let fear swell up within him. His sword grew heavy, and his lungs seemed to resist the air he was breathing. Two more steps, and Kendrick felt he was in the fog of a bad dream, where his legs were made of lead and each movement took great effort.

He stopped, listened, and looked behind him. His progress had been much slower than anticipated.

Where are those beasts?
Dusk was approaching and before long he would be as blind as the monsters that awaited him. His sight was his only advantage. He chose to increase his pace.

He looked toward the castle. Through the half-bare trees he could now make out the dark form of the massive wall in the distance. A breeze rustled the dry leaves, and Kendrick didn’t know if he was thankful for the sounds of the wind or not.

He moved forward another thirty paces and identified the two towers Landor had said would align when he was near the hidden entrance. Realizing he had veered slightly left, he turned to his right … and froze.

Just ten paces away, a mound of brown fur rose from a half burrow in the ground. A row of spiny horns on the creature’s back stood up straight, and a demonic snarl filled the air.

Kendrick had tried to ready himself for this moment. But even with Landor’s descriptions, nothing could have prepared him for the absolute terror that crouched before him. The blood wolf’s sharp teeth glistened as it turned its head from side to side to pinpoint the location of its victim. Its milky, colorless eyes added to the impression that this monster was something more than a fierce animal. Its muscled haunches drew taut, and catlike talons dug into the soft soil in anticipation of its attack.