Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione (21 page)

“What’s the meaning of this?” he asked.

Landor produced an evil smile. “Lord Ra has ordered special entertainment at the games tonight.”

The warrior relaxed his hand and began to chuckle in a way that brought chills to Duncan.

They exited the guardhouse into the castle yard. Evening had fallen, but once again the castle was illuminated by hundreds of lamps. Music and incense filled the air, for the fete was well underway. This weekly event was far less crowded than the monthly festival, but many youth still danced and frolicked about the castle grounds. The sporting games had begun, and a large crowd had gathered around the arena, cheering loudly.

Landor steered their small procession toward the arena until the guardhouse door closed. Then he motioned with his sword toward the shadows of an awning, and the four knights found temporary cover there. Duncan glanced out at the many guards and knights stationed throughout the castle and began to wonder if there was any hope their plan would succeed. He looked up to the gallery and again saw the ominous figure of Lord Ra standing there, reveling in the power of his fete. Two powerful knights wearing capes stood beside him.

Duncan assumed Kendrick’s response to this situation would be calculated and composed … but he was not Kendrick. Although he greatly admired those qualities in his mentor and desired them for himself, he could not stop the flood of anxiety that swept over him as he stared up
at the lord of the castle. He concentrated on turning the anxiety into anger over this foolish destruction of lives and Ra’s propagation of evil to the lands beyond.

He looked over to Kinley and Gregory. They were brave knights, and if they felt fear they did not show it.

It was Landor’s countenance that surprised Duncan the most. He was staring up at Lord Ra from the shadows of their hiding place, frozen by the sight. In the brief time that Duncan had known him, the man had manifested nothing but strength. But here in the domain of his former master, he seemed to quake at the sight of Ra.

Duncan came to him and grasped his shoulder. “We can do this, Landor.”

Landor slowly brought his gaze to Duncan. “It has been many years since I’ve seen the master,” Landor whispered. “He is … too powerful!”

“Remember the Prince.” Duncan clenched his jaw.

Landor blinked and truly looked into Duncan’s eyes. “Yes.” Landor nodded and said again, “Yes.”

“There is Ancel!” Kinley pointed across the courtyard to the opposite side of the games arena. Elise’s brother was staring in their direction.

“We must make our way to the barbican.” Landor motioned toward the gatehouse. “There we will find the winches that control the drawbridge and the gates.”

The barbican was the tall face of the central gatehouse that proclaimed the castle’s magnificence to the outside world. It soared even higher than the seven massive towers of the octagonal-shaped castle wall. Duncan remembered the gatehouse was flanked by two portcullises, or massive gates of iron grating, one facing the drawbridge and one opening to the inner courtyard. Securing only one would mean disaster for the entire mission.

“The gatehouse will be guarded by Ra’s Shadow Warriors,” Landor warned. “Not even a Vincero Knight is allowed within. Once we reach the doorway, they will immediately become suspicious.”

“We must split up and mingle with the crowd,” Duncan said. “We are too conspicuous together. I’ll make my way to Ancel and tell him to wait until we are nearer the gatehouse.”

“Agreed,” Landor said. “Duncan, the guards and the regular knights are not of great concern, but you and I must avoid the Shadow Warriors and any Vincero Knights at all cost. We are fortunate those two warriors in the guardhouse didn’t recognize us. Thus far I have only seen the two Vinceros standing beside Ra, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t more. Be watchful!”

“How will I identify them?” Gregory asked.

“Within the castle, all Vinceros wear a cape of their own color.”

“Like yours?” Gregory motioned with his chin toward Landor’s swirling cape. Landor looked startled, as if he had forgotten what he was wearing. Then he nodded. “Time to go.”

Duncan grabbed Kinley’s and Gregory’s arms. “Smile,” he said with a wide grin and brightened eyes.

The three Knights of the Prince moved out to mix with the youth of the fete while Landor began working his way through various halls toward the gatehouse. Duncan smiled and danced his way to the opposite side of the castle grounds, mingling with various groups of four or five other youth and keeping a careful lookout for Vinceros and Shadow Warriors.

He edged along the fence surrounding the games arena, where two youth sparred with cushioned sticks. Duncan made his way to Ancel just as one of the combatants slammed his sparring stick into the chest of his opponent and sent him reeling. The crowd cheered loudly, and Duncan joined them. He cut his cheer short and used the noise to speak to Ancel.

“Wait until you see us near the gatehouse.”

Ancel nodded and joined in the cheer. Duncan moved on, hoping to hide himself in a group of young men who stood between the games arena and the dance floor. But after just a few paces he felt a soft and tender arm wrap itself around his.

“Hey there, handsome. How about spending some time with me?” A saucy young woman stepped directly in front of him. She was beautiful, and Duncan was momentarily flustered.

“I … ah …” He looked up and saw Gregory partway to the gatehouse.

“Come on.” The lass placed her left hand on his neck and began to dance to the enticing music that filled the air. She moved closer to Duncan and batted long lashes up at him.

Duncan took hold of the girl’s arms and tried to gently pull them away, but she clung to him all the more. He tried to smile and step away. “I’m sorry … I can’t.”

The girl would not be dissuaded. Then, suddenly, she was pushed to the side.

“Back off, wench! This one’s with me.” Kinley grabbed Duncan’s arm as she stepped between him and the other girl. She gave the lass a fierce look as though she was ready for a fight.

“Kinley … there you are!” Duncan threw an arm around his fellow knight’s shoulder. The other girl put her hands on her hips, gave a huff, and walked away.

“Come, Algernon … dance with me,” Kinley said loudly. She took his hand, pulling him toward the musicians and ultimately toward the gatehouse. Once clear of the crowd in the games arena, Kinley released his hand.

“Algernon?” Duncan said.

Kinley shrugged.

“Thanks,” Duncan said. She nodded.

After more careful maneuvering, Duncan, Gregory, and Kinley were as close to the gatehouse as they dared go. Duncan tried to locate Landor but couldn’t see him at first. Then Gregory nudged Duncan and motioned with his head.

Duncan followed his gaze upward and saw Landor waiting on a raised walkway that led to a doorway in the side of the gatehouse. All was ready.

Duncan was leaning in to say something to Gregory when something caught his eye. He looked up to see impending disaster—Sir Casimir striding across the courtyard toward the three of them. Duncan’s stomach rose to his throat, for they had no weapons to defend themselves. He positioned himself behind Gregory and Kinley, hoping that by some miracle Casimir wouldn’t see his face. But his Vincero’s gait was so quick and his countenance so fierce that Duncan was quite without hope. He held his breath and waited.

“Step aside!” Casimir commanded, pushing Gregory and Kinley apart.

Remarkably, he had not yet drawn his sword, and Duncan resolved in his mind that he would fight with his hands if need be. Perhaps that would give the others enough distraction to make the guardhouse.

Casimir raised his hand to Duncan’s shoulder. “Move, I said!” Casimir pushed him aside, and Duncan realized the man’s gaze was fixated on the walkway above. Casimir hadn’t even looked at his face.

Duncan allowed himself to be pushed and stepped away with a sigh of relief. Then he gasped, realizing Casimir’s destination. The evil knight was heading straight for the staircase that would take him to Landor.

With each step that Casimir took, his scowl deepened. His azure cape whipped back and forth in the fury of his travel. Duncan stood frozen, wondering whether he should shout an alarm to Landor.

Then Landor looked down. Casimir and Landor locked eyes, and with that single glance, the battle of Bel Lione began.

At the base of the staircase, Casimir drew his sword and started up the steps at a full run. Landor waited on the walkway with sword in hand.

“Fire! Fire!”
one of the guards atop the castle wall shouted as he pointed to the wood and straw shelters near the games arena. The commotion that ensued was nothing short of pandemonium.

Ancel had done his job well. Everyone’s attention was turned to the opposite end of the castle yard, where the blaze quickly grew into a roaring
fire … everyone’s attention except Casimir’s. He continued his rush upon Landor.

“Now!” Duncan cried and ran toward the walkway just beneath Landor.

Landor threw back his cape and reached for the swords of his companions. He threw them off the walkway just as Casimir reached him. Duncan arrived just in time to grab the hilt of his sword out of midair. The other two blades stuck into the grass of the yard and were quickly recovered by Gregory and Kinley.

The sound of Landor’s clashing sword mixed with the shouts of the people and the roar of a blazing fire. Guards and knights were calling for water, and many ran toward the far end of the castle yard. Casimir tried to shout an alarm to other knights, but his warnings were lost in the commotion, and he was kept busy by Landor’s sword.

Duncan, Gregory, and Kinley burst in through the doorway of one side of the gatehouse. Four Shadow Warriors stood inside a small chamber. The nearest occupant was staring out the window that faced the castle yard. He reached for his sword, but Duncan rushed him before he could position himself. The warrior fell to the ground with a thud.

This gatehouse chamber housed two of the three winches they were looking for. Duncan deduced that these two winches controlled the inner and outer gates and that the drawbridge winch must be in the room above, where Landor was attempting to gain access. One winch sat midway between Duncan and the other Shadow Warriors. But the other was on the far side of the room, behind the warriors, next to a staircase that rose toward an upper chamber.

Two of the other warriors drew their swords and advanced toward Duncan and his friends. A third grabbed a large wooden mallet and struck the release latch on the farthest winch. Duncan cringed as he saw the drum of the winch whir into rotation. He heard the outer gate slide down the recesses in the wall and crash into the ground. The warrior who had released it ran to the staircase at the front of the gatehouse.

“Intruders!” he yelled.

Duncan, Gregory, and Kinley rushed the other two warriors to keep them from recovering the nearest winch. Duncan fought one of the warriors, while Kinley and Gregory engaged the other. The third warrior drew his sword but also kept the mallet, waiting for a chance to lower the inner gate.

Then Duncan gasped. In the room above them, he heard the slow but steady clank of a chain winding upon itself.

The drawbridge was rising, and they couldn’t stop it.

Behind them, in the yard, chaos still reigned, but the distraction of the fire at the other end of the castle wouldn’t last long. Landor’s fight with Casimir was in the open, and Lord Ra would soon send the rest of his forces upon them. With the drawbridge up, Kendrick’s forces outside would have no way of entering the castle.

Duncan began to despair, for all seemed lost.

“Charge!” Kendrick shouted.

The glow and smoke of a fire rose up and out of the walls of the castle of Bel Lione, signaling Kendrick’s force to attack.

Kendrick galloped forward upon Pilgrim with his sword before him, rushing toward an enemy of two kingdoms. Five hundred horses thundered behind him toward the castle drawbridge. The two large warriors on the near side of the bridge drew their swords and ran across the bridge shouting an alarm.

I hope you have been successful, my friends
, Kendrick thought,
or this charge will quickly cease.

The castle of Bel Lione loomed larger with each stride Pilgrim took. With a third of the distance yet to cover, Kendrick’s heart sank. Beyond the castle drawbridge, he saw the outer portcullis slam down and shut off the entrance to the castle.

He hesitated, but Pilgrim did not. He was fully committed, caught
up in the momentum of battle. Kendrick kicked the steed to an even faster gallop … just as the edge of the drawbridge began to rise from the near bank of the moat.

By the time Kendrick reached the drawbridge, its edge was already waist high. Pilgrim seemed to know his rider’s heart and jumped onto the rising platform. Kendrick heard several more do the same behind him.

Pilgrim nearly lost his footing on the bridge’s sloping surface, but he regained his balance and continued his gallop toward the castle. Two Shadow Warriors stood waiting, one on each side of the bridge. Kendrick guided Pilgrim toward the warrior on the right.

The warrior readied his blade for a strike at Kendrick, but Pilgrim slammed him to the ground and trampled him beneath. Kendrick glanced backward to see Winston charging down the other side of the bridge, while three other riders struggled to maintain control of their mounts on the increasing slope of the bridge.

The second warrior plunged his sword into Winston’s horse. The animal screamed and stumbled. Winston tumbled to the ground, rolling up against the castle wall. The warrior was upon him instantly, but Kendrick turned Pilgrim about and charged on the warrior just as he was aiming a vertical cut toward Winston. Kendrick’s sword sliced through the warrior’s torso and stopped the blow before it began.

The five knights were now trapped on the narrow outer yard between the castle wall and the moat. Kendrick looked up, fully expecting to be pummeled with stones and arrows from above at any moment. Across the moat, he could see the rest of his force milling about anxiously.