Kingdom's Edge by Chuck Black Read Free Book Online Page B

voice. It was familiar. Too familiar. The hair on my arms and neck stood straight, and I could tell that the others felt the near terror too. I did not fear the voice, but rather what the voice meant.
    I must be going mad
, I thought.
    Slowly I turned, my eyes leading the way. Once I saw the author of those words, I stumbled back, catching myself on a center support beam. There were no words on my tongue or coherent thoughts in my mind.
    Before us stood the Prince!
    Some of the knights stumbled into chairs, while others grabbed something to keep themselves from falling. Two were making their way toward the back door.
    I saw the scars on His body, but His strength and power seemed to be even more accentuated.
    â€œDo not be afraid, My friends,” the Prince said. “I amnot a ghost, and you are not going mad. Please sit down and let Me explain.”
    â€œM-my Lord,” I stammered, “how can this be? I saw You die. I saw You hang on the tree. What trick or miracle is this?”
    â€œA trick it is not, My dear Cedric. But miracle? Ah, yes. You see, gentlemen, My Father is not only wise and wealthy, but He also commands power that none here can comprehend. The Noble Knights will not believe, though they see Me with their own eyes. That is why My Father sent Me here to train you. You are privileged, My friends. You are part of the plan to restore His kingdom.”
    Slowly we came to believe that what we saw was not an apparition but truly the Prince we’d grown to love and serve. Terror and shock were eventually replaced by joy and excitement.
    â€œNow You can help us defeat this evil Kifus and the Noble Knights, my Lord?” Rob asked.
    â€œNo, Rob. I must return to My Father’s kingdom, and you will not fight Kifus and the Noble Knights.”
    â€œThen what is this all for, my Lord?” William asked.
    â€œYou must remember what I taught you and why I taught you. Your battle is with the greater foe, the Dark Knight. Do not be fooled. He also has powers that will amaze and trick many people. You must stay strong and wary. He knows I have trained you, and he will seek to destroy you before I can return. You must add to the Knights of the Prince. Be vigilant in your training, and above all, stay true to the Code. I was your example. Now you must be the example to others!”
    Those same compassionate eyes—eyes that burned like fire—took each of us in.
    â€œWhy must You leave us again, my Prince?” I asked. I did not share the Prince’s confidence in us.
    â€œCedric, your heart is strong in the Code. Trust in it and in Me. As long as you live by the Code, I will be with you. What I have taught you will not fail you. I go to prepare our kingdom across the sea for the battle that must come with the Dark Knight and his Shadow Warriors. Do not be afraid. I will come back for you.”
    I looked at the strong face of the Prince and found my hope again.
    â€œYour sword is here, my Prince,” I said.
    I retrieved the cloth that held His glorious sword from the same chest Leinad had stored it in for so many years.
    â€œIt found me in my despair,” I said and held the sword before the Prince.
    He smiled and lifted it from my hands. “Do not forget, My friends. It is the Code that makes the sword worth carrying.”
    We all knelt before Him and then bid Him farewell.
    I was lonely again, but this time I knew it would not last forever.

WE BUILD
    At first we worked in secret, quietly adding strength and numbers to the Knights of the Prince. But soon our confidence with the sword and our belief in the King, the Prince, and the Code drove us to recruit openly. Anyone who believed our story of the Prince and had a heart to follow the Code was welcomed and trained.
    The Noble Knights hated us as they had hated the Prince. We were hunted but not defeated. The Prince had taught us well, and the Noble Knights soon realized that we were not going away. Small battles