Sword of Camelot by Gilbert L. Morris Read Free Book Online

The gleaming lance tip came straight at him. He lifted his shield and at the same time pointed his own lance at the head of the black knight.
    Sir Hector's reactions were fast, and he was not completely fooled. His lance struck Reb's shield and shook the boy to his backbone. Nevertheless, he lunged forward, and as Hector moved his shield three inches to the right, Reb lowered his point and caught the large man in the side.
    He felt the shock as they met—and then the pressure was off, and he was past. Wheeling Blaze around, he saw Sir Hector lying flat on the ground and his horse galloping away. He became aware also of the silence of the crowd.
    Pushing back his visor, Reb lifted his lance and shouted with all his might, “Goel forever!”
    â€œGoel forever!” his friends cried. They came running out from the stands, and, as he fell from his horse, clanking mightily, he was surrounded.
    â€œYou did it, Reb! You did it!” Abigail cried. “There never was anything like it.”
    Josh said, “A real servant of Goel, Reb!”
    Bob Lee Jackson knew that it had not been his doing. “Goel helped me,” he said simply. “I guess if I ever doubted anything about him, I won't never do it again!”

5
Basic Training
    I hardly know how to explain it,” Elendar said.
    He was sitting in the shade of a yew with Josh, Reb, and Sarah. The others had gone off to explore the castle again.
    Elendar leaned back against the tree, his pale blue eyes half shut. He stroked his beard, while from the jousting field came the sound of crashing metal as a knight wasknocked from his saddle.
    Josh broke into Elendar's reverie. “Well, I don't understand why you don't just tell the king about Melchior.”
    Elendar had been telling how the forces of a knight named Melchior, who lived on the outer verge of the kingdom, had been swayed by the powers of the Sanhedrin. He also informed them that the king seemed unable to comprehend that Melchior was not to be trusted.
    â€œI think sometimes,” Elendar said quietly, “that Elmas has been able to cloud the mind of the king. I can no longer speak to him as freely as I once could.”
    â€œWhy, that's just what happened in Atlantis!” Josh exclaimed. “It wasn't the king but one of his followers who got sort of hypnotized there.” He went on to explain.
    Elendar's eyes narrowed even more. “That's the work of the Dark Lord right enough. I've been on many long journeys, and everywhere I go the darkness seems to be creeping over the earth. Only Goel offers any hope.”
    â€œDoes everyone here believe in Goel?” Sarah asked.
    â€œUnfortunately not. The king does—and the queen—but as I say, the king's judgment is clouded. Perhaps he's just getting old, as I am.”
    Reb considered Elendar, then shook his head. “I don't understand much about this. I'm just a good old country boy from Arkansas, but what is it Melchior does that is so bad?”
    â€œIt's not what he does so much as it is his influence, ”Elendar said grimly. “He's made himself very popular with many of the knights and the noblemen. They trust him—many of them—and he promises them great things.” Angrily he shook his head, and a butterfly that had lighted on his white hair flew off. He watched it for a moment. “The time will come when the king will be sorry he's trusted Melchior—but I'm unable to get that across to him.”
    â€œWell—” Reb sighed “—I don't know anything about politics. My uncle was a county judge. He was a good man before he got that job, but it sure ruined him!”
    Elendar smiled slightly, but there was a grimness in his face. “It was once said, ‘Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.’”
    â€œBut that isn't always true, is it?” Sarah asked. “I mean, Goel has power—and he's good. You have power, Elendar—and