Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione by Chuck Black Page B

have watched as Ra built this castle stone by stone.” Bronwyn’s voice was hushed, yet furious. “I have watched as young men and women succumbed to his deceptions and sold their souls to his ways. I have watched as the Vincero Knights were deployed to work Ra’s evilwill. For many years I have watched … and waited. I have seen the weakness of Arrethtraens and waited for strength to come. You are the first Knight of the Prince I have made contact with.”
    Bronwyn slowly relaxed his grip on Kendrick. “When the Prince came to Arrethtrae and died and rose again, I did not understand His ways. Only now do I begin to see, for I see His power burning within you, as it must be in so many others.”
    Bronwyn released Kendrick completely and stepped back. He walked to the edge of the clearing and stared at Lord Ra’s castle, visible in the moonlight through the trees.
    “My waiting seemed futile,” he murmured, “until now.”
    Kendrick moved away from the tree, still slightly shaken. “How long have you known Ra?”
    Bronwyn still stared toward the castle, but Kendrick could tell that he was seeing something else … something older.
    “Since the beginning. His name was once Ramsey … before the rebellion … when he was my friend.” Bronwyn fell into silence, and Kendrick waited. Finally Bronwyn turned and looked at him.
    “Ramsey was closer than a brother to me. Then slowly something began to change, and I didn’t realize what was happening to him until it was too late. The thought that Lucius, our own commander, would persuade the loyal warriors of the King to join him in a rebellion was inconceivable. I see it now, but then … it just didn’t seem possible. In a single night the friendship of a brother became the enmity of a foe.” Bronwyn slowly shook his head, as if he was trying to clear a bad dream.
    “Have you ever tried to talk to him?” Kendrick asked. “To persuade him to come back?”
    “Once, and I nearly died for it. The Ramsey who was my friend is forever gone. The minds and souls of the Silent Warriors who joined Lucius in that rebellion against the King and the Prince so long ago have become warped and twisted. Some may now understand the foolishness of their choice, but they fear Lucius’s power over them and obey himwithout question. Others have taken up the banner of rebellion wholeheartedly and become powerful enemies of the Prince.”
    Bronwyn sighed. “Such is the case with Rams—Ra. With each passing day, I watched him become more evil and dark. My mission of observation has been difficult, for the heinous acts he has committed against the King and His people have stirred great anger within my heart. Ra must be stopped!” Bronwyn’s huge hands tightened into fists, and Kendrick felt the urge to step back and away from this powerful vessel of the King.
    Kendrick eyed the castle. Its towering spires seemed so much more ominous. He marveled at how different it looked from when they first arrived. No longer did it beautify the city and the surrounding hills. He thought of Duncan within its dark and lofty walls. “Surely there is
something
that can be done.”
    Bronwyn stared at him in silence for a moment. “Go to Morley the cooper. If there is any chance of saving your friend, he may have useful information.” Bronwyn once again turned to leave.
    “That’s all?” Kendrick asked, wondering how far he could push the warrior.
    Bronwyn looked over his shoulder at Kendrick. “I have lost friends in this battle, Sir Kendrick. You will too.” Bronwyn disappeared into the shadowy curtains of the forest.

THE PECULIAR MR. MORLEY
    Kendrick did not wait for morning, for each passing moment could be Duncan’s last. As soon as he found his way back to town, he knocked on the cooper’s door, hoping the man would hear him from his quarters above his barrel-making shop. After numerous attempts, each one more intense than the last, Kendrick yielded to the probability that no one