Kingdom's Hope Read Free Page B

Fairos,” Leinad replied with authority. “He made a promise to free these people. If I die today, you can be assured that another will come who is much more powerful than I. Either way, your time is short unless you let His people go.”
    â€œI am king here,” Fairos said, drawing his sword, “and I swear by the power of my sword that I will never let these slaves go!”
    Leinad drew his sword and took a swordsman’s stance. “Then you swear in vain.”
    Once again, the sound of clashing swords filled theNyland countryside. All eyes were fixed on the duel between castle lord and former slave. The fate of all onlookers depended on these two men and the outcome of their battle. Both men knew their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses well. It was not necessary to feel out the fight. Their engagements were intense and direct.
    The fight raged on—positions changed, tactics changed. Leinad focused on a seamless defense and a powerful, precise offense. Though Fairos appeared to hold nothing back, the fight turned against him once again. In spite of all his skill, experience, and rage, he could not bring Leinad down. His cuts came slower, and his parries were slightly delayed. It was all Leinad needed to open the fight to his favor, and he pressed in hard.
    Leinad saw Fairos gather his strength for a counterattack and feigned an opening in his defenses. Fairos brought a combination crosscut and slice followed by a powerful thrust at Leinad’s chest. Leinad quickly parried the thrust and stepped aside. Fairos stumbled forward and fell to the decking of the drawbridge. Leinad quickly covered him with his sword to prevent him from rising, but there was no fight left in Fairos.
    â€œEnd this misery for everyone and let the people go, Fairos,” Leinad said as rivers of sweat ran from his brow.
    Fairos worked to catch his breath. “I will not yield to a slave.” Fairos slapped Leinad’s blade with his own and began to rise. “And I will not free my slaves.”
    Leinad let Fairos pass to return to the castle, and it seemed to Leinad that the castle lord strode with his chin a little lower than normal.
    â€œI challenge Fairos to another contest tomorrow so that all may see the work of the King!” Leinad shouted for all to hear.
    Fairos stopped at the far side of the drawbridge and turned to face Leinad. His face projected the hate within him. He did not respond to Leinad but turned instead to Barak.
    â€œBarak!” he yelled loud enough for every slave to hear. “Cut all of the slaves’ food rations in half!” He then turned and walked to the gate of his castle. Those he passed kept their eyes to the ground.
    Though he was victorious in the sword fight, Leinad stood on the drawbridge feeling completely defeated. The moan of the slaves crushed his heart and his hope. He walked to Tess and his horse.
    â€œSome deliverer you are, Leinad,” said a man by the name of Garrin. “It looks like all you’ll deliver is a bunch of dead slaves!” Garrin was a man who would compromise anything or anyone to better himself. Because of his overbearing personality, some of the slaves looked to him as a leader, and he despised Leinad’s encroachment on his influence with the people.
    â€œLeave us alone,” another man said. “Because of you, we’re overworked, and now we’re starvin’ too.”
    Leinad and Tess mounted Freedom and left the castle grounds to the sound of jeers and taunts.
    They rode in silence. What should have been a day of celebration had become a day of oppression, and Leinad felt responsible for it all.
    How many will die today because of me?
he asked himself.
    The horse’s rhythmic bounce seemed to pound that question into his mind over and over.

BROKEN CHAINS
    The next morning, Leinad and Tess were back at the castle. Leinad knew his mission and steeled himself against the defiance of the slaves