Kingdom's Dawn by Chuck Black

mother. Though in his mind he knew that his father was gone, it did not feel real. The distance of time had not yet seared that truth into his heart.
    As he raced through the memories of his father, he could not stop before he rushed once again into the tragedies that had occurred earlier that day. It was only then that Leinad remembered in astonishment the words his father had spoken just prior to his death. The words sounded in his mind almost as though his father were still speaking them.
I love you … I have prepared you for a greater purpose … stay true to the King … discover the promise and … beware … of … your brother!
    Broken from his trance, Leinad ran back to the ruins of the farmhouse. Tess was searching through the blackenedremains and had found the scorched combs Peyton had given her. Though unusable, she held them as though they were a treasure to her.
    â€œTess!” he exclaimed, worried that the only one who might be able to answer his questions was gone. “Where is Gabrik?”
    â€œI don’t know, Leinad,” she said, somewhat amazed at Leinad’s sudden enthusiasm.
    â€œGabrik!” Leinad called, searching the surrounding country.
    Gabrik peaked a nearby rise in the terrain and cantered his horse toward the farmyard. Just then, along the same ridgeline but a good distance to the north, another rider appeared. His horse reared and neighed. Gabrik stopped his horse and turned to look at the rider, as did Leinad and Tess. The rider was in full battle dress, covered in armor from his neck to his feet. His presence was threatening.
    Leinad felt apprehensive, and his mind struggled with many questions. Was this a scout for an entire army or a lone rider? Was he hostile or friendly? With no sword or horse, Leinad could not fight or flee. How could he protect Tess if he needed to?
    The rider raised both of his arms into the air, then lowered them below his waist and bowed his head. Leinad saw Gabrik reply to the rider with the same gesture. Then Gabrik and the rider rode toward each other. Their exchange diffused the tension, and Leinad relaxed somewhat.
    â€œWhat is it, Leinad?” Tess asked.
    Leinad turned to see her sweet face covered with streaks ofsoot, and he was reminded of the day he saw her on the streets in Mankin. It was the first time he’d had thoughts of someone other than himself since the tragedy of the morning. He was ashamed that he thought he was the only one truly hurting.
    â€œI’m not sure, Sunshine,” Leinad said.
    Tess smiled slightly. He addressed her with the nickname Peyton had given her. It seemed to bring her comfort, and Leinad felt it too.
    â€œThanks fer savin’ me from the fire, Leinad.” Tess wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed him.
    Unsure of what to do, he gave her a quick hug back.
    â€œIt was, uh, nothing, but you’re welcome,” Leinad said. Tess let loose and gave Leinad some room.
    â€œWhat we gonna do now?” she asked.
    Leinad watched intently as Gabrik and the rider covered the remaining distance between them.
    â€œI don’t know,” Leinad said, still focused on the distant figures. “I just don’t know. I know how to farm, and we’ve still got the land. I guess we’ll continue on.”
    Leinad suddenly became aware that he alone was responsible for Tess now. The burden of providing for, teaching, nurturing, and protecting another seemed so easy for his father, but the thought of it nearly panicked Leinad.
    Leinad saw Gabrik and the rider salute each other and separate. The rider turned back north from where he came, and Gabrik directed his horse toward Leinad and Tess at a pace significantly faster than earlier. When he drew near, he slowed his horse to a halt and dismounted.
    Leinad approached him and looked up into Gabrik’s eyes—eyes he once feared, but that was no longer true. Hisquest for