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

boy!” The prefect glared at Leinad, then turned and proceeded back to his manor house with his consorts close behind. “Let the celebration continue!” he yelled, and music filled the air once again.
    Leinad felt as though he had disgraced himself and the King by failing to convince the people of the impending danger. Anger, frustration, and humiliation incapacitated him. He sheathed the sword and sat down on the edge of the platform with his head buried in his hands. There was no energy or desire within him to carry on. He had lost his father. He had failed the King. It was a day that was bigger than he was, and he accepted defeat in his heart. The moments passed, and the sun settled on the horizon as a flood of disaster approached—and he didn’t care.
    â€œWhy did I even try to warn these foolish people,” he said out loud to himself. “Not even one of them believed me.”
    â€œI believe you, Leinad.” The small tender voice of Tess was accompanied by a gentle hand on his shoulder.
    It startled Leinad, for he thought he was alone. He turned and looked up into the face of his young friend … his only friend. Like a slap across the face, he was reminded of the responsibility that had become buried in his own self-pity.
    â€œTess! What am I doing?” he exclaimed. “I’ve got to get you out of here! Where’s Deliverance?”
    â€œI tied ’im up over yonder by the tower,” she said and pointed to the bell tower.
    He quickly gained his feet and faced her. “Good thinking, Tess. Come on.”
    He grabbed her hand and ran to the waiting horse. The door of escape was closing quickly. He mounted the horse and then reached down to lift her onto the saddle behind him.
    â€œHang on, Tess. We’ve got no time to waste.”
    Tess wrapped her arms around Leinad’s waist and placed her face against his back. Leinad kicked the haunches of the horse and rode toward the rugged terrain of the Tara Hills Mountain Range that lay southeast of Mankin. Leinad was thankful they lay in the opposite direction of the sea.
    On any other day, the mountains appeared to be close to the town, but today they seemed a far too distant destination. The plain that spanned the gap between the town and the mountains was flat and lush with tall grass and an occasional grouping of trees. Leinad paced his horse just shy of a full gallop, for though they had covered half the journey, he knew the climb up the mountains would be exhausting for Deliverance.
    â€œLeinad,” Tess said fearfully, “look!” She pointed back toward Mankin.
    The front wave of a dark and ominous mass was moving toward the city. An eerie orange mist trailing the Vactor Deluge caught the rays of the setting sun to paint an alienlandscape never before seen in the kingdom.
    Leinad heard the fear in Tess’s voice and felt it through the embrace around his waist. He fought back the apprehension that was rising within him. There was no rescue and no escape for the people now.
    Leinad was amazed at the speed of the Vactor creatures. As the edge of the mass hit Mankin, the distant screams of the people beckoned to Leinad and Tess, but they did not last long. Within moments the Vactor Deluge encircled and overran what was once a celebratory town. Two or three men on horses tried to escape, but it was a feeble attempt. Leinad pressed Deliverance into a full gallop and focused on the ground before him.
    â€œHurry, Leinad … hurry! It’s gainin’ on us!” Tess’s voice was trembling, which did not help Leinad fight back the panic that threatened to swallow him.
    The horse beneath them seemed to feel the urgency as well and reached further with each stride. The beast was sweating profusely, and Leinad wondered if there would be anything left in him once they reached the mountains.
    The Vactor Deluge had already covered over half the distance between Leinad and Tess and