“That is impossible!” Flar screamed, slamming his fist against a stone column. “There is always a Keeper of the Book!”
“And where is the Book now?” Rainna asked. “It has been removed from the castle sanctuary.”
“I can assure you princess, that the Book is safely in my care,” Murlox said. “Here in the castle.”
“I wish to see it,” she said.
“You shall witness its destruction soon enough,” Murlox replied.
“There is no power in this realm that can destroy the ancient Book,” Rainna remarked. “No matter how many armies you bring, no matter how long you oppress the people, there will come a time when the righteousness of the King will return to this land led by the courage of his Knights. You know it. You feel it. The time is coming. Soon.”
The Golden Knight #1
The Boy Is Summoned
By
Steve Clark and Justin Clark
Based on Characters Created by Justin Clark
Illustrations by Taylor Gibson
Copyright © 2011 by Steven Clark and Justin Clark
That Guy Media, LLC
United States of America
No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher. For information regarding permission, please write to: That Guy Media, LLC, Attention: Permission Department, 26 Nottingham Drive, Cartersville, GA 30121
This book is being electronically by That Guy Media, LLC.
Text copyright 2011 by Steven Clark and Justin Clark.
Illustrations copyright 2011 by Taylor Gibson.
All rights reserved.
Published by That Guy Media, LLC.
That Guy Media, LLC and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of That Guy Media, LLC.
To my brother, Mike, who first gave me the dream—S.C.
To my art teacher, Mrs. Phyllis Bickford, and my social studies teacher, Ms. Gin Thompson, for their inspiration to always follow my dreams—J.C.
In The Beginning….
And this is how the Great Divide came to be. Once there was one Kingdom and the King ruled over his people with a just and fair law. The Law came from the ancient Book. Many had written the Law into the Book, but all of the Law came from the King. Through the Book and the King, the people prospered and there was peace throughout the land.
But in those days, there came Flar, the evil fire lord, who promised the people an easy way to an even better life. To gain this, they would only need to turn away from the Law of the Book and the King. The people were fooled by the empty promises of Flar and fearful of his armies.
In the Great Battle, the people betrayed the King and his winged avengers. To save the Kingdom, the King created the Great Divide, a wall of supernatural energy, which separates the Kingdom from the people. The Book remains in the hands of Flar, who seeks to destroy it and all of its wisdom and power. Only through the Book can a person cross the Great Divide and regain the Kingdom.
So the people have suffered under the harsh rule of Flar, the evil fire lord. They long to open the Book and enter into the Kingdom once again.
And the people still remember the legends of the heroic Knights, defenders of the Kingdom and guardians of the people. Knights of courage and virtue who performed great deeds in the name of the King.
So it has been for countless generations…
Chapter One
The King stood on the castle walls staring out at the energy barrier known as the Great Divide. Marsonee, the archangel, dressed in full battle armor, approached the King from behind through a stone door. As Marsonee drew near, he knelt down on one knee.
“You summoned me, my King?” Marsonee calmly asked.
The King turned and smiled at his winged friend. He extended his hand. “Arise,” he said.
“As you wish,” Marsonee replied, rising to his feet.
“It is time,” the King remarked, turning back to face the Great Divide.
Marsonee was startled. “Is the boy ready?” he questioned. “Is he the one to fulfill the prophecy?”
“The Great Divide can no longer be allowed to stand,” the King said. “The people must be reunited with their King.”
“But if he is not ready…,” Marsonee began.
“Only time can determine if the boy is ready,” the King answered, stroking his short, white beard in thought. “We cannot force him to seek his destiny.”
“And what of the Great Book, my King? Without it, there is no way to cross through the Great Divide. Only the Keeper can open the Book and reveal its wisdom. There has been no Keeper spawned in this generation.”
“Every generation has produced a Keeper of the Book through the royal family of Devon. This generation has been no different,” the King replied.
“The House of Devon has fallen to Flar and his armies of fire,” Marsonee remarked. “King Devon has produced no heirs, save his daughter, and the Keeper has always been a male.”
“Things are not always as they appear, Marsonee,” the King answered. “Surely, you would know that as well as I. You must have faith that events will transpire in our favor. You must have faith in the people.”
“What would you have me do then, my King?” Marsonee obediently asked.
“You will go to the village of Arter and find the boy known as Justin. His parents will willingly give him to you. You will journey with Justin to the city of Rone. When you arrive there, you shall go to the ancient cathedral. In the catacombs, underneath the church, you both shall find who and what you are looking for.”
“And you believe that this boy, Justin, can remove the sword from the stone cross?”
“Have you lost faith in the very prophecies that I have created?” the King asked.
Marsonee did not answer.
“When the boy does,” the King continued, “the Golden Knight and his mighty order shall be reborn.”
The King placed his hands on Marsonee’s shoulders. “Go now, my friend. May you find your faith again on your journey.”
“I am your servant, my King,” Marsonee replied, bowing slightly.
Marsonee walked to the edge of the castle wall. His mighty wings opened and began flapping swiftly. Marsonee rose upward and, within moments, he was flying toward the Great Divide.
Chapter Two
Princess Rainna was led into the throne room of Devon Castle by two of the demonic fire soldiers of Flar. In past times, the throne room was a royal place, brightly decorated with the sun colors of her parents, the king and queen. Now, that elegance was gone. It had been replaced by the dark, red and black banners of Flar, the fire lord. As she approached, Rainna saw Flar seated on the bone and wood throne which once belonged to her father as the head of the House of Devon. Flar was an imposing figure. When standing, he stood seven feet tall. He was muscular in appearance. Flar was dressed in spiked armor with skulls on both shoulders. His eyes glowed with a red haze. Beside Flar, there stood the sorcerer.
Covered in dark robes, the sorcerer was slightly older than Rainna with a slim, frail body.
“Ah, Princess Rainna. How pleased I am that you could join us,” Flar growled.
“You summoned me and I was given no choice,” Rainna responded. She was young and very beautiful, her flowing dark hair only accented her deep, green eyes and tender lips.
“I believe you know my sorcerer, Murlox,” Flar continued.
“I know only that his magic has failed to open the Book,” Rainna replied.
Flar stood, his long cape spr
eading onto the floor. He walked over to a long table and poured himself a drink. “There has been a need to make some changes at Devon Castle. Your father and mother have been placed into prison for their failure to reveal to me the identity of the Keeper.”
“No!” Rainna cried. “They cannot reveal to you that which they do not know! Where have you placed them! I demand to know so I may see them!”
“You shall make no demands of me!” Flar roared. “You are a princess in name only now. Their dungeon is not a pleasant place. Perhaps you have some knowledge that you would like to share. Perhaps of a secret brother?”
“I know only of the prophecies,” Rainna said. “And I know that I am an only child.”
“That is impossible!” Flar screamed, slamming his fist against a stone column. “There is always a Keeper of the Book!”
“And where is the Book now?” Rainna asked. “It has been removed from the castle sanctuary.”
“I can assure you, Princess, that the Book is safely in my care,” Murlox said. “Here in the castle.”
“I wish to see it,” she said.
“You shall witness its destruction soon enough,” Murlox replied.
“There is no power in this realm that can destroy the ancient Book,” Rainna remarked. “No matter how many armies you bring, no matter how long you oppress the people, there will come a time when the righteousness of the King will return to this land led by the courage of his Knights. You know it. You feel it. The time is coming. Soon.”
“You should pray only that I do not grow tired of you,” Flar snarled. “Away from me now, Princess.”
“As you wish, Lord Flar,” Rainna replied. She turned.
“You shall bow to your master!” Murlox ordered.
“I bow only to my King” Rainna replied. She was escorted out of the throne room by the two soldiers. After she had departed, Flar threw his cup against the stone wall, shattering it into pieces.
“Her defiance to us only grows,” Flar angrily said. “What do your visions say?”
“What I see remains unclear,” Murlox answered.
“You lie! You have seen the Golden Knight in your vision!” Flar snapped. “Do not play games with me, old man, or you will find a dungeon reserved for you!”
“What I have seen is foggy,” Murlox calmly replied.
“Then see more clearly!” Flar roared. “Use your magic and destroy that worthless Book!”
“As you command, my lord.” Murlox bowed as he backed away.
Flar stormed out of the throne room, knocking over two soldiers who attempted to open the large, wooden doors for him.
Chapter Three
Marsonee appeared in the skies over the farming village known as Arter. It was a small village, surrounded by fields on three sides and a large lake on the other. Marsonee immediately soared down to a modest, wooden hut held together by mud and straw. Inside, a woman sat knitting quietly while her husband stood shucking husks of corn.
“I have come for the boy named Justin,” Marsonee said. “Are you not frightened by my presence?”
“I am not afraid,” the woman replied, placing her yarn down. “So soon. Has the time come so soon?”
“Great favor has been placed on this home,” Marsonee remarked.
The man knelt down beside his wife and embraced her as gentle tears welled in their eyes.
“What does the King ask of us?” he said.
“Only the boy,” Marsonee answered. “Where might he be found?”
“He is tending our fields,” the man said. “I shall fetch him for you.”
The man rose and left the house. Marsonee eyed the woman. She reached down and picked up her yarn. She began knitting again.
“You and your husband were not frightened by me,” Marsonee remarked. “Do you know of your son’s destiny?”
“Yes,” she answered, almost in a whisper. “I have known since the day of his birth.”
“How can you know the mind of your King?”
A young boy, Justin, entered the house. He was followed by his father. When he saw Marsonee, Justin fell to his knees. His mother rose from her chair and lovingly touched her son on the cheek.
“Do not be afraid, my child,” she said. “Marsonee is here on behalf of the King and has come to take you with him. I shall prepare your things for the journey.”
Justin slowly stood and watched as his mother began packing clothes and things into a large, knapsack.
“You are older than I had imagined,” Marsonee commented. “Not a boy, but not yet a man. When your mother has finished, we shall go.”
“Where are you sending him?” his father asked.
“We go to the city of Rone,” Marsonee replied.
“But...but I cannot leave my family now,” Justin said. “The harvest is only weeks away and my father cannot do it alone. Flar already demands the village send so much corn and grain.”
“My son,” his father said, placing his hands on Justin’s shoulders and looking deeply into his young, worried eyes. “Do not be concerned for your mother and me. There comes a time in every man’s life when he must leave his family and seek his own way. You are not a farmer. Your path shall take you to greater things.”
“But I cannot travel alone,” Justin said.
“No one travels alone,” his mother replied, placing the knapsack on the sole table, “when they travel in the service of their King.”
“I will gather for you your horses,” his father said. He left the house.
“We have no horses,” Justin remarked. “Only mules for plowing.”
“On that, we shall see,” Marsonee said. “Come, let us go outside and see what your father has found for us.”
They walked outside the house. Justin’s father was leading two, beautiful stallions
down the dirt pathway. Justin stared at the horses in amazement.
“How father?” Justin gasped, taking the rein and stroking the one horse on the side. “They are so strong.”
“You have far to go and there are still several hours of daylight left,” his father said. “You have no time to waste, my son.”
Marsonee mounted one of the horses as Justin embraced his father and mother. Then, he too mounted a horse.
“I do not know why I am going,” Justin said to his parents.
“Then go in faith,” his mother replied. She looked at Marsonee. “Will I see him again?”
“Yes,” Marsonee answered. “He will come back for you.”
The archangel and the boy turned and rode way. His father and mother watched as the two figures slowly disappeared from view. She wiped a tear from her face.
“Are you sad?” her husband asked.
“No,” she said with a slight laugh, turning to look into the distance at the Great Divide, “happy.”
Chapter Four
Inside the dark chambers of the castle, the sorcerer, Murlox, had prepared to cast an evil spell in an attempt to destroy the Book. The room was dark and cold with the only light being provided by torches. Water seeped through the stone walls and trickled onto the floor. The room was also barren with just a grey, stone table resting in the middle. The Book sat on the table. It was large, perhaps several thousand pages, and on the cover was a large cross design. It was lined in gold, silver and bronze. Murlox was dressed in dark robes with images of the moon and demons laced in the cloth. He raised his frigid hands.
“I call upon the dark forces of the underworld to empower me with might of ancient evils to destroy this Book of Good!” Murlox screamed out. Streaks of energy began to form from the thin air and shoot across the room. “I feel your power, evil one. I feel your power to destroy!”
The wooden door creaked open and two fire guards pushed Princess Rainna into the room. Suddenly, a howling wind ripped through the chamber.
“Leave us,” Murlox commanded. The two soldiers turned and left, slamming the door behind them. More flashes of energy exploded around them.
“What are you d
oing, Murlox?” Rainna yelled over the howling wind.
“I have summoned you here, Princess Rainna, to witness the destruction of your precious Book,” Murlox retorted. “Ohla, bakor, demone, destroy!”
“You cannot harm the Book!” Rainna shouted. “No magic can harm it! It is of another realm!”
Then, the Book slowly rose from the table and hovered in mid-air. A white and yellow energy field appeared around it.
“Watch me, my helpless princess!”
Two beams of red and black energy shot from Murlox’s hands. The beams struck the energy field surrounding the Book. There was a flash of white light and the roar of an explosion. Murlox screamed in terror as he was thrown across the room. He crashed against the wall and sank to the floor.
Rainna was motionless despite the powerful wind which swept through her hair and dress. For a moment, she was blinded by the flash of light despite her attempt to cover her eyes. However, the wind and explosion did not knock her down. Then, as suddenly as it had all begun, all was silent and the wind was gone. She slowly opened her eyes. The Book rested quietly on the table, unharmed. Murlox struggled to his feet.
“How?” he mumbled. “How could it survive such power?”
“Your black magic is no equal to the wisdom of the Book,” Rainna remarked. “If there is nothing else…”
“Do not speak to me,” Murlox barked, shoving his wrinkled finger in her face. “Guards!”
The two fire soldiers entered the chamber.
“Take Princess Rainna back to her room,” he commanded them.
The guards approached her. They grabbed her by the arms. She struggled for a moment before they began to drag her out.
“Wait,” Murlox said. He walked over to her and ran his pale hand across her cheek. “You are young and foolish, Princess. You cling to a false hope that an ancient prophecy will be fulfilled. So the Book survives another night. How long before the Keeper is revealed and brought before us? Look around you, little girl. There is nothing for you. The House of Devon exists only to serve Lord Flar. Soon, even Flar will have no further use for you. Unless you become mine, there is no hope for you.”