Well, here we go, my new story, The Kingdom Series: Marcus the Dragonheart. I've had this idea for a while but only now got the desire to write it out.
The Kingdom Series is one of my favorite series of all time. I read them when they first came out and loved them. I have yet to find a better Christian fiction series. Recently, I read them again and was inspired to write this story.
BTW, the I just now got to reading The Knights of Arreththrae series. I'm nearly through reading the series, and I've loved every bit of them. So, don't hate me for that, I'll get through the last two soon enough
Unfortunately, the Kingdom Series is a relatively unknown series. I haven't found a category of it on the sight, so unfortunately, I must list it under Miscellaneous Books. Because not a lot of people know about the series I'll try to include as much information for the series as I can.
I decided that this story should take place between the second and third books (Kingdom's Hope and Kingdom's Edge) because Leinad and Tess are my favorite characters in the series. I also wanted to develop on their married life, we didn't see much of it in the books. So, my main character will be interacting with them.
Originally, I was going to do a prologue chapter like what Chuck Black does in both series. I finished it, but I just can't do a prologue like he can, long story short, it was terrible. This was originally going to be the second chapter, now it's the first one.
I do not own "The Knights of Arreththrae" series or "The Kingdom Series," all rights belong to Chuck black.
Hope you enjoy the chapter.
Chapter 1 A Stranger to Chessington
"Where are you going Tess?"
Tess turns around to face Leinad. "I'm heading into the market, we need some supplies."
"Really, are you sure you're not going to the market just to visit with the people." Leinad teases.
Tess giggles, Leinad knows her too well. She's a people person and the people of Chessington love their Lady Tess. Tess is more worried about getting loved to death by the people than the blade of bandits that constantly try to raid Chessington. Thankfully, ever since the Noble Knights have been established, bandits have been all but absent from Chessington.
"You know me too well. I just enjoy being around the people and the children." Tess says as she walks close to Leinad. "Besides I can take care of myself better than anyone else in Chessington."
"It's because you're more committed than any man I've ever trained. And the most beautiful woman in all of Chessington."
"And you did a excellent job at that, so you've earned this." Tess kisses Leinad on the lips gently before turning and walking to the door. "I'll be back late today."
Tess doesn't say another word to a smiling Leinad as she walks out of their home and into the heart of Chessington. She doesn't like giving Leinad too much time to think about certain things. Besides, she's trying to teach Leinad to not be so overprotective, which is a hard lesson for him to learn. Despite being the second best sword fighter in Chessington, second only to Leinad, and a battle hardened warrior, Leinad can still be overprotective of her.
It doesn't take Tess long to walk to the market, but she takes her time, wanting to take in the sights of a rebuilding Chessington. In the year since Zane attacked Chessington was quickly rebuilt and expanded. The people in the city are very committed when they want to be, though at times they're motivation can be on the wrong idea. At first, the people wanted to rebuild the city to the glory of Quinn's days. Leinad, Tess, and Audric managed to talk them out of it, doing such a thing would lead them down the same path with the same result. But, thanks to the people's dedication the city of Chessington was rebuilt in about year and is still expanding, as the population grows.
What brightens Tess' heart is that as the city has grown so has their faith and conviction to the King. After everything the people have gone through many left to go back to their homelands or to get away from Chessington and Leinad, believing only bad things happen around them. As a result, the remaining people are mostly those who want to serve the King and learn more about him. Leinad had no trouble instructing the citizens and Noble Knights in the ways of the Code. It was as if the peoples' hearts needed the King's words and the Code to survive, and it brought a smile to Tess' face to see it. The people of Chessington were happy and so was Tess and Leinad, happier than they've ever been.
Tess enjoys heading down to the market, interacting with the people of Chessington. Over the years Tess has gotten to know them very well, seeing many of them as her friends. Many of the people see Tess as her hero and treat her different than most people, something Tess doesn't like but puts up with, occasionally. During his visits to the market Tess takes the opportunity to learn from the people and ask how they're lives can be improved. The people appreciate the visits as Tess is good at assisting them when they need the help. Tess can hardly make it through a visit to the market without the children of the market playing with her, the children love her, and she enjoys playing with them.
Looking at the children playing the market place, Tess can't help but wonder what it would be like to have a child. It's been a dream of Tess' to have a child with Leinad someday, to play with and raise to love the King and the Code. But after finding that she has problems getting pregnant, her and Leinad's dreams were shattered. It hasn't stopped him from living their lives to the fullest for the King or dreaming that they may someday have a child.
Out of the corner of her eye Tess notices an old friend working his stand in the market. Tess nearly runs to him, having not seen him in weeks.
"Good morning Victor." Tess shouts at the tall, dark skinned man working on sewing a blanket.
"Good morning Tess, how are you doing on this lovely day?" The shop owner calls to Tess.
"I'm doing fine Victor, I had to come to the market on a day like this."
"I'm glad you did, I rarely get someone as beautiful as you come by my story."
Tess blushes a little, she's used to be called beautiful but not that often by a middle-aged man who's doing it to as a compliment. She can at least humor the old man a little bit. Victor did make her the dress for her wedding day, and he did such a good job that she invited him to the wedding. The dress certainly did its job as Leinad was stunned on the altar when she started walking up the aisle. Tess thought that Leinad was going to pass out from seeing her beauty and saying, "I do."
"So how is the wound Tess?" Victor asks as Tess observes the display clothes on the counter.
Tess wenches at the memory of Zane's blade piercing her back. "It still hurts from time to time, the life spice saved my life and helped dual the pain. I still get a spasm of pain in my back every now and then but it's nothing to be worried about."
"Good, I'd hate for my favorite customer to be in pain."
"Aw, thanks Victor, this is one reason why I keep coming here."
"Oh, and what's the other?"
Tess smiles. "You're the best seamstress in Chessington."
"Decades of experience Lady Tess. I was a seamstress a decade before Lord Fairos enslaved my people. I owe you and Leinad so much after everything you did."
"You don't owe me anything Victor, it wouldn't feel right to take anything from you. As far as I'm concerned we were even when you made me the wedding dress."
Victor smiles. "The look on Leinad's face was enough for me."
Tess suddenly notices a look for fear in Victor's eyes. She's never seen the big man scared of anything before, so whatever it is must be intimidating.
"Excuse me ma'am, is this Chessington, I've never been to this part of Arreththrae before?" A big, booming voice echoes behind Tess.
Tess turns to see who the voice belonged to and freezes at the sight of the mountain of a man standing before her. The man is easily six feet and a half feet tall and bulging with muscles. His hair is blood red and long, tied on a pony tail on his back, and his beard is nearly as long and the same color. The man is very handsome, with a strong jaw and blue eyes, Tess guesses he's in his mid-twenties, though she's not seeing any boyish features in him. His body is covered black cloak, so Tess can't see his clothing, but she does notice black, armored boots, which leads Tess to believe that he's wearing heavy armor. There's also an eye patch on his left eye but no scars around it, leaving Tess to believe someone scared his eye. What's most intimidating about this stranger is the long sword he's carrying. Strapped on the stranger's back is the longest, double - sided sword she's ever seen, around six feet long. The blade is over four feet in length with the handle nearly two feet long. Combined with this man's strength, one hit from this blade would kill anyone, even if they were wearing strong armor. The only men Tess has seen this big are Silent and Shadow Warriors, but looking at this man it's clear that he's not one.
Looking into the stranger's eyes is even more of a mystery for Tess. What catches Tess off guard is the contradiction she sees in the man's eyes. The man's eyes scream the strength she sees in his size but there's also compassion and gentleness, more so than she's seen in most people. Despite the man's threatening size and sword Tess sees a kindness that most people wouldn't see. Looking deeper into his eyes, Tess sees a longing to help and protect people, something she doesn't see enough of. The only people with eyes like this are those that have seen the King personally, like Leinad, after he met the King.
As Tess looks deeper into the stranger's eyes she spots something that disturbs her. Beneath his compassion and love Tess sees sadness, depression, regret, torture, and something broken inside him. Over the years Tess has seen it plenty of times, especially during her time as a slave under Fairos. Tess can see that something is hurting the man mentally, badly as well. She can't tell if it's regret or a past action or the loss of a loved one.
Tess nods slowly, unsure how to politely respond to the large stranger. "Yes, this is Chessington, welcome to our lovely city."
"It's definitely lovely, better than any city I've seen in this region of the kingdom so far. The King has certainly blessed you here."
"Yes, we certainly havr been blessed, and we serve the King proudly, and are always welcome to outsiders, such as yourself."
"Good, I've been received here better than anywhere else. Most places aren't open to wanderers. You don't have to worry about me starting any trouble . . . finishing trouble is a different matter entirely."
Tess takes a step back from the stranger. Her hand instinctually goes for her sword's hilt, but she doesn't draw it. The stranger doesn't move a muscle, apparently, it's not the first time he's gotten this reaction, he just stands there smiling at her. It takes a moment for Tess to realize that she overreacted to the man's obvious joke.
"I'm sorry, old habit I guess." Tess says as she takes her hand off her sword.
"It's fine ma'am, I'm used to it." The stranger replies then offers her a hand. "My name's Marcus."
Tess looks at Marcus's hand, seeing that it's covered in a white, armored gauntlet, with small spikes on the knuckles, making a punch from this man even more lethal than it already would be.
Tess takes Marcus's hand, immediately noticing the strength in his grip, even though he's holding back. "Hello Marcus, I'm Tess of Chessington."
Marcus smiles as he lets go of Tess' hand. "I've heard of you, the beautiful Lady Tess of Chessington who's skill is unmatched with a sword."
"I guess that's true, unless you count my husband." Tess blushes. "I'm just surprised that people outside of Chessington have heard of me."
"You'd be surprised, the servants of the King know all about you. Your husband is a very lucky man."
"You have no idea. I got to ask why are you here? You come to do business with us?"
Marcus shakes his head. "No, I'm here to speak to Audric, Leinad, and you."
Tess looks at Marcus a little confused. "Ok? You came out with that pretty quickly."
"I like to get straight to the point. I was told to speak to the three of you together."
"And who told you that?" Tess asks questionably.
"A Silent Warrior named Gabrik told me to come here and talk to you."
"Ok? . . . this is, strange to say the least. I know Gabrik personally, haven't seen him in a while though." Tess says shaking her head. "I just met you and yet you're telling me you're on a mission from the King."
Marcus shrugs his shoulders. "As I said, I get straight to the point."
Tess is about to respond when she feels a strong arm wrap around her neck and a knife placed against her throat. From behind her four cloaked men draw their swords and stand between her and Marcus. The man holding her presses the knife against Tess's throat to keep her from moving and breaking free. The four men, Tess believing they're bandits, slowly advanced towards Marcus who just stands there looking unimpressed.
The bandits surrounding them are wearing black leather armor with black cloaks. Tess has difficult seeing their faces as they're wearing hoods to conceal their identities. The swords they're carrying are curved with weighted tips, making them exceptional weapons for slice attacks. This swords type is common with bandits, it's quick attack make it a perfect fit for bandits, but these swords are slightly different, Tess has never see a sword like the ones these bandits are using. The leather armor also bears a dragon on the chest, leading Tess to believe that these men probably serve the Dark Knight, a Shadow Warrior, or Zane.
"Well, well, if it isn't Marcus the Dragonheart, caught off guard." The man holding the knife against Tess's throat growls. "The Dark Knight has plans for you."
"Plans that involves our swords in your gut." One of the bandits shouts.
The cynical smile on Marcus' face sends a shiver down Tess' spine. The bandit's words and mention of the Dark Knight didn't even faze him. Marcus barely moves as the bandits approach him, he doesn't even reach for his sword. Tess doesn't know if Marcus is just crazy or putting up a front to scare the bandits, if he is then it's working. Marcus' lack of reaction slows their approach to the point where none of them want to get too close.
"If you boys are trying to intimidate me you're doing it wrong." Marcus growls as he takes a step forward. "You can't threaten a man with death who serves the King. The only thing keeping me from destroying is your hostage, and you won't have her for long."
Before the bandits holding Tess realizes what Marcus mean Tess grabs his knife hand, using a technique Leinad taught her, and spins his arm, nearly throwing him to the ground. In an instant, Tess has the bandit in an arm bar and twists till he drops the knife. Once the bandit drops the knife Tess dislocates his arm, throws him to the ground and backs away drawing her sword. The other bandits turn around and advance towards Tess.
"Focus on me boys, I'm the one you want, not her." Marcus shouts getting the bandits' attention.
The bandits turn around to see Marcus stepping towards them, who hasn't drawn his sword yet. Marcus smiles menacingly at the bandits, making them back up, his gaze and size alone being enough to scare them. Tess doesn't know if he's trying to intimidate them or if he really is this tough.
"What are you morons standing there, he's just one man?" The bandit leader shouts.
The closest bandit rushes at Marcus, swinging his sword over his head before bringing it down on Marcus. In the blink of an eye Marcus reaches up with his left hand as the sword crashes down, aimed at his head, the weighted tip slamming against his arm. Instead of losing his arm the sword stops as Tess hears metal hitting against metal. Tess can see that the bandit's blade had hit the metal gauntlet on Marcus's hand, doing no damage to his armor. The bandits remain frozen, not expecting to see Marcus stop their sword's so easily.
"We're you expecting to cut my arm off or something?" Marcus says with a smirk.
Before the bandit can recover Marcus steps forward and swings his right arm as a hook into the bandit's jaw. The sound of the impact makes Tess shudder as the bandit is thrown backwards into the wall behind him. The sound of bones breaking from the hook is terrifying to say the least, let alone the bandit flying across the street from one punch. The bandit lays there unconscious, blood pouring of his head when Marcus' spiked knuckles hit him.
The other bandits remaining standing in fear after seeing Marcus display his strength against them. They appear to doubt their resolve for a second before stepping towards Marcus again. Apparently, their resolve to do the Dark Knight's will and their fear of him exceeds their fear of Marcus.
Instead of backing away to get a better defensive ground Marcus steps forward, reaching back and drawing his sword. Marcus draws his sword slowly with one hand till it's fully drawn. He slams the tip on the ground, cracking the stones on the rounds from the weight of his sword.
"I'll give you one last chance to walk away with your lives." Marcus growls as he lifts his massive sword effortlessly with one hand. "I don't want to kill you, the King would want me to give you the chance to live, only taking your life as a last resort. I advise you take this chance and walk away, if any of you are left it'll then this will be your last day to live."
Tess is taking back by Marcus' bold statement, he's outnumbered three the one, the bandit with the dislocated arm doesn't count. But Marcus' threat seems to work a little as two of the bandits back away from Marcus. One bandit, however, screams in fury and rushes towards Marcus. The bandit swings his sword at Marcus' head only to be met by the flat of Marcus' sword. With little effort Marcus deflects the attack, pushing the bandit into retreat as he swings his sword with more speed and precision that even Tess is amazed. Before the bandit can recover Marcus brings his sword down on him, his leather armor not doing anything to stop Marcus' sword. It's over in an instant, with bandit collapsing lifelessly on the ground.
The remaining two bandits back away seeing their comrade sliced like it was nothing. Marcus, however, doesn't wait for the shock to go away as he advances on the nearest bandit. The bandit raises his sword to protect himself as Marcus swings his sword in a horizontal slice but it's in vain. The strength of Marcus' swing and his sword are too much from the bandit's blade as the impact shatters the blade and the razor-sharp tip of the Zweihander finds its home in the bandit's neck. Marcus'blade doesn't slow down as it meets flesh and spine, severing a life with ease.
The remaining bandit rushes as Marcus from the right swinging his sword at his feet. Marcus responds in time to block the attack and deflect it. The bandit, full of rage, unleashes a fury of cuts at Marcus thinking his swift attacks will be too much for Marcus' heavy sword to keep up with. But Marcus' defends against the bandit's attacks with ease, as if he was using a normal sword instead of a giant one. Watching Marcus defend, Tess knows that Marcus is just playing with the bandit. The blows from the bandit are average at best, even an adequate sword could defend against them with ease. But Marcus is defending himself with a giant sword that Tess knows she would have trouble even lifting. Marcus doesn't back up as the bandit doesn't let up his attacks.
Out of the corner of her eye Tess notices the bandit she injured trying to make his way around Marcus, a long dagger is in his uninjured arm. Tess rushes towards him and slices at his leg, her blade cutting deep into his muscles. The bandit collapses, screaming in agony.
"You're not going anywhere." Tess shouts as she kicks the dagger away, keeps her sword pointed at the bandit.
Marcus deflects another blow from the tiring bandit with ease. The bandit has attacked nonstop, with poor precision and speed, making it easy for Marcus to defend himself with his giant sword, though it's clear that Marcus is getting bored. Marcus directs his sword into a vertical defensive block as the bandit tries to slice him, the impact knocking the bandit off balance. With ease, Marcus uses the momentum of his block to spin around with blinding speed and thrusts his sword at the bandit's chest. The bandit's leather armor is easy prey for Marcus's sword, doing nothing to stop it from penetrating halfway up the blade.
"You have yourself to blame for this, I gave you the chance to flee." Marcus says as pulls his sword out and the bandit drops to the floor with a thud.
Tess keeps her sword pointed at the injured bandit but doesn't take her eyes off Marcus. After watching the man hack his way through four bandits like it was nothing was amazing, especially with the giant sword he wields. But from the reaction of the people nearby it's also terrifying, several of the citizens have taken off running. They did just watch Marcus nearly cleave a man in half like it was nothing.
"TESS ARE YOU ALRIGHT?"
Tess looks up the road to see Leinad and Audric running towards her with their swords drawn and a few Noble Knights following close behind them. Apparently, a citizen saw the fight and ran to the Noble Knight headquarters. Leinad sees the bodies on the street and Marcus standing over them near Tess. Without hesitating Leinad sprints in front of Tess, pointing his sword at Marcus. Audric and the Noble Knights surround Marcus who remains standing, trying a little not to look like a threat, which for a man his size and with his sword is nearly impossible.
Marcus rolls his eyes as he places his sword on his back. "I got to say, you guys got impressive timing."
Audric and the Noble Knights hardly move as Marcus relaxes. Seeing him put his Zweihander away certainly eases their suspicion of him, it means he's not a threat, for now at least.
"What happened here Tess?" Leinad asks as he looks at Tess.
Tess places a hand on Leinad's sword arm. "This man saved my life. These bandits grabbed me, and he distracted them, so I could break free of their grip, then he took them all on." Tess points her sword at the bandit she cut who's still holding his injured leg. "This guy will have some answers. They seemed to know him, which strikes me as odd to say the least."
Leinad reluctantly lowers his sword and approaches Marcus. "Did you save my wife from these bandits?"
Tess smiles and nods. "Yes, if it wasn't for him then who knows what would've happened to me."
Leinad sheaths his sword and slowly approaches Marcus. "Then I guess I owe you my thanks."
Marcus extends his hand. "I'm happy to help, I can't stand bandits. I need Tess alive."
Tess nearly slapped her forehead in frustration at Marcus' words. Apparently, Marcus has no concept of timing or conversation skills. There are so many ways and different times Marcus could've said that, but he happened to choose the worst for both.
Leinad jumps back shocked to hear Marcus mention Tess' name. "Why do you need my wife alive?"
"I should have phrased that better." Marcus says, shaking his head. "I know it seems strange me getting straight to the point, but the King told me to meet with her, Leinad, and Audric."
Leinad looks at Marcus for a moment trying to make himself believe that what this man said is true. "Could this really be true, could the King have sent this giant of a man to us?"
Leinad smiles a little at Marcus. "Well, the King must really be guiding you, all three of us are right here."
Tess fights back a laugh watching Marcus gasp. Seeing the big man gasp like a young boy is humorous to say the least. Even Leinad and Audric seem amused by Marcus' reaction.
"You're Leinad?" Marcus replies, a little shocked, then looks at Tess. "You're married to Leinad? This is a small world."
Leinad tries to wrap his head around this, the more conversation he has with Marcus the stranger things get. "Ok, Tess, what is going on here?"
"I don't fully understand it either, but there is one thing I can say for certain. After talking to this man and observing his fight, I can say that this man has definitely been with the King and has been sent by him."
Leinad and Audric stare at Tess for a moment, unsure to believe her or not. From their experience with Tess they know that she has incredible abilities when it comes to evaluating people just by observing them. Leinad believes Tess almost immediately, knowing better than to go against anything his wife tells him. Observing the way Marcus carries himself and his eyes, Leinad can see as plain as day that Marcus has been in the King's presence before, it shows off on anybody who ever has. Audric on the other hand, isn't so easily convince.
Audric steps forward, eyeing Marcus over, not sure what to believe. "If it wasn't for Tess' word you would most likely be under arrest and on your way to the Chessington jail. "Who are you stranger?"
"I am Marcus . . . the Dragonheart."
Marcus has arrived at Chessington and within hours caused one heck of a ruckus. He saved Tess from a kidnapping and killed multiple bandits in the process with relative ease. But Marcus brought with him more answers than questions, most importantly who is he and why the King call him to Chessington?
Please leave a review, I want to know what you think and how I can improve the story.
Hope that you are enjoying the story so far. The next chapter will be uploaded as soon as possible.
This is John Storm signing off. Stay Frosty ya'll