Space Knights: The Arrival by Gregory Samuelson (buy e reader .TXT) 📕

“Good morning. Are you ready for this?” he said, trying to sound braver than he felt.

“I think so. How about you guys, are you ready?” she said pleasantly to his three best friends.

“Yep,” replied Zam. “I guess we should find the girls and get ready. They’ll be lining us up soon.”

“I think that’s them coming our way now,” Gracer said as he looked toward the left.

Soon Masey, Catrina, and Velleen, Mandor’s girlfriend, joined them. Everyone was paired up and a few minutes later several teachers came into the room giving them instructions. Trance and his classmates were lined up and ready to march out.

To Trance the wait seemed forever before they were lead out to the sports field to their seats for graduation to proceed. Trance sat and held Corena’s hand as the school staff was introduced. A minister was introduced next and he prayed for the graduates and their families. The student speakers were next and finally some academic and sports awards were given out. Now the boys and girls enlisting in the military were asked to stand. After the applause died down it was time for the graduates to be called up to get their diplomas.

Trance felt his heart beat fast as he waited to escort Corena up to the stage. Time seemed to have come to a stop as he waited. At last it was their time to walk up onto the stage. First Corena was called and the cheering was so loud Trance didn’t think he would even hear his name called. And then he heard his name. “Terrance Scott Sonderson.” The cheers were almost as loud for him as they were for Corena. He stepped forward and accepted the scroll of paper that was his diploma and then he saw his mother. He knew this part was coming and he could not hide his emotions any more.

As a part of the graduation ceremony for the kids joining the military, it was customary that after they received their diploma their mother presented them with their surcoat. Each surcoat had a sentimental value since they were made by their mothers and represented either family crests or their favorite animals.

Their father presented the graduate their military dagger. These ranged in type from the traditional dual-edged daggers to large hunting knives.

Trance approached his parents and as he saw his mother’s tears he noticed his own wet eyes. In her arms was the hunter green surcoat. Slowly he took it from her and at first didn’t notice the solid object on top. He looked down and was truly stunned to see the eagle head on the handle of the large bowie knife. It took him several seconds to register what this knife was and where it had come from.

“Granddad wanted you to have this. It seemed that this should be the right time to give it to you,” Mrs. Sonderson said as she took him in her arms.

Trance could not get over this. He had seen the knife a few times in the past but was never told what it was for. How could grandpa know that he would need this knife? It took him a few moments to notice that his fellow classmates that were before him and had received their surcoats and daggers had opened them and put them on. Trance unfurled his and was once again stunned to see the animal emblazoned on the front.

It was a noble looking mountain lion, his favorite animal from Earth. As he put it on and held the eagle-headed dagger and his diploma, he once again thought about what it would be like to be a Golden Griffin. He wanted to freeze this moment in time. Just to take it all in and remember it always. He would enjoy today, the party with friends and family. There would be plenty of time to worry about his future later. For now his happiness knew no bounds. He looked and took Corena’s hand again as they headed back to their seats. If only time could just hold like this forever he thought. Dreams do come true.

Epilogue

On the planet Iosis, in a distant corner of the Andromeda galaxy, two ships sat side by side on the planet’s surface. One ship was a stunning golden eagle, a Griffin Galleon. The other was shaped more like an arrow, with four small pointed ailerons near the nose and four vast sweeping wings in the back near the massive engines. The loading ramp slowly hissed as it lowered to the ground from this ship. Moments later a tall hooded figure descended the ramp and looked around. With swift strides he approached the Griffin galleon. Twenty feet away from the galleon, facing into an incredible forest, stood a very noble looking Griffin.

“Is it done?” asked the hooded figure.

Almost instantly a hissing scream rent the air. A moment later all was silent. The Griffin turned and his glorious beak tweaked into what could be thought a smile. “Yes ambassador. It is done.” He looked back before speaking again in his best formal fashion. “You may tell your highness that all is proceeding as scheduled. I lack only two more treasures and the fools will believe what I tell them,” he said and laughed. “The prophecies will work for us. We just made one happen right here and now. I found the scroll. I just need the Talenth stone and then to find the sword. Once I have them, my foolish race and their allies will bow to me as their savior. Are you sure the stone is on Arias.”

The hooded figure answered haughtily, “I have positive information that it is in the most ancient temple in the heart of the Horrian Mountains on Arias. Be sure of your search. The temple is hidden deep in those mountains. That stone must never be seen by the Griffins or any one. Is that understood?”

The Griffin finally turned and looked at the figure in the full. “Yes ambassador.”

“Fine. Then