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

told him that she appreciated that he had stuck around and protected her. She knew that she could hold her own, but she was rather impressed by the fact that he had gone out of his way to keep her from being attacked from behind. “As a token of my appreciation, I give you this horse. I heard how much you wanted it, and you rode him very well. Now you have a horse for when you become a knight,” she said graciously, and then she whispered, “I truly hope that you do.” She blushed slightly and then sheathed her own sword and rode back to the front of the troop, now forming to move again.

Trance was elated that he had his own horse, given to him by the princess. He sheathed his sword and put the butcher knife back in his belt. He was sorry the ax was gone. Even as he was glad to be alive, he did notice the gentle care of some of the other Golden Griffins as they delicately laid their fallen friends on a wagon that already had the previous owner of Trance’s horse.

Not far away from this wagon there was another wagon that was being loaded not quite so gently. Trance saw the struggle to be humane on the faces of the Althorian knights charged with this duty. He had wondered what the wagons were for, but hadn’t really paid much attention to them.

In a few more minutes they were ready and started forward again. This time there were four more knights riding up near the princess. Trance smiled to himself. He’d accomplished part of his dream, fought in a battle, and saved a princess. What else was in his future?

Chapter 10

Legend of a General

Miles away from the battle scene, in a very large, dark castle in a dense forest with a single road running through it to the castle gates, stood an anxious, dark and brooding figure. The remainder of the Boulthorian knights that had escaped from the Golden Griffins marched up to the castle and entered. They were led up into the castle and down corridors to be brought in before the figure, their king Axlor.

“Did you get her?” Axlor demanded. His black eyes filled with anticipation for the answer.

“No sire,” answered the officer in charge, hesitantly bowing.

“NO! Get out of my sight!” Axlor screamed, and as they left he sat and thought about what to do next. His head rested in his left hand. He wore black and gray robes and his ebony crown. He had a tanned, scarred, and weathered face. His hair was shoulder length, slightly curly, and black as midnight.

“Sire,” said a stout messenger just entering the throne room, “Bazar is on Boulthora at the Castle and requests your presence immediately. Something of great importance has just come up.”

“Tell him I’ll be there soon. Get my ship ready,” Axlor said, as he rushed up and out of the room. What can it be, if the Sphinx King has sent his General Elite with a message he wondered.

***

The Crown Mountains housed a large amount of wildlife. It was lush and green, supplying a large amount of food for its residents. It was here that the plans and strategies for the Griffins in their wars with the trolls, Sphinx, and gremmels were drawn up, but now it was a peaceful spot. Soon history will repeat itself, but not immediately. The circumstances were not right yet; however, an event was taking place that had the Griffins’ attention.

On the third peak north of center, hidden very well, was a massive castle. Its towers and turrets were carefully designed to almost blend in perfectly with the surrounding area. The castle blended so well that almost every visitor to the area would miss seeing the castle unless they looked exactly at the right place, or knew where it was. Inside the castle was an elaborate labyrinth of passages that led to many rooms and chambers. The largest room by far was the Great Meeting Hall. The room was empty except for one lone Griffin, and he was standing gazing out at the surrounding peaks.

The Griffin’s name was Faylor; his position in the Court of Griffins was Head of Court, which meant that he was in charge of the Court’s meetings and business. One of his most important duties was to study the Bible and in particular the book written by the last and greatest of the ancient Griffin kings. The book of Gravor held several prophecies, most of them relating to the return of the son of God, referred to as the only begotten, holly savior, Immanuel, prince of peace, Jeasous. On his return all of the worlds in the area would be redeemed. But before he could appear another prominent figure must appear. This figure had to appear to set in motion the events that would lead to his return.

The prophecies concerning this figure told an interesting story and spoke of many signs that would point to his approach and then reveal the man. He would be called the Great Griffin General and would lead the war that would end the tyranny of the Sphinx. He would become a king and bring about an era of great peace for many years. There were other prophecies that followed that lead up to Jeasous’ return and ultimate peace. However, it was the first prophecy that was on Faylor’s mind at the moment.

His eyes were anxious, for he had seen the first prophecy fulfilled. “Your warning of the General’s coming will be when all together the birds of the Crown Mountains will take wing and circle their home peaks and then group together and circle the whole range,” Gravor had written. He had written the whole book from his deathbed. Shortly after writing the book he passed on.

And so it happened that very morning at the crack of dawn, refreshed from a good night’s sleep, when while looking out the window, Faylor