Kingdom's Dawn by Chuck Black

Author:Chuck Black [Black, Chuck]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-0-307-56267-8
Publisher: The Doubleday Religious Publishing Group
Published: 2011-12-07T05:00:00+00:00

BETRAYED!

Not knowing the disposition of the people, and not wanting to draw undue attention to himself in an exclusively farming region, Leinad felt it was necessary to temporarily hide his sword and blend in with the people. He wrapped it in deer hide and buried it beneath a large stone near a grove of trees at the edge of the valley.

The people in the Valley of Nan were kind but not necessarily warm in their greetings. Leinad learned later that their hesitant kindness was because of the raids that had occurred in times past. In other regions of the kingdom, castle lords were often in need of slaves to work their land and their castles. The Valley of Nan was one of many regions targeted to supply this labor. Most of the farms in the valley were extremely functional and simple. The people were independent and yet loyal to one another. There was no established government or elected leader. However, the size of a farm established prominence, and Master Stanton was by far the most prominent man in the region.

Leinad and Tess were offered a meal and a barn to sleep in by a family on the fringe of the valley. The extra burden was more than they could ask of the family for more than one night, however, and Leinad knew he must find a farm that would hire, feed, and lodge the both of them for a time. Thus he was directed to Master Stanton.

As they entered Master Stanton’s land the next day and approached the farm, Leinad heard a strong voice barking commands to servants and farmhands. Two large men with pitchforks approached them.

“This is Master Stanton’s land, and he doesn’t want any trespassers,” one of the men said.

Leinad held up his hands to show them empty. “We enter peacefully and come only to seek work on Master Stanton’s farm.”

This answer seemed to satisfy the burly men, and Leinad and Tess were escorted to the front of the large farmhouse, where Stanton was still giving orders for the day. Leinad and Tess waited patiently and listened. Stanton seemed to be a harsh man, but the people that had provided lodging the previous night said he was a fair man … in most situations. When the orders were complete, Leinad and Tess stepped forward to introduce themselves.

“Master Stanton,” Leinad said with all politeness, “I am Leinad, and this is my friend Tess. We have traveled a great distance and are looking for work in exchange for food and lodging. It is our understanding that your farm and land are the finest around. Would you be so kind, sir, as to tell us if you are in need of some extra help?”

Stanton’s face was leathery from the endless days of labor in the sun. It appeared to Leinad that this man worked as hard as if not harder than any of his servants. His hands were large, brown, and strong. He scrutinized Leinad and Tess with pursed lips and squinted eyes.

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