Kingdom's Reign by Chuck Black Page B

“Kendra!”
    They ran and embraced each other tightly. Both of them began to weep. Our realization of what was happening wasslow but no less shocking. Cullen and Kendra were brother and sister! The odds were a million to one against it, but here we were, witnessing the impossible.
    â€œKeely … what about Keely?” Kendra asked frantically.
    â€œShe is fine, Kendra. She’s in Elttaes. You will see her soon!” Cullen said with a smile as big as I’d ever seen on him.
    Kendra told Cullen of the fate of their parents, and it hurt him terribly, but the joy of seeing Kendra alive was great consolation.
    We carefully transported our wounded to Elttaes and rested there for a number of days. We welcomed the respite and enjoyed seeing the reunion of Kendra and Keely. For Cullen and his sisters, it was a time of great rejoicing.

LEINAD AND TESS
    After leaving Cameria, Talea and I journeyed from region to region and city to city helping to establish the Prince’s selected prefects and governors. Brenton and his twenty-five knights traveled with us, for there was still an occasional skirmish with Histen loyalists.
    We arrived in Daydelon many weeks later and enjoyed a time of fellowship and rest with Leinad and Tess. Leinad’s duties were especially challenging since Daydelon was one of the largest cities to be governed, and he had the added responsibility of guarding the prisoners from the entire kingdom.
    Talea and I ate a wonderful meal at their palace while Brenton and the men benefited from the comforts and amenities such a city had to offer. After the meal, we all took a walk by the river that ran through the midst of the city. It was a favorite place for both Leinad and Tess. We enjoyed sharing the peaceful stroll with them as Leinad took us to the placewhere a Silent Warrior had visited him when he was a prisoner of Kergon’s so many years ago. I enjoyed seeing the place that had only been an image in my mind from Leinad’s stories. Talea walked ahead, arm in arm with Leinad, as Tess and I sat upon a bench beneath a shade tree near the river’s edge.
    â€œWhen Talea was a child, she used to beg me to see her father,” Tess said as we looked down the walkway toward them. I saw Talea lay her head briefly on Leinad’s shoulder.
    â€œWas it hard raising her without him?” I asked
    â€œShe was a delightful girl … full of energy,” Tess replied. “It was hard being unable to share her with the one I loved. I could see Leinad in her face every time she smiled. It was also hard not knowing what to tell her, for I did not know exactly what the future held.”
    â€œYou did a wonderful job, Lady Tess,” I said. “Talea is a talented and tough lady.”
    Tess smiled at me. “Perhaps too tough, Cedric?” she asked as she raised her eyebrows. She must have seen my perplexed look.
    â€œI can see that you have feelings for her, Cedric.”
    I could feel my cheeks color slightly. I considered denying it, but she continued.
    â€œPlease be patient with her … The Silent Warriors took Talea under their tutelage—they so enjoyed her zeal for a challenge. Yutan became a father to her when Leinad could not. She learned their ways and, I’m afraid, their ability to fulfill their missions without emotion. They are, shall we say, elusive—wouldn’t you agree?”
    Elusive … that’s Talea
, I thought.
    â€œYou are part of her mission, Cedric. In order to fulfill her mission, she can’t—won’t—allow much more than an elusive friendship.”
    I thought about what she was saying, and it made a lot of sense. It helped me understand Talea so much better. Part of the mystery of this woman was solved.
    I looked at Tess. “Thank you, Lady Tess. I have struggled with understanding Talea since the day I met her, and yet I can’t help but be drawn to her. She is a special