Stephen Lawhead - In the Hall of the Dragon King

“You must allow the King’s stewards to prepare the hall properly. It will not be ready just yet. A celebration like this… well, you will not be disappointed,” Theido explained. “But come. We will breakfast lightly and then take our places at court. For today the Dragon King dispenses justice for the treasons raised against him.”

At breakfast the three joined Toli, Ronsard, and Trenn, all bedecked in appropriate finery. Toli looked the part of a royal squire, and insisted upon serving Quentin by his own hand. He would have attended Quentin in his chamber had he not been prevented by servants of his own-Toli, too, was a most honored guest.

Quentin blushed, faintly embarrassed by Toli’s enthusiastic ministrations; for, although the Jher did not say a word, Quentin could see the light of a glowing pride kindled in Toli’s wide, dark eyes. To Toli, Quentin appeared at last to have taken his rightful place as a prince of the realm.

In the massive chamber of court, King Eskevar sat upon his high throne looking grave and righteous as he heard the evidence of the misdeeds practiced against him and his people during his long absence.

Lord Larcott and Lord Weldon were released from prison and restored to full favor with their monarch. In their places went Sir Grenett and Sir Bran, until they should have a change of heart and be willing to swear allegiance and fidelity anew to their Monarch.

Jaspin appeared next before the throne. So feeble with remorse had he become that he had to be dragged forth by guards and propped up on a stool to hear his sentence.

“For your part, Jaspin,” said Eskevar, not without compassion, “I will be lenient, though you will no doubt perceive your punishment as more harsh than you can bear. Be that as it may, I have decided.”

“You shall be banished from this realm to wander the world and make a home wherever you may find men to receive you. You will never trouble Mensandor again.”

Jaspin wailed as if he had been stuck with a hot poker. He cried to his brother for mercy. “Allow me to confine myself to my own castle. In time you shall forget this unpleasantness.”

But Eskevar was firm in his resolve. “You may take with you one companion: Ontescue.” He nodded and the wily Ontescue was brought forth, muttering darkly.

“Ontescue,” the King pronounced, “You, who would be the king’s companion, shall accompany your ‘monarch’ wherever he goes to guide him in exile as you sought to guide him on this throne.”

Ontescue blanched, but he bowed low and said nothing, grateful at least to have saved his head.

A whole host of nobles and knights, prisoners taken on the battlefield, were ushered in. They were each made to pledge their oaths of loyalty once more to the Dragon King and each then promised a ransom for themselves and a heavy fine for their lands. But they were released at once.

“I have served my enemies as the law and mercy allow. Now let my friends receive justice as well,” announced the King.

King Selric was called first and came to stand before Eskevar who, out of deference to his friend, stood as well. “I cannot reward your courage and valor upon the field nor repay the service you and your soldiers have rendered this crown. For this I shall call you brother, for you have shown yourself more true than any tie blood itself could purchase.”

“But as a mere token of my gratitude let me offer you the worthy ransom with which these nobles have redeemed themselves. Take it and divide it among your men and the families of the brave soldiers who died in this duty. Please accept it-it is but little recompense.”

“I thank you, good Eskevar. You are fair and just. But my men are my responsibility to reward and I have means and plenty to do it. They will not want who have served in this campaign, nor families lack for the loss of a provider.”

“For myself, I am content with your friendship, and will rejoice to call you brother.”

At this, King Eskevar descended from the dais and hugged King Selric to himself in a fond embrace. Then the two men raised their clasped hands in the air to the loud acclaim of all who gathered there.

Trenn was called next and came to kneel before the throne. When he stood up to leave, the city of Askelon had a new sheriff. Ronsard followed and was made Lord High Marshall of the realm.

Theido received back his title, which Jaspin had plundered, and his lands as well as those of Jaspin’s at Erlott.

Then it was Durwin’s turn. “Sir, I would reward you with anything in my power to grant: title, position, gold. You have only to name your reward and it is yours,” said Eskevar.

“Your safe return to a just rule of your people is reward enough for me,” said the Hermit of Pelgrin Forest. “For myself, I wish only to return to my cottage and there live in peace.”

“Nothing else?”

“Only this: let me remain but a servant of a just and righteous king.” He paused thoughtfully and added, “But if I may request a small favor?”

“It is yours.”

“A promise then that the Dragon King will never again leave his throne empty for so long.”

Eskevar laughed and held up his hand. “So be it. I have promised.”

“There is one more who I would reward,” said the King, glancing down the assembled ranks of onlookers. Quentin was shocked to hear his own name called.

“Quentin, step forward.”

A thrill of excitement shot through him as he nervously stepped to the foot of the Dragon King’s great throne. He knelt there as had the others, hands folded on his knee.

“You I would reward most profoundly,” said the King, emotion rising in his voice. “For you it was who broke the bonds of sorcery which held me and snatched me back from death. Your blood and prayers freed me from the spell of the evil necromancer.”

“All that I have, the treasures of my kingdom are yours. For on this day you shall become my ward, my son.”

Quentin looked up in uncomprehending amazement and then saw Alinea, a Queen once more, with her golden circlet upon her brow, approaching him, her emerald eyes sparkling. The King descended toward Quentin and both then met him where he knelt. They raised him to his feet and then the King proclaimed in a loud voice that echoed through the court and corridors beyond, “Let the celebration begin!”

All at once the doors of the court were thrown open and trumpets blared the King’s proclamation. The clarion call echoed and re-echoed through the castle and through Askelon itself and through the countryside, and anyone within earshot knew that today they would be welcome in the hall of the Dragon King.

Then Quentin, walking between the King and Queen, his feet fairly touching the floor, was whisked into Askelon’s great hall.

To Quentin it was a dream come true. The hall was hung with ten thousand bright pennons of red and gold. Streamers of flowers formed varicolored canopies overhead, and the windows had been thrown wide to let the sun itself pour gold upon all it touched. The garden beyond had been transformed into a vast dining arena where tables were set, and luscious food of every kind and description was being prepared in front of pavilions raised for the cooks and their scullions, who scampered along the tables with platters of meat and fruit and cakes.

A mood of joyous festivity floated on the breeze like the song of a lark. Then the gates were opened and the people flooded in to begin the most wonderful celebration any of them could remember.

The sun was beginning to set when Quentin and his personal shadow, Toli, at last had their fill of feasting and singing and laughing. In the glow of hundreds of torches flickering to light throughout the hall and on the lawn Quentin sought Durwin, standing alone on the long balcony overlooking the merriment below.