Sir Cedric of Chessington

The occasional cool mist of the sea quietly reminds Cedric of the unyielding truth of his journey. He is too far from battle to feel the rush within his muscles and yet too close to sleep. The ship Cedric is on is grand and is only one of many. The night breeze chills his moist face as Cedric gazes across the rhythmic mass and sees the outline of hundreds of other gallant ships, each carrying gallant knights. As Cedric leans upon the mast, the creak of the timber and the melodic swish of each wave breaking against the bow tug upon his memories. He and maybe the reader are alike in that they are on a journey. Cedric is not referring to his trek upon this ship, although it is the final leg of his journey. His journey began a long time ago, when Cedric was just a boy. At ten years old, his heart was full of dreams and adventure. An old man by the name of Leinad enticed his appetite for adventure with his stories. His impact on his life was powerful, though Cedric did not realize it at the time. Cedric believed him as a boy, humored him as a young man, and honor him at present, for the stories he told of his life were true. They were of a truth that lost its believability as Cedric grew into the reality of life and dared not believe. And yet, Cedric was on an adventure every bit as unbelievable as Leinad’s. As Cedric closed his eyes, the moist air reminded him of the damp smell of spring nearly twenty-five years ago. Cedric loved to play upon the banks of the stream with his friend William. Their swords of willow clicked in the morning sunlight as they rescued the fair lady from the clutches of the Dark Knight. William had been warned by his parents to stay away from the "crazy old man" who lived in a hut near the river, but Cedric could not. Leinad's tales of valor drew him to Leinad. Leinad was a mentor and a friend, and the memory of his voice has been a companion to him often, especially at present that Cedric knows how his life fits so perfectly into the King’s plan for the kingdom. Cedric pleads Leinad to tell him again about the mighty sword, as Leinad slid a cracked wooden bowl across the table with the green apple slices. Cedric thanked him and took a small nibble of his first slice to allow his mouth a chance to recover from the blast of sweetness that flooded his tongue and cheeks.