Peril of the Crown, page 40
She looked down at her notes once more, moving them around until she found what she wanted. “The weapons master feels you can learn no more here at the Forge, and the riding instructor feels the same." Raphaela paused for a moment before continuing, "What are you still doing here, Charlaine?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“It is my opinion that you are ready to join the ranks of the Temple Knights of Saint Agnes. What say you?”
“Me? Ready to be a knight? Surely it takes years?”
“Ordinarily, I would agree, but you have shown yourself to be more than capable in all your studies, and your maturity serves you well. I think you shall do well within the order, Charlaine, you’ve got a passion for it. The question is, are you ready to accept your destiny?”
“I am, Commander.”
“Good, then we shall announce your ascendancy. The ceremony will be held two days hence. Until then, you are to prepare yourself.”
“Prepare? How does one prepare oneself for such an honour?”
“Make the most of your remaining time here,” Raphaela suggested. “Seek out your instructors if you wish or spend time in quiet contemplation. The choice is yours.”
“Thank you, Commander.”
“No, thank you, Charlaine, for showing us that our investment in you was worthwhile.”
* * *
As a soon to be knight, Charlaine had risen early, bathing and eating a modest meal of bread and water, as was the custom. Now she stood waiting in her white initiate robes while Sister Verona, the swordmaster, stood ready as her sponsor.
“Do you know why they call this place the Forge?” she asked.
“Yes,” said Charlaine, “you’ve drilled that into our heads on multiple occasions.”
“Good, then I’ll never have to fear that you’ll forget. Nervous?”
“Does it show?”
“Not really, but I remember my own ascension. It was terrifying, what with all those people watching?”
“Now you’re just trying to make me feel worse.”
“And did it work?”
“No,” said Charlaine. “I admit to some nerves, but I’m not afraid.”
“No,” said Verona, “I don’t suppose you are. You’re fearless, I saw it the first day you arrived. It’s not often we get people like you, Charlaine.”
“You mean old?”
The knight laughed, “No, I mean mature, mentally, that is. You’ve seen the other initiates, they’re all young and timid. You, on the other hand, are fearsome in your own right. You’ve experienced life, you know what to expect, and yet you don’t back down from a challenge. All qualities that will serve you well.”
“I certainly hope so.”
Sister Verona moved to the door, opening it only a little to peer outside. “Looks like everyone’s in place.”
Off in the distance, they heard Commander Raphaela’s voice echoing, “Bring forth the initiate.”
“That’s our cue,” said Sister Verona, throwing the door wide open.
They solemnly walked forward, down an aisle formed by the members of the Forge, both initiates and staff. Charlaine noticed more Temple Knights off to her left, likely those stationed in Eidenburg, itself.
Her commander stood beside a lectern, on which rested the Holy Book of Saint Agnes. Verona led her forward, then halted, with Charlaine maintaining her position behind.
“Who speaks for the initiate?” asked Commander Raphaela.
“I do,” said Sister Verona, then stepped to the side, allowing Charlaine to walk forward, taking her place.
The commander lifted the Book of Saint Agnes from the lectern, holding it before the initiate. Charlaine placed her left hand on the sacred tome, placing her right over her heart.
“Do you swear, by all that is holy, to uphold the tenants of Saint Agnes?” asked Commander Raphaela. “To protect all women, regardless of age, infirmity or religion?”
“I do.”
“And do you promise to put the needs of the order above your own?”
“I do.”
“Do you swear to keep your word and never lie? To show mercy to enemies of the Church and to be kind, brave, and generous to others?”
“I do so swear.”
The commander returned the book to the lectern, then nodded to a nearby knight who stepped forward, a bundle of cloth in her hands.
“Kneel,” Raphaela commanded.
Charlaine knelt, feeling a sense of euphoria as if Saint Agnes herself was looking down on her.
The knight unfolded the bundle, revealing the scarlet tabard of the Temple Knights of Saint Agnes. With Sister Verona’s help, they lowered it over Charlaine’s head.
Verona turned her back for a moment, then faced her again, a sword and scabbard in hand. These she belted in place, a task made all the more difficult by her kneeling position.
“Arise, Sister Charlaine,” said Commander Raphaela. “Temple Knight of Saint Agnes.”
Read Temple Knight Today
A Few Words from Paul
While Enemy of the Crown dove into the background of those behind the invasion of Merceria, Peril tells of a broader conflict, a war spreading across the Continent. The Halvarian Empire is at its height, its legions unmatched throughout the entire world of Eiddenwerthe, when they come up against Merceria, a kingdom that has been at war for most of its existence.
On the surface, it would seem the two are well matched, for both have disciplined, experienced warriors, but whereas the empire has its marshals and commander-generals, Merceria has its secret weapon: Gerald Matheson and the veteran army he’s developed since becoming marshal.
Not to be forgotten are the accomplishments of Beverly, Aubrey, and Aldwin, for without their presence, the enemy would have conquered the Petty Kingdoms and then turned its full attention on Merceria.
Though the first victories have been achieved, there’s still much work to do and a war to see through to its final conclusion.
The story will continue in Heir to the Crown, Book 14, Saviour of the Crown.
A book is the result of hard work and dedicated efforts of several people aside from myself. I must thank my wife, Carol Bennett, for her tireless work in editing, cover design, and promoting this book, along with being my inspiration for these tales.
I would also like to thank Christie Bennett, Amanda Bennett, and Stephanie Sandrock for their encouragement over the years, as well as their moral support. In addition, I must thank Brad Aitken, Stephen Brown, and the late Jeffrey Parker for their part in building the foundation for these characters.
My BETA team, as always, deserves thanks for their feedback, which has proved crucial to these books, so thank you Rachel Deibler, Michael Rhew, Phyllis Simpson, Don Hinckley, Charles Mohapel, Debbie Reeves, Susan Young, Anna Ostberg, Joanna Smith, Lisa Hanika, Keven Hutchison, Brad Williams, and Lisa Hunt for your assistance.
Perhaps most importantly, I must thank you, my readers, for enjoying these tales as much as I enjoy creating them. I look forward to continuing this journey into the history of Eiddenwerthe with you.
Also by Paul J Bennett
Heir to the Crown Series
Battle at the River
Servant of the Crown
Sword of the Crown
Mercerian Tales: Stories of the Past
Heart of the Crown
Shadow of the Crown
Mercerian Tales: The Call of Magic
Fate of the Crown
Burden of the Crown
Mercerian Tales: The Making of a Man
Defender of the Crown
Fury of the Crown
Mercerian Tales: Honour Thy Ancestors
War of the Crown
Triumph of the Crown
Mercerian Tales: Into the Forge
Guardian of the Crown
Enemy of the Crown
Mercerian Tales: The Spark of Change
Peril of the Crown
Saviour of the Crown
Power Ascending Series
Tempered Steel - Prequel
Temple Knight
Warrior Knight
Temple Captain
Warrior Lord
Temple Commander
Warrior Prince
Temple General
The Frozen Flame Series
Awakening - Prequels
Ashes
Embers
Flames
Inferno
Maelstrom
Vortex
Torrent
Cataclysm
Duality of Magic Series - Coming Spring 2026
Voices From the Past
The Chronicles of Cyric
Into the Maelstrom - Prequel
A Midwinter Murder
The Beast of Brunhausen
A Plague in Zeiderbruch
Dedication
To my wife, Carol
About the Author
Paul J Bennett (b. 1961) emigrated from England to Canada in 1967. His father served in the British Royal Navy, and his mother worked for the BBC in London. As a young man, Paul followed in his father’s footsteps, joining the Canadian Armed Forces in 1983. He is married to Carol Bennett and has three daughters who are all creative in their own right.
Paul’s interest in writing started in his teen years when he discovered the roleplaying game, Dungeons & Dragons (D & D). What attracted him to this new hobby was the creativity it required; the need to create realms, worlds and adventures that pulled the gamers into his stories.
In his 30’s, Paul started to dabble in designing his own roleplaying system, using the Peninsular War in Portugal as his backdrop. His regular gaming group were willing victims, er, participants in helping to playtest this new system. A few years later, he added additional settings to his game, including Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic, World War II, and the all-important Fantasy Realm where his stories take place.
The beginnings of his first book ‘Servant to the Crown’ originated over five years ago when he began a new fantasy campaign. For the world that the Kingdom of Merceria is in, he ran his adventures like a TV show, with seasons that each had twelve episodes, and an overarching plot. When the campaign ended, he knew all the characters, what they had to accomplish, what needed to happen to move the plot along, and it was this that inspired to sit down to write his first novel.
Paul now has four series based in his fantasy world of Eiddenwerthe and is looking forward to sharing many more books with his readers over the coming years.
Copyright © 2024 Paul J Bennett
Cover Illustration Copyright © 2024 Carol Bennett
Portrait Copyright © 2024 Amaleigh Photography
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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the author.
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First Edition: July 2024
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ePub ISBN: 978-1-990073-80-9
Mobi ISBN: 978-1-990073-81-6
Smashwords ISBN: 978-1-990073-65-6
Print ISBN: 978-1-990073-82-3
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This book is a work of fiction. Any similarity to any person, living or dead is entirely coincidental.
Paul J Bennett, Peril of the Crown
