The Quest for Seven Castles

The Quest for

Seven Castles

An allegory

by Ed Dunlop

(Book Two in the Terrestria Chronicles)

Copyright 2012 Ed Dunlop

The Quest for Seven Castles

Published by Ed Dunlop at Smashwords

License Notes

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Juvenile fiction.

Christian life juvenile fiction.

Ebook Edition

And beside this, giving all diligence,

add to your faith VIRTUE;

and to virtue KNOWLEDGE;

and to knowledge TEMPERANCE;

and to temperance PATIENCE;

and to patience GODLINESS;

and to godliness BROTHERLY KINDNESS;

and to brotherly kindness CHARITY.

For if these things be in you and abound,

they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful

in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

II Peter 1:5-8

That you and I might grow

to be like our King

Chapter One

In a land far away and a time long ago, the early morning sun glistened on polished armor as a mounted knight rode swiftly along the King’s highway. The breath of the knight’s powerful white horse hung in the cool morning air as he thundered past awakening farms and sleepy villages. The knight was riding hard. The clatter of the animal’s hooves rang like a blacksmith’s hammer across the stillness of the moors.

In the distance, the same rising sun glistened on the white marble walls of a majestic castle, painting them with pastel hues of orange, pink and violet. The castle, situated high atop a rocky palisade, overlooked a quiet region in the peaceful kingdom of Terrestria. King Emmanuel, Lord of all Terrestria, had constructed the castle of the finest materials. Situated between the Sea of Conviction and the Village of Dedication, the castle had high, sturdy walls, even taller towers, massive gates and a deep, wide moat. Two garrisons of knights under Captain Assurance and Captain Diligence walked the battlements night and day, guarding the walls of the Castle of Faith, always on the lookout for danger.

The stalwart knight leaned forward in the saddle, urging his powerful horse to even greater speed. The man’s visor was down, concealing his face, but his glistening figure seemed to radiate a sense of urgency. He rode as though the slightest delay would mean failure for his mission.

High on the battlements of the Castle of Faith, an elderly man dressed in a splendid green doublet and shimmering white cloak stood talking with a slender young man. The youth wore a sleeveless jerkin of soft, pale deerskin, and a magnificent cloak of blue and gold.

Sir Faithful, the youth said, leaning over the battlements of the castle and looking at the ground far below, do you realize that I have now been at the Castle of Faith for an entire year? It was one year ago today that King Emmanuel came in the Coach of Grace and rescued me from the evil blacksmith, Argamor. What a year this has been!

The old man smiled and stroked his long, white beard with the fingertips of both hands. Has it already been a year, Prince Josiah? My, how time flies! Sometimes it seems that it was only yesterday that you came to the Castle of Faith. He chuckled gently as he turned and gazed lovingly at the young prince. My, how one year at the castle has changed you! It was a skinny little wretch of a boy that entered the castle a year ago; but now I see before me a tall, handsome young prince.

Prince Josiah smiled, but there was not a trace of pride in his lively brown eyes. His heart thrilled with gratitude as he thought about the day that he had met the loving and gracious King. I’ll never forget what His Majesty did for me that day, he said softly. Argamor and his evil henchmen were preparing to flog me, but King Emmanuel rescued me and brought me to the Castle of Faith!

Just then the clatter of hooves arrested the attention of the elderly steward and the young prince, and they both looked down to see the knight on the white horse come thundering up to the castle gate. The rider drew back on the reins and brought his steed to a halt at the edge of the drawbridge, and the magnificent animal pranced and pawed the earth restlessly. The knight stood in the stirrups and raised his visor. Halloo the Castle of Faith!

A messenger from His Majesty, Sir Faithful said quietly.

Prince Josiah stared at him in surprise. From King Emmanuel? Sire, how can you tell?

The old man smiled mysteriously. Just wait. You shall soon learn that I am correct.

Who approaches the castle? The challenge came from the battlements of the gatehouse towering over the drawbridge.

I am Sir Reliable, the knight answered in a deep voice that echoed off the castle walls. I come from the Golden City with a message from His Majesty, King Emmanuel.

Josiah looked at Sir Faithful in astonishment. Sire, you were right! Do you think that His Majesty is coming to the Castle of Faith today?

Sir Faithful shook his head. King Emmanuel could come today, and we must always be watching for his return, but this message is in regards to another matter.

Enter, noble knight, and be recognized, the gatekeeper called, and as Prince Josiah and Sir Faithful watched from atop the wall, the knight rode forward and entered the castle.

Sir Faithful looked fondly at Josiah. Remember the day that you came to the Castle of Faith? I still recall how surprised you were to learn that you had become a prince.

Josiah smiled. I’m still amazed to think that King Emmanuel would adopt me, he confessed. He let out his breath in a long sigh of contentment. Just think, Sir Faithful, I went from being a slave to being a prince in just one day! That’s enough to overwhelm anyone!

The old man chuckled. I know.

The very best part, sire, is that my chain of iniquity and my weight of guilt are gone forever. I have been set free! And I never have to return to the Dungeon of Condemnation! I love my King.

The young prince paused for a moment, reflecting on the goodness and grace of King Emmanuel. His heart was filled with gratitude. I thank you, my King, he whispered softly.

Josiah’s thoughts returned to the memorable day that King Emmanuel had ransomed him. He shuddered as he remembered the cruelty of Argamor and his evil henchmen, Evilheart and Lawofsin. For just a moment, he was back in the filthy coal yard of Argamor’s blacksmith shop, and he could almost feel the ropes around his wrists as Lawofsin bound him to a yew tree in preparation for a flogging. He could still recall the terror he had felt as he waited for the stinging lash of the whip across his bare back. But the Coach of Grace had appeared just at that moment, and the cruel flogging had never taken place. King Emmanuel had stepped from the coach, rescued Josiah, and set him free from Argamor’s tyranny. Josiah wept with the memory of that blessed day when the King of glory had adopted him and brought him to live as a prince in the Castle of Faith.

A page dressed in royal blue ascended the castle stairs just then and hurried across the sentry walk toward the old man and the boy. A message from King Emmanuel, sire, the page said, bowing low and handing a parchment to Sir Faithful. It has just arrived. It’s for Prince Josiah.

I thank you, William, the steward replied, taking the parchment from the boy. The page bowed again and hurried away. Sir Faithful unrolled the document and scanned the message.

What does it say, sire? Josiah begged, but Sir Faithful continued to read in silence. Josiah waited anxiously.

At last, the old man lowered the parchment and gazed at Josiah. The message is for you, from His Majesty, King Emmanuel, he said slowly.

I know, I know, Josiah said impatiently, without meaning to be impolite. But what does it say? Why did King Emmanuel send a messenger all the way from the Golden City just for me? What does my King want?

Sir Faithful turned and regarded him thoughtfully for a long moment before answering. His Majesty wants you to leave the Castle of Faith.

Leave the Castle of Faith? A surge of panic arose within Josiah’s breast, overwhelming him and choking off his breath. He struggled to speak. But why? Where would I go?

King Emmanuel has ordered you to depart the Castle of Faith, the steward repeated. You are to leave immediately.

Chapter Two

A cold sensation of fear flooded over the young prince as he heard Sir Faithful’s words. But why am I to leave, sire? he asked in dismay. The Castle of Faith is my home! I have no other! Where would I go?

These orders are from King Emmanuel, the steward said quietly but firmly, tapping the parchment with a wrinkled finger, and they must be obeyed, my prince.

But why, Sir Faithful? Why must I leave? Prince Josiah was in anguish.

You must obey your King’s orders.

But w-what have I d-done? Josiah stammered. Does this mean that I am no longer a prince? Is Emmanuel no longer my King? May I not continue to serve Him? His eyes filled with tears. His Majesty has promised never to cast me out, sire! I read that in the book! ‘Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.’ It’s in the book, sire, and it’s a promise from King Emmanuel!

The old man suddenly realized what Josiah was thinking. He laughed gently. Josiah, Josiah. Your King is not casting you out; he is merely sending you on a journey.

A journey, sire? A journey to what destination?

His Majesty wants you to undertake a quest to seven other castles within the kingdom of Terrestria, Sir Faithful replied, holding up the King’s parchment and studying it. The steward of each castle will give you a rare jewel, which is to be displayed on your Shield of Faith to show that you have completed that portion of the journey and attained that level of maturity. This is to be a journey of learning. You are to leave the Castle of Faith today and travel to the Castle of Virtue.

The Castle of Virtue? Where is that, sire? How will I find it?

Your book will guide you.

I have learned what faith is, but what is virtue?

The old man paused. "Virtue is… virtue is manly courage, the courage and ability to choose what is right. One might also use the words integrity, honor, and character. A man of virtue is a man who can be trusted to do what is right."

But why must I go to the Castle of Virtue? Josiah questioned. Why can I not stay here at the Castle of Faith?

This quest is to be a learning experience designed to develop certain character qualities within you, Sir Faithful replied. King Emmanuel has planned for you to take this pilgrimage that you might learn and grow and become like Him. I must warn you—the journey will not be easy. There will be obstacles and difficulties and dangers along the way, and you must overcome them in your quest for the castles. When you reach the seventh castle, you will find that you have been trained for service to your King.

What are the names of the other castles? Josiah asked, with a growing sense of uneasiness. He was beginning to realize the significance of the assignment, and he knew instinctively that the journey would be even more difficult than what the steward was describing. He was determined not to fail his King.

Sir Faithful glanced at the parchment. After you have reached the Castle of Virtue, you must journey to the Castle of Knowledge. Then you must travel to the Castle of Temperance, the Castle of Patience, the Castle of Godliness and the Castle of Brotherly Kindness. Your final destination, the seventh castle, is the Castle of Charity. When you have reached that castle, your journey will be complete, and you will be ready for His Majesty’s service.

But sire, I am ready now, Josiah protested. I love His Majesty and I will serve Him forever.

You have already served your King well, the old steward assured him, but life as a servant of King Emmanuel is a continual journey of learning and growth. This quest that you are undertaking today is but a step in that longer journey.

The young prince suddenly felt very small and inadequate. But I cannot do this alone! What if I fail my King?

Sir Faithful smiled. I am very glad to hear you say that, my prince. Your words are a good indication that you are indeed ready to undertake a journey such as this. If you were confident and unafraid at a time like this, I would fear that you were trusting in yourself, and that would surely lead to failure. In the ancient languages your very name, Josiah, means ‘Emmanuel reigns’, and you must never forget that your strength comes from a heart yielded to King Emmanuel.

But how will I know which way to go, sire? What if I lose my way? What if Argamor or his men should stop me? Sir Faithful, can you not go with me? I don’t want to go alone.

The old man held up one hand to silence Josiah’s words. I cannot accompany you, Prince Josiah, but you will not go alone. You have your book, and the dove will guide you. Just then, the snowy white dove that Josiah had seen about the castle swooped down and landed atop one of the merlons of the castle wall. The beautiful bird sat silently on the stonework, gazing at Josiah with dark, unblinking eyes.

How will he guide me? Josiah asked, studying the bird. Can he speak?

He speaks in a still, small voice, Sir Faithful answered. He knows the mind of King Emmanuel perfectly, and his guidance will always be in perfect harmony with the King’s words found in your book. But you must always be diligent to listen for his voice, for his promptings are always gentle and are easily ignored. He will be with you throughout the entire journey, but it will be very easy for you to forget that he is there. Remember that his purpose in accompanying you is to cause you to know the will of your King and enable you to do it, but he will never be forceful or insistent. He will always leave the choices to you, but you would be wise to heed his counsel.

Josiah’s eyes widened in sudden realization and he stepped closer to Sir Faithful. Sire, I have heard his voice, he said eagerly, when I was on top of the mountain in the Forest of Decision! It was his voice that told me to use the book to find my way!

Sir Faithful nodded. Aye, my prince. Learn to listen for his voice, for he will never lead you wrong. Obedience to his voice will guarantee success in your quest for the seven castles. He paused and looked at Josiah with eyes filled with compassion. Always remember that you can send a petition to His Majesty at any time, day or night. Your King desires success for you in this quest, and he stands ready to answer your every petition.

Months earlier, the old steward had taught the young prince an incredible form of communication with his gentle sovereign—whenever Josiah desired to send a message to the King, all he had to do was write it out on a parchment, roll it up, and release it. Miraculous as it seemed, in an instant the petition would be delivered to His Majesty’s throne room at the Golden City. Josiah had learned from experience that Emmanuel was eager to receive his every request. The young prince had never gotten over the thrill of being able to communicate with the King, and he often sent messages of thanksgiving and adoration, as well as the usual requests for help in time of need.

Josiah nodded at Sir Faithful’s words. "I will make frequent use of my right as a son of