["R.\t glowed\t with\t delight.\t \u201cOf\t course\t you\t will.\t And\t what\t I\t want\t is\t very\t simple. You\u2019re\t to\t keep\t your\t appointment\t with\t the\t mayor.\t Proceed\t precisely\t as\t you planned,\t but\t know\t that\t I\t will\t be\t watching\t and\t listening\t the\t entire\t time.\t Should you\t try\t to\t double\t cross\t me,\t your\t fagboys\t are\t dead.\t I\u2019ll\t call\t again\t with\t further instructions.\tIt\u2019s\tbeen\ta\tpleasure.\u201d He\tpressed\t\u201cEnd\u201d\tand\tbeamed\tat\tthe\ttwo\tcoughing,\tgagging\tboys.\t\u201cThe\tend\tis near,\tfor\tyou\tand\tfor\thim.\u201d\tHe\tsounded\talmost\tgiddy. Arthur\tsaw\tthe\tcall\thad\tended\tand\tlapsed\tinto\ta\tbrooding\tsilence.\tJenny\tgripped him\t tightly\t around\t the\t waist,\t and\t Chris\t squeezed\t the\t hand\t holding\t Llamrei\u2019s reins. \u201cI\tcouldn\u2019t\tsee\tyour\tphone.\tAre\tthey\tall\tright?\u201d\tJenny\tasked,\talmost\tbreathless with\tfear. \u201cFor\tthe\ttime\tbeing.\tBut\tcan\tI\tsave\tthem?\u201d\tHe\tshook\this\thead\tin\tdespair.\t\u201cAll my\taccomplishments,\tin\tBritain\tand\there,\tall\twill\tbe\tfor\tnaught\tif\tI\tcannot\tsave them.\u201d \u201cYou\twill.\tYou\u2019ll\tthink\tof\tsomething.\u201d Arthur\t spurred\t Llamrei\t into\t a\t fast\t trot,\t causing\t those\t on\t foot\t to\t break\t into\t a jog\tto\tkeep\tpace. All\t windows\t in\t the\t mayor\u2019s\t office\t were\t occupied\t as\t Villagrana,\t the\t council members,\tand\tthe\tpolice\tgazed\tout\tat\tthe\tcity\tbelow.\tThe\tsmoke\thad\tdissipated for\tthe\tmost\tpart,\tbut\tthe\tsounds\tof\tsirens\tand\tthe\tflashing\tof\tred\tand\tblue\tlights still\tcrisscrossed\tthe\tcity. Looking\tdown,\tinstead\tof\tout,\tVillagrana\tpointed.\t\u201cWhat\tthe\thell\tis\tthat?\u201d From\t all\t streets\t leading\t to\t City\t Hall,\t small\t lights\t bobbed\t and\t weaved\t and raised\t and\t lowered\t and\t flashed\t and\t winked.\t But\t all\t were\t on\t the\t move\u2014toward them. \u201cCell\tphones,\u201d\tGibson\tresponded.\t\u201cKids\tlight\t\u2019em\tup\tat\tconcerts\tlike\tthat.\u201d \u201cThose\tare\tall\tkids?\u201d\tSandra\tGale\texclaimed. \u201cLooks\tlike\tit,\u201d\tGibson\treplied\twith\ta\tsigh. \u201cAnd\t look\t who\u2019s\t leading\t the\t largest\t group,\u201d\t Sanders\t announced,\t pointing\t up Temple\tStreet. All\teyes\tfocused\ton\tthe\tman\tatop\tthe\twhite\thorse.\tThere\twas\ta\tchild\tseated\tin front\t of\t him\t and\t a\t woman\t holding\t on\t behind.\t More\t blinking,\t winking,\t waving lights\t filled\t the\t street\t behind\t him.\t Cars\t had\t slowed\t to\t a\t crawl,\t trailing\t the","pedestrians,\t headlight\t beams\t like\t huge\t eyes\t opening\t up\t the\t encroaching darkness. \u201cLooks\t like\t the\t king\t approaches,\t Mr.\t Mayor,\u201d\t Murphy\t declared\t with\t a\t look toward\tVillagrana. \u201cHell,\t Chief!\u201d\t the\t mayor\t responded\t angrily,\t running\t his\t hands\t nervously through\this\tmoussed\thair.\t\u201cGet\tyour\tmen\tand\tyour\tass\tdown\tthere.\u201d \u201cMy\t men\t are\t already\t down\t there,\t Mr.\t Mayor,\t but\t I\t don\u2019t\t think\t it\u2019s\t me\t he wants\tto\tsee.\u201d \u201cThe\tChief\u2019s\tright,\u201d\tSanders\tsaid,\tturning\tto\tface\tVillagrana,\twho\twas\tvisibly sweating\twith\tnervousness.\t\u201cHe\twants\tus.\tAnd\the\u2019s\tprobably\tgot\ta\tthousand\tkids with\t him.\t I\t guess\t this\t is\t like\t a\t concert,\t Mr.\t Mayor,\t except\t you\u2019re\t the\t star performer.\tYou\tblow\tit,\tand\tthey\u2019ll\tstorm\tthe\tstage.\u201d \u201cAnd\tthen\tall\thell\tbreaks\tloose,\u201d\tMurphy\tfinished\tsolemnly. Ryan\t pulled\t his\t eyes\t away\t from\t the\t politicians\t and\t focused\t again\t on\t Arthur and\t his\t multitude\t of\t adoring,\t jubilant,\t and\t powerful\t children.\t He\u2019d\t never\t have believed\tsuch\ta\tthing\twas\tpossible,\tnot\there\tin\this\tcity,\tand\tyet\tit\twas\thappening, right\tbefore\this\teyes.\tHe\tsmiled\tto\thimself. \u201cLet\u2019s\tgo,\u201d\tVillagrana\tannounced\twith\tresignation,\tand\tthe\tassemblage\tleft\tthe office. As\t Arthur\t neared\t City\t Hall,\t he\t noted\t a\t large\t dumpster\t off\t to\t one\t side\t of\t the building.\t His\t mind\t was\t fixed\t solely\t upon\t on\t Lance.\t He\t wanted\t nothing\t more than\t to\t gallop\t off\t and\t rescue\t his\t boy,\t but\t he\t did\t not\t know\t where\t to\t go\t or\t even who\thad\thim.\tSo\the\tfocused\ton\this\toriginal\tplan.\tHe\tinstructed\tJustin\tto\tpass\tthe word\t back\t amongst\t the\t knights\u2014all\t backpacks\t filled\t with\t drugs\t were\t to\t be brought\tforward\tand\ttossed\tinto\tthe\tdumpster. As\tbags\tbegan\tshifting\t from\tback-to-front,\talmost\tlike\tan\tassembly\tline,\tthe boys\tnearest\tthe\tdumpster\tgrabbed\teach\tone\tand\ttossed\tit\tin.\tAs\tthis\twas\tgoing on,\tEsteban\tand\tReyna,\talong\twith\tJaime,\tDarnell,\tTai,\tand\tDuc\tmade\ttheir\tway through\tthe\tthrong\tto\tstand\tby\tLlamrei\u2019s\tside. The\tking\tsurveyed\tthem.\t\u201cYou\tall\tachieved\tsuccess?\u201d \u201cYes,\t sire.\u201d\t Esteban\t spoke\t for\t the\t group.\t \u201cThe\t people,\t well,\t they\t be\t on\t our side.\u201d The\tothers\tnodded. \u201cThank\tye,\tmy\tnoble\tknights.\tYou\tmake\tme\tproud.\u201d They\tgrinned\tat\tthat,\tand\tReyna\tleaned\tin\tto\tkiss\tEsteban\ton\tthe\tcheek.\tWhen he\t turned\t in\t surprise,\t she\t planted\t one\t on\t his\t lips,\t throwing\t her\t arms\t wildly","around\this\tneck\tand\tpulling\thim\tagainst\ther. Jaime\tlaughed.\t\u201cBreak\tit\tup,\thomie,\tor\tyou\u2019ll\thave\tthe\tsame\tproblem\tas\tme.\u201d Reyna\tdisengaged\therself\tand\tpunched\tJaime\tin\tthe\tshoulder.\t\u201cLike\thell!\u201d But\tshe\tlaughed\tanyway,\tand\tEsteban\tsmirked\tat\tJaime. Arthur\t watched\t their\t joyous\t youth,\t their\t spontaneous\t and\t exciting\t energy, their\tpride\tin\ttonight\u2019s\taccomplishments,\twith\twonder\tand\ttrepidation.\tAll\twould be\tperfect,\texcept\tfor\tJack\tand\tLance. The\t kids\t continued\t the\t hand-over-hand\t passing\t of\t the\t backpacks,\t and\t were thus\t engaged\t when\t the\t mayor\t and\t his\t people\t exited\t the\t front\t of\t City\t Hall\t and stood\t at\t the\t top\t of\t the\t steps.\t The\t TV\t news\t crews\t were\t already\t in\t place,\t led\t by Helen\tSchaeffer,\twhom\tArthur\thad\tcalled\tthat\tmorning. The\t mayor\t stopped\t short\t when\t he\t caught\t sight\t of\t her,\t especially\t with\t the camera\taimed\tsquarely\tup\tat\thim.\tHelen\tlifted\ta\thand\tand\twiggled\ther\tfingers\tat Villagrana.\tHe\tscowled\tbefore\treturning\this\tattention\tto\tArthur. Arthur\t dismounted,\t helping\t Chris\t and\t Jenny\t down.\t He\t handed\t the\t reins\t to Chris\tand\tgazed\tup\tat\tthe\tobviously\tangry\tmayor.\t\u201cGood\tevening,\tMr.\tMayor,\u201d Arthur\tsaid\twith\ta\tbow\tof\trespect. Sanders\t and\t Gale\t exchanged\t a\t worried\t look\t as\t they\t surveyed\t the\t size\t of\t the crowd. \u201cSergeant\t Ryan,\u201d\t Arthur\t called\t up,\t and\t Ryan\t disengaged\t himself\t from\t the group\tto\tstep\tforward.\t\u201cI\twish\tto\tthank\tthee\tfor\tassisting\tSir\tLance\tand\tSir\tJack when\tMark\tdied.\u201d \u201cThey\u2019re\t good\t kids,\t Arthur,\u201d\t Ryan\t called\t down.\t \u201cNever\t thought\t I\u2019d\t hear myself\tsay\tthat,\tbut\tthey\tare.\tYou\tbeen\tgood\tfor\t\u2019em.\u201d Gibson\tstepped\tforward\tin\tsurprise\tas\tJustin\tstepped\tto\tArthur\u2019s\tside\tand\tsaid something\t to\t the\t king.\t Arthur\t nodded\t and\t placed\t a\t hand\t on\t the\t boy\u2019s\t shoulder. Gibson\tstared\tat\this\tson\tin\tfrozen\tamazement. \u201cYou\t and\t your\t kids\t are\t blocking\t public\t streets,\t you\t know,\u201d\t the\t mayor\t called down\tfeebly,\tclearly\tnot\tknowing\twhat\tto\tsay\tor\tdo. \u201cI\tdo\tnot\tsee\tanyone\tcomplaining,\tMr.\tMayor,\u201d\tArthur\treplied\tcalmly.\t\u201cIf\tthey do,\tmy\tknights\tshall\tbe\thappy\tto\tstep\taside.\u201d A\t cheer\t rang\t out\t from\t the\t kids\t and\t the\t assembled\t spectators.\t More\t winking, flashing\t cell\t phones\t lights\t glittered\t all\t around\t City\t Hall,\t accompanied\t by honking\tcar\thorns. \u201cWe\u2019ve\t gotten\t reports\t on\t what\t you\t and\t your\t kids\t have\t been\t up\t to\t tonight,\u201d Villagrana\t went\t on.\t \u201cWe\t got\t a\t bunch\t of\t wounded\t citizens\t in\t the\t hospital\t with arrows\tsticking\tout\tof\tthem.\tWould\tyou\tcare\tto\tcomment\ton\tthat?\u201d Arthur\t sighed,\t gripping\t Reyna\u2019s\t cell\t phone\t tightly\t in\t his\t left\t hand,\t willing\t it to\tvibrate.\t\u201cMr.\tMayor,\tsomeone\talerted\tthe\tdrug\tdealers\tthat\tmy\tknights\tbe\ton","their\tway,\tand\tthey\tattacked\tus\tfirst.\tThose\tyou\tspeak\tof\twere\tliving\tunder\tyour care\t as\t guardian\t of\t this\t city\t and\t poisoning\t the\t children\t you\t claim\t to\t be concerned\tabout.\tAsk\tthe\tpeople\tgathered\there\twith\tme\tif\tthey\tcare\tthat\tsome\tof these\tcitizens\thave\tbeen\thurt.\u201d The\t crowd\t erupted\t with\t an\t ear-shattering\t roar,\t \u201cWe\t don\u2019t\t care!\t We\t want Arthur!\u201d\tThe\tcell\tphones\twaved\tand\tflickered\tlike\tangry\tstarlight,\tand\tcar\thorns blasted\tinto\tthe\tnight\tlike\thowling\tdogs. Though\t slightly\t embarrassed\t by\t the\t people\u2019s\t show\t of\t support,\t Arthur\t stood his\t ground\t and\t gazed\t up\t at\t the\t mayor\t with\t pride.\t And\t why\t shouldn\u2019t\t he?\t His kids\thad\tdone\ttonight\twhat\tall\tthe\tadults\tup\tthere\thad\tfailed\tto\teven\tattempt. Villagrana\texchanged\ta\tlook\twith\tthe\tpolice\tchief,\twho\tshrugged.\tFury\tswept across\t the\t mayor\u2019s\t face.\t \u201cYou\t cannot\t go\t around\t taking\t the\t law\t into\t your\t own hands!\u201d Arthur\tshook\this\thead\tat\tthe\tvenality\tof\tthis\tman\tand\this\tilk.\t\u201cI\tthought\tin\tthis country\tthe\tlaws\tcame\tfrom\tthe\tpeople.\tAre\twe\tnot\tthe\tpeople?\u201d The\t knights\t and\t spectators\t again\t went\t wild\t with\t cheers\t and\t applause\t and flashing\tphone\tlights\tand\thonking\thorns. \u201cBut\talas,\tMr.\tMayor,\u201d\tArthur\twent\ton,\tplaying\tto\tHelen\u2019s\tcamera\tas\twell,\t\u201cI did\t forget\t that\t in\t thine\t eyes\t and\t that\t of\t your\t fellow\t authoritarians,\t children\t be not\t part\t of\t the\t people,\t but\t mere\t property\t to\t be\t bought,\t sold,\t traded,\t and neglected.\tThey\thave\tno\trights.\tThey\tcannot\teven\tvote\tfor\tmen\tsuch\tas\tyourself. Tonight\t my\t noble\t young\t knights\t have\t proven\t the\t error\t of\t your\t ways\t and\t your thinking.\tMy\tknights\thave\taccomplished\twhat\tyou\tand\tyours\tcould\tnot\tor\twould not\tdo,\tand\tthe\twhole\tof\tthis\tcity\thas\tbenefited.\u201d He\t pointed\t to\t the\t dumpster,\t now\t overflowing\t with\t drug-filled\t backpacks. \u201cBehold,\tMr.\tMayor,\tbut\ta\tmere\tfraction\tof\tthe\tdrugs\tyou\thave\tallowed\tto\tinfest your\tcity,\tdrugs\twhich\tdestroy\tthe\tlives\tof\tchildren\tfirst\tand\tforemost,\tand\twhich took\tfrom\tme\tone\tof\tmy\tmost\tbeloved\tknights.\u201d He\tpaused\ta\tmoment\tas\tthe\timage\tof\tMark\u2019s\tsoft\tfeatures\tpulled\this\theart\twith tight\temotion,\tand\tLance\u2019s\teager\tyoung\tface\tdanced\tbefore\this\tmind\u2019s\teye.\t\u201cBut Sir\t Mark\u2019s\t death\t shall\t not\t be\t forgotten.\t My\t knights\t have\t begun\t a\t crusade\t this day\tthat\tis\tnot\tnear\tto\tbeing\tfinished.\tDo\tyou\tintend\tto\tfinish\tthe\tjob,\tMr.\tMayor and\tMr.\tPolice\tChief?\tThe\tpeople\tbe\tawaiting\tyour\tresponse.\u201d The\tcrowd\tand\tthe\tkids\tlet\tloose\tanother\tresounding\troar\tof\tapproval,\tand\tcell phone\tlights\tflashed\ton\tand\toff\tin\texcited\twaving. Parked\t a\t few\t blocks\t up\t Temple\t near\t the\t intersection\t of\t Spring\t Street,\t the\t limo","idled.\tOn\ta\tflat-screen\tTV,\twhich\thad\tdescended\tfrom\tthe\troof\tat\tthe\ttouch\tof\ta button,\tthe\toccupants\twatched\tthe\tentire\tscene\tbelow\tthem\tplay\tout\tlive.\tLance had\t flinched\t when\t Arthur\t mentioned\t Mark,\t and\t was\t visibly\t surprised\t to\t hear Ryan\u2019s\tassessment\tof\tthem.\tHe\tknew\tJack\twas,\ttoo.\tAlways,\thowever,\the\tsought any\tpossible\topening\tto\tinitiate\this\tplan. R.\tchuckled\tas\tthe\tcamera\tzoomed\tin\ton\tVillagrana\u2019s\tface.\tThe\tmayor\tlooked like\the\u2019d\tswallowed\ta\twhole\tonion,\tso\tdisgusted\twas\this\texpression. \u201cVillagrana\talways\thas\tbeen\ta\tfool,\u201d\the\tsaid\tto\tno\tone\tin\tparticular.\t\u201cA\tuseful idiot,\tbut\tnothing\tmore.\u201d\tThen\the\tlooked\tat\tMr.\tL.\t\u201cAre\tyour\tmen\tin\tposition?\u201d L.\tnodded. R.\tgrinned.\t\u201cLet\tthe\tdiversion\tbegin.\u201d L.\traised\ta\tphone\tto\this\tmouth\tand\tspoke\tonly\tone\tword,\t\u201cNow.\u201d Lance\twhipped\this\tgaze\tback\tto\tthe\tTV\tmonitor,\tdread\tclenching\this\tstomach into\tknots. Villagrana\t and\t Murphy\t exchanged\t looks\t with\t Sanders\t and\t Gale\t and\t the\t other council\tmembers,\tand\tthey\tbegan\tspeaking\tquietly\tto\tone\tanother,\tdebating\twhat should\tbe\tdone. Ryan\tand\tGibson\ttook\tthe\tmoment\tto\teye\teach\tother. \u201cYou\tsaw\tJustin?\u201d\tGibson\twhispered\tto\this\tpartner,\this\tvoice\tfilled\twith\tpain. Ryan\tnodded.\t\u201cYou\tgonna\tgo\tget\thim,\tor\tdo\tI\thave\tto?\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll\tgo.\u201d But\t before\t he\t could\t move,\t a\t group\t of\t fifteen\t individuals,\t dressed\t in\t ninja black,\t faces\t covered\t except\t for\t their\t eyes,\t appeared\t from\t behind\t City\t Hall\t and oozed\t smoothly\t and\t rapidly\t down\t the\t steps\t toward\t Arthur.\t They\t brandished katanas,\ttheir\tmovements\tlithe,\tnimble\tand\tsure-footed. \u201cKnights,\t to\t thy\t swords!\u201d\t called\t out\t Arthur\t as\t he\t drew\t Excalibur\t with\t his right\thand. Esteban\tpushed\tReyna\tback\tand\tunsheathed\this\tsword.\tReyna\tgrabbed\tChris, and\t they\t backed\t Llamrei\t away\t from\t the\t melee.\t Jaime,\t Justin,\t Darnell,\t and\t the others\tsurrounding\tArthur\tpulled\tout\ttheir\tswords,\tand\tthe\tfight\tcommenced. Jenny\tbacked\taway\tinto\tthe\tkids\tsurrounding\tthe\tfighting\tarena.\tA\thuge\tcircle had\tquickly\tspread\toutward\tfrom\tthe\tcenter,\twith\tthe\tcombatants\tattacking\teach other\twithin. Helen\u2019s\tcameraman\tswung\taround\tto\tcatch\tthe\taction,\tas\tdid\tall\tthe\tothers. Arthur\u2019s\t knights\t used\t their\t weapons\t effectively\t against\t the\t attackers,\t who jumped\t and\t spun\t and\t wielded\t their\t katanas\t with\t deadly\t precision.\t But\t Arthur\u2019s","knights\twere\tjust\tas\tskilled\tand\tmanaged\tto\tblock\tevery\tattack\twith\ttheir\tshields, and\ttheir\tbody\tarmor\tprotected\tthem\tfrom\tglancing\tblows\tby\tthe\tenemy. The\tsheer\tweightiness\tof\tArthur\u2019s\tswords\toften\tknocked\tthe\tsmaller\tattackers to\tthe\tground,\tespecially\twhen\twielded\tby\tEsteban\twith\this\tprodigious\tstrength. The\tpowerful\tboy\tpounded\tinto\tthe\tfray,\tswinging\tand\thacking\tand\tparrying\tand dancing,\tputting\ttechnique\tahead\tof\tbrute\tforce,\tjust\tas\tLance\thad\ttaught\thim. Tai,\tthe\tmassive\tSamoan\twith\tthe\tsteamroller\tbuild,\tplowed\tlike\ta\tbull\tinto\tthe skirmish,\t swinging\t and\t hacking\t with\t his\t six-foot\t broadsword,\t disarming\t one\t of the\t attackers\t with\t a\t hard\t swing\t that\t shattered\t the\t man\u2019s\t forearm.\t Then\t he whirled\tand\tbarreled\tinto\ttwo\tmore,\thead-butting\tone\tso\thard\the\tdropped\tto\tthe pavement\t like\t a\t sack\t of\t potatoes,\t and\t then\t plowing\t his\t shoulder\t into\t the\t other, sending\t the\t smaller\t man\t crashing\t hard\t to\t the\t ground\t where\t Duc\t easily\t kicked the\t sword\t from\t his\t grasp\t and\t held\t the\t man\t down\t with\t the\t point\t of\t his\t own weapon. Arthur\u2019s\t knights\t fought\t viciously,\t dancing\t and\t swinging,\t dodging\t killing blows,\t all\t their\t training\t coming\t to\t the\t fore,\t clearly\t enjoying\t the\t opportunity\t to show\toff\ttheir\tskills,\tpumped\tup\twith\tthe\tstrength\tof\ttheir\tyouth\tand\tvigor. Arthur\twielded\tExcalibur\tas\tthough\tit\twere\ta\tkitchen\tknife,\talways\tswinging and\t slashing\t and\t hacking\t with\t his\t right\t hand\t for\t fear\t of\t dropping\t Reyna\u2019s\t cell phone,\twhich\the\tclutched\ttightly\tin\this\tleft. Esteban\t and\t Darnell\t wounded\t their\t attackers\t with\t measured,\t well-placed thrusts\t to\t the\t shoulders,\t and\t the\t men\t crumpled\t to\t the\t pavement,\t their\t swords clattering\tout\tof\treach. \u201cMy\tGod!\u201d\texclaimed\tthe\tmayor,\tlooking\tover\tat\tMurphy.\t\u201cDo\tsomething.\u201d \u201cLike\twhat?\u201d\tMurphy\tretorted.\t\u201cHave\tmy\tmen\tshoot\tinto\ta\tcrowd\tof\tkids?\u201d Gibson\t gaped\t in\t stupefied\t amazement\t as\t his\t son\t swung\t and\t hacked\t and parried\tand\tdanced\tand\teasily\ttook\tdown\tnot\tone,\tbut\ttwo\tof\tthe\tattackers. Luis\t and\t Enrique\t suffered\t serious\t slashes\t across\t their\t sword\t arms\t that\t drew blood,\t causing\t them\t to\t stumble\t back\t against\t Reyna\t and\t Lavern,\t both\t of\t whom already\thad\ttheir\tbows\tloaded\tand\tcocked. Reyna\tsmiled\tat\tthe\tattacker\tmoving\tin\tto\tfinish\toff\tLuis,\tsword\tpoised\tfor\tthe kill.\t\u201cSorry,\tsucker,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tand\tlet\tthe\tarrow\tfly.\tIt\tstruck\tthe\tman\tin\this\tupper bicep,\tcausing\thim\tto\tshriek\tin\tpain\tand\tdrop\this\tsword. Likewise,\t Lavern\t let\t fly\t his\t arrow,\t which\t caught\t the\t other\t man\t in\t the\t thigh, sending\thim\tsprawling\tto\tthe\tconcrete,\tthe\tsword\ttumbling\tfrom\this\tgrasp. In\t all\t of\t this\t confusion,\t no\t one\t noticed\t a\t young\t Asian\t man\t creep\t through\t the","crowd\t to\t stand\t behind\t Jenny,\t who\t fearfully\t watched\t the\t fighting,\t breath\t caught in\ther\tthroat.\tShe\tsuddenly\tfelt\tsomething\tcold\tand\tmetallic\tpress\tinto\ther\tback. \u201cDon\u2019t\tturn\taround,\u201d\tshe\theard\ta\tsoft\tvoice\twhisper. Her\t heart\t beat\t wildly,\t her\t eyes\t fixed\t on\t Arthur\t and\t Excalibur,\t as\t though willing\tthe\tman\tto\tlook\tover.\tBut\the\tgamboled\tand\tparried\tagainst\tthe\tlargest\tof the\tattackers\tand\tdid\tnot\teven\tglance\tin\ther\tdirection. \u201cNow\twe\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tcasually\tturn\tand\twalk\tthrough\tthe\tcrowd\t\u2019til\twe\u2019re\tclear of\t them,\u201d\t the\t voice\t went\t on\t in\t her\t ear,\t casual\t and\t deadly.\t \u201cYou\t make\t a\t false move\t or\t try\t to\t get\t any\t of\t these\t kids\t to\t help,\t I\u2019ll\t shoot\t you\t and\t then\t randomly shoot\tkids.\tYou\tgot\tit,\tlady?\u201d She\t nodded,\t and\t slowly\t turned\t around.\t The\t boys\t surrounding\t her\t were engrossed\tin\tthe\tfighting,\ttheir\tswords\tout\tand\tready\tshould\tthey\tbe\tneeded,\tand had\t not\t even\t noticed\t her\t deadly\t predicament.\t With\t the\t metal\t still\t pressed\t into her\tback,\tJenny\twended\ther\tway\tcarefully\tthrough\tthe\tthrong,\tdeath\tright\ton\ther heels. Within\t the\t limo,\t Lance\t watched\t the\t fighting\t unfold\t on\t the\t flat\t screen\t with confidence\t and\t fear.\t There\t were\t too\t few\t attackers,\t he\t knew.\t There\t was\t no\t way they\tcould\tbeat\tall\tof\tArthur\u2019s\tknights.\tSo\twhy\tbother?\tA\tdiversion,\tR.\thad\tsaid, but\t diverting\t attention\t from\t what?\t Despite\t his\t fear,\t he\t felt\t pride\t in\t his\t fellow knights.\tMost\tof\tthem\thad\tbeen\ttrained\tby\thim,\twhich\tgave\thim\ta\tfleeting\tsense of\t accomplishment,\t something\t so\t rare\t it\t caught\t up\t in\t his\t throat\t like\t a\t wad\t of gum. R.\t observed\t the\t mayhem\t with\t amusement,\t occasionally\t glancing\t up\t through the\t open\t moonroof\t and\t drawing\t Lance\u2019s\t attention.\t He,\t too,\t looked\t up\t through the\topen\trectangular\thole. A\tbuilding\tloomed\tto\tthe\tright\tof\tthe\tlimo,\tand\the\tthought\tit\twas\tan\told\tcourt building\t or\t something.\t But\t why\t would\t R.\t keep\u2026?\t And\t then\t movement\t caught his\teye,\ta\tflash\tof\tlight\tagainst\tmetal,\tup\ton\tthe\troof,\tright\tthere\ton\tthe\tcorner. \u201cWhat\tyou\tlookin\u2019\tat,\tPretty\tBoy?\u201d\tR.\tbarked. Lance\twhipped\this\thead\taround,\tbut\tquickly\trecovered.\t\u201cNuthin\u2019.\tThe\tstars.\u201d R.\t shook\t his\t head\t in\t disgust.\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t a\t pathetic\t excuse\t for\t a\t boy,\t you\t know that?\u201d If\t he\t thought\t Lance\t would\t rise\t to\t the\t bait,\t he\t was\t mistaken.\t Lance\u2019s\t mind spun.\tRoof.\tMetal.\tWhat\tdid\tit\u2026?\tAnd\tthen\the\tknew. A\tsniper! That\t had\t to\t be\t it,\t and\t that\u2019s\t what\t the\t diversion\t was\t about,\t so\t he\t could\t shoot","Arthur! Desperation\tswept\tover\thim.\tHe\twanted\tto\tblurt\tit\tout\tto\tJack,\twho\tsat\tfuming over\tR.\u2019s\tinsult,\tbut\tknew\the\tcouldn\u2019t.\tTheir\ttime\twas\tup.\tThey\thad\tto\tget\tout\tof this\tcar,\tand\tthey\thad\tto\tdo\tit\tnow!\tHe\tlocked\teyes\twith\tJack,\texchanged\ta\tslight nod,\tand\tthen\tbegan. R.\u2019s\tphone\tvibrated,\tand\the\tput\tit\tto\this\tear.\t\u201cI\tsaid\tI\tdidn\u2019t\u2026\twhat?\u201d\tHis\teyes bugged\tout\tin\tfury,\tcausing\tthe\tboys\tto\tpress\tcloser\ttogether.\tEach\thad\tcasually slipped\ta\thand\tbeneath\this\town\ttunic,\tand\tso\tfar\tno\tone\thad\tnoticed. \u201cSit\ttight,\tand\twe\u2019ll\tget\tyou\tlater.\u201d\tHe\tslammed\tthe\tphone\tdown. L.\tturned\tfrom\tthe\tfighting.\t\u201cWhat?\u201d R.\tglowered\twith\tsuch\thatred\tat\tLance\tthat\the\tthought\tthe\tman\tmight\trip\thim apart\t with\t his\t bare\t hands.\t \u201cThat\t was\t Gutierrez.\t He\t barely\t got\t away\t from\t the cops,\tafter\tour\twarehouse\twas\tfirebombed!\u201d L.\u2019s\tface\ttwisted\twith\tanger.\t\u201cWhat?\u201d But\t R.\u2019s\t fierce,\t killing\t glare\t fixed\t on\t Jack.\t \u201cForgot\t to\t mention\t that,\t did\t you, fagboy?\u201d Jack\t pretended\t to\t consider\t the\t question.\t \u201cOh\t yeah,\u201d\t he\t said\t with\t a\t shrug.\t \u201cI did\tforget\tthat.\u201d\tThen\the\tgrinned. R.\tturned\tred\twith\trage.\t\u201cKill\thim!\u201d That\t was\t their\t cue.\t They\t yanked\t their\t hands\t from\t beneath\t their\t shirts.\t Each wielded\thalf\tof\tthe\tmetal\trod\tused\tto\tlift\tthe\ttoilet\tstopper\u2014the\tmetal\trod\tfrom the\ttoilet\tof\ttheir\tholding\tcell,\tthe\tone\tJack\thad\tsnapped\tin\ttwo\twith\this\tpowerful hands. With\t the\t quickness\t of\t youth,\t the\t boys\t twisted\t around\t and\t rammed\t their sections\tof\tsteel\tright\tinto\tthe\tthroats\tof\tthe\tAsians\tflanking\tthem,\tcausing\tboth men\tto\tflail\twildly\tabout,\tgrab\tfor\ttheir\tthroats,\tand\tdrop\ttheir\tguns. R.\t dove\t across\t the\t space\t toward\t Lance,\t but\t Lance\t was\t faster.\t He\t dropped\t to the\t carpeted\t floor\t of\t the\t limo,\t reached\t under\t the\t seat,\t and\t grabbed\t his skateboard. Jack\t flung\t himself\t across\t the\t small\t space\t and\t attacked\t L.\t like\t he\t was\t a tackling\t dummy\t in\t football\t practice.\t He\t drove\t his\t shoulder\t into\t L.\u2019s\t chest, shoving\tthe\tman\tback\thard\tagainst\tthe\tcar\tseat\tand\tsending\tthe\twind\twhooshing from\this\tlungs. Quick\tas\ta\trabbit,\tLance\twas\tup\twith\this\tboard\tand\tswinging.\tIt\tstruck\tR.\thard in\t the\t jaw,\t and\t the\t audible\t crack\t of\t bone\t warmed\t Lance\u2019s\t heart.\t R.\t went sprawling,\tand\tLance\tcalled\tout,\t\u201cLet\u2019s\tgo,\tJack!\u201d Before\tthe\tother\tboy\tcould\teven\trespond,\tLance\twas\tup\tand\tthrough\tthe\tmoon roof.\t Jack\t leapt\t up\t after,\t his\t muscled\t frame\t finding\t it\t more\t difficult\t to\t squeeze through.\t L.\t reached\t out\t a\t hand\t to\t grab\t Jack\u2019s\t ankle,\t but\t when\t Jack\t kicked\t out,","there\twas\tan\t\u201cugh\u201d\tsound\tand\this\tankle\twas\tfree. Lance\t hauled\t him\t the\t rest\t of\t the\t way\t up\t and\t they\t and\t stood\t atop\t the\t limo. Lance\tpointed\tup\tat\tthe\tcourt\tbuilding. There\twas\tmovement,\tvisible\teven\tin\tthe\tdark. \u201cI\tthink\tit\u2019s\ta\tsniper.\tC\u2019mon!\u201d The\t boys\t leapt\t onto\t the\t hood,\t down\t to\t the\t sidewalk,\t and\t took\t off\t down Temple\tStreet. Mr.\tL.\twas\tthe\tfirst\tto\trecover\tand\tstarted\tto\tjump\tfrom\tthe\tcar\twith\this\tgun.\tMr. R.\tflung\ta\thand\tout\tto\tstop\thim.\t\u201cLet\t\u2019em\tgo.\tIt\u2019s\ttoo\tlate\tanyway.\tHelp\tme\tup.\u201d His\tvoice\tsounded\tslurred\tand\tuneven. Fagboy\tbroke\tmy\tjaw,\the\tsilently\tfumed.\tHe\u2019ll\tpay\tfor\tthat! Mr.\tL\thelped\thim\tback\tonto\tthe\tseat.\tHe\tpulled\tout\tLance\u2019s\tphone\tand\tdialed Arthur. The\t battle\t had\t wound\t down.\t Only\t Arthur\t still\t fought,\t clashing\t with\t the\t biggest of\t the\t attackers.\t His\t knights,\t the\t mayor\t and\t his\t group,\t the\t LAPD\t officers scattered\t around\t the\t perimeter,\t as\t well\t as\t the\t rubbernecking\t local\t residents, stood\tby\thelplessly,\tbreathless\twith\tanticipation. Arthur\u2019s\tattacker\tfought\thard\tand\twith\tdeadly\tefficiency,\this\tkatana\tswinging deftly\t up,\t down,\t and\t across\t with\t dizzying\t speed,\t parrying\t many\t of\t Arthur\u2019s thrusts.\tHe\tcould\tjump\thigh\tabove\tArthur\u2019s\tswings\tand\tcrouch\tlow\tto\tavoid\tthe same.\t After\t a\t time,\t Arthur\t figured\t out\t his\t pattern,\t and\t when\t the\t man\t leapt, Arthur\t swung\t high\t instead\t of\t low,\t and\t Excalibur\t slashed\t across\t the\t attacker\u2019s thigh,\tslicing\tit\topen. The\tman\tcrumpled\tto\tthe\tground\twith\ta\tpiercing\tscream,\tblood\tspurting\tfrom the\tjagged\twound,\this\tsword\tspilling\tto\tthe\tconcrete\tfor\tLavern\tto\tretrieve. Arthur\t stood\t back,\t panting\t from\t the\t exertion,\t eyed\t the\t writhing,\t wounded man\t and\t the\t blood\t streaking\t Excalibur,\t and\t then\t thrust\t the\t sword\t skyward\t in triumph.\tThe\tkids\troared\ttheir\tapproval.\tThe\tfight\twas\tover.\tThey\thad\twon. Then\tthe\tphone\tin\tArthur\u2019s\thand\tvibrated. Lance\t and\t Jack\t sprinted\t feverishly\t down\t Temple\t and\t had\t just\t passed\t Spring Street.\tLance\u2019s\tlungs\tburned\tand\this\theart\tpumped\twildly,\tadrenaline\tpropelling him\tforward\twith\tdesperation.","Up\t ahead\t in\t the\t distance,\t he\t saw\t the\t lights\t of\t City\t Hall\t and\t the\t crowd\t of knights\tand\tspectators\tall\tspread\tout\tin\ta\tmassive\tcircle\tthat\tspilled\toutward\tlike a\t spiral\t galaxy.\t All\t heads\t faced\t inward,\t toward\t the\t center,\t toward\t something Lance\tcould\tnot\tyet\tmake\tout. Hundreds\tof\twinking\tand\tflashing\tcell\tphone\tlights\tmade\tthe\twhole\tarea\tlook like\t a\t glittery\t star\t field,\t as\t though\t the\t boys\t were\t headed\t into\t the\t center\t of\t the Milky\tWay,\titself. Traffic\t on\t Temple,\t usually\t extreme,\t had\t trickled\t to\t almost\t nothing,\t maybe because\teveryone\tknew\tall\tthe\taction\twas\tup\tahead\tat\tCity\tHall. Lance\u2019s\t panting\t heaved\t and\t pulled\t at\t his\t lungs,\t but\t Jack\t seemed\t hardly winded\tat\tall.\tHe\tnudged\tthe\tyounger\tboy\tas\tthey\tpounded\talong\tthe\tpavement. \u201cYou\tgot\tthe\tboard,\tman,\tgo!\tI\u2019ll\tcatch\tup.\u201d Lance\ttossed\thim\ta\tworried\tnod\tthen\tdeftly\tleapt\tatop\this\tboard\tand\tbegan\tto fly. Arthur\t lowered\t Excalibur\t and\t raised\t the\t phone\t to\t his\t ear.\t The\t surrounding starfield\tof\tpeople\tsaw\tthe\tmovement\tand,\tbewildered,\tfell\tsilent.\tArthur\tforced calm\tinto\this\tvoice.\t\u201cI\tam\there.\u201d Within\tthe\tlimo,\ta\tdisheveled\tMr.\tL.\tsat\tsmoothing\tout\this\twrinkled\tjacket,\twhile Mr.\t R.\t sat\t across\t from\t him,\t his\t jaw\t swollen\t and\t enflamed,\t his\t fury\t raging.\t He held\t up\t Lance\u2019s\t phone\t and\t growled,\t \u201cYou\t wanna\t see\t your\t punk-ass\t kids\t alive again?\u201d Arthur\texhaled\tin\trelief. My\tboys\tyet\tlive!\tThank\tyou,\tLord. \u201cWhat\tdo\tye\twish\tme\tto\tdo?\u201d Everyone\t watched\t uncertainly,\t and\t waited,\t including\t the\t mayor\t and\t his people.\tAbsolute\tsilence\tfilled\tthe\tnight. Mr.\t R.\t knew\t he\t had\t but\t moments\t before\t those\t kids\t raised\t the\t alarm.\t His\t jaw throbbed,\tand\this\twords\tcame\tout\tslurred. \u201cIt\u2019s\tvery\tsimple,\tyour\tmajesty,\u201d\the\tsaid\tmockingly.\t\u201cSimply\tlay\tdown\t your","sword\tand\tstep\taway\tfrom\tit.\u201d He\t and\t Mr.\t L.\t exchanged\t a\t look\t while\t he\t awaited\t Arthur\u2019s\t answer. \u201cRemember,\tI\tam\twatching\teverything.\u201d Arthur\tfrowned.\tIt\twas\tan\todd\trequest.\tAnd\tthe\tman\u2019s\tvoice\tsounded\tdifferent somehow.\t He\t heard\t pain\t in\t that\t voice.\t He\u2019d\t been\t around\t more\t than\t enough battle\tinjuries\tto\tknow\tthe\tsound\tof\ta\tbattle\twound\twhen\the\theard\tit.\tHad\tLance or\tJack\tsomehow\thurt\tthis\tman?\tIf\tso,\twere\tthey\teven,\tin\tfact,\tstill\talive? He\tgazed\ta\tmoment\tat\tthe\tmayor\tand\tpolice\tchief.\tThe\tchief\thad\ta\tradio\tto\this mouth,\t presumably\t calling\t in\t reinforcements.\t Then\t Arthur\t turned\t to\t the\t sea\t of faces\tawaiting\this\tnext\tmove.\tReyna\tflashed\thim\ta\t\u201cwhat\u2019s\tgoing\ton\u201d\tlook,\tbut he\tdidn\u2019t\trespond. Lay\t down\t Excalibur.\t A\t simple\t request.\t It\t would\t make\t him\t vulnerable\t to attack,\the\tknew.\tBut\tif\tthere\twas\ta\tchance\tto\tsave\tLance\u2026. \u201cVery\twell,\u201d\the\tsaid\tinto\tthe\tphone. He\tbent\tto\tlay\tExcalibur\tonto\tthe\tpavement. Lance\t kicked\t and\t barreled\t down\t Temple\t Street,\t lungs\t burning,\t not\t daring\t to look\tup,\tbut\tfeeling\tthe\tsniper\thigh\tabove\ttaking\this\taim. Lance\t understood\t the\t stakes.\t This\t moment\t would\t define\t his\t life.\t This\t would be\t his\t greatest\t event\t ever,\t greater\t and\t more\t important\t than\t anything\t at\t the\t X Games. His\treal\tgold\tmedal,\tthe\tonly\tgold\tmedal\tthat\tmattered,\twould\tnot\tbe\tfor\thim alone,\t but\t for\t all\t of\t his\t fellow\t knights,\t for\t all\t of\t his\t family\u2014he\t had\t to\t save Arthur\tat\tany\tcost! The\tneeds\tof\tthe\tfellowship\tdemanded\tit. Hair\ttrailing\tbehind\tlike\tthe\tmane\tof\ta\tgalloping\tcolt,\tLance\tcaught\tsight\tof\ta ramp\tbeside\tthe\tincomplete\tbleachers,\ta\tramp\tthat\trose\tup\tto\tthe\theight\tof\tthose bleachers,\ta\tramp\tthat\twould\tpropel\thim\tup\tand\tover\tthe\tcrowd\tto\tArthur. Legs\t burning,\t sweat\t pouring\t into\t his\t eyes,\t Lance\t pumped\t and\t kicked\t harder than\tever\tin\this\tyoung\tlife. Atop\tthe\told\tHall\tof\tJustice,\tAlberto\tSantiago\thad\tArthur\tclearly\tframed\twithin his\t scope.\t Santiago\t had\t been\t one\t of\t the\t Army\t Rangers\u2019\t best\t snipers\t during\t the Gulf\t War,\t but\t had\t been\t summarily\t dismissed\t from\t military\t service\t for\t later taking\tout\ta\tparticularly\tnasty\twarlord\tin\tSomalia\twithout\tproper\tauthorization. Hell,\t he\u2019d\t seen\t the\t chance\t to\t take\t out\t the\t bastard,\t and\t he\u2019d\t grabbed\t it.","Probably\tsaved\tthousands. But\this\tsuperiors\thadn\u2019t\tseen\tit\tthat\tway,\tand\the\u2019d\tbeen\tgiven\ta\tdishonorable discharge.\t All\t he\t knew\t about\t this\t Arthur\t guy\t was\t what\t he\u2019d\t seen\t on\t the\t news. Seemed\tokay\tto\thim,\tbut\tMr.\tR.\tpaid\tthe\tbills,\tand\tif\tMr.\tR.\twanted\thim\tsmoked, well,\tthat\twas\this\tjob. His\tcue,\tMr.\tR.\thad\ttold\thim,\twas\twhen\tArthur\tlaid\this\tsword\tonto\tthe\tground. Then,\t when\t the\t man\t stood\t up,\t he\t would\t take\t his\t shot.\t Armor-piercing\t bullets, too,\tsince\tthe\tking\twould\tlikely\tbe\tsporting\tsome\tkind\tof\tarmor. He\tobserved\tthrough\this\tscope\tas\tArthur\tbent\tdown\twith\this\tsword\tand\tbegan laying\tit\tout\ton\tthe\tground.\tHis\ttrigger\tfinger\ttwitched.\tAlmost\tthere. Sending\t a\t silent\t prayer\t skyward\t for\t worthiness,\t a\t sweaty,\t adrenaline-powered Lance\tbolted\tup\tthe\trickety\twooden\tramp\ttoward\tthe\theavens. Arthur\tlaid\tExcalibur\tout\tonto\tthe\tground,\twary\tof\tsomeone\tcoming\tat\thim\tfrom within\t the\t crowd.\t Body\t taut\t for\t action,\t he\t released\t the\t hilt,\t stood\t erect,\t and stepped\tback\tfrom\this\tonly\tprotection. Lance\thit\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\tramp\tand\tshot\tout\tlike\ta\tbullet\tover\tthe\tbleachers.\tBelow him,\tthe\tkids\tlooked\tup\tin\tamazement\tand\texcited\trecognition.\tFingers\tpointed, hands\tclapped\tjoyously.\tHe\theard\this\tname\tcalled\tout. But\t his\t gaze\t remained\t fixed\t on\t Arthur\t a\t short\t distance\t below.\t He\t yelled\t as loudly\tas\the\tcould,\t\u201cArthur,\tlook\tout!\u201d Arthur\t turned\t at\t the\t sound\t of\t Lance\u2019s\t voice,\t his\t face\t breaking\t into\t a\t joyous smile\tof\trelief\tat\tthe\tsight\tof\tLance\tfloating\ttoward\thim\tlike\tan\tangel. Santiago\thad\tArthur\u2019s\tchest\tsquare\tin\this\tsights.\tHe\tpulled\tthe\ttrigger. Lance\tsoared\tdirectly\ttoward\tArthur,\this\theart\tin\this\tthroat.\tThe\tbullet\tstruck him\t square\t in\t the\t back.\t He\t twisted\t grotesquely\t in\t midair,\t his\t face\t erupting\t in pain,\this\tboard\tsailing\toff\twithout\thim. Not\tyet\tsure\twhat\thad\thappened,\tArthur\theld\tout\this\tarms,\tand\tLance\tsmashed right\t into\t him,\t knocking\t them\t both\t to\t the\t ground\t as\t another\t shot\t rang\t out,\t the bullet\tstriking\tthe\tconcrete\tmere\tinches\tfrom\tArthur\u2019s\thead.","Panic\tgripped\tthe\tcrowd,\tand\tthey\tdove\tfor\tthe\tground. The\tknights\tswelled\tinto\ta\tclose\tgrouping\taround\tArthur\tto\tprotect\thim\tas\the gently\t rolled\t Lance\t off\t of\t him.\t Reyna\t snatched\t up\t Excalibur\t and\t tossed\t it\t to Arthur,\twho\tgrabbed\tthe\tsword\tin\tone\thand\tand\tpushed\thimself\tupright\twith\tthe other. Murphy\t called\t out\t orders\t into\t his\t radio\t and\t pointed\t to\t his\t men\t on\t the perimeter.\t He\t gesticulated\t wildly\t toward\t the\t Hall\t of\t Justice,\t and\t the\t cops\t took off\trunning. One\t of\t Arthur\u2019s\t archers\t named\t Khom,\t a\t Cambodian\t boy\t from\t Long\t Beach, shoved\this\tway\tthrough\tthe\tcircle.\t\u201cArthur!\u201d The\t king\t had\t started\t back\t toward\t Lance,\t but\t now\t stopped\t at\t this\t new interruption.\t\u201cWhat\tis\tit,\tSir\tKhom?\tBe\tquick!\u201d The\tpanting\tboy\tgasped,\t\u201cSome\tguy,\the\ttook\tLady\tJenny!\u201d Arthur\twhirled\tto\twhere\the\u2019d\tlast\tseen\tJenny.\tShe\twas\tgone. \u201cWhere\tare\tthey?\u201d \u201cHe\t shoved\t her\t into\t a\t big-ass\t limo,\t up\t the\t street.\u201d\t Sir\t Khom\t pointed\t up toward\t Temple\t and\t Spring.\t An\t enormous\t Hummer\t limo\t could\t be\t seen\t driving away\tout\tof\tsight.\t\u201cThere!\u201d\tthe\tboy\tshouted.\t\u201cThere\tit\tis.\u201d Arthur\t made\t a\t lunge\t for\t Llamrei,\t waiting\t restlessly\t beside\t Chris,\t whose frightened\t gaze\t was\t fixed\t on\t the\t fallen,\t unmoving\t Lance.\t Arthur\t bent\t down\t to examine\tthe\tboy\the\tloved.\tA\tthin\tstream\tof\tblood\ttrickled\tfrom\tLance\u2019s\tmouth, and\t a\t large\t pool\t had\t already\t begun\t spreading\t out\t from\t beneath\t him.\t His\t eyes flitted\tabout,\tthe\tvibrant\tgreen\tetched\twith\tsearing\tpain.\tThey\tfocused\ton\tArthur. \u201cSave\ther,\tArthur,\u201d\the\twhispered.\t\u201cHurry.\u201d Arthur\tgazed\tat\this\tbeloved\tboy\tand\tmarveled\tthat,\teven\tnow,\the\twould\tthink of\tothers\tfirst.\t\u201cI\tshall\treturn\tto\tthee,\tmy\tLance.\u201d He\t rose\t and\t ran\t to\t Llamrei,\t deftly\t leaping\t onto\t her\t back,\t snatching\t the\t reins from\ta\tshell-shocked\tChris\tand\tgalloping\thard\tthrough\tthe\tcrowd,\twhich\topened a\tpathway.\tMurphy\tbarked\torders\tinto\this\tradio,\tand\tseveral\tof\tthe\tapproaching police\tcars\ttook\toff\tup\tTemple\tin\tpursuit\tof\tthe\tlimo. The\tstunned\tspectators\tbegan\trising\tto\ttheir\tfeet,\tmilling\tand\tconfused,\tuncertain about\twhat\thad\tjust\thappened. Chris\t dropped\t to\t his\t knees\t beside\t Lance\t and\t Reyna,\t who\t knelt\t by\t the wounded\t boy\u2019s\t other\t side.\t Chris\t grasped\t Lance\u2019s\t hand,\t gazed\t in\t shock\t at\t the blood\tpooling\tfrom\tbeneath\thim,\tand\tbegan\tto\tcry. Reyna\t gently\t cradled\t Lance\u2019s\t head\t in\t her\t lap,\t lightly\t brushing\t his\t damp\t hair","from\t around\t his\t face.\t He\t tried\t for\t a\t smile.\t \u201cYou\t mad\t \u2019cause\t I\u2019m\t younger, prettier,\tcan\tshoot,\tand\tskate\tbetter\tthan\tyou?\u201d Reyna\t swiped\t at\t the\t tears\t dripping\t down\t her\t face.\t \u201cYou\t crazy\t fool,\t had\t to play\tthe\thero,\tdidn\u2019t\tyou?\u201d \u201cDid\tI\twin\tthe\tgold?\u201d She\t took\t his\t hand\t in\t hers\t and\t fought\t for\t control.\t \u201c\u2019Course\t you\t did.\t And\t you know\t why?\u201d\t He\t shook\t his\t head\t weakly.\t \u201cCause\t I\t love\t you,\t that\u2019s\t why.\t You couldn\u2019t\u2019ve\tdone\tit\twithout\tme.\u201d Lance\tsmiled. At\t that\t moment,\t Jack\t pushed\t through\t the\t circle,\t panting\t and\t heaving,\t and gasped\twhen\the\tsaw\tLance.\tAnd\tthe\tblood.\tHis\tbreath\tnearly\tstopped,\this\theart in\this\tthroat. \u201cOh\t no,\u201d\t he\t said\t to\t no\t one\t in\t particular,\t his\t knees\t almost\t buckling\t beneath him.\t\u201cNo,\tit\tcan\u2019t\tbe!\tOh\tplease,\tGod,\tdon\u2019t\tlet\tthis\thappen!\u201d Reyna\twaved\thim\tover.\t\u201cC\u2019mon,\tJack,\the\tneeds\tyou.\u201d Jack\tstumbled\tforward\tand\tdropped\tto\this\tknees\tbeside\tLance. \u201cWe\tdid\tit,\thuh,\tJacky?\tWe\tsaved\tArthur.\u201d Jack\t clenched\t and\t unclenched\t his\t fists,\t struggling\t to\t control\t his\t anguish. \u201cDamn\t you,\t Lance,\t it\t wasn\u2019t\t supposed\t to\t be\t this\t way.\t I\t was\t supposed\t to\t save you!\u201d Lance\tgrinned.\t\u201cNot\tif\tI\tsaved\tyou\tfirst.\u201d Jack\t stroked\t Lance\u2019s\t soft,\t sweaty\t brown\t hair\t with\t trembling\t fingers.\t \u201cOh God,\tLance,\tyou\tcan\u2019t\tgo,\tyou\tcan\u2019t\tleave\tme.\u201d\tTears\tsprang\tto\this\teyes.\t\u201cI\tneed you\ttoo\tmuch!\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tokay,\tJacky,\u201d\tLance\tsaid\tquietly,\t\u201cI\tcan\u2014\u201d\tHe\tcoughed\tup\ta\tlittle\tblood, and\t Reyna\t gently\t wiped\t his\t mouth\t with\t her\t sleeve.\t \u201c\u2014I\t can\t tell\t Mark\t how much\tyou\tloved\thim.\u201d Jack\t choked\t back\t a\t sob\t and\t turned\t his\t anguished\t gaze\t toward\t Reyna.\t They reached\t out\t to\t grasp\t each\t other\u2019s\t hand,\t sharing\t the\t aching\t pain\t of\t their\t mutual love\tfor\tthis\tboy. At\t that\t moment,\t Ryan\t and\t Gibson\t shoved\t their\t way\t through\t the\t crowd\t and into\t the\t circle,\t Ryan\t shouting,\t \u201cGet\t back,\t everybody,\t stay\t back,\t give\t the\t boy some\tair!\u201d\tHe\tknelt\tbeside\tJack\tand\tgazed\tsoberly\tat\tthe\twounded\tLance. Approaching\tsirens\tbegan\tto\tget\tlouder.\tRyan\tstripped\toff\this\trumpled\tjacket, gently\t moved\t Chris\t aside,\t and\t laid\t the\t jacket\t over\t Lance\t to\t keep\t him\t warm. \u201cDon\u2019t\tworry,\tson,\thelp\tis\ton\tthe\tway.\u201d Lance\t smiled\t up\t at\t the\t aged\t cop,\t his\t beautiful,\t angelic\t smile.\t \u201cThank\t you, Sergeant\tRyan.\u201d Ryan\tnodded,\tbut\tlooked\tnauseous,\tas\tthough\twatching\tLance\tsuffer\twas\tthe","worst\tthing\the\u2019d\tseen\tin\this\tlife. Jack\tsat\tbeside\tLance,\tand\tReyna\tallowed\tthe\tdevastated\tboy\tto\ttake\tLance\u2019s head\t and\t cradle\t it.\t Chris\t took\t Lance\u2019s\t hand\t again\t and\t sobbed\t into\t Jack\u2019s shoulder.\tReyna\ttook\tLance\u2019s\tother\thand. \u201cHang\ton,\tcutie,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\twith\ta\twink,\ther\tvoice\ttight\twith\tfear. Gibson\t stood\t gazing\t down\t at\t the\t wounded\t boy,\t the\t blood\t pooling\t around\t him, turned\taway\tin\tdisgust\tand\tanger,\tand\tcame\tface\tto\tface\twith\this\tson.\tJustin\twas crying,\tsomething\tGibson\thadn\u2019t\tseen\thim\tdo\tsince\the\twas\tlittle.\tFather\tand\tson gazed\t at\t one\t another\t a\t long\t moment,\t and\t then\t Justin\t unexpectedly\t grabbed\t his father\tin\ta\ttight\thug. Caught\t off\t guard,\t Gibson\t let\t his\t boy\t do\t the\t hugging.\t He\t understood\t that Justin\twasn\u2019t\tcrying\tonly\tfor\tLance,\tbut\tfor\teverything\tthat\thad\thappened\tin\this life,\tfor\tall\tthe\tmissed\topportunities\the\tand\tGibson\thad\thad\tto\tconnect,\tthe\tway he\t had\t connected\t with\t Arthur.\t So\t finally\t Gibson\t did\t what\t he\t should\t have\t been doing\tall\tlong\u2014he\thugged\this\tson\tand\twhispered\tinto\tthe\tboy\u2019s\tear,\t\u201cI\tlove\tyou, son.\tI\talways\thave.\u201d Ugly\t slashes\t of\t red\t and\t an\t ear-piercing\t siren\t signaled\t the\t arrival\t of\t the paramedics,\twho\tleapt\tfrom\ttheir\tvehicle\talmost\tbefore\tit\tstopped\tand\tran\tto\tthe wounded\tLance. Inside\t the\t limo,\t Jenny\t struggled\t against\t the\t Asian\t man\u2019s\t iron\t grip.\t For\t such\t a small\t guy,\t he\t was\t incredibly\t strong,\t and\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t break\t free.\t The\t two younger\t Asians\t sat\t stoically\t in\t the\t back\t of\t the\t limo,\t holding\t sections\t of\t cloth ripped\tfrom\ttheir\tshirts\tagainst\tbleeding\tneck\twounds. The\t third\t Asian,\t the\t one\t who\u2019d\t kidnapped\t Jenny,\t sat\t calmly\t beside\t them, handgun\tat\tthe\tready,\tawaiting\tfurther\torders. A\t middle-aged\t Latino\t man\t sat\t across\t from\t Jenny\t holding\t a\t chunk\t of\t ice against\this\tswollen,\tcrooked\tjaw. She\tglared\tat\thim\twith\thate.\t\u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\twant\twith\tme?\u201d He\tglowered,\this\teyes\trolling\twith\tfury.\t\u201cBait,\tlady.\tStupid\tkid\tgot\tin\tthe\tway. Your\tArthur\tstill\tlives!\u201d A\t thrill\t of\t joy\t and\t fear\t thrummed\t through\t Jenny\u2019s\t nerves.\t Arthur\t lived!\t But which\t kid\t got\t in\t the\t way?\t What\t did\t that\t mean?\t She\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t ask.\t She could\tsee\thow\tunstable\tthis\tman\twas\tbecoming. \u201cAny\tsign\tof\tpursuit?\u201d\the\tasked\tthe\tAsians\tin\tback.","\u201cJust\tcops,\u201d\tgurgled\tone.\t\u201cNo\tsign\tof\thim.\u201d \u201cGet\trid\tof\tthe\tcops.\u201d The\t young\t Asian\t who\u2019d\t grabbed\t Jenny\t put\t down\t the\t back\t window.\t Two police\tcars\thad\tbarreled\tup\tTemple\tafter\tthem,\tand\ta\tthird\tjoined\tthe\tchase\tfrom Spring\t Street.\t He\t slid\t his\t semiautomatic\t handgun\t out\t the\t window\t and\t began firing. The\tpursuing\tpolice\tcars\tswerved\tas\tbullets\tflew\tat\tthem\tfrom\tthe\tfleeing\tThe limo\t swung\t an\t ear-screeching\t turn\t onto\t N.\t Broadway\t Street,\t heading\t east.\t The police\t cars\t skidded\t around\t the\t corner\t to\t follow.\t Startled\t drivers\t swerved\t their cars\tto\tthe\tside\tof\tthe\troad\tto\tavoid\ta\tcollision. Suddenly,\t the\t driver\t rapped\t on\t the\t window\t separating\t him\t from\t the passengers.\tLatino\tguy\tpressed\ta\tbutton,\tand\tthe\twindow\tlowered. \u201cWhat\tis\tit?\u201d\the\tasked\tirritably. \u201cStraight\tahead,\tsir!\u201d\tthe\tnervous\tdriver\tcalled\tback\tover\this\tshoulder. Both\t the\t Latino\t guy\t and\t the\t Asian\t holding\t her\t leaned\t forward\t for\t a\t better view. Arthur,\this\thair\tflying\tin\tthe\twind,\tgalloped\tLlamrei\tstraight\tdown\tBroadway, crossing\tthe\toverpass\tabove\tthe\t101\tFreeway,\tdarting\tin\tand\tout\tof\tthe\tswerving cars,\ton\ta\tnonstop\tcollision\tcourse\twith\tthe\tlimo. \u201cRun\this\tass\tdown!\u201d\tLatino\tguy\tcalled\tout\tto\tthe\tdriver. But\tthen\this\tgrin\tdropped,\tfor\tArthur\thad\traised\ta\tbow\tand\tarrow\tand\taimed\tit straight\tat\tthe\tlimo.\tHe\tlet\tthe\tarrow\tfly. There\t was\t a\t thunk\tas\t the\t arrow\t struck\t the\t limo\u2019s\t left\t front\t tire,\t and\t the\t car spun\twildly\tout\tof\tcontrol. Arthur\t lowered\t the\t bow,\t snatched\t up\t Llamrei\u2019s\t reins,\t and\t jumped\t the\t horse high\t into\t the\t air.\t The\t spinning,\t swerving\t limo\t passed\t directly\t beneath\t him\t and smashed\tinto\tthe\tconcrete\tembankment\tof\tthe\toverpass. Arthur\tlanded\this\thorse\tsafely\tand\tspun\taround. The\tlimo\tsmashed\tthrough\tthe\toverpass\tembankment,\tsending\tlarge\tchunks\tof broken\tconcrete\tonto\tthe\tfreeway\tbelow. The\t long\t black\t Hummer\t swung\t partway\t out\t above\t the\t freeway,\t its\t front\t end still\ton\tthe\troadway,\tbut\tits\trear\tteetering\tdangerously\tover\tthe\tabyss.\tThe\tsound of\tpolice\tsirens\tsignaled\tthe\tapproach\tof\tthe\tpursuing\tpolice\tcars. Arthur\tspurred\this\thorse\ttoward\tthe\ttottering\tlimo. As\t the\t car\t smashed\t into\t the\t guardrail,\t Jenny\t saw\t her\t chance\t and\t shoved\t the startled\t Asian\t away\t from\t her.\t The\t teetering\t car\t and\t spinning\t tires\t threw everyone\t off-balance.\t She\t fought\t madly\t for\t the\t door,\t instinctively\t kicking\t out with\t one\t foot\t and\t hearing\t a\t satisfying\t \u201cumph\u201d\t as\t she\t made\t contact\t with\t the man\u2019s\t face.\t The\t door\t swung\t open,\t causing\t the\t car\t to\t teeter\t even\t more.\t The","driver\tfrantically\tgunned\tthe\tengine,\tfighting\tto\tkeep\tthe\tvehicle\ton\tthe\toverpass. Jenny\tleaped\tfrom\tthe\tcar. She\t tumbled\t hard\t onto\t the\t asphalt\t and\t looked\t up\t at\t the\t sound\t of\t pelting hooves.\t Before\t she\t could\t react,\t Arthur\t was\t upon\t her,\t his\t arm\t outstretched\t for hers.\tShe\tstumbled\tupright\tand\tflung\tout\ther\thand\tdesperately.\tHe\tgrasped\tit\tin his\tand\tswung\ther\tsharply\toff\tthe\tground\tand\tinto\tthe\tsaddle\tbehind\thim,\talmost wrenching\ther\tarm\tfrom\tthe\tsocket.\tShe\tnearly\tcried\tout\tfrom\tthe\tsearing\tpain, but\tbit\tit\tback\twith\ta\tgroan. Arthur\tgalloped\tonward\tjust\tas\tthe\tlimo\tdriver\trighted\tthe\tvehicle\tand\tgunned the\t engine\t in\t pursuit.\t Jenny\t glanced\t back\t to\t see\t one\t police\t car\t stopped\t at\t the overpass,\tbut\tthe\tother\ttwo\tstill\tpursuing\tthe\tdamaged\tlimo. \u201cHurry,\t Arthur,\u201d\t Jenny\t called\t out,\t glancing\t back\t over\t her\t shoulder.\t \u201cThey\u2019re gaining!\u201d Arthur\t was\t an\t able\t horseman,\t but\t no\t horse\t could\t outrun\t a\t car,\t even\t one\t as wounded\tas\tthe\tlimo.\tA\tbullet\twhizzed\tpast\this\thead.\tHe\tspun\tLlamrei\tsharply\tto the\tright,\tand\tthey\tgalloped\tdown\tthe\tless-trafficked\tArcadia\tStreet. He\tdidn\u2019t\thave\ttime\tfor\tthis!\tHe\thad\tto\tget\tback\tto\tLance! The\tlimo,\tobviously\tcaught\toff\tguard\tby\tArthur\u2019s\tsudden\tmove,\tscreeched\tto a\t halt\t and\t then\t backed\t up\t and\t turned\t down\t Arcadia\t in\t pursuit.\t Those\t precious few\tseconds\twere\tall\tArthur\tneeded. Arthur\t rode\t Llamrei\t to\t a\t sudden\t stop,\t turning\t the\t horse\t around\t to\t face\t the soon-to-be\toncoming\tlimo. \u201cTake\tthe\treins,\u201d\the\ttold\tJenny. Without\tquestion,\tshe\tcomplied. Arthur\t grabbed\t his\t bow\t and\t cocked\t an\t arrow\t just\t as\t the\t limo\u2019s\t headlights sped\tdown\tthe\tstreet,\tbathing\tthem\tin\tharsh,\tblinding\tlight.\tHe\tdug\tin\this\theels, and\tLlamrei\tleapt\tforward\tinto\ta\tdetermined\tgallop. Bullets\tflew\tat\thim\tfrom\tthe\twindows\tof\tthe\tlimo. With\t both\t hands\t occupied\t by\t the\t bow\t and\t arrow,\t Arthur\t could\t not\t grip Excalibur.\tThe\tfirst\tfew\tshots\tmissed,\tbut\tthe\tfourth\tstruck\thim\tin\tthe\tshoulder, causing\thim\tto\tflinch. \u201cMy\tGod,\tyou\u2019ve\tbeen\thit!\u201d\tJenny\tscreamed\tin\thorror. \u201cJust\t keep\t her\t steady!\u201d\t Arthur\t shouted,\t pulling\t back\t on\t the\t bow\t string\t and letting\tthe\tarrow\tfly. It\t shattered\t the\t already-cracked\t windshield\t and\t pierced\t the\t driver\t in\t the\t left shoulder,\tpinning\thim\tto\tthe\tseat\tand\tsending\tthe\tlimo\tcareening\tout\tof\tcontrol.","Arthur\tdropped\this\tbow\tand\tsnatched\tback\tthe\treins,\tturning\this\thorse\tsharply away\tfrom\tthe\tspinning\tlimo. The\t twisting\t car\t whipped\t past\t them\t and\t smashed\t into\t an\t electrical\t pole, knocking\t it\t down\t and\t puncturing\t the\t Hummer\u2019s\t gas\t tank.\t Gasoline\t began spilling\tfrom\tthe\trupture,\tand\tlighted\tbuildings\tin\tthe\tvicinity\twinked\tonce,\tand then\twent\tblack. Without\thesitation,\tArthur\tturned\this\thorse\tand\tgalloped\tpast\tthe\twreckage. He\twas\tdesperate\tto\treturn\tto\tLance. My\tson\u2026. As\tthe\telectrical\twires\tsparked\tinto\tthe\tgasoline,\tit\tset\toff\tthe\tremainder\tof\tthe gas\t in\t the\t tank,\t and\t the\t limo\t exploded\t in\t a\t huge\t fireball\t visible\t throughout\t the city. Arthur\tdidn\u2019t\teven\tnotice. Around\t City\t Hall,\t chaos\t ruled\t the\t night.\t Police\t and\t paramedic\t lights\t flashed haphazardly\t amidst\t the\t seething\t throng\t of\t children\t and\t local\t citizens\t who packed\t the\t surrounding\t streets.\t Arthur\u2019s\t kids\t shuffled\t and\t milled\t about aimlessly,\tuncertainly,\talmost\tshell-shocked. The\t mayor\t and\t council\t members,\t along\t with\t Chief\t Murphy\t and\t some\t of\t his officers,\t stood\t near\t the\t bottom\t of\t the\t steps\t vainly\t attempting\t to\t direct\t the multitude\tback\taway\tfrom\tthe\twounded\tLance,\tbut\ttheir\tefforts\tfell\tshort\twith\tso many\t people.\t It\t seemed\t as\t though\t the\t entire\t city\t was\t out\t tonight,\t jostling\t and crowding\tin\tfor\ta\tbetter\tview. Helen\t and\t the\t other\t TV\t reporters\t urged\t their\t camera\t people\t to\t capture\t every riveting\tmoment.\tHelen\thad\tgotten\tclose\tenough\tto\tsee\tthe\tbleeding\tLance,\tstill being\tcradled\tby\tJack\tand\tReyna,\tand\tshe\thad\tto\tforcibly\tblink\tback\ttears. Two\tparamedics\tsquatted\tbeside\tLance,\tchecking\this\tvital\tsigns.\tOne\twas\tvery young,\twhile\tthe\tother\tlooked\tto\tbe\tmiddle-aged. The\tcrowd\tsurrounding\tthe\tscene\tsuddenly\tparted,\tand\tArthur\tappeared. Everything\tseemed\tto\tstop,\tas\tthough\ttime\titself\tstood\tstill.\tEvery\tgaze\tfixed on\tArthur\tas\the\tdropped\tdown\tfrom\tLlamrei,\tand\tJenny\talighted\tbeside\thim.\tShe saw\tLance,\tand\tgasped. Arthur\tstepped\ttoward\this\tboy.\tOne\tparamedic\thad\ta\thand\ton\tthe\tboy\u2019s\theart, while\t the\t other\t listened\t to\t his\t breathing\t through\t a\t stethoscope.\t The\t older paramedic,\t the\t one\t with\t his\t hand\t on\t Lance\u2019s\t heart,\t attempted\t to\t make\t eye contact\t with\t Arthur.\t The\t king\t sensed\t something\t familiar\t in\t the\t man\u2019s\t eyes,\t but was\ttoo\tdistraught\tto\tgive\tit\tany\tattention.\tInstead,\this\tgaze\tfixed\ton\tthe\trapidly","growing\tpool\tof\tblood\tspreading\tout\tfrom\tbeneath\this\tson.\tHis\tthroat\twent\tdry, and\this\tchest\tpulled\ttightly\taround\this\twildly\tbeating\theart. The\t paramedic\t vehicle\t flashed\t its\t ugly\t red\t light\t over\t the\t scene,\t giving\t it\t a ghoulish\t quality.\t Helen\u2019s\t cameraman\t tilted\t the\t camera\t toward\t Arthur\t as\t he slowly\tapproached,\ta\tdistraught\tJenny\ttrailing\ta\tfew\tsteps\tbehind. Standing\t around\t the\t wounded\t boy,\t gazing\t down\t at\t him\t in\t various\t stages\t of shock\t were\t Esteban,\t Darnell,\t Lavern,\t Luis,\t Enrique,\t Tai,\t Duc,\t Justin,\t and\t his dad.\t Gibson\t had\t one\t arm\t around\t his\t son\u2019s\t broad\t shoulders,\t as\t though\t afraid\t to let\tgo. As\tArthur\tknelt\tbeside\tLance,\the\tmet\tRyan\u2019s\tgaze.\tRyan\tshook\this\thead\tsadly, patted\tArthur\tgently\ton\tthe\tshoulder,\tand\tstood\tto\tget\tout\tof\tthe\tway. The\t younger\t paramedic\t removed\t the\t stethoscope\t and\t turned\t to\t Arthur.\t His face\trevealed\tthe\tsame\treport.\tStanding,\tboth\tparamedics\tstepped\tback\tso\tallow Arthur\ttime\tto\tsay\tgood-bye. Reyna\tleaned\tdown\tand\tkissed\tLance\tlightly\ton\tthe\tcheek,\ther\ttears\twashing some\t of\t the\t drying\t blood\t from\t around\t his\t lips.\t Then\t she\t stood\t and\t desperately grabbed\tEsteban\tby\tthe\thand,\tsqueezing\tso\thard\the\tgrimaced.\tA\ttear\tworked\tits way\tdown\this\tnormally\tstoic\tface. Jack\tgazed\tat\tArthur,\ttears\tstreaming\tdown\this\tbruised\tcheeks,\this\tface\triddled with\tremorse.\t\u201cI\tpromised\tI\twould\tsave\thim.\tI\tfailed,\tArthur!\u201d Arthur\t placed\t a\t comforting\t hand\t on\t Jack\u2019s\t trembling\t shoulder\t and\t gazed sorrowfully\tat\thim.\tBut\tthere\twas\tno\taccusation\tin\this\tgaze.\tOnly\tlove. Jack\t bent\t down\t to\t Lance,\t resting\t his\t face\t up\t against\t the\t younger\t boy\u2019s, delicate\tbeard\tstubble\tpressed\tagainst\tsmooth,\tunblemished\tskin. Lance\topened\this\teyes\tand\tgazed\tuncertainly\tup\tat\tJack. Jack\t met\t those\t questioning\t eyes\t with\t his\t own.\t \u201cI\u2026\t I\t love\t you,\t Lance,\u201d\t he quietly\tconfessed,\teyes\tawash\twith\tanguish.\t\u201cI\tcouldn\u2019t\tnot\ttell\tyou.\u201d Lance\t inched\t his\t hand\t toward\t Jack\u2019s.\t The\t older\t boy\t gently\t took\t hold\t of\t it, lightly\tentwining\ttheir\tfingers.\t\u201cLove\tyou,\ttoo,\tbuff\tman.\u201d He\toffered\tthe\tradiant,\tangelic,\tand\tengaging\tsmile\tthat\tfor\tone,\tbrief,\tshining moment\thad\tthawed\tthe\tentire\tworld. Jack\t pressed\t Lance\u2019s\t hand\t to\t his\t heart,\t and\t then\t reluctantly\t released\t it, allowing\tArthur\tto\ttake\tLance\u2019s\thead\tin\this\tlap. Chris\ttearfully\tkissed\tLance\ton\tthe\tcheek.\t\u201cI\tlove\tyou,\tLance!\u201d \u201cBack\tat\tyou,\tlittle\tbrother...\u201d Jack\tswept\tthe\tweeping\tChris\tinto\this\tarms\tand\tstood\tback. Lance\t finally\t turned\t his\t gaze\t upon\t the\t man\t who\t had\t transformed\t his\t life,\t as Arthur\t lovingly\t cradled\t his\t head.\t Immeasurable\t sadness\t filled\t Arthur\u2019s\t eyes\t as Lance\tlooked\tup\tat\thim.","\u201cLady\tJenny\u2026\tall\tright?\u201d Arthur\tnodded. \u201cDid\t you\t see\t my\t jump?\u201d\t Lance\t croaked,\t grinning\t against\t the\t pain.\t \u201cWorth\t a gold,\thuh?\u201d Tears\tdribbled\tforth\tas\tArthur\tbegan\tto\tstroke\tLance\u2019s\thair\tlovingly.\t\u201cYou\tbe worth\tthy\tweight\tin\tgold,\tmy\tLance.\u201d \u201cMethinks\tI\tdid\tfail\tyou,\u201d\twhispered\tLance.\t\u201cAlmost\tgot\tyou\tkilled.\u201d \u201cNay,\t my\t Lance,\t t\u2019was\t I\t who\t did\t fail\t you,\t for\t I\t neglected\t the\t needs\t of\t thy heart.\u201d Lance\t began\t to\t cry,\t softly\t and\t despairingly.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t sorry,\t Arthur\u2026.\t I\t was selfish\u2026\twanted\tyou\tall\tfor\tmyself\u2026\tmade\ta\tlousy\tFirst\tKnight\u2026.\u201d \u201cThou\t hast\t given\t thy\t life\t for\t thy\t king,\t Sir\t Lance.\t There\t can\t be\t no\t greater sacrifice.\tThou\tart\ttruly\tmy\tgreatest\tknight.\u201d \u201cThe\tneeds\tof\tthe\twhole\u2026.\u201d Arthur\t nodded\t sadly.\t \u201cAnd\t yet,\t at\t this\t moment\t now,\t I\t would\t give\t up everything\tand\teveryone\tto\tsave\tthee,\tmy\tLance.\tI\tam\tthe\tselfish\tone.\u201d Lance\u2019s\tentire\tbeing\tswelled\twith\tlove\tand\tgratitude.\tThose\twere\twords\the\u2019d been\t waiting\t his\t entire\t life\t to\t hear.\t He\t struggled\t to\t move\t his\t hand,\t and\t Arthur took\tit\tgently\tin\this\town. \u201cWanted\t to\t be\t like\t you\u2026,\u201d\t Lance\t whispered,\t the\t pain\t making\t it\t harder\t to speak. \u201cAnd\t you\t are,\u201d\t Arthur\t affirmed.\t \u201cDid\t you\t not\t get\t my\t message\t on\t your phone?\u201d Lance\tgave\ta\tslight\tshake\tof\tthe\thead.\t\u201cYou\tdidn\u2019t\tget\tmine?\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d\tHe\tsighed.\t\u201cThis\tworld\thas\tfound\tso\tmany\tways\tto\tcommunicate\tthat\tit has\t forgotten\t the\t most\t important\t one\u2014face\t to\t face.\t And\t so,\t my\t dear\t Lance,\t I say\t now\t before\t all\t that\t you\t are\t my\t son,\t and\t I\t have\t more\t pride\t in\t you\t than\t I could\t ever\t express.\t And\t I\t say\t now\t what\t I\t should\t have\t said\t long\t ago\u2014I\t love you,\t my\t Lance,\t with\t all\t my\t heart,\t more\t than\t I\t have\t ever\t loved\t anyone\t on\t this earth.\u201d Tears\tflowed\tfreely\tdown\tArthur\u2019s\tcheeks\tand\tspilled\tdown\this\ttunic. Lance\tsmiled.\tFinally,\the\twas\tloved.\tHe\twas\tworthy,\tafter\tall. His\tbody\tshuddered.\t\u201cHold\tme,\tplease.\tI\u2019m\tcold\u2026.\u201d Arthur\t gently\t pulled\t him\t up\t higher\t and\t wrapped\t his\t cloak\t around\t Lance\u2019s chest.\t\u201cI\tshall\thold\tthee\tforever,\tmy\tson,\tin\tmy\theart\tand\tin\tmy\tsoul.\u201d Lance\tgave\ta\tgentle\tlittle\tsmile\tto\tthe\tman\twho\thad\tbecome\this\tfather. Jenny\t knelt\t beside\t him\t now,\t her\t own\t eyes\t awash\t with\t tears,\t gazing\t sadly down\tat\thim. \u201cTired,\u201d\t Lance\t mumbled.\t \u201cGonna\t sleep\t now.\u201d\t As\t those\t radiant\t green\t eyes","slowly\tclosed,\tthese\twords\twere\tfaintly\taudible,\t\u201cLove\tyou\u2026\tDad\u2026.\u201d Lance\u2019s\thead\tlolled\tdeeper\tinto\tArthur\u2019s\tblood-soaked\tcloak,\tand\tthen\the\tlay still\tin\this\tfather\u2019s\tarms. There\twas\ta\tmoment\tof\tstunned\tsilence.\tNo\tone\tmoved. No\tone\teven\tbreathed. \u201cThough\tloved\tones\tbe\tlost\u2026,\u201d\tJenny\tmurmured\tthrough\ther\ttears. \u201c\u2026love\tshall\tnot\u2026,\u201d\tArthur\twhispered,\this\teyes\tfixed\ton\tthe\tunmoving\tchild in\this\tlap. \u201c\u2026and\t death\t shall\t have\t no\t dominion.\u201d\t Jenny\t leaned\t in\t and\t kissed\t Lance\t on the\tforehead. Arthur\tgazed\tin\tsorrow\tat\tthe\tboy\tin\this\tarms.\t\u201cDear\tGod,\tJenny,\twhat\thave\tI done?\u201d Jenny\t placed\t a\t comforting\t hand\t on\t his\t arm.\t \u201cYou\t gave\t him\t a\t life,\t and\t now he\u2019s\tgiven\tit\tback\u2026.\u201d Arthur\t bowed\t his\t head,\t burying\t it\t against\t Lance\u2019s\t chest,\t sobbing\t quietly\t and wrenchingly. There\t were\t a\t few\t moments\t of\t uncertain\t quiet\t as\t the\t entire\t city\t watched\t the man\tgrieve. Even\tHelen\twas\tcrying. Jack\t fought\t to\t soothe\t the\t devastated\t Chris,\t who\t drenched\t his\t tunic\t with anguished\tsobs. Despite\this\tbest\tefforts,\teven\tRyan\thad\tto\tswipe\taway\tsome\ttears. Gibson\tcomforted\tthe\tshell-shocked\tJustin. Esteban\thad\tone\tarm\twrapped\taround\ta\tsobbing\tReyna,\twiping\taway\this\ttears with\tthe\tother\thand.\tHe\tlooked\tdevastated,\tlike\ta\tlittle\tlost\tboy\twho\tdidn\u2019t\tknow what\tto\tdo\tnext.\tHe\tplaced\tone\thand\tgently\tupon\tthe\tshoulder\tof\this\tking. \u201cArthur\u2026,\u201d\t he\t began,\t his\t voice\t shaky\t with\t grief.\t \u201cBe\t it\t over?\t The\t crusade? The\tTable?\tAll\tof\tus?\u201d There\twas\tno\tresponse\tfrom\tArthur,\twho\tcontinued\tto\tcry\tquietly\tinto\tLance\u2019s unmoving\tchest. Esteban\t released\t Reyna\t and\t stepped\t around\t so\t Arthur\t could\t see\t him. \u201cArthur?\u201d Finally,\t Arthur\t lifted\t his\t head.\t Their\t blurred\t eyes\t met\t in\t silence.\t Esteban\u2019s cheeks\t were\t streaked\t with\t the\t remnants\t of\t his\t sorrow,\t but\t his\t expression\t was expectant,\tand\tuncertain. Arthur\t turned\t away\t and\t gently\t lay\t Lance\t down\t on\t the\t pavement,\t kissing\t the boy\t he\t loved\t on\t the\t forehead\t for\t what\t he\t thought\t was\t the\t final\t time.\t Then\t he stood,\tfeeling\tsorrow\tand\tdefeat.\tOddly,\the\tfound\this\tgaze\tmomentarily\tdrawn\tto the\t middle-aged\t paramedic\t who\t had\t tended\t to\t Lance.\t There\t was\t something\t in","the\tman\u2019s\teyes,\tsomething\u2026\trecognizable.\tThe\tman\tlowered\this\tgaze\tto\tLance\u2019s unmoving\tform,\tas\tthough\tdirecting\tArthur\tto\tdo\tthe\tsame,\tlike\the\twas\tsending\ta message.\tConfused,\tArthur\tfollowed\this\tgaze,\tbut\tonly\tsaw\tthe\tunmoving\tform of\this\tbeloved\tson\tlying\tin\ta\tpool\tof\tblood. \u201cArthur?\u201d Esteban\u2019s\tshaky\tvoice\tforced\thim\tto\tlook\tup\tat\tthe\tboy\twho\u2019d\tcome\tso\tfar\tin such\ta\tshort\ttime.\tHe\tmet\tEsteban\u2019s\tbeseeching\teyes,\tand\tthen\tscanned\tthe\tfaces of\this\tknights,\tthese\tchildren\twho\thad\tcome\tfrom\tso\tlittle\tto\tso\tmuch. Chris\t continued\t to\t cry\t in\t Jack\u2019s\t arms,\t but\t most\t of\t the\t others\t had\t stopped weeping.\tEven\tJack\tand\tReyna\thad\tstopped,\ttheir\ttear-streaked\tfaces\tasking\tthe same\tquestion\tas\tEsteban\u2014was\tit\tover? In\t all\t of\t their\t eyes\t Arthur\t read\t uncertainty,\t sadness,\t fear,\t expectancy,\t and love.\tReal\tlove,\tfor\thim,\tfor\tLance,\tfor\teach\tother.\tThere\twas\treflected\ton\tevery young\tface\ta\tgenuine\tneed\u2014the\tneed\tto\tknow,\tthe\tneed\tto\tfollow,\tand\tthe\tneed to\tbe\treassured.\tJust\tas\tJenny\thad\tsaid.\tThey\tneeded\tadults\tto\tguide\tand\tmentor them,\tand\tArthur\twas\tthat\tadult. Forcing\this\tsorrow\tdown\tinto\tforever\tplace\twithin\this\theart,\this\tself-doubt\tof the\t previous\t moment\t vanished\t now\t before\t the\t needs\t of\t his\t company.\t His\t face took\ton\ta\tlook\tof\tresolve\tand\tbitter\tdetermination. \u201cNo,\t Sir\t Este,\u201d\t he\t announced,\t his\t voice\t loud\t enough\t for\t all\t to\t hear.\t \u201cIt\t doth not\tbe\tover.\tIt\thath\tbarely\tbegun.\u201d He\t spotted\t the\t paramedic\t vehicle\t and\t clambered\t atop\t its\t hood,\t the\t flashing red\tlight\tilluminating\this\tdetermined,\ttear-drenched\tfeatures. He\tunsheathed\tExcalibur\tand\traised\tthe\tsword\thigh\tabove\this\thead,\tthe\tblood from\this\tearlier\tbattle\tnow\tgleaming\tbright\tcrimson\tunder\tthe\tspinning\tlight. \u201cHear\t me,\t lads\t and\t ladies!\t This\t night\t hath\t delivered\t unto\t us\t both\t great triumph\u2026\tand\tunbearable\ttragedy.\tAnd\tyet,\tif\tthe\tloss\tof\u2026\tof\tSir\tLance\u2014\u201d\tHe paused\tto\t choke\tback\t a\t sob.\t \u201c\u2014is\tto\t have\tmeaning,\t then\twe\tmust\t go\t forward. We\t must\t continue\t our\t crusade\t until\t we\t achieve\t all\t our\t goals\t and\t make\t Lance\u2019s dream\ta\treality.\tAnd\tI\u2026.\u201d\tHe\tturned\this\tgaze\tthree\thundred\tand\tsixty\tdegrees\tto take\tin\tthe\tsea\tof\tanxious\tyoung\tfaces.\t\u201c\u2026I\ttruly\tlove\tall\tof\tthee,\tand\tI\tshall\tcare for\tthee\tas\tlong\tas\tI\tbreathe.\u201d A\trousing\tcheer\terupted\tfrom\tthe\tmultitude\tof\tknights. Arthur\t turned\t toward\t the\t mayor,\t the\t city\t council\t members,\t and\t the\t police chief\tstill\thuddled\ttogether\tat\tthe\tbottom\tof\tthe\tsteps. Silence\t reigned.\t Every\t person\t present\t had\t their\t eyes\t and\t ears\t focused\t on\t the man\t atop\t the\t ambulance.\t Throughout\t the\t city,\t everybody\t watching\t television waited\t silently,\t expectantly,\t for\t what\t would\t happen\t next.\t The\t entire\t city,\t it seemed,\thad\tcome\tto\ta\tstandstill\tthis\tnight,\twatching\ttriumph\tand\ttragedy\tunfold","before\ttheir\tvery\teyes. \u201cYou\tsee\taround\tme\u2026\tchildren,\u201d\tArthur\tbegan,\this\tvoice\tcarrying\teasily\tover the\tsilence.\t\u201cYour\tchildren.\t You\tcreated\t them,\t and\t then\t you\trejected\t them.\tYou served\t your\t own\t interests\t first\t and\t theirs\t second.\t You\t allowed\t them\t to\t learn from\t immoral\t examples,\t and\t then\t cast\t them\t aside\t when\t they\t did\t follow\t those examples.\t You\t have\t deemed\t them\t of\t no\t value\t and\t yet,\t methinks,\t they\t have proven\ttheir\tvalue\ttime\tand\tagain.\tBehold\tthe\tlatest\tproof,\tMr.\tMayor!\u201d He\t pointed\t to\t the\t large\t dumpster\t filled\t to\t overflowing\t with\t the\t drugs\t his knights\thad\tconfiscated. \u201cThese\t illegal\t drugs\t be\t only\t a\t small\t portion\t of\t that\t which\t infests\t thy\t city. They\t cost\t me\t my\t gentle,\t loving\t Sir\t Mark,\t and\t they\t have\t destroyed\t the\t lives\t of parents\t and\t children\t in\t equal\t measure.\t You\t and\t these\t others\t in\t power\t did nothing\tto\tstop\tthis\tscourge.\tIt\ttook\tchildren,\tthose\tyou\thave\tconsidered\tthe\tleast valuable,\t to\t do\t your\t job.\t Children\t who\t have\t no\t rights\t in\t your\t society,\t not\t even the\tbasic\thuman\tright\tto\tvote\tyou\tout\tof\toffice\tfor\tyour\tfailure\tto\tprotect\tthem. You\t call\t them\t adults\t when\t they\t cause\t trouble,\t but\t not\t when\t they\t demonstrate greatness.\t This\t is\t hypocrisy\t of\t the\t highest\t order.\t My\t knights\t have\t earned\t the right\tto\tvote\tyou\tout,\tMr.\tMayor,\tand\tthey\twill\thenceforth\tfight\tfor\tthat\tright!\u201d The\tkids\tcheered\tand\twaved\ttheir\tswords\twith\tpassionate\texcitement. \u201cBut\tour\ttriumph\tthis\tnight\thath\tbeen\tcostly,\toh\tso\tvery\tcostly,\tfor\tI\thave\tlost my\u2026.\u201d\tHe\talmost\tbroke\tand\tpaused\tto\tregain\tcontrol.\t\u201cMy\tbeloved\tson.\tAnd\tyet my\tdearest\tLance\tdid\tnot\tthink\this\tsacrifice\ta\tvain\tor\tempty\tone,\tfor\the\tdreamed of\ta\tworld\twhere\tchildren\tmight\tretain\tthe\tright\tto\tbe\tchildren,\t to\t be\tprotected and\t nurtured,\t and\t he\t has\t given\t his\t life\t so\t that\t other\t children\t may\t have\t a\t better one.\u201d He\t pointed\t Excalibur,\t and\t several\t boys\t near\t the\t dumpster\t tossed\t lighted Molotov\t cocktails\t into\t the\t mass\t of\t backpacks,\t igniting\t the\t drugs.\t As\t the\t fire grew\tin\tintensity,\tthe\tkids\tcheered\tand\tthrust\ttheir\tswords\tinto\tthe\tair. The\t mayor\t snatched\t a\t bullhorn\t from\t Murphy\u2019s\t hand\t and\t raised\t it\t to\t his mouth.\tBut\tbefore\the\tcould\tspeak,\tSanders\tgrabbed\tit\tfrom\thim. \u201cThis\t is\t one\t time,\t Mr.\t Mayor,\u201d\t he\t said\t as\t he\t tossed\t the\t bullhorn\t over Murphy\u2019s\t head\t and\t into\t the\t burning\t dumpster,\t \u201cyou\u2019re\t gonna\t keep\t your\t mouth shut.\u201d Villagrana\u2019s\t mouth\t dropped\t open\t like\t a\t codfish\t as\t the\t bullhorn\t went\t up\t in flames,\tand\tthe\tentire\tcrowd,\tkids\tand\tspectators\talike,\traised\tanother\tdeafening cheer. \u201cMr.\t Mayor,\t City\t Officials,\t we\t expect\t you\t to\t follow\t our\t example,\u201d\t Arthur went\ton,\this\tvoice\tstrong\tand\tmajestic.\t\u201cWe\texpect\tyou\tto\ttake\tresponsibility\tfor your\t actions.\t We\t expect\t you\t to\t do\t your\tjob\t and\t do\t it\t right.\t In\t fact,\t ladies\t and","gentlemen,\twe\tdemand\tit!\tBe\tthat\tnot\tso,\tmy\tnoble\tknights?\u201d Such\ta\tpowerful\texplosion\tof\tassent\terupted\tfrom\tthe\tthrong\tof\tchildren,\twith their\t swords\t waving,\t their\t feet\t stamping,\t their\t phones\t flashing,\t that\t the\t mayor and\tthe\tcouncil\tmembers\tstepped\tback\tin\tfear. Ryan\t nodded\t in\t agreement.\t He\t looked\t over\t at\t Gibson,\t clinging\t tightly\t to Justin.\t The\t two\t men\t shrugged\t at\t one\t another\t and\t then\t raised\t their\t own\t fists\t in unison\twith\tthe\tpeople\tof\ttheir\tcity. When\t the\t cheering\t died\t away,\t Arthur\t continued,\t speaking\t to\t the\t mayor,\t but also\t speaking\t into\t the\t cameras,\t to\t the\t hearts\t and\t minds\t of\t everyone\t who\t was watching. \u201cThese\t children\t are\t the\t new\t warriors\t of\t right,\t marching\t forth\t to\t set\t the example\tfor\tyoung\tand\told.\tWhether\tyou\tall\twatching\tlike\tit\tor\tnot,\tthe\tway\tof right\t is\t here,\t the\t might\t of\t right\t is\t here.\t You\t can\t either\t join\t it\t or\t be\t left\t behind. But\tthe\tnew\tCamelot\tis\tright\there,\tright\tnow!\u201d He\t raised\t Excalibur\t and\t swung\t it\t over\t his\t head.\t Another\t roar\t of\t assent\t rose from\tthe\tmasses,\tthe\tnumbing\tpain\tof\tthe\tfallen\tLance\tswept\tmomentarily\taway in\tthe\theat\tof\ttheir\tyouthful\tpassion\tand\tpride. Enrique\tand\tLuis,\treeling\tfrom\tall\tthat\thad\thappened,\tworked\ttheir\tway\tout\tof the\t crowd\t and\t dashed\t across\t Temple\t to\t the\t billowing\t sheet,\t and\t their\t mural beneath. They\tgripped\tthe\tpull\tcord\tand\tturned\tback\tto\tface\tthe\tthrong. Arthur\tswept\this\tgaze\taround\tand\tsettled\ton\tChris,\tstill\tcradled\twithin\tJack\u2019s strong\tembrace.\tHe\tsheathed\tExcalibur,\tleaped\tdown\toff\tthe\tvehicle,\tand\twent\tto stand\tbeside\tJack\tand\tChris. \u201cThis\tis\tSir\tJack,\u201d\tArthur\tannounced\tto\tthe\tcamera,\twrapping\this\tarm\tlovingly around\tJack\u2019s\tbrawny\tshoulders,\t\u201ca\tboy\tcruelly\tdiscarded\tby\this\tsires\tas\thaving no\tvalue,\tyet\the\thas\tproven\tto\tbe\ta\tyoung\tman\tof\textraordinary\tvalue,\tand\tvalor. We\tneed\tmore\tlike\thim,\tnot\tless.\u201d He\t patted\t Jack\t on\t the\t back\t and\t pointed\t to\t Chris.\t \u201cAnd\t this\t little\t one\t was likewise\t tossed\t into\t the\t streets\t to\t live\t as\t an\t animal.\t Have\t you\t all\t who\t be watching\tbecome\tso\tbusy\twith\tyour\town\tlives\tthat\tyou\tcannot\tcare\tabout\tsuch\tas these?\tSimply\tbecause\tthey\tbe\tnot\tof\tthine\town\tflesh\tand\tblood?\u201d He\t scooped\t Chris\t into\t his\t arms,\t and\t strolled\t confidently\t toward\t Llamrei.\t He set\t Chris\t down\t and\t climbed\t up\t onto\t the\t horse.\t Then\t he\t extended\t a\t hand.\t All watched\texpectantly\tas\tChris\twas\tswept\tup\tinto\tthe\tsaddle\tin\tfront\tof\thim. \u201cThis\tis\tChris,\tand\tuntil\the\tmet\tLance\tand\tI\tand\tJack\tand\tMark\tand\tall\tthese others,\the\thad\tno\tone\tto\tchampion\this\tcause.\tFor\thim,\tand\tall\tlike\thim,\twe\ttake up\tour\tswords\tand\tour\tbows,\twe\ttake\tup\tour\tfaith\tin\twhat\tis\tright,\tand\twe\tfight. We\tmarch.\tAnd\tultimately,\twe\tshall\tmake\tthis\tworld\tbetter\tfor\tour\thaving\tpassed","through\tit.\u201d He\tturned\tand\textended\ta\thand\ttoward\tJenny.\tShe\tstepped\tforward\tto\ttake\tit. He\tpulled\ther\teasily\tup\tinto\tthe\tsaddle\tbehind\thim. There\twas\tcomplete\tsilence. Arthur\tunsheathed\tExcalibur\tand\tplaced\tit\tin\tChris\u2019s\thands.\tChris\u2019s\teyes\tlit\tup as\this\tsmall\thands,\taided\tby\tArthur\u2019s,\tencircled\tthe\tfabled\thilt. Arthur\tcalled\tout\tfor\tall\tto\thear,\t\u201cBehold\u2026\tthe\tfuture!\u201d He\traised\tChris\u2019s\thands\tand\tExcalibur\thigh\tenough\tfor\tall\tto\tsee. At\t this\t moment,\t across\t the\t street,\t Enrique\t and\t Luis\t yanked\t the\t cord,\t and\t the sheet\tbillowed\tto\tthe\tground,\trevealing\tthe\tenormous\tmural. Gasps\t of\t surprise\t rose\t from\t the\t crowd\t as\t everyone\t became\t aware\t of\t the mural,\tand\ta\tstunned\tsilence\tfollowed\tas\tthey\tgazed\traptly\tat\tthe\timage. Arthur\t turned\t to\t look,\t his\t splintered\t heart\t shattering\t anew\t at\t the\t sight\t before him. The\tmural\tbrilliantly\tdepicted\tArthur\u2019s\tface\tin\tthe\tbackground,\tbut\tthis\ttime, seated\t atop\t Llamrei,\t Excalibur\t held\t majestically\t aloft\t toward\t the\t heavens,\t was his\tbeloved\tLance. The\tlikeness\twas\tperfection.\tLance\u2019s\tluxurious\tlong\thair\tframed\this\tface,\theld back\t by\t his\t signature\t gold\t circlet,\t giving\t him\t a\t regal\t appearance.\t He\t wore\t his bright\tgreen\ttunic,\twith\tArthur\u2019s\tresplendent\tred\tcloak\tdraping\this\tshoulders\tand spilling\t across\t the\t white\t back\t of\t Llamrei.\t His\t perfect\t features\t flashed\t that winning\t smile,\t now\t filled\t with\t pride,\t and\t those\t piercing\t green\t eyes\t gazed compassionately\tout\tover\tthe\tcity\the\thad\tfought\tso\thard\tto\tsave. Suddenly,\t the\t silence\t was\t shattered\t by\t Reyna,\t who\t shouted\t at\t the\t top\t of\t her lungs,\t\u201cLong\tlive\tLance!\u201d The\t thousands\t of\t children\t and\t adults\t took\t up\t the\t chant,\t \u201cLong\t live\t Lance! Long\tlive\tLance!\tLong\tlive\tLance!\u201d Jack\t yelled\t it\t louder\t than\t the\t rest.\t A\t lone\t tear\t clung\t to\t his\t bruised\t cheek,\t as though\tunwilling\tto\tlet\tgo. \u201cYou\u2019re\t my\t hero,\t Lance,\u201d\t he\t whispered\t softly,\t placing\t both\t hands\t gently against\this\theart,\t\u201cand\talways\twill\tbe.\u201d Then\t Esteban\u2019s\t deep\t voice\tascended\t into\t the\tnight,\t \u201cLong\tlive\tArthur!\u201d\t and the\tthrong\troared\tout\tthe\tsame\tin\ta\tdeafening\tcacophony. And\tthen\tArthur\u2019s\tkids\texploded,\t\u201cLong\tlive\tthe\tTable\tRound!\u201d In\t unison,\t every\t sword\t and\t every\t bow\t was\t raised\t on\t high\t toward\t the enormous\timage\tof\tLance,\tand\ta\tthunderous\tcheer\trose\tto\tthe\theavens. The\tfuture\u2026\twas\talready\there. \t Once\tupon\ta\ttime\tin\tthe\tCity\tof\tAngels,\tthe\tchildren\tdid\tlead,\tand\tthe\tpeople","had\thope.","The\tLance\tChronicles\tContinue\tin","AN\tEXCERPT\tFROM\t RUNNING\tTHROUGH\tA\tDARK\tPLACE ARTHUR\tSAT\tWITHIN\tTHE\tCRAMPED\tinterior\tof\tthe\t emergency\tvehicle,\tgazing\t at, but\t not\t really\t seeing,\t the\t vacant\t expressions\t of\t the\t stunned\t crowd\t as\t he\t passed through\t them.\t Moments\t ago,\t he\t had\t energized\t them.\t Now,\t once\t again confronted\twith\tthe\treality\tof\twhat\thad\ttranspired,\tthey\tlooked\tlost\tand\tfearful. Exactly\thow\tI\tfeel.\tWho\tcan\tpossibly\treplace\tLance? The\theaviness\tof\this\theart\tpressed\thim\tdown\tinto\tthe\tseat\tand\tnearly\tstopped his\tbreath. He\tvaguely\tnoted\twhen\tthe\tparamedic\tmade\ta\tleft\tturn\tonto\tSpring\tStreet.\tSo lost\t was\t Arthur\t in\t thought\t that\t he\t barely\t registered\t the\t U-turn\t made\t by\t the driver,\tand\tdidn\u2019t\teven\tnotice\tthat\tthe\tvehicle\thad\tstopped\tin\tfront\tof\tthe\tSpring Street\tentrance\tto\tCity\tHall.\tConfused,\the\tturned\tto\tthe\tdriver. The\t driver\t merely\t whispered,\t \u201cHurry,\t King\t Arthur,\t before\t it\u2019s\t too\t late,\u201d\t and then\tpopped\topen\tthe\tdoor\tand\tdropped\tdown\tto\tthe\tstreet. Mystified,\t Arthur\t flung\t open\t his\t door\t and\t alighted\t to\t the\t pavement.\t He hurried\taround\tto\tthe\tback\tof\tthe\temergency\tvehicle\tjust\tas\tthe\tolder\tman\tflung open\tthe\tdouble\tdoors. \u201cQuickly,\u201d\t he\t told\t Jack,\t his\t voice\t flush\t with\t urgency,\t \u201chelp\t me\t with\t the stretcher.\u201d Arthur\thesitated\ta\tmoment,\tand\tJack\tgazed\tat\tthe\tking\twith\tan\tuncertain\tlook. Arthur\t eyed\t the\t paramedic\t as\t the\t man\t reached\t in\t for\t the\t back\t of\t Lance\u2019s stretcher,\ta\tvague\twisp\tof\tmemory\tsurfacing. Something\tin\tthe\tvoice,\tin\tthe\ttonal\tquality\tof\tthat\tvoice. Something\u2026 Rather\tthan\tsearch\tfor\tthe\trecollection,\tArthur\tnodded\tto\tJack\tand\tthen\thelped the\tparamedic\tdrag\tthe\tstretcher\tthrough\tthe\topen\tdouble\tdoors\tso\tit\trested\thalf in\tand\thalf\tout\tof\tthe\tvehicle.\tJack\tjumped\tdown\tto\thelp,\this\tbewildered\tyoung face\treflected\tin\tthe\tyellow\tof\tthe\tflashers,\tthe\tbreeze\twafting\this\tdark,\tcurly\thair in\tevery\tdirection. The\tparamedic\tindicated\tCity\tHall\tand\tthe\tthree\tof\tthem\tcarried\tthe\tstretcher down\ta\tlong\twalkway.\tWith\tall\tthe\taction\ton\tthe\tTemple\tStreet\tside,\tthe\tinterior lobby\tappeared\tto\tbe\tempty\twhen\tthey\tentered.","Arthur\texchanged\tanother\tperplexed\tlook\twith\tJack\tas\tthe\tparamedic\tglanced around\tthe\tlobby.\tTo\tthe\tleft\twas\ta\tdoor\tmarked\t\u2018Board\tof\tPublic\tWorks\u2019,\tand\tto the\tright\t\u2018City\tCouncil\tChamber\u2019.\tThe\tparamedic\tnodded\tto\tthe\tlatter. \u201cIn\tthere,\u201d\t he\turged,\talready\tbeginning\tto\twalk\tin\t that\tdirection.\t When\t they had\t stopped\t before\t the\t ornately\t carved\t double\t doors,\t Arthur\t reached\t out\t and pulled\tthe\thandle\ton\tthe\tright.\tThe\tdoor\topened\tout,\tand\tthe\tdimly\tlit\temergency lights\t illuminated\t the\t chamber\t within.\t They\t scuttled\t through\t the\t door\t with\t the stretcher,\tand\tit\tclosed\tbehind\tthem. Jack\t gasped\t at\t the\t grandeur\t before\t him.\t It\t felt\t like\t he\t was\t inside\t of\t a\t church. There\t were\t enormous\t high\t ceilings,\t benches\t that\t looked\t like\t pews\t lining\t both sides\tof\ta\tlong,\ta\ttiled\twalkway\twith\teach\tside\tflanked\tby\thuge\tmarble\tcolumns and\trounded\tarches.\tAt\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tlong\taisle\twas\tthe\traised\tdais\tand\tseating area\twhere\the\tfigured\tthe\tcouncil\tmembers\tsat\tfor\tmeetings.\tIt\tlooked\tlike\thuge judge\u2019s\t bench\t on\t steroids,\t with\t huge\t black\t leather\t chairs\t behind\t it\t for\t each council\tmember\tto\tsit. He\t had\t little\t time\t to\t gawk,\t however,\t because\t the\t paramedic\t was\t ushering them\tforward.\tHe\tindicated\tthat\tthey\tshould\tlay\tthe\tstretcher\tdown\ton\tthe\tfloor right\tin\tfront\tof\tthe\tseat\tof\tpower,\tas\tthough\toffering\tLance\tup\tto\tthese\tfeckless politicians\twho\thad\tfailed\tthis\tcity\tand\tits\tchildren. As\t Jack\t released\t his\t hold\t on\t the\t stretcher,\t he\t rose\t to\t his\t full\t six-feet\t and glared\t at\t the\t opulence\t around\t him.\t Lance\t was\t dead.\t Lance,\t the\t most\t amazing boy\tin\tthe\tworld,\twho\u2019d\tdone\tmore\tfor\tthis\tcity\tthan\tthese\tclowns\tever\thad.\tHis blood\tbegan\tto\tboil. \u201cSir.\u201d\t The\t feeble\t light\t from\t the\t night\t lamps\t caused\t the\t bloodstains\t on Arthur\u2019s\ttunic\tto\tlook\tdark\tand\tblotchy.\t\u201cI\tstill\tknow\tlittle\tof\tyour\tlegal\tsystem and\tprocedures,\tyet\tthis\taction\twe\thave\ttaken\tseems\thighly\tunusual.\u201d Now\tthat\tthey\twere\talone,\tthe\tmiddle-aged\tman\twith\tthe\tsalt\tand\tpepper\thair turned\ton\tArthur\tin\tanger.\t\u201cDammit,\tArthur,\tdo\tyou\tnot\trecognize\tme\tyet?\u201d Jack\twas\ttaken\taback\tby\tthe\tman\u2019s\ttone,\tand\tso,\tclearly,\twas\tArthur. But\t the\t king\t said\t nothing.\t He\t studied\t the\t shorter\t man,\t squinting\t in\t the dimness\t to\t see\t into\t the\t man\u2019s\t eyes.\t His\t eyes\t suddenly\t bulged\t with\t astonished recognition. \u201cMerlin!\u201d Jack\t gawked\t at\t the\t small,\t skinny\t man\t with\t the\t almost\t nondescript\t face,\t and frail\tphysique\tThis\twas\tMerlin?\tThe\tMerlin? The\tlittle\tman\tlooked\tblustered,\t\u201cOf\tcourse\tit\u2019s\tme,\tArthur!\u201d","Arthur\t stepped\t back\t in\t shock.\t He\t looked\t stunned,\t yet\t somehow\t not completely\tsurprised. Jack\twatched\tthe\treunion\twith\tdeep\tuncertainty. Arthur\tgazed\tlong\tand\thard\tat\tthe\tman,\this\tface\tfinally\tsoftening.\t\u201cYou\tlook\u2026 different.\tYounger\tthan\twhen\tlast\twe\twere\ttogether.\u201d \u201cAs\tdo\tyou.\tThe\tmysteries\tof\tAvalon\tare\tunknown,\teven\tto\tme.\u201d Arthur\tattempted\tto\tembrace\tthe\tsmaller\tman,\tbut\tMerlin\tbrushed\thim\toff. \u201cThere\u2019s\t no\t time\t for\t this,\t Arthur,\u201d\t the\t man\t snapped,\t his\t voice\t sharp\t and clipped,\t his\t accent\t similar\t to\t Arthur\u2019s\t own.\t But\t the\t tone\t of\t his\t voice\t was different,\t Jack\t noted.\t It\t was\t the\t tone\t of\t a\t man\t who\u2019d\t seen\t it\t all,\t and\t for\t whom nothing\tnew\tcould\tbe\ta\tsurprise. Except\the\tdid\tseem\tsurprised. \u201cHave\tyou\tbeen\twatching\tme\tthis\tentire\tcrusade,\tMerlin?\u201d\tArthur\tasked\tsadly. \u201cDid\tyou\tset\tit\tall\tinto\tmotion?\u201d The\t man\t looked\t about\t to\t bust\t the\t buttons\t on\t his\t white\t paramedic\t shirt.\t \u201cOf course\tI\tdid,\tArthur.\tAnd\tit\tall\tshould\thave\tgone\taccording\tto\tmy\tvision.\tBut\tno, you\thad\tto\trepeat\tthe\tsame\terrors\tof\tthe\tpast!\u201d Arthur\t bowed\t his\t head,\t like\t a\t scolded\t schoolboy\t might\t to\t his\t father\t after getting\t suspended.\t \u201cI\t know.\t I\t failed,\t Merlin.\t I\t have\t lost\t my\t First\t Knight,\t my son.\u201d Merlin\t gesticulated\t toward\t the\t ever-more\t nervous\t Jack.\t \u201cArthur,\t this\t boy discovered\t what\t you\t knew\t centuries\t ago,\t what\t you\t should\t have\t avoided\t at\t all costs.\tAnd\tyet\tyou\tdid\tnot\theed\tyour\town\tpast\texperience!\u201d Arthur\t glanced\t quizzically\t from\t Merlin\t to\t Jack,\t who\t just\t shrugged\t with confusion. Merlin\treleased\tan\texasperated\tsigh,\tlooking\tat\tJack\twith\tthose\tpiercing\tgray eyes\t and\t seeming\t to\t see\t right\t through\t him.\t \u201cTell\t Arthur\t what\t you\t realized, young\tsir,\twhat\tyou\tverbalized\tto\tLance\tin\tthat\trather\tappalling\talley\twhere\tSir Mark\twas\tfound.\u201d Jack\t pulled\t a\t startled\t face,\t recalling\t vividly\t the\t conversation\t he\u2019d\t had\t with Lance,\t right\t before\t they\t were\t kidnapped\t and\t everything\t went\t to\t hell.\t And\t then he\t remembered\t this\t guy\t \u2013\t he\t was\t the\t paramedic\t who\u2019d\t come\t to\t take\t Mark away! Jack\tcleared\this\tthroat.\t\u201cI,\tuh,\tI\ttold\tLance\tthat\tthe\tthings\twe\tdon\u2019t\tsay\tto\teach other\twere\tthe\tmost\timportant.\u201d \u201cExactly!\u201d\t Merlin\t exclaimed.\t \u201cAnd\t you\t knew\t this,\t Arthur.\t You\t knew.\t After all\t the\t words\t you\t left\t unspoken\t to\t Guinevere\t and\t Lancelot\t and\t Mordred,\t still you\tblew\tit!\u201d Arthur\tfrowned.\t\u201cBlew\tit?\u201d","\u201cModern\tstreet\tvernacular,\tArthur,\tfor\t\u2018you\tfailed\u2019.\u201d Jack\topened\this\tmouth\tto\tcome\tto\tArthur\u2019s\tdefense,\tbut\tthe\tolder\tman\tkept\ton with\this\tdiatribe.\t\u201cAll\tyou\tneeded\tto\ttell\tthe\tboy,\tArthur,\twas\tthat\tyou\tloved\thim, that\tyou\ttook\tgreat\tpride\tin\this\taccomplishments,\tand\tall\tof\tthis\twould\thave\tbeen avoided.\u201d He\tpointed\tat\tthe\tunmoving\tbody\ton\tthe\tstretcher\tbeside\tthem. Arthur\tbowed\this\thead\tin\tshame.\t\u201cYou\tare\tcorrect,\tMerlin. And\tit\thath\tcost\tme\teverything,\thas\tit\tnot?\tTell\tme\ttrue.\u201d The\tolder\tman\tshowed\tno\tsympathy\twhatsoever,\twhich\tsurprised\tJack.\t\u201cIf\tby that\tyou\tmean\twas\tLance\tthe\tonly\tone\tto\tcarry\tyour\tcrusade\tthrough\tto\tthe\tend, and\tsucceed\twhere\tno\tone\telse\tcould?\tYes,\tArthur,\tthat\tis\twhat\tI\tmean.\u201d Arthur\tbowed\this\thead\tagain\tand\tJack\treached\tup\tto\tplace\ta\tcomforting\thand on\tthe\tman\u2019s\tshoulder.\tArthur\tturned\tand\tcast\ta\tgrateful\tlook\this\tway. Jack\tturned\tto\tMerlin\tand\textended\ta\thand.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tSir\tJack.\u201d \u201cI\t know\t who\t you\t are,\u201d\t Merlin\t snapped.\t \u201cAnd\t no,\t it\t cannot\t be\t you\t to\t lead, either.\u201d\t He\t must\u2019ve\t seen\t Jack\u2019s\t hurt\t expression,\t because\t he\t softened\t a\t bit.\t \u201cIt was\tmy\tvision,\tSir\tJack,\twhich\tpropelled\tthis\tcrusade\tforward\tin\tthe\tbeginning. But\t in\t that\t vision,\t Lance\t grew\t to\t manhood\t and\t remained\t in\t command.\t Alas, even\tyou,\tas\tgood\ta\tman\tas\tyou\tare,\tdo\tnot\thave\tthe\trequisite\tqualities\tto\tsee\tthis crusade\t through\t to\t its\t finish.\t You\t know\t what\t I\u2019m\t saying\t about\t Lance,\t do\t you not,\tyoung\tJack?\u201d Jack\t nodded.\t He\t knew,\t indeed.\t \u201cLance\t was\t the\t only\t one\t who\t could\t talk\t to everyone,\t who\t could\t be\t a\t badass\t one\t minute\t and\t caring\t the\t next.\t He\t found something\tgood\tin\teverybody.\tThat\u2019s\twhy\tit\thad\tto\tbe\thim,\tright,\tMerlin?\u201d The\t middle-aged\t wizard\t nodded.\t \u201cThe\t boy\t possessed\t leadership\t abilities coupled\t with\t immense\t compassion\t and\t empathy.\t A\t once-in-a-generation individual.\tThat\u2019s\twhy\the\twas\tchosen.\tAnd\tthat\u2019s\twhy\the\twas\tnever\tslated\tto\tdie like\tthis,\tArthur.\u201d Arthur\traised\this\thead\tand\tmet\tthe\tolder\tman\u2019s\tgaze.\t\u201cThen\thow,\tMerlin?\u201d\tHe indicated\tthe\tbody\tat\this\tfeet.\t\u201cHow\tdid\tthis\thappen?\u201d Merlin\tblew\tout\ta\tbreath,\talmost\tlike\the\twas\tspitting.\t\u201cCall\tit\tFate,\tthe\tDevil, a\tcosmic\tmonkey\twrench.\tCall\tit\twhatever\tyou\tchoose,\tArthur,\tbut\tthe\tforces\tof chaos\t always\t seek\t to\t undo\t the\t forces\t of\t order\t and\t goodness.\t Had\t you\t simply told\tthe\tboy\twhat\the\tmeant\tto\tyou\u2013\u2013\u201d \u201cI\t know,\t Merlin!\u201d\t Arthur\t spat,\t his\t deep\t voice\t echoing\t off\t the\t cavernous ceiling.\t \u201cDo\t you\t not\t realize\t what\t I\t must\t live\t with,\t the\t mistakes\t I\t must\t now strive\t to\t undo?\t I\t loved\t that\t boy\t with\t all\t my\t heart.\t Torment\t me\t no\t further\t with my\tfailure!\u201d \u201cThe\tcrusade\tis\tdoomed,\tArthur,\tunless\tyou\tact\timmediately.\u201d","\u201cThere\t is\t for\t naught\t that\t I\t can\t do,\t Merlin!\t You\t said\t so\t yourself.\t Without Lance,\t the\t crusade\t is\t doomed.\t And\t he\t is\t dead.\u201d\t He\t paused,\t his\t tearful\t eyes lowering\tto\ttake\tin\tthe\tcovered\tboy\tat\this\tfeet.\t\u201cMy\tson\u2026is\tdead.\u201d \u201cNo,\tArthur.\tHe\tisn\u2019t.\u201d Arthur\u2019s\thead\twhipped\tup\tlike\ta\tgunshot,\tand\tJack\tgasped\tin\tastonishment. \u201cWhat?\u201d\t Arthur\t choked,\t his\t voice\t a\t stunned\t whisper,\t his\t face\t a\t mosaic\t of shock. Merlin\u2019s\t gaze\t passed\t over\t Jack\u2019s\t beseeching\t eyes,\t before\t diving\t straight\t into Arthur\u2019s.\t\u201cThe\tboy\tyet\tlives.\u201d","THE\tLANCE\tCHRONICLES Book\tI: CHILDREN\tOF\tTHE\tKNIGHT Book\tII: RUNNING\tTHROUGH\tA\tDARK\tPLACE Book\tIII: THERE\tIS\tNO\tFEAR Book\tIV: AND\tTHE\tCHILDREN\tSHALL\tLEAD Book\tV: ONCE\tUPON\tA\tTIME\tIN\tAMERICA","Michael\t J.\tBowler\tis\t an\taward-winning\tauthor\tof\tnine\tnovels\u2013\u2013A\tBoy\tand\t His Dragon,\t A\t Matter\t of\t Time,\t Children\t of\t the\t Knight,\t Running\t Through\t A\t Dark Place,\tThere\t Is\t No\t Fear,\tAnd\t The\t Children\t Shall\t Lead,\t Once\t Upon\t A\t Time\t In America,\tSpinner,\tand\tWarrior\tKids:\tA\tTale\tof\tNew\tCamelot. His\t screenplay,\t \u201cTHE\t GOD\t MACHINE,\u201d\t won\t First\t Place\t in\t the\t 2017 Scriptapalooza\tcompetition. He\tgrew\tup\tin\tSan\tRafael,\tCalifornia,\tand\tmajored\tin\tEnglish\tand\tTheatre\tat Santa\t Clara\t University.\t He\t went\t on\t to\t earn\t a\t master\u2019s\t in\t film\t production\t from Loyola\tMarymount\tUniversity,\ta\tteaching\tcredential\tin\tEnglish\tfrom\tLMU,\tand another\t master\u2019s\t in\t Special\t Education\t from\t Cal\t State\t University\t Dominguez Hills. He\tworked\tproducer,\twriter,\tand\/or\tdirector\ton\tseveral\tultra-low-budget\thorror films,\tincluding\t\u201cHell\tSpa,\u201d\t\u201cFatal\tImages,\u201d\t\u201cClub\tDead,\u201d\tand\t\u201cThings\tII.\u201d He\t taught\t high\t school\t in\t Hawthorne,\t California\u2014both\t in\t general\t education and\tto\tstudents\twith\tlearning\tdisabilities\u2014in\tsubjects\tranging\tfrom\tEnglish\tand Strength\tTraining\tto\tAlgebra,\tBiology,\tand\tYearbook. He\thas\tbeen\ta\tvolunteer\tBig\tBrother\tto\teight\tdifferent\tboys\twith\tthe\tCatholic Big\t Brothers\t Big\t Sisters\t program,\t and\t a\t decades-long\t volunteer\t within\t the juvenile\tjustice\tsystem\tin\tLos\tAngeles. He\thas\tbeen\thonored\tas\tProbation\tVolunteer\tof\tthe\tYear,\tYMCA\tVolunteer\tof the\t Year,\t California\t Big\t Brother\t of\t the\t Year,\t and\t 2000\t National\t Big\t Brother\t of the\t Year.\t The\t \u201cNational\u201d\t honor\t allowed\t him\t and\t three\t of\t his\t Little\t Brothers\t to visit\tthe\tWhite\tHouse\tand\tmeet\tthe\tpresident\tin\tthe\tOval\tOffice. He\t has\t completed\t three\t new\t novels\t aimed\t at\t the\t teen\t market,\t and\t one\t for middle\tgrade. His\t goal\t as\t an\t author\t is\t for\t teens\t and\t middle\t schoolers\t to\t experience empowerment\t and\t hope;\t to\t see\t themselves\t in\t his\t diverse\t characters;\t to\t read about\t kids\t who\t face\t real-life\t challenges;\t and\t to\t see\t how\t kids\t like\t them\t can remain\t decent\t people\t in\t an\t indecent\t world.\t The\t most\t prevalent\t theme\t in\t his writing\t is\t this:\t as\t a\t society,\t and\t as\t individuals,\t we\u2019re\t better\t off\t when\t we\t do what\u2019s\tright,\tnot\twhat\u2019s\teasy.","Website:\twww.michaeljbowler.com FB:\tmichaeljbowlerauthor Twitter:\thttps:\/\/twitter.com\/MichaelJBowler tumblr:\thttp:\/\/michaeljbowler.tumblr.com\/ Pinterest:\thttp:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/michaelbowler\/pins\/ Amazon:\thttp:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Michael-J.-Bowler\/e\/B0075ML4M4 YouTube: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC2NXCPry4DDgJZOVDUxVtMw Google+:\thttps:\/\/plus.google.com\/u\/0\/+MichaelJBowler Instagram:\tmichaeljbowler","Table\tof\tContents Chapter\t1:\tAll\tIs\tAs\tIt\tShould\tBe Chapter\t2:\tChildren\tOf\tGod Chapter\t3:\tThat\tIs\tWho\tYou\tAre Chapter\t4:\tMight\tFor\tRight Chapter\t5:\tWe\u2019re\tBrothers\tNow,\tAren\u2019t\tWe? Chapter\t6:\tHow\tElse\tCan\tThey\tLearn? Chapter\t7:\tSpeak\tThe\tOath\tSquire Chapter\t8:\tThe\tFruits\tOf\tThy\tHandiwork Chapter\t9:\tNow\tSuddenly\tI\tAm\tSomebody Chapter\t10:\tIs\tThat\tWhat\tWe\u2019ve\tBecome? Chapter\t11:\tHow\tCan\tI\tFace\tHim? Chapter\t12:\tThat\tBoy\tIs\tSpecial Chapter\t13:\tIt\tBe\tYour\tChoice Chapter\t14:\tBe\tIt\tOver? An\tExcerpt\tFrom\tRunning\tThrough\tA\tDark\tPlace The\tLance\tChronicles"]
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