Meet the Knights of The Road!

A Children's Story book by Justin Gaskell

I like the road. Do you like the road? The Road can take you many nice places, or places you have to go. Where was the last place you traveled to? [A picture of a road winding off into the distance.]

The road can have many good things on it. But sometimes the road leads to dangerous places! Or has bad things on it! [Picture of a goblin, done in simple circles and shapes, standing on the road with a spear.]

That’s why the Knights of the Road are here! The Knights protect people who walk the road and see them safe to their goal. It doesn’t matter who, the Knights protect people of all races! Can you tell races are in this picture? [A picture of an elf, a dwarf, a human and a Halfling is shown striding down the road.]

The Knights also look after pretty shrines on the side of the road, to all the nice gods. What god do you worship? Do you say your prayers before going to bed at night? The Knights make sure there always pretty shrines for you to pray too, and they say their prayers too! [A picture of a shrine with a child kneeling down preying at it. The symbol on the shrine is hard to make out.]

The Knights also like to look after old history and books, just like the one you have now. They look after books so things don’t get forgotten. If things get forgotten, people don’t learn anything, and then they are sad. What’s your favorite book? Is it this one? [A picture of a man in a green cloak putting a book away in a bookshelf, smiling.]

Let’s meet the Knights! The first is Nelehien! He has a sword and a shield and he serves Torm. He is from Impiltur. Do you know where that is? Nelehien looks after all the other Knights and is the oldest. He likes to tell stories and sing. Say hello to Nelehien! [A picture of a rather crude figure, made mostly from shapes, with a green cloak and a sword and shield. He is smiling happily.]

The next is Lysander. Lysander is a half-elf and a ranger. That means he can walk in forests and no one sees him. He is very brave and from Cormanthor, where the elves live. He hates bad things and is very, very good with a bow! He likes Serephina lots. Say hello to Lysander! [Again a simple picture of Lysander, with messy blond hair. He has a bow and arrow and his ears are slightly pointed.]

Then there is Ubaldo. Ubaldo is very jolly and likes lots of books, especially this book! He likes drinking and sometimes gets a bit silly. Ubaldo fights with a staff and is from Zakhara where it is very sandy. Say hello to Ubaldo! [A picture of Ubaldo with bare arms, holding a staff. He has a big grin on his face.]

Then there is Serephina. Serephina is the only girl Knight, but all the other Knights love her very much. And even though she’s a girl, she is very good with her bow and arrow! She is best friends with Lysander and quite young. She likes to cause trouble! Say hello to Serephina! [A crude picture of Serephina, grinning, with one hand raised to wave at the reader.]

Last there is Verankht. His is a hard name to say, isn’t it? He is a wizard and does spells. He lives in a big Tower. He is sometimes grumpy but deep down everyone loves him! Perhaps if you’re lucky, you’ll see him smile! He likes apples. Say Hello to Verankht! [A picture of a mage, hooded, in dark robes, with a small sad face. He none he less has one arm raised in a waving posture.]

These are the Knights. Say hello to all the Knights! They’re here to help you! This is their stories which I will share with you, because history is important. Now it’s time for bed. All the Knights are sleepy. Say goodbye to the Knights and go to bed. Bye Bye! [A picture of all the knights, arms raised, waving to the reader on the final page.]