The Letter for the King

Tiuri and four other squires spend their last night before knighthood in the chapel, keeping silent and still as part of the ritual. The atmosphere is tense, with the weight of the ceremony looming over them. The strict rules of the test demand quiet, food, and sleep avoidance.

A badly wounded knight named Edwinem knocks on the door, begging for help and breaking the chapel's silence. He entrusts Tiuri with an important mission to deliver a letter to the king of Unauwen. As proof, Edwinem gives Tiuri a special ring.

Tiuri agrees to undertake the dangerous delivery, aware of the stakes and risks. He accepts Edwinem's ring as proof of the knight's command and steels himself for the journey ahead. The decision marks a turning point in the night’s test.

Tiuri travels through the Grey Knights’ territory, a land where bandits roam. Bandits attack and steal his horse, forcing him to continue on foot. He clings to the ring as a reminder of his mission and Edwinem’s trust.

Tiuri is imprisoned at Mistrinaut Castle and is accused of Edwinem’s murder. The Grey Knights suspect him, while the real culprits are the Red Riders. The accusation raises the stakes of his mission and tests his resolve.

Lavinia, the castle head’s daughter, intervenes to prove Tiuri’s innocence. Her argument convinces her father to release him and to permit Grey Knights to accompany him. Tiuri gains a valuable ally in the hunt for the letter’s fulfillment.

With Lavinia’s help, Tiuri receives a small detachment of Grey Knights to accompany him on the rest of the voyage. The escort sharpens the mission’s chances and adds new guardians to his journey. The group continues toward Unauwen with renewed purpose.

On the road, Tiuri meets a pilgrim who is secretly a Red Rider spy. When the Red Rider’s life is threatened, Tiuri saves him, and the spy experiences a change of heart toward Tiuri’s side. The moment underscores the tension between duty and humanity.

Tiuri visits the hermit Menaures, who sends his boy Piak as Tiuri’s guide. Piak’s companionship becomes essential for navigating dangers and keeping the mission intact. The alliance strengthens Tiuri’s path forward.

As they travel, Tiuri fears enemies might read the letter, so he opens it and memorizes its contents. To prevent its exposure, he burns the actual text. Piak helps him remember by turning the content into a song, preserving the message’s meaning.

Tiuri and Piak reach the Rainbow River and face a toll for the bridge. Lacking coins, they seek an alternate route. Piak accidentally falls into the river, and Tiuri rescues him; guards catch them, but the ring helps explain their mission.

Tiuri finally delivers the letter to the king of Unauwen, revealing the danger posed by Eviellan’s plot. The king honors Tiuri for successfully completing the mission, and Tiuri’s resolve is recognized as a path to knighthood.