Monday, July 27, 2015

Top Ten Lists of Favorite Books (Besides the Bible)...

...With a Few Movies Too

 

Every writer must be a reader, a picky reader, only using up his precious time on the best of books. Of course, the very Best of Books is the Bible, wherein is given all we need for life and godliness. Yet we can also learn valuable truths from fellow men. None of these books are perfect and I always quibble with something in these writings. Yet since these lists are my favorite, they are also my top recommendations. Check out my Goodreads accounts for over 200 book ratings!


Top Ten Fiction Books:

1. The Men of Grit Series by John J. Horn* (Out of the three, Brothers at Arms is my favorite)
2. The Spanish Brothers by Deborah Alcock*
3. The Betrayal by Douglas Bond*
4. Prisoners of the Sea by Florence Kingsley*
5. From the Dark to the Dawn by Alicia A. Willis*
6. With Lee in Virginia by G. A. Henty*
7. The Brethren by H. Rider Haggard*
8. Courageous by Randy Alcorn
9. Stonewall by John J. Dwyer*
10. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes/The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Top Ten History Books:

1. Adam's Synchronological  Chart by Sebastian Adams*
2. The War Between the States by John J. Dwyer*
3. Khartoum by Michael Asher*
4. Thales to Dewey by Gordon H. Clark *
5. Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose*
6. The Bravest of the Brave by John Glansfield*
7. Meet the Puritans by Joel Beeke and Randall J. Pederson*
8. Endurance by Alfred Lansing
9. History of the English-Speaking Peoples by Sir Winston Churchill*
10. The Real Lincoln by Thomas DiLorenzo

Top Ten Biography Books:

1. Bonhoeffer by Eric Metexas*
2. Stonewall Jackson by James I. Robertson Jr.
3. God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew*
4. The Poetic Wonder of Isaac Watts by Douglas Bond*
5. Men of Destiny by Peter Masters*
6. Confessions by Augustine Aurelius
7. Book of Martyrs by John Foxe*
8. Men of Purpose by Peter Masters*
9. Boy of Grit by Arthur Wallace*
10. Sergeant York and the Great War by Alvin York and Richard Wheeler*

Top Ten Theology Books:

1. The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan*
2. A Puritan Theology by Joel R. Beeke and Mark Jones*
3. The Mortification of Sin by John Owen*
4.The Sovereignty of God by A. W. Pink*
5. The Holiness of God by R. C. Sproul*
6.  Commentary on the Whole Bible by Matthew Henry*
7. The Gospel's Power and Message by Paul Washer*
8. Joseph: The Gospel of Many Colors by Voddie Baucham*
9. Everyone's a Theologian by R. C. Sproul*
10. Chance and the Sovereignty of God by Vern Poytress

Top Ten Science Books:

1. The Elements by Theodore Gray*
2. Mad Science by Theodore Gray
3. The Puzzle of Ancient Man by Donald E. Chittick*
4. The Answers Book 1-4
5-10. Suggestions?

Top Ten Films:

1. Gods and Generals*
2. Courageous*
3. Why We Fight*
4. Fireproof*
5. God's Outlaw
6. Remember
7. Cromwell
8. Ace Wonder
9. A Night to Remember*
10. Martin Luther

*owned in my personal library

Soli Deo Gloria,

The Book Adventurer (or as he is nicknamed, Justus A. Platt)


Thursday, July 16, 2015

His Father's Command - Available for Purchase!

My novel is finally out! Purchase on Amazon or email me at hentyreader@gmail.com to buy a signed copy. If you have read the book, please leave a review on Amazon, GoodReads, or comment below!

                                                                                                

Sir Arthur Gifford wants nothing more than to honor his beloved father by serving him as his helper on his Middle Eastern lands. But, one unexpected day, he is awakened to witness his father’s tragic death. In a plunge of life-changes, he is coroneted over the small, much-threatened lands.

Meanwhile, Sir Arthur’s young squire Rufus struggles with his duties. He dreams of great knightly acts, but fears on the battlefield burden him with the dishonorable brand of a coward. His impetuous nature lands him into many grave troubles - some far beyond his strength to overcome.

In the midst of the unrest, a wanted Lollard priest takes shelter in Giffordshire. His message to Sir Arthur is shocking - he cannot honor his dead father without the help of God. Is it true? And will Sir Arthur turn him over to the torturers as a heretic?

Journey with Sir Arthur and Rufus on a quest of betrayal, assassins, Bedouin attacks, and the all-fierce Mongol leader - Timur the Lame. Will they be forced into the bloody Battle of Ankara? Will Sir Arthur recognize duty for what it truly is? Will Rufus overcome his fear? Find out in the debut historical-fiction novel of Justus A. Platt.

Thursday, June 4, 2015

The Holiness of God - Quotes

 

I'm currently rereading one of the best books I have studied in-depth. WOW! No wonder The Holiness of God by R. C. Sproul is considered a modern classic!

Read it! Buy it! Share it! You won't regret it!


Quotes:


“Sin is cosmic treason. Sin is treason against a perfectly pure Sovereign. It is an act of supreme ingratitude toward the One to whom we owe everything, to the One who has given us life itself. Have you ever considered the deeper implications of the slightest sin, of the most minute peccadillo? What are we saying to our Creator when we disobey Him at the slightest point? We are saying no to the righteousness of God. We are saying, “God, Your law is not good. My judgement is better than Yours. Your authority does not apply to me. I am above and beyond Your jurisdiction. I have the right to do what I want to do, not what You command me to do.”

“When we understand the character of God, when we grasp something of His holiness, then we begin to understand the radical character of our sin and hopelessness. Helpless sinners can survive only by grace. Our strength is futile in itself; we are spiritually impotent without the assistance of a merciful God. We may dislike giving our attention to God's wrath and justice, but until we incline ourselves to these aspects of God's nature, we will never appreciate what has been wrought for us by grace. Even Edwards's sermon on sinners in God's hands was not designed to stress the flames of hell. The resounding accent falls not on the fiery pit but on the hands of the God who holds us and rescues us from it. The hands of God are gracious hands. They alone have the power to rescue us from certain destruction.”

“It is one thing to fall victim to the flood or to fall prey to cancer; it is another thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

“If we are unconverted, one thing is absolutely certain: We hate God.”

“Don't ever ask God for justice-you might get it.”

“Do you not know that God dwells in light inaccessible? We weak and ignorant creatures want to probe and understand the incomprehensible majesty of the unfathomable light of the wonder of God. We approach; we prepare ourselves to approach. What wonder then that his majesty overpowers us and shatters!"'


Comment if you have read the book and profited from it!


Thursday, May 7, 2015

My Current Writing Projects and Ideas

Projects

  • Formatting and Publishing His Father's Command. Info here.
  • Writing prequel to His Father's Command ( yet unnamed). 
  • Plotting last novel in Quest of Faith trilogy.

Future Ideas (No particular order)

  • Trilogy on the Waldensians.
  • Trilogy on the Boer War.
  • WW1 novel.
  • Collection of short war-mysteries. (Set in Victorian Britain Army).
  • Novel on the Shackleton Expedition.
  • Modern warfare novel.
  • Non-fiction work on battles throughout history from a Christian perspective. (And perhaps in a somewhat humorous style.)
  • Biography on Alfred the Great.
 The one I'm most excited about is the Waldensian trilogy. Here's my plot for now: Two French brothers, the sons of the town executioner, struggle with relations to one another. One is the private clerk to the decrepit Bishop of Lyons, the other, a thief and murderer running from the law. Running, that is, until he meets an unusual merchant. The merchant's name: Peter Waldo.

What do you think? What are you most interested in?

 

Monday, April 27, 2015

Cover Reveal - Grace Triumphant by Alicia A. Willis

I'm honored to participate in the cover reveal of talented author Alicia Willis's new historical fiction novel, Grace Triumphant. I have read most of her previous works, and her novel, From the Dark to the Dawn, is the best fiction book I have read this year, and Grace Triumphant looks like it will be as powerful as From the Dark to the Dawn. Coming November 2015. I can't wait.

Synopsis 


Profligate London, 1788. Slave ships haunt the seas, bearing human cargos to further the wealth of the rich and destroy the souls of the slave traffickers.                                      

Russell Lawrence is an avid skeptic. Captain of the slave ship Barbados, wealthy, and a respected leader, he views religion as a crutch for the weak. But when the debauchery of the slave trade begins to destroy his good morals, his battle becomes more than fighting pirates and mutineers. What if there really is a God?

Impressed as a cabin boy, Jack Dunbar sees his forced service on the Barbados as a God-given opportunity to witness Christ to the crew. When his efforts to influence the hardened slavers seems to be doing little, running away seems his best option. But the punishment for desertion is harsh. And is returning to the life he once knew worth ruining the work he’s tried to do for the Lord?

Back in Grosvenor Square, Elizabeth Grey battles opposition from society and her self-seeking fiancée. Her work with John Newton to end the slave trade is being harshly attacked. She faces life branded as a jilter and radical if she stands up for what she believes in. Will she ever glean the strength to call sin by its rightful name?

A tale of adventure on the high seas, redemption, and faith. Sin abounds. Is grace enough to conquer doubt and triumph over evil?


 Join me in awaiting this awesome-sounding historical fiction novel by Alicia A. Willis. November is too far away to wait for!

Soli Deo Gloria,

The Book Adventurer

Check it out on GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25414534-grace-triumphant?ref=ru_lihp_up_rs_0_mclk-up2310209253

Sunday, April 26, 2015

The Men of Grit Series: The Boy Colonel, Brother at Arms, and Secret of the Lost Settlement


The Men of Grit Series are my all-time favorite fiction books. Period.

Battles, fist-fights, buried Inca treasure, secrets, lost settlements, Ancient Romans, Pacific islands, humor, wit, originality, solid Biblical teaching, and of course, the inescapable romance (Grrr), and more fill these books. What more do you ask for? (Except maybe a break from romance?)

The Boy Colonel


The first in the series, The Boy Colonel, is very special to me, as it was this book which inspired me to write my upcoming novel His Father's Command (info found here). The idea and plot of The Boy Colonel is like nothing I've ever read. Horn, with his very first novel, has managed to create an unrivaled adventure novel, aimed at teenage boys (yet so well-written I would recommend it to anyone!), and epic in it's message and medium.

A young 'boy' is colonel of a unusual regiment in the British Army fighting in the snowy wastelands of Siberia. Yet he goes by the mysterious name of Colonel Nobody. Life is hard commanding the 42nd regiment, yet that is not the least of his problems. An envious superior wants him dead, he is betrothed, despite his wishes, to the king's ward (Sigh. This is the romance. But it's at least tolerable), and a rich fop will stop at nothing to claim her.  Will he stand for what is just and noble, or will he take the coward's out?

This book is definitely beyond any other boy's book I have read, especially considering it's a debut novel. One aspect I really appreciated was the multitude of ethical and moral dilemmas Colonel Nobody and his comrades face, always making their decisions off the Bible. Drinking, dancing, assassinations, just wars and more, even if you don't agree with
Nobody's standards, you will have to admit, he strives to live by the Bible alone.

This book was gripping, slightly emotional (big emphasis on the slightly part), and inspiring. This is a book I'll recommend to all seeking a clean, Godly, and truly manly book.

Brothers at Arms 

 

The next in the series, Brothers at Arms, is not exactly a sequel. Mention is made to a few of the characters in The Boy Colonel so I recommend reading The Boy Colonel first, but the story is completely unconnected. Yet, I must admit, I do not know which Men of Grit book is better. While The Boy Colonel is set in snowy Siberia, (and balmy South Sea islands) and involves battles, escapades, epic sword-fights and it's message is reliance upon God and doing what is right, Brothers at Arms is a little different. The story hops from countryside England to wartime Spain to the jungles of Peru, and features hidden treasure, mysterious villains, love (Grrr again), headhunters, jungles and more.

Two identical twins, Chester and Lawrence, are the objects of an experiment maintained by their father.  One would be strictly trained as a philosopher, and the other let run wild. The result: Lawrence, the trained one, is expert in and lover of mathematics, science and theology, and Chester, is adventure-loving, sword-knife-pistol-and-fist-wielding, and expert in every outdoor recreation thinkable. Yet when Chester runs away to join the army in Spain, Lawrence follows his father's bidding to find and protect Chester. While they are there, they rescue a Spanish Don from near assassination. Then when they are hired on as bodyguards to the Don, the whole gaggle journey to Peru, fleeing from a mysterious, but dangerous and disappointed suitor of the Don's ward, Pacarina. They escape to the inland jungle, but then Pacarina reveals she holds a hundreds-year old secret, the location of the lost Inca's buried treasure.The adventure is on. (Oh, and not to forget the romance is very original and surprising, which makes it a little likeable. Just a little.)

There were many things I liked about Brothers at Arms; the crackling humor and wit, the originality of a scholar narrating an adventure story, the mystery, the suspense, and the inspiring message of the quest for a right relationship between two very different brothers. Once again, a manly tale I heartily recommend to anyone!

Secret of the Lost Settlement

 

Secret of the Lost Settlement is a very original (I know, your getting weary of that word, but it's the most fitting description for the whole series) sequel to the series, combining both previous books for another epic, inspiring, and memorable tale of men of grit.

Anyhow, I won't go into the synopsis, as it may spoil some of the plot for the first two books. However, if you don't think it matters, I suggest reading my previous review on the book here.

But I must warn you, this is my least favorite book in the series, and was somewhat disappointing. The revolution Colonel Nobody, Stoning brothers and co. start is Biblically questionable, at least in my perspective. I'm no pacifist, yet Romans 13:1 must not be ignored. There is no example in Scripture of a response to persecution being revolt. None.

Also, the tone of Secret Settlement is slightly different then the rest. Darker, more violent and gritty, less funny, and way more unrealistic (Victorian Brits fighting Ancient Romans in Greenland?), the book was sad and almost depressing. Very little of the troubles were resolved. And yes, I will admit (and this is a big pro for the book), this was one of only two books I cried during reading. And after surfacing from this book, you will be fine with men, manly men too, shedding a few tears. It's that awesome. And epic.

Soli Deo Gloria,

The Book Adventurer




Monday, April 13, 2015

His Father's Command - Sneak Peek!

Some of my readers have begged to get a taste of my up-coming historical fiction novel, His Father's Command: A Tale in the Times of Wycliffe and Tamerlane. In reward of your patience, here is the first chapter to the book! More chapters are coming soon! Enjoy!

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  
Chapter I

Crash!
Amid splintering timber, a heavily-clad knight was launched from his steed at the end of a wooden pole. He landed on the green turf with a thud!  He let out a groan. He felt like someone bent his shoulders a way they were not intended to move.
As he lay on the turf, his shoulder throbbing and several sharp rocks poking miserably into his side, the rumbling sounds of cheers and applause struck his ears.
He opened his eyelids, and beheld a young man dressed in a green tunic atop gray chain-mail armor. He was tall and broad-shouldered.  His clear Eastern and European expressions were firm and resolute yet somewhat handsome. Immense muscles stood out beneath his mail.
“Art thou seriously injured, uncle?” he asked.
“Nay, Sir Arthur, except for a few bruises on my back. My shoulders feel as if I fell off a horse and landed on the ground.  Tarry a moment, I suppose I did,” the knight joked as he dusted off his red cloak and was helped to his feet.  “Anyhow, it was admirably done, young sir. Thou art very promising.”
“I agree with thy statement there, Sir Giles,” said a gray-bearded nobleman with a kind face, walking toward them.
“Well, my good brother, I trust thou thinkest that the outcome was in favor of thy son?”
“Why thinkest thou thus?” angrily questioned the young man.
“Ha! Ha! Ha! I suffered thee to win the joust,” Sir Giles answered. He jutted his chin, defying the proud youth.
“Did what?” asked Sir Arthur, his voice incredulous.
Sir Giles crossed his arms, but instantly uncrossed them, for the pain shooting up the biceps. I hate jousts, he thought. But if I must, I must.
“I knew, nephew, that if I won, everyone would hate me. But, methought, if I let Sir Arthur Gifford here win, everyone might not love me, but at least they wouldn’t despise me.  And that is what I did.” The words were barely out of his mouth when the young knight's fist struck his own thigh.
“I know the laws of chivalry,” he cried, “and by suffering me to win the joust, thou hast broken all of them!”
Sir Giles glared back.
“Hold!” cried Sir Arthur's father. “My son and dear uncle, let not this combat of lances break our friendship one with another.”  He lowered his eyebrows, and Sir Giles saw Sir Arthur lower his head.
The gray-bearded lord spoke quietly to his son.  “Methought I had trained thee better, Art.”
Sir Arthur did not speak.
“Be each man swift to hear, but slow to speak, and slow to wrath.”  To Sir Giles it sounded as if his brother Sir Lionel was quoting some sort of wise poet, one which Sir Giles in all his learning had never read.
“I declare,” continued Sir Lionel, speaking again in his usual tone.  “In a month’s time, ye twain shall both meet in a combat of swords. Art has beaten me several times, which, I declare in all humility, a feat accomplished but by few.  Sir Giles, I hear that thou art one of the best swordsmen in Europe.  I have spoken. I anticipate this duel.”
At his words, the two antagonists stared at each other.  To the surprise of Sir Giles, his nephew grasped his hand and, with a broad smile, shook it vigorously.
Sir Arthur placed his arm around Sir Giles’ shoulder, and left Sir Lionel. The knight was carried by his nephew over a wooden bridge, and across a gray moat, toward an impressive iron gate. The sides of it surrounded the interior in a great circle and extended in tall stone walls.
They halted a few paces away from the gate, for they beheld a tall, slim girl, richly dressed and accompanied by her maids.
The girl clearly looked the sister to the man in green, yet was much younger. Perhaps seventeen. I keep forgetting to ask, Sir Giles thought. She was fair, yet modest in her looks and apparel.  
She approached the three warriors cheerfully.
“Arty,” she exclaimed, using her moniker for her brother, “what is the outcome? I was restless and regretful while I tended mother.  Who is the victor?”
“I would be, my dear Esther, except your father's brother had no desire to win, so he let me.”  He glanced at Sir Giles.
“Well,” said Sir Giles. “If I would have persisted, I would have beaten thine brother, which would have caused thee to detest me.”
Sir Arthur grunted softly.  Esther laughed.  She saved Sir Giles further trouble by asking if the defeated was badly injured.
“Nay, not much.” Sir Giles answered.
Sir Lionel led them through the gate, across a green lush courtyard. The large multitude of spectators behind followed them.  The Duke stepped up and opened a door.  They passed and entered a hall of considerable length, leaving the mass outside.  Esther led the way to a small yet tidy sleeping-chamber.  Sir Giles was laid on his bed of rushes by Sir Arthur and he, with his sister and her attendants, departed, leaving Sir Giles to his dreams
An hour later, Sir Giles was awaken, despite his aches, and seated at a long table in the hall.  At the head of the table sat the lord of the castle, Sir Lionel Gifford, Duke of Giffordshire.   He was dressed in his finest, his short gray hair topped by a small golden crown.
Seated to his right was his eldest son and heir, Sir Arthur Gifford, a knight of twenty-five summers, his straggling raven black hair growing in all directions.   
At Sir Arthur's right was his brother and squire, Rufus, a lad of fourteen.  Next to him sat another of Sir Arthur's brothers, twenty-year-old scholarly Jerome.  The rest of that side of the table was filled with a few of Sir Lionel's knights.
On Sir Lionel's left sat his wife's brother, Prince Bayezid, an esteemed visitor from Turkey. He was, in fact, the Sultan of Turkey himself.  Beside him, several emirs, or princes, ate and talked.  On the end Esther sat, also dressed in her finest and lightly veiled.
The table was suited on a dais, or raised platform.  Below it and behind the veiled girl was placed a larger table filled with retainers, servants, Bayezid's slaves, and such like.
At the hour set, a waiter came forth bearing an enormous fish.  After they had finished that, the servants came with an assortment of meats, such as lamb, gazelle, many specimens of birds, and most of all, a great roast camel.  
There was scarce any conversation, expect when Sir Giles commented about how savory the food tasted every time he tried a new dish. 
After the flesh was eaten, drinks were served all around, a rich red wine for the inhabitants of the dais, and brown ale for those below it.  Esther and her father, who both hated intoxicating liquids, partook of fresh clear water cooled with snow, a rare treat. With the beverages came talk, beginning with Bayezid asking Esther in the Arabic tongue, “Where is the princess my sister and your mother? Surely she is not ill?”
“Yea,” replied the maiden. “She is always sick.  What!  You did not hear!  Well after the trip to England several months ago, the climate there affected her, and she has never recovered. So now she is confined to her bed and I am the woman of the castle, as well as head-nurse.”   She sounded tired.
“My utmost sympathies,” the sultan said pitifully, “for both you and my good brother Prince Great Lion here.”  He laid his hand on Sir Lionel's shoulder.  “I do hope she recovers.  I must see her soon.   But,” turning to Sir Giles, “putting that aside, has your visit from the land of the Christians, dear Frank, to your brother's lands been satisfying?”
After Bayezid's question had been translated by his brother, Sir Giles answered, “Admirable, except for the joust this day.  However, I intend to leave after the sword-duel in a month’s time.”
“To whence?” asked Rufus.
“I am thinking of journeying eastward and touring the great lord Timur's lands.”
“Timur!” shouted Rufus. “If that fiend finds that thou, a Gifford, hast put thy foot in his lands, he will skin thee alive!”
“Why?” Sir Giles demanded of his brother.  “What hast thou done to shame the name of thy fathers?”
Before the Duke could answer, a servant approached the table and informed his lord that two Persians wished to see him.
“Send them away,” Sir Lionel told the servant.
“But they say it’s important.”  The porter leaned closer and whispered something which Sir Giles could not hear.
Sir Lionel glanced at the servant. “Well, hurry! Send them in,” he commanded.
The door-keeper left the hall, and returned with two turbaned, fierce looking warriors, armed with huge talwars hangings on sashes across their waists.  These were unmistakably the messengers of Timur.
They strode up to Sir Lionel.  One of the two, a man quite tall and with a gruff voice, spoke.
“Greetings from the great and terrible khan Timur Ling, Commander of the Faithful, Prince of the Blood, and Chief of Khans, sends tidings to the noble and brave Prince Great Lion, Lord of El-Hajjam.”
“Say on.” Sir Lionel gestured with his hand, but continued finishing his trencher.
“Timur Beg speaks and informs Prince Great Lion through his servants Akbar and Farhad.  Timur Beg is great and has conquered much land and has gained much gold.  However, for all his land, he could not for many months find proper soil to build his palace for his new queen. But he has been informed that my Beg's servant has lands which interest my Beg.  A beautiful palace already constructed, surrounded by an expansive desert and sparkling sea.”   Akbar paused.  Sir Lionel looked up.
The messenger continued. “Therefore he most solemnly beseeches the noble Prince Great Lion to sell his land to the dread lord Timur for one million golden shahis.”
“One million shahis!” shouted Rufus, as he leaped to his feet.
  “Sit down, Rufus,” Sir Giles whispered.  Rufus sat down immediately and mumbled apologies.  Sir Lionel was about to speak, but Sultan Bayezid held up his hand and spoke to the messenger Akbar.
“Tell Timur that since Prince Great Lion is under protection of myself, he will have to request my permission. Let me tell you his story.”
Sir Giles sat back in his straight-backed bench.
“This great Frank called Great Lion in his own country came to me many years ago,” Bayezid continued, “and by his brilliance and bravery, rescued my country from defeat.  I rewarded him the greatest I could by bestowing on him this land and my sister, the princess Fatima, in marriage.  At first he refused the princess because of her religion, but after many private talks with her, soon converted her to Christianity and married her.”
“As lord and prince of El-Hajjam, he made many changes.  He made many things Western. His palace, the garrison and army, and the religion of the people were the most notable.   He won the admiration and love of his people, who willingly made the changes he requested.
“He has ever since been an extraordinary and beneficial servant of mine.  Tell your master that instead of giving up his land for such a puny price, I will reinforce his garrison with my own men.”
“Oh, my dear cousin and lord, you do not need to do this, I have enough men to protect myself,” Sir Lionel said.
“Yea, I know, but I still wish it.  Therefore, I will leave Emir Ozturk here with you.” He pointed to a turbaned man with piercing eyes, bushy eyebrows, and a truncated brow, which to Sir Giles gave a sort of suspicious look.  
The man stood up, bowed, sat back down, and continued eating and drinking.
“I will leave this man, who despite his grim looks, is very faithful and an excellent battle commander.  I will also send five thousand of my best handpicked troops to assist in defense against Timur, should he ever try to attack thee, which I pray Allah would never happen.”
“Praise Christ, not Allah,” said Sir Lionel, “However, I thank you.”
Akbar the messenger spoke up. “Am I to understand that you refuse the great and terrible Timur's wish?”
“Yea,” replied Sir Lionel.   “I believe you heard correctly.”
Straightening to his full height, Akbar boomed, “Then disobedient rebel, I warn you that Timur, the swift and terrible, will cause––”
Sir Lionel interrupted him and pointed at the door.   “My pardon, but I'm afraid that this is where you must leave. Porter, do show these brave men the door.”
Sir Giles laughed. The messengers scowled at the Duke and the Sultan. The Tatars turned about, and the addressed servant led them to the door, stepped through, and shut it.
Not a word sounded throughout the hall. Discomfort ran like a chill wind through every heart, plunging the room into awkwardness. At last, Sir Giles broke the silence.
“Brother Lionel, excuse me for my impertinence, but may I have a private talk with you outside after the feast?”
“Why, of course.  Anytime.  Now said, speaking up.  “The feast ladies and lords,” the Duke has ended and let us retire to our chambers.”
So after seeing Sir Lionel dismiss the low-born, along with his family, Sir Giles strode outdoors with his brother.
A few hourglass turns later, he ran up the stairs in the castle and rushed into Sir Arthur's room.  He shook Sir Arthur's shoulder.  Sir Arthur turned and looked at him.
“Hurry!”  Sir Giles found his voice agitated.  “I think your father has been murdered!”