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25 gold pieces
That’s a lot of money.
Equivalent in the Canadian dollar please.
Julian should be happy since he was complaining that he wasn’t worth more earlier.
That’s enough to buy a pair of fine horses of a good piece of land.
Okay. That helps.
“The Empire killed my brother, that is why we ran,” Julian added.
I would expect Julian to give Leon a look or say something like ‘you know this guy’ before saying something like this.
Ah. It was Rowan. Interesting that the reason they were found out was all an accident.
I have a feeling it is not too long until the end of the book now.
Sometimes it is necessary to paint the sky black in order to see the stars.
Equivalent in the Canadian dollar please.
Dude. Seriously?
I have to to the American dollar, but now I need to do more math. 😭
Just a minute.
Okay, about $689.23 in Canadian dollars…. if I did that right.
I would expect Julian to give Leon a look or say something like ‘you know this guy’ before saying something like this
Oh right. Julian and Leon do just about everything together, so sometimes I forget that they aren’t always meeting the same people. 😂
Ah. It was Rowan. Interesting that the reason they were found out was all an accident.
ikr. Nothing big and huge and dramatic. Just a friendly conversation and some guys showing off after a long day of work.
I have a feeling it is not too long until the end of the book now.
That’s morbid.
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
I have to to the American dollar, but now I need to do more math.
Can’t you just use an online USD to CAD converter?
Okay, about $689.23 in Canadian dollars…. if I did that right.
Ah. Thank you.
Oh right. Julian and Leon do just about everything together, so sometimes I forget that they aren’t always meeting the same people. 😂
Ah yes.
You know what would be funny? If you had Leon make the same mistake, forgetting that Julian wasn’t with him when he met Rowan and then being confused as to why Julian doesn’t recognize him.
Sometimes it is necessary to paint the sky black in order to see the stars.
*blink* they have those?
BUT WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME BEFORE!!!!! *SOBS*
I guess I never stopped to think there might be such simple things on line. I mostly just use it when I have something super crazy complicated.
You know what would be funny? If you had Leon make the same mistake, forgetting that Julian wasn’t with him when he met Rowan and then being confused as to why Julian doesn’t recognize him.
🤣
That actually would be funny. I should do that.
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
For sheltering and fraternizing with these men, the punishment is fines and public retribution.
Seems a little….light of a punishment for dealing with what they believe are religious heretics.
But who am I to know that, you’ve probably done a ton more research.
"When in doubt, eat cheese crackers."-me to my charries who don't even know about cheese crackers
large fines could leave a family destitute and starving. Public retribution could be anything, including baring them from work or places of business or physical punishment.
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
@ellette-giselle ohh okay.
Maybe change it to say “heavy fines” so that it’s clear this is a weighty sentence.
"When in doubt, eat cheese crackers."-me to my charries who don't even know about cheese crackers
It was a good section, but I don’t have much to add, sorry. 🙃
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.
@freed_and_redeemed @hybridlore @koshka @keilah-h @elishavet-pidyon @linus-smallprint
NEXT SECTION!!!
Leon blew on his hands and rubbed them together. He stood up and went to his pack. Digging through it, he found his scarf. It was worn, and there were a few tears along the edge. He held it in both hands and thought again of Amelia, Joseph, Beric, and Mercy. “Sweet Amelia, you never could have known how many times I would need these warm winter wraps.” He smiled and pulled the scarf around his head, neck, and face.
“Leon, you ready?” Fox asked, from the other room.
“Coming,” Leon replied.
He came out and joined Julian and Fox. The three stepped into the cold and walked down the street for the marketplace. They met Zoltan, Paul, Konner, and Reinhold in an alley.
“Well, are you ready?” Konner asked Julian.
“Yeah, just don’t let me remember what a perfect crossbow target I make up there,” Julian replied with a wry grin.
“Do you want me to do it?” Leon asked anxiously.
“No, I’m alright as long as you watch my back,” Julian said.
Konner looked out at the square. “Who’s got the roof?”
“It’s cold up there,” Reinhold complained.
“I’ll take it,” Fox said. “It can’t be much colder than my house.”
The rest of the positions we divided up between the remaining young men.
Julian turned to them. “Listen, if I get caught, don’t try to help me. It will only get us all killed.”
“He’s right. If either he or I are attacked, then the rest of you need to act like you don’t know us,” Leon said.
The rest reluctantly agreed. Julian glanced at Leon. He knew his friend wouldn’t stand by and let him get captured. But then again, he wouldn’t either if it was Leon who was being attacked.
“Let’s pray before we go out there,” Paul said.
They did, and then they broke up, clapping one another on the back and talking about hot drinks at Konner’s home when they were finished. Leon and Julian were soon alone as the rest went out to take up positions. “When I said that, I meant you too. If I’m caught, you have to run,” Julian said.
“We’ve stayed together through everything. It’s too much of a habit to start braking now,” Leon replied.
Julian smiled. He had tried.
“You ready?” Leon asked.
Julian nodded, and the two stepped out into the marketplace. They wove through the crowd and made their way toward the fountain. For a moment, Julian hesitated. He turned to look at Leon, who nodded. “Lord, speak through me,” Julian whispered. He walked firmly to the fountain and climbed up onto it’s tall, wide rim. A few children called out in excitement, and soon several people had gathered.
Julian opened his mouth to speak and then stopped. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes. “Lord, You know each man, woman, and child here. You know everything about them, You know their past, and their future. You have a plan for each one of their lives. Oh Lord, I know You will never leave nor forsake those who call upon Your name. You are faithful and true. You love each one of us, and you are faithful to save those who confess their sins and follow You, believing You are the Son of the One True God. Lord, speak through me today. Open the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf.”
When Julian had finished praying, the entire market was silent, and every eye had turned on him. Even the animals were still.
Julian looked at the people, and his heart went out to them. “Have any of you ever felt lost, frightened, or alone?”
There was no answer. A few people shifted, and then the crowd was still again.
“You don’t have to feel that anymore,” Julian said. “There is a loving Father waiting for You with open arms. He is the One True God, the King of kings and Lord of lords. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and all sin is deserving of death. Yet, God sent His only beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to die in our stead and take the punishment for us. He died so that we might live, and by His death, we are set free. All we must do is turn from our sinful ways, believe in the Lord Jesus, worship Him alone, and we will be saved.”
Julian continued, and the people moved closer to listen, seeming almost spellbound.
Leon watched his friend every spare moment. He had heard Julian speak often and heard him lay out the message of salvation more times than he could count, but then there were special moments, like this, when he could practically feel the Holy Spirit speaking through Julian.
For over an hour the people listened, and Leon alternated from looking to Fox up on the roof and watching Julian.
After a time, Leon sensed something was wrong. He slowly scanned the crowd and saw nothing. Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling. Then, he felt someone watching him. Looking again, Leon found a young man staring straight at him. He seemed familiar. Leon looked away, but stole a glance a second later, trying to decide who he was. Then, he knew. It was the young innkeeper who had taken ownership of the inn they had been staying in.
Leon realized with a jolt of fear that he had given his name when he paid for the room, and he and Julian had often talked to each other in the main room of the inn. He prayed the young man didn’t remember these details. After all, hundreds of people would have passed through the inn, and many more with the games so close.
Leon pushed his hair back from his forehead, using his arm to shield himself so that he could look at the innkeeper again. Sure enough, he was still watching, and his eyes had narrowed into an expression of calculated triumph. Leon didn’t move from where he was. He didn’t dare draw attention with the innkeeper staring straight at him. He was about to look to Fox but realized it would draw too much attention. Instead, he fixed his eyes on Julian and pretended to be listening.
For a while, nothing happened. Then, Leon saw the innkeeper move in his peripheral vision. He turned his head to follow the movement. The innkeeper came to a stop next to another man, and the two began to talk. The second man was cloaked, and his back was turned. Leon wished he could see who it was, but he didn’t dare move.
The innkeeper looked straight at him and pointed. The man turned, and Leon saw he wore the uniform of the temple troops. The innkeeper turned to point to Julian, and Leon bolted. “Run!” he shouted, racing toward his friend.
There was shouting all around, and Leon heard his and Julian’s names being yelled. He was almost to Julian when someone tackled him from behind, throwing him hard to the ground.
***
Julian looked up when he heard Leon’s shout. He saw several men running his direction, and Leon sprinting toward him. Julian turned to run, but there was a soldier coming straight at him. He spun and leapt off the fountain on the other side and dove into the crowd.
Someone shoved Julian, and he stumbled. Hands grabbed his arm, but he twisted, yanking away from them. He jerked back and someone slammed into him, throwing him onto the ground. Julian gasped for breath and tried to roll away, but his enemies were everywhere. Someone kicked him and Julian fell hard on his back. The next moment, two men were on him. One of them grabbed Julian’s shoulders and yanked him forward before slamming him down again. Julian couldn’t regain his breath before his attacker had him by the throat.
Julian fought to get out of the chokehold, but everything hurt, and his head was spinning. His body desperately fought to suck in air, and his throat burned like fire. Julian kicked and twisted, grabbing onto the man’s arms and trying to wrench free. His movements became more difficult, and everything was going blurry. He knew he would pass out any moment, and most likely he would die. He could hear people’s voices raised in hatred, and his and Leon’s names were yelled over and over. The people who had a few minutes before hung on his every word, now screamed for his death.
Julian made one last effort to break free, but he hadn’t the strength. Something struck him in the side and pain tore through him. The sounds dimmed, and his vision blackened. Oh Lord, does it end like this?
Just before he passed out, Julian found that he was no longer being pinned to the ground. He tried to breathe, and a violent shudder shook him. Julian choked and gasped for breath. His head hurt horribly, and his throat burned like fire. He tried to push himself up but had no strength to do so. Julian slowly rolled over, coughing and shaking. He felt like throwing up, but didn’t even have the strength for that.
Sound and sight slowly came back. He could see the base of the fountain, and the boots of many men standing around him. There was one voice sounding out above the others. “The order was to take them alive. There is no reward if they are dead.”
Rough hands dragged Julian to his feet, and the world spun while light and blackness flashed over his vision. A wave of nausea hit Julian, and he fell to his hands and knees, dry-heaving.
The men dragged him back up again, and Julian struggled to support himself. He slowly looked up to see Leon a short distance away. They were tying his arms behind his back, and his face was smeared with blood from his nose and mouth. He was pale and struggling for breath. Julian darted a look around but saw no one else in the grip of these men.
The crowd had quieted again, waiting to see what would happen. Julian’s arms were yanked behind his back and bound tightly at the wrists. He was shoved forward, but his legs buckled, and he fell to his knees. The pain in his side was growing more intense, and Julian knew at least one of his ribs must be cracked.
There was a sound of hoofbeats, and several soldiers arrived. Julian was jerked back up and shoved to Leon’s side.
The military officers demanded custody of Leon and Julian, but the temple troops replied that they were there first. One soldier said he had been the one to knock Julian down, to which one of the temple troops argued that he had helped to trap Leon. A heated argument began, over which the innkeeper yelled that he had found them and deserved his reward.
Julian drooped in the grip of his captors. He was in pain all over and was still struggling to breathe. Leon caught his eye and gave him a slight nod. Julian drew strength from the gesture. Oh Lord, help us. May Your will be done, just please help us. Help the others to get safely away. Oh Lord, help us.
The soldiers finally won the argument, and their commander made a motion to Leon and Julian. Several of the soldiers grabbed them, and the next moment Julian found himself being forced to walk. He was never sure how much of the time the soldiers dragged him, for his legs refused to work and the pain in his side was almost unbearable. The people jeered the whole way until they reached the fort. Julian couldn’t remember much besides endless halls and stairs, and then he and Leon were alone in the darkness, and the steps of the soldiers retreated from the other side of a bared door.
Julian discovered that his hands had been cut free, and he used them to slowly push himself up from the ground. Leon was sitting up, wiping blood off his face. He looked at Julian. “Are you alright?”
Julian nodded.
“I saw the innkeeper knew who I was. I should have warned you sooner, I just was afraid to draw attention to you. I’m sorry,” Leon said.
What innkeeper? Julian wondered in confusion. It didn’t really matter though. “It wasn’t your fault.” He carefully pushed himself into a sitting position, wincing at the pain that flashed through his side. “Well, it looks like they finally caught us.”
Leon nodded, glancing toward the door. “I wonder what happens now,” he murmured.
Julian followed his gaze and clenched his teeth. “God, give us strength,” he whispered.
***
Julian woke. He lay for a long time, wondering where he was and what had happened. He pushed himself int a sitting position and sucked in a sharp breath at the pain in his side. Leon opened his eyes and rolled over. When he saw Julian’s clenched teeth he sat up quickly. “Are you alright?”
“It’s just my ribs,” Julian gasped. “I think several must be broken.”
“Here, let me see,” Leon said, pulling off his gloves. He pushed Julian’s cloak off his shoulder and lifted his vest and shirt away from the injury. Julian braced on his arms, trying to breathe slowly so as not to trigger the pain.
“It’s bruising badly,” Leon said. He touched the place, and Julian winced. “It doesn’t look right. I wouldn’t be surprised if you cracked a few and maybe completely broke one.”
“That’s no good,” Julian muttered.
“Would it help if I wrapped them?” Leon asked.
Julian shrugged and then winced. “I think I’m alright for now.”
Leon nodded and tugged his gloves back on.
Julian carefully leaned against the wall, letting out a slow breath. He looked up at Leon and grinned. Leon smiled back.
Steps sounded, and the two looked up toward the door. The light of the torches outside the door was the only thing that brightened their cell, and neither knew what time of day or night it was. They saw someone through the window, and the key grated in the lock. The door opened, and several soldiers stepped into the room.
Leon stood up and gave Julian a hand. The soldiers grabbed the two roughly and took them out into the hall. They ascended a flight of steps and walked through a hall before coming to another set of stairs. These they went up and came to a long corridor. They walked along it and stopped at a door. One of the soldiers knocked, and a sharp command ordered them in.
The room was lit by candles and a wide window at the far end. An officer sat at a long desk, and the two young men were brought to stand before him. For a long time, there was silence broken only by Julian’s labored breathing. At last, the officer looked up. “Are you Leon Fischer and Julian Damoss?”
“Yes,” both replied.
“You are charged with defection from the army, raising up traitors in Ardenta, spreading lies and sedition, and trying to raise up Rebellion here in the Empire itself,” the officer said.
“That’s not true,” Julian replied.
The officer arched an eyebrow. “Let me take this piece by piece. Did you defect while in Ardenta.”
“Yes sir, we did, but we had no choice,” Leon said.
“No choice?” the officer asked.
Julian spoke up. “Sir, we no longer believe in the false gods of the Empire. My brother was killed for his new faith, and we would have been too had we not run.”
“So, not only did you turn deserter, but you betrayed your country,” the officer said.
“Sir, we did not betray our country,” Leon replied.
The officer shrugged and looked down at the papers on his desk. “For the duration of our hold over Ardenta, you went from place to place raising up rebellion.”
“We didn’t,” Julian said. “We shared the truth of the One True God, but we never told them to rebel against the Empire’s rulership.”
The officer pursed his lips and then continued. “You have spread lies and sedition the length of the Empire and incited her people to rise up against the rulers.”
Leon let out a deep breath. “As in Ardenta, we have done nothing but proclaim the One True God and called the people to turn from false gods and sin.”
The officer lazily thumbed through the papers. Suddenly he rose, slamming his palms on the table. “Are you Leon Fischer and Julian Damoss?” he demanded.
“Yes,” Leon replied, a little taken aback by this new mannerism.
“Then that is enough. Your names alone are condemned, I don’t care what else you are guilty of, you defected from the army, and that does not stand.”
There was a sharp rap on the door, and it opened before the officer could give a command. A man came in and walked swiftly to the desk. He handed over a wax-sealed letter. The officer tore it open and read through it swiftly. He looked up, crumpling the paper slowly in a fist. “Very well. Hold them until then.”
Leon and Julian were taken back downstairs and left in their cell. Julian slowly sat down while Leon paced.
“What’s wrong?” Julian asked.
“I don’t know. I guess I’m a little nervous,” Leon replied. “I don’t know what they’re going to decide, and everything seems so confusing. I was ready to give my life for Christ, yet now it seems that has been thrown aside, and we are only to be punished for military offenses in Ardenta. I don’t know what that will result in.”
“I don’t know either, Leon. But God does,” Julian replied.
Leon sighed and sat down beside him. “Your right.”
“Let’s pray,” Julian suggested.
The two bowed their heads, and Julian began. “Father God, You know what has happened, and what will happen. You know what that message said and what the result of it will be. Please give us the courage and strength to face whatever comes and to glorify Your name in all outcomes.”
“Lord, help us top trust you,” Leon prayed. “Give us peace and help us to lean on You. Guide us and guard us through whatever may come. Help Fox, Paul, Konner, and all the others to trust You and press on in the work we have begun.”
Julian let out a long breath, wincing slightly. Leon took off his hat and scarf, and Julian started. “Leon! Your face!”
“Is it bad?” Leon asked.
“There’s pretty awful bruising along your cheekbone, and there’s blood in your hair above your ear,” Julian said.
“I’ll be fine,” Leon replied.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were hurt?” Julian scolded.
“Because you were hurt worse.”
Julian smirked and shoved him.
“I would hit you back, but I might traumatize your ribs,” Leon teased.
“Yeah, well I would put you in a headlock if it wouldn’t hurt your poor face,” Julian rejoined.
After a few more minutes of playful banter, the two fell silent. Leon sighed and looked toward the barred door. “I wonder how long they’ll hold us, and what they’re holding us for.”
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
So they are captured now. Well, it was only a matter of time…
“Lord, help us top trust you,”
To trust.
“I don’t know. I guess I’m a little nervous,” Leon replied. “I don’t know what they’re going to decide, and everything seems so confusing. I was ready to give my life for Christ, yet now it seems that has been thrown aside, and we are only to be punished for military offenses in Ardenta. I don’t know what that will result in.”
My guess is that either the officer feels that his other accusations aren’t working, or that he wants to kill them in a way that doesn’t draw attention to their faith.
Sometimes it is necessary to paint the sky black in order to see the stars.
Yeah…..
Ah thanks.
Hmm, interesting. I guess we’ll have to see.
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
Ellette!!!!
I feel like you’re going to kill at least one of them off. 🤨😣 Do I need to call out the Character Witness Protection??
You did another viewpoint shift without telling us. It probably needs a *** or something in there every time you switch from Leon to Julian.
The rest of the positions we divided up between the remaining young men.
*they
You did the viewpoint shift great after that.
I like how the soldier tries to get Julian and Leon to admit they’re traitors, and finally he’s just like, well, you’re the guys who defected, so there.
Julian slowly sat down while Leon paced.
“What’s wrong?” Julian asked.
“I don’t know. I guess I’m a little nervous,” Leon replied. “I don’t know what they’re going to decide, and everything seems so confusing. I was ready to give my life for Christ, yet now it seems that has been thrown aside, and we are only to be punished for military offenses in Ardenta. I don’t know what that will result in.”
This seems a little forced. I’d think they’d have enough to worry about in a situation like this for Julian not to ask him what’s wrong. Maybe that’s just me though. Then Leon’s statement seems a bit obvious too.
Other than that, good job! (😢)
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.
Are you threatening me?
Remember what happened last time?
Okay, I can smooth out the shifts,
Ah, thanks for the grammar catch.
I like how the soldier tries to get Julian and Leon to admit they’re traitors, and finally he’s just like, well, you’re the guys who defected, so there.
Lololol. He’s just not having it.
Okay, I’ll keep the other comment in mind.
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
I seem to remember it not working very well, but hey, the second time’s the charm.
Sounds good!
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.
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