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Thanks! I’m glad.
Okay, I’ll see what the others think. I liked it as a nice recap of everything that was happening.
Erich is one of the Stien children. He’s married and has a kid. They were the family that Julian, Roland, and Aelic were staying with when Rolf and Leon caught up with them.
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
Sounds good!
Oh, gotcha, thanks.
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.
Ugh. Kingdom Pen decided not to tag me, but I checked anyway because I remembered you saying yesterday that you would have something to post today. And good thing I did! I will have to remember to check myself if I don’t get a notification email.
Anyway… Book!
Not only have we lost two dear friends in Marius and Prince Dietrich, but we have lost the heir to the Empire’s throne!
This may seem like an odd question, but what is your view on end times?
Erichand his wife Helene.
Aelic really seems to come alive around Hue
Trying to remember who the people I underlined are.
Leon sighed. “Then why do I feel so guilty?”
“Maybe because of those who chose to stay,” Julian replied, quietly. “I feel it to, Leon. Yes, we’re warning the other churches, but anyone could have done that. We were the ones who led those churches, and now we’ve turned and run at the first sign of real trouble.”
Ah, the comparison game again.
A fine first section. I like how Joseph was mentioned again. I guess we will see where this goes.
Sometimes it is necessary to paint the sky black in order to see the stars.
This may seem like an odd question, but what is your view on end times?
Woah. That is an odd question. Well, I’ve been working over it. I have several friends who love to debate end times, and I like to sit and listen, but as of yet I haven’t drawn a complete conclusion from listening to them, other pastors, and reading.
Why do you ask?
Also, in case there was confusion, he means that they’ve lost them in life. They are dead.
Trying to remember who the people I underlined are.
Stien siblings. Landstraten church. They were the family Aelic, Roland, and Julian were with when Rolf and Leon caught up to them. I think if you read 3 through and then picked up book 4 without the breaks and talking and discussion it would make more sense. We are playing book 3 backwards, so to speak.
Ah, the comparison game again.
Again?
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
Why do you ask?
Okay. You’re view on end times could impact where this story goes. For example, some Christian believe that over time, the world will get better and we ought to get involved with politics and things like that to make a Christendom. Others might believe it would be nice if our government became Christian, but don’t take it for granted. So I was curious where you might stand on end times to get a better idea of how much of a shock the prince’s death was to your characters.
Stien siblings. Landstraten church. They were the family Aelic, Roland, and Julian were with when Rolf and Leon caught up to them. I think if you read 3 through and then picked up book 4 without the breaks and talking and discussion it would make more sense. We are playing book 3 backwards, so to speak.
Ah.
Again?
Joseph in book 2.
Sometimes it is necessary to paint the sky black in order to see the stars.
Ah, I see.
It’s a shock because they did set their hope on him taking the throne. With a Christian ruler, they would be free to worship in peace.
Joseph in book 2.
Eh, kind of. Joseph was more acting out of fear and wresting with the thought that he had to do this on his own. Leon and Julian are shocked because they didn’t die, and they’re second guessing themselves because they feel like they abandoned the church in the Capital.
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
@ellette-giselle awesome first section!!
"When in doubt, eat cheese crackers."-me to my charries who don't even know about cheese crackers
@hybridlore @koshka @keilah-h @elishavet-pidyon @liberty @linus-smallprint
NEXT SECTION
hopefully this doesn’t feel to fast. The end of this section is where the story really starts to kick back in. We had a lot of travel in the 3rd book, and I’m trying not to literally go back over ground we already covered.
It was a bittersweet parting the next day, and Leon and Julian found it more difficult to leave Landstraten now than when they had left on their way to the capital. The five friends traveled on to Clonabay. Here they delivered their warning and stayed for a few days, eager to fellowship with the church. Then, they continued to Wiedlisbourg. It was a long and cold journey, and when they arrived at last, they were joyfully greeted by Governor Walter, who insisted they lodge in his home for the duration of their stay.
“Come, tell me all that has happened to you since we last met,” he said, once they had all eaten.
They took turns relating all that had happened, from Leon and Rolf’s enslavement to the planting of the churches, the work in the Capital, and finally the edict and the death of Prince Dietrich and Marius.
When they had finished, Governor Walter was silent. At last, he spoke. “It is a great blow to lose our prince, especially since he was a follower of Christ. It is hard not to think of the wonderful things he could have done for our country, and I can’t help but wonder why God let him die.”
“It is the same for me,” Leon admitted. “I don’t understand what’s happening or why we have been sent away from the Capital.” He shook his head. “God has something planned for our country… I only wish I knew what.”
***
They stayed in Wiedlisbourg for a short time and were able to join the Sabbath worship. It was strengthening to see how the lines between slaves and masters had almost all but disappeared, and the church had united so strongly.
After their stay in Wiedlisbourg, they journeyed on to Lancaster.
It was a freezing cold morning that Julian and the others hiked through the snow up to the doors of the University. They knocked and waited, huddling close to the wall with their cloaks pulled tight. A young man answered the door and let them in. “What can I do for you?” he asked.
“Are Johannes and Heinrich here?” Leon asked.
“Johannes is away visiting a sick family in town, but he should be back within the hour. Heinrich is in the library,” the student informed them.
“May we go and see him?” Julian asked. “We are old friends.”
The young man nodded and led them through the halls and up the stairs.
They came to the library doors, and the student pointed to where a young man sat bent in study. Even though his back was turned, Leon and Julian recognized him at once. Julian moved softly across the floor and leaned over Heinrich’s shoulder. “What are you studying now?”
Heinrich whirled around and his mouth dropped open. “Leon! Julian!” He sprang to his feet as the two laughed. They embraced, and then made way for Roland, Aelic, and Rolf. After Heinrich’s initial shock died, he found his voice. “But how, and why are you here?”
“It’s a long, long story,” Leon said.
“Well, I have plenty of time,” Heinrich laughed.
“Let’s wait until Johannes comes,” Julian said.
“Oh, of course,” Heinrich agreed. Then he grinned. “Have you had breakfast?”
“No,” Rolf said quickly.
“Well, how about we get something to eat, and then when Johannes walks into the room… well, then we’ll have some fun.”
Roland laughed and the others grinned as they imagined their friend’s reaction.
Heinrich turned to the student. “Andrew, when Johannes comes, tell him I’m in the dining room. Say nothing about our visitors.”
Andrew nodded and grinned.
They had already finished breakfast by the time Johannes came clattering into the dining room, rubbing his hands. “Burrr, it’s cold out there. Andrew said you were––” he broke off and stared. The next moment he had leapt across the room and almost tackled Leon. The rest laughed and greeted him.
“Oh, what a surprise!” Johannes cried. “I can’t believe you’re really here. I never thought to see you again!”
“And now, tell us everything,” Heinrich insisted. “I’ve been dying waiting.”
They all sat down around the fire and soon were lost in the telling of all that had happened since they left the university.
When they finished, Johannes and Heinrich were silent. At last, Johannes let out a deep breath. “So, how long do we have?”
“Before what?” Leon asked.
Heinrich looked at him. “Before they arrest us.”
Leon shook his head. “I honestly don’t know. You might stay safe for years, or it could be but a matter of days. Only the Lord knows.”
There was a long silence. Then Heinrich’s scholarly spirit asserted itself and he looked up. “Have you been keeping a record of all this?”
“Leon and I both journal now and then,” Julian shrugged.
“How often?” Heinrich inquired.
“I try to write something at least once every week,” Leon replied.
Heinrich nodded slowly. “Listen, whatever you do, keep those books safe. You might have the only true eye-witness accounts of what really happened to this Empire.”
“What do you mean?” Rolf asked.
Johannes grimaced. “It was five days ago that one of the town criers brought word that the prince had been sent away to train at his cousin’s home and would not be back for a year at least.”
“What? But Diedrich is dead, Roland said.
Heinrich nodded. “You know that, and so do we know that you’ve told us. But who else really knows?”
“But even if they hide his death, what will they do when the emperor dies?” Julain asked.
“My guess is that since no one has seen the prince’s face, they will replace him with his cousin. If the cousin doesn’t come for a year, it won’t be long until anyone who ever saw Diedrich unmasked will forget what he looked like. Then no one will know that the emperor had his own son murdered. That will prevent the uprising that would surly follow such an act.”
Julian and Leon exchanged looks.
“I wonder how many other events will be erased by lies,” Johannes mused. “Heinrich is right, you need to keep those journals safe, and you need to keep writing in them. One day, maybe years and years from now, someone will read what you wrote, and the truth will be known.”
Julian raised an eyebrow. “I’m not too sure if I want people reading my journal.”
But Leon nodded in agreement with Johannes. “I’ll make doubly sure to clearly record anything of importance.”
“Good,” Heinrich said. “Now, come see what we’ve been doing.”
They all rose and moved from the dining hall and through the passages to different rooms. As they walked, Johannes explained all that they had been doing. “Each one of these rooms has been dedicated to each book of the Bible. Those who work there copy those books down.” He pushed open the door to a large chamber where several young men were at work. “All of the copies are taken and put together in here to create a full book,” he explained.
They nodded to the students and moved to another room. Here several young men were bent in careful study, and Johannes dropped his voice so as not to disturb them. “In here, we take the original copies of the Scripture you gave us, and we check every single word of the new copies. They are checked thirty times by thirty different people. If one mistake is found that page must be re-copied.” The moved down a flight of stairs to another chamber that smelled of hot paste and leather. “After that, we bind the books in here,” Johannes told them.
Julian and the others were completely stunned by the work being done. “It’s absolutely amazing,” Leon said.
“That’s not even the half of it,” Heinrich grinned. “The old lecture halls upstairs have been dedicated for the training of men to be leaders in the church. So many have left strengthened and prepared to spread God’s word or lead churches in need.”
“Now come look at this,” Johannes urged. He grabbed a lantern from the wall and led the way to a staircase that spiraled down under the ground. They climbed far down into the cellars and then Heinrich and Johannes opened a concealed trap door in the stone floor. They descended a flight of steps into a room full of chests. “This is where we keep all the Scriptures as well as the history that Heinrich and I are writing,” Johannes said.
“History?” Leon asked, staring about in awe.
“The history of how the Empire came to receive the light of Christ,” Johannes replied soberly. “We must not let them destroy the truth. The Empire needs to remember her past.”
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
Good section! I like it.
It was a little unclear that the other three men were joining Leon and Julian until now, unless they were in the first scene and I’m completely blaming. I just don’t think we got to hear that they were back yet.
My guess is that since no one has seen the prince’s face, they will replace him with his cousin.
Oohh… that explains the creepy mask …
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.
They started out together and ended up in Landstraten at the end of book 3. I’m just picking up where I left them.
Oohh… that explains the creepy mask …
*nods and smiles*
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
Sorry I’m late. I spent a long time yesterday finishing up a final assignment. But I’m done school for at least a year now!
It was a bittersweet parting the next day, and Leon and Julian found it more difficult to leave Landstraten now than when they had left on their way to the capital.
Who all is with them right now? You have yet to remind us of that.
Julian raised an eyebrow. “I’m not too sure if I want people reading my journal.”
Too late, buddy.
“The history of how the Empire came to receive the light of Christ,” Johannes replied soberly. “We must not let them destroy the truth. The Empire needs to remember her past.”
Nice! Good section.
Sometimes it is necessary to paint the sky black in order to see the stars.
@ellette-giselle oooh! I loved the bookbinding part!
"When in doubt, eat cheese crackers."-me to my charries who don't even know about cheese crackers
No prob. I was gone all day yesterday so it gave everyone a chance to catch up.
Who all is with them right now? You have yet to remind us of that.
🤦🏼♀️
It’s the gang, y’all. The same gang from last book. The same gang we left at the end of the last book and are now picking up and the beginning of the next.
Do I really gotta remind the reader?
Too late, buddy.
Well, to be technical, you are actually reading it after he said that………
Sort of.
oooh! I loved the bookbinding part!
Aw thanks!
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
@hybridlore @koshka @keilah-h @elishavet-pidyon @liberty @linus-smallprint
NEXT SECTION
Y’all, this book is rough.
The group of soldiers came to a halt in the snowy planes. “We’ll camp here for the night,” came the order.
Hans Schmitz lowered his pack and rolled his aching shoulders. His brothers came and found him from farther down the line, and they joined their company in pitching camp. Their Lieutenant, Philipp Roth, stepped through their small encampment, checking tents here and there, and asking how the men fared. He came to a stop where the Schmitz brothers sat on their packs, their cloaks wrapped tightly about them. Philipp crouched down by them. “How are you three holding up?”
“Alright,” Hans said.
“Cold,” Kurt added, his teeth chattering.
“Yeah, me too,” Philipp grinned.
“How much farther?” Franz wondered.
“I think about another two days travel before we reach the next town.”
A moan came from within the depth of Kurt’s hood.
“Hey, buck up, my man,” Phillip grinned. “It won’t be that far. Besides, it will make you all the more thankful to God for warm beds and fires.”
“I’ll never take them for granted again,” Hans agreed. “This winter is one of the worst I’ve ever seen.” He looked over to where several of the men from their company were digging in the snow to clear a space for a fire. Beyond them was another small encampment. Hans knew there were five other companies. They were arranged in order about the tent where the Commander and his officers stayed “Do you know what we’re doing out here in the middle of the winter?”
Philipp sighed. “Yeah, one of our provinces to the north needs more protection from a tribe that’s been raiding over the border. Seems a whole village got burned to the ground before the emperor finally sent us out here.”
“Well, besides the fact that we will be closer to freezing then I ever wanted to be, do you think there is anything we can do?” Hans asked.
Philipp shrugged. “Maybe. And even if we can’t, we’ll have a wonderful opportunity to share God’s word with the people. Think of it like this; we are getting paid to march to a faraway place on the northern border of the Empire, our provisions have been provided for, and we have a chance to share the Word of God with those we meet.”
“You should tell that to the men,” Hans said.
“Yeah?” asked Philipp.
“Yeah.”
That evening, as they sat around the fire, Lieutenant Philipp repeated what he had said to the Schmitz brothers. The young men nodded and grinned at each other, suddenly eager for the journey ahead. “Just think how many we can reach if this keeps going,” one said.
“Yes,” Philipp agreed. “For every mission or campaign we go on, we can share the Truth with that many more people.”
They joined together in a time of prayer led by Philipp and then returned to their tents for the night.
The next morning, Hans awoke to the sound of a trumpet. He nudged Franz, who was asleep by his side. His brother woke, and the two crawled out of the tent in time to see Kurt and another young soldier scrambling out of theirs. Philipp appeared, buckling on his sword.
“Is an attack?” one young soldier asked.
“I don’t think so,” Philipp replied.
The rest of the company had joined them, some still rubbing sleep from their eyes. One of the officers from the Commander’s camp approached them and pulled his horse to a stop. “The priest tells us favor is to be found in the god of battle, on this day. Therefore, all soldiers are to gather at the center of the camp to participate in worship before we continue.”
The officer road on to the next company of soldiers, leaving behind him a dark feeling of dread. One-by-one, the soldiers slowly turned to face Philipp, who stood silent, his face slightly pale and his hand tightly gripping the hilt of his sword.
“Sir, what are we going to do?” one asked.
Philipp looked up at them all. “We cannot participate in this.”
“Then… you want us to disobey orders?” Hans asked.
“Yes,” Philipp replied, steadily. “I am going to ask each one of you to disobey the orders of the Commander.”
There was a quick intake of breath from several of the soldiers, for all of them knew that Philipp would easily face death for saying such a thing.
“Is… is there no other way?” one asked.
“‘Pay attention to all that I have said to you and make no mention of the names of other gods, nor let it be heard on your lips’ and, ‘You shall have no other gods before Me’” Phillip replied.
There was a long silence. Then, Philipp spoke again. “We cannot go, nor can we take part in anything they are about to do. We must stay here, and we must refuse to obey that order, no matter what it costs us. But take heart, my brothers, for Jesus has said, ‘So everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I also will acknowledge before My Father who is in heaven,’ Be bold and do not waver. God will be with us.”
They nodded soberly, but no one was able to speak. Kurt felt Hans grip his shoulder tightly, and he glanced back at his older brother. Hans gave him an encouraging nod.
Philipp looked at the soldiers standing around them. Then he put one arm about Franz’s shoulders, and another about the next closest soldier. “Come, let us pray together.”
The rest drew closer, and they all bowed their heads.
“Father God, You know the orders we have been given, and You know that we cannot obey them,” Philipp began. “Please Lord, help us to stand strong, no matter what comes. If it is Your will, Lord, have mercy upon my men and spare them. Let the commander look upon them with favor, and if his wrath must fall, then let it be on me, and not my men. Lord, whatever happens, let Your glory shine forth today. Let the men in this camp see You in us. Use this for Your glory and the furthering of your kingdom.”
As Kurt listened to his Lieutenant’s prayer, he knew that there would never be another man in his life that he admired and respected as much as Philipp Roth.
It was almost an hour’s time before they heard the sound of horses’ hooves. Looking up, they saw the commander himself with several officers, a group of soldiers, and the camp priest. The commander wore a stern expression lined with confusion and worry, for of all the companies, Lieutenant Roth’s men were the most obedient and levelheaded. The horses came to a stop, and the commander spoke. “Lieutenant, did you or did you not receive my orders?”
“I did sir,” Philipp replied, stepping forward.
“Then why are you and your men not in the central camp?”
“Sir, we serve the One True God, and we can take no part in the worship of other gods,” Philip replied.
There was a moment of stunned silence. Kurt felt his heart pounding, and he could see Philipp’s chest rising and falling with quick breaths. God help us, please!
At last, the commander found his voice. “Are you saying that you are refusing to obey my orders?”
“Yes sir,” Philipp replied steadily. “With all respect sir, I cannot obey your orders when they go against the orders of God. I cannot partake in what you have commanded me to do, and neither can my men.”
The commander’s face was so full of rage, that Kurt shuddered and took a step back, coming up against Hans.
The commander looked from the soldiers to Philipp. Then he pointed. The soldiers behind him raised crossbows, and Kurt caught his breath. “Lay down your weapons or you die,” the commander said. “If one of you disobeys, I will kill you all.”
Very slowly and carefully, Philipp unbuckled his scabbard from his belt and set the sword on the ground. He took several steps back from it. “Do as he says,” he ordered quietly.
The rest followed his example, and then two of the commander’s men moved toward Philipp. They grabbed hold of him and shoved him forward.
The commander gave an order, and Kurt found himself and the soldiers beside him surrounded by the crossbowmen. They were forced to march to the center of the camp. When they realized where they were going, a few of the soldiers stopped dead in their tracks, but they were pushed forward. Oh God, what are they going to do? Help us to know how to act! Kurt pleaded.
They passed through the center off the camp and then beyond to an open space of snow. Kurt glanced over his shoulder and could see the rest of the soldiers had followed them and now they all stood watching. The commander turned in the saddle and sneered at Philipp. “Order your men into rank.”
“Fall in,” Philipp ordered, is voice steady and calm.
The soldiers did as they were told, moving to stand three deep and ten across. Kurt glanced to the right to see two of his fellow soldiers, their faces slightly pale. On his left was his twin, and then Hans, and beyond him were five others. They were the second row deep, but Kurt could still see everything, and his eyes locked on his lieutenant.
“Men!” the commander shouted, looking to the soldiers who surrounded the small group. “This man, Lieutenant Philipp Roth, has defied my orders. I gave a command to come to the central camp to offer worship to the gods, but Lieutenant Roth ordered his men to stay. Tell us, Lieutenant, what would cause you to think you were in such a position?”
Phillip looked straight at him. “Sir, I serve the One True God, as do the thirty men before you. We will not bow to idols, nor will we partake in worship of them. We will obey all orders when we are able, but if your orders go against what God has ordered, then we must disobey your orders and face whatever will come.”
Several voices rose in sneers, but most of the men stood in shocked silence.
The commander looked out over the gathering. “Do you understand the danger of this? Lieutenant Roth and his men cannot be depended upon. You are marching into a dangerous battle ground to face violent raiders. Each man must depend on the one beside him. Yet, Lieutenant Roth and thirty soldiers will not obey the orders given to them. In so doing, they jeopardize the life of every soldier in this camp. If they will not obey me, they cannot be depended upon to stand with you.”
Whatever Philipp tried to say in response was drowned out by the cursing and swearing of the soldiers standing around them.
Kurt he couldn’t breathe. Over and over his hand drifted to where his sward should be, but it was not there. They were defenseless and vulnerable; hemmed in on all sides by angry soldiers under the orders of an even angrier commander.
The commander raised his hand for silence, and the noise died down. “If any of you will forsake the path that your foolish Lieutenant has chosen, then step forward.”
No one moved, and the soldiers standing around them began to curse again, making signs to ward off evil.
The commander said something to one of the soldiers holding Philipp, but Kurt couldn’t hear what it was. The soldier nodded and he and another roughly stripped off Philipp’s cloak, vest, and uniform shirt. Another left the crowd but came back shortly, a leather strap wound about his hand. Philipp went ridged. Two of the soldiers grabbed his arms, roughly holding him in place.
The commander turned and motioned to the camp priest. He came and stepped in front of the first of Philipp’s men. The commander turned to Philipp. “Lieutenant Roth, order your man to kneel before the mouthpiece of the gods.”
Philipp looked straight at the soldier “Stand strong.”
The whip cracked a savage blow over Philipp’s back, and he gritted his teeth in pain, but did not waver. The priest moved to stand in front of the next soldier.
“Order your man to kneel,” the commander said repeated.
“Stand strong, soldier,” Phillip said.
Again the lash cut into his back.
Twenty-eight more times, the priest stood before a soldier. Twenty-eight more times, the captain commanded Philipp to order his man to kneel. Twenty-eight more times, Phillip told his soldier to stand strong, and twenty-eight more times the whip struck savagely.
“Will any of you turn from this foolishness?” the commander demanded.
The silence that followed was only broken by Philipp’s pained breathing. The commander turned and motioned to three of his men. “Kill every fourth man.”
“No!” Philipp yelled, struggling against the men who held him. The soldiers twisted his arms, and the one with the whip struck several times, bringing Philip to his knees.
Kurt sucked in a sharp breath. He wouldn’t count. He wouldn’t see who was to die. He couldn’t. He watched in horror as the soldiers moved to the fourth man from the first and yanked him forward. Kurt closed his eyes. He could hear the sound of a sword being drawn, Philipp’s yell of grief. Kurt clenched his teeth. “Jesus help us, please help us,” he whispered. Some of the solders around him began to whisper desperate prayers.
Kurt heard their steps coming. He clenched his fists tightly. They were almost to him, and then they stopped. He couldn’t bare it, he looked. Two of the men grabbed Hans and forced him to his knees while the third pulled back his bloodied sword to strike.
“No! No! No!” Kurt screamed. Another of the commander’s soldiers grabbed him as he tried to fight his way to Hans.
Hans squared his shoulders and held his head high, his fist clenched in the air. “Jesus Christ is Lord!” he yelled as loud as he could, just before the guard ran him through.
Kurt screamed and thought he’d never stop. At his side, he could hear Franz sobbing. Kurt couldn’t take his eyes from the bloodstained snow where his brother lay, even as the guards moved on to kill the next man. His eyes blurred and he fell to his knees. Rough hands yanked him to his feet, and someone struck him in the face.
Kurt looked up to see Philipp weeping in the grip of his captors as the soldiers continued to murder his men.
At last, the three soldiers returned to the commander, who was watching Philipp. “There now, my defiant Lieutenant. What do you have to say to your men now?”
He turned away and nodded to the priest. The priest came and stood before the first soldier.
“Order your man no kneel,” the commander said.
Philipp looked up, “Stand strong, soldier,” he said, hoarsely.
The whip tore into Philip’s back, and he cried out in pain, his legs buckling. They hauled him back up and the priest stepped to the next man.
Kurt closed his eyes. “Oh Lord, please not again,” he choked.
The priest came to stand before Kurt. Kurt looked past the man to where Philipp stood. The young lieutenant was deathly white and struggling to breathe.
“Command your man to kneel,” the commander snarled.
Philipp looked straight at Kurt. “Stand strong, soldier.”
Kurt straightened under the words. He nodded, and Philipp smiled through the pain of the next blow.
After the last man, the captain spoke again. “Will any of you turn from this foolishness?”
There was no answer.
The captain pointed to three new soldiers. “Kill every third man.”
They carried out their task with swift brutality. Kurt kept his eyes on Philipp the whole time.
When the soldiers were finished, the commander turned to Philipp. “Will you still send your men to their deaths?”
“I do not send my men to their death,” Philip replied. “Each of them has chosen for himself not to bow to your gods, and it is you who send them to their death.”
The commander snarled and nodded to the priest. The priest stood before the first man. Philipp closed his eyes and braced for what he knew was coming.
Kurt felt tears fill his eyes. God, give Philipp strength.
Down the line the priest went, and Philipp still gave the same answer. By the time they were through, new guards had to come and keep Philipp on his feet.
“Will any of you turn from your foolishness?” the commander asked.
One of the soldiers raised his voice. “Sir, you can kill ever other man this time, and then kill us all the next time, and you can continue to flog our Lieutenant, but sir, he will let you beat him to death before he gives an order against God’s will, and likewise, we will stand here as you kill each one of us and we will die before we obey the order to worship false gods, or give them any respect.”
The captain hissed with rage and then spun on the soldiers standing in a ring around Phillip and his men. “Kill them! Kill them all!”
Several of the men drew swords and stepped forward. Around Kurt, the remaining sixteen men didn’t waver. Some fell to their knees in prayer while others stood side by side, waiting for the death that would surely come.
Kurt closed his eyes tightly. “God give us strength.”
Around Kurt, the soldiers were cutting down his friends without mercy. He could feel Franz leaning against his back, and her heard his brother whispering a desperate prayer.
Hands grabbed Kurt and flung him to his knees. He saw the blade raised over him, but he looked higher, past the face of the one who was about to take his life, higher still to the sky, and then sun, and the light above. He thrust a fist into the air. “For You, Lord!” he cried out with all his strength.
Philipp watched as the soldiers stepped back from their work. He looked through tear-filled eyes at his men strewn over the bloody snow. Each one had given his life for Christ and not one of them had wavered. He had heard many of their last cries–– words of faith and glory to Christ. His physical pain dimmed against the loss of so many dear friends… brothers. Yet, he knew that they were safe and now stood with the One they had so bravely given their lives for.
The commander nudged moved his horse toward Philipp. When he was in front of the lieutenant he pulled the horse to a stop. “What have you to say now?” he taunted.
Philipp struggled to stand. He painfully straightened, raising his head to look at the commander. “Sir, all I can say is that God was glorified here today. Thirty of His precious followers endured the trial before them and were victorious on this field of battle.”
“Victorious!” the commander laughed. “Look at that,” he hissed, pointing to the blood snow. “You call that victory?”
Philipp smiled through his tears. “Yes sir, I do.”
“Perhaps I should have you share in their ‘victory’,” the commander snarled.
“It would be an honor to lay down my life with theirs for our Lord,” Philipp said.
The commander nodded to one of the soldiers, who stepped forward, sword in hand. Philipp faced him squarely, gathering the last of his strength to stand upright, his shoulders back and head high. The soldier drew back his sword and Philipp didn’t even flinch.
“Wait,” the commander snapped.
Philipp and the soldier both turned to look at him. The c commander was smiling down at Philipp, a wicked gleam in his eyes. “Your bold young soldier told me that you would beaten to death rather than disobey your God. Is that true?”
Philipp nearly stopped breathing, but he met the captain’s gaze with his own, knowing his own words would seal his fate. “Yes sir, that is the truth. I will suffer any death or punishment for the reward set before me by Jesus Christ.”
“Very well then,” the commander. He turned his smile on all his men, most of whom grinned wickedly in return. Then he looked to the soldier with the whip. “Kill him.”
Phillip was thrown down into the snow, and the soldier mercilessly began to strike. Philip covered his head with his arms and clenched his teeth. The snow about him reddened with his blood, and he could feel life slipping away. The pain was more then he could bare and a hoarse cry tore from him. Tears streaked his face, but he refused to say the words that would set him free. “Oh God, give me strength,” he whispered.
Several more blows fell, and Philipp found he could hardly breathe. He struggled for one last breath. “Oh Lord, for Your glory,” he whispered.
With that last breath, Lieutenant Philipp Roth sealed his faith with blood.
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
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