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Okay!
"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 @liberty @linus-smallprint
NEXT SECTION!
Leon, Julian, Rolf, Aelic, and Roland remained with Heinrich and Johannes at the University for five days. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and encouragement for them all. The companions would have liked to stay longer, but they all knew that time was pressing. No one could know how long it would take the priests to send the army after them, and they needed to warn all they could before it was too late.
So, the five set off for Dietenbruck.
It was one evening, not very far from the village, that the little group sat about a fire in a small rocky shelter. The wind whistled about outside the little cave, but the snow had not fallen inside. They were all talking eagerly about the return to Dietenbruck–– all, that is, except for Aelic. He remained quiet, staring into the flames of their small fire. At last, Julian seemed to notice his thoughtful demeanor, for he asked, “Are you alright, Aelic?”
“I… I am afraid,” replied Aelic, quietly.
“Afraid? Afraid of what?” asked Leon.
“My village,” Aelic replied. He let out a deep breath and looked up. “For almost two months now, God has been telling me I have to go back to them.”
“What! Why?” Rolf exclaimed.
“They are the people I lived among for fifteen years. They need to know the truth. I can’t stand by and do nothing,” Aelic said.
“But we tried to bring them God’s word, and they refused to listen,” Julian pointed out.
“I listened, and others may have been affected by your words. It was their fear of losing the homes they have fought to gain and protect that closed their ears and gave the priest power. I am a son of that village, and I know those people. Yes, they thought me cursed, but surly now they will see that this past year I have been gone, and nothing changed. Perhaps they will listen to me. Even if they don’t, I have to try.”
Roland looked away, knowing Aelic spoke the truth, but hating any delay to being reunited with Liesl.
Rolf looked concerned. “My family and my village are in danger. They need someone to warn them of what’s coming.”
“I have to go to my people,” Aelic replied. “That is the reason I left the Capital; because God told me to come to them.”
“Then here is what we will do,” Leon said. “Rolf, you and Roland go home and warn your family. Wait there for us. Aelic and I will go back to his village. Julian, you are free to choose your path.”
“I’m coming with you,” Julian said.
“No, I can’t put you two in danger,” Aelic protested.
“When has danger ever decided what we do? We can’t let you face this alone,” Leon replied.
“Very well then. We will meet you in Dietenbruck,” Rolf said.
“And what if we are attacked?” Roland asked.
“Then get out. Flee to safety, and we will try to find you,” Julian replied.
***
The next morning, the little group separated. They promised to pray for one another as they bid farewell. Then, Rolf and Roland went on to Dietenbruck, and Leon, Julian, and Aelic turned toward the lumberjack village.
The snow lay thick even in the woods and the going was slow. Aelic knew the forest well and lead them on the safest paths. Even so, they all slipped on ice at least once. The three hiked on and on through the woods. It had been almost two hours when Aelic dropped flat and dragged himself to the edge of a small cliff. The others followed and looked down into the village. They could see a few people moving about, but most were women and children.
“Where are all the men?” Julian breathed close to Aelic’s ear.
“Cutting timber,” Aelic replied under his breath. He inched back again and slowly rose to a crouch.
“What do we do now?” Leon asked, once he had moved back next to him.
“Wait.”
The hours dragged slowly by as the three huddled up against the cold and waited for the men to return.
At last, as the sun sank into the west, Aelic made his move. Telling the others to stay until he returned, he crept into the woods and vanished from sight.
“Father, protect him,” Leon whispered.
“Yes Lord, keep him safe and help him to accomplish whatever he is trying to do right now,” Julian added.
They waited in tense silence, listening and watching for any sign of an approaching person.
“If I was an enemy, you’d both be dead,” a voice laughed softly from behind.
Leon and Julian whipped about to see Aelic standing in the shadows. “Don’t do that!” Leon hissed. “Next time I might do something violent.”
Aelic grinned.
“So, did your expedition go well?” Julian asked.
“Yes, I made contact with my cousins. Aunt Hilda died, so they live alone now. We’ll stay with them tonight,” Aelic said.
“Can they be trusted?” Leon asked, remembering both Roland and Aelic’s warnings about the violently unfriendly nature of the villagers.
Aelic nodded. “They kept me alive when I was cursed. They can be trusted.”
The three climbed down to the village and entered through the wooden gates in a fence of sturdy poles. Aelic led them into the shadows, and they made their way to the back of one of the houses. Aelic tapped softly on the door, and it opened. The three stepped in, and a young man closed the door behind them. He embraced Aelic, slapping him on the back, and then turned to Leon and Julian. “Welcome,” he said, though his tone was wary.
“Aelic, were we seen?” Leon wondered, looking nervously around.
“Most likely,” Aelic replied calmly. “I suggest that if you have any weapons you take them off and hand them over to Martin, that way we might not be killed on sight,”
Leon and Julian both looked at Aelic’s cousin for a long time, neither liking the idea. At last, Leon drew his knife and handed it over. Julian followed his example.
Martin nodded and led them into the house. They came to a rough kitchen where a boy a little younger then Aelic was bent over a pot on the fire. He turned around and broke into a wide grin. “Aelic!” he exclaimed quietly. In a few bounds he had crossed the room and embraced his cousin. He stepped back and caught sight of Leon and Julian. “Who are they?”
“Friends of mine,” Aelic said.
“Come, join us for supper,” Martin interrupted, moving toward the large pot and grabbing a bowl.
The others followed his example, and soon they sat around the table with bowls of thick soup and chunks of bread. Julian, Leon, and Aelic bowed their heads in quick prayer, and Martin and his brother repeated a prayer to their gods. When the five finished, they looked at one another warily.
“So… you have certainly changed,” Martin said, eyeing Aelic.
“Yes,” he replied. Then he turned to his younger cousin. “Aiden, I would like you to meet Julian and Leon.”
Aiden gave them a nod over his bowl.
They finished their meal in silence. When dinner was over, Martin pushed back his chair and looked at Aelic. “Why have you come back, and why did you leave in the first place?”
“You know very well that I had been marked as a blood offering to ‘erase the sins of my parents’ and because I was cursed,” Aelic said.
Neither cousin made any reply to that.
Aelic looked to Leon and then took a deep breath. “What Leon and Julian told us was the truth. I was cursed, but so are we all. We are all under the curse of sin, but I am no longer.”
“And how is that?” Martin asked, an eyebrow raised incredulously.
“Because Someone else paid the price I owed and died in my stead.”
As the night wore one, Aelic laid out the truth of God and Christ’s sacrifice. His cousin’s listened intently, asking questions here and there, and sometimes disagreeing.
Leon and Julian listened quietly, silently praying for Aelic, and for God to open the hearts of his cousins.
At long last, Martin stood up. “It’s late, we all need sleep.”
“I’m going to talk to village tomorrow,” Aelic said.
Martin shook his head. “Aelic, please don’t. It won’t go over well. Not with the priest hanging about.”
“I’m not afraid of him,” Aelic replied.
Martin shook his head. “Well, no one is going to stay and listen. It would take another snowfall to keep the men from going out to cut timber tomorrow. The last winter was bad for us, and this one looks like it might be worse.”
“Then I’ll pray for snow,” Aelic replied.
Martin laughed. “Not much chance of that.”
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
Ahh! I love it! I’m glad they decided to go back to the village, but… 😬
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.
yay!
why? what are you worried about?
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
I’m worried for Aelic…
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.
why?
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
I feel like they’re not going to be happy. Particularly with Aelic.
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.
😁
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
@ellette-giselle great job on this section!!
"When in doubt, eat cheese crackers."-me to my charries who don't even know about cheese crackers
So, the five set off for Dietenbruck.
I think you are pacing this well for a return journey
“If I was an enemy, you’d both be dead,” a voice laughed softly from behind.
Leon and Julian whipped about to see Aelic standing in the shadows.
Sneaky. But not wise.
Good section!
Sometimes it is necessary to paint the sky black in order to see the stars.
I think you are pacing this well for a return journey
Phew. Thanks. 😅
Sneaky. But not wise.
why?
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
@freed_and_redeemed @hybridlore @koshka @keilah-h @elishavet-pidyon @liberty @linus-smallprint
NEXT SECTION!
The next morning, Julian woke to the sound of voices and banging. He leapt to his feet and yanked on his boots. Leon was already pulling on his hat and beat him into the other room.
When Julian arrived, he found Martin, Aelic, Leon, and Aiden all standing around the front door.
“It just won’t open,” Martin was saying. “It’s like something is blocking it, or it was barred from the outside.”
Julian felt a sickening lurch and he braced against the wall as images of the night the church had almost been burned flashed through his memory.
Leon turned to him, a worried expression on his face. Martin was walking around to one of the windows. He thrust the shutters open. “By the gods!”
The others hurried to him and looked out. There was at least two feet of fresh snow on the ground, and a few flakes still fell. A grin slowly spread across Aelic’s face. Aiden turned to look at him with wide eyes. Martin was still staring outside. At last, he pulled his head in and looked at Aelic. “What did you do?”
“Nothing,” Aelic said. “It was God. He wants you all to stay in the village today.”
Martin just stared at him.
“Well, someone had better go clear that door,” Aelic said. He scrambled out the window and dropped into the snow. “Give me a shovel.”
Aiden went to find one and soon passed the wooden shovel out the window. Aelic set to work clearing the snow from in front of the door. The others were able to step outside, and Julian and Aelic went back in to find something to improvise as shovels. When they returned, many more people were outside, clearing paths from their houses to the village square.
By the late morning, the square had been cleared and surrounded by a high border of snow. Everyone agreed that there was no leaving the village that day. The villagers down to rest, and women went inside to begin breakfast.
At that moment, someone recognized Aelic.
In moments the word had spread that Aelic was back, and a crowd gathered around them. And Aelic was assailed with questions.
“Where were you?”
“Why are you here?”
“What happened to you?”
“Who are the strangers?”
Aelic held up his hands. “I can’t hear you all at once!” he shouted over the noise.
Slowly, the noise died down.
“I will tell you the answers to all those questions, for it is one in the same,” Aelic said. He looked around, and spotting one of the carts used to drag away snow, turned it over and stepped up. The people gathered around to listen.
“All of you know me,” Aelic began. “I am Aelic, the cursed one. You have believed many things about me and heard even more. All of you know the story of my family, and you know what the priest told you I was cursed. You all know that when the full moon rose, I was to surrender myself to the hand of the priest and break that curse by a sacrifice of blood. The priest said that if I paid that price, it would cover the sins of our family’s past and break the hold of the curse over my line. There was no other way, or so he said. And he was right, but not in the way he thought. Before night fall, Julian and Leon came with another young man to our village. They told the story of a God who not only loved me but died for me. The priest was right! I was cursed! I was cursed by sin, and it is a curse all of you are under. We have all sinned before God, and the punishment of that sin is death.
“We could never be free of that curse, for every sin deserves death, and we have sinned hundreds of times. I was cursed, yet Jesus Christ saved me. He broke the curse over me with a sacrifice of blood. His blood. He paid the price, and now I see I could have never done that on my own, for I was already cursed, and how can someone who is under the curse break the hold of the curse? I needed a redeemer to break that curse. If I died, all it would have done was fulfill the curse. Someone else needed to save me. Christ was my Redeemer, and He is Redeemer to all. He paid the price for us all, dying so that we might live, and making a way for us to be freed from that curse by taking it on Himself when He had done no wrong. I am now a follower of Christ. He gave me life, and in return, I have given my heart and loyalty to Him, and Him. He has freed me from the curse, given me life–– even life after death, prepared a place for me, and made me clean. I am a new creation in Him, and I am saved.”
The people stood in stunned silence. Many of the women had come back outside, looking for their men and children, but when they heard Aelic speaking, they stood and listened.
Julian and Leon watched quietly. To see Aelic standing before his village in such strength and courage was wonderful. “Thank You Lord, for giving him the opportunity to do this, and shining through him to these people,” Leon whispered.
Aelic continued to speak to the people of the village, laying before them the story of the One true God. They listened quietly, not leaving or arguing, but not accepting his words either. Aelic just continued, telling more and more. It seemed he would never come to a loss of words, and Leon and Julian knew it was God speaking through him and giving him the words to say in the time that he needed them.
The priest did not appear, nor did the village headman. Leon and Julian continued to pray that the priest would stay away, and that Aelic would be safe.
It was not until early afternoon that the people finally wanted something to eat.
Aelic sat down wearily on the edge of the cart, and one of the village girls brought him bread and cheese. He thanked her and ate. Julian and Leon were given something to eat by a very silent Martin. They thanked him, but he turned away and went to offer Aelic a drink of water.
It wasn’t long before someone asked Aelic to finish his story. Aelic grinned and got to his feet.
Everyone was listening in rapt attention and did not notice two young men slip out of the crowd and run down a street.
Aelic was in the middle of answering a question when a group of men shoved their way through the crowd. It was the village headman and his three guards, two young men, and the priest. Leon sprang up, but Martin pulled him back. “Don’t!” he hissed, pushing him back down.
Aelic looked up at the men, and Leon could see him stiffen.
Leon darted a glance to Julian who was on his feet. He stood and Martin threw up his hands and backed away from them.
Most of the people had stood up when the men arrived, and now they waited with bated breath.
The priest stood and held up his hands. “People, what have you done?” he asked. “What has happened that you would suffer such evil in the sight of the gods? How dare you permit such men in our village! Do you know what will happen to you? The gods will curse us all for permitting this boy to speak in such a manner! I have said these exact words before, just over a year ago. How is it that you have fallen into this snare so easily?”
No one dared to speak.
“That,” said the priest, “Is the Cursed One.”
“I am cursed no longer,” Aelic replied boldly. “You are right, sir, I once was cursed, but now I am free! I am a new creation because of what God has done for me. He died to save us. I, who was once cursed, am now a child of the One true God!”
“Silence!” the priest yelled.
Aelic ignored him. “We have all been cursed, but it is Jesus Christ who takes away that curse and sets us free! I could never die to save myself! I am free, but only because of what He has done. You too can receive eternal life and forgiveness from––”
Aelic’s words were cut off as a large chunk of snow and ice struck him in the face. He lurched from the blow, slipping to one knee. Aelic struggled to his feet only to be struck again by one of the young men who stood with the priest. He raised his arms to shield his head.
“Wait!” the village Headman called, raising his hands. The two young men ignored him and ran toward Aelic. They caught hold of his arms and forced him roughly to his knees and two held him there.
“Where are the others?” the priest demanded.
Aelic wiped a trickle of blood from his face with his shoulder.
“Where are the others who came with you!” the priest shouted, taking a threatening step forward.
“I said wait,” the village Headman repeated.
“There they are,” one of the priest’s spies said.
Julian and Leon did not run— neither of them was willing to leave Aelic behind. Several of the lumberjacks caught hold of the two and dragged them toward the priest.
“Tie them up,” the priest ordered.
“Stop now!” the village Headman shouted.
The priest turned on him. “Are you standing in opposition to the gods?”
The village Headman hesitated, looking at Aelic and his friends. After a long moment he shook his head and stepped away.
“I thought not,” the priest smirked. He turned and nodded to the men.
“God help us,” Julian whispered.
The priest laughed. “Do you hear him? He cries ‘God help us.’ He is weak and afraid, and he wants his God to save him from us.”
Several of the men laughed.
Julian was surprised that he didn’t feel angered by the comment, in fact, it gave him a deep sense of protection.
“Sir, what should we do with them?” one of the men asked, turning to the village Headman.
The Headman turned away and made a motion to the priest. He pulled his cloak higher over his shoulders and quickly walked from the square.
The priest smiled. “Lock them up in the empty storage shed.” He turned and raised his arms. “We will do what should have been done long ago! We will forever break the hold of the curse on our village! He swung around and pointed a long finger at Aelic. “That boy will die when the full moon touches the head of the god.”
Everyone turned to look at the statue of the forest god standing in the center of the village. The priest let the words hang in the air for several minutes and then pointed and Julian and Leon. “And so will they.”
Julian had expected him to say this, but still something inside him gave a sickening jolt and he felt fear as painfully as a knife wound. The three were dragged to their feet and taken to an empty storage shed where they were locked up.
As soon as they were alone, Leon turned to face Aelic in the dim light that came through the slats in the walls. “Aelic, well done!” he exclaimed. “I have never heard you speak like that! Oh well done!”
Aelic looked up at Leon. “Thank you,” he said, hoarsely.
“Leon is right, Aelic. God truly worked through you today,” Julian agreed.
Aelic smiled. Then, his face sobered. “I’m so sorry to drag you into this with me.”
“I’m glad we came with you. I wouldn’t want you to face this alone,” Leon said.
Julian nodded.
Aelic leaned his head wearily against the side of the shed. “I wish I could have seen just one of them believe,” he said quietly. “It would have made it so much easier to face this.”
“Aelic, you may not live to see it, but when God’s Word goes out, it does not come back void. It will touch someone here, and perhaps one day, someone in your village will see the truth,” Leon comforted.
Aelic smiled slightly.
“Aelic, are you alright? Your face is bleeding,” Julian said.
“I’m fine,” Aelic replied. “And what about you two? Did they hurt you?”
“No,” Leon said. “We’re alright.”
There was a long moment of silence, broken by Aelic’s yawn. “Sorry, I’m afraid I’m tired. I didn’t know how much it took to stay on your feet and talk for over half a day.”
Leon chuckled. “Get some sleep, if you can.”
Aelic shifted slightly and glanced toward the shafts of light. “Please wake me when it’s dark, or if you hear them coming.”
“We will,” Julian promised.
Aelic leaned against the corner of the wall and closed his eyes. It was not long before his breathing deepened, and he relaxed.
Leon looked at Julian. “Well, I guess this is it.”
Julian shook his head. “I… I just don’t understand Leon. I’ve been preparing myself for this to happen the whole time, but I never thought I’d feel this way.”
“What way?” Leon asked.
“Like it’s so wrong, like everything is just so… so…”
“Incomplete?” Leon finished.
“Yes,” Julian agreed.
Leon sighed. “I feel the same way. I don’t really know what to make of it.”
“I guess it’s just our minds trying to fight back against what’s coming,” Julian mused.
“Perhaps,” Leon shrugged. He leaned against the wall. “I am incredibly exhausted.”
“Me too, and we haven’t even done anything today,” Julian agreed.
“Nothing except for being on high alert for an attack,” Leon replied. Remember how exhausted we used to get watching over the camp during the Ardentan wars? Well, you were exhausted. I was an officer and didn’t have to keep watch,” he added with a grin.
“Are you smiling?” Julian asked. “Your smiling, and we’re going to die in a few hours.” He laughed.
“Well, your laughing,” Leon retorted cheerfully. He stifled a yawn. “I’m getting some sleep. See you in a few hours.”
“Night then,” Julian chuckled. He slid down the wall and onto the floor.
Leon shifted back and forth. “I hate sleeping with my hands tied behind my back.”
Julian grinned.
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
Love this section! You did a great job of bringing in Julian’s character and his thoughts, like when he remembered the burning building. Their last exchange is so funny. XD
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.
Oh!
well this is a surprise.
First off, I had expected wails of protest.
Secondly, I was expecting comments about Aelic’s character, so the Julian remark totally threw me off. 😂
Thanks though!
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
why?
For the reason Leon mentioned. Reflexes happening faster than recognition.
The next morning, Julian woke to the sound of voices and banging. He leapt to his feet and yanked on his boots. Leon was already pulling on his hat and beat him into the other room.
When Julian arrived, he found Martin, Aelic, Leon, and Aiden all standing around the front door.
From this description, first the yelling and banging, then coming down to see everyone else only just standing there, I thought there was a riot outside. So I was surprised to learn that it was only snow and that there had been no one outside. Maybe mention that it was quiet when Julian got downstairs?
Julian felt a sickening lurch and he braced against the wall as images of the night the church had almost been burned flashed through his memory.
My mind went there as well.
Everyone was listening in rapt attention and did not notice two young men slip out of the crowd and run down a street.
Point of view violation. If your point of view characters didn’t notice this, neither did we.
“Are you smiling?” Julian asked. “Your smiling, and we’re going to die in a few hours.” He laughed.
Julian, no boasting. (James 4: 13-17) You should know better than this. You’ve been in other tight situations and have gotten away. Just because you are currently captured does not mean you are about to die.
Sometimes it is necessary to paint the sky black in order to see the stars.
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