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Yup. Julian got hit hard….
Also, I have a character named Julian as well! He was once a haughty prince…until he got turned into a unicorn. My story was a twist of the “Frog Prince”.
"He who never quotes will never be quoted." ~Charles Spurgeon
Sorry, didn’t get tagged yesterday. I think Linus has a valid concern about the scene with Julian and Dian, but moving the scene where Julian shares the Gospel with him to a day or so later would fix it, in my opinion.
I think it was nice to see Julian argue with God a little bit. It’s slightly a different reaction than you’ve shown before, like Linus said.
I think I tend to lean toward Linus’s reaction, blaming myself rather than God. I haven’t gone through anything like Julian and Leon are, though. I think I would typically be afraid for whatever could happen, and pray for God to change or fix the situation that I’m in instead of blaming Him for where it’s already gone. For example, in Julian’s case, I would be disappointed and scared, but I think I would be praying more for Leon and Rolf’s safety and for God to lead them back before arguing with Him and complaining yet, since I don’t know for sure what’s happened. However, I’m sure if the situation didn’t change and only got increasingly worse, I might start to argue and complain. If I knew for sure that Leon and Rolf had died, I could see myself disappointed and angry with God. But as it is, Julian doesn’t really know what’s happened yet. He knows they were kidnapped and taken by former slave traders, but there’s still hope for them. However, as impulsive and emotion-driven as Julian is, I think this reaction fits him better. For Leon, however, as you show him in the beginning of the section, he kind of has the stereotypical reaction Linus mentioned that a lot of your characters seem to have. Leon is more cautious and logical, typically, right? Obviously after days of hard travel, neglect, and cruelty, he’s exhausted, sore, and worried. I think you could lean into this more, maybe. Instead of having him only question why God has brought them there, you could have him praying for God to save them before the slave traders try to kill them, or for God to give them an opportunity to escape. He could even pray for a chance to share the Gospel with these men. He could still be frustrated and disappointed with God, but have it also be mixed with a prayer to be saved.
I don’t know, just some thoughts. You can take it or leave it. Otherwise, I liked the section!
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.
@ellette-giselle I agree with @hybridlore ‘s statements! I think that bit about Leon’s reaction might’ve been what I felt was missing from the scene.
"When in doubt, eat cheese crackers."-me to my charries who don't even know about cheese crackers
oh man. I have had some of the WORST sprains ever!! One took almost two months to heal!
Roland’s is not as severe, and he has been off of it for four days and as you can see he starts limping when they travel again.Oooh! I love Dian!
you just love sailor characters. 😝
Is that why you like him? Or for other reasons too?
As for what was said, it’s “Dian, come here I need help now.” I think. I’ll have to double check. 😝
Pfft!! What!! A unicorn! That’s insane. 😂
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
okay!! Thanks for the suggestions!! I’ll rework a few scenes.
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
@ellette-giselle okay then!!
"When in doubt, eat cheese crackers."-me to my charries who don't even know about cheese crackers
@hybridlore @linus-smallprint @koshka @keilah-h @elishavet-pidyon @liberty
NEXT SECTION
Leon looked at the shafts of sunlight moving across the floor of the hold as the ship rocked up and down in the waves. He and Rolf had been held captive down here for over two weeks. The ship had come to a stop at two other places, and they had heard the dreadful sounds dragging steps accompanied by shouting, crying, and pleading. Some of it was in the common tongue and some was strange, but it all meant the same thing.
They were not the only captives aboard.
Leon and Rolf were given two meals a day and it was only at these times that they saw other people and the sky above. The meals worried Leon. Obviously, Hassan was trying to keep them strong and healthy… but to what end?
“What’s something about you that no one would ever guess?” Rolf asked.
Leon jolted from his thoughts. “What?”
“What is something that even those who know you probably wouldn’t guess?” Rolf asked. “Answer the question unless you can think of a better one to pass the time.”
Leon thought a moment. A smile began to form on his face, and he reddened slightly.
“What?” Rolf asked.
“You wouldn’t believe me,” Leon laughed.
“That’s the point. These are surprising and unbelievable things.”
“Alright. I can play a Guitarra Latina, and I also write music,” Leon replied.
“No. Not Really!” Rolf laughed.
“Yeah,” Leon grinned. “I don’t even think Julian knows that. His brother, Adrian, caught me playing and singing once, and I made him swear not to tell. The other soldiers would have teased me to death if they’d know.”
“Sing something,” Rolf said.
“Not on your life!” Leon exclaimed.
“My sister, Liesl, plays the Dulcimer,” Rolf said. “I always loved listening to her play.” He was silent for a moment. He shook his head slightly and looked back at Leon. “So, why did you learn?”
“Well, when I was young, there was a bard who lived in the village, and I loved to hear him play. He was always kind and would give me an apple if I came and listened. One day, I asked if I could play, and he said yes. I had a good ear, and he said he would teach me. He treated me with more kindness than anyone else I knew, and I was sad to see him leave for another town,” Leon replied.
“Where is your Guitarra?” Rolf asked.
“I had to leave it when I ran from the army back in Ardenta,” Leon replied.
“Oh… I’m sorry,” Rolf said.
“No, it’s alright,” Leon shrugged. “I wouldn’t have been able to keep it while we were on the run all those years in Ardenta. Sometimes I look back and think, I can’t believe we survived that! In that time, we only lived from hour to hour. There were no plans for the day to come, let alone the future. I know it was only by the power of God that we lived through that. But God used that time to draw us to Him. In a situation like that we had to cling to him and trust Him for everything. It’s like what Jesus said, ‘Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.’ That verse was very meaningful to us. And I think it will continue to be even more so in whatever trial you and I must face now.”
“I wonder what’s going to happen,” Rolf said, his face sobering.
“I don’t know,” Leon replied. “But what I do know is that it is a plan for good and not for evil. A plan to give us a future and a hope.”
“Leon, what hymns strengthened you and Julian the most?” Rolf asked.
“Hmm, there were several. I think The Son of God Goes Forth to War was one of my favorites. It really spoke to me as a soldier,” Leon replied.
“I know you said you didn’t want to, but can we sing it? I can’t help but feeling frightened, and I find that I feel closer to God when praising Him,” Rolf said.
“If singing a hymn with you is the last thing I do, I will count myself blessed,” Leon replied with a smile. He closed his eyes in memory for a moment and then began to tap the floor with a hand. As he became surer of the tune, he hit his fist into the wooden floor as rhythm. Rolf joined him, and a smile lit his eyes as the two broke into song.
“The Son of God goes forth to war
A kingly crown to gain.
His blood-red banner streams afar;
Who follows in His train?
Who best can drink His cup of woe,
Triumphant over pain,
Who patient bears his cross below––
He follows in His train…The martyr first, whose eagle eye
Could pierce beyond the grave,
Who saw his Master in the sky
And called on Him to save.
Like Him, with pardon on His tongue,
In midst of mortal pain,
He prayed for them that did the wrong––
Who follows in his train?Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God all mighty.
Holy, holy, holy,
Merciful and mighty.
Lead on, lead on
The Father and the Son!
Lead on, lead on,
The Sprit three in One!
Lead on, lead on,
Until the war is done…***
The ship came into harbor the next day.
Leon and Rolf waited in breathless silence as Hassan’s voice yelled orders above them and they heard steps this way and that. The hatch opened, and two men dropped down and pulled the captives to their feet. Leon and Rolf squinted in the bright light as they were brought on deck.
Hassan paused to look them over before nodding and jerking his thumb to the right. The two were roughly pulled to the side of the deck.
Leon looked to the left and saw sailors guiding other prisoners. They all looked to be in their teens and early twenties, and he grit his teeth, angered by the amount of life Hassan had stolen.
Hassan’s voice sounded from behind him. “Did you think you could stop the slave trade? No, you may have ruined the best town in the Empire, and for that you will pay. But the slave trade? No. The only thing your actions have done is fed it two more victims,” he smiled cruelly. He turned and walked away, smacking Rolf as he passed.
Leon and Rolf exchanged horrified glances. Slavery? Were they to be sold as slaves? Leon shuddered. He knew if that were the case, he and Rolf were most likely facing a prolonged death sentence. He drew in a deep breath. Give us strength!
He turned to fully face his friend. Leon held out his hand and Rolf grasped it firmly. Leon couldn’t help but notice the dried blood, bruising, and raw skin about each of their wrists, and he knew it was only a fraction of what was to come. Leon looked Rolf straight in the eyes. “Rolf, we may well be separated. Before that happens, I need us both to remember that we have two choices right now. We can live the way the world expects–– a life of fear, despair, and sorrow. Or we can live so that others see God in us. We can live as lights in this dark country. We can live with hope and find joy in that hope. We can live as Christ would. That’s what I choose to do.”
Rolf nodded. “So do I. Let them know that we belong to Him, and we are sons of the King of kings.”
The two embraced quickly and then stepped apart as one of Hassan’s men came to them. He bound their wrists behind them, and Leon bit his lip as the wounds began to bleed again. Rolf was pulled to the side, and Leon was able to see the cruel marks on his face from when Hassan hit him with the horsewhip. Leon clenched his teeth. How could he prepare his young friend for what they were about to face? How could he prepare himself?
The two were led off the ship and taken through the docks. There were almost as many varieties of people and cultures here as there were in Clonabay. Leon was angered and saddened to see that they were not the only slaves being forced along the docks. Someday, God… someday may they see and know!
Leon and Julian soon found themselves in a large marketplace. An auctioneer was already selling off slaves, and Hassan moved to talk to a man standing nearby with a sheet of parchment in his hand. They talked for a long time, and Leon and Rolf took the chance to look around at all the different people. There were many, but it seemed most of those buying looked like Hassan and his men. That meant they must be in Hassan’s home country; Ararveh.
The man Hassan was talking to finally gave a nod and waved him off. Hassan motioned to his men, and they stepped around behind the platform the auctioneer was selling from. Leon and Rolf were forced to sit on the ground with several other young men around their age. Leon looked toward the prisoners on his right, but the young man nearest him lowered his gaze to the ground, and the one just beyond turned his head away.
Leon and Rolf sat, praying silently as the auction continued around them. Leon could feel the sickening dread inside of him, and he forced it down, refusing to let it take hold. God, I know You are with me, and I know you will use this for good. Please help me to trust You. Give me a spirit of power, love and a sound mind, and take from me this fear.
Leon was startled when rough hands dragged him to his feet and pushed him forward. He twisted and caught Rolf’s eye. “How do you choose to live?” he whispered, knowing Rolf could not hear him, but praying he understood.
“For God.” Rolf mouthed back.
Leon was pushed up the stairs and shoved to the auctioneer’s side. The auctioneer glanced over Leon, and a gleam came into his eyes. He grabbed Leon’s arm and shoved him forward, almost to the platform’s edge. “Citizens of the great town of Sarilica! Here before you is a very rare opportunity! This is a young man all the way from the Empire! We all know the warriors of the Empire. They are swift, strong, and full of endurance. Now, here before you stands the rarest opportunity to ever cross this platform. Look at the strength of his arms, the straightness of his back, and the broadness of his shoulders. Who could find a better offer?”
“Is it tame?” one man asked, and there was a hail of course laughter.
“Of course it is,” the auctioneer replied. “He was taken by the great Hassan Salim.”
All eyes turned to where the trader stood leaning against the post of a stall. He dipped his head slightly in acknowledgment and the people looked back to the auctioneer. “Hassan has said he has not yet tasted the whip. If any problem should arise, that will soon settle it.”
There was laughter again.
“I thought the men of the Empire were strong willed, fierce, and stubborn,” shouted one laughing voice.
“Obviously not,” came a reply. “Look at him! He’s as docile as a pet pony.”
More laughter.
“If he was really like the men we’ve heard of, he would have never been captured,” came another voice.
“Come on now, you can see he’s physically strong, so never mind the lack of courage and fighting spirit,” the auctioneer called back. “Where do we start the bid? I say twenty-seven Dinar, and that’s robbing me most certainly as he’s worth seventy in the least.”
One of the men raised a hand.
“Thirty? Do I hear thirty Dinar?”
Another man nodded and the bidding continued.
Through it, all Leon stood completely still, his eyes fixed straight ahead. He had never guessed what it could do to him to hear others talking as if he were a horse or mule— something to be traded, bartered, and sold. Only valued by the breadth of his shoulders and the strength of his back. He clenched his fists behind him back, letting the flexing tighten the ropes. The sharp pain was one thing that reminded him he really was here, and this wasn’t some cruel dream.
The slave auction could break a man’s spirit and leave him with wounds that would never heal. Leon could feel those wounds already and felt himself braking. Of everything he had gone through, this was by far the worst. The cruelty, the laughter, and the complete disregard for human life. It was unbearable. Jesus, help me! He cried out inside. Please, please help me. Don’t let this break me. Don’t let this turn me bitter and hateful. Oh God, I hate them so much! Help me, please help me. Let me feel You. Help me to know that I am Yours and I mean something to You. Please!
In that moment, parts of scripture flooded Leon’s memory–– the Savior’s answer to his desperate cry. All about Leon, the voices of the men, and the laughter, and the crying of some of the slaves waiting to be sold–– everything faded away, and all he heard was the gentle voice within him. It was a sort of hearing that was more like feeling. It was as still and small as a whisper, and yet as strong and powerful as the sea. “Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands… For we are His workmanship… I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued My faithfulness to you… The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing… See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”
As each piece of scripture came to mind, Leon felt peace and strength wash over him. He stood still and let the power of God’s love pour into him, praying that it would take away his fear and despair and bring him peace.
Suddenly, Leon found himself being jerked forward and he saw one of the men counting out money for someone who looked official. With a sickening feeling, Leon realized he had been sold. This can’t be happening! Not in real life! His mind cried out. I trust You. I belong to You. I trust you, Lord.
Leon was taken down the steps and roughly forced to stand with the other slaves who had been sold to men who were still interested in the auction.
Leon kept an eye on his owner, praying with all that was in him that the man would buy Rolf as well.
The auctioneer was skilled at his game, and he kept the crowd guessing as to who and what would be sold next. The auctioneer got a cut in whatever slaves he sold, so he wanted the buyers to pay as much as possible.
The next two were boys from one of the eastern countries, their faces the tan brown of the dessert folk. They were wiry and slender and looked like they were used to riding and fighting. The older of the two still had a spark in his eye that boded ill for him.
After them was a girl with a very pale complexion and dark hair. The contrast was very striking, and Leon knew many of the younger buyers in the crowd were taking note of her beauty. She sold quickly and for a high price.
After her came two more young men, one pale and dark haired like the girl, the other dark skinned with close cut curly brown hair.
Leon hated watching, and he wished it would end. Movement caught his eye, and he saw one of the auction officers pulling Rolf to his feet. Leon’s heart started racing as he saw his friend shoved up the steps and handed over to the auctioneer.
The man smiled as he grabbed Rolf, and Leon guessed he himself had gone for a high price, for the man seemed to expect Rolf would.
“People of Sarilica, behold your luck today! Another young man of the Empire! Never have I seen such luck in one town. The gods of all nations must highly favor you.”
“All nations but the Empire!” one man shouted, and the words were met by laughter.
“Look at him–– just as fine as the last, or maybe finer. He too is tame, yet his strength unbroken. He will be well worth your money. I myself have a mind to buy him myself if no one starts the bidding soon,” the auctioneer replied.
After a few more crass remarks and laughter the biding began.
God please, please, please help Rolf. Give him strength and remind him who he is. Keep him close and let him feel Your love. If it is Your will, oh Lord, please have the man who bought me buy him too. Please don’t separate us! Leon looked toward his new owner, and the man did seem interested. He was fingering the leather purse in his hand and listening to the biding. At last, he raised a hand.
Yes! Yes! Leon cried inside.
Another man raised a hand, but Leon’s owner was quick to bid higher. It was not long before the rest dropped out and left it to be fought out between the two of them.
Leon’s owner raised a hand, and then the other man did, and then Leon’s owner. Back and forth back and forth–– the auctioneer looked extremely pleased. Soon the two men began calling numbers on their own and they climbed quickly past one hundred. At last Leon’s owner called out “One hundred and seventy Dinar!”
“Two hundred Dinar,” the other man returned.
The crowd held their breath.
“Please God, please!” Leon whispered.
Leon’s owner turned to the other man and bowed.
The crowd clapped and Leon hung his head as his last hope was snatched from him. Rolf was pulled off the platform and brought near to where Leon stood, but not close enough for them to speak.
The auction continued, but it was soon clear most of the best had been sold and the richer men began to collect their purchases and move on.
Leon looked at Rolf. They both knew the moment of separation was close at hand; and once separated, they didn’t expect to see one another again. Leon saw their owners drawing near and he risked moving closer to Rolf, knowing it was the last chance he had. “Rolf, stay strong. Remember who you truly are, and no matter what happens, never turn from God.”
“I won’t, and you remember the same,” Rolf whispered back. “I will pray for you every day for as long as I live. I give you my word.”
“And I give mine to do the same for you,” Leon replied quietly.
Moments later, the two were separated and led in opposite directions.
Leon looked over his shoulder, watching Rolf as long as he could. Rolf was doing the same, and Leon prayed he would stay strong through whatever might come.
The last sight of Rolf he had was just before they turned onto a new street. Rolf gestured upward with his head and Leon nodded. Then, Rolf was gone, and Leon turned away and fought back the tears that blurred his vision. Oh God have mercy on him and keep him safe. Give us strength!
***
Leon remembered none of the journey from the marketplace to his master’s home. It was all a horrifying blur as he tried to force himself to understand what had happened. When they arrived, he was taken by one of the slaves to the fields and there handed over to another slave who showed him where he would stay.
The slave house was long, low, and dirty. Leon was shown to a cot and told to wait. He did so, trying not to think of Rolf, Julian, Aelic, Roland, Joseph, Amelia… the list of those he loved and would never see again seemed to go on forever.
Leon rubbed a hand over the back of his neck and looked about at the other cots in the room. He wondered how many slaves were here and what his task would be. He wondered, with some apprehension, what kind of gods were served in this land. “It doesn’t matter, Leon. You are a child of the living God; the One true God. If you must die for Him, then so be it,” he said to himself.
Steps sounded, and Leon looked up to see a young man approaching. He had extremely red hair, and freckles were spattered all over his face as if someone had flicked a brush of paint over him. He came to the door and leaned against the frame, looking at Leon.
The two just stared at each other for a moment, and Leon felt like he was being sized up and evaluated. At last, the young man pushed off the wall and walked toward Leon. “Hello, I’m Albertus O’Brian, but everyone calls me Albee, and if I like you, then you can to.”
Leon couldn’t help grinning. “I’m Leon Fischer,” he said, shaking hands with Albee.
“Where are you from?” Albee asked.
“The Empire,” Leon replied.
Albee’s eyes widened. “The Empire! I thought they were strong fighters, and I thought they supported the slave trade.”
Leon laughed. “I, for one, most definitely do not support the slave trade. In fact, I helped to end it in one town. After that, my friend and I were caught by bandits, and then the slave traders caught the bandits and one of them recognized us from the town… it was all over after that.”
“You got captured twice?” Albee laughed. “Well, I hope you do alright here, it can get tough. Man’s work and all.”
“I’m not afraid of hard work,” Leon replied calmly, though inside he was slightly nettled that this young redhead thought he had been captured because he was weak.
“Where’s your friend?” Albee asked, looking about the room.
Leon tightened his right hand into a fist. “He was sold to someone else.”
“Oh, bad luck,” Albee shrugged. “My brothers were sold to someone else too. I haven’t seen them since.”
Leon was disturbed by the nonchalant way Albee said it. It was like it didn’t really matter. Albee caught his look. “What?”
“Well… it’s just…” Leon didn’t know what to say.
“The way I said it?” Albee asked.
“Yes,” Leon replied slowly.
Albee laughed. “Look, Leon, if you let that sort of thing get you down then you’ll never survive here. Our lives have been changed forever, and the only reason we exist on this earth is to work and then die.”
“No, no that’s not true,” Leon replied. “We’re here because God put us here for a purpose.”
“Oh no, another religious boy,” Albee groaned. “Listen, the last one of those slaves who came here talking about his gods and how he would serve them, and they would save him and curse this land and bring punishment and retribution… he died three days later. He was not ready for the work here, and his beliefs in his gods came to nothing.”
“My God is different,” Leon replied with a smile. “My God is the One true God, and He will give me strength. You will see.”
“Oh yes, I’ll see,” Albee laughed. “Enough talk. You have work to do, and I’m supposed to show you how, so stick close to me.”
Leon stood up, and Albee looked him over. “You won’t want those clothes. You’ll die out there,” he said. “Haven’t you noticed how hot it is?”
Now the Leon thought about it, he was very hot. He nodded.
“This is the cool part of the day,” Albee grinned. He laughed at Leon’s look of shock. “Here, put these on.” He threw a stack of clothes he had been holding at Leon. Leon caught them and held them out. There was a thin, long sleeved, white shirt, light brown pants, and a strip of fabric. “Why long sleeves?” Leon asked.
“You’ll burn horribly without some sort of cover. No matter how hot it is, always were a shirt,” Albee replied.
“And the cloth?”
“For your head. It doesn’t matter the weather, don’t ever take it off. You, with your light hair, are sure to get burned badly without, and you can get fever, and then you’ll die because they’ll continue to work you in the sun until you drop.” Albee whipped his own out of his belt as he spoke and dipped it in a jar of water standing by the door. He fastened it back on his head with a grin. “Hurry up, I haven’t got all day.”
Leon looked back at the shirt and noticed several tears with dark stains around them. He took a closer look. It was blood.
Leon pulled back.
Albee raised an eyebrow. “What?”
Leon wasn’t sure how to say it. Before he could, Albee figured it out. “Oh, that was Ivan’s. They killed him because he tried to run. Did you think you were getting new clothes?”
Leon licked his dry lips uneasily. “No… I wasn’t sure.”
“Well put them on and hurry up about it,” Albee commanded.
It was not long before the two of them were walking through the blinding sun. The shirt was so thin the breeze cut right through it, but in a few minutes, it was clinging to Leon’s back, soaked in sweat. “What are we going to do?” Leon asked.
“Work the farm of course,” Albee replied.
Leon looked at him in surprise. “What could possibly grow out here in all this sand and sun?”
Albee grinned. “Wheat, sorghum, barley, and millet, for starters. Then we have tomatoes, watermelon, eggplant, potatoes, cucumbers, and onions as vegetables, and for fruit there are date-palms, citruses, and grapes. The the horses eat alfalfa and other grasses that grow here.”
“Well… that’s a lot more than a thought,” Leon admitted.
Albee grinned again. “Look, just follow my lead, and stay away from overseers. They’re nasty and will do anything to get you in trouble.”
Leon soon set to work beside Albee. The sun was hotter than anything he had experienced, and the work was backbreaking. Albee kept things light and cheerful, but shut up immediately if he saw an overseer.
There was one young man who worked close to them. He had dark hair and light skin like the boy and girl Leon had watched being sold. He had a fire about him that Leon could tell was dangerous. He worked diligently and lowered his head whenever the overseers passed, but once their backs were turned, he glared defiantly at them. Sometimes, if an overseer was far enough away, he mimed drawing and firing a bow in the man’s direction.
Albee caught Leon watching and shook his head. “He’s trouble, and he doesn’t have much longer to live–– you’ll see.”
When the long day was over at last, Leon walked back with Albee. The boys were all gathered about outside, and Leon saw they were eating. The ones returning from the field he had been working in ran to catch up.
Soon they were all standing around as several slave girls dished up bowls soup. Leon didn’t want to know what kind of soup it was, but he was too hungry to really care. Besides this, they got some bread and a little bit of vegetables.
Leon sat on the ground beside Albee and said a silent prayer of thanks before hurriedly digging in. He watched the others as he ate. “Albee, why are they all so young?”
“Young?” Albee asked through a mouthful of bread.
“I would say between the ages of fourteen and twenty-eight.”
“Twenty five, more like,” Albee grinned. “I’m the oldest.”
“Well, not anymore,” Leon smiled. He sobered. “But why are they so young?”
“Because no one lives more than a few years in a place like this. Unless you’re extremely lucky, like me. I’ve been here for ten.”
“Ten years?” Leon asked.
Albee laughed. “Did you think you’d go free? We’re here for the rest of our lives, Leon.”
Leon opened his mouth and then closed it. He wasn’t sure what he had thought, but he had never measured the time by anything so long as ten years in his mind.
By the time they finished eating it was dark, and the young men and boys went into the slave house.
Some tumbled into bed and went immediately to sleep. Others sat around and talked, and a few began to gamble with sticks and stones. Among them was the dark-haired boy Albee had called trouble.
Leon sat on his cot and watched them. This boy was very skilled and seemed to be winning pile after pile of sticks. Leon couldn’t exactly figure out the game, but it reminded him slightly of dice.
The dark-haired boy seemed to feel Leon watching him, and he looked up. “Come play,” he said, and it sounded like an order.
The others looked up to see how Leon would respond.
“No thank you,” Leon replied.
“Never gambled before? Don’t worry, there’s really nothing to lose,” one said.
“I have gambled before. I did it often; to my regret,” Leon replied.
The dark-haired boy looked up, a challenge glinting in his eyes. “Then what’s holding you back?”
“I don’t gamble anymore,” Leon replied.
The young man laughed. “Why not?”
“Because when I gave myself to Christ, I set aside my past and that included an addiction to gambling. I won’t even play at doing it,” Leon said.
“Coward,” the young man taunted.
Leon turned away so he was sitting on the end of the bed and began to unlace his boots.
The next moment, someone grabbed him by the back of the collar. “How dare to turn your back on me!” hissed an angry voice.
“Ian, let him go,” came Albee’s voice.
“No, I’m not letting this go by,” replied Ian’s angry one. “I’m not letting him go until he apologizes.”
“Ian, I’m sorry, I did not mean to offend you,” Leon said humbly. “I didn’t know you would take my turning around as an offense. Please forgive me.”
There was a moment of stunned silence, and the grip on Leon’s shirt loosened. Then, Albee spoke; “There, he did it. Now let him go.”
Ian tightened his hold. “No! Now he has to make up for it by playing a round with us.”
Leon let out a slow breath. “Ian, I need you to let me go. I am not going to gamble with you, but if you would like to play something else, I am willing. Now please let me go.”
“No,” Ian replied, angrily, throwing an arm over Leon’s chest. “I’ll choke you if I have to, but I’m not giving in!”
There, that was what the problem was. If Ian listened to reason, it would be viewed as giving in to a new, untried slave who was considered weak and incapable of defending himself.
Leon sighed inwardly. “Ian, this is your last chance; let me go and we’ll talk about this reasonably.”
“Make me,” Ian hissed, moving his arm across Leon’s throat.
The next moment, Leon was on his feet and had twisted, setting his hip just below Ian’s and grabbing hold of the young man. He threw Ian over his hip and then guided his fall, letting him hit down hard, but not hard enough to hurt him badly.
Several of the slaves leapt to their feet, and the rest froze in shock.
Leon still had a hold of Ian’s arm, and he looked down at the young man, who lay staring up at him in shock. “Ian, I do not gamble,” Leon said. He let go of Ian’s arm and stepped back. “Now, I am open to any other ideas you might have. If not, then I am going to bed.”
Ian didn’t reply, and Leon nodded. “Ian, I don’t want to be enemies, but I am not going to compromise my beliefs.” he held out a hand, but Ian rolled away and got to his feet. He turned his back on Leon and stalked away to his own cot.
Leon sat down again and finished untying his boots, ignoring the whispers of the others. He drew back the thin, torn blanket and looked at the pallet. There was another blanket, and underneath was straw. Leon straightened the blanket over the straw, and then cautiously climbed onto the cot, bracing for it to collapse. It didn’t, and Leon slowly lay down and pulled the other blanket up to his shoulders. Closing his eyes, he began to pray silently, ignoring the lantern light and the murmur of voices in the room.
“Father God, thank You for protecting me from harm today. Thank You for Albee and the kindness he has shown. Thank You for the meal tonight and a place to sleep. Thank You that we have shelter from the night. Please be with Rolf, wherever he is. Protect him and give him strength and courage. Help him to cling to You and seek to honor You in all that he does. Help us both to trust You. I can’t see the good of us being separated, but I know You can. I look forward to the day when I will stand at Your side and You will show me how all of our lives and things that happened to us wove together to make Your masterpiece. Use me here to touch others. Help my life to shine Your love to those around me. Use me to draw them to You. Help me to be a light! I pray for each one of the young men and boys here. Protect them, give them a peaceful and strengthening sleep tonight. Give them strength for tomorrow and open their hearts to You.
“Be with Ian. Show him Your love. Take away the bitterness within him and draw him to You. Be with Albee and heal the pain within him. Help him to find You and see the truth. Heal the pain and hurt in each one of these young man and boys. Help them to find You! I pray for the girl slaves who work in the house and gardens. Protect them from the evil intentions of men and from cruelty. Heal them and bring them to You. Help them to see Your light in this darkness.”
Leon tried to sleep, but a thought continued to nag at him. He lay there for several moments, wresting with what he knew he should do. Finally, he gave in. “Lastly, I want to pray for my captors. Help the ones who own us to come to You and see Your light. Help them to find the truth. Draw them to You and show them Your salvation. And yes, Hassan and his men too. I must confess, part of me doesn’t want them to believe, for then Hassan would be my brother! Oh, how horrible! Oh God, help me. Take away this bitterness and help me to forgive. Don’t let me be like Jonah who was not willing that You should forgive the people of Nineveh. Help me to trust You and help me to forgive. Have mercy on Hassan and show him the truth. Help me to forgive him.”
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
@hybridlore @linus-smallprint @koshka @keilah-h @elishavet-pidyon @liberty
For anyone interested in the song that I showed part of, here it is:
(It’s a medieval song from the Underground Church.)
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
Great section!! It seemed pretty realistic. Oof, Ian’s going to be trouble 😬
I can’t wait for the next one!
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.
Haha! Yes, Ian is going to be trouble. In fact, he’s going to _______________
What do you think of Albee? (btw, I love that I gave him a big long name. 😂 It’s just so funny to me, because it totally doesn’t fit him.)
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
I like him! He has a funny personality. I think he might become a Christian eventually.
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.
Hmm. Interesting.
Yes, he does have a funny personality. He’s slightly messed up tho. Like, weirdly morbid and also cheerful in a odd mix.
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
I knoww. It does seem to work with his backstory, though. Poor guy. Ten years in slavery…
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.
Yeah. That’ll do it.
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
@ellette-giselle I’m honestly glad you didn’t kill them straight off. Slavery is a cruel fate for them, but this is really interesting–and different from the other books. I also like the “change in scenery” and would love a map of the new countries on this side of the sea.
I like the new characters, too.
"When in doubt, eat cheese crackers."-me to my charries who don't even know about cheese crackers
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