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@ellette-giselle So Leon’s life was spared! I’m interested to see where this is going, then.
And Julian’s fire incident was a sad thing, but it’s true that such a thing happens. Even here in America we have the occasional church shootout or similar incident. Haven’t heard of church arson much (here in the US anyway) but it’s entirely possible.
"When in doubt, eat cheese crackers."-me to my charries who don't even know about cheese crackers
Leon!!! I didn’t think you would kill him!!
I didn’t feel like the overseers punishing Leon instead of Ian was unrealistic. However, I’m starting to wonder what Ian did to deserve it. I know they’d had their eyes on him, but all he did was trip, right?
Julian’s scene was good too. I liked how it started raining and they were able to get out, and then they started singing again at the end.
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.
Lolol. you seemed pretty convinced…… 😂
Well, the overseers are cruel and they picked Ian as their target. They want him to live in the absolute terror that he could slip up any moment and that would be the end. It’s a terror that drives him crazy. He already had that rebellious spark and a sort of fire about him to begin with, and now they’ve twisted that in to this almost death-wish yet terror of being killed.
He’s messed up. That’s about all I can say.
Glad you liked Julian’s scene!!
Yep, Leon was spared….. for the moment.
Eh, not a lot of arson here, but plenty of shootings. A majority of the men in our church carry guns on Sunday morning. Any shooter that messed with us would be going down.
There’s another pastor we know who keeps an AR inside his pulpit, and dad gave him an old SWAT shield that he fixed inside the pulpit to make it bullet proof. He says that as the shepherd he is called to defend God’s flock from wolves, even if that means killing the occasional wolf.
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
@ellette-giselle I can get behind having a gun and a shield inside the pulpit. He’s well prepared.
I don’t think my church has ever had a shooting in our area, but we still have people guarding around. I work in the pre-k Sunday school, and sometimes, if the weather’s nice, we take the kids over to the playground we have just outside the building. Every time I’ve done it, there’s a church member by that door. Sometimes he helps us catch a kid who’s strayed off from the group if it comes to that, lol
"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!!
Time passed, and Leon’s wounds began to heal, leaving deep scaring in many places. However, his strength was harder to regain. Without good food, and surviving on only two meals a day, he had already begun to weaken. After the beating and so many days on the brink of death, he was struggling to regain any of his former vigor. He found himself often out of breath and the work seemed ten times harder than it had been. This was a constant source of frustration for Leon. His whole life he had always been strong, and it was often by that strength that he achieved victories. Now he was struggling to lift the simplest of lodes.
Though it all, Leon continued to put his trust in God and continued to pray for both friends and enemies.
The weather was starting to cool off, and for that everyone was grateful. The slaves continued to bring in the harvest and prepare the ground for winter. Leon was told it would not get very cold, and for that he was also glad–– though he coped with cold better than heat.
One evening, Leon sat by Albee while the two ate their dinner. “Here, take my bread,” Albee offered.
Leon shook his head in refusal, but Albee pressed it on him. “I’m not hungry.”
Leon laughed.
“Alright, I am, but you need it, Leon. Everyone can see you aren’t as strong as you once were.”
“Thank you for that complement,” Leon replied, completely straight-faced.
Albee rolled his eyes. “Come on Leon, you must have noticed it.”
Leon shrugged the comment off. “I’m getting stronger, and the hard work does me good.”
“Halves,” Albee stated, breaking the flatbread in half and giving Leon the bigger piece. Leon smiled and took it. “You know, I like this bread a lot. We don’t have stuff like this back in my homeland. This bread is flat and airy yet filling, and it tastes very good. I quiet enjoy it.”
Albee snorted. “Honestly Leon, can you even hear the words you’re using! “Enjoy,” “like,” these are not words that slaves use. We barely get enough to eat, you were almost beaten to death, all we do is work and work and work for people who own us, and you’re sitting here talking about how good the bread is!”
“Well, the Lord says, ‘Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you’,” Leon replied. “I could sit here sulking and pouting, and believe me, I can find plenty of things to be miserable about–– as you pointed out. But what does that gain me? Nothing. I spend the rest of my days in misery. Does that sound like a good life?”
“It’s the life we’ve been fated,” Albee grumbled.
“Oh no it’s not. It’s the life God chose to give us to work good in our lives and the lives of those around us. ‘Fate’ had nothing to do with it. Albee, you’re making things hard on yourself. Would you rather think that everything that happens is fate, chance, the flip of a coin, the roll of the dice–– or would you rather believe that this life you live has been planned and designed in the upmost detail, and it is a life that your Creator will willingly and lovingly walk through with you. He is watching over you, even now while you yet turn your back on him.”
“Alright, enough with the scolding,” Albee griped. “You still haven’t told me how you can be so crazy cheerful. Sometimes I wonder if you’re all the way right in the head.”
“It’s God,” Leon laughed. “I ask for the strength to be joyful, and I ask for His joy, and He gives me both. I have resolved that each day I will find at least one new thing to be joyful about or grateful for. Every breath I take, every second of our existence— is a gift from Him. If you open your eyes, you will find that there are so many things you never thought of that you can be joyful or grateful about. Enough to have one new thing for every day of your life.”
Albee laughed outright, slapping his leg with a hand. “Leon, you are crazy! Crazy and foolish. What good can you get out of all that?”
Leon grinned. “I’m certainly not as miserable as I would be if I didn’t. And I’m not as miserable as you are”
Albee stopped laughing and put on his sulking expression. “You’re not playing fair.”
It was Leon’s turn to laugh. “Go ahead, try it tomorrow and see what it does for you.”
Albee raised his hands. “Oh no, I’m not getting caught up in all this nonsense,”
Leon smiled and shook his head. Lord, please take away his pride and help him to see the truth. He set down his bowl and looked up. In the shadows of the falling night, he saw a figure moving away from those eating. He watched and quickly recognized Ian’s walk. He was going away from the slaves’ quarters and away from the rest of the slaves, who were eating. Leon had a sudden urge to get up and follow, right now, that very minute.
Jumping up, Leon started walking in the direction Ian had gone.
“Where are you going?” Albee exclaimed.
“I just have to see to something. I’ll be right back,” Leon called over his shoulder. He turned toward the building they slept in, paralleling Ian’s shadowy form.
Once he got to the building, Leon went in and looked around. There was no one inside, and he crossed quickly to the window and jumped out. He could see Ian up ahead and he began to follow.
Leon quickened his stride to gain a little, but was worried Ian would run if he knew he was being followed.
Ian was walking up a sandy hill, and Leon had the feeling he would turn around at the top. He hit the ground and watched. Sure enough, Ian looked over his shoulder at the top before starting down the other side of the hill.
Leon counted to ten and then sprang to his feet. He bolted and raced up the hill. Two thirds of the way up he had to slow to a walk, and he was angered by his lack of strength. Before all this, he would have easily run up a hill two or three times that size.
Leon went down on hands and knees and cautiously looked over the top.
Ian was nowhere in sight.
Spurred on by a strange feeling of dread, Leon stated to run down the hill. He began to slide in the sand but regained his footing. His strength gave near the bottom, and he collapsed. Leon drove a fist into the ground in frustration. “God, help me to get over this lack of strength!”
Looking up, he spotted a small grove of trees. Ian was standing among them, his back to Leon. In the faint light, he was almost invisible, and Leon would never have seen him if he hadn’t fallen.
Leon slowly got to his feet and moved toward the trees. He stopped a little way off and watched. Ian had one hand against his chest, and the other was over his face. His shoulders jerked unsteadily and Leon heard a choked sob escape him.
Slowly, the young man fell to his knees, and Leon saw the fading light glint off of something in his hand.
It was a knife.
Leon broke into a run, his strength more then he remembered it being in a long time. Ian didn’t turn, and Leon could hear his hoarse weeping as the young man lifted the blade. “Ian! No!” he yelled.
Ian whipped around in surprise and the next moment Leon was there. He grabbed Ian’s wrist and twisted it so that the young man dropped the knife with a cry of pain. Leon didn’t have time to slow, and he tackled Ian, sending the two of them tumbling into the sand.
Leon recovered first and snatched the knife away. He braced; ready for Ian to attack him, and not sure his strength would last through a fight.
Ian, however, did not move from where he had fallen. For a moment, he lay in stunned silence. Then, he rolled over and covered his head with his arms and wept.
Leon sat beside him, his strength rapidly draining away. He gasped for breath, and for a moment was a little dizzy. At last, both of them calmed down, and Ian slowly sat up. “Why? Why did you stop me?”
Leon looked over at him. “Ian, you cannot do what you were about to do.”
“It’s my life,” Ian snapped back.
“No, it’s not,” Leon replied quietly. “Your life belongs to God, whether you choose to accept that or not.”
Ian hung his head and tears trickled down his face. “I’m going to die anyways, Leon. Every moment of my life, I know those overseers are watching. One of these days they’ll take me again, and no one will stop them. They’ll kill me, but it will be a horrible death. I can’t live with that anymore. I just want this to be over now, and I want it to end quickly.”
“Stabbing yourself is not the answer,” Leon retorted.
“At least it’s more merciful than what they would do,” Ian shot back.
Leon didn’t reply. He knew this was a very fragile situation and this might be the only chance he got to speak with Ian. Before he could think of an answer, Ian spoke; “Why did you trade places with me?”
“Because God told me to,” Leon replied.
“Why?”
“You weren’t ready to die.”
Ian sniffed and wiped his eyes with his shoulder.
“Ian, you don’t have to live in terror anymore,” Leon said.
Ian looked up at him, his eyes filled with wary hope and disbelief.
“Ian, Jesus Christ took your punishment. You deserve death because you are a sinner and have broken the laws of God. But Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died so that you wouldn’t have to. He took the punishment you deserved, and by His blood you can be made pure. Ask Him to come and be Lord of your life, confess your sins, and you will be saved. Yes, the overseers will still be cruel, and in the end, they may kill you. But after you walk through the shadow of death you will receive eternal life with Jesus Christ. When it’s over… you will be home.”
Ian’s eyes flooded with tears, and this time he did not wipe them away. “Show me how, Leon.”
Excitement and joy flooded Leon, and he looked at the young man at his side. “Talk to Him, Ian. He’s waiting. Tell Him everything.”
Ian covered his face with trembling hands.
In the peaceful darkness of the grove of trees, he gave his life to the One True God.
***
The next morning, Leon was drained and had a horrible headache, but he counted it as nothing compared to the joy that filled him. Ian had believed, and now not only was he free from death, but Leon was no longer alone.
Everyone noticed the change in Ian, and no one knew what to make of it. When Ian told them it was because of God, they were even more confused. Some shrugged it off, some watched curiously, and others–– like Albee–– laughed and called him crazy. Ian seemed frustrated by their lack of belief, but Leon pointed out that it had taken him a while to believe. “Sometimes it takes time. One must be humble to believe, because you must accept your need for a Savior. Humility is not often easy, and sometimes pride must be painfully broken first.”
Leon and Ian worked side by side in the fields that day. Albee was with them at first, but after about an hour he declared that he was sick of the stupid religious talk, and he stalked off to work by himself.
“Tell me all you know about God,” Ian said.
“That would take a long time, especially since I don’t half know how to describe most of it,” Leon laughed.
“Tell me from the beginning,” Ian encouraged.
“Well, in the very beginning there was nothing. Then, God spoke, and He said, “Let there be light,” and there was light…”
Leon told Ian everything from the beginning and walked through all that he could remember of each book of the Bible. It was not the first time he was grateful for the strong memory he had been blessed with, and even more thankful that he had taken the care to remember what he read.
By noon, Leon’s strength was visibly failing, and he was easily out of breath. He pressed on, knowing if he stopped work he would be punished, but also knowing that these moments he had to talk to Ian were a preciousness gift that could be lost in seconds.
“Leon, you need a break,” Ian said, his voice filled with worry.
Leon was crouched down, his arms resting along the rim of a basket and his head bowed. “I’ll be alright,” he panted.
Ian looked around for overseers. “You’re not well.”
“I’m fine,” Leon replied, raising his head with an effort. He forced a smile. “I just needed a moment to breathe.”
“Leon, you’re very pale,” Ian said, anxiously.
“I’m alright,” Leon insisted. He began working again. “So, what were we talking about?”
“Let’s continue talking later tonight,” said Ian.
Leon sucked in a breath. “Why?”
“You aren’t well, and you need your strength to work,” Ian said gently.
Leon wanted to argue but he knew the truth. He shook his head and continued to work. After a little while, Albee rejoined them. “Finally warn out from talking?” he asked.
Leon looked up, and Albee started in surprise. “By the Fates! Leon, you’re as white as… as I’ve ever seen anyone!”
Leon gave him a sour look and then grinned. “I’m alright.”
“No, you’re not,” Albee retorted. “You have to stop working!”
“Albee, you know what they’ll do to me,” Leon said in a low voice.
Albee winced and looked away. “Leon, please be careful.”
***
As the days passed, Leon seemed to lose more and more of his strength. Albee and Ian both shared their food with him, but it did little good. The pain crept back into the scars from his wounds, and he found it harder to breathe. He knew it was only by God’s power that he had survived the lashing, and it would have taken months of rest, good food, and care to restore him to his full strength. Instead, he had been put back to work the moment he could get up, and Leon knew his body couldn’t continue to heal from the wounds and recover fully after each day of hard work–– especially with the limited food and water he got.
Leon came to the realization that he was slowly losing this battle. He met the knowledge with courage and pressed on, determined to let God’s light shine through him for as long as possible.
Ian and Albee both told him he was working too hard and they both told him he was staying up too late talking to the slaves who came to him with questions and fears. But Leon decided that if his life would be cut short, then he would reach all he possibly could before the end.
One day, as the three worked together, Albee spoke, “Leon, please don’t work so hard.”
“Why?” Leon asked, pausing to catch a breath.
“Because you need to be careful.”
Leon grinned and continued.
After a moment’s silence, Ian spoke. “How long did you stay up last night?”
“I don’t know. A long time. It was starting to get light when we went to bed.”
“Leon!” Albee scolded.
“The boy was afraid,” Leon replied. “He came to me in the night, and he needed help, and I know Who can help him. What’s more, I know Who can save him and give him life and true freedom.”
“Leon, you can’t keep doing that,” Ian said.
“I can’t stop,” Leon replied firmly.
“You have to Leon! You’re––” Albee broke off.
Leon turned to face him. “I’m what?”
Albee lowered his gaze to the ground. “You’re dying.”
“Aren’t we all,” Leon grinned.
“Leon! I mean it!” Albee snapped.
Leon’s face instantly sobered. “I know, Albee. I’ve known it for a while.”
“Leon, please don’t keep pushing yourself like this. We need you. I need you,” Albee said, tears starting in his eyes.
“No Albee, you don’t need me,” Leon replied. “You need Christ.”
Albee looked away.
“Albee, I’m not dying–– not like you are going to. When I pass through the shadow of death I will receive eternal life with my Savior, Jesus Christ. But you won’t. When you die, you will face eternal punishment for the sins you have committed. It is the punishment we all deserve, but Ian and I won’t face that because we have accepted the free gift of grace bestowed on us because of Christ’s sacrifice.”
Albee didn’t reply, and Leon turned to continue to work of cutting the alfalfa. They worked in silence for a moment.
Leon slowed his cutting; there was a tightness in his chest, and he was finding it hard to breathe. He stopped and concentrated on drawing one slow breath after another. Pain stabbed through his back, and he winced. His breath caught and he coughed. Once he started it was hard to stop.
“Leon!” Albee exclaimed. He and Ian hurried to help Leon as he sank to his knees.
“I’m fine,” Leon rasped. “I just need water!”
Albee looked about fearfully. “Leon, you have to get up! The overseers will come past us in a moment.”
Leon set his teeth and nodded. Slowly, he stood with Ian’s help. “Here, start bundling,” Albee said.
Leon gratefully handed over his scythe and began to gather the grass together. He felt something behind him and turned to see four men walking toward them. One was the head overseer, but the others were strangers. He quickly looked away and continued his work. Still, he was on high alert, and it wasn’t long before he heard the tread of their boots. “There they are, sir,” the head overseer said.
The three young men looked up as the approaching group came to a halt. “Which were the last two slaves bought. I said the last two,” one of the strangers said.
“Them,” the overseer replied, pointing at Leon and Ian. Two of the other overseers had drawn near.
Leon slowly stood and glanced at Ian and Albee.
The stranger who had spoken was looking them up and down. Then he nodded. Turning on his heal, he strode away. The head overseer nodded to the other two, and Ian and Leon were grabbed. The men bound their hands roughly behind their backs and pushed them after the retreating stranger.
Leon twisted and looked back to where Albee stood in stunned horror. “Albee! Not me! Him!”
One of the overseers struck Leon so hard that he fell to his knees, gasping for breath. He was pulled up again and shoved forward. Leon glanced to his right and saw Ian’s white face. He knew what terror his friend must be feeling, and even he could not push away the dread at the thought of the unknown that they were being dragged into.
Ian looked his way, and Leon nodded reassuringly.
The two young men were brought to the courtyard between the stables and the house. A young man stood holding the rains of a sleek white gelding. The stranger who had done all the talking mounted the horse and said something to his two slaves. They nodded, and one laid a hand on the hilt of the dagger at his waist. The man turned his horse and urged it into a trot.
The slaves took Leon and Ian from the overseers and commanded them to walk. The young men followed the man on the horse, and the two slaves came behind.
Leon was beyond confused, and he couldn’t shake the feeling of fear that crept through him. He was also near the end of his strength, and each step seemed impossibly hard. Leon gritted his teeth and took one more step, and then another. He wasn’t sure how far they had gone when his legs gave out and he fell to his knees.
The man reigned in his horse and turned in the saddle. He said something and one of his slaves grabbed the horse’s bridle. The man dismounted and came to stand before Leon.
Leon drew in several ragged breaths and looked up at the man, bracing for the blows that were sure to follow. The man lifted Leon’s chin with a hand and looked at him. “You are unwell.”
“It’s not contagious,” Ian broke in, his voice filled with desperation. “He won’t spread it! It was overwork, that’s all!”
The man looked at Ian for a long moment and then turned back to Leon. “Overwork? Well, we can make of that what we will.”
He reached out for Leon’s arm, and the Leon stiffened. He heard the sound of a dagger being drawn from its sheath and braced, sucking in a sharp breath.
“No!” Ian yelled, fighting wildly against one of the slaves, who had grabbed hold of him. “Sir please! Please no!”
“Calm yourself, I am not going to harm him,” the man replied in such a sincere voice that both Leon and Ian believed him.
Leon felt the cold steal of the blade against his wrists, and the ropes began to part. A few moments later, his hands were free. The man turned to Ian. “Do I have your word that you will not run?”
Ian seemed stunned for a moment. Then, he nodded. “Yes sir.”
The man nodded to his slave, who cut Ian free.
The man took Leon’s arm and helped him to his feet. Then, he led him to his horse. “Can you climb up?”
“Yes sir,” Leon said, feeling completely dazed. He grabbed hold of the saddle and swung up, his movements harder to preform, but just as skilled as when he had ridden in the army, and as the White Knight.
The man raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Leon gripped the horse’s mane, and the man grabbed the bridle and lead it along the road. It was not too long before they came in sight of buildings and entered a grand courtyard. One of the slaves helped Leon to dismount.
“See to it that both of them are given clean clothing and are well fed,” the man ordered. Then he turned and walked toward the house.
Leon and Ian were led toward a large building. Inside, the beds of the slave’s barracks were set in rows like the one the two had been living in. But these beds had mattresses of dried grass, pillows and blankets. The place was clean, and fresh air came through the windows. The slave who had brought them pointed to two beds. “Those are to be yours.”
Leon sank down gratefully, and Ian moved to stand beside him. The slave disappeared but was soon back with clean clothing. “There is a stream with a deep pool if you wish to bathe.”
Leon and Ian just stared at him. The idea of getting clean was one that had become foreign to both of them. At last, Ian nodded. He put an arm under Leon’s and helped him to his feet. The slave led them around back and brought a clay jar of soft soap. The two young men stripped and began to wash.
The cool water soothed Leon’s burning scars and aching feet. Nothing had ever felt so good in his life.
When they were clean, they dried off with the towels brought by the slave and dressed in the clean clothing, though Leon left his shirt off to let the fresh air sooth his back. Leon already felt strengthened, but found he was still too weak to walk on his own.
Ian helped him back to the barracks and he sat down to rest.
The slave had disappeared while they were bathing, but now he returned with a wooden platter of food.
Leon took an offered bowl of thick soup filled with vegetables and meat. He ate eagerly and was given all the water he wanted to drink. There was also fruit, and Leon treasured every mouthful of the sweat, fresh, cool orange slices. He had never tasted anything so wonderful in his life.
After eating and drinking, the two felt were refreshed, and all their dread had ebbed away. The slave sat and watched them, seeming eager to serve. When they were finished, he asked if there was anything he could do for them.
“Yes, would you please tell us your name?” Leon asked.
“I’m Caleb,” the young man said, offering his hand.
Leon and Ian shook hands and introduced themselves. “Can you tell us what happened and why we are here?” Ian asked.
“Yes, and where is ‘here’?” Leon added.
“Your old master borrowed one of my master’s horses. He said he would give my master two of his slaves if anything happened to the horse,” Caleb began. “Well, that night he got drunk in the city and quarreled with some men. The horse was killed during the skirmish. Today, my master came to take his two slaves, and said he wanted the two who had most recently been bought. In this way, he was hoping not to be cheated.”
“Is he a good man?” Ian asked.
“Oh yes,” Caleb replied. “As good a master as any slave could want! He is just and kind. We are almost free here. We do the work required–– which is a fair amount–– and then we are free to spend the evenings as we please as long as we stay on our master’s property. He lets us make instruments, play games, create art, and other such things. We are given good food, water and clothing, and as you can see, our home is a pleasant one. If any of us wish to learn to read or write, we are given ample opportunity to learn. Our master comes every week to see that all is well, and he is interested in each of us. He is a good man.”
“What about overseers?” Ian asked warily.
“We do not really have them,” Caleb shrugged. “Sometimes one of the head slaves from the house comes to check on our work, and every week the master looks it over, but we are mostly left to complete it ourselves. Each day, a head slave comes and tells us our duties, and then we do them.”
Ian still looked unsure. “What about punishment?”
“Our master is a good man, but he is just. Disobedience means a loss of a privilege or freedom for some time. But the worst thing is cruelty to others. Our master will not stand that, and he once ordered a slave to be given six lashes for beating another,” Caleb replied.
“Well, that seems fair enough to me,” Leon said.
“There is another good man here to,” Caleb continued.
Ian looked up. “And who is that?”
“Qayid. He is also a slave, but he has become a leader among us. He settles disputes, speaks great words of wisdom, tells us many wonderful things, is kind, encouraging, and a very, very good man. We all love Qayid,” Caleb replied. “He will be excited to meet you both, and I am sure you will see the great man he is when you do.”
“Are really going to stay here?” Ian asked.
Caleb nodded. “Yes, of course.”
There was a sound of steps, and the three looked up. The door opened, and in stepped the master.
The three scrambled to their feet.
“Master Omar,” Caleb said, nodding respectfully.
The man walked to where the three stood. He held out a hand to Leon, who stared for a long moment before offering his own. “I am Kareem Omar,” the man said, shaking it firmly.
“Leon Fischer,” Leon replied.
Marster Omar looked at him in surprise. “That is a name from the Empire, is it not?”
“Yes sir, it is,” Leon replied.
Master Omar shook hands with Ian and then stepped back. “I hope you both find this new home to your liking and know that if there is any problems or trouble you can always speak to me or Qayid.”
The two nodded.
Master Omar looked again at Leon. “Tell me, Leon, what did you used to do in the Empire, and how came you here? You mounted like a true horseman earlier, and even the way you stand speaks of something noble in you.”
“I learned to ride when I was a soldier in the Imperial army. I road for some time in tournaments, and then again as an officer. I left that all behind when I chose to serve the one true God— an act which forfeited my life. From then on, I have dedicated my life to spreading His truth wherever I go. A friend and I were captured by slave traders who hated us for helping abolish the slave trade in one of the towns in my homeland.”
Leon stopped, suddenly realizing what he had said. He looked up at Master Omar, but the man smiled. “It does not displease me that you fought against the slave trade. I did too, when I was young, but to no avail.” He shook his head. “So many lost. Young men… boys even. We met together in the hills, and we dedicated our lives to become the best warriors in the land so that we might fight the slave traders and free their captives. But they always had more men, and our whole nation stood behind them. My two cousins and my older brother were killed in a fight. My little brother road with us— only fourteen at the time. He was standing guard over our camp when slave traders came upon him. They treated him in the cruelest of manners and he died at their hands in cold blood.”
Master Omar clenched and unclenched a fist. “After that, several of us returned home, but to our dismay we found our houses burned to the ground and our families dead. The people of our own towns and villages had risen up against them in vengeance for our actions. We fled into the wilderness, and there all but a few of us died of wounds, wild beasts, or lack of food. I began to wonder if what we were doing was useless. No one listened to us, and the slave trade continued. All we had done was lost many dear to us. So, I chose a new path. There were only five of us left, and together we agreed on a plan. We returned civilization, but far from where we were known. We began to work, and we soon bought homes. Then we began to buy as many slaves as we could and give them a safe place to live, far from the cruelty of others.”
Leon stared at the man in surprise. That was not at all the answer he had expected. “I am so sorry,” he said quietly. “I know what it is to lose those dear to you… but the cruelty you speak of is beyond that.”
Master Omar dipped his head in Leon’s direction. After a moment, he spoke again. “Tell me more. Do you have noble blood? Are you from a family of royalty?”
“Only by adoption,” Leon replied. “I never knew my father or mother, but I have been saved by Christ and adopted into the family of God. I am now a son of the King above all kings, and the Lord above all lords, and I am co-heir with His Son, the Prince of peace.”
Master Omar looked at him for a long moment. “I think you should speak to Qayid. He will find your words very… interesting.”
Leon wasn’t sure if he liked the sound of that.
Master Omar’s eyes had drifted to Leon’s right shoulder, where several scars curled around from his back. He looked down Leon’s arm, catching sight of many more. “May I see your back
Leon reddened slightly but turned. He heard a sharp, angry intake of breath and looked back to see Master Omar was glaring, his fists clenched. “And this is what they died to stop,” he said, through his teeth. “How did this happen?” he demanded.
“Leon saved my life,” Ian broke in. “The overseers had been waiting to kill me for some time, and when I spilled a basket of fruit, they had the opportunity they wanted. Leon told them to take him instead. He took the beating meant for me. They left him for dead, but miraculously he survived. He has not been well ever since.”
Leon smiled. “Ian worries too much,” he said, easily. Still, the room did seem a little foggy. Master Omar must have seen this, for he motioned Leon to sit. He turned to Caleb. “See to it that Leon is well cared for. I’ll send one of the house slaves to see to his wounds. He is to have all the rest he needs.”
“Thank you, sir,” Leon said.
Master Omar turned to Ian. “You must also rest today, and tomorrow too if you wish.”
“Thank you,” Ian said.
Master Omar and Caleb left, and Ian sat down on the bed across from Leon. “Well, I don’t think I believe what’s going on.”
“I know,” Leon grinned. “Perhaps both of us passed out in the fields and are dreaming the whole thing up.”
Ian laughed, but tears choked him. “I can’t believe it.”
“Thank You God,” Leon whispered. “Thank You Lord for keeping us safe and bringing us into the hands of such a good man. Help us to be a light to him and all those here. Bless Master Omar for his kindness. Be with Albee and help him to come to You.”
“Yes Lord, thank You,” Ian agreed.
Caleb and one of the girls from the house came soon after to dress Leon’s wounds and give him more water. After that he slept long and deeply. Leon woke in the early evening, feeling very refreshed. Ian was awake and was looking out the window. “They are all coming in from the fields.”
“I wonder what they’ll think of strangers in here,” Leon said, pushing himself up on his elbow.
“I’m sure Caleb told them. In fact, I think I can see him with them. It looks like they are all coming here,” Ian remarked.
“Can you help me sit up?” Leon asked.
Ian did so, and the two looked up as the door opened.
Several young men and boys scrambled in, many waving or calling a greeting. Leon looked about for the one called Qayid, but he wasn’t sure who it could possibly be.
Two boys started wrestling across one of the beds, and others were pulling out wood carvings or games. Several came up and shook hands, asking Leon and Ian how they were doing.
The door opened and several voices cried “Qayid! Come meet the newcomers!”
Leon looked up to see a young man. He back was turned as he closed the door, and he was talking to a boy standing at his side.
He turned and pulled off his dusty, white head-cloth, looking up with a bright smile.
Leon cried out in astonishment.
It was Rolf.
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
Rolf!!! 😁
Wow, I really liked that section. That might have been my favorite part so far. I love Ian. He’s the best.
(And poor Albee, but I have a feeling he’s going to seek God out now that Leon’s gone…?)
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.
Did you see it coming that it would be Rolf, or did that catch you by surprise?
Oh what? Now your loyalties have shifted?!! I see. So is Ian the new favorite?
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
Well . . . ahem . . .
I sort of kind of saw that “It was Rolf.” before I read the section, since I had to scroll down to the bottom of the email to get to Kingdom Pen.But, no, I don’t think I would have. I was still a little surprised, because I didn’t realize Quayid was going to be Rolf. But I knew someone was going to be Rolf lol. He seemed like he was going to be anti-Christian, with some weird theologies . . . but then it turns out that it’s just Rolf. Although, why did he change his name?
Hmmmm . . . he’s definitely on the podium. I don’t know what the exact order is.
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.
*gaspeth*
CHEATER!!!
🤣
Although, why did he change his name?
Hmm. wouldn’t you like to know.
Wow! Really? Well then, lucky Ian.
btw, what do you think of their new owner, Kareem Omar?
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
It’s a weird system, okay. 😂 I try not to cheat, but . . . it’s hard. I need to know what button to press. 😝
Well, like, the podium for this book, which includes Leon, Julian, and Ian. I think. xD
He seems like a good guy. His backstory sorta reminded me of Julian’s, just cause they both lost their little brother.
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.
Lololol.
Huh, that’s funny. I guess there is a sort of connection there.
I just find the whole idea of his story interesting, and the different ways he has gone about fighting the slave-trade.
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
It’s Rolf! XD I was expecting someone from Vandalia or somewhere like that, not Rolf.
And yeah. I actually read the chapters in my email to avoid spoiling, although it does mean I often forget to comment.
But oooooo, I liked this chapter. Definitely ready for the next one.
(And I still don’t think this book is darker than the first one, but that’s neither here nor there)
First Grand Historian of Arreth and the Lesser Realms (aka Kitty)
Fork the GorkAhhh!!!
Where did you come from?!?! 😂
I wrote a chapter worthy of koshka comments!!!! 🥳
haha! I’m glad you didn’t see him coming.
Ooo, I’m glad you liked it.
I wonder what is hooking everyone so much about this section?! Why do y’all like it so much? 😂
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
I just find the whole idea of his story interesting, and the different ways he has gone about fighting the slave-trade.
Definitely.
I wonder what is hooking everyone so much about this section?! Why do y’all like it so much? 😂
I don’t know! Maybe it was really well written or something. Also, just the events were super interesting. Like, finally, Ian’s conversion, which was done in an interesting way (different from all the other scenes, because he almost committed suicide, but I thought it was well done) and you’ve been building up to it for a while. Also, Leon escaped the slave business (kinda) and found Rolf again! 😝
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.
Okay, that’s fair. I can see where the interest is coming from. 😂
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
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