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Thanks you two.
As for online, I don’t trust it. I’ve heard and seen too many online things get hacked for my liking. 😅
Thanks for the suggestion though!
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
NEXT SECTION!!!
Interesting POV switch. A new technique I tried out for telling long stories rather then having a ton of first-person dialogue. Let me know what y’all think.
The sixteenth year of Emperor Haidronias’s reign
September 9th
The EmpireAs I earlier recorded, we are indeed in troubled times. After our church was set on fire, (as I chronicled on the 3rd) we have decided to meet secretly in different homes around the town, and do so under the cover of darkness in the early morning or late evening. The rain that put out the fire has not ceased to fall, and the streets flow with water. It was the hardest downpour of rain anyone here has seen for a long, long time. No action was taken on the part of the guards and soldiers, though Oswin did tell them that we had been attacked while gathering to have a peaceful meeting. The priests have the soldiers wrapped around their fingers and we can expect no help from them. But, as David wrote; ‘Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.’ Psalm I46:3. We must remember not to put our trust in princes, emperors, soldiers, or generals. We must not trust man, but rather our God, who has proven Himself faithful thus far, and has delivered us from death many times. I trust Him to remain faithful, for God does not change. After the fire, it was discovered that Aelic, Amarin, Oswin, Roland, myself, and several others burnt our hands badly while we were tryin to brake free. We did not notice until the next morning. I hope my writing is readable, for my hand is wrapped up in a bandage and is quiet painful. Thankfully, no one was hurt seriously. Praise God that we are all alive and well. As before stated, we will continue to meet for worship, though we must be cautious. The danger is not past, and we know now that those men and many others like them mean what they say. I am sure the priests were behind this and will continue to be behind the attacks that follow. But we will not fear men, for as it is written in Luke, ‘“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.”’ (Luke 12:4) And so we will not fear them, but we will fear the Lord and obey His commands, and we will trust Him to lead us through all that may come and all that will befall us.
~Julian
Julian sat with Roland and Aelic in their room at the inn. Two more weeks had passed since the attack on the stables, and they had been left in peace. But it was an uneasy peace. Tension was slowly mounting, and none of them believed it would be long before something happened.
All three of them had the same feeling, but it was Aelic who finally voiced it. “It’s time for us to leave.”
“Perhaps we should stay a little longer,” Julian replied, hesitantly.
“Why?” Roland asked. “We have been here since spring, and the church is strong and has faithful leaders. It’s time for us to continue to the Capital.”
“Maybe there’s more we can do here,” Julian argued, but deep down, he knew the others spoke the truth. Still, he couldn’t bring himself to leave. He was still holding on to a faint hope— however unlikely it might be.
“Julian, they aren’t coming back,” Aelic’s voice was filled with compassion, but firm.
Julian shook his head. “No, I’ve got to wait just a little longer!”
“Julian, Aelic’s right,” Roland said. “Leon and Rolf were taken in early May. It’s been five and a half months now.”
“I can’t leave them. What if they come back!” Julian cried.
Roland looked up; his eyes dark with pain. “Julian, I loved Rolf as a brother, and I have spent my entire life with him. It hurts me horribly to leave, but we have to accept what God has done, and we have to trust that we will meet them again one day.”
“It’s time to let go,” Aelic said.
Julian drew in a deep, shuddering breath. He let it out slowly and swallowed hard. Then he looked up at the others. “When do we leave?”
“Well, the next place before the Capital is that small town Landstraten,” Roland said.
“The farming center?” Julian asked.
Roland nodded.
“Alright then. We’ll set out for Landstraten in three days’ time,” Julian said.
The three young men broke the news to the church the following morning, which was the Sabbath. It was a time of both sadness and joy. The Believers were sad to lose three, but glad that God’s word would continue to spread.
That day and the one following, money, food, and other provisions continued to arrive at the inn. On the third day, many gathered to bid Julian, Roland, and Aelic farewell.
The three said goodbye, promising to visit again if they ever passed near the town.
Then, they left and set out for on the four-day trip to Landstraten.
As they walked, Julian wondered what sort of reception they would receive and what might lay ahead.
***
“Rolf!” Leon was on his feet in a moment. A wave of dizziness hit him, and he put a hand against the wall to steady himself.
“Leon!” Rolf cried. He leapt toward his friend, and the two embraced. “Oh Leon, thank God you’re here!”
“Oh Rolf! Oh God is so good! I never thought to see you again!” Leon exclaimed, ignoring the pain that flashed through his back at Rolf’s tight hold.
Rolf stepped back, his face slightly worried, for he had felt the weakness of Leon’s grip. “Leon? How did you come here? Are you well?”
Leon sat down slowly and grinned up at Rolf. “I’m well. Just a little tired, that’s all. Your master took Ian and I as trade for a horse of his which my former master borrowed and accidentally killed.”
“Oh Leon! I have so much to tell you, and you must tell me what’s been happening to you! Is this Ian? Is he a friend?” Rolf asked, looking to where Ian stood nearby.
“Yes, this is Ian. He is more than a friend, Rolf. He’s our brother now,” Leon grinned.
Rolf grasped Ian’s hand and slapped him on the back. “Well met. I am Rolf Klein.”
“Ian Petrov,” Ian replied, shaking hands.
Rolf sat on the bed across from Leon. “Come, you have to tell me everything from the moment we were separated in the market.”
The other slaves had grown quiet by now and were all gathered around the two beds to listen.
Leon told Rolf everything, with Ian adding in details about how much Leon had done for him, though neither spoke of the night Ian had attempted to take his own life.
Rolf was both angered and dismayed by Leon’s injuries and the cruel treatment he and Ian had suffered. When Leon was finished, Rolf told his story.
“I was bought by a man who was a rough sort. I was forced to work from before sunup to late in the evening. I witnessed in every way I could to those around me. Four of the slaves believed. Our master was very devoted to his gods, and so we had to be very careful, or he would surely kill us.
The four who believed shared a shack with me. We all lived in small shacks with five slaves each. I wish I could have reached the others, but we hardly got to speak a word to one another, which is why I was only able to talk with those in my shack. I pray though, that our actions showed Christ to those who remained.
“Well, one night, the five of us gathered to pray as we always did after work was over…
†
“Oh, I am so tired!” Joran groaned, pushing his thick black hair from his darkly tanned face.
“So am I,” Rolf agreed, throwing himself across his straw pallet.
Gareth took off his white headscarf and mopped his sweat-soaked blond hair with it.
Simon sat down and swung his lanky legs up onto his pallet, rubbing the soreness from them with his hands.
Conrad walked in and sat down slowly. Being the fairest skinned of the five, he had suffered the most by way of sunburns, though his thick dark hair helped to protect his head.
At nineteen, Rolf was the oldest and had fallen into the position of leader. It was not a hard one to fill, for he had been the oldest at home, and these boys had become brothers to him. The youngest of them was Gareth, who had just turned fifteen.
Rolf sat up. “Alright fellows, let’s gather around and pray before we collapse.”
The others joined him in a circle on the floor— which was just about as comfortable as the pallets they slept on. “Are there any requests?” Rolf asked.
“Tell us another verse to memorize,” Joran said eagerly.
Rolf thought for a moment. Father God, speak to me and give me the passage You want us to learn by heart.
Rolf looked up. “‘Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.’”
“I like that one,” Conrad said quietly.
“Say it again,” Simon added, his eyes narrowed in concentration.
Rolf did so, and the four repeated each sentence he spoke. After doing this for some time, they turned to prayer. “Is there anything we should pray about specifically?” Rolf asked.
“Well, continued prayer for the other slaves, our master, and the overseers,” Simon put in.
“Prayer for the friends and family we were taken from. Prayer that they come to know the truth,” Joran added.
The others nodded solemnly.
Rolf looked around and then nodded. The five bowed their heads in prayer, and Rolf felt Conrad’s hand on his shoulder. He smiled sadly, remembering how Ernst used to do that when they prayed together. He listened as Simon started, and then came Joran, followed by Conrad. Their prayers were full of hope and faith, and he silently agreed with each, thanking God that he had such friends to strengthen him in this time.
The door behind them crashed open with a bang, and the five started. Two overseers stood in the doorway, and behind them was the master’s oldest son. “So, it was true!” the son spat.
Rolf could feel Conrad’s hand tightening on his shoulder, and he looked up at the men. Oh God help us!
The master’s son stepped in front of the overseers and glared down at the five. “What were you doing?”
“Praying,” Rolf replied.
“Do you not remember that it is forbidden to pray to any gods but ours,” the young man hissed.
“Yes sir.”
“Then why have you disobeyed like this?”
“Because we have given our lives to God, and we must obey Him over man,” Rolf replied, forcing his voice to remain steady.
The young master lunged, and Rolf saw a flash of steal in his hand. He jerked back, but knew it was useless. The master’s son stood poised to strike Rolf. Then, he lowered his blade. “Lock them up for tonight. Tomorrow, we will see if they are more obedient. If not, then we will deal with it.”
Rolf and his four friends were dragged to their feet and their arms bound behind them. They were taken outside and locked up in a small, dark storage shed. The only light came from the shafts of moonlight which shone through the holes in the roof. For a long time, no one spoke, and they sat stunned.
“Simon, is that your elbow in my back?” Rolf asked, after a long moment.
“Yes, but Joran’s boot is jammed against my side, and I can’t move,” Simon replied.
Rolf clenched his teeth as the ropes bit into his wrists. “Is everyone else alright?”
“We’re unharmed,” came Gareth’s voice.
There was silence again. At last, Conrad spoke; “Rolf, what do we do now?”
“We pray,” Rolf replied firmly. He bowed his head and drew in a deep breath. “Father God, we are all scared. We know we may face very cruel punishment and most likely death tomorrow. Please help us. Give us strength and help us to stand strong for You. Help us to face tomorrow with courage. Let Your light shine brightly through us all. Give us strength and help us to remember that You are here with us. Thank You for never leaving us or forsaking us, and for always standing at our side, guiding and helping us. We love You with all our hearts. Help us to show that through our words and actions tomorrow. We trust You.”
There was a long silence.
Finally, Joran spoke. “Thank you, Rolf. Thank you for everything you have done for us. Thank you for showing us the way to Christ.”
“Yes Rolf, thank you for obeying God’s call and showing us His love through you,” Conrad agreed.
“You’re welcome,” Rolf replied, a catch in his voice. “Thank you all for encouraging me and being such strong friends and allies in our faith. Thank you for all that you’ve done.”
“Whatever happens tomorrow, I have confidence that we will all meet again,” Simon said.
The others nodded in agreement.
We should try to get some sleep, Joran said.
After much struggle in the dark, the young men were able to get comfortable enough to sleep. As Rolf lay on his side, he stared at a silver shaft of moonlight. It seemed to him so beautiful in the black darkness, and he smiled. Father God, be with those who remained in the Empire. Give them strength and help them to trust You and continue in the path You have set before them. Be with Leon, give him strength and help him to continue to trust You, come what may. Please be with our master and his son. Forgive them for whatever they plan to do to us. Show them Your salvation and bring them to You. Let whatever happens tomorrow be a sign to those who hate us of Who we belong to. Shine through us like never before and let them see You. Help us to trust You to the end. Give us strength.
It seemed like only a few moments later that Rolf found himself being dragged to his feet. He saw the pale faces of his companions in the early morning light, and the angry faces of the men who were dragging them up. Rolf and his friends were hauled outside to a waiting wagon. The men roughly forced them in, and then one grabbed the bridle of the donkey pulling it. Rolf spotted the master’s son mounted on a black horse, his eyes narrowed and a tight smile crossing his lips.
Rolf’s eyes drifted upward, and he took in a slow breath. A cold chill ran through him at the thought that this was most likely where it all would end, but mingled with the fear was a peace that grew stronger and stronger with each passing moment. Rolf closed his eyes. “I trust You,” he breathed.
Rolf did not open his eyes until they stopped moving. When he looked up, he saw that they were in the middle of the desert, surrounded by an endless sea of sand on all sides. Rough hands grabbed ahold of Rolf and hauled him to his feet on the sandy ground. Rolf looked back over his shoulder at his friends. He could see Gareth’s wide, terrified eyes, and Rolf gave him the best nod he could manage. The sand beneath his feet was so dry and packed that it felt almost as hard as stone, and it was still cold from the chill of the night.
The master’s son had dismounted and stood with his feet apart and his arm’s crossed. Rolf was shoved a few steps forward and then thrust to his knees. He caught his breath and braced for whatever would come, silently begging for strength.
The young master spoke. “Slave, you have defied us, and you have defied the gods. Your actions bring a curse upon us, and we will not stand for this. Repent now and turn from your foolish ways or die.”
“I will never deny my Savior. I will never stop praying, and I will never bow to another,” Rolf replied, with a strength that was not his own.
“Look at me, slave,” the young man spat.
Rolf looked up and followed the pointing finger of his accuser to where two men were pounding short stakes into the hard ground. “Do you know what those are for?”
Rolf shook his head, trying to swallow down the fear that rose in his throat.
“If you do not turn, then I will order my men to tie down and leave you here. If the heat of the day doesn’t kill you, then the wild beats of the night will.”
Rolf felt a shudder race through him, and his mouth went dry.
“Is it really worth such a cruel death?” the master’s son asked.
“Yes,” Rolf whispered. “Yes,” he repeated louder, though his voice shook. “Yes, I am ready to face such a death for my Savior.”
“Very well than. You have made your choice.”
Rolf was dragged up and brought to where the men were. They threw him to the ground and yanked him over onto his back. Then they bound his wrists and ankles tightly to the stakes they had driven into the sand. Rolf bit his lip as blood began to trickle over his wrists and stained the ropes that held him. He looked up as two of the men brought Simon forward. “God give him strength,” Rolf whispered.
Simon looked to where Rolf was and then faced the master’s son. The young master threatened and reasoned, but Simon refused to give in. It was not long before he lay on the ground not too far from where Rolf was bound.
Young Gareth was next, and though his face was white with terror, he kept his eyes on his two friends who had gone before him and made their choice his own. After him was Joran. The young man looked straight at his accuser, and to every threat and argument replied, “I cannot turn from the One who saved me.”
Rolf couldn’t help the surge of pride for his friends that filled him. Now, it was Conrad’s turn, and Rolf silently pleaded with God to give him strength. He watched as the boy was dragged forward, and he could see him shaking with fear. “Oh God help him, help him!” Rolf whispered desperately.
The master’s son could also see Conrad’s fear, and he quickly capitalized on it. “Slave, do you see your companions? They are fools. They have chosen to give their lives for a God you can’t even prove exists.”
“He does,” Conrad whispered.
“But are you sure?” the master’s son asked, his voice taking on a gentle tone. “I would hate to see one so young as yourself die in such a horrible way for nothing. What if it’s a lie? What if He isn’t real at all? Or worse, what if you aren’t worth saving? What then? If He is just a story, or does not save you, then what will happen?”
“He is real,” Conrad replied. “I know it!”
“But will He save you?”
“Yes,” Conrad replied, trying to steady his chattering teeth.
“How do you know?”
“He said so”
“Did He really? And even if he did, did He say it to you directly? Perhaps those were words for another time and another people.”
Conrad shook his head, but didn’t reply.
“You don’t have to accept our gods, you just have to stop praying to yours. Is this really worth what you will go through? You will be trapped out here and the sun will beat down on you. You will long for water, but there will be none. You will beg for shelter and receive nothing. If you survive all of this, then the fate that awaits you in the night is the teeth and claws of the wild beats. They will attack and you will be powerless to defend yourself. Are you ready to face that? Are you ready to face death?”
Conrad covered his face with his hands and shook with sobs. “No,” he choked out. “I can’t! I’m afraid!”
“Then come back with us. All of this will be forgotten, and you will live,” the master’s son said, laying a hand on his shoulder. “Just give me your word that you will stop praying to this God of yours.”
“No Conrad!” Simon cried out.
“Just a simple promise. No more prayers. That is all.”
“Conrad No! Don’t do it!” Rolf shouted, staining desperately at his bonds.
“Don’t listen to them. They end their foolish lives in these last few days, but you will live,” the young master.
“Conrad, please!” Rolf cried.
The only reply was Conrad’s hoarse weeping.
“Conrad, it will all be over soon, and then you will stand with us before God!” Joran exclaimed.
“Conrad, think of those long hours of suffering and this lingering death that you will face,” the master’s son said. “No more prayers, and you live.”
“I can’t face that,” Conrad whispered.
“Then promise.”
There was a long silence and everyone there held their breaths. Then, Conrad spoke, his voice muffled by his hands, but the words clear to everyone. “I’ll stop.”
Rolf felt tears flood his vision as his friend was pulled to his feet. Conrad might live, but he would lose everything that had any importance. Rolf saw Conrad’s head hung low and he looked broken and defeated. He would live, but his life would be a shallow one. Rolf gritted his teeth; he couldn’t let that happen. “Conrad!” he yelled, surprising himself by the loudness and force of his voice.
Conrad stopped and turned toward him, but his eyes stayed fixed on the ground before him. “Conrad, you cannot do this! Jesus Christ died for you, and He has promised you eternity with Him and His help and strength to face every trial. He will be with you to the end! Then once this is over and this life is behind you, you will stand before Him. He will take you as a brother, a friend, and a faithful follower. How can you throw away eternity for this life? And a life without Him! Conrad, He loves you and He is right here, ready to help you. He will walk through this last fight with you, standing at your side. And when you fall, he will carry you home. When you have passed through the shadow of death you will stand before Him, face to face, and He will say “Well done!” Conrad, is anything so precious that you would trade it for this? Is life so dear that you will give that up?”
Conrad looked up, tears running down his face.
“Conrad! It’s not too late!” Rolf shouted.
For a moment, Conrad stood stone still, his eyes locked on Rolf.
“Oh God, give him strength. Help him!” Simon pleaded.
Conrad clenched his fists at his sides and spun on the master’s son. “No!” he shouted. “No! I can’t give my word. I cannot turn my back on my God!” he fell to his knees and covered his head with his arms. “Oh God forgive me,” he wept. “Help me. Please help me!”
The expression on the young master’s face was so full of rage that Rolf felt a chill run through him.
The master son turned on one of his men. “Punish this rebellious slave!” he yelled.
The man walked to his horse and retrieved a whip from the saddle. He stalked back to Conrad and swung his arm up. He unleashed the whip with a furious swing, and Rolf shuddered at the crack as it struck Conrad’s back. Conrad cried out and reeled, collapsing to the ground. The man struck again and again, and Conrad’s cries were muffled by his arms above his head and the sand below. Rolf clenched his teeth. “Oh God, oh God help him. Please help him!”
At last, the master’s son waved the man off and he stepped back, breathing hard. Conrad’s choked sobs filled the silence that followed. The young master nodded to his men, and two of them dragged Conrad to a spot near Rolf. They yanked him over on his bloodied and torn back, and Conrad cried out in pain. The men bound him and stepped back. The master’s son stood over Conrad and crossed his arms. “I gave you a chance to live,” and you have thrown it away for death.”
Conrad closed his eyes and turned his blood-streaked face away.
The master’s son laughed and turned. He walked away and mounted his horse. The others followed, and the sound of their horses’ hooves faded into the distance.
For a moment the only sound was Conrad’s uneasy breaths.
Rolf turned his head to look at him. “Well done, Conrad,” he said, softly.
The slightest of smiles played over Conrad’s pale, tear-stained face.
Rolf looked up at the sky and drew in a slow breath. His thoughts turned to the heroes of old. He thought of Daniel, who, like them, would not cease praying. He thought of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, who would not bow to any other God. Stephen, who was the first to give his life for Christ, and so many others. He looked again at Conrad, and then at his other friends. Here they were, waiting for whatever death would seal their fate, but all of them were here, together, and not one would be missing when they passed through death and into eternal life with Christ.
Slowly, time passed, and the minutes melted into hours. The sun rose higher, and the heat intensified. Rolf could feel his face growing warmer and warmer. It began to painfully burn, and he turned his head the other way. For a time, there was relief, but then the burning began again, and there was no escape. Thirst crept through him, at first uncomfortable, but then painful–– desperately crying out for water. His mouth and throat became as dry as the burning sand around him and his lips cracked and bled. He turned his head and saw Simon not too far away, his face twisted in an expression of pain. Beyond and below Simon was Gareth. The boy was tossing his head back and forth, fighting to gain any relief from the burning heat.
Rolf turned his head the other way and looked down and to the side. He could see Joran not too far away. The boy’s darker skin protected him more than the others, but it was clear that he was struggling with the thirst and heat. He was fighting to pull the stake up that bound his right wrist, but the stakes were spiked like double arrow heads, and they held firm in the ground.
Rolf closed his eyes. He could feel the sweat soaking his shirt, but the sun’s heat dried it almost at once. He tried to lick his dry lips but gained no comfort. He looked to where Conrad lay. The boy’s face was white, and his blood stained the sand red. Rolf could only imagine the pain he was suffering at this moment. Conrad’s chest rose and fell unevenly–– the only sign that he was still alive. He would most likely be the first to lose this fight.
The time continued to tick away, and the heat only intensified. Thirst was driving all five of the young men crazy, and the sun began to burn them through the protective layer of clothing. It was about midday when Rolf gathered the strength to speak to his companions. “Conrad, Joran, Simon, Gareth, are you awake,” he asked, his voice hoarse with thirst.
“I am,” came Simon’s reply.
Joran and Gareth replied in kind, and Conrad slowly nodded.
“We did it,” Rolf said. He took several breaths. “We knew that this would come sooner or later, and we prayed for the strength to stand firm. God gave us all the strength we needed, and now we are all here–– together.”
Tears slipped down Conrad’s face, drying before they hit the sand. “Rolf, what does the Bible say about forgiveness,” he asked, brokenly. “Can God forgive what I almost did? What I did do?”
Rolf blinked away his own tears. “There is a psalm that says ‘Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to You do I cry all the day. Gladden the soul of your servant, for to You, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon You. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. In the day of my trouble, I call upon You, for You answer me.’”
“Tell me another one,” Conrad whispered.
Rolf paused to think. God, give me something to tell him! Then, one came to mind. “‘I am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins.’”
The silence that followed was only broken by Conrad’s hoarse crying. “Father God, forgive me! I was a coward, and I didn’t trust You. I’m so, so sorry. Please, please forgive me.”
“He has, Conrad,” Rolf said. “He will always forgive. His mercies are new every morning, and He is willing to forgive, and by His blood your sins are wiped away.”
Conrad continued to cry, but the despair had left him.
Rolf looked to the others. “I suppose now we have time to pray together, and no one will stop us. They’ve already done their worst.”
Simon laughed, though his voice cracked horribly when he did so.
The time continued to pass and the five prayed through it. They quoted scripture to one another and did their best to encourage each other.
Not once did Conrad mention the horrible pain of his wounds, though the others knew it must be terrible. He was the most cheerful of them all. When even Rolf began to lose courage and strength, Conrad continued to try and reassure them. “Hold on just a little longer. It won’t be long now,” he said over and over, though his voice became weaker and hoarser.
The others took courage at his words, and the hours continued to drag on and on, and the sun began its decent into the west. As Rolf watched it, the relief of the sun’s departure was replaced by a creeping dread.
They had survived the day, but they would most certainly die this night. The wild animals that prowled the desert would come upon them and there would be nothing they could do. A shudder passed through Rolf at the thought, and he pulled weakly at the bonds, trying to gain the strength to break free. Terror overcame him, and with all the strength he had he fought with the ropes that held him.
“Rolf, what’s wrong?” Conrad asked, his voice hardly above a whisper.
Rolf stopped fighting and rested his head against the sand. He looked up at Conrad’s anxious face. “I’m afraid,” he said, softly.
“Of what?” Conrad asked. “Dying?”
“No, just the way it will happen,” Rolf replied, with a shudder. “The thought of lying here helplessly and being torn to piece by wild animals— I can’t stand it! I would rather die of thirst and heat than that.”
“It is horrible,” Conrad admitted. “But, whatever comes, we know God is with us, and He will never leave us to face it alone. Just think, once it’s all over we will meet our Savior and Lord!”
“I know,” Rolf replied. He fought back another creeping shudder. “Conrad, whatever happens, I thank God you are with me.”
“It will be an honor to die at your side,” Conrad replied. He winced and sucked in a sharp breath.
“What is it?” Rolf asked.
“Nothing,” Conrad panted.
“Is it your back?”
Conrad closed his eyes tightly and nodded.
“What’s wrong?” Joran asked quietly.
Rolf turned his head to look at him. “Conrad’s back.”
Joran winced. “Oh Father, please help Conrad. Ease his pain,” he whispered.
The sun sank lower and lower, and twilight fell. Rolf looked to each of his companions. He could see Gareth shivering, but he wasn’t sure if it was from fear or the sudden cold that came with the departure of the sun.
Simon was looking outward, stiff and waiting for something to appear. Joran lay staring up at the sky, his lips moving in silent prayer.
Rolf looked to Conrad and saw that his face had lost even more color than before, and he lay very still, his breathing growing more and more irregular. The blood that stained the sand about him frightened Rolf.
Darkness fell, and Rolf could no longer see his companions, but in the stillness, he heard their breathing.
Then, the moon began to rise, and he saw their dark forms against the silver sand. God give us strength. Help us. Stay with us through whatever may come. Be with Julian, Roland, Aelic, My brother, father, and sister. Be with all the believers in the Empire and help them as they too face a coming storm. Help us now. Help Leon. Be with him and protect him, wherever he is and whatever he is going through. Be with the other slaves and help them to come to know you. Help the overseers, our master, and his son to repent and turn to you. Help Hassan and his men to come to know You. Use whatever happens tonight to further the spread of Your word. Take away our fear and give us peace.
At his side, he could hear Conrad’s breathing become more labored, and his breaths came short and quick.
“Conrad?” Rolf asked, hoarsely.
“I’m alright,” Conrad managed.
Rolf closed his eyes against tears. “Jesus, help us. Give us strength! Please––” His words were cut off by a distant barking, howl.
Rolf shuddered and he heard Gareth gasp.
The call was answered by several others, and it was not long before there was a scampering of feet in the sand. Rolf whipped his head this way and that, trying to spot the creatures. Then, he saw them.
They ran in on all fours, shaped almost like wolves, but with a feline twist to them. They barked again and one threw back its head and howled. The creatures edged nearer, and Rolf could hear Gareth’s quiet crying in the darkness. He wanted to stand over the boy and protect him; to die at his side. If he must die, he wanted to go down fighting, not lying helpless and unable to even defend himself, let alone those around him.
Rolf struggled again with his bonds, but he had no strength. He kept his eyes on the approaching threat and waited, wondering who they would attack first. At his side, he heard Conrad’s desperate whisper. “Jesus, help us!”
Rolf felt a tremor run through him and a horrible twisting inside as he imagined the creatures pouncing, their teeth and claws, and the agonizing pain and slow torment. “Please, please, please,” he whispered.
One of the creatures moved toward him and began to sniff the ground. Rolf froze and held his breath, though he knew it would do no good. There was a noise of scattering sand to the other side, but Rolf couldn’t tare his eyes away from this creature. The animal growled and leapt. Rolf tried desperately to twist away, and sickening terror tore through him. Just before the animal landed, it collided mid-air with another larger creature, who had bounded over Rolf from the other side.
The two hit the sand and rolled apart. The larger beast struck a quick, killing blow with its massive claws and then spun on the rest of the pack. Two lunged at it, but the beast swiped one from the air and sank its teeth about the neck of the other, tossing it away like a dog would a rat. Then, the creature rose to its full height and let out a roar that shook the sand beneath it.
Rolf nearly stopped breathing from terror. It was a lion. A huge, male lion. This was no lioness hunter, but a large, ferocious, warrior-king of beasts.
The other creatures scampered off with high pitched whines and yelps.
The lion turned and regarded the young men with its great glowing eyes.
Rolf couldn’t breathe, and he lay in frozen horror as the great animal stood over him. He waited for the claws to strike, but they didn’t. The lion was looking past Rolf, in the direction the other creatures had run. It turned and carefully stepped around past Rolf and toward Conrad. “No! Oh God no!” Rolf whispered.
Rolf watched in terror, waiting for it to attack his friend. Conrad lay tense and breathless, watching the creature. The lion leapt easily over him and continued in a circle, making its way toward Gareth. Rolf heard Gareth’s choked cry of fear, and then silence, followed by the lion’s shadow moving over him. The lion made a full circle, passing each one of them, and then stood in the moonlight, facing the way the beasts had attacked from. It came back and began to gather up the three dead animals, dragging them away to the side. Then it lay down and began to clean its paws.
Rolf watched it, breathing quickly and bracing for an attack. Eventually, his pounding heart slowed, and the strange thought that the lion was protecting them entered his mind. He stared at it in wonder. If God could shut the mouths of the lions for Daniel, could he not command one to protect us? He wondered.
‘You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday,’ whispered the words of a psalm. “Oh God, thank You for sparing us,” he breathed
The night continued, and the lion remained. Once, it rose and raced away into the darkness, but it was not long before it was back, and Rolf wondered if it had warded off yet another attack. He looked to where Conrad lay. “Conrad are you alright?”
“No,” Conrad whispered. “I can’t hold on much longer, Rolf.”
Rolf’s eyes filled with tears, and he struggled to choke them back.
“Rolf, I feel Him so close to me. I am not afraid anymore,” Conrad rasped.
“Oh Conrad,” Rolf choked. His words trailed off and he lay still, watching his friend in the moonlight. It was too dark to know for sure, but he thought he saw a smile on the boy’s face.
Conrad’s breath rasped and became quicker and shallower. Then, in the darkness Rolf heard him draw in one final breath. In the still silence that followed, Rolf felt tears run down his face.
The night wore on, and Rolf struggled to stay awake. He found it growing harder to breathe, and his throat burned from lack of water. While the moon was still high, Rolf slipped into the dark embrace of unconsciousness.
The sky was a soft painting of blue, pink, and gold when Rolf opened his eyes. They burned and he felt feverish. He closed them again and lay still. His mouth and throat felt like they were full of sand and his whole body burned from the damaging heat of the sun the day before. He opened his eyes again and saw Conrad. The boy was lying still on the bloodstained sand, his head tilted upward and slightly toward Rolf, his face pale beneath the blistering burn of the sun. His lips were dry and cracked, and no breath passed through them. Yet, the expression on his face was one of quiet peace. He had almost given in, and had almost let his fear destroy him. But in the end, he had clung to Christ and had relied on strength not his own. He had finished his fight, and now he was victorious. He had given his life for the One who died for him, and now he was home, and he was at peace.
Rolf would have cried, but he didn’t have the strength. Instead, he lay and looked at his friend and wondered how long it would be before he joined him. He wondered if any of the others had died in the night, and he wondered where the lion was, but he did not have the strength to even turn his head. He closed his eyes again and slipped once more into unconsciousness.
The next thing Rolf knew, there was water. He could hardly believe it, and he wondered if he had died. But no, that didn’t seem right. He supposed he was dreaming, and he lay very still, trying to let this wonderful dream continue as the water trickled slowly over his face. He thought he heard voices, but he tried to shut them out.
Slowly, slowly, and against all his efforts, he was dragged out of his sleep. But, to his surprise, the water only seemed more real and was cooler and fresher. He gasped and water flooded into his mouth. Rolf jerked his head, choking and gasping for breath.
“Easy now,” came a thickly accented voice. Rolf reached out for the water and suddenly realized that his hand was free. It took all his strength to lift it, and he groped for the source of the water.
“Easy there, easy,” came the voice again, and a hand grabbed his wrist and gently lowered it to the ground.
Rolf felt the water trickle against his cheek, and he opened his mouth, drinking in the slowly moving liquid as fast as he could.
“Take it slowly. You can have as much as you want, only drink slowly.”
Voices sounded nearby, and he heard weak coughing. A wet cloth touched his face and gently began to wipe away the sand and dust.
Rolf opened his eyes again and looked up at the blurry form of a man bending over him. He looked beyond the man to where Conrad lay. He had been unbound, and his hands had been laid over his chest, his wrists streaked with blood where the ropes had dug into them. Rolf let out a grief-stricken cry, suddenly remembering all that had happened. He pushed the man’s hand away and dragged himself the few paces to where Conrad lay. Reached an arm about him, Rolf collapsed, his head on Conrad’s chest. His shoulder’s shook and hoarse, broken sobs tore from him.
Rolf never remembered much after that, except that two men lifted him up off of Conrad, and someone draped a cloak over his friend. After that, Rolf slipped into blackness again.
The next thing he knew, he was lying in the cool shade of palm trees, and a canopy of canvas overhead. He lay on soft cushions, and his burns were less painful. He slowly turned his head and saw Gareth lying not far away, curled up on his side and sleeping peacefully. Simon was asleep a little beyond him, and Joran was sitting, propped by cushions, in a low wicker chair. He smiled at Rolf. “How are you feeling?”
“Better,” Rolf replied, and he found that it hardly hurt to speak. He slowly pushed himself up and looked around. “Where are we? And what happened?”
“We were found by a group of nomad scouts and taken to their camp,” Joran said. “Now we are their ‘prisoners’, which hasn’t turned out to be a very bad thing.”
“Where is Conrad?” Rolf asked.
Joran looked at him strangely. “I thought you knew.”
“I… I know he died. But where did they take him?” Rolf managed.
“One of the men told me they buried him near the camp. They will take us to see the place when we are stronger,” Joran said quietly.
Rolf lay back and said nothing.
It was not long before one of the nomad women came to check on them. Finding Rolf awake, she helped him sit up and offered him small slices of fruit and a bowl of broth, cautioning him to eat and drink slowly. She rubbed an ointment over his face and arms, and the pain of the burns instantly faded.
The others woke soon after, and they were given food and drink. The four were told to rest, and they slept away most of the day. By nightfall, they were stronger and even able to stand and walk short distances.
The next morning, the leader of the camp came to speak to them. He sat down on the ground under their shelter and motioned them to do the same. He looked from one to the other. “Who is your leader?”
The four looked at one another and shrugged.
“Who is eldest?”
“I am,” Rolf replied.
“Then tell me who you are,” the man said.
“We were slaves,” Rolf explained. “We have each been stolen from our homes and were sold into slavery to a man and his son.”
“What are their names?”
“I do not know,” Rolf replied. “None of us knew much about them, and if we asked questions we were punished.”
“Tell me, why were you tide down in the desert?”
Rolf hesitated a moment. Everything in him cried out against telling the man the truth. He couldn’t endure that torment again, and he was sure this man did not share his beliefs. Oh God, give me the courage and strength to tell him the truth, no matter what happens. “We believe in the One true God, and we serve Him alone,” Rolf said. “This angered our master and his son, and so they dragged us out to the desert and gave us each the choice to cease praying or be left there to die.”
“And you chose that death over ceasing your praying?” the man asked, his eyebrows arched in surprise.
“Yes,” Rolf replied. “Each one of us would rather give our lives then turn from God.”
“And the hyenas?”
“Hyenas?” Rolf repeated.
“There were three dead hyenas and my men say there were tracks from a pack.”
“They were killed and chased off by a lion,” Rolf. said
“A lion,” the man laughed. “You must be joking. A lion would have torn you all to pieces.”
“That is what we thought, but it stood guard over us all night long,” Rolf said. “I believe God brought it there to protect us.”
The nomad leader sat in silence for a long time. Then, he looked up. “And what of the other boy? My men reported he had been severely beaten.”
“Yes,” Rolf. replied “Yes, he was. He angered the master’s son by his choice.”
The man nodded thoughtfully. “He was a brave boy, no?”
“Yes, he was. Very brave,” Rolf said. He swallowed back tears.
The man looked from one to the other. “I will take you to see his grave. Then, we must continue on.”
“Will we stay with you?” Joran asked.
The man laughed. “Oh no. We are a peaceful people, and I don’t like this God of yours. It seems you will either bring a curse on us or get all my people killed.”
Rolf opened his mouth, but the man waved him to silence. “No, you will not stay with us. I will bring you to a man that I know and give you to him.”
“Give us to him?” Simon asked.
“Yes,” the man replied.
“For what?” Rolf wondered uneasily.
“His slaves of course. You have been destined to serve, and I will not displease the gods by altering fate. You are slaves, so slaves you shall remain.”
Rolf’s heart fell and he wanted to cry in despair and anger. God why? After all this pain and suffering. I have been faithful to the last and given up everything. I have even been willing to lose my life for You! And now You reward that by delivering me over to slavery again?
He saw Simon, Gareth, and Joran all looking toward him, and he knew they were waiting for him to lead. They must feel the same way he did. Rolf let out a deep breath and nodded.
The four young men were given a good breakfast and then taken to see the place where Conrad lay. There was only a simple stone marking the place, with no name. Rolf knelt and gently ran his hand over it. “Please sir, is name was Conrad. Is there any way…” his voice trailed off.
“I will have one of my men see to it,” the nomad leader said.
So, before they set out, Rolf saw that the simple headstone bore the name Conrad, and below it he himself roughly chiseled the shape of a cross.
The four were given spare horses to ride, and they set out with the Nomads to whatever fate awaited them at the hands of their new master.
It was near nightfall when they came to the property and road into the courtyard. A slave ran inside and soon returned with his master.
The man shook hands with the nomad leader. And the two spoke briefly. Then, he walked over to where Rolf and his friends had dismounted. The man held out a hand. “I am Kareem Omar, but you may call me Master Omar. What is your name?”
“I… I am Rolf Klein,” Rolf stammered, staring at the man in surprise. He shook hands with him and then dropped his arm to his side, wondering what on earth was to come.
“Come with me, all four of you. You will dine with me tonight, for I am told you have a strange and intriguing tale to tell me.”
Rolf just blinked at him in astonishment.
The man laughed and then turned and waved to the nomad leader, who was already turning his horse away. Rolf found his voice in time to shout, “Thank you sir, for saving us.”
The man turned in the saddle and raised a hand in farewell. Then, he was gone.
“Come,” Master Omar said. “Come and tell me this strange story.”
†
Leon stared at his friend in breathless silence. Around them, the rest of the slave were listening quietly, hanging on every word though they had heard the story many times before.
“And so you told Master Omar what happened?” Leon asked, at last.
“Yes,” Rolf replied. “We told him everything, and he was very impressed and interested in God. He has asked one or other of us to speak to him many times, but as of yet, he does not believe.”
“Are the others here?” Leon asked, looking about at the rest of the slaves.
“Simon and Gareth are,” Rolf said, motioning to the two young men who stood behind him. They reached out and shook hands with Leon.
Leon could hardly believe he was standing face to face with such strong warriors in the faith. “Rolf has told us all about you,” Simon said.
“I have never heard of someone so brave with such a strong faith!” Gareth exclaimed.
Leon was both surprised and humbled. “I thought the same of you,” he said, with a smile. “Tell me, where is Joran?” he asked, turning back to Rolf.
“He went home,” Rolf said.
“Oh… I am so sorry,” Leon replied.
“No, no, no,” Rolf laughed. “He’s not dead, Leon. He went home! To his own country.”
“What! How?” Leon gasped.
“Every time a ship with a good and honest captain sails to one of our countries, master Omar sees to it that those who came from there get passage home if they wish it,” Rolf explained.
Leon’s mouth opened in stunned shock. “You mean… it’s possible that we could… could go home?”
“Yes,” Rolf grinned.
Leon could hardly believe what he was hearing. After he got over the shock, he looked up at Rolf and slapped him on the back. “I can’t believe I found you! I never guessed that you were Qayid! And speaking of that, where did you get such a name?”
Rolf laughed. “Qayid means leader or teacher in the old tongue of this country. The name was given to me by Master Omar because he sought me out so often to learn more of God. It sort of stuck.”
“Qayid is very wise,” spoke up a boy. “He tells us many stories and teaches us wonderful things.”
“Now you will have a new Qayid, who is far better than I,” Rolf smiled, laying a hand on Leon’s shoulder.
Leon laughed. “It is God who speaks through us both.”
That night, Leon thanked God for His wonderful mercy and salvation. The last thing that came to his mind before he slept was the thought that someday, he might return to the Empire.
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
I love the way you put us inside Rolf’s story instead of having him just tell it. It worked so much better. Also, the transitions were great.
Good section. The part about Conrad was sad, though. I don’t really have any big critiques. Great job!
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.
Awesome!! I’m so glad you liked it!!!
Yeah….. Rolf had a rough time of it, but he got out sooner, whereas Leon was in the bad situation longer… things just didn’t escalate so high.
btw, was it you who asked about him changing his name? Well, if it was, you now have an answer!
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
Yep! I noticed that! 😆 “Teacher.” I like it.
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.
Got another busy start to this week, so I won’t be able to give you feedback until later. Sorry.
Sometimes it is necessary to paint the sky black in order to see the stars.
😭😢
It’s okay…. I understand.
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
Yes! I like how you did Rolf’s story. It didn’t disrupt the flow, but also kept you from an info dump (while still avoiding the confusion of too many flash backs). Well done.
Conrad. *Sniffles* Brave young boy.
One note: Rolf seems to weep a lot in the desert, despite severe dehydration. While I understand him crying, I’d expect that to come with a good deal of nausea and a pounding headache (and a sore throat, but you kinda had one in there). He’s already on the ground, so dizziness is less apparent, but it likely would still be a pain. However, I also am only speaking from personal experience, not research, and I’d never been that dehydrated.
First Grand Historian of Arreth and the Lesser Realms (aka Kitty)
Fork the GorkI’m glad it worked!!
Yes, poor Conrad.
🤨 That’s odd….. I feel like I said he DIDN’T cry. I can remember several times he would have, but he couldn’t. And there was the one time at the end where he cried, but I alluded to the fact that it would have been more sound than tears.
Maybe I’m missing something………..
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
NEXT SECTION!!!
Days passed, and slowly, Leon regained some of the strength he had lost. On the second week, he was told he could work if he wanted to, and he did so with a will. It was wonderful to be with Rolf again, and the work was not draining and overly hard like the tasks which he had become accustomed to. The food was good and nourishing, and Leon found he could work for longer periods of time than he had been able to over the last few months.
On the third week, Leon and Rolf decided to start running around the barracks together. At first, Leon lost his breath after only a few minutes and became horribly dizzy. He was exasperated with his lack of strength and frustrated by the fact that he struggled to do what had been so easy before. Rolf continued to encourage him, and gradually, he began to regain what he had lost.
One morning, Leon was thrilled by the fact that he had beat Rolf in a race around the building— even if only bare a few inches. The two found much comfort in sharing their stories with one another, as well as their mutual desire to return to the Empire.
Ian was thriving in the new place, and he and Simon became fast friends. The two were almost inseparable, and Leon was glad for him.
So, the days and weeks passed. Leon was pleased to see that Master Omar often came to Rolf seeking answers to questions he had about God, and he was more than encouraged to find so many believers among the men and boys he worked with.
One evening, Rolf and Leon sat together under a spreading tree, watching the last colors of sunset disappear. “Someday, I will go back,” Leon said.
Rolf nodded slowly. “I hope with all my heart that we will. I pray every day that God will bring us back, if it is His will.”
“So do I,” Leon replied. “I wonder what we’ll find if we do.”
Rolf shuddered. “I try not to think about it, but sometimes I can’t help but wonder if word has gotten to the emperor, and he has unleashed his fury on those I love. What if I come home only to… to find them dead? I couldn’t bare it.”
Leon sighed. “I know what you mean. Sometimes Julian is so bold it’s a wonder he hasn’t gotten himself killed already. God is the only One who knows what has befallen them.”
Rolf turned to look at Leon, a pale expression on his face. “What if we come back and find that everything is different? What if they’re all dead? Oh, it makes me sick to think of it!”
Before Leon could answer, a shout sounded. “Qayid! Leon!”
The two turned to see Caleb running toward them.
“What is it?” Rolf asked.
“Master Omar needs to speak to you both, right away, in his study,” Caleb said, pausing to catch his breath.
Rolf and Leon exchanged an anxious look. “Is everything alright?” Rolf asked.
Caleb shrugged.
Rolf and Leon turned and walked with hurried strides to the great house. Leon had never been inside before, and he stopped below the steps. Rolf took the stairs two at a time. He paused and looked back. “Come on.”
Leon took a deep breath and followed. The two reached the door and Rolf knocked. It was opened by a girl who smiled and led them in. Leon stared about him at the beauty of the place. The floors were covered in mosaics and the walls were painted with brilliant murals of colorful birds and great beasts— most of which were in the cat family.
The two young men followed the girl to a carved wooden door, and she knocked.
“Come in,” came the reply, and she opened the door, stepping aside to let the two enter. They did, and she left, closing the door behind her.
Omar looked up from where he sat on a couch before a low table, studying an assortment of maps, charts, and notes. A letter lay open before him, and he seemed to be in the process of composing a reply. He looked up at the two young men. “Leon, Qayid, welcome. Come and sit,” he said, motioning to the low couch across from his. The two did so, and Rolf spoke. “You called for us, sir?”
“Yes, I did,” Omar replied. “You are both from the Empire, are you not?”
Rolf nodded. “Yes sir.”
“Tell me, what is so important that you must do in your land, that you wish to return?” Omar asked.
“Besides the fact that we left many dear to us behind, we were both called by God to spread His word to the people of the Empire,” Rolf said.
“But you have already tasted first-hand the results of such actions. Why would you want to go back to that when you can stay here where you are loved by many and can worship in freedom?”
“Because, God has called me to bring the message of salvation to my people,” Rolf replied.
“And you?” Omar asked, turning to Leon.
“Sir, I left freedom and loved ones behind in Ardenta in order to return to the Empire with the truth. I knew the cost then, and I know it now. I cannot turn from what God has called me to,” Leon said.
Omar rose and walked to the window; his hands clasped behind his back. There was a long silence that was equally uncomfortable for both young men.
At last, Omar spoke. “An old friend of mine is a cloth merchant. He just returned from trading in the far east, and he is at the harbor. In two days’, time he sets sail for the Empire.”
Leon nearly started to his feet and Rolf went stiff at his side. They waited in breathless silence for Omar to continue.
At last, Omar sighed and turned to face them. “He is a man to be trusted, and he has offered free passage to any who live on the route he will take.” He looked up into the hopeful eyes of the two. “Leon, Qayid, you are free to go home.”
Leon couldn’t breathe. He could hardly fathom what he was hearing.
Rolf looked up with tears glinting in his eyes. “Thank you, sir. Thank you!”
Omar nodded and looked away. He trailed a hand along the windowsill. “We will be sad to see you go,” he said, looking at Rolf.
Rolf swallowed hard and nodded. He came to his master’s side, and Omar embraced him. “Thank you, for all that you have done. You are a son to me, Rolf,” he said, quietly.
Rolf’s reply was too low for Leon to here.
Leon turned and quietly slipped from the room, leaving the two alone. He walked through the house and slipped outside. Sitting down on the steps, he covered his face as laughter as tears choked him. “Oh Lord, thank You, thank You!” he whispered.
***
It was early morning when Leon and Rolf bid farewell to their friends. Leon found it hard to leave Ian, but the parting was eased by the assurance they had of meeting again.
Rolf found it even harder to leave, for he was beloved by all, and several broke down in tears as he prepared to mount his horse. Master Omar road with them to the docks and brought them to the gangway of the ship. There they met the captain. Leon liked him at once, for he seemed a man of honesty.
Omar handed Rolf a bag of coins, telling him to use it for whatever they may need on their journey. Leon bid Omar farewell and then climbed the gangway to the deck of the ship. He stood and waited while Rolf spoke alone with Omar. Finally, he came and joined Leon. The two were shown their bunks and then they hurried back on deck to wave to Omar as the ship set sail and slowly made her way out to sea.
Rolf stayed for a long time at the rail, waving even after Omar’s form had faded from view. He sighed and looked at the land that was fast diminishing behind them.
Leon put a hand on his shoulder. “You alright?”
“Yes,” Rolf replied. “It’s just hard to leave… harder than I ever thought it would be.”
“As cruel as many of our masters and captors were, and as hard as it was, I don’t regret this having happened to us,” Leon said. “God used us in so many ways to touch so many lives, and with Omar sending the slaves home, think how many of them will bring the Word of God to lands we don’t even know exists and languages we don’t understand.”
Rolf nodded. “I am glad this happened to us, for it has taught me many things, and brought light to many places of darkness.”
“And now, we are going home,” Leon grinned. But there was an edge of worry to the look. There was no knowing what they would find when they arrived.
***
It was a week later that Leon and Rolf stood leaning over the rail of the ship; their eyes fixed on the land before them— the Empire.
When the ship came into port, they waited while the offers searched it for illegal goods. Then the two thanked the captain and bid him farewell.
Rolf and Leon walked down the gangplank and set foot on the land they had never thought to see again. They made their way from the noise and bustle of the dock and into a quieter street. There they paused to catch their breath and look around.
At last, Leon looked at Rolf with a grin on his face. “Rolf, we’re free, and we’re home!”
“Thank You, Lord, for bringing us home,” Rolf laughed.
After a moment, Leon began to plan. “So, this is Clonabay, the town we had planned to come to before we were captured. I would think Julian would bring the others here and carry on the work we began together. Somone must know where they are.” If they’re still alive, he added silently.
“But where should we start?” Rolf wondered.
“We should probably go to the inns and begin looking there,” Leon said.
The two asked for the nearest inn and were soon standing outside of it. They entered to find the place smelling of strong drink and smoke. Sailors laughed and argued in too many languages to count. All at once a chair went flying, narrowly missing Rolf.
Leon jerked to the side and was just in time to avoid the sailor who was thrown after the chair. The next moment was chaos as curses were yelled in every language imaginable and a free fight broke out.
The innkeeper stormed into the room with a staff in his hand. He waded into the fight delivering blows to whoever and whatever his staff could reach. Several sailors shoved past Leon and Julian and fled out the door. The rest dove under the tables with hands over their heads and waited for the staff to stop swinging.
The innkeeper saw that there was nothing in reach worth whacking, and he spun on Leon and Julain. “Ale?”
Leon jumped. “What? Oh, no. No not ale. We’re looking for someone.”
“Who?”
“Three young men, one is named Julian. The others are Roland and Aelic.”
“Never heard of ‘em,” the innkeeper replied.
Leon saw one of the sailors peeking cautiously out from under the table. A pile of coins was sitting near a tankard of ale from the gamboling they had been doing before the fight broke out. The sailor cautiously reached for the coins.
Another man saw what he was doing, but was on the wrong side of the innkeeper and wouldn’t risk showing himself.
Leon refocused on the innkeeper. “They would most likely have been holding gatherings. Have you heard of them?”
“No, not at all.” The innkeeper replied. In a flash he spun and brought his staff crashing down on the table. The sailor had yanked his hand back just in time, and the staff came down on the tankard of ale, shattering it into a thousand pieces.
Leon took a step back. A blow like that would easily break a man’s hand. “Well, thank you for your time, sir.”
“Come back any day, boys. There’s free drinks on the house often as not,” the innkeeper replied.
Rolf and Leon nodded and made their escape.
They tried five more inns and taverns, and a last came to one in a quieter part of the town. The two entered and walked to the bar near the back. They wanted a moment, and soon the innkeeper came out. “What can I do for you lads?”
“Sir, we are looking for friends of ours,” Leon replied. “Julian Damoss, Roland, and Aelic. Did they stay here at any point?”
The innkeeper looked up sharply. “And what might you want with such friends if I did know where they were?”
“We were traveling together, but were separated by unforeseen events and we have been looking for them,” Leon said.
“Collin!” the man called.
A boy soon appeared. “Yes, Papa?”
“Go and get Amarin.”
The boy nodded and ran out the door.
“Please have a seat,” the innkeeper said, motioning to the tables dotted around the room.
Rolf and Leon did so, glad to rest. It was not too long before the boy returned, and with him was a man a few years younger than Leon. “Amarin, these young men wish to speak with you,” the innkeeper said.
Amarin came and sat down at their table. “How can I help you, sirs?”
“We are looking for three dear friends of ours, Julian, Roland, and Aelic. Please tell us if you have seen them,” Leon said.
Amarin looked at the two for a long time. At last, he spoke. “What are your names, and where do you come from?”
“I am Leon, and this is Rolf. Julian and I grew up as soldiers together and fought in the Ardantin conquest. We came back here and met the others I spoke of. We were all traveling to this town when Roland was injured. Going ahead to get help, Rolf and I were taken by slave traders. It is only through a miracle we were able to return,” Leon said.
“And why were you coming here?” Amarin asked.
“To spread truth,” Leon replied.
Amarin smiled and rose, holding out his hand. “I know that you are indeed who you claim to be,” he said. “I am Amarin, one of the elders of the Clonabay church that Julian and the others began.”
Leon and Rolf shook hands, staring at Amarin in amazement. “Please tell us, where are they?” Leon asked.
“Julian, Roland, and Aelic set out for the town of Landstraten about a month ago,” Amarin replied. “From there, they planned to go to the Capital.”
“Then we must set out after them at once,” Rolf exclaimed.
“No, please stay,” Amarin begged. “Tomorrow is the Sabbath, and we would love to hear your story and have you worship with us. We have heard so much about you both.”
Leon looked to Rolf, who nodded. “Very well than, we will stay. After tomorrow, we will set out after them,” Leon said.
***
The next day, Leon and Rolf joined the Clonabay church for worship. It was a time of great joy and encouragement for both of them after having been absent for so long. They shared their story with the congregation, who listened in breathless silence. After that they joined them for a meal prepared by the women, and then the church elders prayed over them. Afterwards, the whole church prayed with the two, and gifts and supplies were given for their journey, along with messages to Julian, Aelic, and Roland.
The next day, Leon and Rolf set out for Landstraten.
The journey passed without event, and Leon was pleased and relieved to find he had regained much of his former strength. Enough at least to keep up a steady pace that day.
They arrived in Landstraten near nightfall of the fourth day. The two walked up and down the quiet streets, looking for an inn. They found the only one after a little while of searching.
The two entered the building to find only a few single men eating dinner after the day’s work of preparing their farms for winter. The two stood and waited for the innkeeper to finish his rounds with the cider and ale.
“I’m telling you; it’s going to be worse,” one man said.
A young man hardly out of his teens leaned forward. “What do you mean by worse?”
“Last winter was only the beginning. It will get far, far worse,” the first replied.
“If you thought last winter was bad, you have no idea what’s coming,” another said, leaning toward the nervous young man.
“Why is it so bad?” the young farmer asked.
“No one knows.”
“Some do,” came a voice from the shadows. A man leaned forward from where he had tipped his chair against the wall. “The priests say it is a curse.”
“For what?” the young farmer asked, his voice quavering slightly. “What have we done?”
“They don’t know yet, for the gods remain silent on the matter, but some think it is because of the strangers.” His voice dropped even lower, and the others leaned in to hear. “The ones who bring talk of a new God. This has angered the gods, and they are punishing us. The priests say that whatever the reason, we must find out soon, or else the next winter might never end. The curse would leave our land frozen in ice, and no one would survive.”
Leon saw the sweat beginning to streak the young farmer’s face. “A never-ending winter?” he managed. “But that would kill the animals and make the fields unplantable.”
“Yes, and without fields and animals, you wouldn’t live long either,” the old farmer agreed. “And neither would that pretty girl your so fond of.”
“Alright, enough of that. Quit scaring the kid. By the gods, he’s going to pass out! Here lad, take a drink,” one of the others said, slapping the young farmer on the back and pressing a tankard into his trembling hands.
The old farmer crossed his arms over his chest and tipped his chair back against the wall again. “Say what you will, but the evidence is all there. We know the winter is going to be a bad one— all of us have seen the signs, and we know there must be a reason, and we know those strangers have been going about with their stories and their One God. I’ve never been one for math, but one plus one equals two, that I’m sure of.”
Leon exchanged an anxious glance with Rolf. It definitely sounded like Julian and the others had been here, and could still be here, but dare they ask about them without putting themselves and the others in danger? At that moment, the innkeeper came up to them. “What can I do for you, sirs?”
Leon made his decision. “A hot meal please.”
“You’re not from around these parts,” the innkeeper said, motioning them to take a table.
“No, just traveling,” Leon replied. He sat down at the table next to the group of farmers they had overheard talking. Rolf sat beside him, lowering his rucksack to the ground wearily.
The farmers eyed them and dropped their voices lower.
Rolf and Leon thanked the innkeeper when he brought them a meal and then prayed silently. After that, they began to eat. They were halfway through the meal when one of the middle-aged farmers got up and sat down at their table. “Greetings, sirs. I take it you are travelers?”
“Yes sir,” Leon replied. “Are you from Landstraten?”
“Aye,” the man replied.
Leon took a chance. “I couldn’t help but overhearing something about strangers in your town with some new beliefs and ideas.”
“Yes,” the man replied, taking a drink from his tankard. “They were staying here in this inn for some time, but it wasn’t a week before we ran them off.”
“What for?” Rolf asked.
“They were speaking out against the gods and saying that there was only One true God. Their God. The priests warned us they would bring a curse, and a group of us threw them out before they could cause harm.”
Oh God, what did they do to them? Leon leaned back. “Well, what happened to them? I’m sure they didn’t hang around after that,” he said easily.
“That’s what we thought, but some say they’re still here living with one of the farmers they convinced to listen to them,” the man said.
“Really,” Leon said, arching an eyebrow. “They must be stubborn.”
“And bold,” the man replied. “The one that seems to be their leader is extremely bold, and he doesn’t seem to care what anyone says— or throws at him.”
Leon smirked, having a hard time stifling a laugh. He could guess who that was. “So, they’re still here,” he repeated.
“Yes, and some believe that is the cause of the cursed winter we had last year and the one we are about to have,” the man said, darting a glance back to the table where his companions still sat.
Leon reached into his rucksack and pulled out a few coins. He selected a large gold piece and dropped the others into his lap. He placed the edge of the coin against the table and began to roll it back and forth across the underside of his finger. The man’s eyes locked onto it. “I am interested in these strangers,” Leon said.
“Indeed?” the man asked, without taking his eyes from the coin.
“Yes, and I would be even more interested to know where they are,” Leon continued.
The man laughed and shook his head. “We don’t want no trouble here.”
Leon rolled the coin into his hand and flipped it. Catching it, he began to flip it through his fingers down to the end of his hand and back to his thumb–– a skill he had learned when he was young. He had used it many times to distract and entice the men he weaseled information from when on military campaigns. Now he found that skill once again useful as the farmer watched the gold flicker through his fingers as if it were liquid. “I hear the winter’s going to be a hard one. I hope you have enough money to buy everything you need,” Leon said, quietly.
The farmer watched the gold and said nothing.
Leon sighed and shrugged. “Well, I guess we don’t all get what we want. Maybe I’ll meet these elusive fellows somewhere else.” He let the coin travel down his fingers and then back to his thumb.
“Well, I’m not certain, but they might be up at Stein’s place,” the farmer said. “But I’m not sayin’ they are.”
“Of course,” Leon agreed. “And the Steins live?”
“They might live up a little way east of Landstraten, and North of the curve in the river,” the farmer said.
Leon laid the coin on the table and grabbed the ones he had dropped in his lap. He rose and swung his rucksack onto his back. Nodding to Rolf, he walked to the bar and placed the coins for the meal on the table. Then the two stepped outside into the night.
“Well, I didn’t know you knew how to do that,” Rolf grinned.
“I’ve been a scout before. You have to learn lots of things if you want to survive on that sort of mission,” Leon replied. “Alright, let’s go find the Steins’ farm.”
The two walked through the evening shadows and found the river. They followed it to the curve and then turned north. They walked for some time until they came in sight of lighted windows. Leon and Rolf approached the house and walked to the door. For a moment they stood in silence. Then, Leon drew a deep breath and knocked.
There was a sound of voices and a muffled “I’ll get it.”
The door opened to reveal a young man in his early twenties. “How may I help you?”
“We are looking for friends of ours,” Leon said. “Julian, Aelic, and Roland. Are they here?”
The man hesitated, closing the door a little more and turning to call over his shoulder. “Da, can you come to the door.”
A man with greying hair joined his son. “What can I help you with?”
“They are looking for three friends of theirs named Julian, Aelic, and Roland,” the young man said.
“Please,” Leon broke in. “We mean them no harm. We come with messages from the church in Clonabay.”
The man and his son exchanged a look, and then the man opened the door all the way. “Come in.”
Leon and Rolf entered and followed the son to the open living room.
A young woman sat holding a baby on her lap, and beside her was a young couple. Standing near them was a boy of fifteen or so. A little way beyond, a woman was sitting and weaving by the fire.
Leon saw none of them, for his eyes fell on Julian, who lay on the floor playing a game with a cluster of children. Beside him was Aelic, and in the corner was Roland, writing a letter.
“Julian, two men who claim to be friends of yours brought a message from the church in Clonabay,” the farmer’s son said.
Julian looked up and froze. Leon gave him a slightly breathless grin. “Hi Julian, we’re back.”
Julian was on his feet in a flash and had thrown himself into Leon, nearly tackling him in a bear hug. Leon laughed and slapped him on the back. Aelic ran into him from the other side, hugging him tightly. Roland was laughing and crying all at once as he greeted Rolf.
“Oh Leon!” Julian gasped. “We thought you were dead! How did you escape? How are you here?”
Leon laughed. “It’s a long story. And one that I would like to sit down to tell, for I am dead tired. You aren’t easy to catch up with.”
Julian wiped his eyes and laughed with giddy joy and astonishment.
Soon Leon and Rolf were seated with the Steins, Aelic, Julian, and Roland all gathered round them.
They began their tale and told it long into the night.
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
Yayyy!! They’re back! 🥰
This was a good section too.
The one that seems to be their leader is extremely bold, and he doesn’t seem to care what anyone says— or throws at him.”
Leon smirked, having a hard time stifling a laugh. He could guess who that was
Lol 🤣
Hi Julian, we’re back.”
This did seem a little out of place. I’m not sure if there’s something else he could say—I think he was sort of teasing, but still, it stuck out to me.
🤷♀️Other than that, good job!
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.
Neat! I loved the part of when the lion came to rescue them. As soon as I read about that lion I knew it was there to protect them!!!! That happened to a character of mine as well.
Hmm…the part when they got tied in the dessert gave me flashbacks of Leiand.
And…*crying* You killed another one of my favorite characters! Why do I always end up liking the ones that die??!! By the way, I know a Conrad as well.
"He who never quotes will never be quoted." ~Charles Spurgeon
Another thing:
Why is it that bad guys always seem to ride black horses?
“Because, God has called me to bring the message of salvation to my people,” Rolf replied.
Hmmm…I thought you were going to take the story to where God had called those two to stay there and evangelize that area…but I guess not.
Leon smirked, having a hard time stifling a laugh. He could guess who that was.
*chuckling*
He let the coin travel down his fingers and then back to his thumb.
Ooo…that classic movie trick.
“Hi Julian, we’re back.”
I would agree with Hybridlore. This seems like something Julian would say…not Leon.
"He who never quotes will never be quoted." ~Charles Spurgeon
Yes!!! They’re back!
Glad you liked it!
Lol 🤣
I try.
This did seem a little out of place. I’m not sure if there’s something else he could say—I think he was sort of teasing, but still, it stuck out to me.
Okay yeah, makes sense. The odd thing about editing is I can’t get back into the character’s heads in the same way, so sometimes they say things and I’m thinking, “Are you sure you want to say that? Okay…. I don’t remember what you were thinking at the moment……..” 😂
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
Neat! I loved the part of when the lion came to rescue them. As soon as I read about that lion I knew it was there to protect them!!!! That happened to a character of mine as well.
Cool!!! I really liked the idea of a Daniel twist. Plus, it gives me Narnia fkashbacks with Shasta in the desert. That just makes me happy. 😊
Hmm…the part when they got tied in the dessert gave me flashbacks of Leiand.
Oddly enough…. I read those books AFTER the first draft was written. This actually happened to a group of Christian slave boys in real life.
They all died tho.
And…*crying* You killed another one of my favorite characters! Why do I always end up liking the ones that die??!! By the way, I know a Conrad as well.
But why do you like him over Rolf’s other friends??! (I mean, I like him best, but I know his entire story. You just saw a tiny bit of it.)
Yeah, that no longer surprises me. I know one too… except he was born after the book, so technically his mama stole my name, not the other way around. 😂
Hmmm…I thought you were going to take the story to where God had called those two to stay there and evangelize that area…but I guess not.
Nope…. they’re gonna go home. But they’ve done the work they needed too, and now Omar’s place is going to return tons of young men and women to their homes who are now believers.
*chuckling*
*Cheers!!!* I got two laughs!!
I would agree with Hybridlore. This seems like something Julian would say…not Leon.
Noted twice.
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
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