The Flames of Hope Saga Book 3: Land of Shadows

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  • #200468
    Ellette Giselle
    @ellette-giselle
      • Rank: Chosen One
      • Total Posts: 3473

      @koshka

      Cool! I’ll take a look through my collection and pass on anything i find!

      Nooo…. I don’t think I actually did. I remember you telling me you had a sketch, but I don’t seem to have one in my emails. You could email it to me again if you don’t mind!

      No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.

      #200477
      Koshka
      @koshka
        • Rank: Chosen One
        • Total Posts: 2066

        @ellette-giselle

        Sure!

        First Grand Historian of Arreth and the Lesser Realms (aka Kitty)
        Fork the Gork

        #200490
        hybridlore
        @hybridlore
          • Rank: Chosen One
          • Total Posts: 2214

          @ellette-giselle

          The new section looks good. Sorry, I was at co-op and then had a lot of notifs when I got back so it was a little overwhelming.

          Whatever happened to the prince. . . *shudders* Creepy. Hopefully Leon and Julian will get to talk to him soon.

          "Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.

          #200498
          Ellette Giselle
          @ellette-giselle
            • Rank: Chosen One
            • Total Posts: 3473

            @hybridlore

             

            No prob! You are 100% last though. 🤣

            No wait…. Liberty hasn’t comment yet.

            Never mind, you are 90% last. 😝

             

             

            Whatever happened to the prince. . . *shudders* Creepy. Hopefully Leon and Julian will get to talk to him soon.

            Yeah.. poor kid.

             

            What do you think of Marius?

             

            No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.

            #200500
            Liberty
            @liberty
              • Rank: Knight in Shining Armor
              • Total Posts: 543

              @ellette-giselle

              (grin. grin)

              then a black horse with a rider,

              Another black horse?

              "He who never quotes will never be quoted." ~Charles Spurgeon

              #200501
              Ellette Giselle
              @ellette-giselle
                • Rank: Chosen One
                • Total Posts: 3473

                @hybridlore  @linus-smallprint    @koshka   @keilah-h    @elishavet-pidyon   @liberty

                 

                NEXT SECTION!!

                 

                The sixteenth year of Emperor Haidronias’s reign
                November 25th
                The Empire

                To Wolf, Peter, and the Church in Landstraten,
                Greetings in Christ.

                Our time in the Capital has been one filled with blessings and the grace of God. We have a small church of twenty people, and we are confident that it will grow. They tell their family and friends, who then tell theirs, and the news is spreading. As of yet, we have been left in peace, but I am sure that this will not last forever. We are standing strong in the faith and are prepared to continue to do so–– come what may.
                One who has joined our body of Believers here is Marius, part of the Emperor’s household. He is the servant of the prince. I am sure all of you understand the importance, danger, and opportunity in this. Please lift him and the prince up in prayer. The prince will one day be the emperor, and Marius tells me he is kind and compassionate, and loves his people. If he became a follower of Christ, this Empire would undoubtedly change. Pray for his salvation, and that he would have the courage to not only believe but live for Christ. Pray for Marius, that God would speak through him, and use him to touch the life of the prince. Pray for our work here, and that God would open the hearts of the people. We are praying for all of you each day and will continue to do so. I pray that God will bless all of you and fill you with His spirit. Do not give up hope or become discouraged, even though you are few. Every single one of you is precious in God’s sight, and each of you have been created for a purpose. Every life touches many others, and where the Word of God is spoken, it will not go out in vain. Perhaps you will not live to see the fruit of your labors, but there will be fruit. We keep you always in our prayers, and we know you do the same for us.
                May the Lord bless you and keep you, and may He make His face to shine upon you and give you peace.
                In our Savior and Lord, Christ Jesus,
                                  Leon and the church in the Capital.

                 

                ***

                            “Julian, I have something to tell you,” Leon said, walking into their room.

                Julian looked up from where he was washing his hands and face before bed. “Oh?”

                “I started talking to a young man today, and I think God just opened a door for us.”

                “Oh?” Julian asked, pulling off his shirt and drying his face with it, before throwing it in the corner of the room.

                “He seemed intrigued by some of the things I said. His name is Hans Schmitz,” Leon continued, sitting down on the edge of his bed.

                “And what door did God open through him?” Julian wondered, rummaging about for a clean shirt in his rucksack. He found one and pulled it out.

                “Well,” Leon began slowly. “He’s a soldier.”

                Julian froze, his shirt half on. “What? Leon, you could get yourself killed!”

                “So the soldiers of the Empire are to be deprived of the truth and a chance for salvation because it puts me in danger?” Leon asked, raising an eyebrow.

                “No,” Julian growled. He yanked his shirt all the way on and came to sit beside his friend. “I just hope you’re being careful.”

                “Careful?” Leon laughed. “Julain, I never thought those words would cross your lips.”

                Julain grinned ruefully, but then his face sobered. “I thought you were dead, Leon. I don’t want that to happen again.”

                Leon smiled slightly. “Julian, I believe I am immortal until the day God calls me to die, and on that day, nothing I do will stop my death. But, if God is not ready for me to die, then no one can take my life.”

                Julian was silent. He had never really thought about it like that. “Alright Leon, tell me about soldier Hans.”

                “Well, Hans is nineteen. He has two brothers, twins, who are sixteen. They serve together in the cavalry. I saw him walking toward the blacksmiths, and God told me to go and talk to him, so I did. We struck up a conversation, and I asked him about himself. He seemed very friendly, and he was pleasant to talk with. We gradually turned to religion and the gods, and I got the feeling that he is not an ardent believer, but serves the gods as is fitting of a soldier. Nothing more. We began to talk about the gods and goddesses, their roles, powers, and other such things. Slowly, I could see a flicker of doubt in him, and he seemed to find it hard to answer some of my questions— as if he didn’t know their answers, or the answers he had been given suddenly seemed false.”

                “Did you tell him about God?” Julian asked.

                “Eventually I began to. He was intrigued, and said he wanted to know more. I told him to join us this Sabbath and dine with us after the meeting. He agreed. I told him his brothers were welcome, but he said he was not ready to bring them and would seek out this truth more thoroughly before they were involved,” Leon replied.

                “Well then, it looks like we have something else to pray about,” Julian grinned.

                Leon nodded. “I’m going to start preparing for the Sabbath meeting tomorrow. Pray for me as I do that. And pray that I would hear God’s voice and listen to his instruction and not try to do this on my own.”

                “I will,” Julian promised.

                Leon got up and grabbed his Bible. “I’ll be downstairs in the meeting room. Don’t wait up for me. I’ll be gone a while.”

                ***

                            The next morning, Julian and Rolf stood by the door greeting those who entered. Julian was pleased to see Marius was back. “How are you this morning?” he asked.

                “I am doing very well,” Marius replied.

                “I am glad. It is good to have you with us again,” Julian said.

                Marius went to sit down, and Julian looked up in time to see new face. It belonged to a young man in his late teens or early twenties. Julian held out a hand. “Hello, I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Julian Damoss.”

                “Hans Schmitz,” the young man replied, shaking hands with him.

                “Did you have a long journey to get here?” Julian asked.

                “No, it was about half an hour’s ride,” Hans replied.

                “Well, I am very glad you came,” Julian said. He turned and nodded to Roland, who wove his way through the group gathering in the inn’s back room. “This is Roland, a good friend of mine. Roland, this is Hans.”

                The two shook hands, and then Roland said, “Come, sit with me, I’ll introduce you to some friends of mine.”

                Julian turned back to the door. Lord, open his heart today, and let him see the truth.

                After the time of singing, Leon led them in study. Most of the people there had copies of the Scripture, for Wolf and Peter had handed over a good supply sent from the University when they came to Landstraten. Julian saw Hans was sharing Roland’s, and he prayed again for the young soldier’s salvation.

                When the meeting was over, Hans made for the door, dodging easily through the people who had risen to talk to friends. Julian saw Leon hurrying after him, and he followed. They found Hans saddling his horse in the stable.

                “Hans, it’s good to see you,” Leon said.

                “You as well,” Hans smiled, not pausing in his hurried tacking up of the horse.

                “Must you leave so soon, I would love to talk with you,” Leon said.

                “I have to get back before my time is up,” Hans replied, leading his horse outside.

                “Can you not stay and eat with us?” Leon asked.

                “No, I’m afraid not,” Hans said hurriedly as he swung up onto his horse. “I have to get back.”

                He urged his horse a few paces forward and then turned in the saddle. “Thank you,” he said, looking straight at Leon. Then he urged the horse into a fast trot and disappeared down the street.

                Leon sighed and shook his head.

                “Do you think he’s telling the truth or is he going to report the meeting?” Julian asked in a low voice.

                “I don’t know,” Leon replied. “Come, let’s go back inside, it’s cold out here.”

                Julian nodded and turned to follow him. He heard Leon mutter to himself under his breath. “Immortal–– until He calls me to die.”

                ***

                The sixteenth year of Emperor Haidronias’s reign
                November 30th
                The Empire

                To Governor Walter and the Church in Wiedlisbourg,

                We are now in the Capital of the Empire. Our work here has been fruitful, though there are still so many who have not heard the truth. A soldier came to the Sabbath day meeting two days ago. He left in a great hurry, and we have not seen him sense. We do not know if he was afraid of what Leon was saying, and we do not know if he has reported us. Please pray for us all, that we would trust God, no matter what comes.
                Among the believers is a young man who is a servant of the emperor’s son. Pray that he will shine as a light for Christ in the palace, and that he will have the opportunity to speak to the Prince about Christ, and that he would be given courage to take that opportunity. If the future Emperor believed, then so much would change! Pray for his salvation, and that he would come to know God! Pray that no matter if he believes or not, that we will still trust God, and that we would not put our hope in him. ‘Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.’ 
                We continue to pray for you each day. I know this journey can be hard, and it is easy to become discouraged. It is also true that the journey may seem too easy, and then you will be tempted to become lax in your faith. I strongly urge you to beware of both things. Beware for your enemy and never lower your guard. Trust God, and He will see you through whatever trials He calls you to face.
                I know you were once a place of slavery. That old life is dead and gone, and your new life has begun. But still, the enemy will do all in his power to destroy you and stop the good work begun in you. I fear the enemy may even now be tempting you, for words has come to me concerning a small rift among you.
                Former masters, remember that you are not greater than those who were once your slaves, nor are you lower than them because of your former sin. You have been cleansed and made new. The old life is dead and gone. Do not look back.
                Former slaves, you are not lower than those who were once your masters, nor are you above them because they formerly committed sins against you. You are a new creation in Christ, and the old has passed away. That former life is dead and gone.
                Those of you who did not own slaves, remember that you are no greater than former slave or former master. Just because you did not succumb to the sin of owning another, or the lowliness of slavery, does not mean that you are in any means greater. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. You deserve the same punishment as the vilest slave trader. Death. You have sinned. Even if you did not sin in one way, you have sinned in another. All of you, remember the words of Paul “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” 
                You are all equal as brothers and sisters in Christ. Not one is over the other, nor is one greater than the other. A woman is not of less value in God’s sight because she is a woman. And a man is not of greater value because he is a man. A free man is no greater than a slave, nor a Jew then a Greek. You are all one body in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
                 I encourage you all to fellowship with one another and to grow stronger together, for in unity there is strength. Serve God and praise Him together. Pray with one another, sing with one another, study with one another, fellowship with one another, eat with one another, and drink with one another. You are brothers and sisters. You are a band of soldiers. A single person alone is not a family. A single soldier alone is not an army. Encourage each other, strengthen each other, and serve the Lord together. Do all for His glory and His name. Trials will come, but you do not have to face them alone. Weep with one another, laugh with one another, and fight this good fight together.
                We will continue to keep you in our prayers, and we trust you will do the same for us. We hope to come and visit you someday soon, but we have work to do here. If we do not come again, then rest assured that we will meet above with our Savior, Jesus Christ.

                May the peace of God be with you, and may His spirit fill you all.

                Julian and the church in the Capital

                No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.

                #200502
                Ellette Giselle
                @ellette-giselle
                  • Rank: Chosen One
                  • Total Posts: 3473

                  @liberty

                  that’s all you have to say about that section?!?!

                  😂

                  No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.

                  #200503
                  Ellette Giselle
                  @ellette-giselle
                    • Rank: Chosen One
                    • Total Posts: 3473

                    @liberty

                    Black horse for a black rider.

                    What can I say?

                    No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.

                    #200510
                    hybridlore
                    @hybridlore
                      • Rank: Chosen One
                      • Total Posts: 2214

                      @ellette-giselle

                      The new section looks good too! It did confuse me when, in the letter, they mentioned that Jews were not better than Greeks. This seems kind of out of place in your fantasy world. Maybe cut that sentence, or you could put, Ardentans are not greater than those of the Empire? Or something like  that.

                      Anyway, good job! I’m rooting for Hans to come back.

                      "Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.

                      #200512
                      Ellette Giselle
                      @ellette-giselle
                        • Rank: Chosen One
                        • Total Posts: 3473

                        @hybridlore

                        Yes, but that was a direct scripture quotation, and I’m not going to add my country names into that. 😉

                         

                        Are ya now? What if he betrays them?

                        No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.

                        #200513
                        hybridlore
                        @hybridlore
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                          @ellette-giselle

                          Yeah, I gotcha. But it did catch me off guard.

                          I feel like he won’t … but I could be wrong. And if he betrayed them, he probably wouldn’t come back.

                          "Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.

                          #200515
                          Ellette Giselle
                          @ellette-giselle
                            • Rank: Chosen One
                            • Total Posts: 3473

                            @hybridlore

                            Unless he came back at the head of an army….. 😈

                            No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.

                            #200517
                            Koshka
                            @koshka
                              • Rank: Chosen One
                              • Total Posts: 2066

                              @ellette-giselle

                              That emoji really shouldn’t fit you in mad author mode as well as it does. XD

                              I see Jillian is having to play a Paul and straighten out churches through letters.

                              Still sorting out who’s going to die before the end of this book, so you’ve done well there.

                              First Grand Historian of Arreth and the Lesser Realms (aka Kitty)
                              Fork the Gork

                              #200518
                              Ellette Giselle
                              @ellette-giselle
                                • Rank: Chosen One
                                • Total Posts: 3473

                                @koshka

                                That emoji really shouldn’t fit you in mad author mode as well as it does. XD

                                🤣

                                 

                                Julian and Leon both it seems, though Leon’s was more of an encouragement and Julian’s a bit of correction.

                                 

                                Still sorting out who’s going to die before the end of this book, so you’ve done well there.

                                Have you got any guesses?

                                 

                                No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.

                                #200519
                                Koshka
                                @koshka
                                  • Rank: Chosen One
                                  • Total Posts: 2066

                                  @ellette-giselle

                                  Yessss…but they’re kinda vague and uncertain. And I don’t want to give you ideas if I’m wrong.

                                  First Grand Historian of Arreth and the Lesser Realms (aka Kitty)
                                  Fork the Gork

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