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I’ve killed my fair share of teenagers….. and a few little kids……………..
Yeah, I have too, or at least not stopped such a thing in a fanfic if I’m rewriting it. but usually not a main character, and not super commonly on screen.
I mean if it’s realism, it kinda has to be done (oooof I sound so sadistic for saying that, I promise I’m not lol). But it’s also really hard for me to kill a main character, especially if they’re young.
"When in doubt, eat cheese crackers."-me to my charries who don't even know about cheese crackers
same! It hurts! But I like to keep the story real.
Man is born for the fight, to be forged and molded into a sharper, finer, stronger image of God
Wait, you wrote the hymns? I thought you had just pasted them in. 😳
(There’s a lot of hymns I’m not familiar with, since we don’t normally sing them at my church.)
INTP 🧡 Homeschooler 🧡 WIP: The Color of Hope
@ellette-giselle which works for a story like yours which is, from what I can tell, supposed to be kinda like a fictionalized missionary/church history story.
"When in doubt, eat cheese crackers."-me to my charries who don't even know about cheese crackers
So yeah, I will be sad, but I mostly get it.
"When in doubt, eat cheese crackers."-me to my charries who don't even know about cheese crackers
Yes, it’s supposed to be fictionalized early church. I read Foxes Book of Martyrs, The Martyrs Mirror, and Acts before I wrote these, so I draw a lot out of those. In fact, a lot of the situations are real from real people’s accounts.
Some I wrote, some are old, old hymns from the underground church.
Man is born for the fight, to be forged and molded into a sharper, finer, stronger image of God
@ellette-giselle super cool!
I think my dad might have a copy of Fox’s Martyrs, but I’m not sure.
"When in doubt, eat cheese crackers."-me to my charries who don't even know about cheese crackers
Wow, that’s really cool. Definitely keep them in then.
INTP 🧡 Homeschooler 🧡 WIP: The Color of Hope
@hybridlore @linus-smallprint @koshka @keilah-h @elishavet-pidyon @grcr
well, it’s 2025, but I have one section left to post, so I think I kinda did it….. in a kinda didn’t way. lolololol.
Keep an eye out as I shall be posting THE END of TVON today!
Man is born for the fight, to be forged and molded into a sharper, finer, stronger image of God
@hybridlore @linus-smallprint @koshka @keilah-h @elishavet-pidyon @grcr
This is it! This is the end!
NEXT SECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The hours passed, but there was little dread in them for Joseph. Beric slept most of the time, and when Joseph laid a hand against the boy’s forehead, he found it was still hot with fever. His own eyes burned, and he was sure Stephen was little better.
After a little while, Beric woke and lay on his side, his face a picture of deep thought. Joseph didn’t know how much time they had left, but he didn’t plan to waste it. He beckoned, and Beric came to where he and Amelia sat in the far corner of the room.
“How are you feeling?” Amelia asked, pushing a stray wave of hair from Beric’s forehead.
“My back hurts, but I’ll be alright,” Beric replied, trying to put on a brave face.
Joseph smiled at him. “Beric, I want you to know that I love as a son, and I always will. You have been such a precious and wonderful gift from God, and I thank Him that he brought us together.”
Amelia nodded. “We love you so much Beric. Thank you for being such a wonderful son to us.”
Beric smiled up at them, his eyes bright with tears. “Thank you,” he said softly. “Thank you for being the family I never had. Thank you for loving me, and caring for me, and telling me about Christ.”
Amelia and Joseph each put an arm about Beric, and he put one about each of them.
“We love you, son,” said Joseph, quietly.
“I love you too,” Beric whispered.
After a few moments they let go. Beric wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and smiled up at them, cracking his dry lips and causing them to bleed slightly. “I wouldn’t trade this life for any other. There was so much pain and fear, but that only made my salvation so much sweeter.”
Amelia smiled back at him, cracking her own lips. “You are a very special boy, Beric.”
“You don’t know what a special part of our lives you have been,” Joseph added.
“You have been such a special part of mine,” Beric replied.
“Well,” Amelia began. “I was–– Augh!” She doubled over breathing quickly, her eyes tightly closed.
“Mother!” Beric exclaimed in concern.
“Are you alright?” Joseph asked, putting a hand on her back.
Amelia nodded. “It’s the cramps again. They’re––” she broke off, wincing.
“Do you want to try and walk them off?” Joseph asked.
“We can try,” Amelia replied.
Joseph gently helped her to her feet and put an arm about her, slowly beginning to walk the length of the room. Beric moved to sit beside Stephen and David. After a little while, Amelia began to walk easier, and her breathing was less strained. “Are you two alright?” Joseph asked.
She smiled and nodded.
“Do you want to sit down again?”
“No,” Amelia replied. “It’s nice to walk. It reminds me of those long walks we used to take up and down the street in front of my house when you were courting me. Remember?”
Joseph smiled at the memory. “I’ll never forget it. We had such wonderful talks, and we used to ask each other very hard questions.”
“Now, God is asking us one,” Amelia said quietly. They had paused in the farthest corner from where the boys sat, and she glanced toward them, smiling sadly. She turned and spoke to Joseph in a voice only he could hear. “He’s asking if we will lose this beautiful life for Him.”
Joseph also glanced toward the others and saw Beric leaning over his bent knees, grinning at something Stephen had just said. His heart ached for what he would lose. “It’s hard,” he whispered. “It’s so, so hard, Amelia.” He blinked away tears and turned to look at her. “I love what God has given me, and it’s so hard to lay it all down. There was so much more I wanted! I wanted to see our country free and turned back to Christ! I wanted to see Beric grow up, love a girl with a strong and special love, marry her, and have a family of his own! I wanted to… to hold our baby.” His voice broke and he closed his eyes tightly against the tears. “It’s so hard to just let it all go! We are so young! I had hoped for so much more.”
Tears were spilling down Amelia’s cheeks as she looked up at him. “I… I have prayed that God would protect our baby and keep it strong even though I’m not getting anything to eat or drink. But why do I even pray that? I will never live to give it life!” She covered her face with her hands and wept softly.
Joseph pulled her into a strong embrace, gently rubbing a hand over her back. “It’s hard to let go. Oh Father, help us let go.”
After a while, Amelia drew in a breath and stepped back, looking up at him. “Thank you, Joseph,” she whispered.
“For what?” he asked.
“For… for everything. For being such a wonderful, godly husband. I love you so much.”
Joseph placed a gentle hand against her cheek, and she leaned against it. He felt her tears spill on his hand and he tenderly wiped them away. Her face was feverishly hot against his hand, and it worried him. “I love you to, Amelia” he said quietly. “Thank you for being such a special, godly wife to me. I can’t imagine what life would have been like without you at my side.”
She leaned against him, and he held her again. She put her arms about him, and he winced instinctively as pain shot through his back.
“Oh, Joseph! I’m so sorry,” Amelia whispered.
“No, I don’t care,” Joseph replied. “Just… just don’t let go.” His whisper was choked with tears, and he held her closer.
Amelia turned her face upward, and Joseph bent and kissed her gently and lovingly. Amelia laid her head against his shoulder, and Joseph leaned his against hers. “Father, we come before You now with pain, fear, and grief, but also with courage, joy, and hope. Help us now as we face this last trial. Walk with us and bring us safely through the shadow of death and into eternal life with You.”
Amelia nodded. “Father God, thank You for giving Joseph to me. Thank You for blessing us with such a beautiful life and such deep love for each other and You. Help us to let go of this life and walk forward in faith, knowing You are there with us every step of the way.”
Steps sounded in the hall outside, and Joseph looked up. He turned, but Amelia tightened her hold on him. “Don’t let me go. Please don’t,” she whispered almost franticly.
For a moment, Joseph was a child once again, weeping those very same words as his heart broke and he was thrown into the darkness of pain and confusion. God was there, he thought. I wasn’t alone, and He didn’t let me go.
Beric came to them, his face a little pale. Joseph let go of Amelia with one hand and drew Beric to him. The boy’s hands were trembling, and Joseph looked at him. “Are you afraid?”
“No,” he whispered back. “Well… yes. Part of me is terrified, and the other part is trusting God. I will trust Him. I will trust Him to the end.”
Joseph hugged him close. “I love you both,” he whispered.
The keys rattled in the lock as David and Stephen joined the three and stood quietly beside them. The door opened and the guards stepped in. Joseph didn’t look at them. He felt Beric go ridged, and he tightened his hold about the boy. The guards came towards them. Two grabbed Stephen and David, and another laid rough hands on Beric.
Joseph looked his son in the eye… and then let him go.
Beric didn’t look away as the guards roughly bound his hands behind his back. Two others grabbed Amelia and Joseph. Joseph bent quickly and dropped a kiss on Amelia’s forehead before the two were pulled apart.
The guards yanked Joseph’s hands behind his back, and he felt the rough rope bite into his wrists again. Father, be with us now. Hold us and don’t let go. Give us the courage and strength to stay true to You.
They were led out to the hall by rough hands. They walked through the darkness towards the many stairs that led to the light. Then they were outside, and Joseph sucked in a deep breath of the fresh winter air. The sun was shining down on them, and he looked up at it, laughter in his eyes.
There was a large crowd of cursing, jeering people, but Joseph heard none of it. He looked at Beric and the boy smiled back at him, an expression of courage on his young face.
Joseph saw Amelia watching him, and she gave him a nod. Then they were walking down a short flight of steps into the path created by the soldiers who pushed the crowd back.
The people were mad with rage, cursing and yelling at those they thought had been the cause of so much death and destruction
Beric threw his head back and squared his shoulders, smiling with a fierce determination.
Joseph felt a surge of strength and he stepped forward.
They were at the steps of the temple now, and Joseph glanced about and recognized many dear faces. His brothers and sisters in Christ stood watching, calling encouragement or whispering silent prayers. Joseph had never felt such strength and courage in his life. Then a gentle whisper spoke in his heart. “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 grow weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Joseph started up the steps with the strength of God pouring through him and his eyes turned upward. The crowd had fallen silent, and Joseph could feel their confusion blanket the whole place. Father, use our deaths to win the people to You!
He was standing at the top now, Stephen and David just behind, Amelia on his right, Beric on his left.
The sneering officer was there, and Joseph met his gaze. Father, use my death to bring him to You, he prayed silently.
The officer pointed, and two of the soldiers grabbed Joseph by the shoulders. He looked one last time at Amelia, Beric, David, and Stephen, and then let the guards drag him forward.
“Joseph Conway, you have been charged as a traitor to the gods. Do you deny the charges?” the officer asked.
“No, I do not,” replied Joseph firmly.
Some of the people below hissed in anger, but most were silent. The officer nodded, and one of the guards drove his boot into the back of Joseph’s leg, slamming him roughly to his knees. He heard the sound of a knife sliding from its sheath and drew in a sharp breath. His head was yanked back, and the cold steal of the blade touched the side of his neck. Joseph’s throat constricted, and for a moment a wrenching, sickening terror filled him. He closed his eyes. Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit…
The officer had turned to the people and was trying to whip them into a frenzy, telling how Joseph’s blood would appease the gods and end the plague. Joseph wasn’t listening. His eyes were turned upward, and as several clouds parted, sunlight streamed through, bathing him in warm golden radiance. Tears filled his eyes, and a slight smile touched his lips.
A shout rose above the noise, and the people quieted as the sound of a horse’s hooves clattered into the square. Joseph caught a glimpse of a high-ranking Imperial officer on a horse. He disappeared from view, but a moment later he vaulted up the temple steps. The knife lowered, and Joseph turned his head to watch. The man had a scroll, and he turned to face the crowd, his hand upraised.
The people fell silent, and the officer spoke. “Just this morning, a dispatch was written and sighed by the generals of the Imperial army,” he called out.
There was a clattering of horses’ hooves, and Joseph saw several officers enter the square. But their uniforms were not those he had grown accustomed too. Joseph couldn’t think clearly enough to piece this all together, and so he waited silently.
The officer glanced at the horsemen and then continued. “The allied forces of Vendailia, Donthanas, Ortogira, and Articara now have possession of the land of Ardenta. The Imperial army is to withdraw in two weeks.”
There was a long pause, and then the man turned to the officer standing beside Joseph. “All prisoners of Ardentan blood are to be released.”
He snapped the scroll closed and hurried back down the steps and to his horse.
The allied officers had dismounted, and several were sprinting up the steps.
Joseph felt hands grab hold of him, but not roughly. The next moment there was steel against his wrists and the bonds parted.
Two of the allied officers carefully helped him to his feet and Joseph stood, completely dazed, his heart racing.
The next moment Amelia flew at him, followed by Beric.
“Oh Joseph! Oh Joseph!” Amelia sobbed, clinging to him tightly.
Joseph hung onto the two with shaking hands. Tears ran down his face as he realized the truth. “Oh God!” he cried. “Oh Father God! Thank You! Oh Lord, you’ve set us free! We’re free!”
His legs gave out and he sank to his knees, clinging to Beric and Amelia. Amelia was franticly kissing both Joseph and Beric’s faces as she sobbed, and Beric was laughing as the tears streamed down his face. “Oh, thank You, Father! Thank You, thank You, thank You,” Joseph repeated over and over.
Joseph didn’t know how it happened, but at one point he found that two of the allied officers were helping him to his feet. One pulled Joseph’s arm over his shoulder, saying something about getting them to a safe place. Amelia stood up, but the next moment she sank back down in a half faint. Joseph let out a cry of alarm, but a fair-haired officer gently swept Amelia up in his strong arms. “Get them to our headquarters,” he ordered.
The ground was tipping and Joseph grabbed hold of the officer who was holding him up. Now that it was over, all the fatigue was slamming down on him at once. He made out a soldier in a brightly colored uniform helping Beric down the steps. Behind him were Stephen and David. The officer holding Amelia went next, and Joseph staggered forward. The man at his side helped him down the steps and into the wide path the crowd had cleared. Several allied soldiers and officers moved around the small group; swords drawn.
The people drew back in confusion and fear, refusing to look up at the ones they had been so eager to condemn. The soldiers of the allied armies were everywhere, and Joseph thought he heard a man ordering everyone to return to their homes.
Joseph wasn’t really sure what happened after that, but at some point, he realized they were being taken inside a large building. Officers were giving orders and soldiers were hurrying here and there.
One of the officers, a kind young man in Vendailian uniform, led the former captives and their escort upstairs. They came into a large sitting room and one of the officers laid Amelia on the couch. Joseph stumbled to her side and sank down in a sitting position on the ground, resting his head against the side of the couch. He laid his hand on Amelia and let out a slow breath, all his strength completely drained away. He vaguely made out Beric and Stephen on another low couch, and beyond them stood David, talking to one of the officers. The man nodded and left, and David came to Joseph’s side. “Is she alright?”
“She’s only fainted, sir,” the officer who had carried her said. “She’ll come to in a moment. We’ve sent for the surgeons.”
David nodded and sank down beside his brother.
A few moments later, the door burst open. Someone gave a shout, and the next moment Quin had hurled his small frame into David, knocking the wind out of his older brother. Then Mrs. Caddick was bending over Amelia, and Mr. Caddick was hugging Stephen. A few moments later, Ruth arrived with Andrew and Beth. After that it was all laughter and tears. A few minutes later, several military surgeons arrived. One of the officers spoke with them, and then he and the three others left. A moment later, two soldiers came and stood guard by the door.
Joseph still felt like nothing was real as he washed in warm water and put on clean clothes. Then one of the surgeons carefully cleaned and bandaged the wounds on his back. After that, he helped Joseph back out into the siting room. Joseph sat down on the couch and Beric limped to his side. David was also there, and a few minutes later, Stephen came in. Joseph didn’t have time to be worried about Amelia before the door opened and her father came in, carrying Amelia. She was smiling, her arms about his neck and her head resting on his shoulder. She was wearing clean clothes, and her hair lay damp on her shoulders. Mrs. Caddick was close behind, carrying Amelia’s stained and torn dress. Mr. Caddick gently set his daughter on the couch beside Joseph, and Joseph put his arms around her.
Two soldiers came in with bowls of strong broth and plenty of water.
“You can have all you want, but drink slowly,” one of the surgeons cautioned.
When they were finished, they were all told to go to bed. Joseph followed as an officer led him and Amelia to a room that had been prepared for them. “Just call if you need anything,” he told them.
Joseph nodded wearily and the officer left, softly closing the door behind him.
The moment Joseph was in bed he was asleep, his arms wrapped tightly about Amelia.
***
It was late the next morning before Joseph woke. He lay there, trying to remember what had happened and where he was. Amelia’s arms were still about him, and his about her, so he was not worried.
After a time, it all came back. The yelling crowd, the sneering officer, one last kiss with Amelia, and the moment when he had known he was about to die— then the miraculous rescue of the Vendailians and their allies. God had been there through it all, and when there was no possible way they could escape, He had delivered them.
Joseph wondered how close the fighting had gotten and when it had ended. He could hardly believe it. Not only had God spared the five of them and set them free, but He had set their whole country free.
“Oh Father, You are a good, good God. You are a God of mercy and salvation! Oh God, thank You for protecting us and setting us free. Thank You for saving our country from the Empire. After eleven long years, we’re finally free!” Joseph felt tears of unspeakable joy fill his eyes.
Amelia woke a little while later. She looked up at Joseph and her eyes lit up with a smile. “Oh Joseph! Can you believe what God has done!”
“No, I can’t,” Joseph whispered. He leaned close to Amelia and gently kissed her. After a long moment, he spoke. “I never thought I’d get to do that again.”
“Neither did I,” Amelia replied, her lips brushing against his. She just lay there looking at him for a long time. Then, quiet suddenly, she burst into tears.
“Darling, what is it?” Joseph exclaimed.
“God is going to let me have my baby,” Amelia wept. “Oh Joseph, He is going to give me my baby!”
Joseph held her close to him. “Oh Father, thank You,” he whispered.
***
Out in the hall, Joseph and Amelia were pounced upon by Beric. He hugged them both, laughing with joy. “I never thought I’d see another sunrise!” he exclaimed. “God is so, so good!”
The three of them entered the Sitting Room and found breakfast being set out. They were embraced by Amelia’s family, though David and Stephen had not yet woken up.
Not too long after, the brothers came in, Stephen wanting to know what was for breakfast.
They all gathered around the table and Mr. Caddick said a blessing. “Father God, we come to you with hearts filled with joy. Thank You Father for saving the lives of my sons, daughter, and grandson. Thank You for protecting them and giving them courage and strength to face the trial before them. Thank You for setting us free! Oh Lord, how long we have prayed and hope for this day, and when hope seemed all but gone, You delivered us with Your mighty hand. Thank You Lord, thank You.”
After breakfast, Joseph leaned back and looked at Mr. Caddick. “Where are we?”
“In the town Prefect’s home,” Mr. Caddick replied. “The allied armies took it over as their new headquarters.”
“When can we go home?” Amelia asked.
“I don’t know,” her father replied. “The officer I spoke to say we are to stay here until they release us.”
“So, we’re under arrest again,” David joked.
“If we are, I wouldn’t mind staying that way. The food is amazing,” Stephen said, cheerfully.
An officer came into the room and Joseph looked up at him. He was dressed in a white tunic with a tan hood over his head and shoulders. Leather thongs were wrapped about the bloused sleeves from his forearms down. Around his waist was a wide belt and at his hip were several leather pouches. His light brown britches were slightly bloused, and his tan boots were fitted and had leather throngs wrapped around them. The man pushed back his hood and made a strange and rather complicated bow. “Salam Sahdeh,”
Joseph glanced at the others, but they looked just as confused as he did. Mr. Caddick finally spoke. “Sir, I’m afraid we only speak the common tongue.”
“Ah, of course,” the man said, his accent so thick it was hard to understand him. He smiled and bowed again. “Greetings, friends. I trust you slept well?”
Joseph nodded and glanced at the others.
“Yes sir, we did,” David told the officer.
The man nodded several times. “Good, good. I am Ciaran Quardin, a Rā’id of the Otogiran army.”
Joseph nodded to himself. That made sense with the man’s shoulder-length dark hair and his tanned skin.
“Sir, may I ask you a question?” Mr. Caddick inquired.
“Of course, of course,” Ciaran replied.
“When are we allowed to leave?”
Ciaran thought a moment. “You and your family can leave but the alsuja alsivira…” he trailed off, thinking of the right word. “The… the political prisoners must stay.”
“But why?” Joseph asked. “What have we done?”
“Nothing, nothing,” Ciaran replied. “It is for your protection. The Empire wants to kill you, no?”
“Yes, yes they do,” David replied.
Ciaran nodded. “So, we keep you here to make you safe. You can leave after the Imperial army is gone.”
“Thank you,” Joseph said, relief filling his voice. For a moment he had thought they were in danger again.
Ciaran nodded and bowed low again before leaving them.
Mr. Caddick looked at his wife. “We should probably take the little children home.”
Mrs. Caddick nodded.
“You’ll have to lead the Sabbath meeting tomorrow, because it looks like I won’t be there,” Stephen remarked.
“May I stay with Amelia?” Ruth asked.
Mr. Caddick looked at his oldest daughter.
“That would be nice,” Amelia said. “I still don’t feel all the way better.”
So, it was decided that Ruth would stay and the rest of the Caddicks would go back home. But before they left, Mr. Caddick secured permission from a few of the officers for his family to visit again. After that, farewells were said, and then the Caddicks left.
After that everything seemed more peaceful. At one point Stephen suggested they all return to their rooms to sleep, but no one did. After what they had gone through, the five wanted to stick together. After what they had gone through, the five wanted to stick together. It was a few hours later that one of the officers glanced into the room and saw all of them asleep on the couches.
***
The following days passed quickly. Joseph, Stephen, and Beric healed quickly under the care of the surgeons, and Amelia was doing much better thanks to Ruth. It wasn’t long before Joseph could identify soldiers from each of the different armies. The Otogiran soldiers were tall with shoulder length dark hair and tanned skin. They all wore creamy white uniforms with tan hoods. They carried curved swords or recurve bows, which Joseph learned they used from the backs of horses in desert warfare.
The men of Articara wore white bloused shirts and britches with black leather boots and very dark blue cloaks that had sleeves that came to the elbows. If they were normal soldiers they wore wide black belts. If they were officers, the belts were overlaid with gold. There were no horsemen among the soldiers of Articara. Most of the men fought with spears or short swords. They were of a very slender build and their skin was pale while their hair and eyes were extremely dark, creating a striking contrast.
The soldiers of Donthanas were the most richly dressed. They wore dark green tunics, pale green britches and tall black leather boots. Around their waists were wide brown leather belts and over their shoulders they wore thick green cloaks embroidered with gold designs. They wore black gloves that came nearly to the elbow, and they carried longbows and long slender swords. These men were shorter than the Ardentans, but their speed and strength made up for any lack of height. They were sturdily built and often red-headed.
And then there were the Vendailian soldiers. They wore long tunics of royal blue which fell below their knees but were split in back and front so the soldiers could still run or ride horses. They wore leather belts and brown leather boots, and there was gold embroidery on the backs and collars of their tunics. Some of them wore knee length cloaks and they all carried longswords. They also had a division of mounted archers. These men seemed the most familiar to Joseph and he preferred their company over the other soldiers. Perhaps because they brought back memories of Aaron, or perhaps it was because one of their officers seemed to have taken an interested in the former captives and spent as much time as he could with them.
One evening, about five days after the rescue, the Vendailian officer came to speak with Amelia, Joseph, Stephen, David, and Beric.
Joseph was standing by the window with his arm around Amelia. The two were looking down into the streets below, watching yet another collum of Imperial soldiers march out of the town.
Beric, Stephen, David, and Ruth were sitting around the table laughing and eating some dried fruit that had been brought up to them.
There was a knock on the door and Joseph turned away from the window. “Come in.”
The door opened part way, and the young officer glanced into the room. “May I talk with you?”
“Of course,” Joseph replied. “Come and join us.”
The officer stepped in, and the three moved to join the others at the table. “I hope I’m not intruding,” the young man said.
“Oh, not at all,” David replied.
Once everyone was settled, the Vendailian looked to Joseph. “I was wondering, would you be willing to tell me why you were arrested?”
Joseph nodded. “Gladly.” He willingly recounted the story, the others often adding things in here or there or filling the gasp.
When they story was over, the officer sat in silence, thinking over all they had said. At last, he looked up. “The plague, as you call it, will soon come to an end. We have sent dispatches, and even now, medicines are being gathered and sent here.”
“What do you mean?” Joseph asked, eagerly.
“A cure for this sickness was discovered about seventeen years ago,” the officer replied. “But Ardenta would never allow strangers to bring new ideas into her country, and after the Empire took over there was no possible way to share our knowledge.”
“And the Empire knew nothing of this cure?” David asked.
“I don’t believe so, and we were not over eager to share our findings with them,” the officer said as he rose to his feet. He looked at each of them. “Your courage and faith greatly inspire me. I am humbled and overjoyed to see my brothers and sisters in Christ act as you have. Thank you for sharing your story.”
“Then you are a follower of Christ as well?” Joseph exclaimed.
“Yes, my father-in-law is a leader in the church. He led me to Christ almost twelve years ago. I married his only daughter, Clorinda. He had a son, but no one has heard from him in over twelve years.”
“What happened to the boy?” Stephen asked.
“He left to bring the Word of God to Ardenta. They used to say that no one here believed in God or even knew of Him. After meeting you, and many other Christians in the cities and towns we have passed through, I am amazed at what God must have done through him. I came to help free Ardenta, but I also came to find him. I hope to bring word back to his father and sister.”
“What was his name?” Joseph asked in a slightly breathless voice.
“Aaron Dalvarian,” the officer replied.
Joseph could scarcely breathe. He looked up at the officer in shock. “Aaron was my father!”
“He can’t have been!” the officer exclaimed. “You are several years too old!”
“I was an orphan,” Joseph explained. “He loved me and many other orphans, and he, Sabina, Alicia, Noah, and Darrien cared for us and loved us. He was a father to me. He was going to marry Sabina, and they were going to adopt me. Then, just before the wedding, Aaron was arrested.” Joseph drew in a slow breath, blinking back tears. “He gave his life for Christ two days later. He… he led so many to Christ. He gave our country hope! I shudder to think what this place would be like if he had never come.”
Joseph looked up at the officer. The young man was standing very still, one hand gripping the back of his chair. There was a stunned look on his face, and for a moment no one spoke. Joseph swallowed hard and continued in a quiet voice. “Aaron walked with God every step of the way. His death launched the events that brought so many to Christ—” He broke off and looked away. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?” the officer asked, his voice slightly choked.
“That he is dead,” Joseph replied, in a low voice. “I’m sorry I had to give you such news after your kindness to us.”
The officer said nothing for a long time. At last, he drew in a breath and spoke. “I wish I could have seen him again. I knew him when we were boys— we grew up together. I was very upset when he told me he was leaving, and I even tried to change his mind.” He shook his head slowly. “It will be hard to tell his father and sister. But I… I cannot say I wish it had never happened. If his life and death did this, how could I want it otherwise? Aaron was a light to so many through how he lived and died. That’s how he would have wanted it.”
Joseph nodded, a sad smile crossing his face. After a moment, he looked up. “If you would like, Sabina, Alicia, Darrien, and Noah are still living… and so are two of the boys I grew up with, Asher and Eric. If you would like to speak to them, I can take you to meet them.”
“I would, very much so,” the young officer agreed.
“Sir, would you tell us your name?” David asked.
“Captain Peter Hollyoak. My father was Aaron’s tutor. He always had a soft spot for that boy,” replied the officer added with a slight laugh.
***
Two weeks passed. Peter continued to frequent the room where the former captives spent most of their time, and he wanted to hear all about what had been happening in Ardenta. He would bring a journal with him and record everything they told him. He always enjoyed hearing about Aaron, and Joseph went far back in his memory to treasured moments with the young man he had loved as a father. How Peter laughed when Joseph told of the evening he had tried to convince Aaron to marry Sabina.
“I’m excited to meet to her,” Peter said. “She sounds like an amazing young woman.”
Joseph heartily agreed.
At last, the Imperial troops were out of the town, and Joseph and the others were allowed to return home.
When Joseph stepped outside, Amelia’s arm through his, and Beric at his side, he immediately felt the change. There was new freshness in the air, and a lack of that shadow of evil that had hung about the place since ever since the Empire built the temple.
He soon saw why.
The entire building had been brought to the ground and taken apart peace by peace. Now, several soldiers were working to drag off the last cartload of rubble.
“Some people may be angry,” Peter said, coming up behind them. “But people have been angry before, and that didn’t stop Gideon, Josiah, Moses, or Joshua.”
“No, it didn’t,” Joseph agreed. He closed his eyes and breathed in the morning air. “This is the beginning of a new dawn in Ardenta.”
Joseph and the others joined the Caddicks for supper that evening, and afterwords they talked long into the night. The next morning, Joseph, Beric and Amelia returned to the home. They place had been torn apart when the soldiers arrested them, but nothing was too badly damaged, and by noon of that day things were back in order.
Julian and Leon arrived two days later, and Joseph greeted his friends eagerly.
“I can’t believe we’re done running,” Leon said as they sat around the supper table that evening. “We’re finally free!”
“I can’t believe we survived that for a little over ten years!” Julian exclaimed.
“What will you do now?” Amelia asked.
“The first thing I want to do is settle down and sleep for a whole week in my own home. What a joy that will be!”
Leon laughed. “Sleeping in a room of my own will be wonderful.” He turned to Joseph. “What about you?”
“I can’t wait to resettle in the country!” Joseph replied. “It will be so good to farm again. Peter said alliances are being signed, and all sorts of other things. Soon we’ll be free like before, though the Vendailians will keep a base here.”
“I’m glad,” Leon said. “Hopefully it will warn other countries that if they pick a fight with us, they pick a fight with almost half the known world!”
“How do the Ardentans feel about it?” Julian asked.
“I think they’re eager for peace, and they’re also a little frightened of the Empire coming back again. I have a feeling our boarders will open toward Ardenta and the lands beyond.”
“What of rulership?” Leon wondered.
“The prince died in the last battle, and with him died the line of kings,” Joseph replied. “Now there will be some confusion as a new heir is found to take the throne.”
“A new line of kings, a new freedom, and new alliances,” Amelia mused softly.
***
A week later, Joseph went with Amelia, Beric, and Peter, to visit Sabina and the others. They arrived to find the orphanage safe and unharmed. It was a wonderful time that they spent there, and Joseph thanked God that He had kept them all safe.
Noah and Darrien already had plans of building a new orphanage in the country where the children could run and play and learn to farm, Asher was pursuing a relationship with Evelyn Cuthborn, and Eric was considering taking up horse breeding.
Later that evening, Joseph found Sabina standing in the doorway of the siting room, watching the children play. Beric was spending time with some of the children he had grown up with, and Joseph smiled as he watched the older boy. Then he turned to Sabina. “So, you really are leaving?”
Sabina nodded. “Noah and Darrien are right, living in the country will be best for the children. But still, I will be sad to leave this place. It has truly become home to me.”
“The same for me,” Joseph replied.
Sabina smiled at him. Then she stepped forward and hugged him tightly. Joseph was surprised, but he smiled and patted her back gently. “Is everything alright?”
“Oh Joseph, I am so, so proud of you,” Sabina whispered. “To think of how close you were to death frightens me, for I can’t bear the thought of losing you. But you were ready to lay down your life for Christ, and I am so proud, Joseph. Aaron would be too.”
Joseph smiled and kissed her on the cheek. “God used you to help me become the man I am,” he said quietly. “Thank you.”
***
That night, Joseph took Amelia up to the roof to look at the stars.
“They’re so beautiful tonight,” Amelia said.
“They are,” Joseph agreed. “Aaron loved the stars, and Sabina did too. They always used to tell each other about them when things were hard.”
“What would they say?” Amelia asked.
“They would always say, ‘The God who made the stars is with us now’,” Joseph replied.
“The God who made the stars,” Amelia murmured.
“It makes me think of a Psalm I memorized when I was young,” Joseph said. “‘Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting. The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; He gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond measure.’”
“The God who made the stars and determined their number has the love and compassion to bend down and gather us up; healing our broken hearts and binding up our wounds,” Amelia said in an awed voice.
Joseph nodded and hugged her. “Look what God has done, Amelia,” he whispered. “Look what our God has done.”
***
Beric paced back and forth in the hall outside Amelia and Joseph’s bedroom.
It was late August, and the sun still poured through the windows though it was nearly eight o’clock in the evening.
Beric thought about the house he and Joseph were building. It would be finished very soon, and they would spend the winter in it. He smiled as he thought of having a home of his own with endless fields stretching on and on into the horizon. Fields to run and play in. Fields to explore and hunt. Fields of freedom.
He heard Mrs. Caddick talking to Ruth and then he thought he heard Amelia’s breathless voice. There was Joseph’s anxious one, and Beric pounded one fist into his palm, almost crazy with anxiety. There was a heightening of voices, and he heard Amelia crying. He wanted to run and listen to what they were saying, but he didn’t dare.
Then, there was a new sound.
The wailing of a baby.
Beric was nearly frantic. He longed to pound on the door and beg to be let in, but he had promised he wouldn’t. Ten minutes passed. Fifteen minutes, twenty… Beric sat down at the top of the steps and leaned his head and shoulder against the wall.
After an eternity, the door opened. “Beric, you can––”
Beric was up and at the door before Mrs. Caddick could finish. He entered cautiously, his eyes going to Amelia. She was propped by several pillows, and her hair was still damp around the edges from sweat. She smiled and nodded to Joseph, who stood at her side.
Beric came slowly around the bed, his eyes wide with excitement.
Joseph smiled at him. “Come hold your baby sister.”
Amelia patted the bed, and Beric sat on the edge of it, holding out his arms. Joseph carefully handed him the baby, and Beric’s face lit up as he took her in his arms. He held her close, gazing at her with breathless delight.
Joseph put an arm about Amelia, who smiled and leaned against him. Beric reached out one hand and stroked the baby’s little cheek with a gentle finger. She opened her dark-blue eyes and looked up at him. Beric couldn’t breathe
Joseph smiled, looking at the eyes, tiny rose-bud mouth, and wispy brown hair of his daughter. Amelia leaned her head against his chest, and Joseph gently rubber her shoulder with his thumb. He couldn’t take his eyes off the precious miracle in Beric’s arms. His daughter! His very own child!
Beric’s eyes had taken on a gentle expression and Joseph saw the protector stir within him once again. The baby had a tiny hand clenched in a fist near her cheek, and Beric trailed a finger over it. He smiled broadly and turned to look at Joseph. “What’s her name?”
Joseph reached out and gently took the baby. She fit perfectly in his arms, cradled there as if she had been made to be held by him. Joseph’s eyes filled with tears, and one splashed onto the Baby’s cheek. she stirred and blinked her big blue eyes, then gave a tiny yawn and closed them again. Joseph looked at Amelia, and she nodded. “Mercy,” he said, softly. “Her name is Mercy, because God has shown us all His wonderful and everlasting mercy.”
“Mercy,” Beric whispered. “A beautiful gift from God.”
***
Ardenta
3 years later.Joseph pulled the reins of the black horse he rode, turning it slightly to the right. At his side rode Amelia, and a little way ahead Beric was mounted on a chestnut, with little Mercy seated in front of him, clutching the horse’s mane and giggling in delight.
They came to a large oak try by the stream, and Joseph pulled the horse to a stop. He dismounted and turned to lift Amelia down from her horse. She thanked him with a kiss and then hurried to lift Mercy down off Beric’s horse.
Joseph pulled the pack off his horse’s saddle and carried it over to the soft grass under the tree. Then he untacked the horses and turned them lose to graze. They would come when called. Eric had trained them well.
Beric was already at the stream, pulling his boots off, and Mercy ran to him. He crouched to help her untie her little shoes and then took her hand and waded into the water until it came up to Mercy’s knees. Mercy laughed and bent, gathering a handful of water and splashing him. He returned the gesture with a gentle spray of water.
Joseph dropped down and opened the pack. Together he and Amelia spread out the lunch on a soft blanket of moss. When they were finished, Joseph rose and shaded his eyes with his hand. Far away he could see their house, and he even made out the faint color of the roses Amelia had trained to climb up its walls. Between him and the house were fields and fields of crops.
Joseph smiled as he thought of what a wonderful harvest they would yield.
He sat down beside Amelia, who was reclining against a tree, her hand over her dress. “Five more months before the next little one,” she smiled. “I can’t wait.”
“Neither can I,” Joseph replied. He put an arm about her, and she leaned against him.
There was a burst of laughter from the stream, and Joseph looked to see Beric and Mercy franticly spraying each other with waves of water. “Eighteen or not, he’s still a boy through and through,” Joseph grinned.
“He’s been such a wonderful big brother,” Amelia agreed. “Mercy adores him!”
Joseph watched as Beric began picking wild primroses from the bank of the stream. He had taken off his vest to avoid it getting soaked, and Joseph could see the scars that still crossed his back and shoulders. Beric crouched down in the stream, Mercy leaning over his back, both little arms about his neck. Beric carefully broke the stem from one of the roses and placed it in the water. The little blossom sailed away like a brightly colored boat.
Mercy gasped in delight and came around to face Beric, crouching down and cupping her little hands. He gave her a flower and she sent it off with a gentle nudge. The warm August sun shown down on the two, sparkling off the water.
Joseph smiled. “God has blessed us.”
“Yes, He has,” Amelia agreed.
“I’m glad Sabina is happy in the country, I was afraid she would miss the house in the city too much,” Joseph mused.
“No, she’s a country girl,” Amelia laughed. “Besides, now she’s only half a day’s journey on horse from where we are.”
“I’m glad Asher, Eric, Alicia and Andrew, and the other grown boys moved with their families to the land around Sabina’s orphanage. They’ve practically made a little village there, and Noah and Darrien can certainly use the help during the farming season,” Joseph said.
“It will be a village soon at this rate,” Amelia smiled. “Asher and Evelyn already have the twins, and she’s due any day now with the next.”
“Poor Eric,” Joseph chuckled. “He’ll never live through the teasing now that he and Rosemary are courting.”
Amelia laughed. “I can’t help but think he deserves it.” She smiled contentedly. “I can’t believe David is already married and settled with a family of his own! It seems like just yesterday we were all kids. Now Stephen and Edith will be married this harvest.”
“He’s ready to begin harvest already,” Joseph chuckled
“I hope Quin can come for the wedding,” Amelia said. “I’m so proud of the way he set out to bring the people back to God, and I’m glad he took friends with him.”
“It’s been hard for all of us in that area, but the people are slowly turning back. I’m glad most of the temples and idols were torn down along with the Empire withdrawing. I think it would be much worse if we had allowed them to linger,” Joseph said.
Amelia nodded. “It will be good to hear from Peter. How exciting that he and Clorinda have another boy!”
“Maybe we’ll have to take a trip to Vendailia and see them,” Joseph replied.
Amelia leaned against Joseph. Fort a moment they were silent, watching the breeze gently bend the grass and whisper through the ripening crops. A sad expression came to Amelia’s eyes, and she spoke softly. “I can’t believe the courage of Leon and Julian to return to the Empire! To think that they willingly walk into death to bring God’s Word to others…” Her voice trailed away. “It was so sad to say goodbye and know that we will never meet again until we are all home with Christ,”
Joseph nodded soberly. “They were ready though. Do you remember the looks on their faces when they spoke of going.” He let out a long breath. “What horrors will they face at the hands of the Empire? I can’t fathom the courage they had to so willingly and so boldly walk into the fire.”
“‘When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.’” Amelia quoted softly. “Like you said, they were ready, and they walked forward in faith. They obeyed God’s call to them, and they trusted Him, no matter what the cost may be.”
“It was hard to see them go,” Joseph said. “But I am glad that they obeyed God’s call. The hardest part is not knowing if they are even alive! It’s been six months since they left, and we have heard nothing from them. Of course, there is no contact between the two countries. We don’t even know if they made it across the border.”
“Whatever has happened or will happen, God is going to use for His glory, and he will be with them,” Amelia whispered.
“I know,” Joseph replied. “I look forward to the day when I will get to see how God used whatever did or will happen.”
He looked over the fields gently rocking in the breeze. Beric and Mercy’s laughter rang out, followed by more splashing. He wrapped his arms about Amelia and pulled her against his chest. “God is so, so good. Through everything, He has been with us, and He has never forsaken us. I often think about that time when we were arrested. It was then that my faith was so powerfully strengthened, and I felt and saw God’s power. He has been with us always, He has done what He promised, and He has blessed us in such a wonderful way. I am look forward to the days to come. I want to see how He will use each one of us to continue His work.”
Amelia nodded. “So do I. To think of all the ways He was there, and how He used everything for His plan. And now we are safe and free, and our country is turning back to Him once more.”
“And it all started with one young man answering His call,” Joseph said. “God used one faithful follower to start all of this. Aaron was one man, but he stepped forward in faith and he followed God’s call. One life, one man, and God did this.”
“He has brought us out of the darkness into light,” Amelia smiled.
Joseph nodded and hugged her. “Now the morning dawns in Ardenta.”
God never moves without purpose or plan
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the Lord though your testing seems long;
In darkness He giveth a song.O rejoice in the Lord
He makes no mistake,
He knows the end of each path that I take,
For when I am tried and purified,
I shall come forth as gold.I could not see through the shadows ahead;
So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead.
I bowed to the will of the Master that day;
Then peace came, and tears fled away.O rejoice in the Lord
He makes no mistake,
He knows the end of each path that I take,
For when I am tried and purified,
I shall come forth as gold.Now I can see testing comes from above;
God strengthens His children and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;
Through purging more fruit I will bear.O rejoice in the Lord
He makes no mistake,
He knows the end of each path that I take,
For when I am tried and purified,
I shall come forth as gold.~Ron Hamilton
Then they cried to the lord in their trouble,
and He delivered them from their distress.
He brought them out of the veil of night and the shadow of death,
and broke their bonds apart~Psalm 107:13-14
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
~2 Corinthians 3:17B.The End
Man is born for the fight, to be forged and molded into a sharper, finer, stronger image of God
@hybridlore @linus-smallprint @koshka @keilah-h @elishavet-pidyon @grcr
OKAY!
Well, thank you very much to any of y’all who survived all the way to the end. I’m excited to hear y’alls thoughts and I’m looking forward to lost of feedback. Here are some questions that I had. (I may have looked at your file for some question structure ideas, Linus. 😉 )
Characters:
~Which character(s) did you find the most compelling/relatable/believable and why?
~ Were there any character that need to be more engaging? If so, how would be some good ways for me to do that?
~Where the characters believable?
~Did they have good, individual personalities, or were they clones?
~ Were the relationships between characters well-developed and meaningful?
~ Were there any characters you wanted to see more of?
~ Did any characters feel unnecessary to the story?
~Did Joseph feel like a new character, or was he a dark-haired, tall Aaron?
Note: Please keep in mind that I can’t full develop every character within the story, otherwise there wouldn’t be enough spotlight on my MC. Y’all know what I mean? My MC is Joseph, and close to him would be Amelia and Beric in the latter half of the story, Stephen and David in the middle, and Sabina and Noah in the very beginning.
Storyline:
~ Was the plot solid and engaging?
~ Did the pacing feel consistent throughout the book? If not, where did it lag or feel dull?
~Was there anything that seemed unbelievable or forced?
~ Were there any plot twists or surprises that stood out to you?
~ Was the ending fitting and satisfying?
~ Were any parts of the story confusing or difficult to follow?
~ Were there any unresolved plot threads you wish had been dealt with in this book?
~~ Was the balance between action, dialogue and description smooth in the story?
Theology/Message:
~ Any theological concerns for the story?
~ What would you say my world view was?
~ What would you say was the message of the story?
~Were the characters’ struggles dealt with effectively?
~What are your thoughts on Joseph’s relationship with God?
Extra:
~ What was your favorite part of the book overall?
~What was your least favorite part?
~Who was your favorite character?
~Who was your least favorite? (if you have one)
~Is there anything that you would say needs to be changed?
~ Which scenes would you want to see illustrations for? (Yes, I’ve decided to illustrate these!)
~ What would you say the target audience of this book would be?
~ Any predictions for the next book? Who are you guessing the MC(s) will be?
~ Any other thoughts
Thank y’all so much for everything!! I can’t wait for thoughts and feedback! It’s been so fun having y’all reading this and your encouragement along the way has been incredible!
Oh, also, when would be a good time for me to start the next book on here? Maybe end of January/beginning of February?
Man is born for the fight, to be forged and molded into a sharper, finer, stronger image of God
AHHH ELLETTE YOU SAVED THEM!!!
AND IT’S DONE!! CONGRATULATIONS!! (I know this is a later draft, but still xD)
Biggest thing I noticed, is that, in the end where Joseph and Amelia are talking, some of the things that they say, “I’m so glad that… etc.” seemed a little bit like info-dumping. It’s good for us to have all that information, but maybe trying to reword it a little or something would help make it flow better. Otherwise, great job!!! 👏
I will get on my laptop and try to answer the questions now!!
INTP 🧡 Homeschooler 🧡 WIP: The Color of Hope
AHHH ELLETTE YOU SAVED THEM!!!
I was always going to. I was just having too much fun teasing you! lol.
How stressed were you? Did you think I was going to kill him?
AND IT’S DONE!! CONGRATULATIONS!!
Thank you!!!
Biggest thing I noticed, is that, in the end where Joseph and Amelia are talking,… seemed a little bit like info-dumping.
Thanks. I’ll take a look at that
I will get on my laptop and try to answer the questions now!!
awesomeness! I will be waiting excitedly!
Man is born for the fight, to be forged and molded into a sharper, finer, stronger image of God
I was so, so close to finishing your questions, and then a bee came over by me, and I picked up my laptop and ran away (lol.)
But then I accidentally hit the screen somehow and I CLOSED THE LINK!!!
Augggghhhh. I cannot believe that just happened. Now I have to write them all out AGAIN. So this might take a while.
INTP 🧡 Homeschooler 🧡 WIP: The Color of Hope
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