@ellette-giselle
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You are very welcome.
And remember…. I know where you live now…. I will hunt you down and I will find you if you do not post more soon.
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
YAY!!!!!
Oh wow!!!
I love this!!!
Okay, two things I noticed.
One, you used the word “fell” twice in one sentence referring to the pen.
two… I got the characters mixed up a bit….
Brin and Brinni are the same person.
Krazsimir and Kras are the same….
who is Vrati?
Is he a third character?
If so, could you make that a little clearer? Maybe give a slight description, maybe say something that makes us know it’s a new character entering.
Other then that, THIS IS AWESOME!!!
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
You got the section from today I’m assuming….
Or did you write that in reply to what I said yesterday?
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
@freed_and_redeemed @hybridlore @koshka @keilah-h @elishavet-pidyon @liberty @linus-smallprint
NEXT SECTION
Sorry this is so short. Bridal shower and 3 graduation parties……… plus more. It’s a crazy day……..
The next morning, Leon and Julian enjoyed a hearty breakfast with Amarin, Adeline, and Andreas.
“How did you sleep?” Adeline asked.
“Better than I can remember in a long time,” Julian replied. “You’ve ruined us for any more travel. Those beds were so comfortable.”
“So comfortable, that Julian snored all night,” Leon added.
Julian looked at him in horror. “I did not. You heard yourself.” he retorted.
Amarin laughed.
After breakfast, Adeline cleared the dishes and left the room to wash them. Julian turned to Andreas. “I can’t seem to shake the feeling that I know you. When I asked Amarin, he said it was something for you to tell.”
Andreas smiled slightly. “Yes, you do recognize me, but I’m afraid it’s not for a good reason. Do you remember the gang that used to harass you while you were here?”
“The one that tried to burn the church down?” Julian asked in surprise.
Andreas winced. “Yeah, that one.”
“Yes, I do,”
“I was one of them,” Andreas said. “That one night when we were threatening you, you looked straight at me, and you said it wasn’t too late. I never forgot those words.”
Memory flashed across Julian’s mind. “You were the kid with the knife.”
Andreas nodded.
“Tell me what happened? How do you go from that to being one of Amarin’s most trusted friends?”
Andreas colored at that, but a smile of pleasure crossed his face. He thought for a moment and then looked at Julian. “Well, after that night, I just couldn’t stop thinking about what you said, and it really started to bother me. I just couldn’t get your words out of my mind. For days I wrestled with what you said, and the others started to harass me. I couldn’t bear it, and one night I drank myself into a stupor, trying to find a moment of peace. When I woke it was raining like I’d never seen before. The streets were flooded, and I was in danger of drowning. I stood up, soaking wet, and was just in time to see the others returning. They had left me on some errand while I was drunk. They were delighted with themselves, and I was in such a daze it took me a while to discover what they had done.”
“That was the night they tried to burn the church, wasn’t it,” Julian said.
Andreas nodded. “When I realized what had happened, I was sick with horror. Causing trouble for you was one thing, but killing women and children in cold blooded murder was quite another. I ran, just trying to get away. I hadn’t taken part in what had happened, but I felt as if I had. The guilt… it was awful. I reached the stables, but instead of finding them burned to the ground as I had feared, I saw all of you safe and alive. You were standing in a circle singing, and I… well I couldn’t understand it. I hid and listened until you had finished and gone your sperate ways. Then I crept out to stand where you had stood. Somehow, I thought I might understand. I didn’t.”
Andreas smiled wryly. “After that I was on my own. I couldn’t go back to the others, and the thought of working for my living was daunting. I had been raised a thief and a troublemaker, so I put those skills to use. I couldn’t keep up on my own, and I became very sick. I was in and out of consciousness most days, and my strength was all but drained. I couldn’t get your words out of my mind, and it was driving me crazy. I knew I had to escape the memories, so one night I went down to the harbor. I couldn’t swim, and I was ready to do myself in out there. I was about to go off the edge when Amarin. Grabbed me and knocked me down. We fought for a moment, but he was stronger, and in the end, I gave up. He took me home, and he and his wife cared for me. Over time, I grew stronger. I did what I could to help, eager to repay the debt I owed them. Amarin and I had serval long conversations, and after time, I came to understand what he believed. I gave my life to God, and that’s when I truly found freedom.”
Andreas looked to Amarin. “I owe so much to God, and to you,” he turned to Julian. “And you as well.”
“Tell them about what happened after that,” Amarin encouraged.
Andreas’s hand instinctively went to the scar across his throat. “That was a miracle,” he said, looking at Julain and Leon. “I went back to the gang. I wanted them to share in the salvation I had. I tried to talk to them… they weren’t happy.”
“What did they do?” Leon asked.
“Well, several of them wanted to turn me over to the priests, but their leader said he’d take care of me himself. He pushed me over backwards across several crates and held a knife to my throat. He said that if I spoke of God again, he would cut my throat.”
“And Andreas did,” Amarin broke in. “He replied with courage and faith, trusting his life to God.”
Andreas colored slightly. “I was scared to death, but I also knew I couldn’t turn against God.”
“And did he back down?” Julain asked.
“Andreas shook his head. “No, he tried to slit my throat. I don’t know what happened, it’s all a blur really, But I remember there was a lot of yelling, a flash of pain, and I was falling.”
“How did you not die?” Leon asked in awe.
Andreas subconsciously traced the scar as he spoke. “I don’t know why, or how, but the blade didn’t cut deep. God spared my life that night, and he sent Amarin to come and find me.”
“I couldn’t stop worrying about him,” Amarin explained. “God told me to go find him, so I did. He was lying alone in the alley when I arrived. I thought for sure he was dead, but when I knelt down and put a hand on him, I could feel he was still breathing. It was a miracle, and nothing but the hand of God could have saved him.”
Julian was both stunned and filled with hope. He looked at Leon and knew he must be feeling the same.
“That was the power of God,” Andreas said. “He can save us from the darkest and most hopeless of moments.”
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
Of course. I’m thankful God could use me to encourage you in any way. He will help you, if you but ask.
Here’s the full verse and reference.
No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
Well hey, God has made you this age at this time for a reason. The Devil would love for this year to be a complete and total wreck, but the good thing is, you serve a King who is far higher than any prince of darkness. Pray for strength, get out your Bible and read, (psalms are a great place to go when you’re having a hard time) and trust God. Pray and pray hard. There is a spiritual battle going on, there’s no joke about that. If you belong to God then you have some enemies who would like nothing better then to see your life turned upside down and to smother the light that God has put with you as a witness to others. But God has put you in this place at the time He has chosen. He knows your past, your future, and your present. He has “plans for good, not for evil. Plans to give you a future and a hope” and “he will place no burden upon you that is too great to bear”. Cry out to him in your distress, call on the Lord, and He will give you the strength, the joy, the peace, and the courage to face this year.
You said that your birthday was a self-pity party. Don’t let it. Don’t give in to that. You do not have the strength to withstand that, it’s true. But God does, and he promises strength and help to those in need. He promises to never leave your side, to be with you through anything. “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.” From fire to water, and all that lies in between, he will be with you, and these trials will not destroy you. And why are you called to pass through the fire and water? Because He has redeemed you and called you by name, (Isaiah 43) and He will do all these things so that the people may know there is a God in Israel, and that He is to be glorified over all the earth. When we call on Him and lean on His strength during hard times, we bring Him glory through whatever we have been called to face. James says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” He says trials of “various” or “many” kinds. It doesn’t just have to be physical, it can be spiritual or mental, or all three at once. But, we are to count it all joy because we are being made perfect and complete!
One of my favorite authors once wrote, “Man is born to trouble. Man is born for trouble. Man is born to battle trouble. Man is born for the fight, to be forged and molded– under torch and hammer and chisel– into a sharper, finer, stronger image of God.”
So my prayer and challenge for you this year is this. Don’t let the enemy win. Whatever is going on right now is not of God. Do you know how I know this? Because God promises joy! Paul writes in Roman’s 15, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” You don’t seem to be having a lot of joy right now, and you definitely weren’t when you wrote those posts about your birthday. That’s because the devil seeks to kill, blot out, and destroy any part of the joy you find in God. But “the joy of the Lord is our strength” and “His power is made perfect in our weakness” He will “strengthen my arm so that I might bend a bow of bronze”. You don’t have to fight this alone, you just have to fight. Pray, ask God for strength, and start standing up. When you feel depressed and down, say “No”. That is not of God, and anything not of God must be cast out of your life. Instead, read your Bible, pray, search the scriptures fir God’s promises to you as part of His chosen people. Ask him for Joy, peace, patients, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control. These are fruits of His Spirit, and he will readily give them to you.
It’s time to fight back, and we are Christians must learn to fight on our knees. So fight in prayer, fight through reading, memorizing, and speaking the scripture. Fight by standing up and saying no to how you feel or what you want to do or say in the moment. It’s going to be hard, but God will give you the strength. He has promised, and He NEVER breaks his promises. This is a new stage in your life, and it’s the perfect time to take a step back and start again. But don’t try it alone, or you will fail. But with God, all things are possible, for there is nothing that He cannot do.
I’ll be praying for you as you enter this new year in your life.
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
as a character
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
it’s an alternate Europe. If that makes sense.
yeah. That was a roller coaster chapter. Any thoughts on Andreas?
Oooo! I’ll have to listen to the song!
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
Ooo, mysterious.
sadly, he’s not any of those. He was very much an Andreas, so I’ll have to find a name with the same flow, beats, meanings, and rhythm.
Naming a character is not a simple thing. 😂Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
True, bit it sort of fit him. Now I’m not sure which name to use……
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
Ugh. But I like his name. *pouts*
Okay fine, I’ll see what I can do….
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
They found thirty of fifty+. The others just are no where to be found. So they might be dead.
And yeah they hated it. It was basically a fortress for the Christian operations.
Ah yes, “I”
Does that make sense?
Yes, it does. In fact, I like that idea. I’ll make a few tweaks.
I was confused through these paragraphs. Partial because of my bad habit of missing details. So for me, Julian wanted to talk to the young man, but that never happened. Then I realized it happened off screen while Leon was somewhere else. So I’ve got most of it now, but I’d like the know who the two young men are. Is one of them the man from the stable?
Ah yes, well, we were in Leon’s POV at the time.
Yes, they both were actually.
Massacre and heresy. Quite the section.
Yeah…….
btw, any thoughts on Andreas?
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
Odd, I didn’t get tagged when you commented.
Good. I’m glad the timing is right.
yes, it is sad for the university, but that’s not a place they would just let alone.
Well actually, it’s Julian who recognizes Andreas, not Leon.
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
@freed_and_redeemed @hybridlore @koshka @keilah-h @elishavet-pidyon @liberty @linus-smallprint
NEXT SECTION
The seventeenth year of Emperor Haidronias’s reign
June 17th
The EmpireWe’ve been traveling for two days now. No sign of soldiers, thank God. The closer I get the stronger I feel that this is indeed what God has called me to do. I can’t stop thinking about those I left behind. Will I ever see them again? Poor Emil. Oh Lord, strengthen him. Let him feel Your presence and fill him with Your peace. Guide him and give him courage. Help him to be bold and courageous, strong in the faith and full of Your spirit. Comfort him now and raise him up as the man You created him to be. I commit him into Your hands, Lord.
I can’t help but remember the day Julian and I first crossed the border back into the Empire. It was just the two of us then. We were the only one who believed in you in the entire Empire, and we were alone. Now, so much has changed. An army of Your followers has risen up and the gates of hell have unleashed their armies to defeat us. But we will not fall, and they will not stand against us, for it is against You they fight, and even if we die, others will take our place. I know You will complete the good work You have started here!
Here we are again. We were five, but now it is just Julian and I. Aelic has finished this fight, Rolf and Roland have been called to carry it on in a different manner, and Julian and I are setting out again. What lies ahead? Whatever it is, I know You are faithful and You will not leave us. I trust You, Father.~Leon
The days passed, and Leon and Julian continued to hike out and down. They spent much time in prayer and were greatly strengthened by it. Leon was doing well, though he did need to pause and rest more often than Julian did. Julian would never tell him that though, for he knew Leon would push himself too far if he thought he was encumbering Julian.
The weather continued to stay fine, and during the afternoon, the two even found it necessary to remove their heavy cloaks. On and on they traveled. After almost a week they noticed they were getting lower down, and the air was almost too easy to breathe. Leon was able to keep going longer, so they pressed on.
Julian shielded his eyes against the morning light and looked about. A little way ahead was a cliff and he made toward it, hoping to get a good view. He glanced back and saw that Leon was falling behind. He paused and waited for Leon to catch up. Leon looked up at him and smiled wryly.
“I’m exhausted,” Julian said. “I thought about pressing on to that cliff and braking there, but I think I might just have to stop and rest sooner.”
Leon looked at the cliff ahead. “It’s not that far. Buck up, Julian, we can press on.” He took a deep breath and hitched his pack higher before striding on.
Julian smiled and followed. They came out onto the open space before the cliff’s edge and stepped out to looked at the land below them. For a moment, neither spoke. At last, Leon found his voice. “We made it.”
Below them stretched flat planes and low hills, and not too far away was a city on the edge of the sea. Julian shielded his eyes against the sun. “I think I can see ships way out there.”
“I believe that’s a harbor town,” Leon said.
“Could it be Clonabay?”
Leon hesitated. “We were nowhere near Clonabay when we escaped.”
“True, but we wondered around in the mountains for weeks. We could have gotten farther into the Empire, and you and I weren’t exactly going in a straight line on our way down,” Julian pointed out.
“True. I hope it is Clonabay.”
“How far away do you think it is?”
Leon squinted. “From where we’re standing, I would say about four days.”
“Four days!” Julian exclaimed.
“We’re still up very high. I say it would take us at least all of today and a good chunk of tomorrow just to get down. Plus, we can see very far because of how high we are,” Leon said. “It will all be different down there.”
Julian sighed. “I was looking forward to a real bed.”
Leon grinned. “Me too.”
***
That night when the two made camp, they were still in the mountains. They ate a light dinner, and Julian checked over their supplies. “It looks like we have about two days left of good meals. We could make it four if we eat sparingly.”
“Well then, we’ll eat sparingly,” Leon said. “And when it’s gone, we’ll wait and see what next meal God has prepared for us.”
“You know Leon, I don’t think I could have gotten this far without you,” Julian said.
“I wouldn’t even know God without you,” Leon pointed out quietly. “It was you who sought answers and you who brought me to Noah and Darrien.”
Julian smiled. “Do you remember how little Joseph was?”
Leon grinned. “I can hardly believe he’s married and has kids of his own.”
“Beric will be in his early twenties now.”
“I wonder if he’s married,” Leon said.
“I bet he is. What I wonder is how many kids he has,” Julian replied.
“I wonder how many more Joseph and Amelia have. They were going to have one the year we left, and they already have Mercy,” Leon remarked.
Julian chuckled. “Probably a lot.”
“Roland and Liesl are going to make good parents,” Leon mused. “It would have been fun to see their kids.”
Julian stabbed the fire with a stick several times before throwing it in. When he spoke, his voice was low. “We’re never going back, are we.”
“I don’t think so,” Leon replied.
Julian looked out at the countryside below them, resting quietly beneath the light of the stars. “Do you think it’s all going to end down there?”
“I expect it to,” Leon said. “But perhaps God has other plans.”
“Perhaps,” Julian replied in a low tone. But deep inside, he knew he would never set foot in these mountains again.
***
The days that followed were spent in hiking down into the foothills and crossing through them. At long last they came out of the mountains and struck out across the fields for the road they knew must lie somewhere ahead. They found the road as the sun was setting and made camp. The next day, they continued along the road, wondering where they were.
“It seems familiar,” Leon remarked. “But then again, we’ve traveled almost everywhere the main road goes.”
“I guess we’ll just have to keep walking,” Julian replied.
So, they continued all day and into the evening. It was growing dark when Leon spoke. “Julian, I’m going to need to stop soon.”
“I know,” Julian replied. “I’m almost asleep on my feet. I just want to get over that next hill.”
They wearily climbed the hill. When they got to the top, Julian pointed. “Look, a town!”
The two quickened their pace, strengthened by the sight of civilization. They walked another mile before Leon exclaimed. “Look, is that the University?”
“It is!” Julian cried.
They ran through the dwindling light toward the hill where the University stood. At last, they would reach people again, and they would fellowship with other believers.
They were nearly there when a feeling of dread began to creep over Leon, and he slowed. “Julian, wait!”
Julian stopped and turned. “What is it?”
“Something’s wrong.”
“What?”
“I don’t know. But something’s not right,” Leon replied.
They approached town cautiously and walked softly through the dead streets. There was no sign of anyone. The streets were as still and silent as death yet showed evidence of life only a short time ago.
When they got to the square, they found market stalls still set up, some of the wears tipped over, but most of it in place. At the fountain there was a filled jar, and a half filled one beside it. The bucket sat on the fountain’s rim, filled with water. Looking into it, Julian found only a few floating pieces of grass. The water seemed fresh. Leon picked up a loaf of bread from a market stall and broke a piece off. It was still soft and couldn’t be more than a day old. Yet, everywhere they looked, there was not a sign or sound of any living thing. It was eerie and chilling. Julian could feel fear crawling up his spine and he found it a little hard to breathe steadily. He shivered, and it wasn’t just from the chill of the night.
“What’s that smell?” Leon asked.
Julian paused. Then, with a cry, he bolted. Leon raced after him.
They reached the green and came to a stop. The castle-like University–– haven to so much work in the spread of Christianity–– was nearly destroyed. It had been hit many times by siege weapons, and the towers and walls were caved-in and crumbling. Smoke curled upward from the blackened stones. In the center of the green was a great circle of ash. Even now, a few burned pages of parchment swirled away on the wind. Large torches had been driven into the green, and some still flickered with a dying red light.
Julian crouched down and reached out a hand. The ashes were still hot, and smoke drifted away from them. Hundreds and hundreds of scrolls and books had been burned. Years and years of work… Julian stumbled to his feet. “Where is everyone? What happened? Where are they?” he spun about and saw Leon was deathly pale.
Julian froze. He couldn’t follow his friend’s gaze. He didn’t dare. Leon took several steps forward, walking as if in a daze. He moved out of Julian’s line of vision.
“Oh God,” Julian whispered. “Please, please, please.” With a shuddering breath, he forced himself to turn.
Leon was on his knees on the green, his face in his hands. Before him, lying in the grass, were several figures. Julian stumbled forward and dropped down beside one. It was a young man dressed in the clothing of a University student. His hands were bound behind his back and a blindfold was tied over his eyes. Blood soaked his clothing, and he lay very still.
He heard a hoarse sob and turned to see Leon bending over another of the slain. “It’s Heinrich,” he choked.
Julian leapt to his feet. He stood gasping for breath, his mind reeling. He stumbled a few paces and nearly tripped over a dead teenage boy. With a screaming cry of pure anguish he fell to hands and knees in the ash. “God why? Why!” he yelled, tears streaming down his face. “Oh God!” Wrenching sobs tore from him, shaking his whole body. He thought he had seen enough death, but the cruelty and evidence of such cold-blooded murder was too sickening and painful. He could hear Leon sobbing and he felt he would be sick any moment. “Oh God, please, please, please!” he gasped. He choked on a sob. “God I can’t do this. Please Lord, do something! Make the killing stop!” The rest of his words were drowned in choked sobs.
Julian hardly noticed when Leon put his hands on his shoulders. He let his friend pull him to his feet. His eyes were too blurred with tears to see the destruction and death around him. Lightning flickered and the ground seemed to shake with the approaching thunder. Soon the rain began to fall.
Leon and Julian stumbled into the shelter of what was left of the University. Julian stumbled over something and looked down. He jerked back and a shudder raced through him as he saw a student sprawled on the floor. Two more lay on the damaged stairs a short walk away, their blood staining the cracked steps. Several others lay near the doorway, struck down with arrows.
Julian’s legs buckled, but Leon kept him up. “Come on,” he said, in a hoarse whisper. They crept into a dark corner where the roof and walls seemed safe enough for the night. Pulling off their packs, they wrapped their cloaks about themselves and leaned together against the wall.
Julian let his head fell back against the cracked stones as he listened to the rain and the thunder and the quiet breathing of his friend. Every now and then the lightning flickered through the broken walls and roof, bringing the shadows leaping to life and casting light on the forms of the dead.
***
When Julian woke, he was cold and stiff. He opened his eyes and stared about the stone walls in confusion. His eyes fell on one of the dead students, and with a jolt he remembered the horrors of the night. He looked up and saw Leon was still asleep with his back against the wall. Julian slowly got to his feet and picked his way out of the ruins and into the sunlight. He stood on the green and stared at the place where the books had been burned. It was now wet, black ash, and dirty rivers trailed from it into the footprints left by the soldiers who had been there.
Julian walked unsteadily out onto the green and away from the death and destruction. He sat down on one of the curved stone benches. He could remember with painful clarity the day that he had first met Johannes and Heinrich and debated with them in this very spot. He remembered all the work done here and the beautiful restoration that had occurred. All the things these students and teachers had done as they copied the Scriptures, wrote music for the psalms, wrote their own songs of praise, recorded history, and trained up young men to send out into the heat of the battle. Now it was all gone. Destroyed by the enemy.
His grief was too great for tears, and he just sat in silence. “Why God? Why? How could You let this happen? How could you let such cruel brutality and evil take place? Why didn’t You stop them? I know You can! Why didn’t You?” He covered his face with his hands and closed his eyes.
After a time, a hand fell on his shoulder and Julian knew it was Leon. “We… we have to bury them,” he said, in a choked voice muffled by his hands.
“I know,” Leon replied hoarsely. “The rain has left the ground wet. We can find tools in the town.”
Julian stood up, and together the two walked into the silent town. They found the tools the needed easily enough and then slowly made their way back to the green. “Where?” Julian managed to ask.
“On the other side,” Leon replied quietly. “Where the sun is rising.”
***
Leon stoked the fire and pulled his cloak tighter about his shoulders. The night seemed colder than it actually was. He was tired, but he couldn’t sleep. Julian had his journal open on his knee and was writing away at a furious pace, wiping tears from his eyes with the back of his hand. Leon watched him in silence. He wished that there was some way to comfort him, but his own grief was too raw and painful. He knew that Julian would have to seek God as he himself was trying to do. They had lost so many, and now Heinrich was dead, and so was Johannes. Leon had found him near the place where Heinrich lay.
Leon shifted and drew his sleeve over his eyes. He opened his mouth to say something but shut it again when no words came. Oh God, you have to help me. I don’t understand this. I don’t see You’re will in this. Please help me to trust You. Take away my hatred toward the ones who did this and help me to forgive. Help me to hate the evil, but don’t let me sin by hating them. Comfort me and give me peace.
Julian sighed and closed the journal. He put away the writing things and pulled his knees to his chest, his eyes on the fire. At last, he spoke. “How many?”
“Thirty,” Leon replied.
“That’s what I thought,” Julian murmured. “How many were at the University?”
“I don’t know. About fifty when we were last there, but it could have changed,” Leon replied.
“And the towns people?”
“The dead were all students.”
“So, do you think any escaped?”
“I pray they did,” Leon replied. “But I don’t know where they would go.”
Julian just shrugged.
Leon picked up a stick and jabbed it into the fire. The sparks swirled up, and he threw the stick into the flames, watching it burn to ash. “Well, now we know that town we saw really was Clonabay,” he said at last. “I guess we should make our way there.”
“I don’t want to,” Julian whispered. “I can’t go to another town and find death and destruction like that again. Oh Lord, what is happening to our country? It’s becoming a land of blood and violence!”
“Julian, we have to go,” Leon said, firmly. “There may be people there who need us.”
Julian drew in a deep breath. “Alright,” he managed. He swallowed hard and blinked back tears. “Alright, Leon, I’ll go.”
***
The next morning, Julian and Leon traveled on down the road. They were silent most of the way, each locked in his own grief for what they had found, and dread of what was to come.
At long last, they came in sight of Clonabay. It was with slow steps of dread that they entered the gates and made their way through the streets.
The town was a wild as ever with a variety of clothing, languages, sights, smells, and sounds. They made their way through the streets to the place where Amarin and his wife lived. They knocked on the house for several minutes, but there was no answer.
Julian was beginning to feel sick with dread when Leon let out a gasp of relief. “It’s the Sabbath! They must be meeting for worship.”
Julian collapsed against the door and took several deep breaths to steady himself. “They’re probably meeting in the old stables,” he managed.
The two wound their way through the alleys toward the place. They were almost there, when Julian saw a familiar face. “Adeline!”
Amarin’s young wife turned in surprise. “Julian!” she gasped. “Oh Julian!” she ran to them. “Oh, how good it is to see you, and Leon, isn’t it? Where have you been! Thank God you’re alive!”
“We’ve been in hiding,” Julian said. “Tell me, where is Amarin.”
“We are meeting in Mrs. Lehmann’s home,” she replied. “I just ran across the street to get some bread.”
“Is it too dangerous to meet in the stables?” Julian asked.
Adeline shifted and looked uncomfortable. “You had better come and talk to Amarin,”
Leon and Julian exchanged anxious glances. They followed Adeline into the house and found Amarin and about fifteen others gathered in the main room. Amarin looked up and leapt to his feet. “Julian!” he cried.
“Thank God you’re alive!” Julian exclaimed as he embraced his friend.
Amarin spotted Leon. “And you are Leon, right?”
“Yes, and you are Amarin, if I’m not mistaken,” Leon replied, shaking his hand.
Julian looked about at the little gathering. He spotted Rosalinde, Mrs. Lehmann, Adeline, and a few others. It was nothing to what the church had once been. One of the young men seemed vaguely familiar, but he wasn’t sure why. “Amarin, what happened?”
“What do you mean?” Amarin wondered.
“Where is everyone?” Julian asked, gesturing to the room.
“Oh,” Amarin’s voice was low. “Well, Oswin has been ill for the last two months. Clemons took his wife, children, and a few of the people from the church to go and settle in a small village where we hope they will go unnoticed.”
“Why? Are you in danger?” Julian asked.
“We are,” Amarin said, motioning about the room. “But the soldiers don’t really know we exist.”
“Amarin, where is the rest of the church?” Julian demanded.
Amarin hesitated. “They broke off.”
“What do you mean?” Leon asked.
“Four months ago, a young man about my age came. He quickly accepted Christ and seemed to be very wise. In fact, he understood the scriptures surprisingly well. People began to trust him. I liked him, for he was friendly and seemed quick to listen. He had a few odd views about things written in the Bible, but he changed those views when Oswin or I pointed out his error. Then Oswin got sick, and I was the only one leading. It grew harder and harder, and this young man, Karl, began to help. More and more of the people started pressing for him to teach with me, but Oswin told me he had a bad feeling about Karl, and not to let him. Well, one day, Adeline and I arrived to find Karl in the middle of leading Sabbath day worship. I let him finish, because I didn’t know what else to do.” Amarin sighed and shook his head.
“Maybe I should have stopped him. I just don’t know. But it’s done now, and I can’t go back. I… I didn’t want to seem like I was the only one with the capability to understand the Scriptures and teach, and I thought perhaps God was calling him here to help me when I needed it. There was nothing that he said that went against the Bible, but I didn’t like the way he had gone around me. I talked to Oswin, and he didn’t like it either. He told me to be very careful. The more I prayed about Karl, the more I felt like something was wrong. I tried to talk to him, and he was quick to apologize and seemed sincere and humble.”
Amarin shifted uncomfortably. “Two weeks passed, and the next thing I knew, Karl had completely undermined me and taken over. Many of the people sided with him and said that if I didn’t let him teach, they would leave. I tried it for another week, but it all felt so wrong. Things were getting worse with the soldiers, and the church was about to break apart. I tried to hold it together, but Karl was starting to teach some very strange things, and I knew I needed to make him stop–– and fast. In the end, I had to confront Karl and tell him what he was doing was wrong, and he needed to step down and wait until Oswin was back before we talked about him becoming an elder. Karl said no, and over half the church sided with him. They ended up forcing me out, and said I wasn’t welcome back until I agreed to work with Karl. Thankfully, those you see here saw the error in Karl’s ways and teaching, and now Mrs. Lehmann has opened her home to us. Oswin is still ill, but once he comes back, we might be able to retake some of what we lost. For now, I have done all I know to do.”
The silence that followed was a long one. Julian was completely stunned. He had thought the killing and hunting the Imperial army was doing was the limit, but now he saw it was only the beginning. Now the church was being torn down from the inside. It was a long time before he found his voice. “Are they still meeting for the Sabbath?”
“Yes,” Amarin replied. “They should just be starting.”
“How do you know?” Leon asked.
“It’s the same time every week.”
“They have a set time, and they haven’t been massacred?” Leon exclaimed.
“Yes. The soldiers know they’re meeting, but they don’t seem to care. That is what frightens me the most,” Amarin said.
“When was the last time you were there?” Leon asked.
“A month and a half ago. Everyone with Karl has cut off all contact with us.”
Julian nodded firmly. “I want to go there and listen to this Karl lead a meeting. Then I’ll know better what to do.”
“Then you will help me?” Amarin asked.
“Yes, but it will not be easy,” Julian said.
Amarin turned to the people gathered.
“Go ahead Amarin, we’ll wait,” one of the men said.
“We can sing while you’re gone,” Rosalinde added.
“Or eat all the food,” one of the boys grinned.
“Andreas, will you join me?” Amarin asked.
The young man Julian thought he recognized stood up. He was tall and broads shouldered. Julian knew in one glance that he was strong and a skilled fighter. He would make a formidable opponent. Adreas joined Amarin, and Julian nearly started in surprise. Starting just below Andreas’s left ear and crossing his throat was a long scar. How he was still alive must have been a miracle.
Amarin lead the way outside, followed by Andreas, Julian, and Leon. When they arrived, Amarin slowed to a stop. “I’m not welcome here, so you and Leon should go in first, and Andreas and I will slip into the back.”
Julian looked to Leon who nodded in agreement. The two moved toward the door. The closer they got, the more dread settled over Julian. They reached the door and slipped inside. No one seemed to notice them, and they took their place along the wall in the shadows. The whole room had a strange smell, and it took Julian a moment to recognize the incense that often burned around the temples. A sickening feeling tightened within him, and he looked to the front of the room. The light within the building was low, but candles burned in abundance around a table near the front that was draped in velvet.
Amarin and Andreas quietly entered, but Julian hardly noticed. He spotted the one who must be Karl. The young man was standing near the table, and Julian took a step forward to see what was on it. There were several statues of scantily clad figures, and revulsion twisted in Julian as he recognized the images of the gods. Most distressing of all, a leather-bound copy of the Scriptures rested among the idols.
Karl was motioning to the table, and Julian listened as he spoke. “And so, there need never again be bloodshed and wars between us. This feud was for nothing. Jesus Christ Himself commands us to live at peace with all men. You can obey His words and obey the will of the Emperor. These past few weeks we have embraced the worship of the gods along with the worship of Christ. Yes, Christ is the supreme of all gods, but you cannot believe that He alone could take on the weight of the world. The rest of the gods are those who do his will and biding. His servants.”
Julian stared in horror. The people were hanging on every word, completely swallowing the lies fed to them.
“As you have seen, we have finally found the right way,” Karl said. “God has done nothing but bless us. He has brought good weather, rain for the farmers crops, some of the best trade Clonabay has experienced all year, and above all, He has given us peace. The killing has stopped in Clonabay. We are free from fear. The priests will let us continue to keep our books, hymns, and worship of God so long as we also embrace the gods of the Empire. We are creating a land of peace and unity.”
At that moment, Julian felt such rage fill him that he hardly knew what to do with it. Yet, it was a strange anger. It was hot and fierce yet felt completely right. He strode into the room, startling many of the people. A few cried out, “It’s Julian Damoss!”
Julian moved past Karl. He grabbed the velvet tablecloth and ripped it free, sending several images crashing to the floor. He caught up the two that remained and dashed them to pieces on the ground.
There was a shriek from one of the girls and a collective gasp from many in the room.
Julian spun on Karl in rage. The young man to a step back, and Julian stepped forward. When he spoke, his voice was very low and calm. “How dare you.”
“I… I…” Karl sputtered.
“You are a servant of the devil and speak the very lies of hell,” Julian said.
Karl took two more steps back, and then another. Julian spun toward the people. “What has happened?” he cried. “Are you blind! How can you let such evil go on! How can you be in agreement with it!”
“He’s one of the ones a warned you about!” Karl shrilled from behind the safety of the table. “He is trying to get you all killed. He and his kind stir up this war and strife to weaken our country! They are spies for those who wish to conquer the Empire!” He quickly ducked down before Julian could do anything to him.
Julian spun and Karl grabbed hold of the table, his face paling. Julian took two strides forward and leaned over the table to face Karl. “You are one of the ones Jesus Christ warns us about. You are one of those who seeks to destroy and turn us away with philosophy and the ways of the pagans. How dare you place the Holy Word of God on a table with idols! How dare you compare Jesus Christ Himself to one of the gods!” Julian lunged and grabbed Karl by the collar, dragging him over the table and flinging him to the floor. “You are a deceiver, and your mouth is filled with the lies of Satan!”
Karl cowered, whimpering and Julian bent and grabbed him, dragging him to the corner of the room and flinging him down. “Stay there!”
Karl obeyed, and Julian turned to the people. “What was it that blinded you? How could you let this happen?”
There was a long, long silence. At last, a man spoke. “Julian, you don’t understand. There has been so much death and cruelty. We’re tired of it.”
“Yes,” another agreed. “We’re tired of never being able to sleep at night for fear of the soldiers and hiding our worship lest they come and kill us.”
“This way might not be the perfect way or even the best, but it keeps us safe and we’re at peace. The soldiers leave us alone,” a third added.
Julian clenched his fists. For a moment he was too enraged to speak. God help me! Speak through me! He let out a long, slow breath. “Who knows the ten commandments? Have you not heard, ‘You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make graven images.’ Have you so quickly forgotten the scriptures! ‘You shall not make gods of silver to be with Me, nor shall you make for yourselves gods of gold.’ ‘Pay attention to all that I have said to you and make no mention of the names of other gods, nor let it be heard on your lips.’ ‘You shall not bow down to their gods nor serve them, nor do as they do, but you shall utterly overthrow them and break their pillars in pieces.’ ‘And if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish.’”
Julian looked from face to face. “How can you let this evil into the worship of God? There is only One God, and he alone shall you serve. You once served the gods of the Empire, but you turned from this sin, and you served the One true God. You cannot have both. It will be hard, there will be trials, but you cannot have both. You are either for God, or against Him. Beware to stand against Him, for He has power over all, in this life and the life to come. ‘Now therefore fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served… And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served… But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.’”
Julian pointed to the people. “Choose this day. Will you serve the Lord your God, or will you follow in the ways of the devil? Will you listen to Karl and those like him, or will you listen to the Word of God? Make your choice now.”
Julian turned and walked out into the night, leaving the stunned people behind. On the table, the candlelight fell on the copy of the Scriptures lying amid the smashed fragments of the idols.
***
Leon hurried outside and ran to catch up with Julian. Amarin and Andreas came behind, both silent and a little pale. They reached to the end of the street before running steps caused Leon to turn. One of the young men from the stables was running after them. He pushed past Amarin and fell on his knees before Julian. “Julian, please come back! Is there any hope? Please Julian! Is there any way? Can God ever forgive what I have done?”
Julian dropped to one knee and lifted the young man’s head. ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’” He helped the youth to his feet. “Are you the only one?”
He nodded. “Unless others are too afraid to speak up. A good deal of them are very angry and they are saying they’ll set the guards on you.” He looked to Amarin. “No one saw you or else the soldiers would surely come to your home as well.”
Amarin glanced down the road. “I should go to Adeline. Just in case.”
Leon gave Julain a questioning look.
“Go with him,” Julian said. “I need a few minutes alone.”
“Meet us in my home,” Amarin said. He turned and started away along with Andreas.
The young man from the stable turned, but Julain caught his arm. “I need to speak with you.”
Leon hesitated a moment. Then, he turned to follow Amarin and Andreas. They arrived at Mrs. Lehmann’s home. Inside, the sound of gentle singing greeted them. Leon felt peace fill him and he smiled slightly. He sat down near the back, and Andreas took his place beside him. Amarin led them in a short time of worship, and then they prayed. Most of the time in prayer was for those who had followed Karl. When the prayers were over, those gathered shared a quick meal.
Amarin, Leon, and Andreas left to go to Amarin’s home. When they arrived, they found Julian and two young men. They were seated near the fire, listening as Julian read to them from the Scripture.
Julian glanced up and nodded to Leon before turning back to his reading. Leon waited in the doorway a moment and then moved to join Amarin in the other room.
It was evening before Julian appeared again. The two young men had left for home just a few moments before. Already it was late in the night.
Julian sat down by the fire, and Adeline brought him a steaming cup of hot cider. He thanked her and drank.
After a moment, Leon spoke. “Are you alright?”
“Yes,” Julian replied in a low voice.
“I… I have never seen you act out of so much anger,” Leon said.
“I have never felt so much anger.”
“Neither have I,” Leon agreed.
“It was strange though,” Julian continued. “I felt no remorse or guilt for the anger. Afterwards it made me think of when Jesus said ‘Be angry and do not sin’”
Leon nodded in agreement.
Julian stared at the flames. “I can hardly believe what happened. I never thought of an attack from within the church. I always thought we would stand firm and just only have to face the enemy outside. But now I see the devil is working in more ways than one, and he is as cunning as ever.”
“I was also surprised,” Leon admitted. “It has done nothing but warn me that we must always be ready and aware. We must keep watch. Our enemy is cunning.”
Tears clouded Julian’s eyes, and he blinked them away. “I loved this church so much. This was the place where I went through some of my darkest struggles. These people have always been dear to me, and now…” He trailed off and tightened his hand around the cup in his hand.
Amarin came into the room and paused. “May I join you?”
“Of course,” Leon said.
Amarin sat down and bowed his head. “I am so, so sorry. I never thought… I knew Karl was dangerous, but I never knew he would do something like that! I should have done more! I should have put a stop to it sooner!”
Julian looked up and rested a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Amarin, I don’t know what all you did, or if you could have done more. However, I do know that what happened has already happened, and you cannot change that. What you can change is what will happen. It’s time to take this fight head on, and it’s time to stand up and be watchful. Don’t let this happen again. Be constant in prayer, watch the people and be aware if they are struggling or doubting. Help them and encourage them. Above all, listen to God’s Word and do what He commands you to do.”
Amarin nodded. “I will, Julian.”
“Is there anyone who you trust who could help you? Not as an elder necessarily, but perhaps as a deacon?” Leon asked.
“The only person who is ready for any of that and who I absolutely trust, is Andreas,” Amarin replied.
“Well then, why don’t you two pray about it. Perhaps God has brought him to you to help in this time while Oswin is ill,” Leon said.
Amarin nodded.
“Who is Andreas?” Julian asked.
Amarin looked surprised. “What do you mean?”
“I can’t shake the feeling that I know him, yet I can’t remember where I’ve seen him,” Julian said.
Amarin was silent. “I think Andreas needs to tell you that himself,” he said at last. “He’s asleep right now, but perhaps in the morning.”
Julian nodded in agreement.
Adaline came into the room and Amarine looked up at her with a smile. He leaned back in his chair and opened an arm. She came to him and settled on his knee, his arm about her. “So, tell us what has happened since we last saw you,” Amarin said to Julian.
Leon and Julian took turns relating all that had occurred. Amarin and Adaline were grieved to hear of Aelic’s death. They were very pleased with the news of Roland’s marriage to Liesl. It was hard for both Leon and Julian to speak of what had befallen in Lentrenk at the University. When they finished, Amarin looked extremely sober. “Not only is their death a terrible tragedy, but they were the ones who supplied us with the copies of God’s word, and it was to the University that we sent our young men to train. Did any survive?”
“We have seen none,” Julian replied.
“The University is a great loss, not only for the things they provided us with, but the many young men strong in faith and ready to spread God’s word and lead. I can only pray some of them escaped,” Leon added.
“How many died?” Amarin asked.
“We were able to find thirty or so, but there may have been more buried in the wreckage,” Julian replied.
Amarin rested his head against his hand. “These are dark times indeed.”
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer
Well, in Europe, except with a bit different geography. So Ardenta is a Celtic/French mix, Vendailia is Saxon/Britannia and the Empire is Roman/Germany
Fires will rise to testify that 2+2=4. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer