Ch13 – Old Things New
Henry had been sleeping very little lately and yet had felt more alive than in some time. He had been teaching and training his disciples daily, including special time with his son Henry. Mother had been mostly taking care of things in the market. Henry was resolute that he would no longer shrink back in his teaching or his parenting. Both had been too costly and he had repented of it never to return. He was still the gentle, wise man people knew him to be but lately he was also much more like the younger bolder man his wife and close friends remember him being. The prophets were becoming annoyed with the growing interest in his teachings and heard that he was holding open sessions to teach. They were jealous but did not think they had the people on their side. Truth is they were all very afraid as were the town elders because they did not want to lose power and give into the old superstitions but had no answers of their own.
Henry the younger did not notice the Commandant walking up. He was concentrating on his current task; sparring with his father. The staff had long ago been the companion of the cleric but until stealing William’s books he had never seen these techniques much less knew his father was an expert at them. “What do you think, friend?” Henry the older said without taking his eyes off his son.
“I think he looks very much like you used to and I am hoping is as gifted as his father as well.” The Commandant was very pleased at what he saw. “By the look of things he might teach you a thing or two.”
At that moment Henry the younger hooked his father’s staff underneath with his own and pulled him backwards as he used his body weight to roll backward thinking he would disarm the old man. Henry did not count, however on his father recognizing this maneuver and leaping forward so as to flip over his son, land on the other side with good balance, and finish the move by bringing his arms down in front of him thus disarming the lad who was now on the ground on his back and momentarily with his father’s staff at his throat. “Perhaps old friend, but not yet.” The elder Henry said this smiling at his son being very pleased with the practice today. “Very good my son, but I have read the books too.” After helping his son up Henry said, “I’ll be back out and ready in a moment,” and he went into the house.
Now Henry looked at the Commandant and noticed quite a difference. He was dressed in his Knight’s tunic. Henry recognized the Knight's Seal but had never seen one on a man. Henry very much liked what he saw. The knight’s tunic was mostly plain except it was lined with a bright crimson piping. The sleeves were short and on the chest there was the Knight’s Seal. Also there was a sword sewn on the sleeves in the same color as the piping since the mail worn by the knights when needed covered the torso but had no sleeves. The Knight’s Seal was an eagle where the leg and wing made the bird into the shape of a ‘K’ holding a sword. He knew what was to happen today and he partially wished he could be there. In the weeks since his calling Henry had matured in ways he didn’t even recognize. It was obvious to those who knew better he was being gifted and grown in a miraculous way. “I have been praying for you, sir,” Henry said.
“And I you, since before you were born but I never imagined it this way,” replied the Commandant. “Did you know that your father was my cleric in the last war?”
“He told me he served with you, but not too much about it,” Henry replied.
“In the old way, each knight partnered with a cleric to be his guide and guard as well as to minister to his men. Your father and I were good friends before I was knighted and I was overjoyed when he was to be ordained about the same time. He is a great man and you will be too, son.” Henry thanked him and then saw his father come out of the house in his cleric garb. He had seen it, but never being worn. The clerics wore a tunic made of thick hide with cloth sleeves and hood attached (as clerics wore no Mail) and the Cleric’s Seal which was on their chest was the same as the knights wore except a scroll in place of the sword. “Well my old friend, are you ready to cause a scene?”
“It is time to make old things new again,” The Cleric spoke confidently and then turned to his son. “Henry, until I return I want you to meditate on what we’ve been discussing and practicing. Before we go, however there is something we must do. Put this on and come here.” Henry the elder tossed a tunic to his son as he saw two more men walking toward them also in Knight’s tunics. It was Captains Markus and Wilson. Young Henry did not know what to think. He slipped on the Cleric’s tunic his father had thrown to him. As the men gathered around he came in the middle of them and knelt as his father motioned him to do.
The commandant broke the silence that seemed thick to the young man kneeling before him, “Brethren I am truly blessed to be here today and see this lineage continue. Our King has called another man as He will always do and though there be but one surviving Cleric of the old ways it is fitting that a father share this load with his son.” The other men nodded in agreement and they all drew their swords, thrust them into the ground and knelt faces down.
Henry’s father then knelt and put his hands on young Henry’s shoulders, “Majesty, we are humbled by Your granting our part in Your plan. I have taught him in the ways You left for us and though he is young in You yet I feel it is time. As I confer this title of Cleric to my son may he ever realize that he is first Your son and serve first You and then your people.” The elder Cleric was misty eyed as he spoke.
Next the Commandant spoke again as the Knights all then put one hand on young Henry’s head, “You are greatly gifted and will be greatly burdened for this work, “ and it was true that he felt the gravity of responsibility coming more upon him. “As we trust the King with our lives, so we trust our men to your teaching. Teach them true and show them well as it is yours to do.”
After this the men all stood to their feet and the knights sheathed their swords. “Son, there are only two of us right now. I will depend on you more and more to teach the disciples. Most do not learn in the way you have. This is a gift from the King because of our great need. I will still be your teacher, but you must now teach men out of the fire that has been placed inside you and you will also have to follow the King’s commands for yourself. You son, like me are a Cleric of the King. We must go now but you stay here.”
All the men congratulated young Henry and he was overjoyed, but heavy all at once. After they had left, Henry spent time in prayer about what he was sensing. He was certain the King had a task for him. He was certain it could not wait. He quickly wrote a note and left it in the house to be seen, grabbed some provisions, his staff, donned the hood from his tunic, and took off in the woods with a prayer on his lips.
~
The walk into town was somewhat amusing as the people all whispered about what was to happen. None interrupted the men who appeared very much to be intent on their business. First was the Commandant, followed by Henry and then Markus and Wilson. Without speaking a word to the doormen outside the council room, the Commandant flung the doors open with force enough to startle all the elders and one of the prophets even let out a bit of a yelp in reaction. “Brethren, it has been too long and we will no longer sit by when we know what is right.”
The senior prophet stood up and pointed at Henry interrupting the Commandant and shouting, “What is he…”
But he could not finish before the normally mild mannered Henry spoke back with such authority as to silence him, “Sit down and stop your blasphemous charade! The King is the authority as are His Oracles and you will smear them no more.” The sheepish man knew nothing to do except take his seat once again after this.
The Commandant continued, “Brethren elders, as of now we are restoring the old ways. Sirs Markus and Wilson will immediately take command as the Proper Knights they are. Brother Henry is restored to being chief and my Cleric. His son Henry has been ordained in a proper manner in our eyes this day and soon others will be as well. We suggest the eldership disband the prophets altogether and support this return but honestly brethren; do as you must for that is precisely what we shall do. Our immediate tasks will be to prepare for the battle we all know is coming and if possible to locate and bring back William who will be properly knighted as soon as he is restored to health enough. He should have been long ago. These ways will be new to many in our town and we understand there will be some adjustments needed. In time, with grace, we will fully restore Kidron to her former glory.” He paused and looked each man seated in the eye before continuing, “Address any questions to those among you who well remember the old ways or else keep them to yourself. For now we must take our leave and be about the King’s business. May your choices now and forever be illuminated by Him.” At this the four men promptly left without another word.
After a moment had passed Elder Jacob rose and said calmly, “Brethren, all elders in favor of dismissing the prophets, restoring the old ways, and supporting our brethren knights in accordance with the teachings of The Oracles please say aye.” He sat quietly and heard the rest beginning with the oldest ones all say in turn ‘aye’. Jacob sensed a movement of The King in the room as he saw those who should know better begin to weep and the younger ones not understanding but knowing this was right and true. The prophets began leaving the room before the last vote. “Help us who have been so negligent...” Jacob prayed aloud and many began doing the same.
