Ch10 – Pleas
Stephen had been anxious for the assembly to complete so he could seek out his friend. He found him just where he thought he would. Henry was practicing sword drills but not like any Stephen had ever seen. “Henry, where have you been?”
“Here, getting ready.” Henry raised his sword to his friend but did not look friendly. His brow was intently wrinkled and covered in beads of sweat. His eyes were intense.
Stephen drew his own as he spoke. Usually they used practice swords but it was not unheard of to use the real ones. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you lately. We never practice together anymore and you are always alone.”
Henry began the match with Stephen. “Don’t give me that. You only want to spend time with my dad these days.” The sword play was getting more intense and while they were both accustomed and disciplined Stephen sensed something different.
“It is true your father is teaching me but are we not yet friends? Can we not hunt together and train?” Stephen was thinking that Henry never moved this fast before or struck this hard.
As the swords clashed and the two young men danced their dance around trees and over rocks there was intensity between them that never had been. There were no useless spins or flips and no bragging. Just watching and moving quickly to escape the blade. “Stephen I do not need his teaching nor do I need you. I am better and stronger. “
Stephen would have been terribly disturbed by this but had no time to be as his friend advanced ferociously. Then as Henry swung in one direction but seemed to stop in mid swing to change directions he spun in the opposite way with his body such that he was coming around on a completely unguarded side of Stephen his motion was stopped as his blade met that of another. For a moment Henry was still pressing his sword down on what would have been Stephen’s side except William’s steady steel was preventing it. Stephen just stepped back in shock.
“What are you doing?” William had never spoken this sternly to Henry before.
“I am training.” Henry spoke to William not as a brother but as an adversary.
“I know you took my books while I was away. You cannot learn this yet. You are not ready.” William and Henry lowered their swords but not their voices. Stephen kept silent. “You could have seriously injured your friend.”
“I don’t need your permission or your teaching William. I can take care of myself.” Henry lashed back. “You think you are so special but you’re not. You just want to keep the advantage for yourself. You can’t. I have it and I shall be the best.”
“Henry, listen to yourself. This is not about you. Don’t go down this path. You can’t find the way on your own.” William plead with his younger brother.
“You are not my brother.” Henry said this in a cold tone and turned to Stephen. “You are not my friend. You tried to steal my family? Have them. I need none of you anymore.” Henry left and it was clear that no one was to follow.
~
“Brother, listen to reason. You know in your heart I speak the truth. You are the only elder who remembers what it was like. You are a true believer are you not? Convince the others to let me bring back the old order. We have three living knights and young William rightfully should be. The reports are increasing of sightings, we hear them in the night, livestock have gone missing, how long will we wait?” Jacob had agreed to meet the Commandant at Henry’s house this evening. The three of them were by the hearth.
“I am a believer and I agree with you but the council does not. What am I to do?” Jacob was a sincere man but lacked courage among the elders. “They have forbidden it. Henry you know I love your teaching and know it to be true but I am only one voice.”
“Indeed brother,” Henry spoke for the first time in this already lengthy discussion. “You are but one voice. I believe at the right time it will be heard. Brethren let us calm ourselves in prayer. We are in agreement but prevented currently from decisive action. Let us speak what and when we can but trust the only one we truly can.” Just as Henry was about to lead them William came in the door.
“Father, quickly. Excuse me brethren but my brother is in danger.” William’s face and voice carried the intensity of the moment. He relayed to his father what he had witnessed in the woods and the exchange with young Henry. “I saw to Stephen as best I could and he went home but I do not know where Henry has gone. He lacks the understanding to use what he thinks he is learning. I fear for him greatly.”
“I was afraid something like this would happen.” Henry shut his eyes and prayed silently.
As the men were discussing this they were all startled to hear a woman’s screams outside. All four ran to find not far away one of the young brides of the town knelt on the ground holding her husband’s lifeless and bloodied body. She was of course hysterical and neighbors were beginning to gather. “William, alert the watch commander. Light all the lights and wake all the men at once.” The Commandant was a man for action. He was gifted to act in moments like these as few men are. Brother Henry, fetch the doctor while Brother Jacob and I take this man in doors. Everyone else go inside and see to our loved ones. Keep watch! Keep watch! Pray and watch!”
The young man was already dead. There was nothing that could be done accept mourn with his young widow and console here with the oracles and prayer. Henry of course did that. The prophets were locked in their homes afraid. The defenders searched for tracks but could not find a trail. The lights all stayed lit the rest of the night. No man could have hidden in the town without being seen. Then again, many who saw the body said no man could have done it.
In the morning, Jacob walked into the council room still with blood on him from the night before. The other men whispered and looked at him in shock. “Brethren, how much blood will we have upon us if we do not what we should?” Another began to speak but could get no words to form. “We have invited this evil among us by forgetting our king and I am afraid will now begin to pay a heavy price. I do not know about you but I am going to my home now. I shall wash and then with my family mourn in prayer. I beg you all do the same. Perhaps we may be of the right mind to meet after this.” With that he left and did as he said.
~
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