KOK Chapter 9 - Preparations

Ch9 – Preparations

               This was a time of preparation in Kidron but few understood how much that was true. The weather was already beginning to cool and the farmers were all but finished harvesting crops. There were a few cool weather plantings to begin but mostly their attentions were turned to storage and taking account to ensure all was ready for the coming season. The merchants were ensuring stock supplies as probably the last ship for a while was in and offering good trades.
               The Commandant was extremely focused on preparations of another kind. He had spent more time lately with his old friend Henry than he had in many seasons. Actually there were five men who met perhaps not in secret but certainly in a manner so as not to draw attention to it. They were men who remembered the old ways. Watch Commander George was one. He was the oldest in age but not in his heart. Captain Markus was one of the quietest men in all of Kidron and was thought of as second to the Commandant since the passing of Cap Tale. Captain Wilson was the other. He was the youngest in the group but though separated in age and rank these men only looked upon each other as equal brethren when they met. Most of the town was unaware or had forgotten but they were all veterans of the last war. Captain Wilson though the youngest in this group. He was the last man to be knighted in the old way although that is no longer recognized by the elders.
               One Cleric who was banned from public teaching, three knights no longer recognized as such, and a man no longer able to actively serve on patrols. Perhaps it seemed an unlikely group to accomplish much of anything but they met. They discussed and planned. They often kept fasts. They prayed what they were doing was enough. “Brother Henry, how do your new pupils look to you?” The Commandant asked in a hushed tone as the four men enjoyed a mid day meal in the market place.
               “William has done well at scouting them. There were a few who had already sought me out. I don’t know yet if there are any knights among them but they are receiving the teaching graciously and training in earnest.” Henry was pleased to report this but his tone was not a happy one until he remembered the next part. “I nearly forgot. One of them apparently rescued one of the prophets from a wild animal.” Henry was openly laughing now and had to restrain himself to finish, much less not to draw attention. “The prophet was out by the town’s edge when he was frightened by an animal’s movement. Apparently he let out quite a yell and one of my disciples leapt out of a nearby tree and dispatched the beast just in time. You see he had been meditating and practicing and hid when he heard the prophet coming in the tree so he heard and saw the whole affair.” Henry slapped the table laughing while his companions looked at each other wondering what their friend was laughing about.
               “Was it a bear? A deer? Why is this funny? Was the prophet injured? Why was it not reported?” Watch Commander George was sure he should have heard of such.
               Henry composed himself long enough to finish, “It was a…rabbit!” Now they all laughed heartily together. “The prophet was embarrassed so much he didn’t even ask him what he had been doing in the tree. They laughed together for a moment but as they were becoming calm again the Commandant spoke.
               “I have not heard you use that term in a long time, friend.”
               “Disciple? Let’s not kid ourselves here. You were once the same as well as Wilson. Were I a bit older I likely would have discipled all three of you. I am not pretending this is anything other than what it is. We have been too silent for too long. Let them ignore the dangers if they must. We are the ones called to raise the defense and if war be on us again then we need proper knights leading the men. I take the proper precautions and keep silent when I must but my teaching is as strong as it ever was. They need it. We need it.” Henry was no longer laughing. The other men were actually comforted by these words and even more by the tone. There was silence for a moment.
               Sargeant Wilson broke the silence, “I don’t know if your good wife told you but one of the prophets came by in the market while you were away teaching and asked her why you had not been at the assemblies of late. I was nearby and over heard the exchange.”
               “Yes, she told me but I can’t recall what her words in response were.”
               “If I recall she said that she didn’t think they wanted you there anyway but you had duties that kept you away.” Sargeant Wilson was all too happy to share this.
               “We had all be on our toes brethren, here comes one now.” Captain Markus said as he smiled and greeted the man in a prophet’s attire. “Greetings brother.”
               “Brother Commandant, it has been noted that fewer of the defenders have been attending the assembly. I trust you have no part in this?” His tone was condescending.
               “On the contrary brother, but it is at my direction.” The Commandant never looked in his direction to see the prophet’s shock but instead took a long drink.
               “I don’t, I mean, I am sure I” The Commandant saved the prophet from his stammering by interrupting but looking directly in his eyes this time which was an apparently all too intense experience that made him shrink back from his response.
               “I was authorized to do all I could even to doubling the patrols and training time and so I have done according to my prerogative and the elders’ blessing. If you have an issue with that please see the elders.” When he finished he turned back to his companions at the table and left the prophet to process this and then walk away in silence.
               Watch Commander George smiled as he said, “You won’t get away with that forever my friend, but I shall enjoy it as long as you do.”
               “Brother George I pray I won’t have to. I must be back now. Brother Henry keep us informed and please continue the good work. I hope you find not only new knights but clerics as well. We need the old ways back. Please bless us before we depart.”
               Henry nodded at his friend and they all bowed heads and joined hands as Henry prayed, “My King, Our Lord we acknowledge your majesty today. We thank you for grace in life and trust for grace in death. Give us now what we most need and keep our thoughts centered upon your ways. Teach us and help us to show others. We are forever yours.”