Ch8 – Choices
“Brethren Elders,” the Commandant began his address, “perhaps the time has come to spread the word. At your request we have not spoken of these things in many seasons. A faithful few of us remember what the last war was like. Many of you are spared those memories.” As he said this he tried to hide some of what he was feeling. He was addressing the town elders and their prophets. That’s how he viewed them. They were all selected and kept now by the will of the elders. They were well intentioned mostly, but few were true believers. They mostly thought he was full of the ‘old superstition’. They did not care to hear about the old ways. They needed to. They would today.
“Our defenders have now confirmed by encounter the return of the Watchers. They have apparently destroyed one of our sister towns already and slain Captain Tale not too far from here. It is time we raised the alarm and told the people what is going on. It is time we call for prayer and a fast, it…” he was unable to finish as he was cut off by the senior prophet.
“Come now dear Commandant, when is the last time we gave the guard instruction on how to patrol? Leave matters of a spiritual nature to us won’t you?” The tone was unmistakeable. He loathed the commandant but kept a political tone in public. This was almost not so. “…besides the Elders decided in their wisdom some time ago not to cause a panic over empty fears. We only have preliminary reports don’t we? Do we REALLY know what happened all the way out there? Perhaps some of your defenders got a bit rowdy between watches…” Even as he spoke some of the elders and prophets began to smile as they liked to see believers in the old superstition put in their place, but the look on the Commandant’s face only became more intense.
He hid nothing now. “I will not stand for baseless accusations on some of our town’s finest men, prophet or no. You will not speak that way of them again sir lest you desire stand before the men you profane yourself and challenge their honor in person.” He now was leaning over the table around which they sat with his eyes fixed intently on the man now sheepishly retreating into his seat. “If I may be permitted to continue brethren I have spoken with William myself and there is no man among us on whom I can more readily and always rely. His honor, unlike some, is unquestioned.” That was intentional and may have started a heated exchange except the weight of his message cut through all in the room and for a few moments everyone was silent and listening. “We have far too long neglected teaching from the book of the Knights. I care not if the prophets think them appropriate for the assemblies they used to be used to train the proper Knights of Kidron. Now we not only have few that have studied it we have but one man remaining who could still teach it. Brothers our homes and lives are at stake here. We must prepare as best we can and pray we have not waited too long.” At this he took his seat and waited to see what would be the outcome.
There was much discussion now. Some of it intelligible but most was in whispered tones. This continued until one of the Elders spoke aloud catching everyone’s attention. “I assume you refer to the man who was banned from teaching the Oracles for his heresy and now you want us to authorize him to train and teach our men in tactics that have not been used or practiced in a generation from a book I don’t even think still exists? This is your strategy for our defense from a mysterious enemy who has yet to be proven?” After this no one spoke but all sat and waited for an answer.
“Brothers” he spoke slowly as to remain in control, “the book is among us.”
“If you know where they are please disclose the location that the prophets may attain this teaching,” one of the elders interrupted.
“Brethren, it is no secret the current prophets have sought out and destroyed every copy they could. I openly invite them to attempt to claim the remaining copies from any man they allege to hold them.” This was both a threat and an honest invitation. It was also intentionally spoken. “You of course know my relation to Brother Henry; I stood by him in those proceedings as I do now. I stand as a servant of this eldership and this town and will act accordingly but let me say this. The wisdom of my king is far above that of any man including those in this room. His choosing and teaching I trust in. Any that contradict I do not. This is our hope. He is our hope. Follow His teachings and save your children, brothers. That is my recommendation.”
Again there was a bit of silence. Then the whispering began and continued for several minutes. The commandant left the table to pour a glass of water and drank it all the while in prayer. His back was to the table and the brethren when he heard the voice. It didn’t matter whose it was. “Brother Commandant. We do not share your beliefs in full. We appreciate your wisdom and concern. This council of elders charges you to spread no panic amongst our people. Stiffen the patrols if you like, double the training hours at your leisure but we will hear no more of this heresy and will authorize no training methods or materials other than is in place. We have lived in peace for some time and trust in your men to keep us safe against any threat.”
Without facing them again he drew a deep breath and then spoke before leaving the room, “Brethren your trust is misplaced if it is in men. I will do my best. I trust you will not make it illegal to pray and fast for those of us who believe what you read in the assemblies.” With this he walked out tossing behind him a copy of the last week’s reading. It landed between them on the table. None of them touched it. They all knew what it said. The middle portion included this, “…that there is only one name men must trust in for their protection and that of the Elevated King…”
~
“William now is the time we must be wise and must prepare the trusted among us.” William’s father had been sharing with him things he never had before. He had been the cleric that served with the Commandant in the last war, also about their recent meetings to discuss their fears.
“Father, I can hardly believe this is true but I know it to be. If the elders do prohibit this how can the Commandant raise new Knights?” All that his father was saying to him was being confirmed inside William but he had many questions. William had been taught of his father in all the old ways. In secret he had learned of all the Oracles including the Book of the Knights. Father was the only remaining teacher of these things and William was his principal student.
“William you know only a true believer can learn these things. I have taken a few pupils recently in private but I must know if there are others among you. I will teach them as I have taught you. You must be my aid. Seek them out who appear ready and challenge all who are training. You must sharpen each other’s skills and maintain devotions outside the view of the prophets and elders. Son, this is what you have been prepared for. This is what we are called to. I am a cleric but you are a proper knight.
“Father, there are no proper knights, you know this.”
“Son, there have always been and always will be. I see the marks in you. You will soon see. For now you know how I have trained you and now see the importance. Gather only the truly faithful; those who are gifted and willing. I will take them and teach them and we will both pray we have enough time. Speak only to me of these things. We must be wise.”
~
Stephen had pondered many things in his mind today and had gone to spend time alone in the woods. He sat on a stone on the edge of a small spring to meditate. Ever since speaking with Henry’s father he had hardly slept. Even now his heart raced and his mind as well. It was as if he heard a voice asking if he believed the oracles or not. Stephen for some reason answered aloud without thinking of it “Of course I believe them. I may not understand them but yes I believe them.”
Again thoughts came as if a voice that seemed to say, “Then believe them now.”
His eyes had been closed but now he opened them. Now he was aware that he answered audibly but also knew it was not the sound of his voice that mattered, “I do believe. I am yours and I now see how you are mine, truly mine. Majesty, I believe you. Help me believe in you more.” This was his time, his invitation. He had responded. Things began to make sense now and he was filled with a warmth and a purpose he had never experienced before.
Henry came along just in time to hear the last part. He knew what was going on. He wanted to be happy for his friend. He knew it was real. Instead he hid behind a tree and sank to the ground looking up and wondering why? Why not Henry? An anger arose in him and he decided something too. He would devote himself to the physical training. He would become the strongest and fastest. He would learn to beat Stephen and William. He needed no king.
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