KOK Chapter 13 - Old Things New

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.

KOK Chapter 12 - Reflection

Ch12 – Reflection

               Young Henry sat by the fire while Henry the senior comforted his wife the best he could. He was holding her while she wept from it all as they both sat on their bed. He held her and listened giving as much reassurance as he could until she fell asleep. He carefully laid her down and left her to speak to his youngest and newly found son. As was his usual custom before speaking he filled the bowl of his pipe and lit it with a small stick from the fire. Once a soothing and aromatic smoke began to rise from the sides of his mouth he asked, “What was that you were carrying son?”
               This seemed an odd question to ask and Henry who was quite lost in thought on other matters was struggling to gather his thoughts to answer. “What? I, nothing, what is it you asked father?”
               “I asked what it was that you carried all this way from wherever you were.” Only then did the younger glance over beside the fire to see the staff of hardwood that he found and practiced with in the woods. To be honest he hadn’t given much thought to it and was somewhat amused he had brought it here and set it beside him.
               “It is a staff, well sort of. I found it in the woods and was using it to learn.” Henry the younger whose eyes had been staring into the flames were now fixed on the staff and there remained a while.
“What was it you were learning, son? Who was teaching you?” The elder man felt as if he knew the answers but had learned over many years to leave questions rather open so as not to get the answer you want to hear, but rather the truth of the matter which is always more important.
               At this the young man turned and looked at his father straight in the eyes and though he didn’t know it his father thought in the moment he looked like a man rather than a boy for the first time. “Father, it has happened to me. I am ashamed of how I acted towards you all and especially William but now I see it. I was reading William’s books in the woods when it happened.” His father did not have to prod him to go on as he was anxious to share. “I know now why I could not understand your teachings before. I rebelled against them. I did not believe them. It was as if I was awakened right there and the weight of all these things came down upon me. I wasn’t afraid of the watchers even though I saw them coming. I just knew in that moment that the King was real; He was there and was calling me to Him. I was ashamed and asked forgiveness for what I had been but by the time I could say the words it was as if I had no need to. I can’t say how it happened or how I knew, but I knew that I was His and He showed me the truth. I have to share it, father. I am as full inside as I have ever been with so much to say. It makes no sense, but it also makes perfect sense.”
               Henry’s father could never have imagined the warmth he felt inside. Could it be that his own son would be a cleric as he was? Even in the midst of missing William he was overjoyed. Henry’s mother rushed in (neither had noticed her entrance or that she had heard the whole exchange) and embraced her youngest son. The three of them shared in this time of joy together and even though William’s fate was unknown in this moment they were all comforted. That was overshadowed by Henry’s news.
               “There is so much I have to share with you, son. Your calling has come at a needful time for there are none other in Kidron. The old ways will be again and you my son will play an important role. I must reflect tonight on my path and yours. Tomorrow I will show you things you have never seen before. For now your mother needs rest and we need to focus. There is no time to waste.” Both Henrys spent the remaining night meditating and in prayer. The elder on the past and what he foresaw coming quickly, and the younger on this change in him and all he had read.

~

               William’s progress back to consciousness was a slow one. His vision seemed to fade in rather than return at once. Even sounds were muffled for a time and thoughts even were slower. He could barely move any part of his body. There were two reasons for this. He was bound hand and foot with thick ropes but also his entire body felt as if it had been pummeled repeatedly such that anything not broken was sorely bruised. In fact it felt that way because that is exactly what happened although it would be a while before clear memory came back to him to confirm. He knew he lay on the ground and although the ground was wet he felt very dry. His lips were cracked and his thick eyelids moved thickly across his eyes in want of tears. He was not gagged but also not in danger of giving away position as even a deep breath was painful.
               Sounds came to him and though it clearly was some language, it was none he knew. Mostly he didn’t move but tried his best to look around and remember. Both the looking and remembering were proving difficult and then… This continued for a few days coming to and then losing consciousness such that William wasn’t entirely sure what was dream and what was real. It was more like a collection of light and darkness than memories. He may have been given something to eat and drink at one point, but then again he might have dreamed it. He wasn’t sure of anything but he had the idea he had been moved. Perhaps they were traveling quite a lot during this time. It really was hard to tell. He was trained and practiced at finding his way in the woods but only looking from the ground up and continuing black outs in between any coherent thought was simply more than he was equipped for.
               A sudden jarring of his bones from being dropped onto the ground awakened William. As his eyes began to focus he saw a door of sorts closing that appeared to lead outdoors. Slowly he began to look around to see he was in some sort of rough made wooden shack. There was only earth beneath him and it certainly was not water or wind proof but shelter nonetheless. The door was made of reeds tied onto a wooden frame so that one could see through it easily but it was solid enough to prevent escape assuming it was latched on the outside. For the first time since the attack he tried to sit up and it was only when he reached out to steady himself that he realized he was no longer bound. His wrists and ankles borne the soars for having been so but he was in a limited sense free for now.
               There was a plate with some slop on it and a jug of water. William was desperately in need of both but careful not to eat or drink too quickly as he had been without for some time. The food and drink gave him strength and helped to clear the cobwebs from inside his head. He thought they were in a village not far from Kidron, probably Jessup. He had never been there but since they had already been overtaken by the watchers William figured they just set up in the town for now. Apparently there were a few survivors kept as slaves as he heard them from time to time outside seemingly being forced to do labor and begging not to be treated harshly. William who was gaining clarity was storing all the images and sounds. He needed to remember as much as he could. It may prove useful later.
               William had eaten a portion of but not all the food provided and continued to drink slowly and was surprised that he had been left alone for what he was sure were a few hours. He thought to himself that if he were to have strength enough to endure whatever lie ahead, he would need to turn his heart and mind to prayer and to reflect on the words that lived in his heart. Little could William know that at that very moment he, his brother, and their father sat in much the same position; praying about many of the same things; remembering the same writings; as if they were all reflections of one image.

~