|
TITLE: A Warrior's Choice By Gabrielle Pickle 05/08/06 |
 SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
SEND ARTICLE TO A FRIEND
|
by
Gabrielle Pickle
Once upon a time, there lived a boy named Bolden with his younger sister, Fallon. These children were without Mother or Father. They lived alone in a small cottage deep in the Shelton forest. The forest was so deep and dense that the children had never tried to leave. In all their young lives, they had never been to the edge of the forest.
On the morning of Bolden’s thirteenth birthday, he announced to Fallon his wish to see the world beyond their forest. Eager to please her brother, the nine-year-old girl packed a lunch for them, and they set off just as the sun peeked over the treetops.
Hours later, their enthusiasm faded as they trudged through the thick underbrush of Shelton Forest. Finally, late in the afternoon, as the sun sunk below the horizon, the children reached the edge of the forest. They sank down in the tall grasses to rest, taking in the stunning beauty of open green fields, a bubbling brook, and an enormous white Palace. Exhausted from their trek, Fallon curled up in her brother’s lap to rest.
~~~~~
“What do we have here?” A voice from above them startled the sleeping children. Bolden jerked upright, causing Fallon to cry out in fright as they stared at the tall stranger.
“I did not mean to startle you. Do not be afraid, I will not hurt you.” He spoke softly to the frightened children, “My name is Periguine, what is your name?” As Fallon buried her face in her brother’s shirt, Bolden answered. “I am Bolden, and this is my sister, Fallon. We live in the Shelton Forest, and came out to see the rest of the world.”
“Do you have a place to stay?” Questioned Periguine in concern.
“No, we did not realize it would take us such a long time to reach the edge of the forest. When we arrived it was late, so we slept here - I hope that is all right.” Bolden lost his shyness as his interest in the stranger grew.
“I am the Palace Gardener, and it is not usually our custom to allow children to sleep in the gardens, but you have caused no harm, so it will not be a problem. Come with me, you are probably hungry, and we must find you both a suitable place to stay.” Periguine held out his arms to Fallon, who, after a moment’s hesitation, allowed herself to be carried to the Palace.
After being fed, bathed, and presented with new clothes, Bolden and Fallon stood in a large hallway decorated with silk wall hangings and gold engraving. The children stared in awe as the enormous door at the end of the hall opened to reveal Periguine, who beckoned for them to enter. Once inside they were astonished to find that Periguine had led them into the presence of a King. The siblings moved forward hesitantly as the Monarch motioned for the children to draw near.
After a lengthy discourse with the King and his royal Court, the children were placed in care of Shazzar, one of the Royal Advisors. Excited at the thought of adventure, the children left with the older gentleman to explore a neighboring village.
~~~~~
Their guide led them from the Palace to a stone ledge overlooking the city. From there, they could see the entire Kingdom, as well as the town and its inhabitants. Gleefully the children scampered down the grassy hill toward the bustling village below. Slowly, and with reluctance, their dignified companion followed.
Arriving there at noon, the busiest hour at the market, the children watched in delight at the activity before them. Lining the streets were carts filled with fruits and vegetables; wooden stalls displayed brightly colored scarves, hats, and shawls. Heavy string hung from stall to stall supported dried peppers, fruits, and jerky. Children laughed and danced in the muddy streets as their Mothers’ bartered for milk and cheese. Storeowners lounged in hammocks, awaiting customers, while their wives exchanged the latest village gossip.
Shazzar led the children into the shade of an empty stall on the outskirts of the bazaar. Bolden and his sister sank down in the musty hay at the feet of the Royal Advisor, anxious to hear his tale of the Kingdom. Stroking his white beard he leaned back and began,
“There are many people who have come to live in this Kingdom. They come from all over the world, speaking different languages, belonging to different trades; but all cultures become one in this Kingdom, under one King. Look, my children, “ he motioned toward the bustling activity of the marketplace. “All that you see is the result of the King’s ability. He has molded this Country, these people, into what is here before you today.”
“How old is the King?” Asked Bolden wrinkling his brow in confusion.
“He is… He always has been, and always will be. He simply is.” The advisor feebly tried to explain. “But there will be a time for questions later. Come, I just thought of someone I want you to meet. He should appeal to your sense of adventure.” Stretching his long arms, the advisor rose and led the children out of the marketplace, down a cobblestone street to a row of small cottages. Knocking on one of the doors, he paused to explain, “This is the home of Corban, the Warrior.” The door swung open and the shadow of a man fell upon the children. “And this, is Corban, the Warrior.” The children gaped in astonishment at the tall warrior standing before them clad in silver armor.
“Shazzar, my trusted friend! Welcome to my home.” Corban grabbed the older man’s hand in a hardy greeting. “And welcome to your friends as well,” he grinned down at the children. Cautiously the children followed the giant warrior inside, Fallon timidly hiding behind her brother. They sat down on the dirt floor near Shazzar’s feet, while allowing their eyes to adjust from the bright sunlight to the dark interior of Corban’s cottage.
Shazzar turned to the tall warrior and began to explain the reason for their visit. “Corban, I would like you to meet Bolden and Fallon, these children live in the Shelton forest, and this is their first visit outside of the woods surrounding their home. They desire to see the world beyond their forest, so I have brought them to you, because you are a warrior who has traveled to every province of the Kingdom.”
Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Bolden spoke up, “Are you a real warrior?”
Turning toward the boy, Corban answered, “I am. But do not think me special because I am a warrior. I am a citizen of this Kingdom, and that alone makes me a warrior.”
“What do you mean?” Asked Bolden with a frown.
“Let me see if I can explain it clearer… When a person chooses to become a citizen of this Kingdom, they must also become a warrior. One cannot live in this Kingdom unless they are a warrior, do you understand what I am saying?” Corban questioned the boy.
“I think so, but does that mean all those people we saw at the bazaar are warriors too?”
“Yes, they are warriors of the King, just as I am.”
“But they do not look like warriors. You have armor and a sword; they do not. How can they be warriors if they do not have armor?”
Corban pulled the boy onto his knee to explain. “You see Bolden, the King told each one of the people that He has special armor and a sword for each one of them, all they have to do is come to the castle and ask for it. Some of the people are lazy; they do not have the time to walk all the way to the castle to ask for armor. Others think the armor is ugly; so they do not wear it. Then there are some who want to wear the armor and be a great warrior; but they keep forgetting to go and get it.”
“That is silly!” Declared Bolden emphatically, “If I was given armor, I would wear it every day! I would look like a warrior!”
Corban smiled sadly at his young friend. They sat in silence for several minutes before Fallon spoke for the first time. “Why does the King need all of his people to be warriors?”
Surprised at her question, Corban hesitated before answering, “Because the enemy is all around us; even here, in this village.” He stood and took the tiny girl by the hand. “Come, I will show you.” Jumping up, Bolden raced after his sister and the warrior. Slower, with the knowledge of one who knows what is to come, Shazzar rose to follow them.
~~~~~
After walking in silence for half an hour to the outskirts of the village, Corban and his companions arrived at their destination. High on a mountain outside the village, opposite the Palace, the small band of travelers sat down in the shade. Behind them, the mouth of a cave loomed black and ominous; while a small, clear brook ran beside them. The water lent a musical quality to the somber setting. Settled on mossy rocks under the shade of a giant oak tree, Bolden wiggled impatiently, waiting for his armor-clad friend to explain the reason for their trek. Pulling Fallon into his lap, Corban began to speak. “From this view of the city, we can see the enemy at work in the village below.” He moved to stand on an outcropping of rock. “See the dark, shadowy figures,” he pointed as the children joined him. Squinting in the sun, Bolden strained to see the evil forces at work below, but alas, everything looked the same as it had when he had been in the village a few hours earlier.
“I don’t see anything,” the boy stated, half in disappointment, half in accusation.
“‘Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix you gaze directly before you.’ ‘…Fix [your] eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.’ ” Corban’s voice took on a prophetic quality.
Turning skeptical eyes back toward the city, Bolden sighed. Suddenly, shadowy figures begin to appear. With a gasp the boy watched in amazement as the dark figures moved unnoticed throughout the village. In the busy marketplace, one of the dark shadows damaged tomatoes and peaches, causing them to appear rotten. Another used lollipops to lure children into disobeying their parents. In the quieter streets of the village, the shadows moved in and out of cottages, taking with them everything of value. The boldness of the enemy startled Bolden as he watched the dark figures trip villagers, steal money, start gossip, and cause fights in the marketplace.
“Why don’t the people do something to stop the enemy?” Blurted Bolden, unable to remain silent at the evil taking place in front of him.
“They would, if they saw the enemy as you see it,” Corban answered with great sadness.
“Why can’t the villagers see them and all the evil they are doing?” The boy asked in confusion. “Why does the King not tell the people about the enemy?”
Placing a massive hand on Bolden’s head, the warrior answered. “Oh, the King told them. He warns them often of the enemy and the dangers they face.”
“Then why don’t the villagers do something about it?” Bolden cried in distress.
Corban looked to Shazzar, who had been listening to their conversation. Taking a deep breath, Shazzar answered, “There are a number of reasons why the villagers don’t fight the enemy. Some of them are simply too busy to listen to the King’s warning. Others do not believe there is an enemy: while still others are too lazy or too afraid to fight. It does not matter what their reason is, as a result of their choice, the enemy is allowed to cause problems all around the Kingdom and to harm the people.” The older man stood and motioned for the children and Corban to follow him back down the mountain. “Come, we have yet another stop to make before the sun goes down.” With quiet steps the group moved slowly toward the village in reflective silence.
~~~~~
As the dark fingers of night crept across the sky, three figures made their way up the marble steps to the Palace. Shazzar led the way, with Bolden close at his heels. Corban brought up the rear with Fallon asleep in his arms, her head resting on his shoulder.
“Is this the stop we have to make?” Questioned Bolden with a yawn.
“Yes, we are almost there,” stated Shazzar as he held the Palace doors open for the others to enter. The halls of the Palace were deserted, causing their footsteps to echo in the large passageway, as they made their way down to the Palace Armory. Silently, the huge metal door in front of them swung open. A rush of cool air struck Bolden in the face as he stared in awe at the massive walls covered in weaponry and armor. Between the two men, Fallon awoke, her eyes growing wide at the sight before her. Corban guided the children into the room as Shazzar opened a large golden chest and retrieved two small suits of armor. Approaching the children he spoke, “These are a gift from the King.” Bolden picked up the sword as Shazzar continued, “Wear the armor, my children, use your armor, and fight the enemy.”
~~~~~
The next morning Corban arrived at the Palace steps to bid his newfound friends farewell. The two children, clad in miniature suits of silver armor, hugged the giant warrior goodbye. With knapsacks slung over their shoulders, they headed down the steps and across the meadow. Corban watched as the boy and his sister tromped through the tall grass toward the Sheldon Forest, the shining silver of their armor blending into the golden gleam of the newly rising sun.
Epilogue
“Daddy?” A small boy of seven climbed into his father’s lap.
“Yes, Barren?” The father’s deep voice reverberated around the cottage. The family had just finished celebrating the boy’s birthday.
“When will I get some armor? I want to look like you.” Barren declared loudly, causing smiles to appear throughout the room.
The father smiled affectionately at the small boy who sat stroking his armor, which was worn and tarnished from many battles with a fierce enemy. With a sideways glance at his wife, the man answered his son. “Do you think you are ready for a suit of armor? Maybe we can do something about that. Why don’t you ask your Aunt Fallon to bring that big box over here? Remember to say please.” He instructed the small boy.
The small boy turned big brown eyes on his smiling Aunt, “Please?”
With a grin, Fallon scooped up a large box stamped with the King’s seal. Setting the box down, she said, “Here Bolden, I’ll let you give it to him.”
Suddenly serious, Bolden looked his son square in the face, “Now son, we have discussed the importance of the armor. You must always wear it to protect you from the enemy, do you understand?”
“Yes sir, I’ll wear it always!” The boy promised solemnly.
Bolden opened the lid of the box and pulled out a shiny piece of armor. “Barren, this is the belt of truth.” Again he reached into the big box, and handed something to his son. “’The breastplate of righteousness, and…your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God.’” Ephesians 6:14-17
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.