Templar - Winner Take All | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Templar - Winner Take All | Previous Challenge Entry
By Keith Henry III
04/21/16
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES

Jimmy sat quietly in the dimly lit bar staring at the Pirates game on the big screen television. The stress and anxiousness of the day disappeared after the second Iron City, but not even his fourth beer could remove the pain of his broken heart. It appeared as if his wife of five years was about to finally leave him. All of their problems had come to a head in the last six months and despite their attempts to fix things Anna announced that she was moving in with her girl friend next weekend. “How did it come to this?”
Jasper stood next to Jimmy and grinned with the satisfaction of a job well done. Jasper was a seasoned Tempter, one of the finest, he had been assigned Jimmy Donavan fifteen years ago after one of his colleagues allowed him to become a Christian. Jasper had successfully kept Jimmy on the fringe of his Christianity, but tonight he was going to push him over the edge.
Jimmy chugged the last of his beer and had motioned the bartender for another before he sat the bottle down. “Make it two” a quiet voice ordered. Jimmy glanced over towards the pleasing voice; an attractive brunette smiled as their eyes met and with a couple of suggestions from Jasper the two began talk. Satisfied with the seed he had planted Jasper breathed in a deep breath, “What is that wretched smell?” Millennia of tempting the oblivious “Meat Bags” had honed Jasper’s skills of reading a room for potential tempting opportunities and threats and this new aroma concerned him. “It is coming from over here” he thought as he stood in front of one of the “meat bags”; knowing he could not be seen he stood nose to nose with the apparent source of the peculiar smell.
“Boo!” surprised, Jasper jumped back and fell down.
“How,” Jasper began as he struggle to get to his feet, “Who are you and how did you get into the spiritual realm?” The trespasser chuckled as he watched Jasper pick himself up. “You are a Templar!”
“Yea I am a Templar” proclaimed the tall stranger with a grin. The legendary band of holy knights was thought to have died out after their persecution centuries ago, but their beliefs and practices continued in secret. The Templar mission from the start was to protect Christians as they made the pilgrimage to and from the Holy Land; they continue their mission as they lead modern Christians on their journey to become holy. In the spiritual realm the Templar knights were myths, a convenient excuse for an inept demon tempter who had lost a subject to the Enemy. The Templar Knight’s incredible holiness allowed the human knight to cross into the spiritual realm almost at will.
“What business do you have here?” Jasper asked as he instinctively drew his sword. The Templar did not have the fighting skills of Jasper’s righteous brothers, but he had heard the stories of their ferocious and valiant battles.
“I am here to keep Jimmy Donovan from making the biggest mistake of his life.” The Templar drew his sword as well, but had not activated his armor yet.
“What do we do now, fight for him?” Jasper moved cautiously towards the Templar. “You will find that I am a formidable opponent.”
“I’ve heard of the exploits of the mighty Jasper, as you have obviously heard of the Templar Knights.” Swords crossed, the two were poised for battle. “I have a suggestion.” The knight lowered his sword. “A wager. I have faith that Jimmy will make the right choice. What say we sit back and let this play out without any further interference from either of us?”
Intrigued Jasper lowered his sword as well. “And the wager?” Jasper inquired.
“If Jimmy leaves the bar with the woman he is all yours and if he leaves alone you never tempt him again!”
The Templar had no authority to make such a deal, but Jasper’s arrogance kept him from realizing it, “Winner take all then.” The two sealed the wager with a handshake and allowed the night to play out. Jasper honored the wager despite his natural tendencies even to the point of warning off his fellow demons who secretly offered their assistance. An hour later, after much talk and thought Jimmy left the bar – alone.

PREVIOUS ENTRY | NEXT ENTRY
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.