Fractured Paradise (Volume II)
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Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.. The Canon of Truth: 2Timothy, Christian Memory. William snapped out of his deep sleep and quickly leaped to his feet, looking around suspiciously, becoming confused as he took in the scene surrounding him. He was on a small island, clear of any stones or underbrush, only a kind of short grass and a single tree growing high into the sky, without leaves, but full of blue fruit that hung in rows from each branch. Gazing at his body he was astonished at the smooth skin muscles rippling beneath the surface and around bone. None of the aches and pains from old age were anywhere present as he flexed his fingers and stretched out, his chest and legs heaving with power and exuberance. "Not since I was a young squire have I felt like this!" he exclaimed, "even my voice doesn't crack as I speak!" He was yelling with the surprised enthusiasm of the young knight he once was on earth, hardly containing himself. "My god," he exclaimed broadly, loudly, to no one in particular, but boldly, "to what to I attribute this marvelous feeling! For sure I am dead and this is my reward for the cross I bore for young Henry. Bless him, wherever he is." William looked around once more, expecting to see his young charge appear before him, but there was no one. Rubbing his hands together and walking, he approached the Crestyl fruit tree rising above him and extended a hand to pluck one off of the branch. "I have the hunger of an entire garrison," he stated as he ripped apart the blue fruit, sticking a chunk into his mouth, "by the saints this is wonderful!" William continued to feed himself silently, leaning against the tree, humming softly as he chewed. When he was done he stepped over to the edge of his island and stuck his foot into the sea that extended to the limits of his vision, "From the glory of vast seas," he sang, "to the whispers of my lord, I praise the glory of almighty and the stroke of golden sword." "You sing well, William," said a voice from behind William as William stopped and looked back, astonished, unable to speak. Instinctively he reached to his side where his sword would normally hang awaiting his use, but it was not there. His hand simply brushed his side, clutching nothing. "You have grown silent," said the short man with long hair and beard and dark eyes, "you have a grand voice. I would love to hear more." "Who are you little man?" said William as he looked down at the man standing before him, "and where did you come from? I heard nothing." "My name is Hian," answered the man, "I have been awaiting your arrival." William stared at the Hian, wanting to laugh, but resisting, "Waiting? How would you know I was coming?" "William, you carried the cross in my name. I am quite capable of knowing when you arrive." Suddenly feeling embarrassed that he was behaving so foolishly, William dropped to his knees and bowed before Hian, "my Lord, if you are Jesus the Christ, I submit myself to you service." "Please rise, William," said Hian, "that name was given to me by Iosef, not Marias my earth mother. Here in Evrestyl my name is Hian, the name Marias gave me." "I don't understand this things you say, my Lord," said William, still kneeling, "but if you are the Christ for whom I carried the cross I will serve you." "I do need your help," answered Hian, "but please just call me Hian, I like that much better." Rising, William stands before Hian and says, "as you request my Lord...Hian. What need do you have of me?" |
