Ladders and Lifts

Eventually, Daniel was called to service in a different area, and although he more or less lost touch with Fiona and Erik, he frequently sent prayer darts their way and trusted that the King would see it to that at least some of them would reach their mark.

One day Erik chanced to meet a young man who looked vaguely familiar and he took an instant liking to him. It didn’t take long before he realized that they had never actually met, but that James had an inner serenity that radiated from within just like Daniel did. Because they both knew Daniel, it was easy to strike up a conversation.

Erik soon learned that Daniel was serving on a distant island very close to the Edge of the World where the enemy had much power.

That touched Erik’s heart. He really must be filled with compassion if he is willing to serve in such a lonely and difficult area.

James and his young wife, Marissa, sometimes invited their new friends to do things together with them, and in the process of time, Erik and Fiona found themselves gazing more often at that splendid castle on the hill.

“It seems so lofty and difficult to reach,” Fiona murmured one day.          

“It’s really not as hard as it appears,” Marissa countered. “There are always guards on duty that will roll out rope ladders whenever a sincere seeker wants to enter. Sometimes they will even use the special lifts.”

  “Why don’t they keep the ladders down at all times?” Fiona asked.

“Enemies are constantly bombarding the fortress,” James explained, soberly. “It’s all in a day’s work. “

“Aren’t their terrible losses?” Fiona asked in a hushed voice.

“There are losses, yes, but mostly when someone goes out feeling over-confident and doesn’t follow the King’s instructions or neglects to wear every piece of the armor that he has been encouraged to put on.”

  “They don’t always die, though,” Marissa added quickly. “Sometimes they are rescued in time and recuperate in the infirmary.”

She was relieved to see Fiona’s tense features relax but then stiffened, “Look, James, look over there. Is that not Gilbert?”

Ezekiel 34:16

Reaching Out to a Fallen Knight

                 “--Gilbert: Gilbert who?”

              “Don’t you remember Gilbert? He’s the one that left”—

“--With Arthur”, James snatched up his dart gun and shot a prayer over to the plodding traveler. He grabbed his binoculars while Erik and Fiona watched fascinated.

Gilbert’s hand reached up to his chest. He sighed. What wouldn’t I give to be back in the Castle once again? There I knew security and peace. I have wandered for many a year and chased countless mirages but none have satisfied like the life I used to know in that beautiful castle.

Arthur is long gone. It wasn’t long before we got into a fight and parted ways. Who knows where he might be by now.

                 In an instant, James was at his side with the others joining them shortly.

               “Why, Hello, Gilbert: fancy meeting you here!”

                        “ Haven’t seen you in years!” Gilbert scratched his head: Why can’t I remember the bloke’s name? I’m sure we have met somewhere.

“Gilbert, meet my wife Marissa and some friends of ours, Erik and Fiona.”

     Gilbert tried hard to hide his bewilderment with smooth, socially correct phrases, but simply could not place the gentleman.  Marissa sensed his confusion, so decided to drop a hint.

“James, didn’t you and Gilbert go to school together at the Castle back in the 80’s? “

            “We sure did. “ James clapped his hand on Gilbert’s shoulder and with moist eyes continued; “We miss you, Gilbert. Wouldn’t you like to come back?”

                  They seemed to have forgotten that Erik and Fiona were there, observing.

                         Gilbert hung his head.

               “The King has sent out many messengers searching for you,” Marissa added softly.

“I know,” His voice was almost inaudible, “It would be nice to return.”

Fiona bit her lip and wondered why her eyes felt so moist. Erik reached for her hand and clasped it as they backed slowly away from the intensely private moment.

“This is where we belong,” Fiona murmured lifting her eyes to The Glass Castle radiant with an inner beauty.

“I know,” Erik declared. “Gladly would he be purged from his old ways so he could be fit to fight for a King who ruled with such tremendous wisdom, power, and compassion.

As the couple drew closer to the cliff walls with the others tagging along behind them, many unsavory hands reached out to pull them back, both human, and Other Worldly, but they were determined.

 Fiona saw a window fling open as a friend she hadn’t seen in years called out to them.

A ladder was unfurled and as they scrambled upwards, the efforts to pull them away from the glorious fortress became more frantic. As they drew nearer, the gates to the Castle swung wide open and light poured forth.

Several days later as the young couple knelt at the portal to receive an anointing, a bugle’s lovely notes floated clearly over the surrounding district.

High from the tower’s pinnacle, a white flag of victory fluttered, causing the enemy to gnash their teeth in frustration.

Luke 15: 7, 10

Ephesians 6:12

  This is an excerpt from a tiny book that is coming out soon: available on Kindle and Amazon or order it directly from CreateSpace. The Glass Castle by Marilyn Friesen