Fiction

      Felix had been walking away from the city since morning and it was already late in the afternoon. He was at first nervous that Mirrabel's father would come after him, but then he remembered the people of Siloh didn't come out here for any reason. He had nothing to worry about. There was a hill in front of him and he ran and climbed up-top. From up there, he saw a long and broad road. When he took out the manuscript and looked at the map on the back, he learned that it was his road. It was a long journey, but the road would lead to the Crossroads, and from there he would take the mountainous terrain.

      From the top of the hill, he took his eyes away from the road and looked back at Siloh one last time. The city's beauty, in contrast to the wilderness before him, made him feel uncertain. This is all you know, he thought, and, plus, how do you know if this king is real? You have only heard about him from some guy who lost his head. He shook his head. How can I think such things? I must take the journey-no matter what! He turned his back on Siloh and looked down the road and sighed: "I suppose, the journey begins." He ran down-hill.

     He had traveled a good distance by now, but, when he looked around him, he was still surprised that the sun was already going down. What would he do once it got dark? He remembered sighting an inn on the map somewhere up-hill, to the right of the road, after a few miles, but he knew that by the time he reached the exit, it would be too dark and he would likely miss it completely.

    Felix kept on walking, however, until it was completely dark. He was startled, all of a sudden, by the howling of wolves. Now, whenever he heard the movement of insects or rodents on treetops, he jumped. To make matters worst it started raining.

     Perhaps this wasn't meant to be. I'm cold, hungry, not to mention this blasted rain...

     He ran under a tree for shelter, but the tree was no help against the rain and he was soaking-wet. He sat down with his back against the tree.  I'm hungry, alone, my clothes are all wet, and I've missed the exit for the inn.  If only I could die tonight!

     No matter how much his bitterness, however, he made up his mind not to return to Siloh. But as he sat under the tree, he heard something creeping up behind him. He quickly turned around while on the ground, fearing that the wolves had found him-but it was someone dressed all in white with a lantern in his hand.

     "You must be hungry," he said. "Come with me!"

     "How do I know I can trust you, sir," Felix said. He decided that it was best to be suspicious of anyone he met outside of Siloh after his treatment at Mirrabel's.

     "You can, for I am a servant of the king. He placed me here to provide food and temporary rest for those searching for Sanctuary."

     "So what's in it for you? Surely, you don't expect me to believe that you spend your time and sustenance for others simply out of love for him?"

     "I am doing it out of love, but I'm not doing it with my resources either. I could not afford to do it even if I wanted to. Everything is his. He placed me here as a steward, who will in a coming day give account for how I use his wealth."

     His answer impressed Felix, but he couldn't understand why the prince trusted him so much. "Do not try to understand what has not been revealed to you," he said. "You are still under the influences of Siloh. But all will be revealed to you if you reach mount Kabab."

     He now caught Felix's attention. "You have seen it? But why are you not still in Sanctuary? Do you not know that if his judgment fall upon this city, you will be swept away?"

     "That is not so. If you reach the sanctuary, you will receive a white robe and return to Siloh to serve him. But of the judgment, none will lay hand on you, because the king's servants will know you by the white robe. When someone reaches Sanctuary, his name is written down along with the blessings the king gives him, which is to be used according to his will. But enough of this for now! Let us go to the inn where it is warm."

     "I should tell you now that I have no money," Felix said.

     "Did I not tell you it all belongs to the king?" He gave him a hand and pulled him to his feet. "Now let us make haste. The rain is getting heavier and the king's inn is our only refuge." They hurried up-hill.

     Ahead of them was a big white house. There was a woman standing outside with a lantern in her hand. When Felix got closer to her, he found out she was a plain woman: she had a pretty black-complexion, her cloke was long and dark, and her hair wasn't braided, a popular custom among his people.

     She raised the lamp to their wet faces. "You're home, dear," she said. "And I see you found him."

     He was about to introduce Felix to his wife, but he looked back at Felix: "I forgot to ask you for your name."

     "My name is Felix."

     "Well, it's nice to meet you, Felix. My name is Charity, and, in case he has not mentioned it, this is my husband Kimbe!"

     Felix shook hands with Mr. Kimbe.

     "Let's go inside," she said.

     Inside the inn, there were all kinds of people sitting and drinking. Felix felt out of place. Luckily for him, however, after giving him a change of clothes, Kimbe told him if he wished to, he could sit on the couch in a corner, because he hoped to speak with him later. Felix gladly took the offer. On his way to the couch, he walked passed a white-kid about his age. As soon as their eyes met, they both looked away. Felix sat on the couch by a small fire, but his eyes stayed on the guy he walked passed. He wanted to badly get up and introduce himself, but he could not bring himself to do so. But after sitting for a few minutes with his back to him, Felix got up, took a deep-breath, and walked up to him.

     When he heard Felix approaching, he got up nervously to meet him. He had raven-black hair and lovely milk-white complexion.

     "Hi," Felix said shakily.

     "Hello."

     They shook hands. "Name's Felix."

     "Pleased to meet you, Felix. Mine's Jasper."

     "Saw you sitting back here, just wanted to say hi."

     "I wanted to say hi, too, but I clearly do not have your courage."

     "I'm not courageous. It was with great difficulty I came over to you!"

     "Would you mind if I join you?" Jasper said.

     "Not at-all."

     They walked to the couch and sat down beside each other with a lamp on the table in front of them. Jasper looked over at him with curiosity. "If you do not mind my asking, where are you coming from?"

     "Amedi. And you?"

     "Sharmee."

     "What moved you to take the journey to Sanctuary?" Felix asked after a moment of silence.

     Jasper swallowed. "Several days ago while riding through the park with my grandfather, we came upon a man standing on an enormous rock. He had a peaceful countenance, his skin was white like mine, and his hair was as a meadow of sunflowers. He appeared as if he could have been royalty. He was heralding an urgent message, crying, 'repent people of Siloh, for the king can no longer allow your disobedience in his presence! For years now you have rebelled against his majesty, killing his servants whom he has sent to you. How long did you expect him to tolerate your disobedience, O Vultures and Murderers of Heralds? And now the king has passed a decree. All who are not found under the wings of his son prince Diamond will perish by the sword or die in his dungeon, set apart far from all living things, to die the death of dogs.'

     "At this, everyone was vexed. To be truthful, even I was upset with his message. But what came next, I do not believe anyone could have predicted. Almost everyone grabbed a stone and shouted with one accord, 'repent of your words or face death?'  The crowd became raging mad, Felix.

     "The herald answered them, 'how can a man forsake the truth? I tell you, dear citizens of Siloh, sell all that you have to gain truth and understanding. But how can you threaten me to forsake the truth? But I tell you, it is you who must repent!' "

     Jasper took a deep breath and started weeping.

     Felix placed his hand on Jasper's shoulder. "Recalling the event is clearly too painful for you. I pray you, stop."

     "Nay my friend, the story must be told." He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. "My grandfather jumped off his horse and grabbed a stone, shouting, 'you miserable filth! You think you're a more upstanding citizen than we are? We try our best, and I don't care who this king is, it should be enough for him. If not then, I'll have no such man ruling over me.'

     "Suddenly it was as if he was in charge of the crowd. I ran to his side crying, 'Grand papa, I beg you to calm these people down, they are going to kill him.'

     "He struck me on the face and demanded, 'What? Are you with him? Answer me boy!'

     "I knew not what to say. Although I knew the herald was proclaiming the king's message, he was my grandfather.

     "He shouted once more, 'choose your side, and choose well, boy!'

     "I had never once seen my grandfather behaved in such manner. Though I knew he was against the king, but I never knew to what extent, until that day. Nevertheless, I made up my mind to stand with the herald, no matter the outcome.  

     "He asked me one last time, except this time he used my name: 'Which side are you on, Jasper? Don't be foolish.' Everyone was staring at me, anxious to hear my decision, including the herald. As I stared at my grandfather and the crowd, I saw madness. But in contrast to them, the herald had such a welcoming and peaceful countenance. I got on the rock and shielded him. 'I'm with prince Diamond,' was my reply.

      "My grandfather was burning with rage. He shouted with tears, 'Very well then, boy; you made your decision...so I must make mine.' Then he launched a stone at me, Felix, attempting to kill me. But as the stone was about to split my skull, the herald shielded me, and the stone struck him on his backbone and blood came spewing out of his mouth. He handed me a manuscript. 'Take it,' he said, ‘it's your only hope of finding Sanctuary.'  After helping me on his horse, he lightly tapped the horse on its backside and it galloped away with me. All I heard were stones striking the herald as I disappeared through the woods.

     "After I left Siloh, upon entering the road, the horse would not bear me any farther. I went on foot, following the directions on the back of the manuscript. After long periods of non-stop walking, I was exhausted and hungry. To make matters worse, it started raining. I was tired, cold, hungry, and wet. I felt hopeless. I reached a point where I despised living. Seeing no other options, I sat by a rock waiting for death. But I was rescued by Mr. Kimbe, leading to this conversation with you."

     There was a long silence between them.

     "Now I have told you how I left my home, you must tell me how you left yours."

     Felix told Jasper his story, but he noticed that when he mentioned Lumiel that Jasper became pale under the lamplight. "What is the matter?" Felix asked.

     "Were you not aware," he said to Felix, "that the manuscript warned travelers not to travel through Lumiel?"

     Felix didn't understand what he meant.

     He had Felix turn to a certain passage in the manuscript and read:

Traveler, beware of 'Lumiel': located at tip of the city, Lumiel serves as a strategic point for the king's enemy, who lures through enticing pleasure and a false happiness both young men and women... The maidens of Lumiel, though beautiful, are murderous vipers in disguise, whose hearts are as the pit. For, having rejected the prince, they are blinded by the prince's enemy. They have one goal and it is to destroy those seeking the Sanctuary of prince Diamond. Beware, for there are few who have ever escaped...

     "It is a wonder," Jasper said to Felix who was now terrified, "that you escaped from Mirrabel's house alive."

     As they were talking, Mr. Kimbe came in to have a word with them before they had supper and headed to bed. "Hello boys.'

     They responded together: "Hello, sir."

     The innkeeper looked worried. "Is anything the matter, sir? You don't look well."

     To which Jasper added, "Please tell us if there is anything we can help you with."

     The innkeeper looked distant. It was as if he hadn't heard a word they said. "Boys," he began, his tone grave, "Be careful. There are all kinds of dangerous creatures waiting to devour you to bits. Always stay on your guards, expecting the unexpected. As you might already know, the king (not prince Diamond, but the lawless one,) he does not wish for you to take the journey. He knows prince Diamond has already passed judgment on him and his men. Though most of them are chained up in the king's dungeon waiting sentencing, those who are loose are not giving up, but they wish to send you off course, so that you might not find Sanctuary."

     "Why is he persecuting the king's servants?"  Felix asked.

     "Because he hates whatever the king loves, Felix! He was once one of the greatest servants in prince Diamond's kingdom, but he wanted more, he wanted the throne. So he and a third of the king's servants rebelled against his majesty. But the king cast him from his presence. Since then, my friends, he has been warming the wicked hearts of the people of Siloh to rebel against the king, knowing that the king loves the people. But no matter how much the king cares for his people, he can only put up with their disobedience for so long, and the prince of lawlessness knows this. But prince Diamond has graciously offered to pay the king all the taxes the people of Siloh owed. Having done this, about sixteen years ago, the prince himself came to Siloh to tell the people the good news, but they did not accept him. Instead, they bruised him. Above of all, the king himself required that he suffered for the people, as planned before hand.

     "According to the king's ancient law, before one can be pardon of a debt, he had to repay every penny and suffer whatever punishment the law required depending on the offenses. Therefore, prince Diamond did not only pay back every penny we owed his father, but, as required by the law, he suffered physical punishment as well."

     Jasper and Felix looked at each other.

     "I know what you are thinking boys: how is one man's suffering sufficient for so many people? To try and explain it, I would like to give you this picture of the prince. From his earliest days, he has always been at his father's business. He pleased the king in all he did, and in him the king found all his joy. So it is safe to say that the king never had to chastise him, nor did he wish to because, after all, he is the king's most precious asset. Keeping all this in mind, imagine how hard it must have been for the king to smite him, and for him to be smitten by the father he loved above all things. Therefore, his stripes and bruises were worth more than all the gold and precious stones in Siloh and in the kingdom. Nevertheless, after his sufferings, the king took him back home to the place he never lost in his father's heart.

     "He now sits on the king's right hand with all things in the kingdom under him. It is through his sufferings that we have the Sanctuary to protect us from the king's wrath. However, a day is coming when all who are found outside the safety of the Sanctuary will not be spared, just like the king spared not his son."

     The boys were grateful for prince Diamond's sacrifice, and because of that they loved him and were determined to reach the Sanctuary to see the prince in person one day and thank him. Mr. Kimbe was glad to see their response, and he assured them that the fallen ones could not harm them, so long as they kept to path of Sanctuary. He also told them that the king had his soldiers patrolling the road. But he did warn them to be careful and keep watch. They had supper and went to sleep.

     The next morning, after breakfast, Felix and Jasper desired to take leave of Mr. Kimbe and Lady Charity. They were outside, a few yards away from the inn with Mr. Kimbe, under some trees. "Boys," he said, "you have been a joy to me, but you need to leave."

     "Sir, it has been a pleasure," Jasper said and bowed, "and thank you for your warnings and advices."

     "Yes, and thank you, too, for your hospitality."

     "I told you boys already, it all comes from the king."

     "That maybe so," Jasper said, "but you did it with a willing heart."

     "That's correct," Felix added. "For that makes all the difference. You were not merely a faithful servant to the king, but you were a willing servant, whereby, you have well represented him in our eyes."

     "I am simply a servant doing what I am told."

     "And may the king bless you for that," said Jasper.

     "I thank you very much for your complements, but I believe should you enter the Sanctuary and behold its beauty, you will see that what I am doing is nothing compared to what prince Diamond has done for us."

     "Please, Mr. Kimbe," Jasper said, "I beg of you to cease patronizing me: for my entire being longs to see the Sanctuary. If you tell me of its beauty once more, I will die of envy."

     "I believe I have to agree with Jasper: for I can only dream of what it is like, considering that I have not been in it. And with every dream my thirst for it increases, but to hear from a living witness is torture."

     "Well boys," he said with a smile, "I'm sorry to say it but, if by my testimony your thirst grows, I am tempted to tell you more. Of all the things to be envious of, this is good envy. Nevertheless, I will hold you no longer. I now urge you to continue your journey." After they said goodbye to Charity, they took the path down-hill and headed for the broad way.