Waterman, an emissary and oft times militia member for the King had grown weary from the secret battles he had been assigned to...as well as his own. Bruised and almost broken, he was granted furlough by the King with permission to bring along another. A much needed time of respite in a place chosen by the King Himself. A beautiful majestic place replete with mountains, horses and a generous space for lodging fit for an emissary. It sat right beside the lake that was the centerpiece of that place. Yet with all that beauty before him, Waterman knew that something felt..."off". You see, there were no other guests...
Waterman just rationalized it off as "battle fatigue"...nothing to concern himself with. He would ignore it and enjoy his five days of rest. Here is what took place:
Night one: He found himself surrounded by an odd looking bunch of men in obvious disguises. They questioned his station and role with the King trying to produce doubt but Waterman knew what they were and laughed them away. Unimpressed, they meant nothing to him and their words fell on deaf ears. They would eventually leave distraught and confounded. Just minutes after they left, he heard a loud knock on the door...it was the Kings messenger. The messenger, standing at the door, opened the scroll he pulled out of his satchel and began to read:
"Many years ago, this place was a place of rest but it is now plagued by a Troll that lives in the highest peak of its' mountains. The ones that surrounded you were sent by it to test you and your resolve. You are to destroy it and liberate this place from its' filth...use the weapons I've given you. Remember who you are...this is the Word of your King"
Waterman knew exactly what this was...it was training. Training in a war that no one could be told of as only a select few were privy to its' existence. Anytime Waterman tried to confide in those he trusted with his experiences, he was met with disbelief and even sometimes...ridicule. You see, these special battles took place beyond a veil. A veil only the King could grant access to and those he granted access to were never what one would expect. They were men and women of the lowest sort. The kind none would suspect as having giftings or sight granted them. Humble, not because they were righteous...but humbled because they knew they were imperfect in the eyes of the King. A King they loved because He loved them first. Their stations in life were of no consequence. They simply sought an unattainable purity of heart they knew they would die seeking. In this...they were trusted as friends to the King. Each seeming to have a vice they could not shake. Things that kept them striving...and just lowly enough to know their place in the world...even as they climbed. They knew who they were. Parts in a larger world that had pieces within it, each playing their part, none greater than the other but just as essential as the rest. Purposed in place to never be seen as what they were. Without applause or accolades, they performed their duties with the honored badge the King had given them. In all this, they could not share a word of it because only a very few would understand and sometimes suffered loneliness as a result. Undeterrd...it was still always a privilege and an honor to be in the service of the King.
Night two: That night, he found himself surrounded again but this time...they were not in disguise. They tried the standard tactic of holding him down, using their main weapon...fear. Yet what they forgot was that Waterman was seasoned enough in battle to know they had no real power so he easily broke free. Once again...they had left distraught. That very night, Waterman climbed the mountain, went into the trolls' cave and sent it back from whence it came. The airs now clear...that place...was now free. The next three days were all about rest and recharging. He and the workers at this place knew something had changed so he decided to confide in his companion about his experience. This went as expected. She sighed, nodded and turned her head as if to say "ok...good!!". She knew him enough to know he would never lie or make up anything like this. It was clear she wanted to believe him, but he understood that unless one experiences it for themselves, they could never fully accept the truth of it. It was nothing he wasn't used to. Nevertheless, it was a good trip...
Day five: It was time to leave this majestic place behind but Waterman had one more task to perform. He and his companion approached the caretaker of this place so that he could simply say: "Woman, please mark these words...this place will see its glory again...". It's all he was tasked to say. As they were about to leave, the caretaker turned her head and with tears streaming down her face said: "Sir, to hear these words brings me an unspeakable joy. You may think I'm crazy but this place has been cursed by what some described as a troll that lived in the mountains for years and for some reason, just three days ago...it feels like he was just gone. I don't know why or how but I just know things will be better now". Waterman looked at his companion to see the look of shock on her face as he held the caretaker in his arms and simply told her..."You're not crazy...we'll return someday". As they took their leave, he heard his companion whisper under her breath "long live the King...". He just smiled and said "yeah...".
It's a rare thing that another could witness the truth of such an event but Waterman received that testimony as a gift from the King. As if to say..."You see, you will never be truly alone". Waterman and his companion went on their way but his time at this place would never leave him. He now understood the graciousness of His King had no rhythm or rhyme but it's end was always satisfying. He also understood that it would not be the last time such a thing would take place. Warriors take their rest where they could find it and for Waterman, the spurts of rest allowed by his King were found in the release of his passions...but not in the way others would. They'd be allowed with an honor and a purity. A fine line Waterman would need to walk to remain pleasing to His King. Yet he knew that what was in store for him was even greater than what he had just experienced. There would be more places to go. For both rest and duty...at home and abroad. He was now clearer about his duties. He was now more prepared. "What next my King?..."
"For now? Life..."
~moses apollo apolinaris
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