The Four Gifts of the King

by R. Scott Rodin

  He turned to look at the elite of Petitzaros—and jumped back.

  Steward steadied him. “It is all right, Trevor. You need not fear the truth in what you see.”

  “But…they are horrible. Oh, Steward, their faces are so contorted that I can scarcely look at them. And their gold bands and links? They are lead-gray chains. Their eyes are so…so cold and lifeless.” He looked away. “It’s hideous.”

  Steward wished Trevor could be finished, but there was more he had to see. “Trevor, please, look again. Tell me what else you see.”

  Hands trembling, Trevor slid the spectacles on his nose and looked at the elite once more. It took a moment, but then Steward saw his friend’s eyes widen behind the glasses.

  “What is it?”

  Trevor shook his head. “Walking among the twisted figures of the people…”

  Steward nodded. “Yes?”

  “The Phaedra. They are everywhere. But they look…horrible. Boney, ashen faces. And their smiles!” Trevor shivered. “They are the sickening kind of smile that evil men wear when they’ve achieved something diabolical. They look…”

  “Evil?”

  Trevor nodded. “They have the satisfied and gloating look of evil having its day.” His voice choked, and he grabbed the glasses from his face. “Is that…the way the wealthy were…is that how…I really…look?”

  Steward nodded.

  Trevor fell to his knees and sobbed. He put his hands to his face then pulled them away and stared at the bands and the long chains of heavy rings hanging from them. “It’s these cursed things! They are a deception, a lie. They put chains on us and tell us we are free. What fools we are!”

  He struggled back to his feet. “Steward, how did you get your Bracelets off? Can you help me?” Trevor held out his arms, trembling.

  Steward so wanted to help his friend, but the king hadn’t given him instructions on how to remove them. He looked at the other thirteen in the party, and all shook their heads. “Trevor, I am afraid I cannot take them off.”

  Trevor cried out. “Surely someone can remove these Bracelets! How else can I be set free?”

  A voice rang out from behind them. “I can remove the bands.”

  A man emerged from the crowd, and as soon as Steward saw him, he knew exactly how the king meant for freedom to sweep across Petitzaros.

  The man came to Trevor. “I am Jonah. I’m one of the people of Remonant. We have been given the keys to unlock the bands of anyone who wishes to have them removed.” He pulled a key from his pocket. “Do you really want to remove them?”

  Trevor looked around him at the joyful throng feasting on the produce from one drop of an Elixir that had sat on his shelf for years. Steward saw his friend’s anguish that so much suffering had gone on just a short ride from his palace and the ease with which he could have alleviated that suffering.

  Trevor held his hands out to the man from Remonant and cried out, “Take these cursed things off me!”

  Jonah stepped forward and with a quick flick of his wrist turned the key in the lock and the heavy bands fell to the ground. Trevor rubbed his wrists then lifted his arms in the air and danced around. “I’m free, I’m free!”

  Steward waited for him to stop and then produced a small box. “Trevor, this is a gift to you from the king. It is the true way in which we are to wear Bracelets.” He opened the box and produced two of the small, fine gold Bracelets.

  Trevor looked from them to Steward. “Then the king does want us to wear gold Bracelets?”

  Zedekai joined them. “Yes, the king created everything and called it good. He gave us the Bracelets so that every time we stretch out our hand to tend a crop, pick a piece of fruit, build a wall, polish a piece of steel, or put a kettle on the stove, we will be reminded that it all belongs to the king, and he has given it to us to enjoy…”

  “And share,” Astrid added with a smile.

  Steward slipped the Bracelets onto Trevor’s wrists and then handed him the bottle of Elixir. “This is now yours to use in whatever way you see fit. Be aware, Trevor, that these light Bracelets can grow into the heavy ones you have just taken off if you use the Elixir for your own gain while ignoring the needs of others. Use the Elixir with wisdom and care. It is the source of both blessing and curse.”

  Trevor took the bottle and looked up to the towering castles all around them. “I shall have a great challenge convincing the others to shed their chains and share their Elixir. I am not very optimistic about my success.”

  Steward patted Trevor on the shoulder. “The king is not interested in your success, just your faithfulness. Besides, the wealthy of Petitzaros are not your enemy or your cause.”

  As he spoke, a movement caught his attention. Phaedra had taken up position on the outskirts of the area.

  Trevor saw them as well. “The Phaedra, yes. How do I handle them? They’ll be after me to conform to the pattern of this place. They will haunt me and torment me with their whispers and lies until I cave in and return to my former ways. How can I stand in the face of their power and presence?”

  Zedekai pointed to them. “If you have no ear to hear them, the Phaedra are powerless. Their only weapon is weakness of spirit. If you refuse to hear them, they will leave you alone.”

  “And we will be there for you.” As Jonah spoke, dozens of the people of Remonant emerged from the crowd and encircled Trevor. As they did, the Phaedra backed away and disappeared down the streets of Petitzaros. “We stand as one against the Phaedra, and we will overcome in the name of the king.”

  The lead guard of the king’s army stepped up. “Warrior Steward, we must be off if we are to stay ahead of the Phaedra.”

  Steward nodded to the warrior.

  Trevor raised an eyebrow. “Warrior Steward?”

  “Yes, my friend. I completed my journey and stood before the king in his throne room. He gave me this name, and now I pass it on to you. We are all warriors in this battle, and now you and all the people of Remonant are part of the fight. I commission you all, in the name of the king, to resist the Phaedra and set your people free. Will you fight with us?”

  The assembly raised their hands and shouted. “We will fight with you, Warrior Steward, for the sake of the king and all that is true!”

  Steward mounted his horse and prepared to leave. He looked back to Trevor, who returned his look with a broad smile.

  “Thank you, my dear, dear friend. You have truly set me free.”

  “Not I, Trevor, but the king. Now the Deep Peace of the king to you and to everyone who is set free to know and serve the king!”

  “Deep Peace, Warrior Steward,” several cried back, lifting their hands to the sky.

  Steward nudged his horse, and he and the warriors sped off through the streets of Petitzaros. Steward held back a grin at the way Dunston clung to the back of the lead warrior, his face shining with joy. As they rode toward the gates, Steward looked back one last time.

  May this place be changed forever. Good king, give my friend Trevor the strength to set these people free.

  They rode on through the gates and turned north along the road leading to Ascendia.

  ~~~~~~~~~

  Alex held the book in his lap. “That’s a great story, but in real life, in my world, can one person really save Petitzaros?”

  Anna considered his question. “I dunno, but I want to get a pair of those glasses.”

  “I think I’d be too scared to even put them on.” Alex gave his siblings a weak smile. “Who knows how any of us would look?”

  Walter had come in to join them. “I shudder at the thought. But your father and mother had an uncanny way of seeing things in people that few others could see. It was like they did have a set of lenses that allowed them to see potential and good where most of us saw hopelessness. That’s why your mother was able to care for Mel Sidek as she did.”

  “And why we’re here today.” Merideth’s words were soft, thoughtful.

  Walter nodded. “Precisely. Ever
ything in this story and in this house is a testimony to their ability to see the world as God sees it. Through the eyes of faith.”

  “And with the mind of Christ.” Alex smiled at Walter’s look. “I did learn some things in seminary. I think Dad would say that Dunston’s glasses reveal the kingdom of God that is present everywhere, even when we can’t see it.”

  Walter showed his approval with a slow nod. “I think that’s your father’s intention with these spectacles. He and your mother tried to see the world as they believed God saw it, which is why they were able to do the work they did with such grace.”

  Merideth stood and stretched. “Back to your question, dear brother. Can one person change Petitzaros?” She walked toward the kitchen and looked back. “Not the Petitzaros I live and work in.”

  Reed got up to join her. “I have to agree. But somehow, don’t you think Trevor has a chance?”

  She shot back. “Ghost of a chance, if you ask me.”

  Anna joined in. “It may be more about Trevor’s own change rather than how many join him. Most revolutions start with one passionate person.”

  Alex set the book down and looked at Walter. “Still, one convert in a world that’s sold out to everything material seems pretty weak. I know Dad always told us to believe that each of us can make a difference in the world. But I just think our dear friend Trevor is in over his head.”

  Reed came back in from the kitchen. “Maybe that’s the point. Alone, we’ll drift back to our old kingdom-building ways. We need others, like the people of Remonant, to stand with us. Only where are they? Who are they?”

  Walter let a couple of moments of uneasy silence go by and then replied. “Perhaps they’re all around us. They’re the people we don’t see because they live simple and humble lives. They don’t call attention to themselves, but they’re there nonetheless. And in strong numbers, I believe. If we choose to follow the way of young Steward—”

  “Warrior Steward.” Anna smiled.

  “Yes, Warrior Steward—then we’ll want to search out others who live this lifestyle every day. And when we find them, we will have found our comrades and colleagues in the battle.”

  The room fell silent again, and Alex sensed that it was time to continue. He picked up the book and read on.

  chapter

  Twenty-One

  Five hours of riding brought the warrior band within sight of the sweeping arches over Ascendia. As they came into view, Steward slowed his powerful chestnut steed to a trot, and Astrid drew her horse next to his.

  He sensed her unease. “Are you ready for this?”

  “I don’t know. It depends on what role you want me to play.”

  Steward rode on for a few moments. How should he respond, seeing as he really didn’t have any great plan in mind? “How do you think we should play it?”

  Astrid considered the question. “Cassandra is the key, we all know that. There’s no use wasting time on Elopia. She couldn’t lead a revolution, even if she were to be convinced.”

  Steward was relieved. He never liked Elopia. But Cassandra? Leading the revolution?

  “I agree, but convincing Cassandra will be an enormous task. Trevor’s conversion was far easier than any we will encounter from this point on. She already knows about the crushers. I don’t think Cassandra will be won over by anything short of a shocking realization that her ramp building is all in vain. And I have no idea how to make her see that.”

  O king, we need your help. How do we win over such a powerful person as Cassandra?

  They rode on without a decision. The path turned a corner and opened ahead of them directly into the main city gates of Ascendia. Steward brought his horse to a full stop. The band of warriors gathered around him.

  C’mon, Astrid, I need a plan.

  There was a moment of uncomfortable silence as Zedekai and the king’s warriors awaited their instructions. Dunston peered out from around the back of the lead warrior and blurted out, “Well, what’s the plan? Let’s get going! What’s the holdup?”

  Steward opened his mouth, hoping something brilliant would tumble out. But before he could speak, and to his relief, Astrid replied.

  “This will be a greater challenge than Petitzaros, but Warrior Steward will lead us to victory here as well. The key will be to show Cassandra what lies at the end of the ramp she is building.”

  Steward was still lost. Yes, okay. But how? “And, Astrid, tell the band just how we will accomplish this.”

  She smiled. “It is quite simple really. We will take Cassandra to the end of a completed ramp and show her what really lies there.”

  What? Steward took Astrid aside. “Astrid, even in my short time in Ascendia, I learned that there is a penalty of death for anyone who enters without permission onto another person’s ramp. The entrances are well guarded, so how are we going to gain access to a ramp and then ride it all the way to the mountain? And there are only a few that have been completed, and they’re the most heavily guarded. I have no idea how to pull this off.”

  Astrid patted his hand. “That’s because you don’t know my sister as well as I do.” Astrid turned back to the band. “Here is how we will do this. Cassandra will be amazed when she sees me alive. I will tell her that we survived our fall, but that Steward died on the outskirts of Seudomartus.”

  Dunston cackled. “That will please the Phaedra, who you know will be everywhere.”

  Steward was hanging on every word. “Yes, that will do nicely.”

  Astrid was speaking at a quickened pace now. “Cassandra’s greatest competitor and rival is Donturnates. I will tell her that his men found us and gave us medical attention, nursing us back to health. They knew who I was, so they cared for me so that they could learn from me all they could about my famous sister’s construction plans and schemes. When the time was right, they asked for information from me in payment for their kindness. I gave them everything they asked for, but little of it was accurate. They finally let us go, and as a token of their appreciation for our cooperation, they offered us free entrance to Donturnates’s completed Ascender, that we might visit him on the far mountain. This way he could gloat and revel in his victory over Cassandra.”

  Astrid was brilliant! This would all work. He jumped in. “If Cassandra buys the story, we’ll offer to disguise her and take her with us.”

  Astrid beamed at his enthusiasm for her plan. “Yes, and I can assure you she will not be able to resist the offer to get to the mountain and see what awaits her there.” Astrid’s eyes flashed at the thought.

  As Steward worked the plan in his mind, his mood changed. “I still see two problems, Astrid. First, we must keep the Phaedra away from Cassandra during the process. Second, when we ride onto Donturnates’s ramp, it must appear as though we have been invited, not that we’re storming past guards and jumping walls.”

  Zedekai rode forward. “Warrior Steward, you may leave those two issues to us.” The warrior band nodded, and the plan was set.

  Astrid looked at Steward. “As for you, you shall have to wear the head shroud of the Barbariq. They trade here from time to time, and the men cover their faces except for the eyes. I’ll tell everyone you’re my bodyguard. That way you can keep your identity from the Phaedra and Cassandra until we are on the mountain.”

  “And what about me?” Dunston shrieked. “Am I to stay behind and pick daffodils while you rescue Ascendia?”

  “No, my little warrior friend.” Astrid walked her horse over to Dunston and bent down to talk to him almost nose-to-nose. “You will have the greatest role of all. You must find a way to keep Elopia distracted. I believe we can sway Cassandra, but we will not fool them both. Keep Elopia away and you will have ensured the plan’s success.”

  Dunston thought a moment then managed a crooked little smile. “It is appropriate that I should have the most important role, and I shall perform it flawlessly.”

  Steward laughed. “Indeed you will. Very well, then, the plan is at hand. We shall meet Cassandra
on the ramp at first light. For now, let’s camp and prepare. Tomorrow the liberation of Ascendia will begin.”

  A cool, gray, and breezy morning met them as Steward and Astrid rode through the gates of Ascendia. Astrid wore simple tunics and a shawl over her face. Steward wore a makeshift hood made to look like a Barbariq’s. They had no trappings of war—no sword, shield, or chainmail. The plan was to call no attention to themselves. The warrior band would enter in pairs and go different directions, meeting up near the entrance to Donturnates’s ramp. Dunston was hidden under Steward’s cloak, looking like a lump on the saddle behind him.

  All around them, people seemed oblivious to their presence, just as they’d hoped. They sauntered on through the streets of Ascendia. They passed under several partially completed ramps and past the entrance to the House of Bendor. Astrid hid her face so that the gatekeeper wouldn’t notice her. Steward also looked away as well, and the two hurried past him without being detected.

  Just beyond Bendor, Steward tapped Dunston on the head. “This is your spot. Time to go to work.” Dunston slipped out and was down off the horse and out of sight more quickly than Steward thought possible.

  As Steward and Astrid rode on, he could hear in the distance the never-ending rumble of the crushers. Steward recoiled at the thought of how many townspeople of Ascendia might end up at that horrific place by the end of the day. His resolve was strengthened, and he was more determined than ever to liberate this place from the stranglehold of Cassandra and her ramp-building colleagues.

  Astrid and Steward rounded the corner and looked ahead to the entrance of Cassandra’s ramp. But instead of the usual five or so guards, there were at least fifteen men. Behind them was a wall of Phaedra.

  Steward pulled his horse to a gentle stop, not wanting to look frightened. “This doesn’t look good.”

  “It’s not. Someone tipped them off.”

  “So what’s plan B?” Steward and Astrid held their horses to a slow pace as they moved closer to the massed guards.

  “There is no plan B. We just have to make the plan work. All’s not lost yet. Let’s just follow the script.” Astrid kneed her horse to pick up the pace and trotted up to the line of guards. “Good morning to you. Is Cassandra of the House of Bendor on the ramp this morning?”