Chapter Three: Maiden Warriors

Chapter Three

Maiden Warriors

Alythia, the Charisleb princess, seemed to be an unreachable prize. Almost all young men in the City of Excelion desired her. Petite in frame yet strong, always a pleasant sight to behold. Her threadlike locks frame her beautiful face, gleaming eyes and vibrant lips that are often parted by her contagious smile. Not only was she a great beauty, but she is accustomed to the circle of wealth and influence in her kingdom.

There is another beauty equally unreachable in the land of Acropetros. Her name is Kohara. She has an immaculate face that is often caught pensive. She has been to several countries in search of adventure that will amuse her fancy. Her family is one of the most affluent royalties in their land. All of the young men in Acropetros admire her but no one dared to pursue her affection. No one could provide an explanation for the hesitations. And it remains a mystery up until now.

The Great Master favored these maidens. They were particularly selected among ladies who serve his courts. Their devotion in knowing the Master and serving him is noteworthy. Loving him is their chief occupation. But this does not indicate their weakness. Alythia and Kohara are warriors, esteemed as captains in the company of royal guards and soldiers of the Master. And they are always ready to face battle and against the attacks of the evil lord Bastian.

The pauper was one of those who thought of winning the affections of either of the princesses. He is caught in a dilemma. He is mindful of the counsel of the Acropetros elders that it is beneficial to pursue the heart of a fellow Acropetrosian but his heart is drawn to Alythia. Kohara had given him attention in the past and they had several exchanges of correspondence. But it never grew to something really special.

He sought the counsel of a few trusted confidants to help him see the issues of his heart. He also sought the direction of the Master. He arrived to a resolution to pursue the most special princess he ever beheld.

Even if the idea of Alythia paying him a short glance is remote to becoming a reality, the pauper did not shrink to the thought of pursuing the Charisleb princess.

To be continued…

Chapter Two: The Crossroad

Chapter Two

The Crossroad

Charisleb and Acropetros are within the country of Metoria. There is a place where the two kingdoms are joined together by the city of Excelion. This is where the other royalties and the brilliant minds from different countries learn about the majesty and glory of the Great Master. Excelion is also where they hone their skills to serve him.

This is also the place where the pauper met the princess. It was a trying period in Excelion when the princess came to study. But the Master was faithful to support the city and its people in going through all the hardship.

The vibrant spirit of the princess also gave verve to most of the people’s heart. This did not escape the attention of the pauper. He admired the princess. She became an inspiration to his longing heart.

Since he noticed that the princess appears to be a congenial person, he thought that he could be given attention by the princess. But she appears to be oblivious of his existence. He never saw her smile at him nor recognized that he is there standing by her side. Some of his friends are acquainted with the princess but they did not thought of introducing him to her.

It was cowardice also on the part of the pauper. He does not want to initiate for fear that the princess will not be gracious to extend friendship.

However, the pauper did not lose hope. His frustration pushed him to the wall that led him to run to the Great Master. He beseeched the Master to orchestrate circumstances that will allow the princess to see his chivalry.

To be continued…

Chapter One: The Princess and the Pauper

Chapter One

The Princess and the Pauper

She is the most loved princess in the kingdom of Charisleb. Everybody likes her for her charm and beauty. The downcast is uplifted by her serene smile. She is admired for her mature disposition in life. Her company is sought by all and sundry. The royalties welcome her presence. The commoners long for her.

Of all her characters, she is well-liked for her love and devotion to the Great Master. She has no reservation to follow the Master. Her affection to him is made known in their kingdom. Their communion is knitted well that she even calls him Abba Master.

But despite her favored stature, she remains meek and contrite. She still considers herself vile amongst all men.

In another kingdom, in the land of Acropetros, there lives a pauper. He lives by daily subsistence provided by the Great Master. There is nothing that he could boast of. He does own neither wealth nor fame.

But even though he is living with meager resources, he continues to labor faithfully with his hand in the fields of the Master. And he is admired for his astuteness and profitable skills.

To be continued…

I Am 9

A post that was supposed to have been published last July 9, 2013...

Today marks my ninth year of service with CCC-Southeast Asia and I’m here on my sickbed. Ideally, I would be in the office doing my routine, clerical job. There’s no day off given for anniversary for years of service. But I got sick with flu a few days ago and now I’m on my relapse. The flu vaccine that was supposed to shield me from getting sick made my sickness even more terrible. If I just heeded to my intuition that this will happen again, I shouldn’t have taken the shot. I’m actually better off without the flu vaccine.

I’m forced to rest for the past days, which gave me an extended time to read my e-books, listen to audio books and to spend time in prayer, while having to battle with constant joint pains and flu-aggravated back pain. For the longest time since my major lumbar disk injury, I haven’t been lying in bed this long.

I was already feeling okay yesterday… thanks to Bioflu. But since I was left with my two elderly parents who got sick with flu because of me and with my nephew, I was forced to do the dishes and cook meal. It’s hard to think of anything to prepare. There’s nothing in the refrigerator that is nourishing, strengthening nor satisfying. But I have to prepare something for supper because we haven’t eaten anything since breakfast. How could anyone get well when they are famished?

Last night was a terrible ordeal. I wasn’t able to sleep at all. My body has been itching in random areas. The itch is painful. The itch is biting and stinging. I thought it was just my shirt. So I changed clothes. It was not. I thought it was bed sheet. I removed. It was not. I tried to remedy the itch with ointment but still the itch persisted. I could have related with Job. I was crying to God that He would relieve me of the pain. But He did not. I was thinking, “Am I being tested to practice the joy in these trying times?”

My lumbar pain is aggravated all the more by my tossing and turning just to find comfort. I wasn’t able to go to sleep at all. My head is throbbing. My eyes are sore. My joints are painful. Hello, relapse!

I was trying to get to sleep but still the itch is unbearable. I’ve already bathed in warm water but I got no relief. So I might just as well not waste my waking time, I decided to write about my ninth. Not an encouraging introduction, you might say. But that’s just it.

The Bible and the Pilgrim’s Progress taught me and reminded me these past days that my joy is not to be found in this world. This world is full of toil, pain, suffering, discouragement and frustration.

Today… my ninth year of service is celebrated with sickness and with sick family members and with fried tofu for lunch. Have I any reason to be gloomy? No. As I’ve said, my hope lies not on this life. This world is passing away and all that is in it. My joy is in the Lord Jesus and I will rejoice that my name is written in the Book of Life.

Today, I’m in front of a fork in road. This is nothing new. My past nine years has been marked with several forks. I have a lot of things going on inside my mind. I am anxious about a lot of things. New team composition. New but far office. Negative monthly financial balance.

Today, I may choose to follow another path. 

Today, there’s a lot of “what if’s” again.

Today, I am 9. It could stay that way or it could become 10. Who knows?