Chapter Ten: Of Prayer

Chapter Ten

Of Prayer

The evil lord Bastian has his cunning way of deceiving the minds of men. He would even go before the Great Master to demand permission to sift some of the Master’s nobles and bondservants. He was once a luminary in the Master’s courts, but he rebelled and caused a great battle. Bastian was defeated however and was banished. He continues to wage war against the sovereignty of the Master, and by causing delusion he gathers minions. The pauper was never excluded in his evil schemes. He used every unfavorable remarks and circumstances that disheartens the pauper.

“You are no good... The princess will never give you a chance... Look, her friends does not even approve of you because you are not from Charisleb... There are other young men who deserves her affection...You are a loser...”

He could wallow in his apparent disadvantage by listening to the trickeries of Bastian. But he has his powerful deliverer. The Great Master has been his ever present help in time of trouble. His glorious light could overcome even the darkest night that hides the evil lord.

The pauper would often fall upon his knees whenever he is visited by thoughts of Princess Alythia. His knows that his restlessness will be quieted in the presence of the Master. One of his most significant prayers is his resolution to be abandoned to the Great Master and his purposes.

“Dear Master, you know that I love you dearly. I have often failed you but you know my heart of hearts. You know that I would never exchange any of the world riches and grandeur for your love.

“I don’t deserve your condescension but you freely bestow grace upon grace. Thus I have sought to please you in my life and in my service. I know that only you could really fill the void in my heart but I believe that it is also you who have placed a desire in my heart to love and be loved. You have awakened love in me.

“My acquaintance with Alythia is beyond my imagination. I never thought of befriending the princess of Charisleb. Overwhelmed with excitement, I have thought of plotting circumstances just to get the best of her enthusiasm and attention but I understand that trusting my own abilities would fall short of what is best and pleasing to you.

“You have thought me too well to depend on you to orchestrate thing for me and you have done those things according to the richness of your mercy and love. You have allowed me to grow in my infatuation to esteem her as a sister and friend, from being fatalistic to being purposeful and prayerful and from being reluctant to care to being more sensitive to serve her on my knees and with my hands.

“My insecurities cause me to pray for your constant approval – to keep the other young men from her and that Alythia will be kindly disposed to me. That the princess will be mine. But my praying is faulty.

“I am confronted with the fact that I really do not know how to pray for her. Princess Alythia is yours. She has been bought with a high price. You are jealous for her and her affections. She is your beloved. It would be my ruin if I go against you and try to play your role and do the things that only you could do for her.

“My Master, I am thankful for the many occasions that I could bring her petitions before you and serve her with the best of my ability. I just continue to pray that you will grant me still the opportunities to serve Alythia. Allow us to grow in our friendship and grow in our appreciation of each others character.

“Master, please continue to orchestrate situations that will reveal your direction in our life. If we are meant for each other, reveal your will to both of us. And I pray that I’ll be the kind of man that will love, cherish, protect, lead and serve her. A man that would complement her as a friend and husband.

“My Master, you have the liberty to do what is best with my concerns. May your purposes prevail so that you alone will be exalted and glorified.”

To be continued…

Chapter Nine: An Unsuspecting Prey

Chapter Nine

An Unsuspecting Prey

Lord Demas love her daughter best than all that he amassed. The dwelling is decorated with Alythia’s portraits. The villa has been a gallery of his daughter’s beauty and grace. Every year, Demas would commission an artist to paint the princess’ portraits.

This year, the River Thyanix has been selected as her backdrop. It is a tranquil river, unadulterated by the conceit of men, even by any creature, flowing from Mount Altamus and runs to the Sea of Phylux.

In the artist’s satchel are finely selected brushes. Rare oils and pigments were chosen, which includes rare and expensive ultramarine, vermillion and gold. He used a wooden palette carefully preserved by linseed oil. The canvass is heavyweight, and of high quality for the discerning artist, premier in its class because it was hand weaved and the corners were tailored for a tight even stretch. It is framed in kiln dried, solid pine that provides the perfect setting for heavier paint applications.

Alythia had been accustomed to this tradition of his beloved father. The artist also has been her friend and she trusts her favorably. However, this time, she chose the concept. The princess told her artist that she’d like to be portrayed as a nymph bathing in water. The artist obliged with the idea but was overwhelmed with the task. He has to preserve the immaculateness of Alythia and show no hint of indecency.

Absorbed in the work for the portrait, the two were unaware of prowling beasts in the lush of the greeneries. Their eyes pronounce an ominous fate, particularly to the unwary princess.

Not faraway, the pauper was urged by the inner guidance to do something with the impending danger. Not wanting to waste precious time that might cause the peril of his much-loved Alythia, he whistled for his trustworthy herald – a falcon. He whispered something to its ear, and the bird fluttered it strong wings and disappeared in the thickness of the foliage.

A few minutes had transpired and a great noise disturbed the tranquility of the surrounding flora where the princess and her artist are situated. The prowlers readily escaped. Alythia, realizing the threat, ended their occupation in the river and headed home.

The pauper, who hastened to the direction of the falcon, reached the scene and saw the princess on the move to safety. He breathed a sigh of relief, and prayed a thanksgiving to the Great Master.

To be continued…

Chapter Eight: A Royal Priest

Chapter Eight

A Royal Priest

“You show great promise, young lad.” Said one oracle to the pauper, when the latter visited Balpine Shire. “You will one day serve the Great Master. Souls will be won for Immanuel because of you. You will prevail against Bastian. You will be a mighty weapon in the hands of the Master against the dark rule of the evil lord.”

Ten summers had passed by since the pauper heard this vision of his future. He wanted to serve the Master. But an oracle’s prophecy must be confirmed by the Master himself. And he was rapt when his still, small voice called him for royal priesthood.

His kin is the least in his kingdom. In the principles of man, his kindred do not fit to even set foot in the royal courtyard. But none was wiser and more sovereign than the Master was. He knew from eternity past who are his and who will be his servants. The stature or any merit that a man may possess or will possess does not earn his favor. He is freely disposed to exercise his absolute rule however and whenever he pleases.

The pauper had realized and understood this too well when the inner guidance had also impressed upon his heart that he will one day serve his courts as a royal priest. The Book too strengthened his heart regarding his special call and particular events had fortified his certitude.

Under the guidance of Paedagogues Ocythius and Rhyunhae, the pauper was disciplined and counseled that he may become worthy of the call. He would remain a pauper until the Great Master instructs his paedagogues to release him.

The Master gave Ocythius and Rhyunhae a too difficult task to shepherd a gifted soul. They discern his tendencies to be proud. He could border into brashness and vain thinking. It is hard work but they both love the Master and they care for the pauper too much that both would have to do the necessary personal sacrifices that his inheritance may not go to waste and that he may be presented complete before the Everlasting Prince Immanuel.

To be continued…