Weekly Expressions #2 CK

     It was the day he had been waiting for all his life, the day he would become a knight. Ever since he was a young boy, Oliver remembers strolling the muddy brick streets of the town square with his father, gazing admirably at the knights who rode gallantly through the streets. His curious little mind would pester his father about these brave hearts that took his breath away. Night after night, his father would succumb to Oliver's pleadings and transport his mind into a world of dragons and valor. And ultimately, it was his father, in his own gentleness, that inspired his dreams of attaining knighthood. When the village was invaded, however, the one parent Oliver had was taken from him by the enemy. Shortly after this, word arrived that his father had died in prison. That moment changed everything for this child full of dreams. From then on, he was alone.
     "Come on, Phineas," he gently urges the horse onward. Only moments before night had fallen and Oliver was starting for home from a day of work in the fields. The kingdom of Qaetha had been overtaken by Lord Gartham and his dark knights seventeen years prior and since that day, he had forced all the men to serve him. Most of the women and children were corralled into shops to bake for the soldiers or sewed their torn garments. Some of the especially lovely maidens were snatched away to the castle for Lord Gartham himself, but it was often against their own will.
     Darkness urged the horse and rider onward and all seemed quiet for a moment. Then, in the distance, red glimmers of light flickered. The color seemed inviting and Oliver proceeded towards the source when suddenly it hit him. This was no ordinary light. It was a fire. Several yards ahead, a sea of crimson, orange, and yellow licked the edges of town square. Veering his horse around, he sped away into the night, away from the fire. But after a minute of riding, Oliver turned around to face the destructive force. It was then that he realized the real dilemma. The base of castle was drowning in flames and was ominously creeping skyward, towards whoever was held captive inside.
     Time seemed to stand still in that instant as Oliver galloped valiantly on Phineas to the castle. Inside the stone walls was a fusion of heat and smoke, blended together with the light of the ever-growing fire. A few cautious steps inside soon turned into full out running past the charred, gradually crumbling walls, seeking out any survivors. He was just about to retreat to the oxygenated air of safety outside when some muffled coughing could be heard in the distance. Frantically, Oliver tore through the veil of smoke, searching, when at last he came upon three unidentifiable persons, two of which were female. Upon reaching the whispy figures basked in smoke, Oliver grabbed the hand of one of the females and led them all through a fiery maze. He refused to stop until they had reached safety at last. It seemed like hours had passed before they escaped the heat-infused fingers of the flames and once outside, a poorly oxygenated Oliver collapsed.
     In the weeks that followed, despite the devastating fire, peace seemed to finally be restored to the kingdom of Qaetha. The dark Lord Gartham and his knights had been trapped within the castle during the fire and were smote by the angry flames of judgement. The three smoky figures within the castle turned out to be the King, Queen, and Princess who had been imprisoned within the dungeon once Lord Gartham and his men had taken over. But the bondage of fear was finally lifted upon the death of this darkness and the King and Queen were placed back into their rightful places as head of the kingdom. Oliver was revived and once it was discovered that this brave young man was the rescuer of the rightful king and queen, he was given a knighthood and became one of the most trustworthy men within all of Qaetha. As the sword passed from one shoulder to the next, Oliver, despite everything he had endured, felt again like that little boy from his past full of dreams. Everything seemed like it would be alright, no matter what challenges lay ahead of him. Somehow, with God's strength, he would make it through, and knowing that was enough.


p.s. sorry this took me soo long, guys! i'll try to be more prompt with this next week.