STORY TIME!! The first crusade – Lord Gunther (ch 4)

Much time had passed since that evening, when the knight, his family, and all his servants dined with the king. That wonderful evening of celebration ended with a renewed commitment to the king. It was a high time in the knight’s life.

Over the next few days the knight spent time with the king drawing up battle plans, and planning the rescue of captured lands. There was a feeling of excitement and nervous anticipation; and then, it was time to put plans into action. The knight went to war.

The initial feeling of excitement was now replaced by the realities of war. There were casualties, and victories. There were battles won and battles lost. There were heroes and martyrs. Stories of valor and courage reached the knight and they inspired him. There was victory and tragedy throughout the kingdom, but the knight pressed on.

One night in camp, after a particularly difficult and long day, the knight and his company were greeted by a Marcellus, a nephew of Lord Gunther. Marcellus looked tired and hurt. The knight saw that Marcellus was wounded in his left leg and that his armor was broken and bent; but there was more. A hurt seemed to emanate from inside his very soul.

The knight offered Marcellus food and drink. There were not many words spoken while he sat and ate. Since neither Marcellus nor the knight said a word, no one else dared to speak either. There was a heavy silence broken only by the sound of the fire, and of the horses stirring. With slow movements, Marcellus put his cup down and looked up at the knight. A thousand words were spoken in silence by their eyes. The knight waited for what was certain to come, and then Marcellus spoke “He was mortally wounded at the Zeitsa Pass.” His voice was heavy and the words were labored. The knight understood. Lord Gunther, one of the king’s most trusted advisers fell in battle while trying to cross the Zeitsa Pass. With the understanding came the sharp pain of loss. This was a difficult casualty to accept. The knight realized the effect the news would have on his men especially when they would hear about where Lord Gunther was slain.

The Zeitsa Pass was a most dangerous shortcut through the mountains. Many knights, tempted by their desire to get through the mountains quickly, lost their lives in the attempt. The Pass was an enemy stronghold. The knight knew the pass well for he too wanted to take his chances on it; the knight had even sent scouts to spy on the enemy there. The road was so dangerous that the king had forbidden all his captains from even getting close to Zeitsa pass. The king’s orders were that everyone must stay a day’s journey away from the pass.

That night, peaceful sleep would not visit the knight for a long time; however, the stars came out in great numbers to keep him company. Since he could not sleep, he took out his sword, sat by the fire and started to sharpen it. Sharpening a sword was no easy task. It took a lot of patience, discipline, and a steady hand. Sharpening his sword was a task the knight did not mind. He knew that a good warrior always keeps his sword sharp -- and that’s what he wanted to be: a good warrior. Eventually, exhaustion conquered the knight and he fell asleep with the sword in his hand.

In the morning, the knight felt surprisingly refreshed. He was ready to face another day in the service of his king. He got his armor ready and in order. His shield shone in the morning sun, and his sword was as sharp as always. Everyone around him saw him diligently getting ready for battle and they could not help but be inspired. The news of Lord Gunther was growing like mold through the camp. This would be a difficult day.

The knight knew he had to press on and keep his eyes on his mission. He also knew that others would look to him for a word of comfort and encouragement. The more he thought about it the more he felt inadequate to handle the task given to him by the king. The king! The king would know exactly what to do and say. The knight thought of the king and how he would act in a similar situation. A glimmer of hope ran across his heart and he looked up at the sunny day – today, he would imitate the king.

The kingdom is still at war.