You’re responsible for the lives you save, and the lives you take.”
“If all things come back to you—like Mark used to tell us in class—then won’t my life be taken because I took his?”
Gabriel shrugged. “I can’t tell you what your future holds. All I can tell you is that our Creator expects nothing in return. He isn’t an entity who wants anyone to fear Him. One of the things I hear when eavesdropping upon the righteous are the words— He will come again to judge the living and the dead. ”
Gabriel paused and smiled. “Break this down as any analytical warrior would. First, we know that He never left. They may have lost Him, but He never went anywhere. Second, you know as well as I that He doesn’t judge. He might scold, perhaps, as all good fathers do. He might show disappointment, but He will always give out hugs whether we request them or not. He will always believe in everyone unconditionally. And that’s what matters the most.”
Matt’s tears ran down his cheeks. “What if I can’t do this?”
“You must take the good with the bad.”
“What does that mean?”
Gabriel grinned. “I got it from Francis. A little wisdom that he hopes will catch on someday.”
Matt sighed and placed the weapon back on its hook. “I guess He doesn’t need to judge me, I seem to be doing that all by myself.”
“Forgive yourself, lad. Billy is safe now. His soul has been returned to a place of love and light. He has asked for forgiveness and it was granted, so he’ll get back to the way he was meant to be before choosing the wrong path in life. His soul has been given another chance. Everyone gets that chance if they want it—even you.”
Gabriel put his arm around his student’s shoulder. “I know being judge, jury and executioner is difficult, but it’s the job you chose to do and you must complete it with the courage that’s in your soul. You and Emily were born to save many, Matt. Now go back there and do it.”
Matt hugged his teacher. The warmth of friendship helped ease the chill taking over his heart.
“There are no wrong choices, Matt—only the chance to make them again someday. Now, since you’re here, perhaps you would like to challenge me?”
Matt snorted, as Gabriel shed his spectacles and reached up for the sword above him. Steel crashed against the metal wand that mysteriously appeared in Matt’s hands. The confused warrior began to feel like himself again as he waged battle on the innocent field of his youth.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Faith had never experienced bliss before, but being in Charles’ company was certainly a step closer to all she’d ever dreamed happiness could be.
The young man chattered like a schoolgirl about his travels. He had the uncanny ability to make the flowers grow brighter, the animals seem happier, and the trees stand taller in the field. Charles had offered her a seat on the back of his white horse, but she simply laughed and mounted Jason’s black steed. Side by side, they rode across the meadow.
When she came to the sparkling stream, Faith dismounted, giving the beautiful horse a chance to drink and catch his breath. Turning back, she watched Charles fly over the field trying to catch up. “Angel doesn’t seem to like your pace,” he said as he dismounted, running a hand lovingly over her mane.
“Angel?” Faith laughed. “Seems more like a Buttercup to me.”
“ Buttercup ? How could I name my faithful horse that? We’d both be teased to death.”
Faith laughed. “I’m happy you stayed this morning. After all, I don’t like to be wrong.”
“Something tells me you never are,” he whispered, pulling her body to his. “Are you?” His eyes grew dark, as he suddenly took a step away.
Faith felt the sudden change come over him. “I’m sorry.”
“About what?”
She shrugged. “I’m not sure. Sometimes you look so…lost.”
“This is really a beautiful place.” Charles stared across the stream at the field of lavender.
“If all things come back to you—like Mark used to tell us in class—then won’t my life be taken because I took his?”
Gabriel shrugged. “I can’t tell you what your future holds. All I can tell you is that our Creator expects nothing in return. He isn’t an entity who wants anyone to fear Him. One of the things I hear when eavesdropping upon the righteous are the words— He will come again to judge the living and the dead. ”
Gabriel paused and smiled. “Break this down as any analytical warrior would. First, we know that He never left. They may have lost Him, but He never went anywhere. Second, you know as well as I that He doesn’t judge. He might scold, perhaps, as all good fathers do. He might show disappointment, but He will always give out hugs whether we request them or not. He will always believe in everyone unconditionally. And that’s what matters the most.”
Matt’s tears ran down his cheeks. “What if I can’t do this?”
“You must take the good with the bad.”
“What does that mean?”
Gabriel grinned. “I got it from Francis. A little wisdom that he hopes will catch on someday.”
Matt sighed and placed the weapon back on its hook. “I guess He doesn’t need to judge me, I seem to be doing that all by myself.”
“Forgive yourself, lad. Billy is safe now. His soul has been returned to a place of love and light. He has asked for forgiveness and it was granted, so he’ll get back to the way he was meant to be before choosing the wrong path in life. His soul has been given another chance. Everyone gets that chance if they want it—even you.”
Gabriel put his arm around his student’s shoulder. “I know being judge, jury and executioner is difficult, but it’s the job you chose to do and you must complete it with the courage that’s in your soul. You and Emily were born to save many, Matt. Now go back there and do it.”
Matt hugged his teacher. The warmth of friendship helped ease the chill taking over his heart.
“There are no wrong choices, Matt—only the chance to make them again someday. Now, since you’re here, perhaps you would like to challenge me?”
Matt snorted, as Gabriel shed his spectacles and reached up for the sword above him. Steel crashed against the metal wand that mysteriously appeared in Matt’s hands. The confused warrior began to feel like himself again as he waged battle on the innocent field of his youth.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Faith had never experienced bliss before, but being in Charles’ company was certainly a step closer to all she’d ever dreamed happiness could be.
The young man chattered like a schoolgirl about his travels. He had the uncanny ability to make the flowers grow brighter, the animals seem happier, and the trees stand taller in the field. Charles had offered her a seat on the back of his white horse, but she simply laughed and mounted Jason’s black steed. Side by side, they rode across the meadow.
When she came to the sparkling stream, Faith dismounted, giving the beautiful horse a chance to drink and catch his breath. Turning back, she watched Charles fly over the field trying to catch up. “Angel doesn’t seem to like your pace,” he said as he dismounted, running a hand lovingly over her mane.
“Angel?” Faith laughed. “Seems more like a Buttercup to me.”
“ Buttercup ? How could I name my faithful horse that? We’d both be teased to death.”
Faith laughed. “I’m happy you stayed this morning. After all, I don’t like to be wrong.”
“Something tells me you never are,” he whispered, pulling her body to his. “Are you?” His eyes grew dark, as he suddenly took a step away.
Faith felt the sudden change come over him. “I’m sorry.”
“About what?”
She shrugged. “I’m not sure. Sometimes you look so…lost.”
“This is really a beautiful place.” Charles stared across the stream at the field of lavender.
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