As the pounding of the horses’ hooves faded into the distance, the villagers stared at each other in shock. What would happen to them? What would they do? What could they do?
But that was several months ago. Rumor had it the King had been taken into the heart of the enemy’s kingdom, where he had been and still remained in an impenetrable dungeon, deep in the labyrinth tunnels of a slumbering volcano.
Since the King had been taken, the kingdom had fallen into disrepair. Even though it had only been a few months, the villagers had lost all will to work. The crops had not yet reached harvest and the people had ceased their work in the fields. Some were discouraged and left for other lands, wondering why the King had left. Why hadn’t he at least tried to fight off the enemy?
Jake certainly didn’t understand. All he knew was that his family was hungry and there was no food in the village. So here he was, in the forest, bow and arrow in hand, searching for game. But although he had been searching all day, he had found nothing. With a deep sigh, Jake headed toward a frequently travelled game trail he knew about. If he hid in the bushes nearby, surely something would eventually appear on its way to the stream downhill.
The peasant reached the trail, and settled down behind a large oak to wait. After a time, he heard the crack of twigs. Jake peeked around the trunk of the tree until his target came in view. But it was not a target after all. It was a man, a worn traveller trudging toward him on the trail.
Great. So much for hiding. This guy probably scared off any game nearby. Nonetheless, Jake tried not to show his irritation as he straightened up and stepped out from behind the tree. “Mornin’, traveller. I’ve not seen you in these parts before.”
“My good sir,” the man replied. “Are you hunting?”
Isn’t that obvious? “Yes, I was waiting for a deer when you came by.”
“Hm. So you found nothing? Perhaps you should look down the path in the other direction.”
Why would that matter? Yet Jake had nothing to lose. He turned and looked down the path in the other direction. To his surprise, an enormous buck stepped into view. When the buck saw Jake, it froze, presenting the hunter with a perfect shot. In one motion, Jake took aim and released an arrow, which flew straight and lodged in the deer’s heart.
As the buck fell dead to the ground, Jake turned to the traveller. “Sir, how did you know…” But his voice trailed off as the man threw back his hood. There before him stood King Stephan. “But you’re…”
The King smiled. “Come, Jake. Let’s dress this buck out together and take it to the village.” Without waiting for a response, the King bent to the task.
As they worked, King Stephen explained to Jake that he had willingly been captured by the enemy so that he might spare his people from torture and certain death. Yes, he had been tortured and imprisoned himself, but after the enemy was sure he had won, King Stephen seized weapons from his guards and freed himself. Then in a showdown with his enemy, he gained passage back to his kingdom.
And so it was that the King and Jake took the venison back to the village, where the King blessed the people and then returned to his castle, charging the people to spread the news of his return.
The End…Or is it Just the Beginning?
(Does the story sound familiar? See the Gospel of St. John, Chapter 21.)
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