Pilgrim’s Journey: The Quest for Heaven: BOOK 1 (Chapters 1 and 2) (A Novel / Allegory)

This is a novel and an allegorical story about some knights who travel on a quest to reach a beautiful kingdom called the Kingdom of Heaven. As they go, they encounter giants, evil knights, swamps, perils, cliffs, dungeons, castles, evil Medieval lords, traps, dark forests, cunning enemies, and powerful weapons. They must fight for their lives and overcome all obstacles with the use of their weapons and armor, namely the Sword of the Spirit, and the Shield of Faith, and the power of God. 

Read this adventure in a PDF format here.

Pilgrim’s Journey: The Quest for Heaven

- A Novel / Allegory -

By: Justin Brown (a pen name)

Date Created: Dec. 4, 2018

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

The Escape

It was sometime shortly after the year 1500. In a valley surrounded by high hills sat a small, Medieval town. Wood smoke wafted up through brick chimneys and into the night air like the breath of a dragon. A man carrying a torch walked down one of the crooked, twisting streets which meandered through the length of the town. Walking beside him, his friend whispered, “We need to make sure to run fast once the time comes.”

A pointy, church steeple jutted into the starry sky, and a five-storied, stone jailhouse rose high above the roofs of the town’s half-timbered buildings. Atop the jailhouse stood a sentry armed with a crossbow. The small town of Mankind (in the country of Humanity) was fast asleep, except for some night watchmen, who walked along the top of the town’s fortified outer walls. These few sentries were armed with crossbows, swords, and halberds.

(Halberd (definition): It is a Medieval weapon which combines an axe blade with a pick on a long handle. A spearhead appears above the axe head on the halberd.)

Just then, the hinges of one of the town gates began to slowly squeak open. When the gate was wide enough to admit a person, it stopped swinging, and two men appeared in the light of a torch one was carrying. The orange light cast shadows all around them and revealed their concerned facial expressions. For half a minute, they stood still, looking out at the farm fields which had begun to sprout. Beyond the fields lay a dense, dark forest consisting of maple, oak, and other hardwood trees.

The man with the torch whispered to his friend: “Andrew, should we have waited until the morning to leave?”

“Markus, I don’t think you understand how serious it is that we leave tonight,” Andrew said with some tension in his voice. “Tomorrow, the armies of Count Claus the Covetous, the ruler of Greed, will arrive at our town, and they will besiege it, as you know.”

“I know, Andrew,” Markus Christian said, scratching his stubbly face. “I just wish we had more time to plan our escape. The guards will likely see us.”

Markus and Andrew both wore brown, hooded cloaks; trousers; tall, leather boots; Medieval greatcoats; and long tunics underneath to protect from the cold. Both had stubbly faces and short, brown hair. Andrew was half a foot taller than his friend, and was last measured to be 6 feet and seven inches in stature (height).

“I have an idea,” Andrew Strong-heart’s face brightened up as he faced Markus.

“What is it, my friend?” Markus said.

“I will take the torch and run to the right. You run slightly to the left. We will meet each other at the top of that hill,” Andrew said, pointing to a wooded hill that rose above the forested valley floor.

Markus stared at the hill and frowned. Beyond the hill, the forest continued and marched up over a mountain, to the north.

“I don’t like the thought of being separated,” Markus said with a strain in his voice. “What if we lose sight of each other. I think we should just run together.”

“Okay, you have a point. But, we need to decide quickly,” Andrew said, turning his head quickly to glance behind him. When he face facing Markus, he said, “The guards will soon spot us.”

Just as Markus uttered those words, a soldier on top of the wall suddenly turned and stared at the two men. Then, after a second of hesitation, he came running toward a set of stone stairs that descended along the side of the wall facing the town.

“Stop!” he shouted at the two men below as he scurried down the steps, almost slipping once or twice.

“Run!” Andrew said with a hoarse whisper. Then, he squeezed through the opening in the wooden gate and sprinted away toward the fields and the forest beyond. His haversack (a strong rucksack) bounced up and down as he charged forward.

Markus hesitated a second to say a quick prayer for protection before he bolted after his friend. His own haversack, bouncing as he ran, slowed him down slightly, but his adrenaline and God’s assistance overcame the weight on his back, and he soon caught up with his friend.

As they ran, they heard soldiers shouting from the wall. “Stop them!”

Then, the frightening “zipping” sound of crossbow bolts shooting past their heads followed the soldiers’ cries. Zip! Zip! The narrow shafts plunged into the ground just yards ahead of them. Zip! Zip! Zip! One lethal crossbow bolt punched the ground just a foot from Markus’s left leg.

They kept running until they were well beyond the range of the crossbows. Then, they slowed their pace, breathing heavily. Markus turned back to see if they were being pursued. Sure enough, to his horror, three soldiers were running toward them with angry expressions like angry shopkeepers pursuing a thief. The three were armed with swords, shields, and spears. Markus and Andrew only had a torch between them. And, a torch was not much of a weapon when facing a sword or spear.

Without wasting a moment, the two fugitives increased their running pace. But, their haversacks with their food and supplies were slowing them down. And, the soldiers were gaining on them. Markus made a quick decision that some might have thought was wise, and others foolish. He slipped out of his straps and dropped his haversack. Now, he had no more food or survival gear. But, he was going to trust in God. Without the burden, he could run much faster.

Seeing his friend suddenly speed up after having dropped his pack, Andrew also threw off his haversack. It thumped against the ground like a sack of potatoes. Together, running as fast as they could, unhindered by their bulky packs, the two began to gain on their foes, until the soldiers were in the distance. And, the edge of the forest was now just yards away.

“We can make it, with God’s help,” Markus said, breathing heavily as his feet pounded the turf.

The forest soon surrounded the escapees. In the light of Andrew’s torch, and in the dappled moonlight, the two men slowed down to a jogging pace and headed down a three-foot-wide footpath which was marked with a wooden sign. The sign read, “Narrow is the way that leads to everlasting life. Take this trail and you will reach the narrow gate.”

Hustling down the forest trail, the two men had gone just a quarter of a mile (1,320 feet) before they saw a tall, stockade wall with a solidly-built, narrow, white-painted gate. Tall, wooden sections (stocks) of trees were embedded deeply into the ground. Each wooden stock, or beam, was sharpened to a point at the top.

The two fugitives were within twenty feet of the strong, white gate when they caught sight of five soldiers, who were armed with spears, swords, and crossbows, suddenly emerging from the woods a few dozen yards behind them. The armed men had stepped into openings in the forest where pale moonlight could spotlight them. Each soldier wore chain mail, a helmet, a breastplate, and he appeared determined to kill his prey.

“Run, Markus,” Andrew said suddenly just before he gritted his teeth and darted toward the gate as fast as he could sprint.

Markus charged forward, not wanting to encounter a crossbow-bolt “stinger.” Just as Andrew reached the gate, it swung open, and a friendly man beckoned him in. A bolt zipped through the air and missed Markus by a few inches, punching into a thick beam in the stockade wall. With his heart throbbing in his chest, Markus flew through the narrow gate, and the gatekeeper shut the sturdy door seconds later. A crossbow bolt thumped against the wooden gate the next moment. The keeper slid an iron drawbar through some slots and across the door to lock it shut.

The Gatekeeper’s House

The steady, buttery light of a lantern clutched in his hand revealed the features of the gatekeeper. Tall and brawny, the man wore a gracious smile on his brown-bearded face. At seven feet in height, the gatekeeper towered above Andrew and Markus.

“I see that you two are seeking safety through the narrow door,” the gatekeeper said kindly. “By coming through this door, you are trusting in Jesus Christ, the LORD of righteousness, to protect you, and to be your Savior, and to be your Lord, and you are choosing to forsake your old lord, the prince of darkness.”

“Yes, that is what John Evangelist told us when he preached in our town,” Markus said. “He told us to run from the town and not look back.”

“And,” Andrew added, with a smile, “Mr. Evangelist said for us to head toward the forest where a narrow gate was located.”

“Well, you came to the right place,” the gatekeeper said. In a moment, his long, Medieval greatcoat rustled as he reached up, with one arm, to his feathered cap and adjusted it. As he did, a faint rustling sound came from the forest undergrowth.

“Did you hear that?” Markus said.

“What?” the gatekeeper said, facing him.

“I heard a rustling sound some distance from us,” Markus said.

“It could be a rabbit or a hare,” the gatekeeper said.

“I hope it isn’t a predator, like a wolf,” Markus said with some concern. “Or, a soldier.”

“You are safe with me,” the gatekeeper said with a reassuring smile as he pat both men on the back, in turn. “That stockade wall is hard to surmount. And, wolves hate fire, and we have plenty of torches on hand. Come this way. We have two rooms for you pilgrims in our keep [fortress].”

He led the travelers toward a 25-foot-high, stone wall. Within it’s enclosure, a towering, fortified house, which resembled a castle keep, rose up like a mighty tree. The large structure was four-stories high and was defended with battlements and turrets on its four corners. Its well-cut stones glistened in the moonlight and presented a serious obstacle for any would-be attacker.

[Battlements (definition): Openings in a defensive wall (or parapet) for hurling stones and spears, and for shooting arrows. Battlements appear on castle keeps, castle walls, and on other Medieval structures.]

After passing over a small drawbridge and through a heavy, oak gate in the wall, they reached a bailey or courtyard. Inside the courtyard, the two pilgrims felt very safe, seeing the castle walls rising up like huge cliffs on all sides. Thatch-roofed, half-timbered structures rested up against the outer walls, protected by their sheer size.

They were heading toward the keep, or fortified house. The gatekeeper stopped before a huge oaken door in the keep, reached into a leather pouch on his belt, and drew out a ring of keys. The door unlocked easily and the keeper pushed it open, causing it to make a slight squeak.

Still carrying his lit lantern in one hand, the gatekeeper led the two travelers down a cold, torch-lit hall. After covering some distance, they came to a door leading into a stairwell. Taking the spiral staircase up to the third floor, the gatekeeper brought them into a new hallway which was plastered and painted white. Five doors appeared in the left wall. The right wall had three windows looking out over the forest and the sable night sky.

[Turret: A round, smallish tower that is attached to or juts out from a wall or corner of a large, castle building.]

Opening two of the doors, the keeper said, “Here are your bedrooms. I will bring you a meal in a few minutes. If you need anything, just knock on my door. It’s the fifth door down the hall.”

“Thank you,” Markus said, nodding.

With that, the keeper trotted over to the stairwell door and descended the steps.

Markus took a look inside his personal room and noticed that it was already lit by candles, which revealed its features. A single bed with a night table rested up against a plastered wall. Beside it sat an elegant, upholstered chair. Above the chair hung a framed painting of a waterfall, which made the room more interesting. From the ceiling hung a chandelier with burning candles, giving a cozy atmosphere.

A large writing desk, surmounted by a seven-armed candelabrum (candlestick holder), drew Markus’s attention. In the light of the flickering, candle flames, Markus noticed a semi-thick, leather-bound book with golden lettering across its cover. It read, “Holy Bible.”

He had seen the holy Book the previous day, but only the copy in the hands of John Evangelist. This Book of books looked very beautiful to Markus as he picked it up and gently opened its cover. He had heard that men had died in order to translate the holy Book from its ancient languages into the modern tongue (language). He turned the pages of the Bible to the Gospel of John chapter 3, and read.

“[16] For GOD so LOVED the WORLD, that HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, that WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH in HIM should NOT PERISH, but have EVERLASTING LIFE.

[17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world ; but that the world through him might be saved.

[18] HE THAT BELIEVETH ON HIM IS NOT CONDEMNED : BUT HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT IS CONDEMNED ALREADY, BECAUSE HE HATH NOT BELIEVED IN THE NAME OF THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD.”

[John 3:16-18.] [Emphasis added.]

‘This is powerful,’ Markus thought to himself as he pondered the words of the Lord Jesus Christ. After hearing the preaching of John Evangelist, Markus had trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation and had chosen to forsake his old ways of living so he could walk with his Lord and Savior.

Markus read a few more verses before he set the Bible down, and sighed. With pain stirring in his heart, he remembered the difficulty he had in trying to convince others about their need for Jesus. He had told his brothers, sisters, and parents about his new faith, but they had mocked him, ridiculed him, and begged him to forsake Jesus and the Bible. But, he knew that what God offered him was far better than anything man could offer him. John Evangelist had quoted a powerful and encouraging Bible passage to him from the book of Revelation.

“[1] And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. [2] In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month : and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”

[Revelation 22:1-2.]

Hearing the passage and others from Revelation made Markus want to go to Heaven and enjoy its beauty. He wanted to see the river of God (Revelation 22:1), the streets of gold (Rev. 21:21), the tree of life (Rev. 22:2), and the other endless delights. He had heard also that a time of reckoning was coming when all the world would be judged. The only true, Almighty God, the righteous Judge, would hold men accountable for their sins.

Mr. Evangelist had warned the people of the town of Mankind that this day of reckoning was coming soon. And, he said it will come sooner for those around the world who will die some hours into the future.

The Preacher

The day previously had seen a man wearing a cape, trousers, and a long tunic step onto a raised, wooden platform in the busy town square of Markus’s village. In his right hand, a Bible was open. And, with the other hand, he made gestures to emphasize points he was making in his preaching. 

John Evangelist had said: “It says in the Holy Scriptures, in Romans 6:23: ‘For the wages of sin is death ; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ [End quote.] Friends, don’t keep your love on what this world has to offer. Put your love in God, and call upon the name of Jesus, and you will be saved.”

Markus thought about this as he waited for the gatekeeper to come with his meal. And, before long, the keeper entered the room, carrying a warm bowl of soup and a spoon. Thanking the keeper before he left, Markus ate up the soup quickly. Once his bowl was empty, he picked up the Bible and read a chapter: James chapter 1. After he read the last verse in the chapter, Markus decided he was tired enough to sleep. So, he put out the candles, plopped down in the bed, and fell fast asleep under its covers.

Surprise in the Night

“Markus,” a voice called through his bedroom, “wake up, please.”

A hand was urgently shaking him. Markus Christian sat up and blinked several times, adjusting his eyes to the flickering light of a torch, which Andrew held in his left hand. The room was lit up with the orange, wavering glow of the flames. The torchlight also sparkled off of shiny pieces of silvery armor which covered Andrew from head to foot. He was dressed for combat as a knight in shining armor, and wore a haversack on his back.

A dull thump came through the air from some distance away.

“What is it, Andrew?” Markus said, yawning.

Thump! The sound came again.

“The gatekeeper told me to wake you--” Andrew said just as the muffled sound repeated.

Thump!

“--because soldiers from our town--”

Thump!

“--of Mankind are searching for us,” Andrew said with some nervousness.

Markus tried to ignore the constant thumping sounds as he listened.

“They have climbed over the stockade wall,” Andrew continued, “and are now using a makeshift battering ram to try to break through the main gate in the defensive wall. The gatekeeper says there is a way of escape from this small castle. He sent me to wake you.”

“We better hurry, then,” Markus said as he threw off his blankets and stood to his feet. He was wearing his daytime clothes.

“You have some armor lying over there,” Andrew said, pointing at a corner of the room, “beside a haversack the gatekeeper had me bring you.”

Markus rushed over to the corner where the pieces of armor lay. Three feet from the armor rested the new haversack. He quickly donned the armor, with Andrew’s help, and put on the haversack. Before slipping it on, he had checked the sack briefly to see what it contained. Inside were: a flint and steel kit for starting a fire; a few other items for travel; and five miniaturized Bibles.

Markus was very grateful for the armor. He believed that it would save his life in the near future, as they would likely face dangerous foes. The armor was a strong set of armor: a Medieval knight’s helmet with a visor, a breastplate, a thick belt, a shield, and a scabbard with a sword.

With his armor and the haversack now on his back, Markus Christian was ready to face the dark forest and what lay beyond. He knew that there would be no human way to escape the soldiers of his lord, Baron Tyrannous Fear, the baron of Markus’s fief. But, he perceived that Andrew seemed fairly confident that the gatekeeper knew a way of escape.

“Where’s the gatekeeper?” Markus said, keeping his helmet visor up.

[Fief (definition): land granted to a nobleman by his lord].

Andrew hurried to the door and peeked into the hall.

“He is coming our way right now,” Andrew said, turning to face Markus.

They stepped out into the hallway and the gatekeeper called out to them with some intensity in his eyes. He said, “Gentlemen, please hurry and follow me. There is a way of escape from this place that Baron Tyrannous Fear and his men do not know how to reach.”

The two travelers followed their guide back down the spiral staircase and outside across a moonlit courtyard. Entering a stone building at the far end of the courtyard, they turned into a storage room, where a trap door in the wooden floor had been opened minutes earlier. Two oaken barrels had been pushed out of the way of the trap door and rested up against a stone wall. Through the underground entrance, Markus and Andrew could see stairs descending down. The gatekeeper opened a wooden chest and pulled out an unlit torch.

The gatekeeper touched his unlit torch to Andrew’s flame and soon ignited it. “The last man should close the trap door once he has passed through.”

“I’ll do that,” Andrew said.

Then, the seven-foot-tall, bearded guide began descending the stone steps down through the floor. As Andrew descended the steps behind Markus, he reached for a rope tied to a handle on the underside of the trap door and pulled. It thumped into place, concealing their escape route.

Journey Beneath the Ground

A few seconds later, strong men who worked for the gatekeeper shoved the wooden barrels back into place over the trap door and then hurried off to hiding places.

“Where are we?” Markus said as he reached the last step of the underground staircase and peered down a long, granite tunnel as far as the gatekeeper’s torchlight would reach.

The man turned and looked Markus Christian in the eyes. “You are now in the tunnel of faith. It will take you three quarters of a mile beneath the dark forest. Then, it will reach the cave of Decision. There, in that cave, you will have two openings to choose from. Be cautious to avoid the wide tunnel of False Works. It will be on your left once you reach the cave. And, be certain to go to the cave opening to your right. It will reveal the bridge of Trust in God’s Word. Go across that bridge, and you will be certain to escape the wicked soldiers of Baron Fear. Now, let’s hurry.”

The gatekeeper turned around quickly and began jogging down the tunnel. Markus and Andrew followed him, hoping that no enemy soldiers would break into the fortified manor and discover the trap door. As they ran, their backpacks bounced up and down, slowing their progress. But, the pilgrims didn’t let their packs keep them from following their guide.

After some time had passed, the men arrived at the end of the tunnel where a small cavern appeared. As they entered, they could see its sinister features. Tooth-like stalactites in the ceiling with stalagmites in the floor gave the cavern the appearance of a hideous mouth. These icicle-like mineral deposits appeared like sharp, pointy cones and cast long, dark shadows, which wavered in the torchlight.

“My friends,” the guide said, turning back to face the travelers, “We are in the cave of Decision. I will have to leave now to see to the well-being of the manor. But, I must first point something out to you.”

The Cave

In the floor of the cavern ran a path made of paving stones of a sandy color. The paving stones ran from the tunnel they had passed through and split in two directions, at a fork. The left side of the fork meandered around dark-grey stalagmites and vanished into a gallery (underground passageway) entrance in the left side of the cavern wall.

The gatekeeper pointed at that gallery entrance and said, “Friends, that is the tunnel of False Works, to your left. It is a dangerous path to take. If you go that way, and don’t turn back, you will fall off a precipice (a very steep rock face such as a cliff) and plunge into a lake of hot lava. Many travelers have passed through that tunnel and fell to their deaths. A sign has been put up there to warn travelers. Let me read it to you.”

The gatekeeper walked for several yards until he reached the gallery entrance, which had been in the shadows until he brought his torch up close to the opening. Markus squinted and could make out a metal plaque. He hurried over to the plaque, followed by Andrew.

“Read the sign for yourselves, pilgrims,” the gatekeeper said with a calm but serious face.

Markus said, “It says, ‘Pilgrim, take heed to this sign. If you go this way of False Works, you will only find death. The Holy Bible says: ‘[1] What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found ? [2] For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory ; but not before God. [3] For what saith the Scripture ? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. [4] Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. [5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.’ [end of quote.] Below this scripture, the sign says, ‘Romans chapter 4, verses 1 through 5.’”

“What is this about, sir?” Andrew said, looking at the gatekeeper.

Looking with concern and compassion on the pilgrims, the gatekeeper said, “This is a warning to pilgrims and travelers that if you try to earn your way into Heaven, you will be in continual spiritual bankruptcy, and will not be able to repay your sin debt. Eventually, such a person will be cast into Hell because he persistently refuses to repent.”

“So, if you break God’s laws, and have not be saved by Jesus Christ, you have a sin debt?” Andrew said.

“That is right,” the gatekeeper said. “And, the soul who rejects Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross by trying to earn blessings and eternal life from God will then have to suffer for his sins in Hell. A sinner cannot enter Heaven. Only a person that has the blood of Jesus Christ over him is truly saved.”

The gatekeeper turned and glanced toward the granite tunnel leading back the way they had come. He frowned briefly with concern. Then, he turned back to his friends. Markus turned his head, thinking he might have heard footfalls coming down the tunnel.

“And, only a person who believes on the nature (i.e. name) of who Jesus Christ really is, is truly saved,” the gatekeeper said. “The person who trusts in his own works will never be saved. And, Jesus Christ revealed His true nature in the Holy Scripture, especially in the Gospel accounts of his life, death, and resurrection. Our Lord Jesus Christ showed who He was by what He taught and by how He lived His life on the earth.”

The gatekeeper suddenly swiveled his head toward the granite tunnel and said, “I can hear some sounds. I believe we are being followed. Come, let us go to the right.”

The three hustled off toward the right fork and traveled briskly down the path between stalagmites until they reached a large opening in the cavern wall. At this opening they found another plaque mounted on the rock wall nearby.

Stepping toward the plaque, Andrew said, “This sign says, ‘Pilgrims, cross the bridge of Trust in God’s Word. Put your trust in God and in His holy Word, the Bible. You will never go wrong as you do. The Holy Bible says these words in Proverbs 3:5-8: ‘[5] Trust in the Lord with all thine heart ; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. [7] Be not wise in thine own eyes : fear the Lord, and depart from evil. [8] It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.’”

“You know the way to go. Now, walk in it. I will see you later, friends,” the gatekeeper said before he abruptly turned and disappeared behind a large cluster of giant stalagmites.

The Cavern with a Bridge

Andrew turned toward the opening in the cavern wall and stepped in with his flickering torch. A giant cavern appeared before him. His eyes suddenly widened with awe as he saw a huge precipice which plunged far below into a lake. Running across the lake was a long, narrow, wooden bridge. A series of upright, metal poles attached to wooden railing on the bridge supported oil lanterns. The lanterns cast orange light down to the dark water below. Stone pillars rose up from the surface of the lake and supported the weight of the bridge.

At the other end of the bridge, a rocky shelf continued on for some distance until it ran into the far cavern wall. A set of stone stairs ascended up from the hard surface of the distant rocky shelf and vanished into the cavern ceiling. Andrew guessed that those steps led up into the forest and the cool, night air. The only way to reach those steps was by the narrow, wooden bridge which lay before him.

Markus was staring at the bridge now and thinking to himself, ‘This sure looks unreliable. It appears to be very old and rickety.”

A few minutes of silence passed before some footfalls came from behind Markus. He started to turn toward the sound. A man suddenly came up behind Markus and said, “Excuse me, sirs, may I ask what you are doing here and who you are?”

Wheeling around, Markus faced the stranger and saw an older man, who appeared to be past the age of 58. He wore a long, white beard and had a tall, blue hat, which looked somewhat conical in shape. It had no brim, and it’s top was flat. He wore a red cape and a long, blue robe underneath.

“We are pilgrims and travelers. We were told to go this way to reach the exit to this cave system. We are headed toward the Kingdom of Heaven,” Markus said. “And, who might you be?”

“That bridge is quite old and unstable. I’ve heard that some men tried to go across, but stopped halfway through. They wisely ran back once they realize how weak the bridge was,” the refined-looking elderly man said. “It has been here long before my time. You surely don’t want to risk your lives for something like that. Come with me, and I will show you a better way to get out of this cave and be on your way. I am Count Pious of the county of Self-Righteousness, and I have helped many travelers leave this gloomy cave of Decision safely.”

“Well, I guess we could see what other options are available to us,” Markus said, pushing away some feelings of guilt at ignoring the gatekeeper’s instructions.

“But, Markus,” Andrew said, “didn’t the gatekeeper tell us that there were only two directions we could go, and that the one through the tunnel would lead us right off a precipice and into a lava lake?”

“Let’s just see what other options are available,” Markus said. “Maybe, the gatekeeper wasn’t aware of another option.”

“But, that is not wise, Markus,” Andrew said with caution in his voice.

“I don’t agree. I think it’s wise,” Markus said with some defiance before turning back toward the count.

The older man reached behind a rock and pulled out six book-sized, metal boxes containing something that was fairly heavy.

“These metal containers will give you the power to reach your goal the right way,” Count Pious said, smiling and winking. “You can put your faith in these works of self-righteousness.”

The count fastened the metal boxes to Markus’s belt by way of leather straps, and it felt as if he was now carrying 50 pounds of extra weight.

“Markus,” Andrew said, pleadingly, “you should reconsider your choice and think about what you’re doing. What does the Bible say about our works of righteousness?”

Markus said, frowning, “Doesn’t God want us to be righteous?”

“Yes, but we should not be self-righteous,” Andrew said with concern. “God wants us to trust only in Jesus Christ for our righteousness and to follow Jesus.”

“Come with me this way,” the count said, beckon Markus to follow him as he stepped toward a gap between two large stalagmites. 

“I need to go now,” Markus said, turning away from Andrew.

Chapter 2

The Wrong Way

Markus followed the count back through the first cavern, and the man brought him on a zigzag course between stalagmites and up to a cavern wall. There was a large opening with a metal plaque beside it. But, Count Pious stood in front of the plaque and motioned for Markus to pass into the mouth of the rocky gallery (tunnel).

“Go down that gallery and you will reach the exit from this underground cavern system,” the count said, smiling. “You’ll be out of this dark place before you know it. See you later.”

“Thanks for the help,” Markus said.

“Don’t mention it. I’ll be going now,” Count Pious said.

Markus, in his desire to move on, didn’t bother to ask the count where he was heading to and why he did not walk with Markus.

Eager to move, the pilgrim knight began walking down the gallery. Minutes began to pass by. His footfalls echoed off the granite, gallery walls. It was the only sound he heard other than his breathing and his own voice. As this echoing sound continued, he began to feel very lonely. But, he pressed on because he didn’t trust the wooden bridge, which the count had told him was unsafe. ‘That old bridge is likely to collapse sometime soon, and I don’t want to be there when it happens,’ Markus thought to himself. But, a twinge of conviction pulled at him, and he knew, in his heart, that something was not right about Count Pious and his words.

Suddenly, Markus’s foot hit a rock and he tripped and fell to the ground with a heavy thump, banging his knee against another rock. Minutes earlier, he had not paid attention to his armor and how the knee pads had begun to slip down. Now, his knee throbbed in pain and he clutched it with both hands. It felt like it was bleeding underneath his trousers.

After a short time, he tried to stand, but he couldn’t. His knee still hurt from the fall, and the added weight of the heavy boxes fastened to his belt made it nearly impossible to get up. He tried and tried. Sighing heavily, he leaned back against his haversack on the ground, and clutched his injured knee. Looking up, he felt convicted about his sin of not listening to his friend, Andrew, or the gatekeeper, or the Bible.

“Dear God, help me,” Markus Christian said with sadness and remorse. “I repent from my foolishness in not listening to you or to your holy Word. I was wrong. I want to go on the right path and not turn aside. Will you help me?”

Eight seconds passed and silence continued.

Suddenly, a bright light appeared and Markus stared into the brilliance, dumbstruck. Markus could see that the light was emanating from a man who wore a long, white tunic which reached down to his ankles. The man wore golden sandals and a golden belt. He had a dark, brown beard and a smile on his face. His eyes appeared green and were filled with life and a sense of eternity. Kingly, brown hair hung down to just above his shoulders.

Extending a hand toward the hurting man, this kind Being stepped up to Markus and bent toward him. Markus hesitated a second before he grabbed the man’s hand. He instantly noticed it had a hole near its center. A tear trickled down Markus’s cheek. Then, he said, “Jesus, Lord Jesus… is this really you?”

“It is I, My son. Be not afraid. I am the Lord your God and Savior. I am Jesus whom you have believed on. Take My hand and I will give you strength.”

Markus took his Savior’s nail-pierced hand, and the Lord Jesus helped him up to his feet. Then, the Savior touched the leather fastenings that bound the metal boxes to Markus’s belt. In an instant, the fastenings broke and the boxes clattered to the ground. On hitting the rock floor, their lids popped open, and their contents of dirt, sand, and gravel poured out.

As Markus turned back toward Jesus, the Savior vanished from his sight, but he heard a still, small voice say, “I am the Lord Jesus Christ, and I confess Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. I love you, My son, Markus. I delivered you from the bondage of false works or self-righteousness. Go and sin no more.

“Just look to Me, and rest in Me, and obey what I show you. I will never contradict the Holy Bible, My Word. I shall fulfill it. Now, go back to your friend and cross the bridge of Trust. By trusting in Me, you will overcome the evil one, and you will conquer sin, death, and Hell by My power and blood. And, I the Lord Jesus Christ, your God and Savior, have spoken.”

{See John 16:13, and Jeremiah 33:3, and Isaiah 58:9, and Psalm 91:14-16. “[3] Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” [Jer. 33:3.]

“[9] Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer ; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.” [Isaiah 58:9.]

“[14] Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him : I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. [15] He shall call upon me, and I will answer him :  I will be with him in trouble ; I will deliver him, and honor him. [16] With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.” [Psalm 91:14-16.]}

“Thank you, Lord Jesus,” Markus said.

“I will never leave you, nor forsake you,” the Lord Jesus spoke to his spirit.

“I choose to trust you. You will always be with me,” Markus said.

Placing his hand on his knee, he smiled. “I feel the pain is gone, and it doesn’t feel like it is bleeding. I’m healed.”

“Yes you are, My son. Now, go back to your friend,” the voice of Jesus said.

With that, Markus turned and jogged back toward the way he had come, toward the first cavern he and Andrew had entered.

The Wooden Bridge

A few minutes later, Markus met his friend in the cavern with the bridge, and they began talking.

“I’m glad to see you again, Markus, my friend,” Andrew said. “I was praying for you. God answered my prayers to bring you back to the right path.”

“He did, and it was His love and grace that brought me back,” Markus Christian said, smiling. He then explained what had happened to him after he had entered the tunnel of False Works (or self-righteousness and legalism); his fall, his injury; and the appearance of the Lord Jesus, who gave him healing and strength to stand back up.

They were standing on the rocky ledge just in front of the long, wooden bridge. The light of Andrew’s torch and the glowing lanterns that hung from metal poles on the bridge revealed their cavern surroundings fairly well.

“That is great news, Markus,” Andrew Strong-heart said, patting his friend on the back. “Only Jesus can help us and deliver us from False Works. Only by trusting in His holy, sinless blood to cleanse us are we saved from sin and are given eternal life. Jesus died on a Roman cross to pay the penalty for our sins and for the sins of the whole world.

“And, Jesus rose from the dead, triumphant, three days after his death, to show that He is God the Son, and has power over death and over sin. If anyone believes on Jesus Christ’s Name and makes Him his (or her) Savior and Lord, he (or she) will be saved.”

“And,” Markus added, “I realize now that only through faith are we given all that we ever will need. And, I remember reading 2 Peter 1:2-3 earlier. It says: “[2] Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. [3] According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue :”

“What stands out to you from that?” Andrew asked.

“2 Peter chapter 1 says that God’s grace, or unmerited favor and love, and peace are multiplied to us through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,” Markus said, smiling. “As we get to know God better through a relationship, and know about Him more, we will realize that He is freely giving us all things that pertain to life and godliness. There is nothing we need that God doesn’t freely give us with His unmerited favor and love.”

They talked for a few more minutes before both decided to continue their journey. They stepping onto the wooden bridge of Trust and began walking it slowly. Then, feeling the wood underneath their feet was good, they quickened their pace. Unlike what Count Pious had said, the bridge was safe and well built, and it brought the two men to the other side. They found the stone staircase on the rocky shelf, ascended it quickly, and passed up through a hole in the forest floor.

Now, out in the moonlight, they saw the dark forms of elm and maple trees rustling in a cool, night breeze. They crossed a grassy clearing, leaving the underground entrance behind them and soon found a footpath. It was the only footpath they could see and it wound through the trees of the forest.

“Look, Markus,” Andrew said presently, pointing at a wooden sign by the trail. Andrew walked up to it, and his burning torch lit up the words.

Andrew said, “The sign reads, ‘Follow this path, pilgrim, and you will be safe. Don’t wonder to the right or to the left, lest you be in danger, for there is only one way to the Kingdom of Heaven. Ahead is the castle of Baron Deception. Don’t let him deceive you. Keep your Bible and sword with you at all times, and study the Word of God. It will deliver you from the power of deception and sin. Keep your eyes on Jesus, and rest in His love.’”

“I wonder what this castle of Baron Deception looks like,” Christian said. “And, I will take heed to that admonition.” [Admonition (definition): counsel or advice].

“Well, let’s take a look,” Andrew said, walking forward down the path.

Markus Christian followed him and drew his sword from its scabbard. He was ready to shut his helmet visor if they should meet with any trouble. The trees around them continued to creek and sway in the breeze, and the moon cast dark shadows beneath the woody limbs, creating many hidden areas where anything could be lurking.

Markus remembered the vicious soldiers of Baron Tyrannous Fear, who was in charge of the fief (territory) where Markus and Andrew came from. Baron Fear, their master, was desperate to capture the pilgrims and destroy them if he could. Markus did not want to encounter them.

After traveling half a mile, the two friends spotted a wooden sign that had been hastily jammed into the ground near the path. The sign appeared in a clearing, which gave Markus and Andrew the ability to see a hill rising high over the forest. And, atop the hill rested a castle made of a dark gray granite. Black flags flapped in the breeze from tall poles atop fortified, stone turrets. The turrets protruded threateningly from angles or corners in the castle walls. Markus’s sharp eyes caught sight of a guard pacing along the crenellated outer defensive wall of the castle.

[Crenellation: a narrow stone wall containing gaps at intervals for firing arrows or for throwing stones and other projectiles. Crenellations are found atop a castle defensive wall or other defensive structures, such as towers and turrets.]

“What does the sign say, Andrew?” Markus asked, since his friend had the torch.

Stepping up close to the sign, Andrew said, “It says, ‘Pilgrims, this castle contains ten families that have been held hostage by Baron Deception. They need your help. Please pray for them and fight. Use your sword, the sword of the Word of God.’”

“Should we go to that castle and fight? I don’t know. There are only two of us,” Markus said.

“Yes, let’s fight,” Andrew Strong-heart said, setting his jaw. “I know that with God’s power and might working through us, we will be able to do anything that God desires us to do. Philippians 4:13 says: ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’”

“Oh, I just now remember something our Lord Jesus said,” Markus said.

“What’s that?”

“Mark 9:23,” Markus said. “It says: ‘Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.’”

“I believe God will empower and help us. Now, let’s go,” Andrew Strong-heart said, boldly stepping forward toward the dark castle.

The Castle of Baron Deception

The two friends began praying as they walked through the woods. Before long, they reached the hill on which the castle was built. And, they began ascending a winding, dirt road that led up the hill to the imposing (impressive) gatehouse. The towering edifice (large structure) of the castle rose up like a cliff on their left. Its tall towers, arrow slits, and stone surfaces looked very ominous and intimidating. Nonetheless, the two travelers continued to pray as they walked.

A wooden drawbridge was down, providing them the ability to bypass the moat. The pilgrims could easily approach the thick, wooden gate, which was open. Just as they neared it, sally ports suddenly flew open in the bases of towers, in the outer defense wall. Out of them sprung knights wearing grey armor with red and black surcoats. Gleaming swords and shields appeared in their hands.

(Moat (definition): a water-filled ditch surrounding a castle.

Sally port: a door or opening in a castle used by defending soldiers to make sallies or sudden attacks on their foes.

Surcoat: a garment worn over armor by knights. It displays his coat of arms to identify who he is. In this story, all the knights are wearing the same surcoat pattern.)

“Oh, dear Father God, help us and give us strength,” Markus prayed quickly just before he shut his helmet visor. Andrew did the same.

Both men braced for the fight that was soon to come. The horde of enemy soldiers was rushing toward them like charging bulls full of fury. In moments, the nearest enemy soldier reached Markus and swung his sharp battle axe toward the pilgrim’s neck. Remembering his shield, Markus quickly raised it to block the blow. A dull clang resounded off the shield, and the shock of the blow traveled through his arm. Then, Markus went into action, and he powerfully swung his sword toward his foe’s body. But, the enemy knight blocked the strike with his shield.

Clang, clang, clang. Ring. Clash. Swords struck against swords, shields, and armor. Markus fought with all his might, but he could tell that his power to fight came from God. He felt more strength come to him than he knew he normally would have.

“You will be captured and not succeed on your journey!” the enemy soldier shouted through his closed helmet visor at Markus. Two words appeared painted, in red, on the front of his helmet: “False Condemnation.”

“I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13,” Markus said as he parried (deflected) a thrust from his opponent’s sword.

“Are you sure you have God on your side?” the enemy knight said as he struck Markus’s shield with blow after blow -- clang, clang, clang. “Didn’t you wander off the path into the tunnel of False Works? I heard about that from Count Pious. And, won’t God leave you because you did that?”

“God won’t leave me,” Markus said. “My Father God loves me with everlasting love, as Jeremiah 31:3 says. ‘[3] The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love : therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.’”

As Markus spoke, he suddenly felt great strength surge through him and he suddenly knocked the enemy knight’s battle axe from his hand. Then, he swung his sword down on the enemy’s shield, saying loudly, “God’s Word says, ‘[10] Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.’ [1 John 4:10.]”

(Propitiation: something offered to reconcile two parties or individuals. The propitiation makes it so that the two can be friends. We have broken God’s laws, as Romans 3:23 says. The wages of sin is death, as Romans 6:23 says. Jesus Christ, who died on a Roman cross about 2,000 years ago, was the propitiation for our sins. He reconciles us to God and makes us clean and holy by His blood, if we believe on who He is, and receive Him as our personal Savior and Lord.)

As Markus repeatedly struck his foe’s shield with his sword, the shield began to crack. With another powerful sword blow, the shield broke in half, and the soldier ran from Markus. As he did, a second soldier suddenly stepped in Markus’s way, and faced him. This one had a battle hammer, a gladiator helmet, a suit of armor, and a shield. One side of the hammer head was a narrow and pointy spike for puncturing helmets. The other side was a flat hammer for knocking helmeted soldiers unconscious.

The Fight with Intimidation

The knight gawking at Markus was tall and very strong looking. He appeared much stronger than the knight Markus had just defeated and seemed to be a formidable challenge. The word “Intimidation” appeared on the front of his helmet, in red paint.

“Remember the time you swore at your brother and cursed him?” the towering, armored creature said accusatively, just before he swung his hammer down.

Markus parried the swinging hammer with his sword. Clang.

“Yes, but I repented and asked his forgiveness, and I also repented to God. That happened before I set out on this journey,” Markus said.

“How do you know God has forgiven you? Doesn’t He expect you to do something to make up for your foolishness?” the tall and muscular knight said coldly. “Look what happened to King Saul in the book of 1 Samuel chapter 31. He was killed in battle because God had departed from him. God forsook him. And, He has forsaken you too.”

[Gawk: To stare rudely at someone.

Formidable (adjective): It refers to something hard to deal with or face; something that brings awe or wonder; or, something that causes dread, fear, or concern.

Intimidation: The act of producing awe, fear, or a feeling of inadequacy in someone else.]

The blunt side of the battle hammer crashed heavily down on Markus’s shield, and he let go of it. The shield clattered to the ground, and the enemy chuckled.

“Remember the time you stole money from your father?” the big creature said as he swung his hammer toward Markus’s head.

Markus quickly darted to the left, and the hammer swung past him, missing him by inches.

“Yes, but I gave the money back and ask my dad for forgiveness,” Markus said as he started to reach toward his fallen shield.

“But, God didn’t forgive you,” the enemy knight said reproachfully as he kicked Markus to the ground with a metal boot. Markus landed on the cobblestone pavement with a groan.

[Reproach: To criticize, blame, or to give severe criticism and condemnation (or censure).]

On the ground Markus groaned, and then replied, “When I became a follower of the Lord Jesus, I asked God to forgive me of all my sins, and I made the commitment to forsake sin and obey God from then on. I also trusted in the blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse me from all my sin. That is what God’s Word, the Bible, says the blood of Jesus does. I repent from sin when I give place to it.”

“But, remember the time you stole an apple from a fruit cart?” the accuser said as he placed his battle hammer in a sheath and drew a sword from a scabbard. “You never paid for that apple, and the owner of that cart is now deceased, so you will never be able to repay him. God won’t forgive you for that.”

“That’s not true. God has forgiven me,” Markus said. “1 John 1:9 says: ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’”

With the sword pointed at Markus’s face, the enemy suddenly lunged toward Markus’s neck where a gap existed between his helmet and breastplate. Markus quickly parried the thrust, and then kicked the large creature in the legs. But, it didn’t do anything to him. So, he reached for his shield, but the enemy knight kicked it away from him. The foe suddenly struck Markus on the side of the helmet, causing it to ring.

The evil creature was about to strike Markus with another blow when a knight with golden armor suddenly slammed into the evil knight. The foe was knocked off balance. Then, the two began fighting each other.

Another golden knight reached down to Markus Christian and helped him to his feet. Then, he bent down and retrieved Markus’s shield, and handed it to him.

“Who are you?” Markus said as he took the shield from the kind knight.

“I was sent to aid you in the battle,” the good knight said.

Markus had been so busy focused on his opponents, and the battle had been so fierce that he hadn’t noticed knights with golden armor charging into the battle, from the forest. They had been aiding Markus and Andrew fight off the evil knights. Without their help, Markus knew he and Andrew would have been defeated.

Markus began praying again, and God gave the friendly knights power to overcome their enemy. Soon, the evil soldiers were rapidly retreating toward the main outer gate. As they retreated, the golden knights charged through the gate after them. And, Markus and Andrew followed, passing beneath the raised portcullis.

They entered the lower bailey of the castle, which contained half-timbered buildings and stables built up against the defensive walls. Realizing they were outnumbered, some evil knights entered through a gate in a high, crenellated wall protecting the middle bailey. But, the golden knights had brought with them a large battering ram to pound the gate with. Markus could see it being rolled into position by a team of twenty people.

[Note: The middle bailey is a courtyard in the center of the castle complex. It is surrounded by defensive walls. Outside the middle bailey is the bailey, or the upper and lower bailey. The keep, a tall and wide, fortified building in the middle bailey, houses the lord of the castle and his attendants. It protects the lord of the castle and his household in the event that attackers would break through the middle-bailey walls. The keep has towers and crenellations for defense.]

The Battering Ram

The battering ram rolled forward slowly like a whale on land. Its wooden wheels creaked and groaned under its great weight as it was pushed toward the closed gate in the middle-bailey wall. From gaps in the crenellation atop the wall, burning torches were dropped along with large stones. But, the torches and stones harmlessly bounced off a large, A-framed roof which covered the battering ram and which supported the weight of the ram. Cow hides covered the roof and protected it from catching fire.

Soon, a dull thump came from the battering ram as it pounded against the wooden gate. The pounding continued for some minutes. Thump. Thump. Thump. Markus continued to pray as he watched the battle, holding his large shield up to protect from fiery crossbow bolts that were shot toward him from the middle bailey wall.

After half an hour, a loud crack came from the gate, followed by three more loud snaps. A loud, splintering crack, which sounded like a tree snapping in half, reached Markus’s ears. The battering ram was pulled back to make room for golden knights to head toward a gaping hole in the gate. Markus could see that the wooden gate was splintered and broken inward as if a giant fist had punched through it. Several good knights passed through the hole. In moments, they had opened the gate completely, and a host of sixty golden knights charged through the breached gate.

(Breach (verb): to break through something that was a hindrance.)

The sound of clashing weapons came from within the middle bailey. Markus and Andrew hurried toward the gate and soon witnessed a battle unfolding within the middle bailey. Eighty feet away, the castle keep towered above them. Its four corner towers threatened to rain arrows and crossbow bolts down on the invaders. Sure enough, arrows began to fly their way. Markus and Andrew held up their shields to protect from the rain of metal.

“Let’s head for the keep. I think God is showing me that the prisoners are in there,” Andrew said presently.

“Let’s go then,” Markus said just before he began running forward.

Zip. Zip. Zip. The arrows struck the ground and plunked against their shields as they ran toward the fortress.

A door in the keep suddenly flew open and ten soldiers emerged. But, Markus and Andrew had help. For, fifteen golden knights had followed them to the keep. Just as the enemy knights emerged from the door, the good knights ran toward them and attacked. As the enemy soldiers were now occupied in fighting, Markus and Andrew were able to slip through the door and enter the keep.

They were in a stone hallway lit by torches fastened to the walls. The hallway ran left to right. Andrew drew out an unlit torch from his belt and ignited it with the flame of a nearby torch.

“God is telling me to head to the right,” Andrew said after a pause.

He led the way down the hall to the right. After traveling for thirty feet, they found an entrance to a spiral staircase.

“Do we go up or down?” Markus asked his friend once they had stepped into the stairwell.

“I think God is showing me we need to go down,” Andrew said before descending the steps, and Markus followed him.

The Dungeon

Reaching the last step, they found themselves in a dark hallway where very few torches were to be found. On either side of this hallway were men and teenage boys in prison cells. Iron doors with bars and locks prevented their escape.

“Who are you?” a middle-aged man with a long, brown beard said, peering out at the armored men. He wore a long tan tunic and leather trousers. A leather belt was fastened around his waist, and boots appeared on his feet.

“We are here to set you free,” Andrew said, lifting his helmet visor so they could see his face. “You are in the castle of Baron Deception. You’ve listened to his lies for too long, and we have the truth to set you free. The Lord Jesus Christ said this truth in John chapter 8: ‘[31] Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed ; [32] and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ [John 8:31-32.]”

“So, if you hear and believe the Holy Bible, God’s holy Word, you will be free,” Markus added, as he lifted his helmet visor.

“I’ve believed for a long time that I am a no-good looser. I can’t ever do anything right,” the man with the long beard said grimly.

“Did you put your trust in Jesus Christ for salvation and want to follow Him?” Markus asked the man, leaning toward him with compassion in his eyes.

“Yes, I did,” the man said despondently (with almost no hope). “I am a born-again believer in Jesus, but I can’t ever do anything right. I feel depressed and gloomy all the time. Maybe I am just going to stay this way the rest of my life.”

“That is not true, sir,” Markus said. “Psalm 16:11 says, ‘Thou wilt show me the path of life : in thy presence is fulness of joy ; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.’ [End quote]. And, Psalm 16:8 says, ‘I have set the Lord always before me : because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.’ [End quote]. Set Father God before you. Let Him be your love, your Friend, and your focus, and you will not be depressed and gloomy. In His presence is fullness of joy.”

“Okay, that makes sense,” the man with the long beard said thoughtfully.

“Since you are a Christian,” Markus said, “you have God’s presence with you. Jesus said that He, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit make their abode (or dwelling) with those who truly love Jesus. John 14:23 says: ‘Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words : and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.’”

“Hmm. Well, that is true,” the prisoner said quietly.

“And,” Markus said, “in John 15:10-11, Jesus said, ‘[10] If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love ; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. [11] These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.’ [End quote]. So, Jesus told us how to have joy that is full. It is by loving Him and obeying Him. To obey the Lord Jesus, we need to fellowship with Him as friends, rest in His love, and obey what He shows us.”

“That is right,” the man said quietly at first. Then, he faced Markus and looked him in the eyes. “That is right, isn’t it? Yes, yes. That is right! Thank you for sharing that with me, brother,” the man said, with the traces of a smile starting to form on his face. “I believe! I believe what that Bible says.” Then, he shouted, “God will deliver me from this prison!”

Markus told the man to stand back from the bars of the cell door. Then, he struck it hard with the sharp and powerful sword in his hand. After several powerful sword blows rang through the air, the metal bars were sliced open. There was now an opening large enough for a man to fit through. The prisoner with the long beard and two other men emerged from the cell, smiling and praising God for His powerful Word.

As they did, the sound of Andrew’s sword clanging against metal bars came from another cell some distance away. Just then, golden knights entered the hallway and began handing swords to the prisoners through the bars of their cells. Swords were also given to the three recently released prisoners.

After much hacking and clanging had resounded through the prison, all the cells were breached, and the prisoners emerged. Other golden knights entered the hall carrying pieces of armor, shields, and swords. The knights gave each man and teen boy armor and a shield to accompany his sword. They also assisted the men in putting on the suits of armor.

After this was done, the knights hurried off down the corridor, and Andrew said, “I wonder where those warriors are going.”

“I don’t know, but why don’t we follow them?” Markus said.

“I’d like to accompany you,” the middle-aged man with the long beard said as he walked up to the other men.

He reached out a gloved hand and Markus shoot it.

“I’m Henry Willow of Turn-ridge, a town fifty miles from here, as the crow flies,” Henry said, smiling. “I’m very glad you folks came by. I hadn’t really used my sword that much. But, you inspired me to take it out of its scabbard and read God’s Holy Bible.”

“That is very important,” Markus said.

“You’re armor looks good on you,” Andrew commented, smiling at their new friend.

Henry Willow was now clad in armor and carried a shield and a sword. A Medieval knight’s helmet with a visor covered his head. But, the visor was open, revealing his slightly-weathered face.

“I like the armor of God that the book of Ephesians 6 speaks of,” Henry Willow said, as he reached into a leather satchel fastened to his belt. He drew out a Bible. “I have forgotten about it since I stopped reading the Bible about two years ago. I had lots of doubts, but I now believe God’s Word is true for me as much as it is true for anyone. God has no favorites. He loves all of us as much as Himself.”

“That’s right, Henry,” Andrew said. “Isn’t that from John 17:23?”

“Yes, I think that’s the verse,” Henry said, glancing at Andrew.

Andrew said, “In John 17:23, Jesus spoke to God the Father and said: ‘I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one ; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.’ [End quote]. The word ‘them’ refers to the Church. God the Father loves us Christians and also lost souls as much as He loves Jesus.”

“That is a powerful verse,” Henry said, smiling.

“I was wondering what happened to the women and children,” Markus said. “Do you have any ideas?”

“Oh, I think they are in a different ward in this subterranean dungeon,” Henry said.

“Maybe those good knights will lead us to them,” Markus suggested, glancing back as a few more knights passed by.

“Okay,” Henry said. “Let’s go. I would like to see if my wife is in the prison.”

Exploring the Dungeon

The three began walking down the hallway and mingled with prisoners who were now clad in armor. After passing through the women’s ward, and seeing all the cells empty, the three men entered a stairwell and walked down the spiraling steps for some distance before they reached the bottom of the stairs. In the light of Andrew’s torch, they could see a long and narrow tunnel which vanished into the darkness beyond.

“Why are we going here?” Henry asked Andrew.

“God has shown me to go this way,” Andrew said, holding up his burning torch.

“It looks rather long and dark,” Henry said. “I want to find my wife. Perhaps she is somewhere else in the castle.”

“Are you sure about that?” Andrew said, looking at the middle-aged man.

“No, I guess not,” Henry Willow said. “Well, actually, I remember… yes, I remember that she was still in the village where I came from. She said she would leave the village and follow me after a few months had passed, but I never saw her again. I knew I had to leave the town and follow where Jesus leads me. After walking some time, I was very gloomy and depressed. I stopped reading my Bible and became very despondent. As I was leaving an inn, a company of soldiers wearing red surcoats caught me and took me to this castle.”

[Despondent (definition): very discouraged and miserable. Empathy (definition): The understanding of another’s feelings.]

“That’s too bad,” Markus said, empathetically. “We can pray that your wife would leave the town and make her journey to the Kingdom of Heaven.”

“I have prayed that quite often, but I got discouraged, so I quit. But, let’s pray we meet up with her and that she leaves the town,” Henry said. “And, after that, let’s keep going.”

The three paused to pray. Then, they continued walking down the long tunnel in the light of Andrew’s torch. After a few minutes had passed, they saw a door in the left side of the tunnel, and they paused.

“Father God, should we go through that door to the left?” Markus prayed silently.

“My son,” a still small voice spoke to Markus’s spirit, “I am the Lord your God and Abba Father. Don’t go through that door. It says ‘Doubt’ right above it. It is a door that leads to doubt, and unbelief, and harm. I am with you, and I will never leave you, and I the Lord your God have spoken.”

After a minute had passed, Andrew said, “I heard God tell me we need to keep walking down this tunnel. We will reach a set of steps at the end of the tunnel and be able to continue our journey to the Kingdom of Heaven. That is what God told me.”

“I heard we should not go through this door,” Markus said, pointing at the door. “You can see a sign above it reading ‘Doubt.’”

“Well,” Henry Willow said, looking up, “I wonder if someone mistakenly put that sign overhead.”

He reached up and pulled the wooden sign off a nail it was hanging from and studied the sign briefly. Then, he said, “This looks very unprofessional. I wouldn’t take this makeshift sign seriously. Let’s see if perhaps there might be some more prisoners in here we could rescue.”

“God told us to keep going and to not go through this door,” Markus said.

“Well, are you sure God really spoke those words to you?” Henry Willow said, turning to Markus. “My wife might have left the village, and she might be in this room here,” the bearded man said with anxiety in his voice. “I need to at least just take a quick look inside. It won’t be long.”

“Okay, but we better not stay in there long,” Markus said, feeling guilty for ignoring God.

Andrew followed the two in through the metal door. It opened with a squeak and closed with a snap and click--the sound of a lock being engaged. Markus wasn’t sure what to think of the sound, but before he could think anything more about it, he noticed a huge, shadowy person standing in a dark corner of the large room.

The room was full of dust, cobwebs, spiders, rusty suits of armor, and straw. It was made of grey, hewn stone and smelled like rotten eggs. The huge, shadowy creature stepped out of a dark corner and into the torchlight. As he did, he accidentally knocked some rusty pieces of armor to the floor, creating a loud clashing sound. He was about 12 feet tall and wore a black, iron knight’s helmet over his face, concealing his facial features. A thick breastplate covered his chest, and metal covered every part of his body. In his hands he carried a large, double-headed battle axe.

He stepped forward and roared, “I am Sir Unbelief, a knight under Apollyon! You have come into my lair, and I will now have my way with you!”

Reinforcing his statement, a word in red paint appeared on his helmet: ‘Unbelief.’

_____________________________

[Read Chapters 3 and 4 here.]

[Read "PILGRIM'S JOURNEY: THE QUEST FOR HEAVEN: BOOK 2: Faith Challenged" here. (PDF)]

{Read -- PDF File: Pilgrim’s Journey: Faith Challenged. BOOK 2.}

{Read a PDF version of BOOK 1 here.}

(If the link for the BOOK 2 PDF doesn't work, try this: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10InA4qXrBNfPQ0m1ztaqpog2-SkhZFF4/view?usp=sharing.)