The Adventure of the Lost Sir Ardent
Weekly Reading: Sir Knight of the Splendid Way Chapter Three
The battle was hard, the memory fading dim. Sir Constant dragged his feet, not able to remember the last time he had rested without fear for his life. A fog seemed to shroud the path all around him. He placed one foot in front of the other, blindly walking onwards.
As he traversed the weary path, a city seemed to emerge from amongst the shroud. The scent of flowers wafted in the air, silver glittered imperceptibly, and the distant sound of laughter tickled the young knight’s ears. Sir Constant quickened his step, hardly daring to believe his own senses. Lovely it seemed, indeed, to the poor knight. His mind filled with one thought: rest. Sweet rest.
His mouth watered, his eyes strained to catch a glimpse of the city, and his foot stumbled on an unnoticed stone. Sir Constant fell to his knees, disoriented, his shield clattering to the ground. Startled by the sound, he blinked once, twice, three times in an attempt to clear his mind. A sudden fog seemed to take hold of him. He groped about for his shield. Drawing it to himself, Constant rested his head upon that emblem for a weary moment, unbidden tears stinging his eyes. A deadly question creeped into his mind—
“Will the battle ever end?”
He sighed deeply. All at once, a sign arose before him. Shimmering golden letters displayed—The City of Good Intent.
A great temptation lay before the knight: to step inside and claim rest for but a moment, or continue on his way. As he pondered what to do, an old man appeared and rang a bell. Sharp and loud was that bell—driving away any remnant of mist and fatigue from Sir Constant’s mind. Rising to his feet, the noble knight unsheathed his sword and approached the city. Duty, the faithful bell-ringer, spoke with caution and force. This was not a place of rest, but one of deadly peril. Many knights had fallen in the magical City of Good Intent. Sir Constant prepared to flee, but Duty had another plan in mind.
Within the city dwelt a fallen knight—Sir Ardent. Sir Constant might be able to break the spell that entrapped the knight, if he were willing. But it would require much fortitude and strength of mind. Sir Constant accepted the charge, and, thus bequeathed with a quest of love, he stepped inside the City of Good Intent. But a word of admonishment followed him inside: to—“keep his sword drawn. It hath another use than warfare. Some may see it and remember.”
Peace was written upon the brows of those in that glorious city, but it was one of falsity. Beautiful dwellings destined to crumble and fall. Wondrous beauty and glorious visions—yet they too were doomed to fade away. Sir Constant held his sword at the ready.
Led to a luxurious garden bursting with flowers of all color, texture, and variety, Sir Constant spotted his fallen comrade. Filled with passion, Sir Constant commanded the knight to “awake and arise!”
A dreamy smile was all the response he received.
Duty spoke, low and clear to Sir Constant—“bitterness is of no avail. If he may be reached at all it will be by another road.”
Thus admonished, Sir Constant fell to his knees, resting upon the hilt of his sword. Realizing that bitter words would not awaken Sir Ardent’s drowsy spirit, he remembered the ancient words, “In gentleness, he has made me great.” Taking his comrade’s hands in his own he told a story that began to awaken long-forgotten memories, remembrances of an unfathomable love and a battle yet to be won.
The scales seemed to fall off Sir Ardent’s eyes at these words. Regret and despair filled his soul as he saw the city for what it was—The City Dangerous. As the old knight’s conscience began to revive, Sir Constant heard the command, “You must flee, at once!”
Once awakened, it was too easy to fall back into despair and regret. There was no time to lose—onward and upward! Sir Constant helped the fallen knight to his feet. Sir Ardent sought for his armour, rusted and discolored as they were, and donned them as fast as he could. Tears soaked his cheeks as Sir Constant helped him prepare to depart. But those tears were the very agent that began to melt away the dross and rust.
Urged on by Duty, the two left the city far behind them, a testament of brokenness and redemption to all who still dwelt in that city; forgotten memories waiting to be rekindled.
“And thereafter, it is said, others were awakened, and presently armed themselves also and pursued their journey. For the good knight who does a stout deed makes the whole world his debtor.”
“Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light,” (Ephesians 5:14).
Your Friends at Lamplighter Ministries
Memory Verse: 1st Corinthians 16:13
“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.”
Sir Knight of the Splendid Way
Deep into the Vale of Promise ventures Sir Constant, a young knight who desires nothing more than to be in the service of the Great King. Though unworthy of this high calling, he sets forth on the Splendid Way—the perilous road that all who desire to serve the King must take. His faith and valor will be tested, his strength and endurance will be challenged, and his allegiance to the one true King will be proven. A rich allegory wrought with biblical truth.
