The Adventure of the Silent Horseman
Weekly Reading: Sir Knight of the Splendid Way Chapter Five
The journey was long, the battle perilous. A moment of respite was all they required. Sweat caked their foreheads, and dirt stained their cheeks. Mist shrouded their steps, hiding the path and planting doubt…would the journey ever end?
But then from the darkness, hope arose—a homely cottage appointed by the King to provide comfort in the midst of that darkened land. Sir Constant and Sir Valoris ran to the entrance of the cottage, the fragrance of flowers greeting them. Stepping inside, the knights found friendship, warmth and respite. Yet the darkness faded not away.
That night, Sir Valoris faded into a deep sleep. Yet sleep eluded his young companion. A heaviness seemed to hang over Sir Constant’s soul. A mist of unknown fears filled his heart. He reached for his sword, determined to remain vigilant for the remainder of the night. Night waned slowly and still Sir Constant’s heart felt heavy and uncertain. All at once, a figure emerged from the darkness. A horseman shielded by night, leading another horse by the bridle.
“Who are you?” Constant asked. Yet nought but silence greeted him. “Have you come for me?” he dared to ask.
The soft night breeze brushed past Constant’s cheek, yet not a hair stirred upon the horse or his rider. Without hesitation, Sir Constant unsheathed his sword. To what end did the horseman seek? Fear clutched his heart. He had heard of the silent horseman. Those whom he summoned never returned. The unmounted horse awaited a rider. Had it come for him? Before Constant could put his thoughts into words, Sir Valoris awoke. Stepping from a peaceful dream into the reality of encroaching night, the feeble knight merely smiled at the horseman and his young friend.
“Shrouded he is in darkness, yet it may be that this is but the darkness of our own fears, and the darkness of the mists of our journey. For surely it cannot be darkness if it comes from the King.”
Dear reader, I shall pause here for a moment. Does this story sound familiar? Does it stir within your heart an all-too familiar fear? The silent horseman comes at an hour which we do not know, beckoning faithful knights to journey to that land where there is no sorrow, no tears, no pain. Yet we must be ready to accept that which is from above. We must learn to let loved ones go and be ready ourselves when he calls. Are you afraid of death? Remember that we who are God’s children can be of good courage because we know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2nd Corinthians 5:8). Your King loves you more than you could ever imagine, and death is only a door to the wonders and joys of a new life.
What becomes of our noble knights? For whom does the horseman come? Let us return to our story…
Sir Valoris responded not to his young companion’s doubt. Fearlessly, he stepped forward to the silent horseman.
“If you are a messenger from the King, reveal yourself to me.”
The silent horseman drew back his helmet for one long moment. Just a moment it was, but that was all Sir Valoris needed to assuage his remnant of doubt. Constant stood, immobile in the shadows. Valoris turned to face the lad; peace imprinted upon his countenance.
“This is where we part,” spoke Valoris. “Your path lies through the valley below. Mine is in the heavenly mists.”
“I shall not allow it.”
“It is not your decision to make. I have been summoned by the King.”
“When shall I see you again?” Constant began to say—but alas! The words were never to leave his lips. Without a sound, Sir Valoris slowly mounted the led horse beside the silent horseman and slipped into the mist, never to be seen along the path again.
Realization dawned and sorrow enshrouded the heart of Sir Constant, the gallant young knight. The paths of the two knights would forever be separated this side of the journey. A solitary path now lay before him. Drawing his shield close to him, Sir Constant allowed his tears to fall freely.
“One day I shall meet you there, Valoris. One day I shall come.”
All at once, a marvelous thing happened. Behind Sir Constant a glimmer of light highlighted the horizon. Blinking the tears from his eyes, Constant raised his gaze heavenward. A cascade of colour rippled across the sky, dispelling the mist and bringing a strange new beauty to the darkened valley below. A sudden peace and tranquility lit up that lonely path.
Constant sheathed his sword and dropped to his knees. He tried to bring himself to speak, but his lips could not move. Speechless, overwhelmed, yet comforted in a quiet sort of way, he offered up a prayer deep within his heart and remembered the ancient words:
“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?... But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
Memory Verse: Psalm 27:4
"One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life.”
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.
