Christa Kinde's Blog, page 36

Tried and True, Chapter 297: Renewed Vow

Chapter 297: Renewed Vow

Taweel shot a look at Valerian, whose hands stilled against his harpstrings.

Do you think ���? Taweel couldn���t finish the thought.

His friend slowly nodded. The wait has been long.

Closely watching his apprentice, Taweel waited for Asaph���s song to resolve into silence. And in that moment where endings and beginnings touch, he saw Tamaes tremble.

Asaph turned. Omri peeped. Milo chuckled. Valerian hushed. Tamaes whimpered. And Taweel reacted as any mentor would. Strong arms for support. Bright wings for shelter. Gruff formality for a rite of passage long in coming. ���Your call is my call. Our strength is doubled.���

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Author���s Note: This story in small chapters is a prequel to Christa Kinde���s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates every weekday (Monday through Friday). More information can be found on the Tried and True index page. And don���t forget, story art is on display in my gallery.

Tried and True, �� Copyright 2013-2014 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, consider subscribing to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.

Tried and True, Chapter 296: Punctuality

Chapter 296: Punctuality

The Messenger waved his hands. ���Rest. Please. It sounds like you need it, after ��� everything.���

Tamaes sagged back and closed his eyes. What did it matter if a passing Messenger overheard?

���I���m Milo, by the way.���

Taweel grunted, and Tamaes cracked an eye. The Messenger had joined them. He sat quite close, his gaze expectant, as if waiting for something. An introduction? ���I am Tamaes,��� he offered. ���Apprentice to Taweel.���

���I know.��� Milo smiled crookedly. ���My mentor says I need to work on my timing. I like to fly fast, so I sometimes arrive earlier than I���m supposed to.���

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Author���s Note: This story in small chapters is a prequel to Christa Kinde���s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates every weekday (Monday through Friday). More information can be found on the Tried and True index page. And don���t forget, story art is on display in my gallery.

Tried and True, �� Copyright 2013-2014 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, consider subscribing to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.

Tried and True, Chapter 295: Forest Glade

Chapter 295: Forest Glade

Tamaes lay limp���stripped of armor and barefoot in the soft grass. For the first time in his life, he���d sung himself to the point of exhaustion. No words remained, yet he wasn���t empty. Nor was he alone.

Valerian pulled increasingly sweet cascades from his harp, and Taweel played with the flock of yahavim drawn in by Asaph���s splendor. The Worshiper sang on in a solemn benediction.

A flicker of movement caught Tamaes���s eye, and he turned his head. An adolescent Messenger with a riot of blond curls stood amidst the saplings. When Tamaes sat up, the newcomer hurried over.

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Author���s Note: This story in small chapters is a prequel to Christa Kinde���s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates every weekday (Monday through Friday). More information can be found on the Tried and True index page. And don���t forget, story art is on display in my gallery.

Tried and True, �� Copyright 2013-2014 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, consider subscribing to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.

Tried and True, Chapter 294: Friend in Need

Chapter 294: Friend in Need

Asaph perched on the end of Adin���s cot���hands folded, head bowed. Tamaes crashed to his knees before the blue-haired Worshiper and hid his face upon Asaph���s lap. He couldn���t stop shaking.

���Haven���t you cried yet? Don���t hold back on my account.���

���Not here. Not yet.��� Tamaes���s voice cracked. ���You know?���

���That you need me? Yes. That you need to sing? Doubly so.���

���Not only me.���

���Collect Valerian���s harp���and any keepsakes you and Taweel hold dear���and the three of you will follow me.��� Asaph���s sleepy smile had a sad tilt. ���The time has come again for next things.���

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Author���s Note: This story in small chapters is a prequel to Christa Kinde���s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates every weekday (Monday through Friday). More information can be found on the Tried and True index page. And don���t forget, story art is on display in my gallery.

Tried and True, �� Copyright 2013-2014 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, consider subscribing to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.

OUTTAKE: A Dream Come True

In the upcoming year, I plan to bring you occasional “outtakes” from the Threshold Series. If this little devotional seems familiar, that’s because I shared part of it several months ago in one of my newsletters. (Do you subscribe?) I’m sharing it tonight as a Christmas treat. ���

���������

An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream

and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid

to take Mary home as your wife.”

MATTHEW 1:20

A Dream Come True

It was a snowy, sleepy Sunday afternoon, perfect for getting lost in a good book. Which was exactly where Prissie was when Koji���s foot nudged hers under the fleece blanket they shared. Her best friend sat on the opposite end of the couch, a history textbook open against his knees. Dark eyes sparkling, he nodded toward the other side of the room where Prissie���s father and younger brother occupied the loveseat next to their Christmas tree. ���Listen,��� Koji urged in a low voice.

Prissie marked her page with one finger and tuned in just as Dad asked, ���More of the Christmas story this week?���

���Yep,��� Zeke replied. ���Milo says we gotta review, even though I mostly know all the story by now.���

Mr. Pomeroy propped his stockinged feet on the coffee table as he skimmed the blue half-sheet Zeke���s Sunday school teacher always sent home for quizzing his students. ���Seems to me he gave things an interesting twist. Ready for the first one?���

���Ready!���

Holding up one finger, Jayce Pomeroy asked, ���What usually happened when people in the Bible met an angel?���

Zeke rumpled his hair, face scrunching in concentration. Clapping his hands, he pointed at Dad and exclaimed, ���Stop, drop, and roll!���

Mr. Pomeroy chuckled. ���Isn���t that for when you���re on fire?���

���Well it���s something like that. Milo was saying how some guys freeze up and fall over.��� Stretching out his legs to brace his toes against the coffee table next to his dad���s, Zeke said, ���When Gabriel showed up at Mary���s house, she was smart to be scared, but he said, ���Fear not,��� and that made it okay.���

Prissie poked Koji with her foot and whispered, ���You guys don���t seem so scary to me.���

He gazed at her thoughtfully. ���I am sure that is for your sake.���

She blinked. ���I���ve seen you guys looking like angels. You���re a little strange, but I hardly think anyone would faint at the sight of you.���

Koji shook his head. ���You have only seen the smallest part of who we truly are.���

Prissie filed that tidbit away for future thought and gave her attention back to Zeke, who was wrapping up his answer to the second question. ������ so angels are a dream come true.���

���Wait,��� she interrupted. ���Milo actually said that?���

Dad and Zeke both looked her way, and her brother replied, ���Sorta. Mostly. It���s ���cuz angels sometimes talk to people when they���re sleeping. Like Joseph got his messages in dreams, and all the stuff the angel told him came true. Like that.���

Prissie had firsthand experience with those kinds of dreams, but it was interesting to think that people from the Bible had met angels in the same way. Tossing one long, blonde braid over her shoulder, she said, ���That makes more sense. Go on.���

Their father lifted the paper. ���Third and final question. Would you rather meet an angel face-to-face like Mary ��� or have a dream like Joseph?���

It was funny to hear Zeke and her dad weigh the pros and cons when there were angels all around. They had no idea that Milo was a divine messenger from the same order as Gabriel. And their family had been giving hospitality to an angel for months, ever since Koji moved in. The young Observer poked her with his toe and whispered, ���How would you answer?���

Prissie thought back over the Christmas story. ���Mary must have been shocked, but once she got used to the idea, I���ll bet she was glad she met Gabriel.���

���Indeed.���

���And Joseph must have had it hard, but I know he was glad he listened to his dream. Thanks to the angel���s warnings, Joseph was able to save his family���s lives. Do you suppose it was his Guardian?���

If Koji knew, he wasn���t telling. Instead, he quietly asked, ���Are you glad, Prissie?���

She scooted her feet across the couch cushions, and Koji met her halfway, resting the soles of his bare feet on top of her fuzzy slipper socks. Glad didn���t even begin to cover it. Thinking over her answer, Prissie finally said, ���I feel ���highly favored��� to have met you.���

Koji brightened and replied, ���Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.���

���������

Look into these things ���

���Even angels long to look into these things.��� ���1 Peter 1:12

��� Have you ever thought of the Christmas story from an angel���s point of view? How would that change things? What would remain the same?

��� Would you rather meet an angel face-to-face like Mary ��� or have a dream like Joseph?���

��� What do you think it means to be ���favored��� by God? Are you? In what ways?

Tried and True, Chapter 293: The Fourth Cot

Chapter 293: The Fourth Cot

Taweel and Tamaes flanked Valerian as they aimed for the Overseer���s tent. Flowing cloth and four cots. Their home.

Outside, Valerian stopped short and stood so long, Taweel gripped his shoulder. ���Fear not. We are with you.���

���I know it.��� Briefly touching the second earring Taweel had bestowed, Valerian said, ���I shall want my harp.���

Tamaes quietly asked, ���Would you like me to bring it?���

���Please.��� Dredging up a wan smile, Valerian admitted, ���I do not think I can face that empty cot.���

���I will go,��� Tamaes murmured, ducking through the opening.

But Adin���s cot wasn���t empty. Far from it.

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Author���s Note: This story in small chapters is a prequel to Christa Kinde���s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates every weekday (Monday through Friday). More information can be found on the Tried and True index page. And don���t forget, story art is on display in my gallery.

Tried and True, �� Copyright 2013-2014 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, consider subscribing to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.

Tried and True, Chapter 292: By His Own Hand

Chapter 292: By His Own Hand

���Before my eyes,��� Valerian groaned.

Taweel grunted.

���How do you protect someone from their own folly?���

Without an answer, Taweel kept silent.

Valerian���s captain passed the thorn-like blade. Abner led the encircling Flight in solemn chorus. Tamaes sank to his knees beside them, cradling Omri to his heart.

���Are you prepared?��� Taweel murmured.

Valerian countered, ���Are you?���

Taweel���s hands shook, but his voice remained steady. ���None can catch those who Fall. We can only be Faithful, trusting Him who is Faithful.���

Twice-pierced, Valerian slumped against him and wept raggedly, and Taweel lifted his face, letting the rain take his tears.

<< PREVIOUS CHAPTER�� |�� NEXT CHAPTER >>

START AT THE BEGINNING

Author���s Note: This story in small chapters is a prequel to Christa Kinde���s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates every weekday (Monday through Friday). More information can be found on the Tried and True index page. And don���t forget, story art is on display in my gallery.

Tried and True, �� Copyright 2013-2014 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, consider subscribing to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.

Tried and True, Chapter 291: Healing Hands

Chapter 291: Healing Hands

Recollection had Tamaes struggling to sit up. ���Omri! I lost sight ���!���

Taweel shushed him and released a tiny captive from within his wings. Omri burst free with an indignant squeak, which quickly turned to anxious crooning. Taweel explained, ���He was badly hurt when he found me. The Caretaker who mended him ���.���

������ is here.���

���Abner,��� Taweel greeted. ���He needs you. Badly.���

Tamaes stared dazedly into piercing gray eyes.

���Fear not,��� said Abner. ���You���ll soon be good as new.���

Catching the Caretaker���s sleeve, Tamaes begged, ���Leave one. Please?���

Abner���s eyebrows lifted. ���Where?���

Tamaes touched the cheek Adin had kissed.

<< PREVIOUS CHAPTER�� |�� NEXT CHAPTER >>

START AT THE BEGINNING

Author���s Note: This story in small chapters is a prequel to Christa Kinde���s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates every weekday (Monday through Friday). More information can be found on the Tried and True index page. And don���t forget, story art is on display in my gallery.

Tried and True, �� Copyright 2013-2014 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, consider subscribing to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.

Tried and True, Chapter 290: Nameless

Chapter 290: Nameless

���What he said. Is it true?���

Taweel grunted. ���Do not listen to the lies of the enemy.���

Such finality. Tamaes struggled against the flat dismissal. ���But he is Adin.���

���He was.��� Taweel loosened his sash to bind another wound. ���The Fallen do not keep their names.���

Tamaes had always known this, but never had the truth given him such pain.

A sudden, terrible noise rang out���screech and roar, bawl and shout. And from the Fourfold���s midst, their prisoner wailed his protest.

���Adin!��� Tamaes gasped.

But a dreadful silence fell. They were gone.

Taweel���s shoulders sagged. ���He has been Cast.���

<< PREVIOUS CHAPTER�� |�� NEXT CHAPTER >>

START AT THE BEGINNING

Author���s Note: This story in small chapters is a prequel to Christa Kinde���s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates every weekday (Monday through Friday). More information can be found on the Tried and True index page. And don���t forget, story art is on display in my gallery.

Tried and True, �� Copyright 2013-2014 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, consider subscribing to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.

Tried and True, Chapter 289: Empty Words

Chapter 289: Empty Words

Adin faltered at the sight of Taweel, which created the opening Nock and his brothers needed. They seized Adin, dragging him backward.

���It���s not my fault, Taweel!��� Adin struggled in their grasp. ���I never meant to hurt him!���

He silently plucked Tamaes���s sword from Adin���s hand.

���I know what you���re not telling!��� he accused. ���About how your wings tremble in tune to the beat of one child���s heart! How they rule you and ruin you!���

Taweel turned his back.

���Leave Tamaes to me, and he���ll never be pierced!��� Adin���s voice hoarsened. ���I���ll save him!���

Still, Taweel spoke not a word.

<< PREVIOUS CHAPTER�� |�� NEXT CHAPTER >>

START AT THE BEGINNING

Author���s Note: This story in small chapters is a prequel to Christa Kinde���s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates every weekday (Monday through Friday). More information can be found on the Tried and True index page. And don���t forget, story art is on display in my gallery.

Tried and True, �� Copyright 2013-2014 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, consider subscribing to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.