“Burdens of Responsibility” snippet of “MACTUS” from the Second Novel of “The Light-Bearer Series”

English: The “Darnley Portrait” of Elizabeth I of England, oil on panel, 113 x 78.7 cm, National Portrait Gallery, London (NPG 2082). Probably painted from life, this portrait is the source of the face pattern called “The Mask of Youth” which would be used for authorized portraits of Elizabeth for decades to come (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Tabbruis replied, “Yes very much so. However, Elizabeth I was like you, over-burdened with responsibilities.”
Charmeine said, “I don’t have to run a country Tabbruis. She was the Queen of England for goodness sake!”
Tabbruis shook his head and said, “No, you do not understand. Bess cared about her subjects and felt like their mother.” He sighed and asked, “You care very much for your family, do you not?”
Charmeine answered strongly, “They are my life!”
Tabbruis said, “That is exactly what I mean. Elizabeth’s subjects were her life also.”
He got a look on his face of a memory so thick Charmeine thought she could touch it. Tabbruis said, “In 1588, England got word the Spanish Armada had set sail for England. The Earl of Leicester gathered forces to meet the invasion at Tilbury. It was a somber moment for us who gathered there to fight, and our faces were black with hopelessness and desperation.
Everyone on the windy shore thought they were meeting their deaths. I knew I would not be destroyed, but my friends would fall. As the Queen came to address the troops at Tilbury…” he sighed and looked down not wanting to go on.
Charmeine got up and came and put her hands on his shoulder and arm.
Tabbruis turned to the picture and said, “Elizabeth’s speech at Tilbury must have been inspired by God. She was a woman with insurmountable problems and odds for all of her life… especially on that day. When she addressed her troops, townspeople, farmers, and boys who gathered to fight, I remember the part where she said:
‘I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm; to which rather than any dishonor shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field.’

English: Elizabeth I at Tilbury (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You see Charmeine, the Elizabeth was telling her soldiers, her army, her subjects, her children she would die with them in the field of battle.”
Charmeine looked at the picture and the determination on her face. It warmed her soul. She asked, “She loved her people and would fight for them too?”
Tabbruis replied, “Yes, my dear Charmeine, but the question is, will you succumb or will you have the inner strength…?”
Interrupting him, she asked, “Inner strength?”
Tabbruis swallowed hard, looked deeply in her eyes and answered, “The inner strength to conquer your fears and accept the great responsibility of ruling your people.”
Charmeine was feeling faint again. She went to a chair, sat down and said, “It would have been much easier to give myself to the Elder Council.”
Tabbruis came around and sat on the couch next to her, “Yes, I guess you are right. It would have been much easier for you. Your burden would be extinguished. However, the evil Elder Council would still be in power never to be stopped.”
Charmeine let go a big breath and said, “That is why you were so angry with me when I wanted to give up.”
Tabbruis nodded his head, got up, crossed over to the window and said, “Yes; I was incensed. Nevertheless, my anger was on many levels. I was angry you could leave me, our son, and our life together. It was never based on the Prophecy. The anger I had was based on my selfish wants.”

Tabbruis saw out of the window Shane, Sandra, Neal, Thomas and Dmitri all exchanging blows and sword fighting. He noticed they were laughing and joking with each other.
Tabbruis heard Dmitri yell, “Mactus!” to Neal as they sparred and then it was echoed by the squad. “Mactus, a call to victory and a job well-done!” shouted Dmitri. Tabbruis felt like he was carrying a heavy load on his shoulders too, a burden to keep Charmeine from sacrificing herself to save her family.
Tabbruis needed to convince Charmeine to fight!

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Sometimes we have a huge mountain to climb,
personally or professionally…
It is easy to give up.
To take the easy way out.
I have loved this song since 1985…
The lyrics speak to me… pushing me… making me forge ahead…