The Sacrifice Part Nine

Hello, everyone! Ready for the conclusion of The Sacrifice? I hope so, because I’m posting it right now!

Part Nine

Abbie was the one who suggested it. “Why not have a picnic in the garden while we wait for the Prince to come?” she had asked Bethany. Bethany had liked the idea, and that was why they were setting out their noontime meal on a makeshift table.

            Abbie set down the last plate. “What now, Mama?”

            Bethany laid a platter of rolls on the table. “Run and get your father, Abbie, and I’ll bring out the butter. Hurry!”

            Abbie obeyed, running through the house to Matthias’ study. “Papa! Lunch is ready!” she called.

            Matthias rose from his chair. “All right, sunshine, I’m coming.”

            Abbie smiled and tugged on Matthias’ hand. “Mama said to hurry!”

            Matthias allowed himself to be pulled to the table, where he sat down. He bowed his head, saying “Let us thank the Great King for our food.” Abbie and Bethany also bowed their heads, and Matthias prayed “Great King, we thank you for this food and the hands that prepared it. We pray that it will strengthen our bodies to do Your will. Amen.”

            Abbie raised her head and waited for Bethany to give her some salad and fish. Her eyes roved over the table to the garden beyond. Suddenly, she saw someone standing at the garden gate . . . someone familiar. “Mama! Papa!” she cried. “Look who’s here!”

            Bethany and Matthias turned. Bethany gasped and dropped the plate she was holding, which fell back to the table. Matthias fell to his knees. Abbie rushed to open the gate. “You came back! I knew You would!”

            The Prince of Peace knelt to hug Abbie, saying “Ah, Abbie, I wish that all My people had faith like yours. You never doubted Me.”

            Abbie smiled. “You said You’d come. You wouldn’t break Your word.”

            The Prince of Peace stood, saying “Of such is the Great King’s Kingdom.” He walked to Bethany, who blushed.

            “I’m sorry for not having a place for You, my Prince. I wasn’t expecting you quite so soon.”

            The Prince of Peace smiled kindly at her. “Bethany, you have been faithful to Me ever since we met. For this you will be rewarded one day. Do not worry about the place, but be prepared in the future, for I may come at any time.” He turned to Matthias. “Matthias, stand up. Look at Me.”

            Matthias obeyed. “”Is it You, my Prince?” He saw the scars from the rope on His neck. “How, my Prince?”

            The Prince of Peace said “With the Great King, all things are possible.”

            Matthias hung his head. “I know it is You, my Prince. Forgive me for my unbelief.”

            “You are forgiven, Matthias. You believe because you have seen, but blessed are those who believe without seeing.” He looked at the three of them. “I cannot stay with you, My friends. Soon I must return to My Father.”

            Abbie frowned. “Will You ever come back?”

            The Prince of Peace said “Someday I will return, Abbie, and then I will take all those who follow Me back to live with the Great King. But before then, I will not return, though I will still be with you.”

            “What are we to do until then?” Matthias asked.

            “Spread the word!” the Prince of Peace replied. “Tell the world of Me. Do not fear, though people will persecute you, for the Great King will protect you.”

            Matthias nodded. “We will, my Prince. I promise.”

            The Prince of Peace smiled at them. “Thank you, my friends. I must leave you now, but remember me and my words.”

            Abbie, Matthias, and Bethany watched as the Prince of Peace turned and walked out of the garden. The Great King’s long-ago promise to provide a way back to himself had been fulfilled at last, and a new promise had been set in place. They would wait patiently for the fulfillment of the promise; wait patiently to see their Prince once more.

Well? What did you think? Please comment and let me know!

-Sarah

The Sacrifice Part Eight

Hello, all! I’m back once again, with the next part of The Sacrifice! Unfortunately, because of a miscalculation on my part, it will not be finished today, but next Tuesday. I hope you enjoy part eight!

Part Eight

Bethany was telling Matthias of the encounter on the hill when Abbie burst in, exclaiming “He came back! The Prince is back! He isn’t dead!”

            Bethany sighed. “Abbie, what do you mean?”

            “I saw Him!” Abbie exclaimed. “I did! He told me to tell you that He’ll come see all of us soon!”

            Bethany gasped, remembering the strange words of the man on the hill. He will return . . . can it be?

            Matthias, however, shook his head. “It can’t be. How could the Prince of Peace have come back? I saw him hung.”

            Abbie insisted “I saw Him! I really did.”

            “I believe you, Abbie.” Bethany said. “Someone told me that He wasn’t gone, and you wouldn’t lie about something like this.”

            Matthias shook his head. “She saw someone who looked like Him, that’s all. Don’t encourage her, Bethany.”

            Bethany frowned. “Matthias, if He could bring others back from the dead, why couldn’t He come back Himself? Why couldn’t the Great King bring Him back?”

            Matthias crossed his arms. “Believe what you will, but I won’t believe it until I see Him for myself, and that is my final word on the subject.”

            Bethany sighed. If only you weren’t so stubborn, husband of mine.  

Is Matthias right? Bethany? Has the Prince of Peace really come back, or is this just a trick? There’s only one way to find out: check back soon for the conclusion of The Sacrifice! In the meantime, please comment! I’d love to hear what you think!

-Sarah

The Sacrifice Part Seven

Hello, everyone! Guess what I’ve got! If you guessed a book review, you are wrong, unfortunately. However, if you guessed another part of The Sacrifice, you’re right! I’m trying to finish it fairly quickly since it is, after all, an Easter story. So, without further ado, the next part of The Sacrifice!

Part Seven

Abbie looked up at the looming clouds. It had been dark and overcast ever since the Prince of Peace was hung; and this turned the garden, which was usually a cheerful place, into a dreary land of gloom. Still, it was better than wandering around inside the house with nothing to do. I wish that the Prince was still here. I miss Him.

            Footsteps came from behind Abbie. “Hello, Abbie.” The voice was kind and strong, and oddly familiar.

            Abbie didn’t look to see who it was. She didn’t really care. “Hello.”

            The footsteps came closer. “You seem sad, Abbie. What’s wrong?”

            Abbie sighed. “The Prince is gone. I miss Him.”

            “He is not gone.”

            Abbie frowned and began to turn around. “What do you-?” She saw who the speaker was and her face lit up. “You’re back! How?”

            The Prince of Peace, for it was He, smiled. “With the Great King, anything is possible, Abbie.” She ran to Him, and He hugged her.

            As soon as He released her, Abbie turned. “Mama and Papa will want to see You! Will You come?”

            The Prince of Peace shook His head. “Not yet. I must still greet others before I see them. Go tell them that you have seen Me, and that I will come see them soon.”

            Abbie nodded. “Yes sir!” She hurried away. The Prince is back!   

Is the Prince of Peace really back? Will Bethany and Matthias believe when Abbie tells them? To find out, check back tomorrow for Part Eight of The Sacrifice! In the meantime, please comment! I’d love to hear your thoughts on my writing!

-Sarah

The Sacrifice Part Six

Hello, everyone! Ready for more of The Sacrifice? I hope so, because I’m posting the next part today!

Part Six

Bethany walked quickly along the streets towards the Death Hill, talking to herself. “I can’t believe they actually did that! The Prince of Peace was the best person to ever walk these streets! I heard that he healed a lass who’d been blind from birth, and I think he brought another young lady back from the dead.” Still chattering, she reached the Death Hill and began to climb its rocky slope. “And to think He died a criminal’s death! Him, the Great King’s Son! It’s enough to make one wonder what the world’s coming to!” She looked up at the tree and gasped. “He’s gone!”

            It was true. The rope noose hung, bloodied where it had dug into His neck, but His body was nowhere to be seen. Two guards sat at the bottom of the tree, obviously unconscious. Bethany dropped to her knees. “Oh, Great King, what happened?”

            A tall, strong-looking man appeared at Bethany’s side. “Lady, what is wrong?” he asked. His voice had an odd quality to it that Bethany couldn’t place.

            “He’s gone!” she whispered. “Who could’ve taken Him?”

            The man’s voice seemed to have a smile in it as he said “Why do you look for those alive in the place of death? Go, and tell the others what you have seen and heard here.”

            Bethany stood and looked at the man. “Who are you to tell me this?”

            The man said “I am a friend who you do not know. Do not fear, Bethany, follower of the Great King. Go, do as I have said.”

            Bethany turned, something about the man’s words putting hope in her heart. “Very well, sir. Thank you!”

            The man’s last words followed her down the hill. “Watch for Him! He is not gone!”

What is going on? Does the strange man speak the truth? To find out, check back soon, when I post part seven! In the meantime, please comment! I’d love to hear what you think!

-Sarah

The Sacrifice Part Five

Hi, everyone! Sorry for posting so late again! I hope that once school is over, this will be fixed and I’ll start posting earlier. Anyway, I’m here, with the next part of The Sacrifice!

Part Five

Abbie watched as her mother bustled about the small room, pulling things from the shelves and putting them in a basket. “What are you doing, Mama?” she asked.

            Abbie’s mother, Bethany, turned to her daughter. “I’m getting ready to go somewhere, Abbie.”

            Matthias appeared in the doorway. “Dear, you can’t be serious about this. You know what the Elders will do it they find out.”

            Bethany shook her head. “Matthias, you worry too much. He’s a friend of the family. It’s not against the law. Goodness knows that He’s been hanging there long enough. Besides, they won’t dare bother me. I’m friends with most of their wives.”

            Matthias sighed. “Bethany, dear, you know the laws as well as I do. According to the Elders, He is a criminal, and anyone who takes His body down will be treated as an accomplice, no matter who the person’s friends are.”

            Abbie broke into the conversation. “Mama, where are you going?”

            Bethany resumed her work as she answered her daughter. “I’m going to get the Prince of Peace’s body, or what’s left of it after several days in the open, and see to it that His body is taken care of properly.” She turned to Matthias. “Don’t you dare try to stop me, Matthias. The Prince of Peace was the truest friend any of us had. It’s the least I we could do to give Him a proper burial instead of letting His body hang there for the crows.”

            Matthias sighed. “Very well, dear, but be careful.”

            Bethany smiled. “Of course, Matthias. When am I not careful?”

            “May I come, Mama?” Abbie asked.

            Bethany shook her head. “Not this time, Abbie.” She sighed. “Not this time.”

            Abbie frowned, but she didn’t protest. It won’t do any good anyway. She glumly left the room, leaving her parents to prepare for Bethany’s task.

What will happen next? Will Bethany complete her task without getting in trouble with the Elders? To find out, check back soon for Part Six! In the meantime, please comment! I’d love to hear what you think!

-Sarah
Update: Part Six!

The Sacrifice Part Four

Hi, everyone! Sorry for posting so late, but I’ve got the next part of The Sacrifice! Hope you like it!

Part Four

Matthias couldn’t look away. He wanted to, but at the same time he wanted to watch for any sign from his Prince. So he gazed, spellbound, as the Prince of Peace hung, the simple rope noose cutting into His neck. Matthias could do nothing. How could this happen? What has become of the Great King’s promise? His mind raced, remembered the words of the Prince of Peace. “I am the Way back to the Great King, the Truth, and the Life for those who believe. No one comes to my Father unless it is through me.

Matthias looked up at Him. The Elders were moving off, satisfied that their so-called enemy was gone. The Prince of Peace was still, and Matthias knew that he would move no more. The man fell to his knees. “Why, Great King?” he cried aloud. “Why? You said that You would send a Way back to You; You sent the Prince of Peace, but now he hang at a rope’s end. How could You let it end this way?”

Abbie’s small voice broke into Matthias’s misery. “Papa? Please don’t get upset. Please, Papa.”

Matthias looked back at his daughter. Oh, Great King, how can I tell her?

Abbie’s eyes were filled with tears. “Papa, please don’t get upset; please don’t. Didn’t you say that the Great King is in control? Won’t He take care of us?”

The simple words hit Matthias like a hammer. Of course! The Great King has a plan! He has to. Matthias knew that he was probably grabbing at straws, but any hope was precious now that the Prince of Peace was gone. Matthias looked once more at the still figure of his Prince. The dark clouds broke for a minute behind Him, letting the sun shine through. Matthias rose to his feet. I have to go on. It’s what He would’ve wanted. Picking up Abbie and placing her on his horse, he swung up behind her. Glancing one last time at the still figure on the hill, he spurred his horse to head for home. I must go on.           

What will happen now? Is the Great King’s plan destroyed? There’s only one way to find out: check back soon for more! In the meantime, please comment with your thoughts! I’d love to know!

-Sarah

The Sacrifice Part Three

Hello, everyone! Ready for the next part of The Sacrifice? I hope so, because I’m posting it right now! In case there’s anyone who needs a refresher, here’s Part Two. And now, Part Three!

Part Three

Abbie frowned as she watched Matthias from the window. Where’s Papa going? She glanced back at her mother. Mama’s busy. She’s not watching me. In that split second, Abbie made her decision. I’ll do it! Quietly, she hurried to the door, grabbing her cloak from a hook on the wall as she went. She slipped out the front door and walked quickly through the courtyard. A crowd was passing along the street in front of the house, and Abbie joined them. Maybe they’re going wherever Papa went. Inwardly, Abbie was sure that Matthias had gone to find the Prince of Peace. Abbie frowned. Why did the people seem mad at him? He’s nice. She remembered the first time the Prince of Peace came to her home. She remembered how her mother and father had promised to serve Him in any way they could, and how he had always had time for her and her friends. Why would anyone want to hurt such a nice man?

            The crowd moved on, carrying Abbie along. Shuddering, Abbie realized where they were going: Death Hill. Death Hill was a barren hill just outside of town with a single, ancient tree at the top. The worst of criminals were hung there. Abbie remembered the one time she had seen someone hung, and she shuddered. Maybe they killed the wrong person and they want the Prince to bring him back to life. That could be it! Abbie had heard tales of the Prince of Peace healing sick or hurt people and even raising a girl from the dead. That must be it. Abbie hurried on, but something inside told her that she was wrong.

            When Abbie reached the hill, she saw Matthias standing beneath a tree, at the bottom of the hill. She ran to him. “Papa, what’s happening?”

Matthias frowned, a concerned look on his face. “What are you doing here, Abbie? I told you to stay at home. You shouldn’t be here. It’s not a good place for you to be.”
Abbie looked up at her father’s face. “I came to find you.”

Matthias sighed. “You shouldn’t have come, Abbie.” He put his arm around her. “Now that you’re here, you have to stay with me. Understand?”

Abbie nodded and watched the scene at the top of the hill. The chief of the City Elders, the group who ruled the city, was saying something. Abbie shivered as she felt the stern man’s black gaze sweep over her as his jet eyes scanned the crowd. Who is he looking for?  The Chief Elder finished speaking, and turned to the Prince of Peace, who was seated on an old horse, hands tied. A tall man nervously led the horse to stand beside the tree, and a noose was placed around the Prince of Peace’s neck. Abbie’s cry of horror was stifled as her father turned her away from the sight. She buried her face in his tunic, half-sobbing. This can’t be happening! It can’t!

What is happening? Is it what it seems like? What will happen next? To find out, check back soon! In the meantime, please comment and tell me what you think! I’d love to know!

-Sarah
Update: Part Four!

The Sacrifice Part Two

Hi, everyone! Sorry for not posting a picture yesterday. I got so distracted by certain other things that I completely forgot. I will post a picture, as well as a review, tomorrow. Also, I will be posting a picture this Friday as well, and posting my usual update on my life on Monday.

Part Two

Matthias froze when they rounded the last corner and found the source of all the noise. No .  . . it can’t be! A crowd had gathered along the sides of the street, and they were jeering at a man being led down the center of the road. This, however, was not what shocked him. He had seen these harsh processions many times, and when he was younger and wilder, he had been a part of many such crowds. No, what hit Matthias like a punch to the gut was the man who was being led down the road, a man who had been Matthias’s dearest friend over the past months. Great King, no! It can’t be! This man was not an ordinary man. He was the Prince of Peace, the Son of the Great King. This cannot be happening! The Prince of Peace came to save us, to give us a way back to the Great King! He remembered how he had heard of people healed by the Prince of Peace; people brought back from the dead; hopeless people given hope.

            Abbie’s voice, small and frightened, broke into Matthias’s thoughts. “Papa? Why is everyone shouting at the Prince? You and He both said that He came to help us.”

            Matthias looked back at his daughter’s worried face. I can’t let her find out what’s happening. She’s too young, too innocent. He glanced back at the figure of the Prince of Peace, noticing the soldiers prodding Him, the blood streaming down his flogged back. The Elders’ work. I should’ve guessed. They’ve never liked Him. Suddenly, he wheeled his horse around. “Come on, Abbie. We’d better get home. I think a storm is coming.” He barely restrained himself from spurring his horse to a gallop, but couldn’t resist a canter. Behind him, he heard the sound of Abbie urging her pony on. I cannot let her see what is sure to happen.

            When the two arrived back at their home, Matthias sent Abbie inside, saying “Go in and find your mama, sunshine.” As soon as she entered the house, he turned his horse and sped away once more. I have to go find out what’s happening!

What is going on? To find out, check back Thursday! I apologize again for forgetting the picture yesterday. I’ll do my best to not let it happen again.

-Sarah

The Sacrifice Part One

Hi, everyone! Welcome back to my blog! Since Rosa is over, I’m starting a new story: The Sacrifice. Ready? I hope so, because here’s the first part!

Part 1

“Abbie, your father wants to see you.”

            The golden-haired nine-year-old looked up at the older lady speaking to her. “Why, Mama?”

            Her mother smiled. “He’s waiting outside. You’ll see why when you go. Hurry and find him.”

            Abbie jumped up, her brown eyes sparkling, and laid the book she was reading aside. “All right, Mama.” She cheerfully skipped out of the family’s good sized home. In the courtyard, she saw her father standing beside his black horse. Behind the horse was a smaller palomino pony. Abbie ran the rest of the way to her father. “Papa! Am I allowed to ride with you now?”

            Her dark-haired father enfolded her in his strong arms. “Yes you are, sunshine. Excited?” His deep blue eyes twinkled as he smiled at his daughter.

            Abbie wriggled out of her father’s embrace. “Oh, yes! I am, Papa!” She hurried over to the pony. “Let’s go!” she exclaimed. Although Abbie had ridden in the stable yard behind the house many times, she had never been allowed to ride with Matthias on his excursions.

            Matthias smiled and helped Abbie into the saddle, then walked over to his own mount and swung into the saddle. “Ready, sunshine?” he asked.

            Abbie grinned happily. “I’m ready, Papa. Look, I can make her go myself.” Abbie made a clucking noise with her tongue and the pony began walking forward. “See, I did it!” Abbie looked at Matthias. “What’s the pony’s name, Papa?”

            Matthias urged his steed forward. “She doesn’t have a name yet, Abbie. After this ride, you can give her one.”

            Abbie nodded slowly. She knew all about her father’s view on naming horses and ponies. A name couldn’t be given until the horse or pony had been ridden by the namer. “Where are we going, Papa?” she asked.

            Matthias turned to look at Abbie. “Where do you want to go, sunshine?”

            Abbie bounced in the saddle. “Can we go to the sweet shop, Papa?”

            Matthias nodded and tugged his horse’s reigns to turn towards the town marketplace. “Aye, let’s go there, Abbie.

            Abbie’s smile got even brighter. “Thank you, Papa!” she exclaimed. She began dreaming of the cakes, rolls, and candy at the sweet shop. Suddenly, a commotion from up ahead broke into her thoughts. “What’s that, Papa?” she asked.

            Matthias frowned and spurred his horse to go faster. “I don’t know, sunshine. Let’s go find out.”

            Abbie frowned too as she urged her pony to a trot. Why does Papa look so worried?

What do you think so far? I know it’s not exactly the epic tale that I’ve posted thus far, but I’d love to hear your opinions anyway!

-Sarah
Update: Part Two is up!