A Standard Morning
The shadow of a man is cast upon the steps of the Altar in the Cathedral dedicated to St. Nicholas as the cold December sun fills the sanctuary. The man grabs onto the banister to lift himself up as his knees were sore from the dawn prayer. He feels the morning chill enter the room as a Father Diego enters from the side door
“Brother Raymond,” Peter addresses the man rising to greet him “Have you been here all night, again?”
“I wouldn’t exactly call it all night if it was already dark when I arrived” The man wrapped his muscular arms around the receiving priest. “How are you this wonderful sunrise, Father Peter?”
“Wandering about the church when I found you praying,” Father Deigo said when leaving the hug. “Does your family know you are not in the fields? It’s early morning and sheep are awfully stupid.”
Sensing the inquisitive nature in Father Peter’s tone, Raymond felt that he needed to attend to his flock. “You’re right, I can’t rely on the help for everything.”
As Raymond was walking out of the church, Father Deigo placed his hand in a tender way on the burly man’s shoulder. “Raymond, I wasn’t trying to kick you out, but I want you to know that while we all have a role to play, you can still call me if you need help”
“Thank you, Father Deigo” Raymond grabs his coat and his staff, “I will be back this evening”.
A Shocking Find
Walking through was uneventful except the road to his father’s offices were blocked due to renovations for the houses. The morning walk to the outskirts of town shows that it is a town walking up, but an evil shadow covers the town Slave Market.
The abomination from the pits of Tartarus stole Raymond’s attention as he heard the Auctioneer express humans as a common wagon apparel.
“Excuse me!” Raymond Shouted at the stout man running the auction “May I humbly ask what is going on in my town?”
The authority from his voice rung, and as a result, everyone turned their eyes on him
As the crowd moves apart, Raymond repeats “What is going on here?”
The question was asked to the man with a turban on his head. He was a darker skinned man about the same size as Raymond and stepped forward to address this insolence.
“Who is this guy?” The man with the turban asked his subordinates
“I take it that you gentlemen are new here.” Raymond said overhearing the strangers talking to themselves. “Allow me to introduce myself” Raymond said as he came walking to them.
“I am Raymond of Portobello. This town’s bellies remain full due to the farms of my father, and your slave labor is not needed.” Raymond declared. “So, I will ask nicely that in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that you lay down your chains and leave.” He followed up sternly, showing authority in his posture.
“Aamir! Malak!” The burly man in a turban commanded his lackeys “Take this insect out”
Aamir, a portly man, and Malak, a lean man of considerable height, grab their spears. As the duo lunged at Raymond, the young man grabbed ahold of his staff and took a defensive stance that covered both his left and right flank
“I guess we’re doing this,” Raymond said softly as tipped the staff to his lower right side. Aamir was closer to him and seeing the portly man was top heavy, Raymond went straight for the ankles in an underhanded staff-sweep to the feet. With the momentum from the lunge, Aamir went tumbling into the crowd and landing in a manure cart. With Aamir being dealt with, Raymond immediately swung the staff in an ark that hit Malak in the nape of the neck as Raymond stepped into a side stance.
“I can keep this up” Raymond said, “Now, are you going to explain what is going on in my town?”
Impressed with how quickly Aamir and Malak were disposed of, the burly slave driver decided to humor Raymond.
“I am Ali, ambassador of the illustrious merchant Mohammad.” Ali said “since you are still standing, I will explain.” Ali motioned for a smaller man to come take his spot on the podium. In the process of trading places, Ali moves to the level ground where Raymond is standing. At which both men look each other in the eyes.
“The illustrious Mohammad has chosen your town as the newest marketplace to become the provider of is fledgling international empire” Ali Boasted
“What exactly is this ‘international empire’ based on?” Asked Raymond “Because,” he accused while pointing to the people in bondage “It looks to be based on the trade of human beings.”
“Ahh so, you see our most popular export!” Ali said. Sensing the anger brewing in Raymond, he attempts to change the subject “It is not all that we sell, but the demand for our product is booming in your region. As you can see from our fine Ethiopian and Blonde-”
“Alright, I had enough of this” Raymond said “I will not tolerate slave trading in my town. For I was instructed to ‘Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.’ This is your final warning, stand down, release your captives and Repent of your sins.” Raymond started to straffe to where the slaves are being held “Or this will be your end.”
“Bold” Said Ali “But at last, your empty threat is just that” Ali starts to mirror Raymond while motioning to his spear. The Two men stared each other down while holding on to their staves.
“Ma’am,” Raymond whispered to the petite woman who had a larger midsection in chains he slid over too while taking a fighting stance “I need you to tell the men and women behind you to follow my every command, I will get you out of here”
“Yes sir” She whispered. She then started to whisper to the 5 others with her to follow the burly man speaking on their behalf. The woman moved to her compatriots and whispered to them.
“Are we going to do this?” Ali asked while lowering his spear
“Ready when you are” Raymond said.
Ali started to charge with his spear angle lowering to Raymond. Remembering his subordinates' failure, he stopped short to take advantage of the length of his spear. Raymond rushed forward in an attempt to take advantage of his opponents' abundance of caution. The spear and staff met in the air, with a solid thud as the wood clashed with each other. The two men mirrored each other and Ali broke the showdown with a downward thrust to break Raymond’s guard. Raymond staggered back to regain his footing, and consequently started to pivot himself to counterstrike. Going in for the counter, Raymond thrusted towards Ali to parry the attack. Using that momentum, Raymond swung his staff over the chains of the people in bondage.
“What?” Ali muttered as he saw the shepherd had other plans in mind. He then ran to his fallen men to catch them up to speed, giving Raymond a moment to escape with those in bondage. The time was sparse, but Raymond effectively herded the ones formerly in chains back to the church.
“We need to move. Fast” Raymond uttered to the crowd. He shepherded them back to the church in hopes of Sanctuary for what he’s doing to bear fruit.
To Be Continued