Seminarians On Mission
EPISODE ELEVEN (11)
By: Rec Godwinmario the last born of the BVM
TORJOV: The lion of Tarswen why do you seek me? The mighty lion of Tarswen has lost his teeth and no longer hunts the enemies of his jurisdiction. (Staring at the two missionaries, he takes some spiritual steps and continues) It is ignorance that makes the rat challenge the cat to the battlefield (gives out some incantations) the silence of a lion does not mean it is no longer the king of the jungle. Hahaha, when the gods want to kill a person they first of all make him mad.
KING: Torjov, we come here seeking to know who destroyed the great shrine of Anyamazaga, the god of beauty but you are confusing us the most.
TORJOV: It is only a fool that sleeps when his house is on fire. hahaha, (incantations) When a finger touches the red oil all the fingers are affected. My king the gods are angry, not only with the strangers but you all, especially you the king. Anyamazaga does not want to see your face, you have disappointed him by first allowing him to share his land with total strangers and then accommodating them for too long.
KING: (On his knees) What will I be without the support of the great gods of my ancestors, I was just following the ways of my ancestors for being hospitable. Torjov, tell me, tell me now who burned down the shrine of my god?
TORJOV: The roaring of a lion without teeth is a noise in the jungle.
KING: Enough, Torjov, I am a lion with all my teeth with that hunting fearless heart. Tell me that son of a bastard and I swear on my throne that he or she will pay with their life.
TORJOV: Only the stubborn fly follows the corpse to the grave (Incantations for some minutes) Him (pointing to Andrew) He burnt the shrine of Anyamazaga intending to prevent the festival from taking place.
(The people reacted in surprise, Vitalise looked at him in total dismay)
KING: You? You! How dare you? (thundered a sleep on his face) Do you dare challenge me?
ANDREW: (confused and in fear) Believe me, I did not do anything, I am innocent, please listen to me my King, please, Vitalise please speak to the King, I am innocent.
KING: Guards... size him immediately and lock him up. First thing on Friday morning I shall give your head as a sacrifice to the gods ( This happened on Tuesday. Andrew was not killed immediately because of their festival celebration but Friday was the perfect day for them because it was a day after their feast.)
ABOKWGH: I said it, these children are evil. My king, what should we do about this one?
KING: Vitalise, prepare to leave this land immediately.
VITALISE: (Turns to leave but stops and comes back) I sense from my spirit that Andrew is Innocent but I don't have evidence to prove it. Torjov, the God of heaven, the Lion of Judah will prove my brother's innocence. His blood is bitter, your gods can not drink it.
TORJOV: Watch your tongue and don't play with a fire. Run and never return.
Vitalise ran to the mission house with tears in his eyes as he packed a few of his belongings and returned to his diocese.
He recounts the turn off of things to the Bishop and how Brother Andrew will be killed on Friday if nothing is done. The Bishop broke the news to his congregation but hides It away from his poor mother.
The Bishop and some officials of Andrew's congregation visited Tarswen and begged the king for the release of the young man. It was not an easy challenge for them as the king gave them two options.
KING: I can only release Andrew to you on two conditions and you will choose one. Is either this Andrew who challenged me and the gods of my land, is killed or I release him to you and then I will demolish the mission house I built for you and the heads of your preachers who dare enter here shall be feasted by our gods. Choose wisely.
Deep silence as the Church could not choose from the both options. However, considering the poor background he is coming from and the fact that he is an only child, the superior requested that Andrew be released instead.
When Andrew was brought before the assembly the king explained the decision of his leaders to him and he begs to have a private word with them.
ANDREW: My Lord, My superior, thank you all for coming in search of me, it shows that you all believe that I am innocent. Thank you for the decision you made out there but I think that is not the best decision, my Lord.
SUPERIOR: What do you mean?
ANDREW: The Labor of our dead priests and my efforts shall not be in vain.
BISHOP: Yes, my son. At the Lord's time everything shall be perfected, let us get going before they change their minds.
ANDREW: No, My Lord. Please do not stop me from answering my call, the people of Tarswen must receive Christ even if it means lying down my life for them. What will I gain if I live and these thousands of people die in sin?
SUPERIOR: (Sounded him with a slap) I don't want to hear those words coming out from you. Why are you like this? You are too selfish, why do you always think about yourself? Have you ever wondered how your mother's life will be without you?
ANDREW: The sound of that slap reminds me of that day I was made a soldier for Christ (Confirmation). The slap is a sign of heaven's approval. My mother has her life but as for me, this was my calling. The moment she allowed me to join the seminary was the moment she chose to be the Mary of my life, that was the moment she lost me.
My Lord, you must change your choice, the body of Christ has to come first. It is better to be the son of God than the king of the whole world. My Lord, let me answer my call, please. I am begging you.
(The Bishop was speechless for he has never seen such a young soul fearless even at the point of death. The Bishop hugs him tightly as they both shade tears. The Bishop returned and begged the king so that Andrew could prepare for his death.
The King was surprised at Andrew's courage and the decision; he could not hold back but granted the Bishop's request while Vitalise was left behind until they returned with Andrew.)
ANDREW meets his mother.
TO BE CONTINUED
