The Heart of a Defender is a continuation of the post Under Attack.
The two knights squared off about three paces apart. The knight bearing a scarlet breastplate was the first to attack. He rushed his opponent with his sword raised high, bring it down on the other knight with enormous power. The black knight stood his ground. With split-second timing he deflected the attack with his own sword. In a single move the black knight thrust the tip of his sword forward, zeroing in on the scarlet breastplate. The red knight twisted his body just in time. The weapon glanced off his armor leaving nothing more than a scratch in the paint.
Sid and the other boys watched the duel with amazement. The eager boys had gathered on the cobblestone of the castle courtyard to begin their training. Sid felt lucky to be included in the program. He knew that only the best young men were chosen, and he was proud to be among them. Actually, Hugo the Giant was the one who put in a good word for him with Lord Hanford, the head of the young knight training program.
If he listened carefully and worked hard, someday he would be as skillful as the two knights dueling before him. He took in everything, guessing he would be quizzed on what he was witnessing.
In an instant the fight was over. The black knight thrust his sword at just the moment, stopping with the tip at the red knight’s neck. Had this been a real battle, the red knight would have lost the duel, and his head.
The black knight sheathed his sword, removed his helmet, and offered his hand to the man in red.
“Which of you wishes to step forward and challenge the black knight?” asked Lord Hanford.
Neither Sid nor the nine other trainees moved a muscle.
“No one?” The lord paused. “It pleases me to see that I have ten wise young men before me. Whatever you think you know about the ways of the knighthood you can forget. From now on you will train in the ways of the king’s knights. You will follow my every instruction. Failure to do so means you are not worthy of the knighthood. You will return home in disgrace.”
Sid felt sweat collecting in the palms of his hands. He feared failure as well as disappointing his family. While he vowed to do his best, he wondered if it would be good enough.
The next four weeks were a challenge for the trainees. Six days a week were packed with archery, horsemanship, and combat lessons. Sid struggled to master the bow. He often trailed the others in the number of arrows landed in the center of the target. On horseback, his abilities were good enough to please the instructors. However, the sword is where Sid excelled.
“You have natural talent,” Dawson often told him. “But you’re too aggressive.”
Within the first week Sid and Dawson struck up a friendship. Having a trusted partner to lean on made the difficult training a little less painful.
For now, the boys trained with wooden swords. The cracking of their weapons filled the courtyard as they sparred in pairs, practicing what they learned.
Sid’s ferocious attack forced Dawson back on his heels.
“Stop, stop!” Lord Hanford called for the young fighters to lower their weapons.
“You left yourself open to a counterattack,” said Hanford.
Sid listened to the advice, but said nothing. He understood what he had done wrong, and vowed to do better the next time.
“Everyone gather around.” Lord Hanford called the group together as the evening sun dipped below the courtyard wall. “That’s enough for today. However, I have something special in store for you tomorrow, so get a good night’s rest. You will need it.”
That night Sid laid awake in his bed staring into the darkness. He wondered what Hanford had in mind for him and the others.
“Dawson,” Sid called to his friend in a whisper. He didn’t want to wake the other two boys who shared the room. “Dawson, are you awake?”
“What’s the matter?”
“What do you think Lord Hanford has planned for tomorrow?” Sid asked.
“I don’t know. Go to sleep. We’ll find out soon enough.”
“I have a bad feeling about it.”
Dawson sighed. “Just remember what we’ve been learning. You’ll be fine.”
Sid tried to recall the lessons he had been taught one after the other. An hour later sleep finally overtook him.
The next morning the boys marched to the training grounds. There they found Hanford accompanied by three knights. The trio of warriors eyed the young trainees without expression.
“Good morning gentlemen,” Hanford paced back and forth before his students. “Today you will prove whether you deserve to continue training or not. You will be paired up by the drawing of lots. Each pair will duel, while these valiant knights observe. They will judge your performances and rule accordingly. Now let us begin.”
Sid was disappointed to discover that he would be fighting last. He was anxious to square off with his opponent. He felt he could easily beat Peyton and impress the judges.
Dawson fought the first duel. It ended in a draw. The knights stopped the bout when they had seen enough. Both Dawson and his opponent were given a nod of approval by the knights. The next three duels were fought, and in each case the trainees were deemed worthy to continue in the program.
Sid and Peyton were the last to battle. As soon as the word was given, Sid went on the attack. He rushed at his opponent with his sword leveled. Peyton twisted to one side and dodged the attack. Again Sid pushed forward with his sword swinging. Peyton was forced to retreat. Sid didn’t want the match to end in a draw. He wanted to be the true winner, so he kept the pressure on Peyton. He raised his weapon and leapt forward, bringing it down on his opponent. But this time Peyton caught him off guard. Peyton parried and swung his sword at Sid. The wood stopped within a hair of Sid’s neck. The bout was over.
Sid stood in disbelief. How could he have lost? How could he have let himself be beaten? He watched the judges carefully as they talked among themselves. He wanted to plead his case but knew the knights didn’t care to hear what he had to say. They had seen the fight with their own eyes. Besides, it would be shameful for a knight to grovel.
“Young man,” the lead knight pointed to Peyton. “That was a fine performance. You have proven yourself worthy.
The knight turned to Sid. “As for you, “Your were careless in your execution.”
Sid held his breath and waited for the crushing news.
“However, we see that you have the heart of a defender. You my continue your training.”
***
1 Peter 3:15 says: “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness”
What do you think Peter means by “make a defense?”
As we grow in our faith, we should know why we believe what we do.
In the story was Sid better at offense or defense?
Does God want us attacking those who don’t believe?
Defending the Christian faith can be like a sword fighting bout, or jousting. Instead of swords, what would you use?
(words or ideas)
Are you ready to make a defense of your faith?
It’s a skill that all Christians should have. Of course it will take time to master, but you can start learning today.