Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Proverbs 17:22 (05/04/23)
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TITLE: Precious Cargo | Previous Challenge Entry
By Terry R A Eissfeldt
05/09/23 -
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Agathe shuffles down the narrow cobbled street ears pricked for the sound of hooves striking rock.
Her shoulders, burdened by a leather rucksack, bow forward to keep it from slipping.
"Precious cargo," she whispers, eyes darting to and fro squinting under the thin moonlight.
Thankful for the cover of darkness she smiles a wide toothless grin, readjusting the pack, she carries on.
Coming to a crossroad she darts left searching each door for the sign.
Finally the last door on the right beckons her to knock. Smudged in charcoal on the weathered wood is a five petaled flower.
The old woman raises her gnarled hand and gently knocks.
The door creaks open.
A voice from the shadows asks, "What is your trade?"
"Dragon's blood." The old woman answers with a cackle.
The door opens wider to allow Agathe entrance.
Soft candle light halos a rough hewn table. Seated around are four cloaked figures.
Two chairs await Agathe and the door-keeper. She hobbles forward, removes her pack, and sits with a deep sigh followed by a chuckle.
The door keeper lifts his right hand. The other hooded individuals do the same.
“Salvation comes through grace alone." Five voices raise in unison then abruptly lower their hands and remove their hoods.
"Please state your name and need," the door keeper instructs.
A young woman to his right with piercing blue eyes and golden ringlets begins.
"I come for my mistress, the Lady Charlotte of Nice."
Murmurs interrupt her tale.
"A fine woman....kind and generous....so tragic...."
Agathe looks around then rests her old brown eyes on the girl and nods.
"My name is Anne. My mistress is known for her generosity and kindness, as you've already heard. But now, in old age, her joints are swelled and she lives in constant pain. Her joy is sapped as her bones brittle."
Anne's eyes drift from the merry wrinkled face to Agathe's crippled hands.
"Yes, child," Agathe assures her. "My joints are swollen too."
"Yet," the young girl stutters, "you are joyful....how is it possible?"
Agathe's eyes twinkle in the flickering candle light and she flashes her toothless grin at the girl.
"A merry heart and dragon's blood."
Murmuring resumes around the table.
An older man sitting next to Anne raises his voice. "That's why we're here isn't it? To lay our needs before you to judge who is worthy of your goods?"
Agathe closes her eyes and sighs. The needs are so many. The cargo so precious and rare.
"What is your need, sir?" she asks.
"My wife." His voice cracks under the burden of his love. "She is consumed in grief over the death of our dear child."
Anne reaches over and places her small hand on his wide shaking shoulder.
"I'm losing her..." he sobs.
The old woman clutches her twisted hands together.
The next man begins to talk but Agathe raises her arms and begins to sing:
"O Ancient One we humbly come to offer up our praise.
With gratitude we bow our heads and worship with hands raised.
Sacred tree cut so deep for our needs the resin seeps.
By Your hand we gather up the healing balm of dragon's blood.
Mix Your grace and healing touch with the ancient resin drops."
Five pairs of hands join Agathe's raised to the heaven's in silent prayer as she leads them.
As the last note hangs in the room, reverberating from stone wall to thatched roof and back to the wooden table, an other-worldy peace hovers.
Agathe reaches for the rucksack and opens it up. She draws out the precious cargo of dragon's blood, also known as frankincense.
"Today I have enough for all." She begins to distribute the sticky lumps of resin to grateful waiting hands.
"Just remember, though healing properties exist within this sacred tree it is from the cross of Calvary, through Jesus Christ our Lord, perfect healing flows. The gift of Joy in the Holy Spirit has the power to refresh even the driest bones of despair."
Five faces nod as they clutch the precious cargo to their chests.
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Frankincense - antidepressant, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, sedative
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