Flint and Steel

By Aaron Castle

Persecution, nave nobles, blood thirsty pagans, a mysterious organization, and a riveting love story that will throw the reader into a world where greed and conflict rule over truth. As Chalser Baldwen struggles with his personal identity and his new friend Flint fights his own demons, the two travel the land until fate calls on them in the form of a captured slave. They are shown their true calling; to purge the land of a hypocritical and evil organization led by a tyrant whose greatest weapon is religion.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Oct 22, 2015
• ISBN: 9781504957496

Aaron Castle

An aspiring writer, poet, and anthropologist; Aaron Castle decided to put his love for religious acceptance, cultures, and fiction into a beautifully written tale. Taking the scenery from his travels and the amalgam of ideals bestowed upon him from his family and friends, he formed the work that is “Flint and Steel” into a very symbolic and poetic piece. He finished the story directly after high school, and after three years it was finally ready for the shelves. His love and respect for nature given to him from his life in Lower Alabama is shown throughout the pages as he shows his views and manages to capture the reader with each and every word.

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© 2015 Aaron Castle. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 10/22/2015

ISBN: 978-1-5049-5748-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-5749-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015917513

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Prologue

Part I

Ch I Chalser

Ch II Flint

Ch III Chalser

Ch IV Flint

Part II *7 Years Later*

Ch V Chalser

Ch VI Flint

Ch VII Benjamin

Ch VIII Benjamin

Ch IX Flint

Ch X Flint

Ch XI Chalser

Ch XII Flint

Ch XIII Chalser

Ch XIV Flint

Foreword

Prologue

We find that in nature, animals’ populations fluctuate. These fluctuations are linked directly to their prey, environment, and/or predators. Take wolves for example; a pack of wolves would only eat rabbits. There are no other animals in this scenario, just grass, rabbits, and wolves. Wolves are going to hunt the rabbits, obviously, to feed themselves, but what happens to the rabbits? Clearly, with no other prey for the predators, the rabbits are hunted nearly to extinction. On the other hand, with a steady supply of food, the wolves have reproduced, and have more mouths to feed, too many for the supply of rabbits. So they begin to starve. They will kill one another, starve to death, maybe try to adapt and change diets, but nothing will prevail. Then, as the population of wolves decreases, the population of rabbits will soon increase, due to the lack of predators. This is nature, and humans are no exception; there is however, one small problem. Humans have no natural predators, so homo-sapiens are doomed from the start to have their bloodlines adapt, starve, or kill one another for food. But nothing is ever that simple, is it? Humans are extremely complex, they manipulate everything around them to do exactly what they desire, and humans are so accustomed to that power that when they try to manipulate other people and when it doesn’t work, they become displeased. This is the forefront of confrontation and the basis of war. Humans yearn to do whatever they so desire and if any one individual disagrees or tries to stop them, they confront them. Going back to the original scenario, it is no longer just grass, rabbits, and wolves. No, it is now a hefty mixture of Earth, morals, religion, love, hatred, loyalty, intelligence, and all of the lovely things that make humans, humans.

Castle, Aaron

Part I

Ch I

Chalser

War does not determine who is right-only who is left

-Bertrand Russell

Chalser’s heavy eyes swung open with the thick ring of a church bell outside. Hastily, he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes as regret swayed on him for studying so late. The late morning sun filtered through the stained glass window in his room, and a sigh escaped his lips as he realized he hadn’t missed church yet. He forced himself to depart the comfort of his bed, and to begin preparing himself for the Sunday service. Chalser stepped over piles of books and waded through clothes littering the wooden bedroom floor. His father had told the maid to stop straightening his room; he could remember his exact words. It is a preposterous thing to have so many belongings, and I will not pay double to have my spoiled son’s room clean. He needs to learn that cleanliness is next to Godliness and that no one that is cleanly lives in a roach infested sty such as that. Chalser rolled his eyes at the thought of his father.

What a buffoon, he mumbled to himself as he opened his wardrobe. Just for a moment however, the teen pondered the thought of skipping the ceremony, but quickly brushed it aside. He had to attend church today, he hadn’t last Sunday and his mother had scolded him. Plus, Caroline would be there. His heart fluttered with the thought of Caroline, Oh what a woman! He smiled, as he chose something darker and heavier to fight off the chilled breezes that fall brought with it.

The young man not once, stopped thinking about that unique and wonderful woman, Caroline. He thought about her as he dressed himself, as he threw out his retired candle, he even thought about her as he descended the cold stone steps that led to the entrance hall of his family’s gorgeous, dazzling castle. Not long after he began his descent however, he met with his youngest uncle, Clemence.

Are you on your way down for the service? the sprout, 20 year old asked.

Sadly, say. Have you seen Caroline at all?

I have! She’s dressed in her blue dress, and you may want to hurry if you wish to catch her before service starts. His uncle threw a quick wink.

Chalser nodded and thanked his young uncle, he liked him. Clemence had married his Aunt Illidia, the youngest of Great David and Mother Lillian’s three children. Never the less, the thought of Caroline in her blue dress put a smile on his face and a spring in his step as he doubled his pace down the winding stone stair case.

It didn’t take him long at all to reach the entrance hall, and what a sight he was greeted with! There standing and smiling at the serfs and freemen as they filed into the chapel was his love, his summer flower, Caroline Rose. She was dressed in a deep blue dress that pooled over her feet. The color of the fabric accented her lovely sweet blue eyes perfectly, and she wore plain gold earrings that were partially covered by her wavy blonde hair which slightly cascaded down the sides her beautiful face. Wearing her plain earrings to show humility! Chalser thought with a smile. He strode across the great hall which was decorated with wreaths around the four stone pillars that held up the mighty ceiling over them. A deep red carpet softened the steps of the peasants as they herded themselves to their god. Chalser made his way through the wretches and was soon rewarded by the sight of his love once more. She glanced at him and her eyes widened, her lovely rose lips curled into an incredibly brilliant smile.

Chalser! Caroline exclaimed with a gasp, You decided to show for service this week! I thought surely I would have to wait till near past noon to see you!

Chalser’s chest puffed out a little as he became content on his selfless deed. Of course! I had to see my rose among—, he looked about at the dirty crowd that was now thinning, and then back at a hopeful looking Caroline. A rose among wretches, he said smiling sarcastically. A filthy old man, whose beard was whiter than purity itself, coughed towards the arrogant teen in disgust at his comment.

Caroline’s face fell into a more concerned look rather than happy. I do hate it when you talk badly about these poor people; you know they would be better off if your father didn’t tax them so harshly, she said disappointedly.

My father taxes his locals as he must to keep things running smoothly, it is the greedy church and their fowl purge that is killing these…poor creatures.

Caroline looked astonished. Hush, she said quickly as she put a thin, lovely finger to his lips. She glanced around, and lowered her voice to continue. If a knight of The Purge were to hear you, you know your father wouldn’t be able to save you.

Chalser gently took her finger away and grinned. Yes, and then I would have to fight my way back here, to see that you haven’t perished from the heart break caused by my absence, Chalser stated teasingly.

And what makes you think I care so deeply for you? she lightly joked as she grabbed his hand. Let’s hurry and go in, your father had some seats reserved for us earlier this morning. She entered the room as the last peasant shuffled in and stood by the door inside the chapel.

The Baldwen family chapel was a marvelous room indeed; it had a deep red carpet that led all the way to a golden shrine which was flanked by sturdy wooden chairs. On either side of the carpet there were oaken benches that only the members of the wealthy and church could sit on, everyone else stood by the walls. However, no matter what social class you belonged to, holy light from the stained glass windows showered everyone in the room with a warm glow. Caroline loved this, so she always chose to sit in the very first bench, closest to the speaker, and that is where she now tugged Chalser to. They were seated and shortly after, the service began. The eldest relatives walked down the aisle to the chairs behind the alter and then seated themselves. They were quickly followed by their kids, which were Chalser’s aunts and uncles. There was the oldest which was Victoria, or Vick as he liked to be called, and his daughter followed him until she locked eyes with Caroline. Chalser’s cousin walked directly over to Caroline and plopped down on the bench next to her.

He heard Caroline greet her best friend, Look who I found wandering about the entrance hall before service. Caroline nodded proudly at Chalser.

Esibelle, his cousin, smiled sweetly behind her. Took a break from your books did you? she teased. She was dressed in a dark yellow dress that brightened up her dark hair and eyes; she truly was a beautiful young woman. Chalser remembered growing up with Esibelle and how inseparable she always was from Caroline.

Esibelle turned around to the crowd and quickly scanned it; Chalser turned his attention back to his family as they paraded themselves down the red carpet. After his Uncle Victoria, there was his own father and mother whom had linked arms to walk down to the altar. His father locked his dark eyes on him, and nodded in approval at his son’s presence in service. His mother followed her husband’s gaze and saw her young son sitting with his sweet and his cousin, she smiled lovingly. Chalser smiled back to his mother, and they continued forward to their seats behind the altar. His parents were followed by the last of his parents’ siblings, his young Aunt Illidia and her husband Clemence whom he had spoken with recently on the stairs this morning. Chalser noticed that they looked so intent, so complete in one another as they walked down the aisle smiling to everyone. Observing there absolute happiness reminded Chalser of Caroline and his own love for her. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it, she looked at him and their eyes met. Chalser felt as if his heart was melting and used all of his strength to form a small smile. Caroline did the same… The lovers gaze was only broken by the sound of steel marching down the aisle. Caroline and Chalser looked back towards the doors of the chapel. Fully clad knights marched into the stone room; they each wielded a halberd with a white flag below the blade. The flag was long and thin and ended in an inward fork. The interior of the flag was bordered by a gold line and a gold cross lay in the field of white. It was the flag of the pope and of the church, it was said to be the holiest thing aside from the pope’s book and of course the man himself.

The flag on the knights’ halberds matched exactly with the same symbol on their tabards which draped over their shining metal armor. Their heads were covered with a thick cloth hood that was white and protruded from underneath the back of their armor. There were four knights in front of a middle aged man clad in white robes and four knights behind him. They marched in this formation until they came to the altar and the knights separated to different positions around the front of the room. The man walked to the altar and kneeled in front of it. Chalser saw the man’s lips moving, and then he stood up and faced the eager crowd. The man had dark hair in a small pony tail with almost transparent skin, his voice was deep, much deeper than anyone would have expected, and much more smooth as well.

I am Vincentino Falluveous the third, your shepherd on this unforgiving planet ravaged by demon wastes and blood thirsty pagans. This tomb, he said as he held up a thick leather bound book with a cross on it, is Christ’s own word. This book is his will, and he has graciously given me, the ability to comprehend his holy words so that I in turn may repeat them to you. I am but a lowly messenger of our all-powerful God. Chalser rolled his eyes and looked back at the crowd; every single person in the room was grasping, clinging even, onto each and every word this man spoke. Chalser couldn’t buy into it; why couldn’t he read it? Why did Christ choose this bat to read it? He just didn’t understand.

The man continued to speak, Before I continue on with the service however, I have a very important announcement. A man of pagan beliefs revoked his old gods and ways and has decided to come into the light and gracefulness of Christ. The room was filled with applause, and the pope held out a welcoming hand towards the door as a scraggy looking man with thick facial hair and animal skins wrapped around his body walked down the aisle towards the alter.

Caroline leaned towards Chalser and whispered, I have never seen a Northern man want to repent before, where did he get the money?!

Chalser shook his head in disbelief, I have never seen it either…I have no idea. The Northern man walked up the aisle quietly and sternly, and dropped a leather bag on the ground in front of the pope. It sounded heavy with gold.

The pope smiled and put his hand on the Northern man’s shoulders, With this penance of your sins and your ways, I will bestow upon you the Christian name… Edward. You will become a knight of The Purge and you will be sworn into my order to help keep the evil forces of Satan and his minions at bay. A second applause sounded to congratulate the new inductee. Chalser, knowing better, looked down thinking of how he will most likely be posted in the East, on the border of the demon wastes.

The pope patted the Northern man, Edward, on the back and announced, Now go, and hear the words of your lord and savior for the first time my child. Edward walked over to the nearest spot on a bench and sat down. Chalser looked back at the crowd, an array of disgusted faces peered back towards the once pagan. The pope continued once more, Now with one more sheep in the flock I urge the rest of you please pay your penance so that you may also enter the light of our lord’s love. Work your foul slaves and awful pagans into the dirt, teach them humility and give to them what all followers of Satan deserve. That is a harsh and rough death to ensure that you have enough wealth to tithe and tax to pay the penance the church requires. I cannot save the sheep that are greedy and wish nothing more than to hoard their wealth.

The pope searched the room with eyes of piercing green emerald, looking at a few individuals as if he knew that they weren’t giving him all of their money. Most of the people in the room found their feet interesting and gazed down to avoid eye contact with the inquiring holy man. Never the less, he carried on as he opened the thick bible and cleared his throat, from Christ, to me, to your own ears, your lord says… His voice trailed off into space as Chalser’s thoughts of Caroline overwhelmed his young mind. He was reminded of how his aunt and uncle are so in love… oh how he wished for that… Chalser began to plan his afternoon schedule. Lunch after service, Sword lessons with Uncle Victoria, and then a wide open spot just for her. His thoughts carried on, drunk with love of Caroline and encouraged by his lack of interest in the lies he heard the pope spew forth from his mouth like vomit.

….

Service ended much slower than Chalser would’ve wanted. The pope and his armored guards left the chapel in a shower of appraisals and applause. Next they would travel south-west to the Chambelle family castle; they were the most devoted family. They gave hundreds of pounds of gold to the church every year Chalser thought. After the pope and his Purge knights left, the elderly left, followed by their kids, then Chalser, Caroline, and Esibelle followed their parents out of the chapel.

Where are your parents at Caroline? I don’t think I have ever seen them miss a service, Esibelle asked.

Something must have slowed them, they were on their way from an early morning swim in Lake Ellesmere, Caroline shrugged and continued with a cheerful smile, Never the less, if they missed the service my father will definitely be here, he’s never missed a meal in his life. Especially a Sunday feast! Esibelle added with a slight giggle. The group made their way out of the chapel, and then was soon followed by the wretched mass of poverty stricken animals that Chalser hated. Why couldn’t they just build their own church? Leave him and Caroline alone…, his thoughts trailed off into space again as he walked through the entrance hall and turned left to the dining hall. Tall doors stood open, inviting him as he stepped into the long, tall hall that was dominated by a large wooden table with rows of benches on either side of it. An assortment of flowers and silverware populated the dining table down to the end. He recognized his family at the other end of the hall, already seated and waiting for everyone else to start the Sunday feast. Caroline hesitated at the door. Chalser looked back at her in curiosity.

Oh don’t mind me, I’m going to wait on my parents before I sit down, go on ahead and save me a seat beside you and Esibelle please?

Chalser nodded with a disappointed expression.

Oh stop it! Caroline exclaimed laughing, she lovingly touched his arm. Go on, I’ll be right there, promise.

Very well, Chalser replied as his heart melted. He walked to his family and slumped down next to his aunt Illidia who was already in a conversation with his parents and his uncle Clemence. Chalser wasn’t in a very talkative mood so he pretended