The Warrior King

The warrior rolled on the ground with his several opponents, his powerful arms rippling as he skillfully thwarted each aggressive attack from his multiply attackers. The man’s three boys continued to dive at their dad, arms unsuccessfully trying to get him into a choke hold, trying to pin his arms down, trying to tangle up his legs, trying to do anything to win this new wrestling match. The backyard was filled with grunts of exertion, mixed with the medicine of deep and hardy laughter from all participants involved. The boys knew that the power they were facing was being restricted by their father’s loving self restraint, that he could pulverize them in a moment of time with his massive body and his years of training as a warrior. But this was a time of fun, a time of bonding, a time where their father was strengthening their minds, bodies and future fighting skills. Suddenly, the shrills of laughter was cut off, all wrestling instantly stopped, and the father and his boys lay frozen on the ground. The warning horn blared throughout the fortress town! The enemy was back! The horn ended it’s warning blast and silence filled the void. Next, the sound of the back door of the house was heard, creaking open. A beautiful woman stood in the doorway, her eyes of concern meeting the eyes of her husband, who was getting up off the ground, no longer laughing. The warrior walked towards his wife, put his arms around her, caressed her back gently, and kissed her deeply, knowing that it may be the last time they ever touched in this life. The warrior motioned for his boys to come, and the family stood in silence, hugging one another, drinking in the comfort of each other’s presence. Then, the man, broke away from his family and walked purposefully into the house, returning back out into the yard minutes later with his sword, shield and armor. He looked at his family and smiled in such a way that filled their hearts with encouragement, a smile that said, “I will see you shortly”. Then the smile was gone, as the warrior quickly strode to his awaiting steed, mounted, and headed towards the front gate. The courtyard was filled with worried faces, thoughts of imminent battle wore heavily on the people’s faces. The warrior king spoke to his people from his throne of flesh and muscle, encouraging them with his words of courage and strength. Then he raised his sword and shouted the call of victory! At this the gates of the fortress opened, and the warrior king and his army rode out in a fury. The wife watched as her husband left the safety of the fortress. The man who had dedicated his life to loving her, serving her, putting her needs above his own, and she hoped beyond hope that he would return. The boys watched their father disappear, the man who always had time for them, who loved them and who constantly poured his life into theirs, and they longed for their next wrestling match. The people watch their king leave the city, a man who was honest, caring and just towards them, a man who led to serve and not to be served, and they prayed for the quick return of their king.

As the king approached the oncoming enemy, they could see a blaze of fury pour forth from his eyes. The enemy had sworn to destroy this king and all that he held as dear, and the King knew this in the deepest recesses of his heart. The enemy would not taste the Warrior kings gentle caresses today. They would not feel the strength of his battle skills restrained. And the only serving they would receive from the king, was his serving them his anger and wrath, unmixed with mercy, to protect those he loved dearly, so that peace and justice could prevail throughout the kingdom.