Unbroken Kingdom

by Lorie Gurnett

  “Haven’t you ever heard that bad company corrupts good character? When you allow angry and negative thoughts to surround you, you will start to view everything as bad.” Senora reached for Robert’s hand.

  Robert flinched away and stared at his glass of iced tea. “Why do you bother with me?”

  “I see great potential in you. I believe in you just as Trevor did. The most important things is to learn from your mistakes, and not dwell on them.”

  “I know, what you say does hold great weight, but pain reminds me I’m still alive, that I still feel, even when I don’t want to. How did you get to be so smart?”

  Senora stared off as she remembered her friends, Sam and Delores, but Robert wasn’t ready to hear about them—and she wasn’t ready to tell him. She sighed and simply sipped at her tea.

  “What’re you in such deep thought about?”

  “Oh, just pondering your question. I guess I’ve been growing in my faith and in what I’ve been learning at school.”

  “Ok, keep your secrets.” Senora was distracted as Gloria approached them.

  “Sorry to interrupt, but I’m going home. See you at rehearsal tomorrow, Nora?” Gloria asked.

  “Yeah, I’ll be there. I hope you have a good day.” Senora replied.

  “What rehearsal?” Robert asked.

  “Oh, grad rehearsal. We’re going over our speeches and practicing the routine of the order we enter for the ceremony,” Senora said.

  “Oh, fun.” Robert rolled his eyes. Senora playfully punched Robert’s shoulder.

  “Whatever,” Gloria replied as she bit her lip and left The Diner.

  “She really doesn’t like me, does she?” Robert asked.

  “I think she’s just nervous about grad and the decisions that are before her.”

  “I get that. At least she has decisions.”

  “Do you regret not attending college?”

  Robert stared at the closed door as he pondered Senora’s question.

  He turned and stared intently at Senora so hard she squirmed uncomfortably. “Sorry to make you nervous, but that’s a heavy question. One I’m not willin to answer at this time.”

  Senora fiddled with her teacup and gasped as she let out her breath. “I understand. Facing the unknown, myself, I feel the fear and turmoil boiling beneath the surface. But I also understand where my peace comes from. You know we live in a strange and dark world yet as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we know about the true light.”1

  “What’re you talking about? What’s the true light?”

  “In the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.2 So, no matter how dark life gets, God’s light will shine through you, surrounding you with that peace. As children of God we have something to be joyful about. Not only has God saved us out of the world we’ve been brought into this fellowship called the church.”3

  “The church? What has the church ever done for me? I’m an outcast, a reject. I see them looking down their noses at me. They don’t want to get their hands dirty. They only tolerate me.”

  “Not everyone’s like that. I admit there’re a few, but that just makes them more like you than you realize.”

  “What? How does that make them like me?”

  “You see, ignoring you they don’t have to face their own issues. They trap themselves in the comparison game, so they don’t have to own up to their mistakes.”

  Robert leaned back and folded his arms in front of his chest. “Sounds like you’re making excuses for them.”

  “You have to understand: as humans we are not perfect and we do make mistakes. When you dwell on those mistakes, we tend to fail ourselves. A lot of people try to shift blame and point fingers to take the focus off their own failures. We’ve been saved out of the world through blood of Christ but we’ve been saved and united into His body; therefore, we’re brought into fellowship. This fellowship’s something to rejoice about and to relish and not to ever take for granted.”4

  “Take for granted? That’s an understatement if I ever heard one. I look at your church and all I see is division, nit-picking, strife, and heartache. Where’s the fellowship in that?”

  “We can be joyful because our citizenship is in heaven.5 So even though we’re in this world and face many discouragements, we don’t belong here. God has a plan for each of us, Bobbie. Trust God for that plan. Don’t allow where other people are in their walk with Christ to hinder the direction God’s leading you.”

  Robert finished off the last of his iced tea and threw a five-dollar bill on the table. As he stood to leave, Senora reached for his arm. “Please take the time to think about the importance of unity and fellowship. It is not always easy to go it alone.”

  “You say a lot, but you don’t speak for everyone. I know God loves me, and has forgiven me, but I’m not ready to face their glares.” Robert turned to leave. Senora stood and nodded goodbye to the waitress and quickly shuffled after Robert. Robert climbed into his truck when she exited. She ran to the driver’s side window.

  “I’m sorry if I touched a sore spot. I care about you.” Senora said.

  “I know, just give me time.” Robert sighed as he started up the truck engine.

  “Wait, have you thought about coming to my grad?”

  “I’ll talk to Mom about it.”

  “I hope you’ll come. After grad I’m parking my car, so if you do come can I get a ride to The Diner? We’re meeting for supper afterward.”

  “I can do that. I’ll keep you posted. I’ve got to go.” Robert pulled out of the parking lot. Senora stared at the back of his truck until he was out of sight. She subconsciously fiddled with her eagle pendant as her thoughts turned to Sam and Delores.

  The Red Dragon circled the castle’s perimeter. Slowly she landed in the courtyard, quickly transformed back into her human form, and turned to face her friend. “Princess Delores,” she said, as the two ladies embraced in a gentle hug.

  “Any news on your patrol this morning?” Delores asked. Sam stared off toward the western border of Treasure Kingdom. “What is it?”

  “I don’t know, but there is a heaviness in the air this morning. Something is pulling at my heart. Almost like darkness is screaming for freedom.” A dull roar of thunder ripped off in the west.

  “Strange, Lucas is still in bondage. These last two years have been full of peace and unity.” Delores shrugged off Sam’s warnings, turned and pulled out a scarf and her sword, casually cleaning it.

  “I just feel the floodgates are going to overflow. Darkness can only stay in bondage for so long. Where’s Queen Scarlett?” The two ladies jumped as another clap of thunder sounded off in the distance, a little closer and louder than the first.

  “She’s in communion.”

  “Communion? Communion with who?” Sam looked over her shoulder at the throne room window.

  “You know who. The Silver Dragon.”

  “How can she trust that monster?” Sam questioned and as anger glared in her eyes, she crossed her arms and stomped her foot.

  “Steady your anger. Let me ask you this: When you’re one with another, while the other is within, they almost replace your subconscious. How can you silence their voice?” Delores asked.

  “That’s what worries me. The Silver Dragon’s united with Lucas and they both thrive on deception. How do you know the Silver Dragon’s not corrupting Queen Scarlett again?”

  “Hold your tongue. Queen Scarlett’s aware of the former deception; she’s guarded in her conversations.”

  “But how do you know? You can’t hear their conversations since these communions happen within Queen Scarlett’s mind.” Sam stared up toward the throne room window. Delores placed her hand on Sam’s shoulder.

  “We have to trust the Saviour’s protection and the queen’s rule.”

  “I know, but I also carry great warning within my soul.”

  Queen Scarlett sat calmly on her throne with her eyes closed, “Hear me, Silver
Dragon,” she whispered. Scarlett found herself standing face to face with the Silver dragon in a white room.

  “What is it now?” The Silver Dragon circled around Scarlett as smoke rose from the dragon’s nostrils.

  “We have a depth of fellowship within my soul,” Scarlett reminded her and she straightened her posture and stared confidently in the dragon’s eyes.

  “You sure delight in reminding me we’re now one, don’t you? I feel your hands at my throat.” The dragon sends two rippling blasts of flames on either side of Scarlett.

  “Remember it was Lucas who betrayed you by giving me the elixir,” Scarlett reminded her as she stepped closer and grabbed her finger in the middle of the dragon’s nose. “I no longer see you as a threat. I see you as a friend. We were both deceived and now we have to learn to unite together as one.”

  The dragon shifted and body slammed Scarlett to one side. “Friend? Is this like keeping your friends close and your enemies closer?”

  Scarlett braced herself and wrestled the dragon’s tail. “No, it’s not like that at all. I have been praying for you.”

  The dragon violently shook her tail as Scarlett slide to the very end. “I don’t want your prayers.”

  Scarlett let go and stood firm. She brushed her clothes smooth. “I ask that you grow and learn.”

  “Learn? What could you teach me?” The dragon thrust her tail into Scarlett’s chest, knocking the wind out of her.

  Scarlett rested her hands on her knees regaining her composure. “You can’t hurt me in here without hurting yourself.”

  The dragon staggered and let out a huge gasp for air.

  Scarlett stood firm once more and stepped closer to the dragon again. “You’re on the way between conversion to completion.”6

  “Completion of what? My destruction?” The dragon let’s out an ear-deafening roar and then swayed. Scarlett swayed and covered her ears.

  Through the ringing in her ears, Scarlett refused to back down. “We all need God’s help in order to make it.”

  The dragon pawed at her own ears to fight of this unfamiliar ringing. “Make what?”

  “You see, there’s still hope. There’s still light. I believe that God has not given up on you. We all have our own struggles and sin. Nobody’s perfect on their own we are all flawed. No matter how hard they fight for it. We all need prayer. We all need to be on a progression as we go from conversion to completion. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.7 You see it was not a mistake that you and I were united in this way.”

  The dragon wrapped her tail around Scarlett’s leg and hung her upside down. “I think Lucas would speak otherwise on this matter.” The Silver Dragon’s words weighed heavily upon Scarlett as the dragon dropped her with a thud.

  Scarlett pushed the dragon to one side as she stood. “You need to sever that bond. You deserve to be free too.” She clenched her fists, preparing for another fight if necessary.

  “You don’t know what you are asking me to do.” The dragon shook the ground as she lay to one side.

  “He’ll listen to you.” Scarlett placed her hand on the dragon’s shoulder.

  “Don’t be so sure of yourself. You’ve had Lucas in chains for two years now. He has had a long time to plan and plot.” The dragon looked as Scarlett with a smirk as a tear escaped from her eye.

  “But you’re his Silver Enchantress. You’ve been connected for decades.” The dragon leaped into the air and flew in a figure eight formation before landing in front of Scarlett.

  “Exactly, decades. What makes you think that two years of being within you would change my mind after decades of love bondage with Lucas?” The dragon pinned Scarlett with her front paws. Scarlett pricked the dragon’s paws as they both cried out in pain.

  “You and I both know that truth is stronger than lies. You have seen firsthand the power of truth.” Scarlett kicked her feet and jumped up into a standing position.

  The dragon lowered her head in defeat. “I’ll speak with him. Just be prepared for what you might unleash.” The Dragon spoke each word with great conviction.

  Robert pulled up to his old house on the edge of town. He took a deep breath before entering. His mom met him at the door. “How was work today?” she asked.

  “One word. Mark,” Robert growled.

  “You shouldn’t allow him to get to you.” He glared at her and walked to the fridge. “You know, not everyone’s bad.”

  Slamming the fridge door, Robert stared intently at her, almost daring her to continue. “I know life hasn’t been easy for us. It was kind of Mark’s dad to give you a job at the gas station.”

  “Why do you feel the need to defend everyone’s actions? I mean, you’re not Jesus. You can’t save everyone,” Robert snapped at her.

  Looking down at his clenched fists, she reached for his hand. “What happened?”

  Pulling away, Robert quickly grumbled, “Don’t.”

  Shying away, she slowly looked up at him. “I'm going to see him on the weekend.”

  Robert stepped forward and punched a hole in the wall beside her head.

  “Hit me, if it makes you feel better,” she demanded.

  His face fell and he turned away. “Why do you keep letting him back into your life? You know, I’m not him.”

  “I didn’t say you were.” She reached for his shoulder but he flinched away.

  “Whatever. Before you bring that loser back up in conversation, I saw Nora today.”

  A smile formed on her face at the mention of Senora’s name. She folded her arms in front of her and leaned against the wall. “How is she doin’? I haven’t seen her since-”

  “Don’t-don’t go there. She’s invited us to her graduation next month.” Robert tossed the envelope on the table and retreated into his room. She followed him to his bedroom door holding the envelope.

  She waved the envelope in Robert’s face, challenging him. “Do you want to go? I mean, I would like to see Tanya again.”

  Robert softened and slumped his shoulders. “It might be nice. Nora also invited us to The Diner after the ceremony for supper.”

  Standing defensive, the envelope slipped from her fingers, floating to the floor. “You know I’m not welcome there.”

  Robert punched the wall and glared. “No, he’s not welcome there.”

  She raised her hands in front of her and backed away. “I’ll go to the ceremony with you, but not supper. I can find my own way home from there.”

  He dropped his hands to his side and paced the hallway. “See that’s what I’m talkin about. He has made you a prisoner even from your friends. How can you allow that?”

  “I love him, just as I love you. He has changed,” she pleaded as he tried to stop him from pacing. She turned him to face her.

  “Leave me alone,” Robert interrupted her again. He pushed away from her grasp, turned, and slammed the door in her face. “I’ll tell Nora we’re coming.”

  “Fine,” she whispered as she shuffled back to the kitchen table and fell into a chair, weeping into her hands.

  2

  Divide and Conflict

  A subtle, rhythmic tapping broke through the silence footsteps matched the rhythmic tapping as Scarlett approached the jail cell door. The jail keys rattled as she slowly opened the door with a creak. Scarlett looked up with a flash of her dragon-like silver eyes. “Hello, my love,” Scarlett said.

  “My Silver Enchantress, you’re back,” Lucas announced.

  “Lucas, you betrayed me.”

  “Betrayed you? I would never. What makes you think this?”

  “Scarlett has shown me. Light is stronger than darkness. We used to thrive on lies, deception, and fear. Life and death didn’t matter because we had power and each other.”

  “Life and death don’t matter when power and fear rule. You believed that with me once. What makes this any different?” Lucas smirked and stared at the floor resting his hand on his knee.

  “Life
does matter. It has value. Fear is fleeting. Death is not the final destination anymore.”

  Lucas stood and rattled his chains. “Lies! You and I are one.”

  “I will always love you, but I can’t follow you any longer.”

  A darkness rose within him. Blankly, he looked at her. “What are you saying?”

  Scarlett leaned close to Lucas and kissed his cheek. “Goodbye, my love.”

  Chains rattled as Lucas crossed his arms and smirked. Scarlett’s eyes slowly changed from silver to blue as the Silver Dragon retreated back within Scarlett.

  “My Silver Enchantress.” He leaned again the cell wall and crossed his legs.

  “She doesn’t want to talk to you anymore.” Scarlett glared over at Lucas and her voice grew louder with each word she spoke, as she backed toward the door.

  “You, you corrupted her.” Lucas spat his words.

  “No, I helped her to understand the truth.”

  Lucas ran at Scarlett in an attempt to choke her, but his hands sprang back against the wall. He stumbled backward.

  “Goodbye, Lucas.” Scarlett turned to walk away. “Enjoy your solitude.”

  “You will regret this.”

  Scarlett looked over her shoulder and smiled, “It looks like you’re the one who has regrets. You lose.”

  As the door closed behind Scarlett, Lucas smiled back. “We’ll see who has lost.”

  Scarlett entered the throne room and walked toward the large window overlooking the valley below. As she took in the view of endless wheat fields to the right, she saw they were boarded by the hilly country-side of canola fields backing onto rockier terrain. She shivered as she thought of what lay beyond those mountains. She pondered the conversation that had taken place between the Silver Dragon and Lucas. She closed her eyes and there before her stood the Silver Dragon. Standing three times taller than Scarlett, silver feather-like whiskers dangled from her chin. A thin shell-like head with sparks of lightning jumped from ear to ear. She four turtle-like legs supporting her long snake-like body with her long sleek tail swaying back and forth in a cat-like manor preparing to pounce. “You have done it,” Scarlett said.