Lady Carliss and the Waters of Moorue

by Chuck Black

  Together they gazed at the mountains and the stars for a long while, filling the night with words of the future, their future—a future with perfect snowflakes, a perfect kingdom, and a perfect King.

  WHO WILL GO?

  Our great and wise King’s plan to restore Arrethtrae and wrest the kingdom from Lucius’s gnarled grip is one that oft confuses the wise and lays low the lofty. And what is this mysterious strategy? It is that He has chosen the simple to perform the great and the lowly to accomplish the noble. The mission to take the battle of the ages to the very gates of evil rests squarely on the shoulders of those ordinary and unremarkable Arrethtraens who call Him their Lord. But not all are willing, and so He must ask, “Whom shall I send, and who will go?”

  Lady Carliss possessed the courage to answer the call, and she did so, sacrificing much to free many from Malco’s powerful prison of the mind. She was indeed a valiant knight worthy of the legend that followed her. Though the esca battle raged on for many years, she fought with many noble Knights of the Prince in this great cause. She and Sir Dalton served side by side on many missions for the Prince, and together they served Him faithfully.

  I, Cedric of Chessington, think perhaps that in the land of your kingdom, your King may be asking the same question of you, brave knight. If I could join you I would, for I know that your heart must burn with the same fire that spurred Lady Carliss to overcome and claim victory against the darkness. Therefore I say to you: Be valiant, young knight, for valiant you are! The King reigns… and His Son!

  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  Review Questions from the Kingdom Series

  Much of the allegorical symbolism in the Knights of Arrethtrae originated in the Kingdom Series. Here are a few questions to review this symbolism:

  Who does the Prince represent?

  Who are the Knights of the Prince?

  Who are the Noble Knights?

  What is Chessington? Arrethtrae?

  Who is the Dark Knight/Lucius?

  Who are the Silent Warriors and the Shadow Warriors?

  What is a Vincero Knight?

  What is a haven?

  Questions for Lady Carliss and the Waters of Moorue

  CHAPTER 1

  Right away, we learn that Carliss was an unusual child. Why is this?

  It is clear from this chapter that by Arrethtraen standards, Carliss’s family is not rich, successful, or famous. However, once they become Knights of the Prince, she and her parents and brother “donned robes of a nobility that far transcended the caste nobility of the kingdom.” Where in the Bible can you find verses that address this principle?

  CHAPTER 2

  Carliss realizes early on that she and Salina will need help if they are to be successful in their pursuit of the marauders, since they are dealing with an unknown force and an unknown situation. Why is it wise to seek godly counsel on matters of which you have little knowledge or experience?

  CHAPTER 3

  Even after Carliss insists they return for help, Salina refuses to cooperate. Have you ever been in a situation where a friend refused to listen to your advice and made a bad decision? What did you do?

  CHAPTER 4

  Sometimes believers undergo suffering, just as Dalton did after he was attacked by the strange creature. What kind of circumstances may cause suffering in the lives of a believer?

  What does the Bible tell us about such suffering?

  CHAPTER 5

  Carliss cannot stand by while the cruel children torment Ganoaf. What does the Bible say about knowing what is right and not doing it?

  Ganoaf was teased and reviled by the children. Can you find three Bible verses showing how the Lord treats the poor, the lowly, and the afflicted (an example for us to follow) or commands us to treat them?

  When Carliss defends Ganoaf from the cruel children, she is showing compassion, especially to the lowly. Can you find the story that Jesus tells in the book of Luke about someone showing mercy to another? After Jesus finishes the story, what commission does He give His disciples?

  CHAPTER 6

  After Petolemew has his third memory lapse, Carliss finds herself completely overwhelmed and brokenhearted. What does the Bible say about those with a broken spirit or heart?

  CHAPTER 7

  Carliss felt she was losing the battle of her heart concerning Dalton. Why do you think Proverbs 4:23 urges us to diligently guard our hearts?

  When Carliss prepares herself for the arduous task of acquiring the antidote for Dalton, she once again dons the mind-set of being a warrior (soldier) of the King. What does the Bible say about being a soldier of Jesus Christ (see 2 Timothy)?

  Throughout Carliss’s brief stay with Eunice and Petolemew, it becomes apparent that the couple has great love for each other. How do they demonstrate their love?

  CHAPTER 8

  Carliss experiences a realistic and enticing dream. When Ganoaf tries to awaken her back into the real world, she resists and is grumpy. Sometimes people experience the same reaction when they are pulled away from things like video games, the Internet, or alternate-reality games. Why do you think this is?

  CHAPTER 9

  During their journey to Moorue, Carliss encourages Salina to be kind to Ganoaf. Have you ever been in a situation where two of your siblings or friends didn’t get along? What did you do? What does the Bible say about a situation like this?

  CHAPTER 10

  Akiyma recognizes the mark of the Prince on Rindy’s saddle pad as the group travels through Moorue. How do others recognize us as belonging to Jesus? What is His mark on us?

  CHAPTER 11

  Takara says that the people of Moorue are hungry for the truth of the Prince. Can you find a verse in the Bible about people who are seeking the truth?

  We learn that ingesting the Waters of Moorue gives people the ability to vividly experience anything they can think of or imagine—whether foolish or not. Can you find verses that address this?

  Each book in this series allegorically describes a stronghold of evil that can cause trouble for believers in this world. Can you determine what stronghold is being warned against in this book—and especially in this chapter, where Si Kon describes the effects of the Waters of Moorue?

  Is retreating from the stress and tensions of life always a bad thing? Why or why not?

  Escapism is much more of a danger for today’s believers because of technology. What are some of the forms of technological escapism that Satan uses today to imprison people—and why are they so dangerous?

  How does Romans 12:2 relate to the issue of escapism?

  Takara describes how people who use the Waters of Moorue may become so unhappy with the “waking world” that they walk the bridge to the swamp and never return home, and Si Kon states that once a person enters the Despon Swamp, he or she never returns. What do Despon Swamp and “walking the bridge” represent? How do the bridge and the swamp relate to the stronghold of escapism?

  CHAPTER 12

  Si Kon tells Carliss and the others that Soro has been mocked because of his belief in the esca lizards. Have you ever been teased or made fun of because of something you believed, or been in a situation where this happened to someone else? Can you think of any people in the Bible this happened to? What do their stories tell us about such situations?

  Kei admits to Carliss that she has tried the Waters of Moorue, then begs her not to tell her father. Carliss replies that telling Si Kon is something Kei must do herself. When we make mistakes, what should we do?

  Carliss explains to Kei that those whose lives ended in destruction as a result of the Waters of Moorue probably didn’t think that would ever happen to them. And often our culture encourages us to do what “feels right.” What does the Bible say about this?

  Each castle in Moorue represents different avenues through which escapism can be established. Can you determine what these castles represent?

  CHAPTER 13

  Si Kon’s family is kidnapped, his business stripped from him
, his home burned, and his own freedom stolen because he is a Follower. What does the Bible say about persecution?

  Can you name some places in the world where Christianity is illegal? What should we do as believers to help our brothers and sisters in Christ in such places?

  Carliss is horrified when Salina reveals herself to be a minion of the Dark Knight. Can you think of any instances in the Bible where believers were betrayed? Have you ever been betrayed? What does that feel like, and what does the Bible say about revenge?

  Baron Karoshi uses Salina to deceive Carliss and the other Knights of the Prince. Deception is one of Satan’s most useful tricks. How can we as believers guard against Satan’s deception?

  CHAPTER 14

  For the second time in this book, someone turns out to be different from what was expected. We learn that Ganoaf is actually a Silent Warrior and has been merely pretending to be mentally challenged. Carliss thought she was protecting him when he was actually protecting her. Can you find a verse that correlates to this?

  When face to face with Malco, Ganoaf apparently experiences a surge of feelings from a battle fought years ago. What is this “ancient battle”?

  How does our culture’s perspective of angels differ from their biblical depiction? What are some of their attributes? Find verses to support your answer.

  As Malco gives Carliss a tour of his castle, she is amazed at the opulence of the construction and decoration. Sometimes it seems as though evil prospers at the expense of the righteous. What does the Bible say about this?

  What is represented in the name of Lord Malco?

  CHAPTER 15

  Where does the esca lizard get its name? Can you find a verse that warns us about not letting anything other than God control us?

  Just as there are hundreds of lizards in Despon Swamp, there are many forms of escapism that can lead to sinful control in our lives. Can you name some?

  After the purification process, the esca poison is transformed into beautiful, clear crystals. Sin is often alluring, which is another of Satan’s tricks. Why is sin so tempting, and what does the Bible say about how we should defeat it?

  Carliss understands the consequences of falling under the control of Malco’s esca powder. That is an important step to overcoming temptation. Can you think of other consequences of succumbing to the stronghold of escapism?

  Malco attempts to convince Carliss to try his esca powder, and she rebukes him in the name of the Prince. At that, Malco seems momentarily discomfited. Can you find a verse or verses in the Bible about rebuking evil in Jesus’ name or about the power of Jesus’ name over the demons?

  Malco finally reveals his true nature to Carliss. Why was Carliss never deceived by him? What can we as believers learn from her?

  Carliss overcomes Malco’s attempt to persuade her to join him and even his attempt to control her mind through the esca crystals. Find verses in Revelation about overcoming.

  CHAPTER 16

  Ganoaf tells Carliss that the Prince has watched her since her youth and that by her pure heart she won His favor. Can you find a verse in 2 Chronicles that applies to this?

  Carliss apologizes to Ganoaf for being a fool, but he encourages her to be strong. Can you think of Bible verses that encourage us to be strong?

  Ganoaf explains that the prisoners are food for the lizards, which then proliferate, thereby providing more poison. This allows Malco to produce more Waters of Moorue and thus imprison more people. Ganoaf states that in this way one vice feeds another. What does this symbolize for us today?

  What does the Life Spice represent?

  CHAPTER 17

  Carliss begins to feel that the esca lizards are overwhelming her, and she cries out to the Prince. What does the Bible say about crying out to the Lord?

  Who is the man who saves Carliss? He tells Carliss that the presence of evil requires the sacrifice of one to save another. This is a reference to the verse that states, “And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.” Find this verse.

  The man who saves Carliss tells her, “Now be valiant, for valiant you are!” Why does he say this to Carliss? If she is already valiant, then why does he ask her to be valiant? How does this apply to us as believers?

  CHAPTER 18

  In the oasis of swamp lilies, Carliss takes up the sword left by the Prince and knows she has found her calling. God often calls us to accomplish His will in quiet and still moments. Why do you think this is? Has this ever happened to you?

  The sword left by the Prince has the words Morning Star inscribed on it. Where have we heard the words morning star before in this book? Read Revelation 2:26–28. What do you think Morning Star represents?

  CHAPTER 19

  Carliss felt that no matter what choice she made, someone would die. Sometimes we face situations where it seems that no matter what we choose to do, we will lose. Have you ever been faced with such a situation? What is important to remember during these times? What can we use to guide our decisions?

  CHAPTER 20

  A Silent Warrior asks if Carliss is “the overcomer.” There are numerous verses in Revelation that talk about overcoming. Can you find a verse earlier in the New Testament that defines what enables a person to overcome?

  When Carliss demands an explanation for the Silent Warriors’ inaction, the commanding warrior’s answer communicates the frustration the Silent Warriors have all felt in waiting for an Arrethtraen to answer the call to battle. What does this represent for us today? Support your answer with a Bible verse.

  Despite the heavy odds, Carliss moves to action to defend the prisoners. Can you give examples in the Bible where God called someone to action in spite of overwhelming odds? Why does He often do this?

  During the battle to free Malco’s prisoners, Carliss wonders how long the war will last. What war is she referring to? When will it completely end?

  CHAPTER 21

  The esca lizards flee light, and this is why they hide after each black powder explosion in the swamp. Can you find a passage in John that explains the symbolism of this fact?

  CHAPTER 22

  Carliss determined not to destroy the perpetrator of evil, but the evil itself. Oftentimes we only “Band-Aid” the problems sin causes when we really need to address the sin itself. Can you think of any examples of this?

  CHAPTER 23

  What do you think the hawk, Spirit, represents?

  CHAPTER 24

  After Carliss brings Dalton back to his home, Brynn thanks Carliss for her courage to save Dalton. Have you ever had a person who had mistreated you try to make amends? How did you handle that situation? What did Jesus say about forgiving someone?

  Carliss relinquishes the hold her heart has on an imagined future with Dalton and contents herself with what the Prince has called her to. This decision frees her from the struggle and pain of romantic fantasy and also frees her, a little later, to embark on a new and fruitful relationship with Dalton. Sometimes God asks us to give up everything to follow Him, but He always gives back much more than we offer. Why does God test us in this way?

  As Carliss and Dalton plan their future together, they know it includes the day when all in the kingdom is finally perfect. When will this happen and what does this represent?

  ANSWERS TO DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  Answers to Review Questions from the Kingdom Series

  The Prince represents Jesus Christ.

  The Knights of the Prince represent all Christians.

  The Noble Knights represent the Jews who were hostile to Jesus and His disciples (the Pharisees, etc.).

  Chessington represents Jerusalem, and Arrethtrae represents the whole world. (Earth and terra are combined backward to make up this word.)

  The Dark Knight, also referred to as Lucius, represents Satan.

  The Silent Warriors are God’s angels, and the Shadow Warriors are Satan’s demons.

  A Vincero Knight is a person
who has been personally trained by one of Lucius’s Shadow Warriors to spread and cultivate evil. Vincero Knights are ruthless and twisted by the evil that has mentored them.

  A haven represents a local church where believers are trained, discipled, and sent out to share the gospel with others.

  Answers to Questions for Lady Carliss and the Waters of Moorue