by Chris Wright
Prudence nodded. "You've had a busy day."
"That's not all. I found three boys sleeping on the grass by the side of the road. I tried to wake them, but they wouldn't listen to me. Then two boys called Formality and Hypocrisy climbed over the wall, but I think they chose the wrong paths when we came to Hill Difficulty, because that was the last I saw of them." I felt even more out of breath by this time.
"This hill is hard to climb," Piety said.
"You're right," I agreed. "I thought I was never going to get to the top. And when I saw the lions in the darkness I nearly turned back, but Watchful called to me and told me they were chained."
"Do you ever think about your old home?" Prudence asked.
I sighed. "Sometimes."
Prudence smiled. "Have you ever wished you were back there?"
"Once or twice, when I've been tired. But I'm sure the Celestial City is far better than the City of Destruction, and I know I'll be happy when I get there."
"Why will you be happy?" Prudence asked. I think she knew the answer, and was just testing me.
"Because I'll see the King's Son," I told her. "It was cruel of those people to nail him to the Cross, and I love him because he let himself be punished instead of me, so the King will never be angry with me again."
Prudence nodded and smiled, saying nothing. I knew I'd given the right answer.
"Do you have any family?" Charity asked.
"My mother's with the King in his City," I said, "and my father works so much ..."
Charity guessed I'd stopped for a good reason. "I suppose he's too busy to come," she said.
I nodded. "Do you think he'll always be busy, or will he be able to come too?"
"I can't tell," Charity said thoughtfully. "Perhaps when he knows that you and your mother are so happy, he'll want to be with you and begin his pilgrimage."
"If he comes, please tell him I stayed here, so when he gets to the Gates of the Celestial City he'll be able see me watching out for him."
"We will," Charity promised. "And do you have any special friends?"
"Yes, I know a girl called Christiana, but she's still in the City of Destruction." I thought for a moment. "She was a good friend. We spent a lot of time together, and I wish she was here with me now."
"Why didn't you bring her with you?" Charity asked. "You would have someone to talk to on the Way."
"She didn't believe what the visitors said," I explained. "Anyway, she has four brothers to take care of. Their parents are living in the Celestial City, and Christiana has to do everything herself."
Charity frowned. "Didn't you talk to her, and beg her to come with you?"
"I often told her about the King but, you know, I might not have come myself if Evangelist hadn't shown me the Way. I started out so quickly I didn't even find her to say goodbye."
"Well, perhaps Evangelist will find her, and she'll bring her brothers with her."
At this moment the supper bell rang. I felt hungry as well as weary, and I enjoyed the good food that was set before me. After supper the oldest sister, Discretion, took me upstairs to a pleasant room with a window looking towards the east, and I soon fell asleep after such a tiring day.
CHAPTER 16
The Armoury
In the morning, Discretion took me to one side. "I think it will do you good to stay with us for a few days," she said.
"I'd like to stay," I told her, "if I'm not in the way."
She smiled. "You won't be in the way at all, Christian. Taking care of pilgrims is part of the work we do for the King, and we're always glad to have young pilgrims staying at the house. Now, I have many things to do, so my sisters will take you into the library."
I spent a happy day at the House Beautiful, looking through books and documents with the three youngest sisters.
"This is the King's Son," Piety said, opening a large book. "You must have read in your Book how he came from the Celestial City to live in the City of Destruction, and was a baby in a poor home. Here he is in the arms of his mother, and the shepherds are kneeling round him."
Other books showed why the King's Son had died on the Cross, to make this special path to safety in the Celestial City. Sometimes Charity was with me, sometimes Prudence and sometimes Piety.
The time passed so quickly that I was surprised when evening came. Discretion had been busy all day, but before the lamps were lit she came into the library where I was reading. I put my book down and she sat with me, telling many good things about the King and his Son.
"I've never spent such a happy day in all my life," I said to Discretion, when it was time for bed. "If I didn't want to live in the King's City, I'd like to stay here for ever."
I spent three whole days at the House Beautiful learning about the King, for there was so much I didn't know. On the second day Discretion allowed me to see the armoury, a storeroom containing all kinds of weapons for use by the King's followers.
Here I saw rows of shining helmets, shields, breastplates of the finest metal, glittering swords, and shoes that Charity told me would protect my feet and never wear out.
I couldn't help thinking how much I would like to have a sword and shield of my own, and be one of the King's soldiers.
Piety sat down by the window in the armoury, and told me about the wonderful things some of the King's soldiers had done. She told me about a boy called David, who had fought with a great giant.
"The giant was one of the King's enemies," Piety explained, "and he thought he could kill David easily. The giant was covered with armour from head to foot, and David wore only a shepherd's clothes and carried neither sword nor spear."
"What did he fight with?" I asked, puzzled as to why anyone would try to fight a giant without any sort of weapon.
"He had a sling and a stone and, when he threw the stone at the giant, the King helped him. He aimed it so well that he struck the giant on the forehead and killed him. Then he cut off the giant's head."
This story reassured me, for if the King had helped David, I felt certain he would be ready to help any other pilgrim who trusted in him.
In another book I read about a pilgrim called Little-Faith, who went to sleep by the side of the Way. As he was waking up, three brothers called Faint-heart, Mistrust and Guilt, robbed him. Then, because the brothers thought someone was coming, they ran away. Little-Faith was safe, but all he had left was his Roll of Faith and a few other things the King had given him. That reminded me how I'd lost my Roll of Faith earlier, and I quickly checked that I still had it.
On the third day, I said to Prudence, "Is it time for me to go on with my journey?"
"Not yet," Prudence said. "It's misty this morning, and you haven't seen the view from the tower on top of the house. We'll have to wait for the mist to clear."
So I spent another happy and peaceful day.
The next morning, when I opened my bedroom window, I saw that the mist had gone. As soon as breakfast was over the three youngest sisters took me up to the top of the house. Far away in the distance I could see a long range of hills, with broad green fields and vineyards, and shady woods. I could even pick out several streams sparkling in the sunlight as they flowed into the quiet valleys.
"Oh," I said, "what a pleasant country that must be."
"That's Immanuel's Land," Piety explained. "The Way of the King passes through it. The hills are called the Delectable Mountains, and that's where you have to go. There are some shepherds there, who often help the pilgrims passing that way. If you ask them, they'll probably be able to take you high up into the mountains and show you the Gates of the Celestial City."
That sounded exciting. "Will it take me long to get there?" I asked.
"I don't know," Piety said. "You're a young pilgrim, and you can't travel fast."
Just then we heard Discretion calling us. "We must let Christian start in good time," she said. "He needs to reach the valley before the sun gets too hot."
"I'm ready to leave straight away," I began, but
Charity interrupted me.
"No you're not. There's something we have for you."
"There certainly is," Discretion said, and she led the way to the armoury. "Between this house and the Celestial City the King's enemies can be dangerous, and all pilgrims should carry weapons."
I glowed with pleasure when I found I was to have some armour of my own.
"I want to see you made into a soldier," Charity said, and I wished Christiana could have been there to see me.
Discretion chose a helmet and breastplate of the right size. "Always keep them bright and shining," she said.
Then Piety brought me a shield, which was large enough to protect me, but not too heavy to carry.
Prudence fastened a sword at my side, and Charity fitted on my shoes. I had nothing to protect my arms and legs, but I knew I could use the shield. The only part of me at risk was my back.
When I was finally ready, Discretion said quietly, "May the blessing of the King go with you, Christian, and may you continue to be his faithful soldier and servant to the end of your life."
I was too happy to say anything, but Discretion seemed to understand how I felt.
"I have one more gift for you," she said, handing me a small silver key. "It is called the Key of Promise. There are many promises engraved on it, but you cannot see them all at the same time. Look, there is a promise there now."
The letters were small, but I read the words aloud. "I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness."
Discretion nodded. "That promise comes from the King's Son," she said. "One day you may be in darkness and need that promise -- urgently!"
I thanked the sisters for their kindness.
"You must thank the King," Discretion said. "He is the one who gives you all these things."
CHAPTER 17
Apollyon the Destroyer
Watchful stood at the door of his lodge as I came out of the House Beautiful. As he opened the gates for me to leave, Discretion asked him if he'd seen any other pilgrims passing by.
"I saw one not long ago," the gatekeeper said. "He told me his name is Faithful."
I felt excited. "I know Faithful," I said excitedly. "He lived near me in the City of Destruction. We used to talk about what's in my Book, but he always said he'd think about it later. I'm so glad he started out. Is he far ahead?"
"It is about half an hour since I saw him," Watchful told me. "I should think by this time he will be at the bottom of the Hill."
Perhaps Faithful had spoken to Evangelist, and now he too was a pilgrim. I was so pleased at the thought of having a companion, that I made up my mind to walk as quickly as possible in order to meet with Faithful. But first I had to say goodbye to my friends, who had all come to the gates with me.
"It's such a beautiful morning," Discretion said to her sisters. "Let's walk down the Hill with Christian."
"Perhaps we'll see Faithful there," Charity added. "I wonder why he didn't come in to see us."
Discretion smiled. "It's early. I expect he wanted to hurry on with his journey."
The House Beautiful was right on the top on top of Hill Difficulty. I could see a valley below, and the path leading down from the gates of the house looked steep indeed.
"It's difficult to get up the Hill, and dangerous to go down," I said, more to myself than to the others.
Prudence heard me. She nodded. "People sometimes have bad falls on this path, after resting at our house."
She spoke the truth. Maybe because I wasn't yet used to carrying my sword and shield, I kept slipping and falling until I was aching all over. I was relieved when we reached the valley, where Discretion gave me a bag of food and something to drink on my way.
"We've been glad to see you," she said, "and I won't forget to give your message to your father if he comes to the House Beautiful."
I was sorry to say goodbye, and when Discretion and her sisters had left me, I felt so alone -- as well as bruised. The valley was quiet and cool, and I walked on quickly hoping to see Faithful in the distance. But instead of finding Faithful, I saw ahead of me a hideous monster with scales like a fish, wings like a dragon, feet like a bear, and out of his body came fire and smoke. His mouth was like the mouth of a lion.
My first thought was to turn round and run back towards Hill Difficulty. Discretion or one of her sisters might see me, or perhaps Watchful would be at the house gates and send someone to help. I had my breastplate and shield, but they would be no use unless I faced my enemy. So I determined to trust in the King and go straight on. Perhaps, as I was young, the creature would pass by without taking any notice.
I walked on steadily, and a minute later the thing was close.
"My name is Apollyon," the monster roared, blocking the path and looking down at my bright shield and breastplate. "They call me the Destroyer, and I would like to know where you've come from."
I was scared, but I managed to say, "From a bad place. From the City of Destruction."
"And where are you going?"
"To a much better place. To the City of the King."
The Destroyer laughed loudly. "Perhaps you don't know that the City of Destruction belongs to me, so you belong to me as well. You have a choice. Either come back with me now, or I will kill you here."
"It doesn't matter if the city belongs to you," I said, trying to sound brave. "The King loves me better than you do, and I belong to him now."
The Destroyer smiled. "Don't be so foolish. I can be kind to people when I like them. If you come back with me, and promise not to run away again, I won't be angry with you. You can live in my house and be one of my servants."
I shook my head firmly. "I'm one of the King's servants. I've sworn my allegiance to him. So how can I go back and not be a traitor?"
"Oh, that doesn't matter," the Destroyer said, still smiling. "The King's servants often run away. Besides, you were my friend when you were at home, which is why I'm willing to forgive you and take you back."
I felt my knees shake, but I answered, "I didn't know I was your servant at the time. I realise it now, but I love the King, and I'd rather be his servant than yours. Now, let me go on my way."
The King's enemy had obviously made up his mind that I would go home with him. "Don't be in such a hurry," he said, in a voice that sounded almost kind. "Just think of all the trouble you'll meet on the Way. My soldiers are up and down everywhere, and if they see you and try to hurt you, I don't suppose the King will bother to help."
"He will," I said boldly. "I only have to call to him."
"He won't bother with you," the Destroyer roared. "You know you've served the King badly since you set out. You were so careless that you even fell into the Slough of Despond. Then you let young Worldly-Wiseman deceive you and turn you out of the right path. How can you be sure you lost your burden at the Cross? You slept in the shelter on Hill Difficulty and nearly lost your Roll of Faith. When you saw the lions you were going to turn back, you were so afraid. And yet, at the House Beautiful, you talked as if you were one of the King's most faithful servants. I don't know how you can expect the King to do anything for you!"
I knew that all these things were true, and wondered how the Destroyer had heard about them.
"I've told the King I'm sorry," I said. "And he's forgiven me."
Suddenly the Destroyer became fierce with rage. "I hate your King and I hate his Son!" he cried. "And I hate everybody and everything belonging to him. You're my servant, Christian, and you'll never get to the Celestial City -- because I'm going to kill you!"
CHAPTER 18
"Take Courage!"
I only just had time to put up my shield before the Destroyer started hurling fiery darts at me. There were so many they clattered against my shield like hail. Then I remembered the story I'd heard at the House Beautiful, of David and the giant, and I thought, "David only had his shepherd's clothes, and I have the King's sword and shield. I'll trust in him, and try not to be afraid. I
belong to the King now."
So I held my shield firmly on my arm and deflected nearly all the Destroyer's darts, although some hit my hands and legs. Then the evil enemy became wild with fury. Rushing at me, he seized me in his strong claws, cutting into my arms and legs, making me bleed so much that I began to feel faint.
The Destroyer saw this, and he flung me to the ground. I thought he was going to kill me. I'd already drawn my sword from its sheath, but when the Destroyer threw me down it had fallen from my hand. As I lay on the path, I thought I had no chance of escaping from this cruel enemy.
Just as the Destroyer was going to strike his last blow, I called to the King. At that moment I remembered some words in my Book spoken by the King's Son. "Take courage; I have overcome the world." Then I saw that the sword lay within my reach. I put out my hand and caught it up, and before the Destroyer had time to prevent me, I thrust it deep into his body.
The King's enemy couldn't bear the pain of a wound given with one of the King's swords, and he screamed loudly as I struck him. Then my courage returned, and I thrust the weapon at my enemy a second time. With a hideous roaring, the Destroyer fled across the valley leaving me alone.
I lay for a minute on the path, then got up slowly and painfully to look around. The King's enemy was gone, but all over the grass I could see the sharp darts he had thrown at me.
"It was the King who helped me," I thought, and my heart was full of thankfulness.
But I knew I'd been badly wounded, and I felt weak. I fell onto the grass and rested my head against a great rock. After a few minutes I fell asleep, and as I slept I dreamt that the King's Son was with me, rubbing my wounds with healing leaves.
When I woke up, my arms and legs had stopped bleeding and didn't even ache. Then I remembered that Discretion had given me something to eat and drink, so I sat still for a while and refreshed myself.
"I must hurry," I thought as I finished my meal. "I've lost so much time. I wonder if the Destroyer has gone for good, or if he'll come back to look for me again. He said his soldiers are always around, so I must be ready to meet them."
Keeping my sword in my hand, and looking carefully from side to side among the rocks and bushes, I continued along the Way of the King. The words of a song came to my mind, and I began to sing it: