Crusade of Tears: A Novel of the Children's Crusade (63 page)

Ah, but this brood was of no ordinary stock! These had been tested and tempered by sufferings uncommon to any but the most stouthearted. These were not the issue of genteel manners and dainty fare. Wily, quick-of-feet, daring and determined, these would not yield to any with ease!

Otavio and his crew set upon their quarry with a vengeance. They lunged and cursed, chased and fell, sprawling this way and that, first catching one, then another, only to lose both to a good bite on the hand or kick to the crotch.

Wil and Otto ducked between the grasping arms of two seamen and threw a crate overboard for any who might not swim. “Jump, everyone. Get off!” Wil yelled. The lad was suddenly thrown to the deck by a pair of monstrous arms, but he scrambled under the man’s legs and dashed away.

Conrad, Otto, and Wil raced in and out of the rigging, tossing and pushing comrades over the rail and deftly dodging their assailants. Then, with most of the children finally splashing safely in the water below, stout Otto was ordered over the side.

Wil raced past a furious seaman and was grabbed by the hood of his tunic and wrestled, howling, to the floor. The man struck him across the face and raised another fist when Conrad leapt from behind the mizzen and smashed the sailor in the head with a wooden mallet.

Wil sprang to his feet and the two charged for the rail, kicking and biting and clawing their way through the shouts and curses of their confounded foes. Conrad jumped first, but Wil, the fit commander that he was, hesitated for he thought he heard a muffled scream. He turned quickly to his left and saw Frieda being dragged away by a brawny seaman. He eluded the lunging hands of those rushing toward him and charged Frieda’s captor, hammering the man’s face with a fist of iron. Frieda dropped from the stunned man’s arms and, with a grateful look to Wil, bolted across the deck and dove over the rail.

Wil ran aft, scanning every corner of the deck for more of his company. Seeing none he looked desperately for his own route of escape but saw only the encircling faces of the furious crew stalking him. He felt his heart flutter in his chest and he backed slowly toward the port rail. He spotted a mallet on the planks at his feet and he snatched it as he raced the crew to the edge of the deck. A grinning sailor jumped in his path.

The frightened lad then spun and darted to the starboard rail, but two more quickly blocked his way. He crept backward toward the center of the deck, turning his head to his left then his right, before him and to the rear.

The crew now knew the lad was theirs and they toyed with him, drawing their circle ever tighter, ever nearer, blades now drawn and gleaming. He would pay and pay dearly for their loss; vengeance was the custom of the sea.

Having positioned the helpless young man, they halted, mocking him and offering prophetic, harrowing descriptions of the torture and death he was about to endure. An eerie silence followed as the crew paused to savor the bloodlust titillating their wicked souls; only the wind in the sails and the splash of the bow could be heard above poor Wil’s pounding heart. Then, one crewman grunted and the rest rushed the boy with a loud cry.

Wil sprang between the legs of one and bounded out of the circle like a rabbit in chase. He crashed and rolled across the deck, dodging the flying boot of one, then ducking below the swinging sabre of another. His eyes fixed on the starboard rail once again and he charged toward it. But a large leg thrust itself across his ankles and he sprawled onto the boards.

Undaunted, Wil jumped to his feet but now faced a fearsome wall of enraged men charging him. He whispered a quick prayer and snatched a deep breath as he spun to port, only to face a charging row of shrieking men from that side as well. ‘
Tis port I want,
he resolved. He clenched his teeth and fixed a steely gaze at a towering, dark- eyed brute at the rushing line’s middle.
I cannot go under or between … but shall go through.

The man was on him in three long strides, but Wil flung his mallet straightaway, like David heaving at Goliath, striking his foe on the forehead and dropping him backward to the planks. The sailor was yet falling when Wil bounded over his crumpling body in an effort to spring through the punctured line and hurtle over the rail. He lunged into the narrow breech for no lesser cause than the simple embrace of his beloved fellows waiting breathlessly at the water’s edge; the very thought of it empowered his legs with the strength of a raging lion. But the thin gap was no more than a hair-breadth slip between quick-footed, brawl-seasoned rogues and its brief space filled before Wil could escape the gleaming forest of razor-edged cutlasses now overwhelming him. The boy bellowed bravely as the black-hearts engulfed him and he disappeared in a shroud of wool-capped seamen and glistening steel.

Yet, at that fearful, shadowy moment, Wil felt suddenly different. It was as if he was now flying through a world of dreams, free from all danger. It was as if he was enveloped by a legion of angels whisking him through the midst of his enemies, lifting his feet lightly to the rail and gently lofting his body over the side.

Wil closed his eyes and smiled as he felt a rush of warm air sweep softly across his face. He stretched his arms wide, as if to embrace heaven itself. All fears removed, all confusion gone, his heart fluttered like the wings of a butterfly on a fresh spring bloom. His tattered tunic flapped like the royal pennant of a castle keep; his stalwart face was calm and sure. His golden hair shined in the brilliant sunlight of a bright new day and he fell to freedom in the clear, blue water of the shimmering sea.

THE END

BRANCHING OUT

A
gainst the backdrop of an ancient time and primitive land, this epic tale carries readers along a beautiful and tragic road. Precious children, some barely out of diapers, are sent from their homes with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. At first glance the tragedy of these young lives is overwhelming—how can these beautiful children be expected to sacrifice so much? How much promise of a generation is wasted? How can loving mothers and fathers fail to protect their children? How can priests send mere babes out into the world where stronger, valiant men have failed? How can a loving God allow such deception and needless suffering? Surely, these precious lives are doomed.

But the remarkable truth is soon realized—these children did not leave everything behind.
Life
goes with them. They experience more living in the long, arduous journey than most will ever see in the comfort of what is familiar. And in the midst of every trial and tribulation, God is surely with them.

Crusade of Tears
will challenge and inspire you. Through the adventures of Wil, Karl, Maria, Pieter, and others, we are offered the opportunity to consider some of life’s most difficult lessons. Their suffering is not limited by time or experience. Their joy is boundless and eternal. Like the minstrel Benedetto, we can choose to remain on the sidelines while life passes us by, or we can choose to join the journey. It is our hope that as you read, you will consider the following questions. We hope they will inspire you to dig deeper for truth, and that truth will set you free.

BOOK 1

Chapter 1

1. The baker’s home is a place of misery and despair, abandonment and abuse, and Wil, Karl, and Maria respond very differently to their circumstances. How does each child cope with the situation?

2. When faced with his mother’s sickness, Karl tries to wipe away the reality of the horrible situation. He rebukes Wil for not having enough faith and assures Maria that if she “just believes,” their mother will recover. Who or what is Karl placing his faith in and can such a blind trust truly be effective?

3. Wil seeks help from the local abbey, already knowing he will be turned away. But Wil still perseveres in hope of reaching the sanctuary within the walls. What modern application can be found in the walled abbey, the surly gatekeeper, and the death of Wil’s friend within—a “rebel” monk? How does the church today respond to those who need help most?

Chapter 2

4. The Bible says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you,” (Ephesians 4:31-32). How is Marta characterized by her sickness, and what does this convey about the price of bitterness?

5. Webster’s defines “pious” as, “marked by sham or hypocrisy; deserving commendation: worthy.” How does this seemingly contradictory definition reflect on Father Pious? What evidence indicates that perhaps there once was a more sincere and worthy man who might have pursued true and noble things?

Chapter 3

6. Wil dreams of valor and knighthood upon the fields of war, but he is ruled by his emotions and twice chooses violence as a means to solve his problems. What consequences do these choices bring upon him and his family?

7. Father Pious controls, threatens, and abuses those he is supposed to be shepherding. How should spiritual leaders and those in authority serve God? How does He want us to deal with violence, injustice, and persecution? (Ezekiel 45:9-10; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Ephesians 6:10-18; John 15:20-21; Isaiah 34:8; Matthew 5:11-12)

Chapter 4

8. The priests proclaim scriptures to convince the villagers to send their children on crusade. Although taken out of context and manipulated to serve the priests’ purpose, do these scriptures still hold some truth and assurance for these children? What difference might it have made if the people were able to read and know the Word of God for themselves?

9. Trusting and responsive, Karl is immediately caught up in the excitement and fervor of the moment and is ready to pursue the holy quest for God’s glory. Wil, suspicious and logical, doubts the wisdom of the venture. One brother relies on faith, the other logic. Which is the better choice?

Chapter 5

10. Despite a life filled with suffering and the persecution of his peers, Pieter joyfully serves the lowly and the unwanted. How does Pieter differ from the other priests and powerful “holy” men? (Matthew 25:31-46)

11. Pieter does not support the Children’s Crusade, and attempts to convince the children to reconsider and return home. Why then does he offer to accompany Wil, Karl, Maria, and Tomas?

12. Karl sincerely wonders, “Does God understand German?” Such a question might seem amusing, but in what ways do we also underestimate God’s wisdom and personal involvement in our lives?

Chapter 6

13. Like the Israelites wandering in the desert, the hungry children receive manna from heaven just when they need it most. How is Tomas affected by this supernatural provision after his attacks on Karl and Wil? If the bread was left by some well-meaning individual, does that make it any less miraculous?

14. Why, despite his obvious reluctance, does Wil agree to allow several children and Pieter to join his band of crusaders? What leadership qualities does he possess that help him care for the young crusaders?

Chapter 7

15. Pieter values knowledge and reason, declaring that understanding is necessary before one can believe. How is such a philosophy faulty? What priority and value does God place on faith and understanding? (Job 36:22-26; Proverbs 3:5-6; John 20:24-29; Proverbs 23:23; Mark 12:28-34; Hebrews 11:1-39; Isaiah 55:6-9)

16. Why are the children unable to grasp the message of love Pieter reads to them from 1 Corinthians 13? Why is it so important that we live as authentic Christians, honoring Jesus’ command to “love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)?

Chapter 8

17. Is the loving hand of God evident in providing welcome refuge and provision for the children? Does God really set “divine appointments”? If so, why have so many other crusaders met with hardship and death?

18. Wil and the other children are suspicious of a lord’s son who would choose to join with common peasants. Aside from class distinction, what notable differences exist between Georg’s family and Wil’s? What cause does Wil have for his prejudice and resentment of Georg, and is it justified?

Chapter 9

19. After a cold reception by the church in Dunkeldorf, Pieter tells the children, “God’s people are not always people of God.” What evidence of this truth have you experienced in your own life?

20. What similarities do the events of Dunkeldorf—and Pieter’s response to them—have with the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane? (See Matthew 26:47-54.) What are the consequences for taking justice into our own hands?

21. While Pieter, Wil, and Tomas are raiding the city and stealing food, God miraculously provides provisions for the children back at camp. What painful lesson does Pieter learn from his foolish actions?

Chapter 10

22. Friederich wakes and is convinced he hears a message in the trees. Is it more likely that God is trying to warn him of the coming danger? How important is it to listen to the “still, small voice” within?

23. When Wil finds his “hero knights” dead on the field of battle, he is confronted with the futility of his aspirations. That which he trusted in and believed to be invincible is proven to be temporal and mortal. How does God work in our lives to bring us to the point we rely only on Him?

Chapter 11

24. When taken hostage by thieves, the children lie and steal in order to win their freedom. Pieter praises God for delivering them from their enemy, but was it really God’s deliverance? How is this behavior reconcilable with Christ-like character? Is deceit acceptable when dealing with evil men?

25. Pieter often engages in unseemly behavior—particularly for a priest. But despite his imperfections, Pieter is still used by God to care for his little flock. What does this tell us about God’s ability to use even the most flawed individual? Why do we often hold spiritual leaders to a higher standard?

Chapter 12

26. Despite their tragic circumstances and suffering, the children are still able to enjoy themselves and laugh freely. Is this what Jesus was speaking of when he said, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven,” (Matthew 18:3)? How important is joy and laughter when facing hardship? What childlike characteristics should we cultivate in our own lives?

27. When Pieter and the children are taken to jail they once again find themselves in serious peril. But this time they choose to praise God rather than rely on their wits, schemes, or deceptions. What miracle does worship accomplish in the darkest hours?

Chapter 13

28. Karl believes that blessings come through obedient service to the Church, and that suffering is the evidence of some moral failure. Why is this reasoning faulty? What is the cause of suffering? What good can God work in our lives and character during times of suffering?

29. What role does Karl’s confidence in the Church establishment play in his fear of death? Why is death less frightening when considered in the context of a personal relationship with God?

30. Pieter proclaims the virtues and simple joy that can be found in farming. To the peasant-farmer children, his choice was disappointing. But what significant wisdom can be gleaned from Pieter’s parable?

BOOK 2

Chapter 14

31. Without Pieter as guardian and champion, the children surely would have suffered greater hardship. Yet Pieter resorts to manipulation when dealing with the ailing lord. Why is he unable to fully trust in God’s grace and faithfulness?

32. The storm and flood wreak further destruction on the little band of crusaders and yet another child despairs at being left behind. Why are these young children so determined to continue in spite of the misery and death that follows them?

Chapter 15

33. Wil insists that the world “is an evil place, not made easy by good deeds.” Karl argues that “the world is not evil; it is filled with God’s bounty for good people.” Are both brothers right? How can such a paradox be explained?

34. John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” In what tangible ways does Georg show God’s love to his friend Karl?

Chapter 16

35. After meeting the two French traveling ministers, Pieter has a life-altering encounter with God. How have the experiences of this ill-advised crusade opened his heart to receive freedom from the burdens that have plagued him most of his life? Would he have reached such a place of brokenness without experiencing such tribulation and helplessness?

36. Jean and Philip speak a blessing over the children, saying “may each of you enjoy God’s Holy Land, whether within or without.” What is the significance of this blessing and what does it tell us about where the kingdom of God lies?

Chapter 17

37. Despite suffering cruelly for the physical deformity she bears, young Maria has a pure heart and a sensitive, loving spirit. What is readily apparent to those who see her? How does she react to seeing her own reflection in the pool of water? Why do we so frequently focus on small, inconsequential imperfections rather than the wonder and beauty of God’s handiwork?

38. The minstrel, Benedetto, has a rather unremarkable existence—he simply plays his music for little or no reward. Why is he content to let life pass him by? Is he an observer or an active participant in life? What does he risk by becoming involved in the journey?