Newcomer: Day 2

Word Count: 12,017

Summary of Events:

Miķelis was introduced to his tent-mates, Genādijs, who was from Zilsvjo, and wasn't terribly friendly, and Kristiāns, who was from the highlands like Miķelis, but further south, and was friendly and eager to show Miķelis around before supper. The following day Miķelis started into his training, where he quickly outperformed quite a few of his fellow trainees, considering his experience with weapons. Come Sunday, Miķelis was roused early by one of his fellow Reform-believing neighbours who was also a trainee, and the two headed out into the woods for a covert time of fellowship with the few fellow Reform believers in the camp…

Excerpt of the Day:

They gathered around the fire, with several of his neighbours greeting him who’d not yet had the chance to do so in the time he’d been at the camp, although most of them had already seen him once since he’d arrived.

Without further ado, the oldest of their number rose and led them in singing several songs as loudly as they dared.

Miķelis was glad to sing the familiar tunes with these young men, many of whom had been childhood companions of his owing to the fact that his brothers had all been going off to war ahead of him, although he did feel more nervous than usual as he did so.

Once they’d finished singing, the oldest of their number carefully drew out a book from his coat. Miķelis was one of the few who followed suit. Those flanking him crowded close so as to be able to read along when Miķelis turned the pages to the section wherefrom the oldest of their number announced he would be reading from.

With those crowded around him, Miķelis moved his eyes over the text as the oldest one read it aloud, translating it as he spoke, just as Mama had always done. It would be so much nicer if they didn’t have to translate on the fly, but considering the illegality of the books, pursuing the creation of editions in their own language was easier said than done.

Once the text was read, the oldest of their number expounded on the meaning of the text. Miķelis listened raptly, as always, eager to hear and understand, occasionally checking back with the book in his hands to be sure that the text was being used properly, even though his concerns for its misuse were minimal. Vigilance was always important.

Indeed, Miķelis listened intently for any sounds of someone or something in the bush while also listening to the words of his brother in faith and arms, lest they have been followed, found, and run the risk of being shot for daring to believe what was legally defined as heresy, even though it was, in fact, the truth that every man in the camp, every person in the realm, every human in the world needed to hear.

The message shared was rather brief, but it was better than nothing. They all sang a couple songs in closing before the fire, which had burned quite low, was doused with a pail of water and everyone got up to creep back to the camp before their absences could be noticed and prompt suspicion to arouse.

Making his way back to his tent, Miķelis stowed away the book in his saddlebag before changing back into his nightclothes and crawling back beneath the covers, that his absence might go unnoticed, lest anyone suspect that he was one of the heartbreakingly few of his countrymen who had been able to hear the truth despite the repressions of the law against its promotion or propagation.

Pronunciations:

Genādijs: gehnahdees

Kristiāns: krihstyahns