The Restorer's Son, page 32
part #2 of The Sword of Lyric Series
We all took a drink, and then Jake set his can on the counter. “Dad?” He seemed older than his eighteen years for a moment. Noble. A young man who had faced difficult journeys.
Mark looked at him and noticed it, too. He sat up taller and answered him gravely. “Yes?”
“Tomorrow, would you start teaching me how to use a sword? In case I ever need to?”
I shook my head, but Mark had already answered. “Sure.” They exchanged a very male look of camaraderie, and I knew that even though Mark might never survive another trip through the portal, another of the Mitchell men was ready to answer the call if help were ever needed. I sighed. If we were going to keep Medea and Cameron from causing trouble, it made sense to keep our swords ready. I squeezed my pop can too hard. It made a loud crinkling noise.
Jake shook off the serious mood and pulled out the garbage can.
“Come on. I’m starving. Let’s get this cleaned up. I vote we throw away anything with whole grain or lentils.”
I grabbed a dishtowel and swatted at him. His laughter rang through the kitchen. Mark started chasing down the bugs that had come in.
Jake reached to pick up the broken jar on the floor. “Ow!” He dropped one of the pieces and shook his hand. Blood welled up on his palm.
“Jake, be careful. Here, let me see.” I hurried over and gently blotted the cut with the dishtowel. “I’ll go find a Band-Aid. I think I saw the first-aid kit in Anne’s room. She was using it on her Barbies.” I started to leave.
Jake stopped me. “Um, Mom?” His voice sounded strained.
Mark and I both turned to look at him.
He swallowed hard and held up his hand, looking dazed. “Never mind the Band-Aid.”
Mark stepped closer and put his arm around me. I was grateful for the support. My fingers trembled as they reached out to touch Jake’s palm.
The cut had completely disappeared.
Continue the Adventure…
Check out the next book in the Sword of Lyric series.
The Restorer's Journey (The Sword of Lyric, Book 3)
http://www.enclavepublishing.com/books/restorers-journey/
About The Restorer's Journey:
His choices have the power to save or destroy.
With a loved one’s life at stake, Jake charges through the portal into Lyric to stage a dramatic rescue, trusting that the signs that mark him as Restorer will guarantee success. But everything familiar in Lyric has vanished, swept away by deadly lies and a corrupt king. As forces conspire to turn him from his purpose, Jake finds his path leading to places beyond his courage.
While he confronts the temptation to flee his calling, Susan struggles in brutal captivity. Can she gain freedom before the enemy destroys her spirit, and will Jake choose to follow his destiny before everything is lost?
Learn more about this book: http://www.enclavepublishing.com/books/restorers-journey/
Reader’s Guide
Kieran responds to the One’s call with a variety of reactions—from confusion to resentment to stubborn rebellion. Have you ever felt as if God were calling you to a deeper walk with Him or to some special task? Can you relate to any of Kieran’s feelings?
In the first book, Susan dreamed of being like Deborah in the book of Judges. Gideon is another leader from Judges, and he answered God’s call by saying, “If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?” (Judges 6:13). What similarities do you see between Gideon’s story in chapter six of Judges and Kieran’s path?
Kieran’s spiritual journey also contains some parallels to the accounts of Jacob (see Genesis 32) and Jonah (see the book of Jonah), and other biblical heroes who had tempestuous encounters with God. How have you wrestled with God at difficult times in your life?
Many characters in this story struggle with conflicting priorities. What did you see as driving goals for Mark and Susan, Kieran, Zarek, Tristan, Nolan, and other characters in the story? Do you have clashing priorities in your life? What are some of the forces that are pushing you in two opposing directions? How do you resolve that tension? How do you find guidance through difficult decisions?
Although His plan isn’t always obvious at first, the One is working out a design rich with love and grace throughout the story. Which plot thread resonated the most with you in regard to how the One’s intentions were revealed and developed? (Kieran? Hazor’s people? Nolan? Mark? Susan? Jake? Linette?)
The Old Testament is full of “Christ-types”—prophets and leaders who provide a symbol or foreshadowing of the true Messiah who was still to come. Do you see ways that the Restorers are foreshadowing an ultimate Deliverer for the People of the Verses? What qualities in the Restorers (Mikkel, Susan, Kieran) reflect hints of a Christ-type figure, and what qualities clearly show that they are not the ultimate Deliverer?
Did you spot the three Restorer’s Sons in this story? Markkel is the son of a Restorer. He was expected to bring restoration but brought it in an unforeseeable way. Nolan is the son of the current Restorer and begins a road toward healing. Jake is the son of Susan the Restorer and may have his own calling to face in the future. Which of the three sons in the story do you think had the most challenging path? Why?
Glossary
blue lace fern: Rich blue-green color and delicate foliage, the roots have medicinal qualities and are used to treat inflammation and pain. Grows along edges of forest areas and near rivers.
boot knife: A small dagger, carried in a sheath strapped to the ankle. Versatile, used as a tool as well as a weapon.
cover-and-ambush: a child’s game, similar to hide-and-seek
first-years: Men and women in the first year of guardian training. Usually about eighteen years old.
ground-crawlers: Ten times the size of a North American earthworm, these burrowers only come out at night. Their skin is toxic to anything they touch, causing acidic burns to animals and humans.
house protector: Someone who takes a formal vow to defend to the death another person and his or her family (household)
mesana vine: Dark maroon, parasitic plant that grows in harsh terrain. The pith is fibrous, salty, and edible, though far from tasty.
Perish: A table game of strategy, played with two sets of small stones, one black and one white
pocket doors: Doors designed to slide into the wall. In the curving walls of Lyric, there are several hidden pocket doors that allow access through the sides of the city other than the main entry tunnel.
Rammelite fever: Progressive, fatal illness that causes joint pain and ongoing bouts of high fever, thought to be caused by a small parasite found on plants in low-lying swamplands
scrambler: A device used to deactivate magnetic locks
Sidian: The capital city of Hazor. A center of commerce and home to Zarek’s palace, the prisons, and the location of the primary hill-god shrine
stinging beetles: Non-poisonous but prone to inflict uncomfortable stings, these flying scarabs are common along the River Borders near Rendor. They are the size of large dragonflies, and the yellow and orange beetles are more likely to attack humans than the blue and green varieties.
suppression field: technology developed to project a dampening field on the magnetic programming of focused, synchronized weapons and render them useless. Skyler, Kieran, and Kendra created this in preparation for the battle with Hazor at Morsal Plains.
waterweed: A dangerous plant found along river banks, its tendrils entangle moving creatures and can cause drowning
About the Author
Sharon Hinck is a wife and mom who has enjoyed many adventures on her road with God, although none have involved an alternate universe (thus far). She writes “stories for the hero in all of us,” about ordinary people experiencing God’s grace in unexpected ways. Known for their authenticity, emotional range, and spiritual depth, her novels include contemporary fiction as well as fantasy and have been recognized with three Carol awards and a Christy finalist medal. She has also contributed non-fiction articles to dozens of book compilations and magazines and has written devotions for Mornings with Jesus for many years.
With an undergrad degree in education, she earned an M.A. in Communication from Regent University. She spent ten years as the artistic director of a Christian performing arts group, has been a church youth worker, a ballet teacher, an organist, a freelance editor as well as a writer. When she isn’t wrestling with words, Sharon enjoys speaking to conferences, retreats, and church groups. She and her family make their home in the Midwest, and she welcomes visitors to her online home at sharonhinck.com.
Acknowledgements
My precious family – Ted, Joel, Kaeti, Josh, Jenni, Jennelle, Kyrie, Mom and Carl – you each inspire me daily. Your love and support make my writing possible.
I’m deeply grateful to the prayer team members who have joined this project with their intercessions over the years, to the Book Buddies, to critique partners, to various writing groups, to the Church Ladies, and to my other patient and encouraging friends.
Huge appreciation goes to my agent Steve Laube, who has always been a champion for these stories, and to my editors Jeff Gerke and Reagen Reed who made them better. Thank you to everyone at the marvelous Enclave Publishing who have made these current editions possible.
Most of all, thank you to the One who has loved me enough to pursue me.
Enclave Publishing is the premier publisher of Christian speculative fiction.
Whether it’s Christian science fiction books you love, or fantasy, time travel, steampunk, alternate history, spiritual warfare, superhero, or technothriller—if it’s speculative and it comes from the Christian worldview, Enclave Publishing is there. Enclave Publishing is a small, independent press that strives to get Christian speculative fiction directly into the hands of the fans who love and devour great stories.
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Sharon Hinck, The Restorer's Son
