As we road through the winds and the trees, I began to sense that there was something concerning to Charbo. He was praying deeply as he rode upon the carriage of yoked donkeys.
“What is a donkey, Charbo?”
“I’m concerned for you, Armen,” responded Charbo.
“You are not taking what Aru said seriously. Don’t think about the donkeys. Hold his words before your mind and say them to yourself at all hours. His words are more precious than gold and they will not fail.”
“I know. I’m just concerned for mother.”
“Neryas, who is our mother?” said Charbo.
“She is above,” said Neryas.
“You are right, Neryas,” I agreed, “However, we have two mothers in this world, and I haven’t felt her love for some time, which is why I’m concerned for her. Nor have I seen her spirit in the night telling me how she’s doing while I offer my prayers to Christ our God.”
Neryas was thinking. He was a leader, and he led the holy order for some time until Charbo began to teach him about the way of Christ. Upon hearing his name in battle upon the lips of a child he placed his sword upon the ground and vowed not to kill once more.Charbo loved him and for a year now he has trained him in repetitive prayer and silence.
“Charbo, how is your teaching effecting the boys?” I asked.
“It’s slow, they are proceeding with reverence, which is all that matters for now,” said Charbo. “You know this.”
“All we need is this.”
“‘Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me’ is not enough Armen,” he smiled with love. He then looked down solemnly and then looked up at the sky as if speaking to his Lord. He looked down again and shifted his prayer beads as he uttered the prayer. “You are a master in the Jesus Prayer, Armen and I know you have started to move with trepidation towards greater heights.”
“It’s difficult, Charbo, I have been comforted by this prayer for over 8 years, and I find it impossible to pray without ceasing without it. Where can I put my efforts?”
“The sword,” said Neryas. "It is not the time to be a saint, but a knight, Armen. The movement of a pendulum is noticeable yet you must be still to see it clearly. Now is not the time for prayer. He got up and shouted, "Yeaaaah!" as he whipped his horse onwards past Charbo's donkey carriage.
"He is right, Armen. Our time is short here and for that we need prayer and through prayer salvation, but the time of our children will be shorter if we do not take up our sword. Eat now and we will go further."
I led the battalion below the old tree we saw on our way here. It housed us for some time and was ancient and had deeper roots than the beds of rivers. Charbo took out his satchel and began to sing.
The tree provided good shade and the trunk reminded me of the wood we had for our home when I was only 4 years old, when my father was with me.