Chapter 46

           Silaslayproneonthecanvasmatinhisroom,allowingthelashwoundsonhisbacktoclotintheair.Tonight’ssecondsessionwiththeDisciplinehadlefthimdizzyandweak.Hehadyettoremovethecilicebelt,andhecouldfeelthebloodtricklingdownhisinnerthigh.Still,hecouldnotjustifyremovingthestrap.

           IhavefailedtheChurch.

           Farworse,Ihavefailedthebishop.

           TonightwassupposedtobeBishopAringarosa’ssalvation.Fivemonthsago,thebishophadreturnedfromameetingattheVaticanObservatory,wherehehadlearnedsomethingthatlefthimdeeplychanged.Depressedforweeks,AringarosahadfinallysharedthenewswithSilas.

           «Butthisisimpossible!»Silashadcriedout.«Icannotacceptit!»

           «Itistrue,»Aringarosasaid.«Unthinkable,buttrue.Inonlysixmonths.»

           Thebishop’swordsterrifiedSilas.Heprayedfordeliverance,andeveninthosedarkdays,histrustinGodandTheWayneverwavered.Itwasonlyamonthlaterthatthecloudspartedmiraculouslyandthelightofpossibilityshonethrough.

           Divineintervention,Aringarosahadcalledit.

           Thebishophadseemedhopefulforthefirsttime.«Silas,»hewhispered,»GodhasbestoweduponusanopportunitytoprotectTheWay.Ourbattle,likeallbattles,willtakesacrifice.WillyoubeasoldierofGod?»

           SilasfelltohiskneesbeforeBishopAringarosa–themanwhohadgivenhimanewlife–andhesaid,»IamalambofGod.Shepherdmeasyourheartcommands.»

           WhenAringarosadescribedtheopportunitythathadpresenteditself,SilasknewitcouldonlybethehandofGodatwork