I grew up to be about five years old, and I was still living in my village with my parents and the other villagers. They were simple and happy people, who worked hard and enjoyed life.
It was a sunny and warm day, and I was playing with my friends in the fields. We were pretending to be knights and monsters, chasing and fighting each other. We were having fun, until we heard a loud horn sound from the village.
We stopped our game and ran back to the village, curious and excited. We saw a group of strangers standing in the center of the village, surrounded by our elders and parents. They wore white robes and carried staffs, crosses, and books. They looked serious and solemn.
One of them spoke in a loud and clear voice.
"Greetings, good people of this village. We are from the Church, and we have come to bring you the word of God. We have come to test your children for the blessing of the light, a gift from God that allows one to use divine light. Divine light can heal diseases, purify water, create light, and perform many other miracles. Only those who have faith in God can receive this gift, and only those who have this gift can serve God in his holy mission."
He paused and looked around.
"We ask you to bring your children who are between the ages of five and ten to us, so that we can test them for the blessing of the light. If they have it, they will join us in our journey to the holy city, where they will learn more about God and his will. If they don't have it, they will stay here with you, and we will pray for them to receive it in the future."
He paused again and smiled.
"Please do not be afraid or worried. This is a great opportunity for your children to be closer to God and to serve him with their talents. We are here to help you and guide you, not to harm you or force you. We are here with love and peace, not with hate or war."
He gestured to his companions.
"These are our brothers and sisters from the Church, who have also received the blessing of the light. They will assist us in testing your children. They are also accompanied by some knights from the king's army, who are here to protect us from any danger or threat."
He pointed to a group of men who wore metal armor and carried swords and shields. They looked strong and fierce.
"They are loyal servants of God and the king, who have sworn to uphold justice and order in this land. They are here to ensure that everything goes smoothly and peacefully."
He nodded to his audience.
"So please, bring your children to us now, so that we can begin the testing. May God bless you all."
He finished his speech and waited for the villagers' response.
The villagers looked at each other with mixed emotions. Some were curious and hopeful, some were doubtful and fearful, some were angry and defiant. They whispered among themselves, trying to decide what to do.
My parents looked at me with love and concern. They held my hand tightly.
"Are you scared?" My mother asked me softly.
I shook my head.
"No." I lied.
I was scared. I was scared of these strangers who claimed to be from the Church. I was scared of their white robes and their staffs, their crosses and their books. I was scared of their divine light, which they said was a gift from God. I was scared of their knights, who wore metal armor and carried swords and shields. I was scared of what they would do to me and my friends, if they found out that we had the blessing of the light, or if we didn't.