Kris Kringle
Chapter Five: The Shepherds

The following night Kris met Jack outside his home. They both were eager to make their way to the Green Pasture and had been thinking about it all day long. They each brought a lantern with them to guide their way down the dark dirt road that led to the Dowry family’s sheep pasture. It was a large open field that lay at the foot of the Pinetop Mountains on the most northern border of the Silverbell Kingdom. The Green Pasture was the only place in the kingdom that Kris had never actually visited before, and he was not alone. The pasture itself was almost two miles from the Calico Village where nearly all of Silverbell’s citizens lived. No one had a reason to journey north when the castle, marketplace, farms, and ranches all lay in the opposite ends of the kingdom. The Dowrys therefore lived like hermits out on the pasture year after year, tending to their large fold of sheep, which provided the blankets and clothing used by all of Silverbell. Jack was one of the few who had regular interaction with the Dowrys as he provided them with ice every couple of weeks. Rudy had told Kris before they parted the night before that he was to travel by foot to the pasture. He did not explain why but Kris assumed it was so that no attention was drawn to the pasture and the meeting that would be taking place there. And so he and Jack walked the two miles to the pasture, the glow of their lantern lighting the way.

“This had better be worth it,” Jack grumbled playfully after they had been walking in silence for most of the way.

Kris chuckled. “I’m sure it will be more exciting than whatever else you would be doing. I mean, how many books can you read before you go crazy?”

Jack smiled. He was an avid reader and had a mind that retained information remarkably well. People were often surprised when their humble-looking ice deliverer—with worn scarf, coat, and hat—would at random moments spout off interesting information about any number of topics—agriculture, astronomy, weather, mythology. Kris was not just Jack’s best friend; in reality, he was Jack’s only friend outside of the small library located behind the church in the marketplace. And so Kris’ jab at his friend was based in reality—Jack almost certainly would be at home reading tonight if it was not for their outing to the pasture.

The two friends arrived at the final stretch of the road. A grouping of small hills hid their view of the pasture, but as they took the fork that led down (rather than the one that led up toward the mountains), they could see the open field in front of them. The sheep had been gathered in for the night, and Kris and Jack could hear their soft bleating as they got closer. As the two approached the fence, they were unsure where they should enter. Rudy had not given Kris any specific direction other than to go to the Green Pasture after sun down and to not take horse or wagon. Before they could decide how to enter the pasture, a figure emerged from behind the fence whom they had not seen in the darkness.

“One of you Kris Kringle?” the man asked. He was a tall, thin man. Kris had seen him before in public gatherings but did not know his name or occupation.

“I am,” answered Kris, “And this is my friend, Jack. We’re here to see Rudy.”

The man gestured for them to climb over the fence and follow him. They did so promptly, and walked through the grassy pasture, which felt like a cushioned mattress compared to the hard dirt road they had been walking on for the past twenty minutes. The man led them to a small stable located on the east side of the pasture. As they entered, Kris could make out seven men seated on blocks of wood in a circle inside, the light of several lanterns illuminating the humble setting. Rudy was among the men seated there and arose to greet the newcomers.

“Welcome Kris,” Rudy said. He went to stretch out his hand for a shake but paused when he saw Jack standing next to Kris. He knew Jack well from the ice deliveries he made to the ranch.

“What are you doing here, Jack?” Rudy asked seriously.

Jack shrugged. “I don’t know actually,” he admitted.

“I don’t know why I’m here either,” Kris added, looking at Rudy, “But whatever you wish to share with me, you can share with Jack with equal confidence. If that is too much of a request, I understand. But we came together and will leave together if that is your wish.”

Rudy was surprised by Kris’ candor but respected it. “Very well,” he said, “Please be seated.”

The man who had escorted them to the stable grabbed an extra log of wood for Jack to sit on. There was now a total of ten of them seated in a circle. Kris looked around and was shocked to see his own boss, Mr. Elpert, seated across from him. He gave Kris a friendly nod as their eyes met. Rudy sat down and looked directly at Kris.

“What we are about to share with you is of the utmost secrecy,” he began, “I cannot stress that enough. Everything we will share with you tonight cannot be shared with anyone else, no matter how much you trust or love them. Is that clear? Do we have your word?”

Both Kris and Jack answered in the affirmative.

Rudy looked at the ground, deep in thought. “Seated in this circle are the men known as the Shepherds, though they are only known by that name by each other. We are a secret organization designed to protect the kingdom from those who would wish it harm, including and especially the rulers of the kingdom.”

Kris furrowed his brow in concern, but he thought it best not to ask any questions this early in the discussion. The concerned look, however, was not missed by Mr. Elpert.

“Don’t worry son,” the old rancher said, “We are not here to overthrow governments or incite chaos. On the contrary, our band of brothers exists so that good men in power are given the support they need.”

“Our motto reflects just that,” Rudy continued, “Whenever any of us sees that a meeting like this one is necessary—because some new information or concern has arose—we go to the member of the group assigned to us and say the phrase, ‘Peace to you’, to which they reply, ‘Goodwill to all’. It is then the latter member’s duty to replace the Shepherd assigned to them and say the motto again. And on it goes, until every member of the group has heard the motto. In this way we secretly inform each other that a meeting needs to be held that night in the Pasture. And it is in these meetings that we discuss the threats facing our kingdom.”

Kris finally decided to start asking questions. “What threats exist in Silverbell that would require you all to meet with any frequency or purpose?”

The thin man from earlier spoke up. “Recently our discussions have been focused on Lord Renier,” he replied, “We have reason to believe he is exercising his power unlawfully, even mercilessly. We are fearful that when it comes time for him to ascend to the throne, there will be nothing and no one to check his selfish quest for more power and wealth. No one except us…”

“And the princess,” Rudy corrected him, “Princess Eva is the Shepherd’s only connection to the royal family and the political workings within the castle. She learned of our organization through Paul”—Rudy gestured to a man with a graying goatee sitting silently next to Kris—“He works as a chef in the King’s house and over the course of the past two years has slowly shared his identity as a Shepherd (and the role of our organization) with the princess. He believes her to be completely trustworthy. It is she who has shared the information about Lord Renier’s disturbing actions with us.”

“What has the prince been doing?” Jack asked simply.

Rudy looked to Paul to answer. “He has been imprisoning citizens for longer than is needful,” Paul responded, “And worse than that, it seems he is secretly executing others for offenses not worthy of such a penalty. The princess also believes he is conspiring with evil men—those who study in dark magic—in order to gain control of the kingdom prematurely.”

“Why doesn’t the king intervene? I’ve always thought him to be a good and sensible man,” Kris offered.

Rudy nodded. “He is indeed,” came the reply, “But when he first took the throne as a young man—roughly the same age the prince is now—he too was thirsty for power and blinded by the arrogance of youth. Princess Eva fears that because the king sees so much of his former self in his son, he struggles in his effort to teach and restrain him.”

“I replace this all incredibly intriguing, I really do,” Jack stated, “But may I ask what exactly you and I can do to stop Renier from abusing his power? I would guess—based upon the comradery and sincerity I see among you brethren here—that you are eager to work together for the good of the kingdom. But I don’t recognize any of you as being skilled in combat or endowed with any political office. If your goal is to save the kingdom, where and how is your influence felt exactly?”

Kris worried that Jack’s straight-forward inquiry would offend the Shepherds, but as he looked around, he saw many of them smiling warmly.

“That’s an absolutely fair question, Jack,” answered Rudy, “And I assure you it is one we ask ourselves constantly. But don’t mistake the sword or scepter as being the only instruments of influence. Indeed, as the saying goes”—Rudy reached into his pocket and pulled out the note from Princess Eva—“the pen is mightier than the sword.”

He handed Kris the note. Kris hesitated to open it, given his promise to the princess.

“I was very impressed with your loyalty to the princess and to your word last night,” Rudy remarked, “This note and your interaction with Eva must have created an almost unbearable spirit of curiosity within you. And yet, when giving me the note, you did not even ask me what it said and were content to leave my home without another word. Your integrity amazes me, Kris. And having spoken with your employer before you arrived at this meeting”—he gestured toward Mr. Elpert—“he assured each of us that the kind of character I saw in you last night is a reflection of who you consistently are.”

Rudy smiled warmly at Kris, who was still cautiously holding the small piece of folded paper in his hand.

“You promised the princess that you would make sure only the Shepherds saw her note,” Rudy reminded him, and then took a quick look around the circle to replace one last head nod from the group, “We all agreed upon this action before you arrived: Kris, you can now open that note without breaking your promise.”

Kris looked at him confusedly.

“You are now a Shepherd.”