Episode #14: 1 Christopher - Chapter 14 - Accusations and Peace

Jan,15 2026

<-#12: 1 Christopher - Chapter 12 - Understanding#15: 1 Christopher - Chapter 15 - Restraint ->

Concerning accusation by authority, and peace without argument

14:1

Not long after this,

the mayor came to Christopher in anger.

14:2

He said,

"You have corrupted a household

and made a respectable woman

a spectacle."

14:3

"And word has reached me

that the sheriff may come."

14:4

Christopher did not argue.

14:5

He asked instead,

"Has she broken any law?"

14:6

The mayor said,

"She has frightened people."

14:7

Christopher replied,

"Fear is not a crime."

14:8

The mayor said,

"You must make this stop."

14:9

And Christopher answered,

"I have made nothing happen."

14:10

"She chose her way,

as you chose yours."

14:11

Then he said,

"If she disturbs the peace,

speak with her,

not with me."

14:12

"For authority governs actions,

not conscience."

14:13

The mayor stood uncertain,

for he had expected defiance

or apology.

14:14

Christopher added,

"I will leave if asked by law,

but not by fear."

14:15

The mayor left without shouting,

for there was nothing left to escalate.

14:16

And I learned that peace is sometimes kept

not by persuasion,

but by refusing to fight

the wrong battle.

<-#12: 1 Christopher - Chapter 12 - Understanding#15: 1 Christopher - Chapter 15 - Restraint ->