“Mother, I’ll remember what you have taught me. As your heart’s surrounded with truth, may your spirit be at peace,” Katerina said as Gervon carefully buried the chest.
The four girls slowly rose and embraced. Katerina straightened and nodded to Sir Gervon to lead the way back to the larger group waiting for them at the edge of the forest. This day’s not over yet, she thought to herself.
As the five emerged from the forest’s edge a wave of whispers and mumbled prayers reached their ears. One by one they mounted their horses and turned west toward the Peaceful River. The place where Mother and Delores’s bodies will finally be at peace, Katerina thought as she felt a wave of comfort wash over her.
As the group moved forward, the sound of humming began to grow. “What’s that?” Senora asked.
“It’s our song of mourning. They’re bringing honour to Princess Delores and Queen Scarlett the best they know how,” Sir Gervon replied.
Senora nodded and was mesmerized with the beautiful chorus that surrounded them. She rode on in silence. She could hear the slowly moving river ahead. So much has happened since the last time I was here; I just hope Jo is safe.
She watched as Katerina and Crystal dismounted their horses and walked to the wagons. Sam dismounted and followed. Senora watched as five other soldiers and guards carefully held each coffin with care as they gently placed each coffin side by side at the river’s edge. She watched as Katerina, Crystal, Sam, and several archers made their way to the top of the bridge overlooking the Peaceful River. Sir Gervon lit a torch and walked behind each archer, igniting each of their arrows. As each arrow ignited one by one each archer stood aiming, standing ready to fire.
“Goodbye Princess Delores, you have taught me so much. Goodbye, Mother, I miss you deeply. I only wish to be as strong as both of you,” Katerina whispered.
“Goodbye, Mother, you’ve always been my inspiration. You taught me to be true to myself. Goodbye, Delores, may your wisdom ring truth all the days of my life. You taught me to never give up. I miss you both every day,” Crystal stated.
Katerina and Crystal released their flaming arrows, followed by each archer releasing theirs in turn. Each arrow hit their intended mark. The coffins were engulfed with flames, and as they turned to ash, the wind carried the remains down river. The large group exploded in celebration and cheers. As they mounted their horses once more and returned to the castle, they all shared laughter and memories on their way back. Life lessons that both Scarlett and Delores had taught, never to be lost in death.
Robert rode a horse up next to Senora and Sam.
“I don’t understand all that just happened, but I’m honoured to have been a part of some of it. How’re you two doing?”
“Honestly, I’m at the most peace I’ve ever been in during these past three years.” Senora sighed.
“I’m glad.” Robert turned his attention to Sam, but she only looked forward and rode on in silence. When they re-entered the castle, Sam quickly dismounted and headed back up the stairs to her room to rest.
Robert stumbled off his horse and turned to follow, but Senora stopped him, “Give her some time. She’s still pretty weak, and I think today took a lot out of her.” With sadness, Robert nodded his agreement and led his and Sam’s horses to the stables.
Katerina and Crystal dismounted their horses, handed the reins to some nearby soldiers and headed into the castle walls. “Gather the leaders. We’ll begin our battle plans,” Katerina ordered, heading to the war room. Pausing at the door, she turned suddenly and said, “Please, call Nora and Bobbie to join us. There’s strength in numbers. This affects their world as well as ours.” Katerina pushed the door open.
“Right away, my lady.” The guard rushed to the courtyard to find Senora and Robert.
Part 7: Fighting the Darkness
16
Greatest Strength
Senora walked toward the stables as the bright sunlight illuminated around her. Now, where did Bobbie go? She looked around, suddenly startled by loud crashing sounds coming from the stables. She rushed over to investigate. When she peered inside, she saw Robert throwing things around, kicking hay bales, and grumbling under his breath.
“Bobbie? Why’re you so angry?”
“Why will I never be good enough? I couldn’t protect them.”
“Protect who?”
“I couldn’t protect my mother from my dad, I couldn’t protect you from the fire or Kat’s deceptions, I couldn’t protect Sam from Lucas or Drayvon, and I feel like a weak, insignificant, useless, a waste of skin.” Robert tossed a hammer on the tool bench. “I could never do anything right.”
Senora walked toward Robert to calm him. “That isn’t true. It isn’t your job to protect us. That’s God’s job. You need to forgive yourself and ask God for guidance.”
“How can you say that? I don’t deserve forgiveness; you know what I’ve been through.”
“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become wool.”1
“I always make the wrong choices. Why would they want me? I’m just a big mistake.”
“As far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.”2
“I know God has forgiven me, but I don’t deserve His forgiveness.”
“For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.3 God’s forgiveness is greater than any sin we commit.”
“It’s easier to hate than to hurt.”
“I know, but God’s bigger than your hatred. For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.4 So, Christ took the sacrifice of death that your sins created, he has defeated death’s hold on you. For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”5
“I just wish I was stronger that I could keep everyone from getting hurt.”
“But we learn through our pain. If I didn’t hurt, I would never move forward. To deny my pain, is to deny my salvation,” Senora said. Robert paced around the stable, kicking straw around. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”6 Robert felt a wave of peace wash over him. He turned to say something to Senora when the head guard entered.
“Sorry to interrupt, but Lady Kat has requested both of you to attend the war meeting. Please follow me.” Both Robert and Senora turned to follow.
When they left the courtyard and re-entered the castle, Robert glanced at Senora. “You said you have lots to tell me. What did you mean by that?”
“Ask me again after the meeting. I promise I’ll fill you in.”
The head guard opened the door to the war room with Robert and Senora following. “Oh, good! You’re here. Now we can begin. You were saying, Donella?”
Robert scanned the room. His sight landed upon a lady dressed in a black pantsuit and a long black cloak. Wow, she must be like ten feet tall. Robert unknowingly stepped backward. She stood with long pointy ears, pale skin, and small narrow grey eyes. Her face was creased as though it had forgotten how to smile. She carried an uninviting demeanor. Raising her chin and narrowing her eyes, she set her stone-cold gaze on Katerina. “The Firedites are ready to fight with you, Lady Kat.” Standing as still as a statue, allowing only her eyes to move, she scanned the room. “My concern was Lucas’ deceptions. He’s the king of lies and deceit. How could we guard ourselves from that sort of attack?” She shifted her feet ever so slightly. If someone had blinked, they would have missed it. “I mean, we could battle his armies, but if he plants a seed of doubt within us, we’ll fall.”
The silence hung in the air almost like ice daggers waiting to attack the next to speak.
A man in the corner covered in mud coughed, breaking the silence as all eyes shot to him. “Yes, but ou
r armour’s impenetrable. We Muddlings can withstand lies. Maybe we can train you to guard your thoughts.” He stood only two-feet-tall but grinned from ear to ear.
Stomping her feet, causing the Muddling to fall to his side, Donella glared as she looked down her nose at him. “You Muddlings are all talk, but where’s your action?”
Dirt and mud splattered on others standing nearby as the Mudding scurried to stand.
Raising her hands in defense, Katerina said, “Please, hear me. I may be the youngest one here, but my mother put me in charge. We need to unify and stay strong. Sam’s still with us.”
Shaking the very thresholds of the room, Donella stomped around, and stopping in front of Katerina, she crossed her arms and growled.
“Yes, but is the Red Dragon going to join the fight?” A small, gangly creature asked.
Donella shot him a dagger-like stare. Softening her expression, she smirked and scanned the room as she spoke. “That’s a fair question. What about the Red Dragon? Why’s she not in this meeting?”
Busying herself with the maps on the table, she stammered, not knowing what to say. “I’m sorry; her captivity with Drayvon has done a toll. She’s resting now.” She shook her head sadly without looking up from the maps.
“Will she be ready to fight when called?” the small creature asked as it scurried up the wall.
“Stop questioning the child. We’ll bring strength to the table, but if the Saviour isn’t with us, we’ve already lost.” A tall, giant-like man spoke boldly from the back of the room. Senora noticed everyone jumped to attention when he spoke. “For God equipped me with strength for the battle; He made those who rise against me sink under me.”7 She stared at him as he sat still as a statue in the darkest corner of the room. If he hadn’t spoke, Senora wouldn’t have noticed he was there.
To get everyone’s attention, Katerina slammed her hands on the table and let out a loud sigh. “Sir Geryon’s right. We all have strength, and the Saviour’s our guide. This isn’t the final battle, but it will set things in motion and will affect not just our world. We make our stand at the Fiery Crossroads, where two worlds collide. Who’ll stand with me and fight Lucas and Drayvon?” Silence filled the room and weighed heavily on them all.
Eyes madly searched for what to do next as Sir Geryon rose to his feet. “I will fight by your side, Lady Kat.” One by one, everyone followed his example. As the affirmations to follow and fight grew, the anticipation, fear, and excitement rushed through Robert’s body.
Deep in the Sheol Mountains, hushed whispers echoed throughout the caves. “The Master has lost the Lord’s prize,”
“The Lord called for revenge,” one beast said.
“Master was weak?” another replied.
“No, Master was strong. Lord deceived us all,” a third declared.
“Who do we follow, Master or Lord?” The echoes spread like wildfire.
Far into the deep, Drayvon and Lucas communed. “What do you mean they escaped? This dark kingdom’s impenetrable,” Lucas said. “No one can get in or out without permission, you said.”
“The Shadow Knights are patrolling. We’ll find the breach, I guarantee you. But I was able to block the Red Dragon’s fight. Sam will be grounded,” Drayvon answered.
“Not good enough. Who was on patrol that night?”
“The Misfits. You know, Chester, I believe his name is.”
“Bring him in.”
Chester slunk into the dark room and bowed toward Lucas and Drayvon. “You called for me Master and Lord? Remember, I didn’t do it, unless it’s good.” Chester said, followed by nervous hyena laughter.
“Silence. How did they get past your patrol?” Lucas asked.
Chester swallowed his nervous laughter. “They must have found a secret breach. Those stinky creatures. Funny-looking things.” Chester chuckled. Lucas kicked Chester in the stomach. He wheezed and fell on his back. “I serve the Master. Let me go. I learn fast. I’m a good deceiver.”
“I’m listening. What do you propose? I’ll see through lies,” Lucas said.
“I can deceive like the best of them. Deception’s what keeps us alive. Master taught me that. I can take a small scouting party into their kingdom,” Chester said with a sly smirk on his face.
“Go! Report what you find,” Drayvon ordered. Chester crawled away with his hyena laughter following him.
He crawled into the shadows right out of sight, listening in to learn more details. I love rabbit trail conversations. They take you on a journey you don’t know where you’ll end up.8 If I listen, I might learn something useful.
“I should have devoured him,” Lucas declared.
In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing, Chester thought from his hiding place.9
“He may still be of use,” Drayvon declared. “Now, what were you saying about your plan? What was this about another world?”
“I’ve already begun my attack upon them. My specialty: hatred, lies, deception, division, and death,” Lucas conveyed.
“Yes, but why choose such a low-populated place? There must be more population,” Drayvon said.
“Oh, there is, but in a low population, the attack goes unnoticed until it has spread like a plague upon an unsuspecting world.”
“Is the pending war here?”
“All connected. In time, both worlds will burn,” Lucas declared. “If we cut the snake’s head off, Deadened Valley will only be the beginning.”
“So, where does the Red Dragon fall in with this plan of yours?” Drayvon asked.
“It began with the dragons going into hiding. The dark powers will rise. Before the end of this day, blood will be spilt and you’ll have your feast,” Lucas revealed, “I’ve divided them; they just don’t know it yet. I have my eyes within their ranks; they’ll fall defeated once more. There’ll be no light this time. Darkness will prevail.”
“I’m nothing but mischief. I’ll show them. Doing the wrong thing is like getting shot by an arrow. It’s usually a long-lasting pain that doesn’t go away. I’m smarter than they think. I can thwart plans. Misfits unite. The Master will see our strength now.” Chester chuckled as he vanished into the darkness, leaving only a faint hyena chuckle behind.
“This battle will determine our destination, a battle that would either bring unity or division. We need to put aside our differences now. Only together can we stand firm,” Katerina declared. “Who’s willing to stand?”
The room fell silent; uneasiness started to build. “Haven’t you all lost someone? Haven’t we all fallen to Lucas’s lies and deceptions?” Senora asked.
“Who’re you to question us? You’re but a stranger in these parts.” Donella glared at Senora and stepped closer to her with her fists clenched.
“Be still, Donella,” Gervon declared. Donella shrunk back into her corner as all eyes turned to Gervon.
“Why does everyone seem afraid of Sir Gervon?” Senora asked.
“What? Afraid? Why do you say that? Sir Gervon’s strong and wise. But he also is cunning and tactful. He’s the titleholder, combatant, and guardian,” the Muddling revealed.
“What’s he the guardian of?” Senora asked.
“You must live under a rock,” the Muddling said, laughing at her.
“I don’t understand,” Senora said.
“Obviously,” the Muddling replied sarcastically.
“Now, Lady Kat called us here. Let us hear her out,” Gervon demanded. All eyes shifted back to Katerina.
Two guards leaned against the castle gate. “It’s so eerie quiet,” a guard stated.
“Oh, you’re just sour that you weren’t invited to the war room. Am I right?” the other guard replied.
“What? No. We can’t leave the castle unguarded,” the first guard said. A strange, small, hairy creature approached. “Halt. Castle Calvarias isn’t open for visitors. We’re in lockdown. Identify yourself.”<
br />
The creature paused, looked briefly over his shoulder, motioned to a dozen Misfit Shadow Knights hiding right out of sight for them to wait for his signal, and continued forward. “We’re warning you: stop and identify yourself,” the second guard called. The creature stopped, looked up at them, and pulled his hood off. “Halt, we need you to stop. You’re out of your dominion. Why’re you here, Shadow Knight?” the first guard asked.
The creature raised his hands in surrender and chuckled nervously like a hyena. The two guards cautiously approached the creature. “Stop that infuriating laughter. Will you?” The first guard punched the creature in the side.
The creature stumbled but chuckled even louder. “I bring news for Lady Sam.” The first guard clenched his fist. The creature winced and prepared to receive another hit, when the second guard stepped in and grabbed the first guard’s arm to stop him.
“Wait. Let’s hear him out,” the second guard said.
“But he’s a Shadow Knight. They’re at war with us. We don’t want to bring the enemy in. We might as well raise the white flag now,” the first guard stated.
“I’ll go to the cell block; Sam can meet me there. The difference between genius and stupidity is, genius has its limits.” the creature offered.
“What did you say to me? Are you calling me stupid?” the first guard asked pushing himself into Chester’s face.
“Stupid is as stupid does,” Chester replied.10
“Move.” The first guard shoved Chester forward. Chester moved willingly with a smirk forming on his face. Calling out to a group of nearby soldiers training in the courtyard, the first guard snapped. “Nate! Allistair! Watch the gate, while we take this thing to the cell block. Make sure his friends behave.”
Two young soldiers lowered their weapons, nodded, and ran toward the gate. “Yes, sir!” they responded.
The guards moved him into the cell block. “You go inform Sam; I’ll return to the gate. Someone needs to be guarding it. And you, creature, be silent.” The first guard stormed back to his post.
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