by Ava D. Dohn
* * *
The snow did not let up in intensity all through the dark hours. By dawn the next day, it still shrouded the plain to the east with invisibility. During that night the enemy pulled back, leaving the Silk to its defenders. When morning light arrived, nothing moved beyond Alba’s defensive positions.
General Winehardt withdrew her orders to press the enemy, only sending out motorized gun crews to act as pickets. An eerie quiet settled down on the defenders, as exhausted soldiers fell into deathlike sleep. Falling snow, although not as heavy as on the plain, covered the living and the dead, creating a world of countless white mounds littering the hills. A halt was called to collecting the deceased because the litter bearers could not tell them apart from those sleeping.
When morning light arrived, Kfir repeated his earlier comment concerning the Cherubs. Alba asked him why they would be so concerned with the lives of people following Asotos. His answer was both simple and telling.
Pointing to the east, he explained, “When the Rebellion began, our world fell into confusion. Many people followed Asotos out of foolishness and misunderstanding. Being the liar and purveyor of misinformation that he is, Asotos seduced many thousands to his side. Once trapped under his control - and often riddled with guilt - many of the children secretly lamented their actions but believed it a hopeless dream to ever be forgiven by Mother.
“A large number continue with Asotos today not because they believe in him or because they have any hope of a returning in this life or the next. The powerful survival instincts Mother created in her children keep driving them on. Unless a person becomes mentally distraught, the will to live prevents that one from carrying out a death wish.”
Alba countered, asking, “How can you be so sure? Have any ever returned to a state of repentance? It has even been said that Lowenah told her children at the Council of Eighty that Asotos’ followers were no longer children of hers. If she has disowned them, what hope is there for even one returning?”
Kfir was polite but sharp. “Your own people were disowned by Mother…and on more than one occasion. What do you say? In her soft heartedness, she gathered you back over and over again.”
Stung, Alba retorted, “My ancestors sought forgiveness for their wicked fornications of false worship.”
Kfir snapped back, “My people were not offered the olive branch!”
Unable to make reply, Alba became silent. Kfir went on to explain, “The issue of who has the right to rule our people still remains unanswered. Force of arms or leadership through strength will not settle it. This war is not being fought to prove who has the right to rule. We fight to preserve the universe. Only when the universe is secure can the issue of sovereign rule be settled.”
“It will be the ending of this age before the coming Day of Judgment. Many more of your lifetimes will pass before it arrives. Only when the core of life - the Web of the Minds - is forever safe can Mother risk concluding the matter. We fight now not to destroy the wicked but to secure the future.”
Alba asked, confused, “Should I conclude that your mother’s disowning her rebel children is only symbolic of her current feelings? Of what value is it if one understands this disowning to be of such little import?”
Kfir answered, “Little one, you have much to learn. Disowning a child who has no care or love for a parent is not a punishment, unless it deprives that child of some reward. Mother has taken nothing away from any of her children except her motherly devotion. In this case, such a disowning will only move the hearts of wayward children, not the wickedly rebellious.”
He took Alba’s hand. “When I heard about Mother’s declaration, my heart lifted with hope. Should only one of my brothers or sisters return from following Asotos, I will rejoice more than over a thousand of my brothers…” He let go of Alba’s hand and swept his arm in a wide arch over the torn and bloodied hills. “I will rejoice more than over a thousand of my brothers returning from the Field of the Minds.”
Alba was perplexed. “But will your mother just forgive any one returning to her? And if she does not, then what hope is there for the person?”
Kfir smiled. “I believe she will do such a thing.” He sighed. “I’m made in her image. I would.”
Taking Alba’s hand again, he revealed something new to her ears. “Just as a child may be disowned by one parent and not the other, I perceive that life of itself doesn’t hinge alone on what Mother does with her children.”
“Do you seek to screw up my mind with all your riddles,” Alba chided, “or am I supposed to read the wind for my answers?”
Kfir laughed. “Reading the wind has become one of your better skills, although I doubt you understand what I mean by that either.
“Listen and learn. The Cherubs are our fathers in ways you do not yet understand. They do not choose right and wrong through a heart such as you and I have. They are also the masters over the Web of the Minds. Mother does not question the decisions they make regarding life and death for they see in ways she no longer can.
“My heart believes that the Cherubs have brought this snow so that the slaughter will ease, not just for our sake, but for the sake of others who fight against us. They can see eternity and measure events and happenings by a clock system we cannot understand. It lifts my spirits to think that they may see possibilities for some of our enemy. Mother has the ability to forgive. The Cherubs have the ability to preserve.”
It became busy for a time. Officers came and went, issuing status reports and seeking new orders. Kfir assisted as best he could, still refusing any further medical aid. Gradually the camp came to life and the soldiers slowly resumed their duties.
About midmorning, Alba heard a loud commotion outside the tent. She stepped into the falling snow just as three Marines came into the redoubt, driving a bound and shackled enemy soldier before them.
Stopping in front of their captain, a Marine reported, “Found him hiding in a rubbish pile, Ma’am.”
The soldier was tall and muscular with shorn hair and stubble growing on his normally clean-shaven face. There were cuts and bruises on his hands and face and his uniform was little more than rags. The man’s gaunt appearance indicated he had not eaten or slept for many long hours.
Instantly recognizing the man to be the same person who had caved in the skulls of several troopers in her company during the desperate hand-to-hand combat the previous day, Alba angrily asked, “Why does he live?! And why have you wasted my time with the likes of him?!”
The lead Marine stuttered in surprise, “Why… I… we…”
Alba whipped out her sidearm, ordering the man to his knees. “You no good bastard!” She pointed the weapon at his head.
The man dropped to his knees, staring down at the dirty snow. There was no expression of regret or fear on the man’s face, no defiance or hatred. He just waited for her to pull the trigger, appearing almost desirous to see his finish coming.
Alba slowly squeezed her finger on the weapon’s trigger. Her anger at the memory of this man murdering so many of her children boiled up in her breast. Most were women, small and weak in comparison to this giant. He crushed their skulls as if smashing melons. He deserved nothing! Nothing at all!
The weapon began shaking in her hand as tears streamed down her face. Her children…her little children...
Kfir stood near, saying nothing. Alba was commander and as such could choose life or death for whomever she wanted. She would have to decide and she would have to live with that decision.
Gradually Kfir’s earlier words began to sink in. Whose children were these people anyway? Power of life and death was no mark of wisdom nor did it prove who was wicked or righteous. Her children... If they were her children, then who was this man? Was he not at one time their brother? What was he then to her? She was repulsed at the thought. Still…
She lowered the weapon.
Exhausted from her inner struggle,
Alba quietly ordered, “Take him to the mess and give him some food. Then get him some aid for his injuries. Stay with him and keep him bound, but don’t hurt him. And find him a blanket so he doesn’t freeze.”
The Marine acknowledged his orders and, with the others’ help, pulled the prisoner to his feet. The man was so surprised, he was speechless. He quietly shuffled away with the Marines.
Alba was positive she saw a tear trickle down the man’s face as he departed.