Glorious Companions

by Summer Lee

  “I guessed as much,” said Rachael quietly.

  “It is a very serious battle,” said Kenana.

  “I heard that the giant who is leading the battle has promised gold to the opposition if they would take control of Alalakh for him,” said Kenana.

  “And they believed him?” Rachael blurted incredulously.

  Ava did not look surprised. “I doubt that they would turn down the offer to kill a few humans for gold.”

  “True. Except I can’t imagine a Nephilim being loyal to anyone,” said Kenana.

  Rachael laughed mirthlessly. “You have cut to the heart of the matter, my queen mother. They are like animals.”

  “When our Tyro and his defense force finishes with them, there will be no one to pay,” said Leah.

  “True. My son will see to that. But I fear that much blood will be shed first.”

  Ava sighed. “That is also my fear.”

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  TYRO

  The men had all mustered and lined up when the first shofar was blown. The opposing army awakened as well but ran in all directions.

  Half of Tyro’s forces hid in the bushes and trees. The rest were ready to fight. Tall sent out the soldiers who were assigned to create the distraction. They just ran from north to south, straight across the battle area. Next, Goel warriors rode great horses running at high speed from east to west, all hollering loudly.

  The enemy was soon in pursuit of the empty space where the warriors had run across. While the evil ones pursued the warriors, fire-tipped arrows were shot into their camp. Some of the younger boys quickly extinguished the arrows before they could set the dry land on fire.

  Asher heard music above his head. He looked up and saw heavenly crusaders. Musicians from heaven were going out before the earthly soldiers. “Praise be to El,” he said. “The victory is won.”

  The earth vibrated under his feet.

  Tyro felt the energy of Paradise as the earth quaked and shook with vigor. As a follower of God, he was empowered from Heaven. With the earthquake came the supernatural touch. Tyro was an expert marksman. His skills had been learned from Asher during his formative years. He saw that the other army was confused as they fought each other, and many died.

  Tyro pronounced the victory. He led a march, carrying a long curved spear with a sharp blade. The power of God fell on the prince. There was a glow around him as he raced forward, straight into the enemy line. Like lightning, he ran his spear through everyone in his way. Tyro motioned his men forward. The hillside was awash with soldiers marching across dry prickly fields, and methodically taking down the enemy, one by one.

  Tyro turned and raised his spear above his head, catching Heaven’s energy on the tip. He aimed it at the gargantuan leader and slung it into the air. The giant went down, and the survivors who were with him scattered. The Goels in the trees came out with their spears raised as well.

  Tall was in complete control of his soldiers as well. Once the warriors on the horses returned from distracting the giant army, Tall had regrouped and turned his men toward the containment. All day, the wind howled as the Alalakh soldiers destroyed the enemy without interference.

  Asher’s soldiers burned the enemy encampment, and destroyed several giants in the fields. If the humans were to have peace, there could be no survivors of the Nephilim. They fought and fought hard. Finally, all was quiet.

  Tall met up with Asher. “How did we fare?”

  Asher walked among the soldiers, patting them on the shoulders and grasping each other’s arms in triumph and camaraderie. “We won. The battle is over.”

  Jubilant soldiers streamed off the field, shouting words of victory, dancing in circles. King Asher could see evidence of triumph all about him. Asher would take no prisoners. He wanted no spoils of war. Steam rose off the dead bodies in the cool of the growing evening. The vultures were already arriving to pick the flesh clean from their bones.

  The wounded men of Mesopotamia dragged their tired bleeding bodies to the medical wagon. Others gathered around tables spread with food. The women busily ministered to the wounded and hungry.

  “Where are our dead?” asked Tyro.

  “We have no dead, only wounded,” said Asher.

  Tyro cheered and all the soldiers joined in again.

  White fluffy clouds appeared and gentle mist fell. With faces lifted toward the sky, and the victors allowed the mist to wash their sweat from their bodies. “Get a good night’s sleep, and you can go back home after a warm victory meal in the morning,” said King Asher to the men.

  The king looped one arm over Tall’s shoulder and the other on Tyro. “Let us go home, brave men of Mesopotamia.”

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  THE FAMILY MEAL

  The war was over. Tyro had led the armies to victory. And they had not lost one warrior. Not one.

  It was time to celebrate the defeat of the enemy. The humans rejoiced that they had won the victory. Mesopotamia would have peace at last. People could now go about the country as they chose and have no fear. Leah told Kenana that she wanted to help do something special to celebrate the victory.

  Kenana said, “Why don’t you help me plan a large feast of celebration? We will have a wonderful meal prepared here and served in the palace dining room.”

  Kenana talked to her kitchen cooks. “I want you to make the best meal you have ever made for the men in the family.”

  Bilhah laughed and said, “The ingredients will be hard to find, and it will cost dearly.”

  “I know, but those brave men earned it.”

  Kenana sent the servants into town to find the required food items for the feast. When they returned, there was a bustle of activity as meal preparations were made. Kenana reached for Bilhah’s hand. “By the way, I have something to say to you.”

  Bilhah responded, “Yes, my queen?”

  “Bilhah, I wish for you and Joel to go to a smaller palace in Adah. You will serve my friend, Sarah, who will be having a baby soon. Her husband, Tall, has been staying with us. You will travel with him tomorrow morning. Can you be ready?”

  “Yes, my queen,” said Bilhah.

  “I think you will find it to be a less stressful job than working here.” Kenana tried to sound convincing.

  “Thank you.” Bilhah bowed and left the room. “Perhaps my son will be safe.”

  Perhaps that will keep my daughter out of trouble for a while, Kenana thought.

  *

  Leah told Tyro that she wanted to eat alone with him. She wanted the meal to be romantic. She asked the servants to set the table on the patio for Tyro and her. “Tyro is the beloved Prince of Mesopotamia, and I want him to know that I feel blessed to be with him.”

  While the others went to the dining room, Tyro and Leah went out onto the patio. She held a wrapped gift behind her back. “For you,” Leah said, handing it to him.

  His eyes lit up. Tyro thanked her and kissed her. He eagerly opened his gift. It was a small replica of his spear that he had carried in battle, except this one was fashioned from pure gold. “You are so thoughtful,” he said, clasping her hands.

  They ate quietly as the wind played a natural tune in the branches of the trees. After they ate, Leah looked into his eyes and asked, “Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?”

  “Go right ahead.”

  “It is about your birth father.”

  “The fallen angel.”

  “Yes. Was he evil?”

  “Not in the beginning. Mostly, he was disobedient.”

  “So, there was a time when he was a good angel in heaven?”

  “That is true. He was my mother’s guardian angel when she was a small girl.”

  “What happened to make him change?”

  “He and my mother fell in love with each other. He disobeyed El.”

  “Would he have raped her if she had not been attracted to him first?”

  “We will never know.”

  “So, she loved him?”
>
  “Yes,” he said. “I think she still does. But he broke Heaven’s law and is in a prison for fallen angels.”

  “Are you agreeable to that?”

  “I have to be. El must be obeyed. Enough about that.” Changing the subject, Tyro stood and reached for Leah’s hand. “Let’s dance.”

  He took her in his arms and began singing, blending his voice with the wind. Keeping in step with the timing, they danced around the patio. He pulled her close, his hand flirting with the small of her back. He whispered, “I love you. I want to be with you always.”

  “I, also, feel these things.”

  Reaching for Leah’s hand, Tyro squeezed it. He looked into her eyes. “Will you marry me?” he asked.

  “Yes,” she whispered. She then took a moment to process what had just happened. Leah’s face radiated with an inner light, her eyes reflecting an inner bubbling joy. From her appearance, Tyro guessed his proposal caught her by surprise. “Yes,” she said again. “Yes. I will marry you.”

  “One more thing. I will always protect you. No fallen angel will ever harm you. No one will harm you. Of this, I swear.”

  “Never?”

  “Never!”

  Leah was so excited she could barely control herself. As she sipped her tea and nibbled on her bread, she looked Tyro in the eyes and said, “I love you.”

  He smiled. Truly he loved her as well. It was the happiest he had ever been.

  *

  As was the custom for a queen to wear to a royal event, Kenana wore an elegant cream-colored tunic and gold jewelry. She was dressed elegantly for the celebration.

  The table was lavishly decorated.

  Asher sat at the head of the table, and Kenana at the foot. When Tall came into the dining room, Kenana had him sit to her right and Ava sat next to Asher. Once Ava started telling Asher her stories of the past, Kenana turned to Tall.

  “I guess you will be leaving soon, now that the war ended so quickly. I will miss seeing you so often,” she said.

  He clasped her hand. “I will miss you as well.”

  Asher looked at her, frowning. She straightened up, putting both hands in her lap. She had to maintain formality.

  Ava was soon chatting with the king, telling of the problems she had with her animals and the needs she had for a carpenter to do household repairs.

  Kenana cocked her head. “Were you amazed that Asher was the rightful King of Mesopotamia?”

  Tall smiled. “I wasn’t surprised. He’s a good man.”

  “I know. Too good.” Kenana smiled wistfully. “Remember when we all went to Egypt?”

  “Yes, my queen. Those were interesting times. And if I recall, Asher was supposed to watch over you.”

  She laughed lightly. “He did it well, except for the times I slipped away.”

  Tall chuckled. “You were a rascal.”

  “Of course, the best thing that came out of that trip was Tyro.”

  A sober look spread across Tall’s face. “I well remember what Malluch did to you, and then Prince Jubal passed. You did not back down from the challenges. You were always such a strong woman, my queen.”

  Kenana shrugged. “I did what any other woman would have done.”

  “I’m not so sure of that, my love,” said Tall softly.

  Oh, he dared so much at a table at which her husband sat!

  Kenana, not wanting any other terms of endearment to escape his lips, changed the subject. She raised her voice. To Asher she said, “I bought a special jar of wine when I was in town today.”

  Asher turned from his conversation with Ava. “Is that so?”

  “Yes, my love. Would you like to try it?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “I will go get it. Come, Tall, carry some things for me.” While walking down into the lower-floor kitchen, she felt Asher’s knowing eyes on her back.

  Alone in the kitchen, she asked Tall, “What are we going to do about us?”

  “Nothing for now.” He lifted her chin. “You know that.”

  “I know.” She dropped her head.

  “You know that I love you more than life itself.” He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly.

  “Perhaps our secret love will be our strength in troubled times.” She closed her eyes and once again, felt his warm mouth on hers. They clung to each other for several moments. She kissed him again, aware that it might be the last kiss they would ever share.

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  KENANA

  After drinking their wine, the men went to the stable and Ava went to pack. Kenana wondered, Would Asher confront Tall about his involvement with her? He was certainly capable of it.

  Kenana was left alone. She shooed away the servants who were hovering over her. She enjoyed the silence.

  The crickets soon gathered under trees and were chirping loudly. Kenana looked up and saw an unusual figure on a tree limb that resembled Malluch. Startled, she knew it could not be Tyro’s father because he was in Hades. Yet, she had a strange sensation that the supernatural being was there for a reason.

  Cautiously, she slowly went to check it out. She strode toward the tree. Slaves stepped aside as she moved past them. She told them that they could all be excused. She searched the trees until she saw the angel again. “What brings you here?”

  “Surveying the landscape,” he answered.

  “You are a fallen angel, aren’t you?”

  “Some say so.”

  “Did Malluch send you?”

  “Yes. I come on his behalf.”

  “Do you know anything about him?”

  “Yes,” said the glowing one.

  “What do you know?”

  “He has a son. I came to get information about Tyro,” he said.

  “There is nothing to tell.”

  “Is he still alive, or was he killed in the war that wiped the Nephilim off the earth?”

  “He’s alive. Why do you ask a question like that?” Kenana felt suspicious.

  “Malluch says that his son is a Nephilim.”

  “That shows what you don’t know.” Kenana had a smirk on her face. “Tyro is not a Nephilim. He’s a righteous man.”

  “How so?”

  “El protects him because he was raised to be an honorable man.” Kenana paused. “He has more power than anyone around, even you.”

  “How does he get his power?”

  “From El.”

  “Tell me his secret?”

  “It is not a secret. He just does not conspire with demons. I know that Tyro walks with God to the best of his ability. He does not care about earthly fame. He’s not holy in the way that my grandfather was, but he’s a good man. In the name of God Almighty, leave me alone. Please go now.” The evil one did not budge.

  “You may go now. I have nothing else to say.” Kenana was a little irritated and the tone of her voice revealed it. As she watched him leave, she yelled, “Tell Malluch that his son is a spiritual man.”

  She whispered a prayer that she did not want to ever see another angel. Like her forefathers, she had experienced the presence of God and needed no further angelic messages.

  If she had her life to live over again, Kenana wished the marriage to Prince Jubal had never happened. She wished the affair with Malluch had never happened. But if that were only true, her life would be so different. No, the current state of affairs was the course set for Kenana.

  Her life was a tapestry in the making.

  *

  Kenana was awakened during the night by her bedchamber door squeaking open. She looked up and saw Rachael walking in.

  “Mother,” said Rachael. “The war scared me. May I sleep in your room tonight?”

  “Of course, darling.”

  The queen’s chaise in Kenana’s bedchamber was easily large enough to sleep on. That was where Rachael always slept when danger lurked outside. Now she snuggled down under the covers and was soon asleep and dreaming.

  *

  Later, Rachael awakene
d with a start and yelled loudly. Kenana jumped up and ran to her side. “What is it, my dear?”

  “I had a weird dream that I was alone and in danger. Tyro immediately appeared in my dream. I grabbed hold of his arm, pleading for him to stay with me. Instead, he left me and went immediately to Leah. I was scared.”

  “That is my fault. I put doubts in your mind.” Kenana whispered, “Don’t be frightened. You are his sister, and he will always be here for you.”

  “I know,” she muttered. She was trembling.

  “Your father and I will always keep you safe.” Kenana stroked her cheek with a surprisingly soft touch and said, “Move over. I will lay by you.”

  “Mother, I know you are sending Joel away because of me, and I feel lonely already.”

  “There are some things that we don’t need to know about Joel, so hold your friendship loosely.”

  “You mean the murder he is accused of committing. He probably didn’t do it.”

  “I know. I just told Bilhah to go to Adah and help Sarah with her new baby.” Kenana sighed. “That is all. We didn’t get into any other discussion.”

  “And Joel will gather Sarah’s eggs, I guess.” Rachael was sad.

  “Yes, but he will have to settle the issues of his past first.”

  “I know.”

  “I’ve been thinking that maybe you and I should take a trip to see Sarah after the baby gets big enough for you to hold.” Kenana ran her fingers through her daughter’s hair. “What do you think about that?”

  “I would like that.” Rachael breathed a sigh of relief and was soon asleep again.

  Chapter Thirty

  KENANA AND ASHER

  Kenana sat under the canopy on the patio with Asher. She was very quiet.

  “What is it, dear?” asked Asher. “You look so sad.”

  “There is a lot going on in my life that I don’t understand.”

  “Like what?”

  “The servant boy, Joel.”

  “I know Rachael likes him.”

  “So do I, but he may have killed Bilhah’s former mistress.” She sighed. “If he goes before a judge, will you vouch for him for Rachael’s sake?”