The Thorn tcog-1

by Daron Fraley

  The walls now gone, Pekah watched in amazement as soldiers from all around the destroyed building scattered like frightened sheep, running for their lives. Chunks of riven wood, brass pegs, cloth, and broken beams rained from the sky. The explosive sound reverberated in the plaza and shook the ground.

  With arms up to protect their faces, the general and the captain fell to the floor of the stateroom. Eli’s red hair was in disarray, and Pekah’s dark hair was blown backwards, but both men remained standing, entirely unharmed.

  Manasseh slumped dead in his throne, the dagger he still clutched in his hand resting upon his lap.

  Light still flickered in The Thorn.

  Chapter 14

  Rachel

  Rising from his knees, Jonathan moved to sit upon a round-topped boulder and stare out into the valley, a prayer still in his heart. The crisp morning air nipped at him, so he held his arms close to his chest, warding off another shiver. Just above the western peaks which bordered the city far below him, Aqua and Azure burned bright in the sky. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back, exposing his neck to their warmth.

  Please protect Rachel, he prayed. Strengthen my friends.

  Jonathan sighed. Waiting, especially with nothing to do but brood, grated at his patience. He opened his eyes and played with a pebble. Nearby, a squirrel chattered, darting from rock to rock, but keeping its distance. When it reached a bush not far from where he sat, it pawed through a pile of sticks, popped something into its mouth, and then raced toward a tree. Jonathan snorted.

  “Your life is easy, my little friend.”

  He tossed the pebble into the bush where the squirrel had been, and reached for his sack. Finding the last chunk of dried meat, he bit off a corner and held up the rest, hoping the squirrel would see.

  “Thank you for showing me your stash of nuts, but I brought my own food.”

  The salt tasted good to him, so he chewed slowly, savoring it. Well-lit by suns-light, Ain shone like a jewel, its stone walls and buildings almost white amidst a sea of orchards and field-covered hills. Too far away to make out details without his looking-glass, he thought about retrieving it from his pile of belongings, but didn’t feel like moving.

  Like a deep rumble from a landslide, the ground shook beneath him. Startled, he leaped to his feet and surveyed his surroundings, but found nothing amiss. As the sound intensified, he realized it was coming from the direction of the city. He shielded his eyes from the suns and stared out into the valley. At that moment, a fierce blast of light flashed over the center of Ain. Before Jonathan could even gasp, the brilliant display ended. And then it was quiet.

  How long he stood there, his jaw slack and eyes wide, he did not know. Still, the city was silent. Eventually he tired of standing. Finding his seat upon the boulder once again, he watched.

  The general rose cautiously, keeping his eyes fixed on Pekah.

  Pekah recovered from his shock. He hastened to wrap the scepter, placing it back into the leather bag about his neck.

  “Are you all right?” Eli said as he grabbed Pekah’s arm.

  “Yes, I think so. Are you?”

  Eli nodded.

  Pekah rubbed his eyes and ran his hands through his tousled black hair. He blinked several times, then focused on the general, who was helping the captain up from where he had fallen. Fearing they were still in danger, Pekah retreated a few steps, and Eli joined him.

  The Gideonite soldiers did not approach them, but stood surveying their new surroundings, undoubtedly shocked to see the walls and roof of the portable stateroom now missing. Like a cosmic crater, the wooden floor of the platform had become a central depression amidst large mounds of rubble, randomly arranged in an almost circular fashion. Just outside the rim of broken beams, cloth, and metal, several of the tents closest to the scene had been toppled by falling debris.

  Near the ruined tents, a few soldiers milled about, some of them armed, and others not. The soldiers gazed in earnest at the general, waiting for a command to act. Behind those who had gathered, the plaza fount still splashed, although the water basin and the pool below the pedestals had several items floating in them.

  The general walked cautiously over to the throne. He checked the emperor for signs of life. He sighed and then turned to Pekah and Eli. “He’s dead,” he declared, his voice uneven.

  They glanced at each other without a word.

  The general shook his head, but then curiously scrunching his face, asked, “Did you say you had a dream… about this?”

  Certain that Eli wouldn’t want him to say anything that would further jeopardize their situation, Pekah didn’t answer, even though the general’s countenance had softened. The sound of metal on metal caught his attention, and he looked up to witness the stout captain sheathing his weapon. This put him further at ease, but he still didn’t know how to respond.

  The general repeated, “Pekah, you had a dream?”

  Affected by the general’s calm demeanor, Pekah felt relieved. “Yes, two nights ago. I dreamed I stood here, in the presence of the emperor, showing him the scepter. As I told you, it was sent with me by the Danielite heir to purchase the prisoners.”

  The general scratched his clean-shaven chin thoughtfully, and then waved the Gideonite captain over.

  “Thank you, Pekah.” The general touched the captain’s shoulder. “My name is Jasher, and this is Captain Amon. Amon, tell this man about your dream.”

  Amon stepped forward, crossing his arms across his bulging belly. His heavy breathing sounded as though he had just run a foot race. He answered in a deep, cavernous voice. “Just two nights ago, I dreamed that I was here, and saw a man bring the scepter of Daniel. But I did not see what I see now.” He swept his hand over the area of destruction.

  Light danced in Jasher’s eyes. He again put a hand on the captain’s shoulder, but spoke to Pekah. “I, too, saw this day. My dream and Amon’s were one and the same. I dreamed that the war would end because of the man who would bring the scepter of Daniel.”

  Jasher let go of Amon. The general’s head bobbed up and down, his eyes sparkling.

  Pekah held his breath. The occurrence of the same dream between the two Gideonites, and the similarity of their dreams to his own, sent a shiver down his back. Feeling unnerved, he gulped.

  “My brethren,” Eli interrupted. “This cannot be mere coincidence. The hand of the Great King of Heaven has been made manifest here. Pekah came to bargain for the lives of the Danielite and Uzzahite prisoners in the city. He offers peace under the authority of Jonathan, son of Samuel, heir to the throne of Daniel. Because this day was foreseen by all three of you, I am convinced the dreams pertaining to this strange event have been inspired by the Holy One.”

  Eli paused as if to gauge the reaction of his audience. Pekah looked at the general, who still appeared to be excited, and then Eli added, “It is also apparent to me that Manasseh’s refusal to comply with Jonathan’s sincere request, delivered through his messenger, cost him his life.”

  Pekah flinched at Eli’s blatant statement of fact. He nervously watched Jasher and Amon, wondering if they were offended by Eli’s claim, but to his surprise, the general stepped forward and offered his hand in friendship. “I am Jasher of Bezek. I regret the actions of our emperor, which were unjust. I pray your forgiveness.”

  Shocked by Jasher’s apology, Pekah hesitated, but then frankly forgave the man. He turned to see Amon’s mouth open as if he wanted to speak. All eyes fell on the captain in anticipation.

  “I believe,” Amon said, “we will need to gather all those we can, and invite them to come and witness for themselves what has happened. I can only hope they will see and understand what we have seen. This truly is almost unbelievable. Had I not seen it with mine own eyes.. ”

  Shaking his head, Amon stepped off the wooden platform and advanced to the closest group of onlooking soldiers. He said a few words to them, and directed them toward the platform. Pekah watched with interest as Amon continued a
round the plaza, gathering all who were nearby.

  By the time Amon finished, there were over ninety Gideonite soldiers of various rank milling around the platform, talking in hushed tones. Many stared at Pekah. Some appeared to be afraid. Made uncomfortable by their gaze, Pekah turned away to see Jasher pull a wooden chair to the front, then climb upon it to address the crowd.

  “Men of Gideon, you have witnessed a strange thing this day,” the general shouted in a commanding voice. “I mean to enlighten your minds with truth, that your hearts may be at peace. Captain Amon of Gilad is also a witness of all that I have seen and heard. The emperor is dead-not by the hand of any man, but by power from above, which I have seen and cannot deny.”

  The crowd murmured. Jasher put up his hand to quiet them, then proceeded to tell the gathered troops all he knew about the arrival of the two messengers. As he told of the terrible and frightening force that leveled the building when light stormed from the heavens, filling the room with power and brilliance, many of the Gideonite soldiers sank to the ground with heads bowed low. Others whispered amongst themselves.

  Jasher’s voice trembled as he told the gathered Gideonites of the dreams experienced by Pekah, Amon, and himself. He emphasized that the entire event had been foreseen. When Jasher stopped his narrative, a hush of profound silence came over the listening group.

  Almost a minute passed. Not a soul moved. As if by coincidence, even the breezes of the summer morning stilled, giving loud punctuation to the news that the emperor was indeed dead. The silence was interrupted by the noise of several soldiers who entered the plaza escorting a captured Danielite woman. Her captors craned their heads over their shoulders at the strange scene near the wooden platform, but continued on their errand and disappeared down another narrow street. Pekah guessed the street led to the quarantined sector of the city where the prisoners were being corralled, similar to what he saw at Hasor before the Danielites were herded away.

  Captain Amon approached Jasher and whispered in a tone just loud enough for Pekah to hear: “You will need to act quickly if you wish to maintain control of the situation. Otherwise, the army will disband.”

  Amon’s quick assessment impressed Pekah. How will Jasher do that? Pekah wondered.

  “Men of Gideon,” Jasher thundered, “I remind you-you have sworn yourselves to the service of Gideon and his people. The emperor is now dead, but his desire for war against Daniel and Uzzah will continue to be carried out until the armies of the Gideonite people have been led to different paths. You must choose the path you will take,” he emphasized. “Will you help me to end this war? Will you follow me on a path to stop bloodshed? Will you assist me in restoring peace to the land?”

  Pekah felt hope well up in his breast as the idea was accepted by the troops. Where he had seen distrust and caution in the faces of those who listened, Pekah watched as a yearning for peace bloomed in their eyes. Many who had fallen to the ground rose to stand again before the general. A few of them offered their verbal pledges to Jasher. Several more put their right hand forward, and Jasher walked among them. He went from man to man, touching his outstretched palm to theirs in token. This covenant was eventually accepted by all but one soldier who stood apart from the rest.

  Calling the man forward, the general placed a hand on the soldier’s arm and led him to the edge of the platform. “Do you see the dagger in Manasseh’s hand?” Jasher asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Manasseh tried to kill this man,” Jasher said, pointing to Pekah. “In fact, the emperor ordered me to kill him, but Pekah had done nothing worthy of death. I swear to you by the heavens that everything you have heard today is true. Will you not accept the signs you see before you as proof that my desire to end this war is just?”

  The soldier looked at the emperor, then at Amon, and then again at the general. He nodded. “Yes. I will follow you.”

  Jasher smiled and received the man’s pledge. Then he took his makeshift stand again, lifted his hands in the air, and addressed the group with excitement. “I can see you have come to the same conclusion I have. The war between the tribes must be stopped. I intend to end this war. All captains of ten, or captains of fifty, please stand forward!”

  Eight men stepped closer to the platform, waiting to receive their orders. From his perch on the chair, Jasher gazed down at Amon with a smile, and then at Eli and Pekah standing nearby. He waved to them, as if to say that all would be well, then turned to the soldiers again.

  “Men of Gideon,” he began again, “Rezon marches upon the northern cities of Uzzah, searching for the heir of Daniel. He has sworn an oath to Manasseh that he will not rest until the Heir has been killed, and the scepter of the tribe has been captured. Rezon is on a mission that he cannot be permitted to finish, else we as a people will incur the hot displeasure of the Great Creator, who has sent this man of Uzzah with one of our own brethren to plead for the end of this conflict. Rezon will not find the Danielite in the lands of Uzzah, for he is here, near the city of Ain, in hiding. Rezon also will not find the scepter of the Danielite kings that he seeks, for I have also seen the scepter, this very day!”

  A rumble of noise went through the crowd as the news was assimilated. After the chatter died down, Jasher finished his plea.

  “In grave matters such as these, I choose not to give commands which would be followed out of blind duty. Rather, I ask you to stand by me in joining the tribes of the Three Brothers once again together in peace. Will you march with me to find Rezon, that I may counsel with him, in hopes that his heart may be turned, as mine and yours have been?”

  After a brief delay, a shout of commitment went up from the body of soldiers, saying, “It shall be done!”

  Pekah was thrilled upon hearing the words, excitement filling him like the warmth of beams from Aqua and Azure breaking through the clouds. Amon saluted the general with both hands high in the air. Jasher stepped from his seat and motioned the eight leaders to come closer for specific instructions. Orders were given, but Pekah did not hear them on account of the commotion now coming from the gathered crowd. Separating into groups of ten and groups of fifty, the commissioned captains shouted out commands to secure the prison area and prepare it for the general’s arrival. Without another word, the crowd left in columns, down the same road previously taken by the prisoner escort.

  His lips curled as if amused, Captain Amon patted Pekah on the shoulder. “You have delivered your message to us. Now we will deliver it to Daniel and Uzzah.”

  “Thank you,” Pekah said, humbled by the acknowledgement.

  “Please follow me,” Jasher invited, smiling.

  Walking to the end of the platform where weapons had been stashed in a large wooden bin, Jasher stopped so Pekah and Eli could retrieve their belongings. With Jasher and Amon leading the way, the four of them then marched across the plaza, past the beautiful central fountain, and down the confines of the narrow city street where the soldiers had gone. Bordered by multi-storied buildings with wrought iron railings on balconies, the cobbled passage was the most colorful street Pekah had yet seen in Ain. In addition to flower pots hanging from some balconies, most of the stone walls had been painted bright colors-yellow, blue, green, and orange. He was cheered, simply walking down the street.

  A few blocks later they turned onto a road which opened up into a small park, another beautiful fountain at its center. On the other side of the open area stood several of the Gideonite soldiers who had left them at the plaza, their captain yelling at prisoners cordoned off in the better part of an entire neighborhood. All the Gideonites brandished their weapons, and angry shouts rose from the crowd. A wounded prisoner sat on the street, being tended by another. As Jasher and Amon approached, the captain hollered for silence.

  “What happened here?” Jasher demanded.

  The captain stiffened. “When we explained that you would soon arrive to free the prisoners, several of these men called us liars. One of them rushed forward with a rock in his hand. We did
only what was necessary to control the crowd.”

  Pekah looked at the Danielite who sat on the cobbled street, holding up his wounded arm so it could be wrapped with a strip of cloth. The injury appeared to be superficial. A large stone lay nearby.

  Jasher pointed to the captain. “Take the man to the medical tent in the plaza so the wound can be properly dressed. Then set him free.”

  The wounded Danielite gaped, amazed.

  “Help him up,” the Gideonite captain ordered. A group of five soldiers broke away to assist in carrying out the general’s request, and they all left.

  Amon escorted Pekah and Eli to the front of the holding area. Standing before Jasher’s group were two men, one a captain from Daniel and one from Uzzah.

  “Tavor!” Eli cried out as they met. Tavor managed a meek smile, but did not say anything in return. Looking around at the assembled crowd, comprised mostly of Gideonites, Tavor’s expression soured. The Danielite captain next to Tavor clenched his teeth, his lips curled almost into a snarl. Eli could say no more before General Jasher introduced himself.

  “I am Jasher of Bezek. I am a general of Gideon, and I have received news delivered by these men,” he paused, pointing to Pekah and Eli, “which has changed my entire perception of this war, almost in an instant! I am here to speak with the leaders of your peoples, so we might come to an agreement. I desire a permanent treaty, so peace might be had once again in the land.”

  Tavor’s jaw dropped. The Danielite captain mumbled something under his breath in surprise. Jasher gave them both time to recover, and then proceeded to tell the two men all that had befallen both Amon and himself earlier that morning, including the fate of Manasseh and the covenant made by the men under his command. He then said, “I wish to end this war. Will you join me in doing so?”

  Tavor still did not appear to believe what he was hearing. He backed a few steps away from Jasher in distrust, and looked to Eli for help. Eli nodded in affirmation and stated, “It’s true. This is his sincere desire. I am joining with him myself.”