Chapter 6
When Rose stirred from her restful sleep the next morning, Jirah was already up in the kitchen preparing breakfast and cleaning the dishes from last night.
“Did you sleep well dear?” The woman asked.
“Quite well thank you. I had no dreams that I can remember other than those of eating your wonderful cooking”
Jirah smiled at the compliment. “I took the liberty of preparing a bath for you in my room. Joshua is still not up yet, so go soak a bit and get clean if you like.”
Rose could not even remember the last time she had the luxury of a warm bath. Her eyes filled with tears before she could stop them and impulsively, she rushed over to Jirah and gave her a long hug.
“Thank you. For everything you have done.” she said.
“Hey, we women must stick together if we want to keep that Brother Josh out of trouble.” Jirah replied with her lopsided smile. “Take all the time you need.”
The Holy Cleric of Ya did not have such a restful night. He had spent most of it in prayer and had yet to receive further directions from his god. As the sun rose over the horizon he left the small shrine and took a long walk around the farmstead. He approached the small stream that ran by the farm and kneeled down to wash his face in the cold water. After having a refreshing drink he looked up to see a large magnificent eagle, landing on a large rock just across the water. It looked at him intently as he rose to his feet then spoke into his troubled mind.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for I am with you wherever you go.” Then the bird rose up with a great beating of its wings and Joshua watched as it flew up into the nearby trees. With tears streaming down his face, he turned to walk back to the farmhouse. He spoke aloud, “Thank you Father. Forgive my unbelief.”
When Rose came out from her relaxing bath, Josh and Jirah were already seated at the table eating a breakfast of fruit, cheese and fresh buttered biscuits. She had made a decision while soaking in the warm water to act and speak more kindly to Josh and Jirah from now on. She did not want to push away the only two people that have ever treated her with respect and kindness. As she joined them, she could not help smiling to herself.
“You seem to be shining just a little brighter than the sun this morning my dear.” Jirah said.
Joshua nodded in agreement.
“A warm bath will do wonders for a girl’s spirit,” Rose responded.
“I’m glad that you took the opportunity now Rose, for we will have little chance of a bath in the days to come,” Joshua said.
“Speaking of that brother,” Jirah interjected, “I have decided to come with you on this journey, but I have a few conditions first.”
“Glad to hear that.” Joshua said. “What do you require?”
“I will need one day at least to get some things in order around here and to gather some supplies. I will also need a promise from Rose.”
Rose wondered what this could mean.
“I am more than able to hunt for the food we need on this trip, but I want Rose to do the cooking for us.”
Rose was taken aback. She had never cooked a meal in her whole life. “I’m not so sure that’s a good idea Jirah. We may not make it very far before getting very sick.”
“Don’t worry dear. I will teach you all you need to know. I just need you to promise that you will try.” Jirah said, extending her hand to Rose.
Rose shook her hand and shrugged her shoulders, “I will try. You have a deal.”
“We can leave at first light tomorrow then if that is ok with you sister.” Joshua said.
“I need one more thing yet brother.” Jirah said. “I regret that I have left the shrine that my dear Justus built in disrepair. Could I trouble you to fix it up while Rose and I get things ready?”
Joshua smiled in response, “Gladly sister. I would not be a true disciple of Ya if I did not believe in the restoration of those things that are broken.”
Those words struck a deep cord with Rose, and she could see from the widow’s face that she felt the same way. If the eternal Ya could fix someone who was as messed up as her, he truly must be powerful.
The rest of the day Jirah busied herself with preparations for the trip and Rose helped out wherever she could. It felt good to be busy with these tasks because they kept her mind from worrying too much. The ladies packed dried fruits and meats along with various cheeses. Jirah helped Rose pack all the cooking gear she would need, all the while explaining what each item was for. It was a little overwhelming for the street girl at first, but Jirah assured her that she would help her to learn bit by bit. By mid-afternoon, all the food preparation and packing was complete and Jirah spoke, “I need to go and talk to some of my neighbors about caring for my animals while I am gone. You may come if you wish, or stay here and rest a while.”
Rose thought about it for a second and answered, “I think I will go and see how Josh is coming along with the shrine. If I am lucky, he may answer some more of my questions.”
As Jirah left down the country road, Rose made her way over to the small shrine of Ya on the outskirts of the farm. As she approached, she saw that the Cleric had changed out of his grey robe and was wearing some common work clothes. He almost looked like a regular farm hand now rather than the mysterious man of god that she had known so far.
“You are a man of many surprises Josh.” she said. “I never pictured you as a repairman.”
Joshua brushed his hand along a smooth board he had just placed on the door frame. “I have done this type of work for a while Rose, and the truth is that I have always enjoyed working with wood. For some reason I have always found carpentry to be a relaxing activity.”
“Can I do anything to help? Jirah had to leave for a bit and I need something to do.”
Joshua gestured for her to come inside newly renovated shack. “All that needs to be done now is some cleaning up. You can help with that if you like.” Josh opened the door for her, and she entered slowly. It was a simple little building with a small bench, and a wooden altar, adorned with one white candle. “You can use this rag to wipe the dust while I replace these last few floor boards.”
Rose worked quietly for a bit then ventured a conversation. “You told me last night that I am the chosen one of Ya, meant to bring healing to the world. Can you tell me how I am supposed to do that exactly?”
Between the rapping of the wooden hammer, Joshua answered, “On your own, you can do nothing to heal the evils of this world, so we go to retrieve a holy relic that will give you the power you need.” Joshua rose from the floor to give Rose all his attention. “We go to reclaim the Staff of Ramah from its hiding place. Ya imbued this staff with his healing power, and it works only in harmony with the person he has chosen as his healer. That person is you Rose.”
Now Rose had even more questions. “I still find it hard to believe that I am this chosen one you speak of, but assuming that I am, why is this staff hidden? Who hid it and why?”
Joshua sat on the small bench, gesturing for Rose to do the same. “I should begin by telling you of our enemy. Belial is the enemy of Ya and all that is good in this world. A long, long time ago, he killed the first chosen one and took the staff from her. It is Belial that hid the staff in a dark and unholy grove, guarded by a horde of his fallen minions. There is great danger ahead of us Rose, but it we are to accomplish the task set before us, we need that staff.”
Rose shook her head. “I really think you are overestimating what I can do brother. I was no help at all against those taints that attacked us the other day. Those evil creatures scare the life out of me.”
“It is not your duty to fight the taints Rose. Ya gave me the power to face them and protect you.”
Rose thought for moment before responding, “I do not doubt the power you have Joshua, but if this Belial was able to kill the first pr
iestess of Ya, how will I be any different?”
Joshua hung his head and sighed, as if feeling a sense of regret. “This time, there will be more that just one Cleric to face enemy. We have Jirah with us for the time being, and as I told you before, we have one more person to add to our fellowship.”
Rose put her hand on Joshua’s back in an attempt to comfort him. “I did not mean to make you feel inadequate Josh. Thanks again for answering my questions.”
Joshua nodded and went back to work on the floor. Rose had a feeling that she was not going to be able to get any more answers at the moment from the somber man, so she got up to leave. “I will leave you to finish then Joshua. I will be outside waiting for Jirah’s return if you need me for anything.”
“I will join you soon Rose. I am nearly finished anyway.”
Rose closed the door quietly behind her, and crossed the yard. She sat down underneath a shady maple tree to ponder all that was set before her, and in very little time, she drifted off to sleep.
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The Staff of Ramah Page 9