***
Hidden away from the world for ages, the staff of Ramah lay covered in dust on a simple stone table. Time stood still only for a moment as the chosen one reached out her slender hand to grasp it, and once she did, many things happened all at once. With a terrifying shriek, the small army of taints that had nearly buried Logan moments ago scattered in fear. Logan slumped down from utter exhaustion with his back to the cave wall, his two great swords clattering to the ground. Rose nearly panicked as she grasped the relic, for once found by its owner, sharp vines reached out and wound around her hand. Piercing thorns dug into her soft flesh, drawing bright red blood that dripped from her elbow, but rather than being scared, Rose yielded herself to its power.
“My beloved daughter,” came the loving voice of Ya, echoing through the sky lit opening. “I am well pleased with you.”
Great tears of joy streamed down the cheeks of the woman who was once an object of sin and shame. There was so much she wanted to say to her loving heavenly father, but the words would not come. No words would be good enough. The initial pain of the thorns was gone and was soon replaced with an overwhelming power. For the first time in her life, Rose knew utter contentment. This was where she belonged.
“I have called you forth to spread my healing power in this broken land,” the voice of Ya spoke in loving tones that overwhelmed Rose. “Do you accept this calling?”
“Yes father,” Rose said, her voice shaking. “I accept with all my heart.”
The bright sun of a new day lifted in the sky to hover above the opening in the cave, filling the room with light and warmth. Power was coursing through the young woman as she lifted the staff high above her head, as if to announce her calling to the whole world.
“Behold, the chosen healer,” Ya spoke in a booming voice. “From this day forth I shall call you Roshua. It is your true name and only I may speak it.”
Roshua, as her father had named her, could feel that her life was starting anew. Rather than being the end of a long journey, this was the beginning of a whole new way of living for her.
“Go forth my child and know that I will always be with you,” Ya spoke one final time, and a peaceful calm fell on the whole room.
Rose was roused into action by her newfound power and a sudden awareness of her situation.
“Logan!” she cried out, moving over to the fallen knight. “Are you ok?”
“My beautiful Rose,” the weary man said, still trying to catch his breath. “Now that I have witnessed you coming into your calling, I feel blessed in spite of my weary body.”
“Are you able to walk?” We have to get going if we want to save Jirah.”
“I am afraid that I would slow you down. You go on ahead, I will be fine.”
Rose did not hesitate to leave, knowing that Logan would be safe, and the thought of losing her dear drove down the cave faster than when she had entered it. She just hoped that it was not too late for Jirah.
***
The Staff of Ramah Page 46