The False Prophet (Stonegate Book 2)

by Harry James Fox

  “You mean—” said one of the other councillors, but Duncan cut him off.

  “I mean the brave lancers led by Reuben Ramos. I mean the Diné and Danny Yazzi. The Prophet calls the Diné “savages”, but they were never this savage. If we inflict cruelties, it will reflect on them, as well. And our healers, the Pilgrims, would never agree to this.”

  “Perhaps not,” said Allen, “but others have suggested that the enemy archers should have the first two fingers of their right hand amputated, so they can never again draw a bow. The gunners who fired the cannons should have their right hands cut off. The other thing—it never should have been mentioned in polite company.”

  “Yet you were considering it,” said Rachel. Her face was flushed with indignation. She never looked more beautiful to Don than at that moment.

  Don sat in stunned silence. They were serious. He suddenly realized that the factions were lining up on the basis of faith, just as the marshall had suggested, with the Christians opposed. My heart is saying that the Christians are right. This cannot be allowed to happen! After His help, this would be an affront to Almighty God!

  Don stood. “Rachel is right. We are not talking about animals. War criminals should be tried. But these are human beings, and if we did what you suggest, we would be worse than animals—worse than the Prophet. If I had ever dreamed that you would consider such a thing, I would never have had a part in this.”

  “Nor I!” said Samuel, in a clear voice. “The people of Haven suffered banishment from your ancestors. We debated whether we should send aid. Had we even suspected you would be capable of mutilating defeated soldiers, we would never have helped, even it meant our own destruction.”

  “Very well,” said the mayor. “I am sure I can speak for the marshall in saying we will abide by the vote of the council. It is clear how Lady Rachel and Lord Thomas will vote, however, there are three others who will have a say. Shall we do as Donald did and let them go, or should we take further action?”

  “What about spies, such as this Bobby?” asked one of the councillors.

  “The vote only concerns those which have not been proven guilty of any war crimes.”

  The ballots were cast by writing “punish” or “set free” on scraps of parchment.

  †

  The votes were counted and reprisals against the enemy were rejected by a vote of three to two. The mayor and marshall sullenly agreed that the prisoners would be released under terms similar to what Don had ordered. Lore-master Duncan was directed to draft a document giving the terms of the surrender, and then they both left the chambers together. Don made his departure a few minutes later.

  The marshall and mayor were talking in the foyer. When they saw him leaving, Marshall Allen motioned him over. “Lore-man,” he said, “you are relieved of command. You have cast your lot with the Christians, and I don’t trust you any longer.”

  “The feeling is mutual,” said Don. “I have no wish to continue.”

  “You led well in the field,” said Mayor Billings. “But you meddled in politics. That was your undoing.”

  “I am no threat to you, Mayor,” said Don. “If you think otherwise, you are mistaken.”

  “So you say,” said the mayor. “But your fame will be soon forgotten. It won’t help you to win any office in Stonegate.”

  “There will be a victory parade tomorrow,” said Marshall Allen. “Don’t invite yourself. You are no longer welcome to participate.”

  “What about the Haven forces?” asked Don. “Are they invited?”

  “Of course. But appoint someone else to lead them.”

  “I think Samuel will be able to ride,” said Don. Then he turned his back and left the building. It was as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

  †

  That evening, Don, Rachel, Philip, Colin, and Deborah met to have supper in the Quill and Sword. They had a corner table in an alcove and began by sharing glasses of cider.

  “I have been relieved of command,” said Don, in a lull in conversation. “I won’t be welcome in the victory parade tomorrow.”

  “What?” said Deborah. “After all you have done? Why?”

  “They are angry because they did not get their own way,” said Rachel. “Things are changing in Stonegate, and they fear you, Don.”

  “I tried to explain that I am no threat,” said Don. “They didn’t believe me. Still, it is no matter. I will be content to cheer with the people. I want you, Philip, and you, Colin, to ride with Samuel. He is really the commander of the Haven forces, and your place is with him.”

  “If you can’t ride, then I won’t either,” blurted Philip.

  Colin agreed, saying he would stay with Don. But Don continued to insist. Finally, Rachel spoke. “Don is right,” she said, reaching out and taking him by the hand. “Let Samuel receive the honors that Haven deserves, and you two should be with him. But I also have something to report.”

  Everyone turned to face her. “What?” they all said together.

  “The council voted on another matter on the agenda. In the absence of the marshal and mayor, the council’s vote is final. The Christians of Stonegate now have permission to reconsecrate the old church building and use it for public worship.”

  Colin looked shocked. “You mean you could not do so before now?” he asked.

  “Never,” said Rachel. “Christians have only been allowed to do what they wish behind closed doors, and that for many years. But open worship was prohibited. The marshall and mayor will be surprised at how many of us there are when the bells ring and the church doors are opened.”

  The table fell silent, as they took in the good news. As Don looked around the table, he realized that all present were members of the faith. I always sensed there was something about each one that was unusual. Now I see why. Suddenly, he realized that he wanted what they had, more than he wanted honors, wealth, or fame.

  “I am proud of you, Don,” said Deborah. “You led our forces well. That goes without saying. But your stand for decent treatment of these defeated men was magnificent.”

  “I could not agree more, Deborah,” said Rachel, as she squeezed his hand. Don looked into her eyes. They glistened with pride, and his heart was full.

  Chapter 32

  †

  The Parade

  He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow here.

  He will not come before it with shield or build a siege ramp against it.

  By the way that he came he will return; he will not enter this city,

  declares the Lord. 2 Kings 19: 32-33a NIV

  Carla was busier than she had ever been. The house was full of visitors, but it was comforting to have Wesley, Barbara, Crispin and Amber staying. A family from Steamboat had temporarily moved into Rachel’s house next door with Howard. Since Rachel was away, everyone was having dinner at Carla’s place. Howard was not much of a cook, and being a good host, he didn’t expect the guest family to cook while they were still recovering from the emotional battle scars of the Steamboat attack. Rachel was spending two nights in Stonegate, attending council meetings.

  Carla, suddenly wishing Rachel was back, turned to Howard. “Any news from Rachel?”

  “Actually,” answered Howard, clearing his throat. “She is due back home this Saturday…so, it won’t be long before she’s here with us.”

  “Thank goodness,” smiled Carla. “She was so calm and brave, and shot her bow so well. I wished she had been able to fight by my side. But we didn’t have a chance to go deer hunting. With her away, I’ve no-one to share my secrets with.”

  “Secrets…what secrets?” quizzed Carla’s mother, raising an eyebrow.

  “Mum, all us girls have secrets,” Carla giggled. “If I tell you, then it won’t be a secret.”

  Eve
ryone laughed. Carla’s comments had broken the ice, putting everyone into a jovial mood. Even the refugee family managed a smile for the first time in days. For a moment, the anxiety of wondering when they could return to Steamboat was forgotten, amidst a flurry of good conversation and hard cider.

  †

  Saturday morning was slow in coming. Carla had things to discuss with Rachel. Racing out the door, she yelled out to her mother.

  “Just going to see Rachel, Mum…she should be home any minute!”

  Skipping along the lane to Rachel’s house, Carla hummed a tune. It was a beautiful day. Blue skies, a cool brisk breeze, and birds singing. Why can’t things just stay like this forever! When she wore her hunting jacket she was almost a different person—a person she was not sure she liked. She was hard and grim, and her hands had shed blood. It was nice to be a girl again, just for a while.

  Wildflowers adorned the nearby fields where green grasshoppers sang in unison. Even the memory of war could not stop the comforting feeling of reaching Rachel’s front gate. Inside she could see Howard having breakfast with the guest family. Rachel hadn’t arrived yet, but a cup of coffee with Howard would be most welcome.

  “Hello, Howard, got a spare cup of coffee for your dearest neighbor?” joked Carla.

  “Come in, come in, sweet lips,” said Howard with a cheeky wink. “Rachel is due in an hour….so help yourself to some eggs and hot bread. We have plenty here for breakfast.”

  Carla accepted graciously, having rushed off without anything to eat. Besides, she enjoyed Howard’s company and always felt comfortable around him. He looked extra-handsome this morning, with his brown locks of hair curling almost over his huge brown eyes. He offered her duck eggs or chicken eggs as they had both.

  “Chicken eggs, please,” she said, as Howard put a couple of hard-boiled ones on her plate.

  He poured coffee for both of them, just as the sound of a carriage and horses pulled up in the front yard. The sound of young, excited voices came from outside, and before Carla could open the front door, Rachel’s young siblings had thrown themselves at her and Howard, squealing in delight to be back home again.

  Then they saw her. Rachel alighted from the carriage looking more beautiful than ever before. The dark shadows under her eyes had disappeared as had that tight gaunt look that she’d worn for months after her parent’s death and through the siege. She looked radiant and glowing. She wore a new gown of reddish-crimson colors and a huge black sash around her waist, accentuating her lovely figure. Her long blonde hair was tied up high in a new and flattering style which accentuated her cheek-bones and big blue eyes.

  “Rachel, you look so lovely!” exclaimed Carla, rushing to embrace her. “And the carriage?”

  “Yes, it’s Aunt Florence’s carriage. How else could Aunt Florence’s friends bring back two young children? This is so much more civilized.”

  “Well, it all sounds organized,” interjected Howard. “Here, let me help you with your luggage.”

  “Aunt Florence sent presents for all of you,” Rachel said with a smile.

  Coming home always feels good. Carla could see that Rachel was refreshed…almost a new person. There was a light in her eyes and a sparkle about her, unlike the dimness around her during the siege.

  “So do pray, tell me. Have you heard any news?” Rachel asked.

  Sitting down over coffee and breakfast, Carla and Howard began to talk about the latest events unfolding around them.

  “Do you think many will attend the first worship service?” asked Rachel, sipping on hot coffee and delicately nibbling a piece of toasted bread.

  “Probably…Yes,” said Howard. “We had a Westerly town meeting a few nights ago, and everything has been put in place for a house of worship here. But most of the outlying towns will have to depend on the Stonegate Church.

  “I am glad to hear that,” said Rachel, slowly. “The Stonegate council came to the same conclusion. I was afraid that there might be hard feelings, but there is really no choice.”

  They ate in silence for several minutes. “There are a few more things to arrange,” said Rachel. “Howard, we have to get the basement ready. We will be storing some supplies down there. I have rented wagons to move all our stored crops back from the town. We’ll need to remove everything from the basement of the lore-house.

  Howard agreed. “But we still need to be careful. There are rumors of some Raiders still in the hills. It is my responsibility to defend you, Rachel, and you, too Carla, if the Raiders come back this way. I know that you are skilled with the bow, but you still need to be careful.”

  A chill went down Rachel’s spine, as she remembered the cruelty and inhumanity of the Raiders who had kidnapped her. “Howard, let’s pray that you never have to do that. And we will fight by your side if it comes to that.”

  †

  The victory parade was the grandest celebration in Stonegate history. No one had any doubt about that. The units that would march formed north of the city, marched through the town, and exited through the south gate. Throngs lined the sides of the entire parade route. The hundreds of Diné warriors rode through first, led by Danny Yazzi and his nephew, Wilson.

  Don and Philip stood with Rachel, Deborah and their other companions on the steps of the lore-house. Danny rode to the curb, dismounted, and embraced Don. The crowd cheered. “I was proud to fight with you, Lore-man,” said Danny.

  They exchanged greetings, and Danny raced ahead to lead his warriors. Don saw the glare of the mayor and marshall from the official reviewing stand across the street. They were not pleased.

  Except for the Hightower levy, each contingent repeated the process, with the commanders dismounting to give honor to Don. They studiously ignored the official dignitaries. The entire force of Sonora Lancers was followed by the Stonegate horse troops, the Steamboat survivors, and a thousand-man unit from Hightower. Last came the Castle Rock Riders and the Haven forces. The guns were last in line, and as they exited the city, they fired a proud salute. The parade was over.

  †

  Don had been offered a place to stay with Samuel at the home of Lore-master Duncan. Not only was it a matter of convenience, it was a time of sharing. The lore-master had an encyclopedic knowledge of history, and, recently, the three men had been reflecting on the military strategies of a famous military man of old—Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon used reverse psychology in his conquests, often letting his enemies think he was retreating when in fact he would encircle them and attack from the rear.

  “We were following Napoleon’s strategy without realizing it,” said Don with a laugh. “But I hope we can put these old books away. Perhaps the need to study war is over.”

  “No, I am afraid we will have to be on guard,” said Samuel. “Another generation will have to be trained, and perhaps you are the one to do it”

  “Perhaps, although I don’t want to think about that, now. I am ready for peace.”

  “Yes, but are you truly ready, Don?” asked the lore-master.

  “Of course, I’m ready,” answered Don, curious at the question.

  “Yes…but are you spiritually ready? Many think you fulfilled prophecy in this battle between good and evil. But are you truly on God’s side?”

  Don thought for a moment. He’d come such a long way since leaving Goldstone, when he was naïve and unskilled in the art of war. Suddenly, after so many false starts, he’d been assigned to a leadership position not through personal desire, but by a destiny far bigger than he was or ever could be.

  “I have changed,” acknowledged Don, remembering how often he had prayed for peace. It was Samuel who had spent many a long night teaching him the truth and the way of life from the Holy Book. Philip was always by his side, like a quiet conscience. Don recalled many stories of the old days and how the battle between good and evil seemed
to be the eternal plight of man on earth.

  “I believe that the False Prophet is the Prince of Darkness or his servant,” began Don. “And that he wants to destroy the Holy Book and all Christians with it. Already, his decree in the West has resulted in many more martyrs. We defeated him, yet he is still in power.”

  “Well said, my son,” said the lore-master, tenderly. “I keep thinking about the prophecy of Carl the Elder. We have been using it to encourage our people. Could you actually be the one who will ultimately lead us into victory? Could you possibly be the ‘key’ of Stonegate? Perhaps the prophecy has not been completely fulfilled.”

  The three men quietly debated the meaning of Carl’s prophecy, though they came to no conclusion.

  “Only time will tell,” stated Samuel.

  “Please, gentleman,” responded Don. “I am just an ordinary man, doing what had to be done.”

  “No, my friend,” said Duncan. “You are just an ordinary man doing extraordinary things.”

  “Thank you for your faith in me,” said Don, feeling his face grow warm. “But, according to the Book, we can only have faith in one man…and that is Jesus.”

  “You have learned your lessons well,” said Samuel.

  “Yes,” said the lore-master. “I think that Donald is ready to join our church, underground no longer. You will be surprised to know, Donald, that I am a deacon, as are Gray John and Thomas of Longmont. Lord Cal, may he rest in peace, also was one of us. I am sure they would be pleased if you would attend our first worship service this Sunday. In fact, Gray John specifically mentioned it.”

  Don was speechless. Having Gray John back on his side was welcome news. Perhaps Howard and Rachel could also find a way to forgive him.