No internal voice answered; instead the demon smiled pityingly and responded to her verbal inquiry. “Do not tell me your father never told you of the judge of old. She was filled with the wisdom of God, holding court in the hills. All the while I controlled Jabin and Sisera, ruling Israel through them.”
“Then you failed,” Deborah said. She did know who she had been named after. Her father had insisted each of the children have a Biblical name and understand and draw strength from that person. She continued, “The hand of God was upon Deborah and the forces of Sisera fell.”
The demon nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, she and her lieutenant did well with the gifts of God. Still Jabin held out long enough for me to lay out more of my plan. With the help of another comrade we twisted the brute Samson around for nearly all of his life. This is what you need to understand, little girl: I cannot be defeated. My many plans are all in motion. There one falls, but six more spring up.”
“Hear its contrived plots and schemes. In its actions, find a name. Find one of its names and in the name of the Savior rebuke the demon.”
“Ha, ha, ha. Look at you trying to cross wits with me. Do you think you and your darling lieutenant can thwart me? I have directed governments on more worlds than you have ever thought of! I masterminded subtle moves from democracy to slavery and had multitudes begging for more. I have engineered simple assassinations and twisted the facts so skillfully that decades later the truth could not be found. I have maneuvered whole worlds into destroying their entire solar system.”
“It seeks control. It guides; it steers events and people as a child plays with blocks. Hear its name. Call it out.”
The voice inside, so warm and true, could have easily distracted her. Yet, it did just the opposite. It sharpened her thinking. She heard the demon and the voice and words began to stick together: control, plot, twist, scheme, contrive, direct, mastermind, engineer, maneuver, guide, steer. The demon prattled on. Now, however, Deborah was only hearing keywords of its monologue: finesse, micromanage, regulate, beguile, deceive. Without knowing it, she began to whisper the list of words over and over. The demon caught on and turned its attention on her.
“Are you praying?” it asked incredulously.
Deborah stopped whispering, yet ever so softly she heard the words being whispered behind her by Hogan. She looked up at the demon and the words coalesced in her brain. Then she saw the words seeming to float in the air, attaching themselves to the demon. She was not sure that what she thought she saw was actually happening, but focused on the words nonetheless. Letters within the words started fading, others becoming bold. There an “O”, then a “N”, followed by a “R”.
“God cannot save you.”
The word “false” flared brightly then disappeared.
“This realm, like the worlds attached to it, belong to my master.”
“Fiend” shone brightly. Then more letters stood out: L-P-T-I.
“We will rule as we have since the breaking of creation.”
False once more, then a “M” and an “A”.
“Your God came as a savior to bring you false hope. In the end, when He tries to take everything back, we will stand with an army strong enough to put out the stars.”
Fiend again, another “A” then “U”.
Deborah closed her eyes. The various bolded letters were still there along with the words false and fiend. She concentrated and realized the letters were mixed up.
“Oh, you see the futility now. I can tell. Closing me out will not change the facts.”
Deborah hated word scrambles. Jeremiah always wanted to play those word games with tiles or dice. More often than not the other children would say no. Deborah didn’t have it in her to crush anybody’s joy, so she often played with him. When she won, which was not often, she barely did. Now, however, she knew she was playing for higher stakes. She also knew all the letters came together to form a winning word. She concentrated and the letters shifted and danced around until the letters made one word followed by false and fiend.
The demon was still going on. Deborah opened her eyes wide and saw the words burning in the air before her. In frantic desperation she shouted the first word, “Manipulator!”
The demon was blown back against the wall, finally silenced. Deborah felt a smile forming on her lips, but the demon was up and instantly in front of her. She opened her mouth and started to say the other two words. However, the demon swiped at her. Its fingers went into her mouth and cut her tongue. She pulled back and slammed her head against the beam. Pain shot through her and blood pooled up in her mouth. She spat and another name emerged “Falsifien,”
Blood spattered on the demon’s face and it roared. Deborah was getting woozy and having trouble focusing. Suddenly the blood on the Manipulator’s face flared into a white hot flame. The demon raged and ripped at the fire. Then, the demon was struggling with what looked to her like a small sparkling paper doll.
Falsifien, truly named with two of its names, was weakened. The demon then suddenly found itself fighting with an angel. The spiritual being had coalesced into a maddening form. The Manipulator was trying to grasp the shimmering flat shape with both hands intent on ripping it to shreds. However, the two-dimensional form seemed slick and was hyper-animated. The demon’s human facade began to glow red and black. The angel shifted rapidly and swung arms and legs this way and that, slicing at the demon. Soulfire burned away more of the demon’s chosen form. Then the girl spat out a mouth full of blood on the floor and spoke.
“Manipulator, Falsifien, in the name of. . .”
The demon turned burning eyes upon her and without verbally speaking shouted, “No!” The word slammed into Deborah and she nearly blacked out. The word crawled all over her and sought entry into her head. She struggled in a panic.
Meanwhile, the demon’s human form burst into black and red flame. It swung the angel away from itself and out the window. The Manipulator turned its full attentions to Deborah. She struggled and managed to croak out, “Jesus, author of my salvation.”
“Burn, you parvenu harlot!” The unspoken words pierced Deborah with fire and she passed out screaming as Falsifien exploded, bathing the room in fire.
Chapter 33
General Kolk was unyielding, determined, and enjoyed his work. The prospect of facing Illdwar the Misfit did faze him at first. Who in their right mind would want to go up against a legendary fighter who stood toe-to-toe with demons, Dark Riders, and an infestation of vampires? Then the general saw opportunity in defeating the famed Illdwar. Thus, the general marshalled his forces, created a strong defensive line, and assigned his best and most malicious fighters to his left and right flanks. His plan was to keep sending these two side forces out to continuously hit Illdwar, in hopes of bringing him into the center. The Misfit proved not to be stupid. He knew the general was baiting him and did his best to hold his line against Kolk’s strikes. This back-and-forth maneuvering continued, creating a virtual stalemate with neither side losing or gaining much. The battle raged on.
Yero and David found the tree where Deborah and Hogan were ambushed. Yero snarled and turned to David in disgust. “Hellfire and demon magic stink up this entire area.”
David reached for his sheathed sword. “Can we still track them?”
Yero didn’t answer right away. He closed his eyes and sniffed around. He took little steps in each direction. Finally, he opened his eyes and pointed. The direction seemed to pull them back toward the direction they came.
“Their scent is faint. I will have better luck if I try and track the demon. From the general direction we will no doubt be heading right into Ven.”
“Let’s get going.”
“David,” Yero cautioned him, “either we have to skirt the plains or go right through the battle going on between here and Ven.”
David scowled and then said, “Either option will delay us.” He turned toward where Yero had pointed and drew the Sword of Truth. “However, we can make the se
cond option shorter.”
Yero grinned at David’s back, drew his own sword, and jogged to catch up with him.
David’s and Yero’s timing could not have been worse. General Kolk was returning from a sortie he had been observing. His left flank had taken more losses than Illdwar’s forces and now the Misfit was trying to push his advantage. Kolk’s position had become compromised and he rallied his forces into a strategic retreat. Kolk’s retreat ran right into David and Yero.
There were just over a hundred troops and Kolk was mounted on his heavy war steed. The general spotted and identified the two as they came into range. Some quick redirection of an already fast moving force brought Kolk face-to-face with David and Yero before the latter two could veer away from the oncoming company.
General Kolk ordered the two men surrounded and the traitor Yero killed on the spot. The soldiers responded instinctively. Yero was a fast, brutal fighter and met the attacking forces with a ferociousness that gave many of the warriors pause. Many of them chose to begin to make a wide circle around him in hopes of caging the man in. David was a skilled but reserved fighter. He was able to easily keep most of the soldiers at bay with minimal force. When he engaged in battle he tried to end it quickly and cut his opponent only when it was necessary. Many fell to the hammering blows he delivered with the flat of his blade. Those cut ended up burning with regret and realizing the wrongness of their cause.
Yero saw the strategy of those staying out of fighting range and called to David, “They seek to hem us in.”
David grunted, “The circle is yet closed.”
David peered over at the small gap in the circle that several soldiers had also noted and were trying to shore up.
“We might both make it,” David said doubtfully, “though our rescue will become a running battle.”
“Go,” yelled Yero, lunging at those just outside his blade reach. “I’ll keep them busy.”
“No,” David responded, “that will only get you killed. I have the best chance to be taken alive, and you are better at tracking than me. Find Deborah and Hogan and get back to the group. I’ll take care of matters here.”
Yero didn’t wait to protest; he saw the wisdom of David’s plan and the narrowing of his escape route. The gap was nearly closed by the time Yero turned and ran to it. In a frenzy, he attacked the three soldiers closing in and powered through with a volley of sword slashes. Just as they were recovering from this blitz, a humming filled the air.
Those not directly engaged with David were compelled to draw in closer to find out what was going on. The general had a good view of David, yet he still pushed his warhorse forward to be at the center of his men and nearer David.
In the time David had spent in the Crossroads as a young man, he had become a fair swordsman. David was thrown into a time of many battles and learned by necessity. When he returned to Earth he had continued to practice with the Sword of Truth under the guidance of the Beagle. Some of the practice had seemed silly to David, and the Beagle admitted that it was merely artistic sword play that served no practical purpose in combat. Now, however, as he swung and twirled the blade around him it began to hum. Those surrounding him froze in confusion and became captivated by the sound and artistry. Finally, David stopped and held his sword in front of him.
“I am,” he spoke with deep authority that caused many to take a step back, “the living extension to the Sword of Truth, a blade forged by angel’s hands using forces and materials not present in reality since the early moments of creation. Stand down and withdraw.”
More than a few soldiers took a step back. The several were thrown aside as General Kolk, now dismounted, moved forward with a massive broadsword in his hands.
“Come, Truth Bearer,” he said mockingly, “I don't fear your blade.”
Kolk was quick and his blows felt like a car slamming into him. David was put on the defensive from the first strike, which came quickly after his words. After only a few hits David knew he couldn’t keep up such a battle long. He prayed for help as he fended off more and more strikes.
Chapter 34
The building was on fire. Every wall was aflame and the heat was intense. Deborah was gagging and felt sick to her stomach. She heard a voice screaming her name. The sound, which she thought was distant, came into focus, close. . . behind her. She recognized the voice as Hogan’s and tried to call out. Her head was spinning and her mouth was full of blood, so when her words came out they were garbled and slurred.
“Hogan. . . the demon. . . it fled.”
There was a pause before Hogan responded, “I hate to seem negative; however, we are still tied up and the building is on fire.”
“Try. . . to. . . have faith.”
Hogan smiled a bit mockingly at the words, “Faith is not a strong suit of mine.”
Suddenly, the wall in front of Deborah fell into the adjoining room. The fresh air invigorated the fire. Sparks swirled and flames took hold of the ceiling. Creaking and popping signaled the continued weakening of the other walls.
“I wish,” Hogan began in a desperate rush of words, “the two of us had more time. I know one person’s feelings pale in comparison to what is happening. I just wanted more time with you. Deborah, I love you.”
Deborah was racked with pain, exhausted from the various trials, and still overwhelmed by the new course her life was supposed to take. Yet, all this washed away when Hogan spoke those last three words. A giddy warmth spread through her body. Hopes and dreams of the future quickly flashed through her mind. Hogan loved her and she loved him back. She was about to give voice to these thoughts when the floor off to the side began cracking loudly.
Through the noise of the conflagration Hogan and Deborah heard the sound of a massive impact from below. Again and again there came a fierce pounding. With each jarring hit the floorboards cracked. Within a few repetitions a massive paw broke through, followed by a primordial roar of triumph. Another claw broke through the floor and gripped the edges of the small hole they had created. Then there came a blood freezing roar. The long, thick nails dug into the wood and the plate sized paws pulled down a large section of the floor, creating a larger hole.
Deborah realized she wasn’t breathing and began to take small, shallow breaths as she silently prayed, “Dear God, please no more.” Then, as a section of the roof began to collapse due to the fire, two human looking hands gripped the enlarged hole in the floor. There was a grunt and the hands were quickly followed by Yero’s head and torso as he pulled himself up through the hole.
Confusion and fear over what she had just seen mingled with relief at seeing Yero. As he heaved himself up and moved over to them she kept her eyes on the hole, wondering at what might still be down there.
“Cut Deborah free first.” Hogan’s words cut through Deb’s thoughts. She looked slightly behind her, as best she could, and saw Yero kneeling there. She felt his hands and the steel blade he was working with to cut the bonds.
“There should be enough time to free you both,” Yero stated, “just stay still.”
As if to prove his words false, the roof started to sag further and the central beam cracked. Bits of burning wood began to fall down, adding to the flames that were crawling around and eating at the floor. The cracking and popping was becoming louder, and Deborah could swear she could feel the entire structure swaying.
Then Deborah’s hands were free. They fell limply to the ground and her brain quickly registered a new pain where the ropes had been. Yero quickly cut her feet free and pushed her gently yet quickly aside so he could better reach Hogan’s bonds. Deborah turned to see him, while at the same time try and rub her hands together to stop the spikes of pain she was feeling.
Hogan had been tied up in a similar fashion to Deborah, though his feet were bound together in front of him. Within moments Yero had slashed through Hogan’s ropes. The captain sheathed his knife into his boot with a smooth, practiced motion. Then he was on his feet and pulling both of them with him. De
borah and Hogan were both having trouble standing, and it was evident that they were in pain from their tight bonds. Registering this subconsciously, Yero kept ahold of the two and began to guide them to the hole in the floor. However, before they could proceed and before Deborah voiced her objections about what was down there, the roof beam attached to the very column they had just been tied to broke and fell with a section of the roof into the hole.
Yero quickly pulled them back and they all stumbled and fell backwards. There was more loud creaking and popping. Then the other half of the shattered beam started to fall inward bringing more roof and the exterior wall in with it. Yero was up on his feet in a flash and unceremoniously threw his two charges clear of the collapse. They skittered through flame, but none seemed to take hold of them. Yero jumped free just as the ceiling and wall hit the floor and broke those boards. Within seconds there was a large chunk of the building hewn away, leaving a view of Ven. There were many other buildings on fire.
The three stood, with Yero helping the other two. Hogan limped to the edge of the new crevasse in the building and asked, “Where is the fire brigade?”
Yero looked over at his lieutenant and shook his head. “Everything's in chaos out there, Hogan. General Kolk moves against the council forces. Rumors of the king’s displacement are rampant; thieves and other brigands are taking advantage of the confusion. Most people have fled. There will be no fire brigade. Come, we’ve no time for this.”
Yero turned to Deborah. “I’m sorry if my actions offend you, lady Deborah. I must act to save you.”
Without further preamble he grabbed her and swung her around so she was cradled in his arms. He took a step back as she was registering what was taking place. Then before she could protest he ran forward and leapt into the air. Deborah screamed, pushed tight to Yero, and closed her eyes as they sailed out of the building, dropping two stories. Yero landed with minimal jarring, and it was over as quickly as it had begun.
The New Guard (Crossroads Book 1) Page 26
