Glorious Companions

by Summer Lee

  “I’ll make ready to go with you.” Ava glanced at Tyro. “We must leave so we can get to the safety of the palace before dark.”

  “I’ll get the horses.”

  *

  Rachael told Ava that they weren’t sure how long she’d be gone, so she should pack accordingly. Tyro went out and put the animals in the stable with plenty of hay, grain and water to last until he could come back and check on them. While he busied himself with the animals, Rachael helped Ava pack some food and clothing.

  They mounted the horses and headed back to the palace.

  Riding along, Ava continued the story. “It seems that the giants are able to replenish the soldiers in their army quickly, and then they become dangerous all over again.”

  Rachael’s eyes moistened as she looked at her brother. “What are you going to do about them?”

  “I am in the process of training an army to fight giants. I am the only one strong enough to lead an army of that size and strength to victory.” Tyro had a stern look on his face.

  “But you will win, won’t you?”

  “Of course,” he said as he looked at the darkening sky. “We must hurry so we can be home before dark.”

  Ava smiled at Tyro. “You, my young cousin, are sent by God.”

  Tyro smiled. “I still need to find more volunteers to help build a strong army to protect the palace, one that will keep it secure until the battle is won,” said Tyro. “Pray for me. We could lose lots of good men, perhaps thousands if we are not properly prepared.”

  “Thousands? How big is the other army?” asked Rachael. “Did the runner say?”

  “No, but I suppose it includes perhaps five hundred Nephilim,” said Tyro. “Equivalent, perhaps, to five thousand human men. The Nephilim, as you are well aware, fight cruelly to the death, and show no mercy and no fear. We have to be prepared. We must win this battle. It is either kill or be killed.”

  There was a strange energy in the sky. The dark clouds began to form a cone that dipped and then rose again nearby. A word of prayer caused it to rise again. Soon, it flew away out of sight. Tyro kept a close eye on the sky as they rode along. “Let’s keep moving quickly and quietly,” he said.

  Tyro urged his horse to maintain a steady pace and keep moving swiftly forward. The three rode hard toward the palace. It did not take long to cross the fields. It would be difficult for the opposition to hide in the open fields. The trees became sparse as they got closer to the palace, and the majestic palatial yard came into view. They arrived at the palace at the same time as Kenana and Asher went outside for tea.

  “Thank you, brother, for taking me with you, and thank you, Ava, for coming back with us,” said Rachael. She’d had an adventure with her brother, and a new experience of freedom to savor, as she did not often leave the palace and certainly not without their parents.

  She pointed. “Look, Mother and Father are outside.”

  Tyro took the horses to the stable while Rachael ran to greet her parents, Ava right on her heels.

  No longer angry, Rachael shouted, “Mother! Father!” with love in her heart.

  Chapter Twelve

  KENANA AND ASHER

  Kenana looked up and breathed a sigh of relief. “I see our children are home safe.”

  “They have Cousin Ava with them. Good,” said the king.

  Tyro took the horses to the stable while Rachael and Ava greeted the queen and king. “Welcome, stranger,” Kenana said to Rachael rather briskly.

  “I owe you an apology, Mother, for not seeking your permission before I left,” said Rachael quickly. “I’m very sorry.”

  “Always tell me where you are going, even if you have told your father. Sometimes we don’t see each other all day.”

  “Yes, Mother!” Rachael said and kissed her mother’s cheek.

  Kenana told Rachael, “Go inside and put on a clean garment before coming down to eat. Come, Ava, sit with us.”

  Rachael skipped into the palace, glad to be home.

  Kenana closed her eyes for a moment. “It’s such a peaceful sound to hear the footsteps of my child who is happy to be home.”

  One of the servants brought a cup of tea to Ava. She bowed and walked away.

  “Tell me how I can help,” said Ava, her voice filled with urgency. “Tyro says that I should stay here until danger has passed, but I don’t want to be a burden.”

  “Don’t be silly! You are family. Maybe you can just give me some advice. I did not know where Rachael went, and was worried sick for some time, until Asher told me that she was with Tyro.”

  Kenana was happy to have someone else she could talk to. “I worry about my children. Rachael is developing a bit too fast, and it scares me. Memories of Tyro’s father still haunt me. I fear Tyro may someday end up like him.”

  “Do you fear evil?” Ava asked, looking first at Kenana and then Asher.

  Asher responded with an emphatic, “No! I refuse to allow any evilness to intrude on our blessings.” He then told Ava that the queen was having a hard time adjusting to Rachael growing up. “That is all it is, isn’t it, my wife?”

  “I suppose you could be right. I’m a fretful mother,” she said. “It is not just Tyro’s ancestry that concerns me. I fear he goes to visit the women of the night.”

  “He is old enough to decide that for himself.”

  “Alalakh has its share of alluring women,” said the queen.

  It was not just the shapely women who had the power to seduce a man. No, it was the music, the wine, and the street entertainers. All were captivating. Kenana added, “I just worry.”

  Asher spoke sternly, “On top of that, she doesn’t want anyone to even look at Rachael.”

  Kenana snapped, “Because she is too young to be the object of anyone’s…desire.”

  “You can’t worry—either of you. You have raised them properly and you must place your children in God’s hands.” As Ava spoke, the flickering shadows of the moonlight were emerging. “It is getting late.”

  The perfectly manicured hanging garden on the outside of the palace began moving about in the wind. “I have many concerns,” Kenana said, pulling a shawl around her shoulders. “It’s not just my son pursuing a wild lifestyle in taverns that concerns me. I wish life were better here for Rachael. I don’t like seeing the city in such a decline, because of drought and enemies.”

  “It is not going to stay like that forever, you know,” said the king, reaching for her hand. “We must attack first. If we don’t do something soon, the Nephilim plan to destroy us.”

  Kenana pulled her hand away. “I don’t like it.”

  “We will win,” said Ava. “I have faith that Tyro can find a way to protect your palace and the city. He is a brilliant young man.”

  “You are right. No matter how many times the city has been attacked, Alalakh has always stood firm,” said the king. “Perhaps it is now Tyro’s turn to drive the enemy away from our borders. We will win.”

  “I think the king and his cousin are just too optimistic,” Kenana said slowly. “The Nephilim are huge.”

  “We must trust El to be bigger than the Nephilim,” said Asher. “We will then conquer the enemy in His strength.”

  Kenana grimaced. “I hope you are both right.”

  “We raised Tyro well,” said Asher. “We must trust that he will do the will of God. We must trust that our Heavenly Father is watching over Rachael, taking good care of her as well.”

  Kenana glanced over at Asher. Yes, he had been a remarkable father to Tyro. Yet, she could not help but think of how her son was conceived. The angel Malluch had forced himself on her. Since she loved him so much, she had mixed feelings about the struggle. Right now, she would gladly yield to him, if only he would return to her. His kisses were unforgettable. She longed to be in his arms once more. To feel his lips on hers, his body close. She inhaled deeply, imagining his touch.

  Tyro walked up at that time and greeted his parents. “Forgive the delay. I wanted to make su
re the stable boys fed, watered, and wiped down our horses.”

  “Welcome home, Tyro,” Asher said. “What news do you bring?”

  Tyro sat down and told them, “Things are not good. A runner came to us while we were still at Ava’s hut.”

  “What did he say?” asked Kenana.

  “Another village was wiped out about two days’ journey north of here. The enemy is now here, waiting in the shadows.”

  “I know. I saw them,” said Asher. “I beg of you, Tyro. Don’t let them bring the battle to our doorstep. Take an offensive position. Force them to go to the other side of the mountain. If that does not work, find and destroy all you find.”

  “I have a plan to do just that. We will divide our army and send half around the back of the mountain to burn their soldiers’ encampment. The best way to attack their camp is to first destroy their tents and all in them. That will cause those who are hiding out to go home. The battle will be fought on their turf, not ours,” said Tyro.

  “I approve,” Asher said. “Well planned, my son.”

  “Thank you, Father. I have to meet with our officers early in the morning and tell them the battle plan.”

  “I believe the battle will be short.” Asher nodded. “You are a powerful warrior as well as a good battle strategist.”

  Tyro bent his head modestly. “Tonight, I’m going to sleep downstairs in my clothes. After setting up the key leaders, I must get back on the road to recruit more soldiers. I will be leaving before dawn.”

  The sun went down and the chirps of crickets took over. The oil lamps burned low. “Let us go inside before the insects devour us,” said Kenana, standing. The others followed her.

  Tyro slept on the dais in the anteroom—rather than in his comfortable bed—and was up early. He told the stable boy that his stallion had been worked too hard lately and to get him a fresh horse. He knew that horses needed rest between journeys. He bid his family farewell and left. Once again, Tyro was headed on the open road in the Mesopotamian hills, going south.

  At the morning meal, Ava thanked Asher for bringing her to safety. “My pleasure and my duty,” said Asher.

  The queen, as usual, came late to the morning meal. Her hair was elaborately styled. Her lips and cheeks were carefully colored with berry juice. Her clothing was elegant. But she was aware that even with all that beauty, she did not appeal to her husband. His desire was noticeably absent, and he did not even look up. She greeted both Ava and Asher.

  “Good morn! We must pray for a safe ride for Tyro.” Turning to Ava, she said, “You need to stay with us until peace returns, Ava.”

  “We shall not worry. Tyro will slay them,” said Ava.

  Chapter Thirteen

  TYRO

  Tyro rode a fresh stallion out of town and into the wooded area. Kneeing the flanks of his horse, he rode him hard. Alone in the dark hills, he felt flickering evil shadows on the mountains again, and continued to feel them as he rode deep into the valley. Black clouds in the sky blocked the sunrise. Something evil was out there, following him and trying to hinder his plans.

  Tyro rode up a narrow path toward the summit to where the sun was blocked out completely. A haunting silence surrounded him as he guided his horse through the mountain pass. The moon was hiding behind the clouds and the weather was not favorable. The atmosphere was too quiet. Tyro felt as if an evil entity was out there watching him, planning his defeat.

  He felt spooked.

  Tyro wanted the diabolical spirits to flee, but they did not go easily. It got worse. Alone on a mountain trail, he could feel demonic pressure in the air, crushing all about him. Clouds got thick, black, and dry. Dark clouds in the shape of fallen angels formed above his head, laughing. A wave of fear surrounded him, but he pressed forward. He had to reach his destination soon.

  “El, I ask you for strength and courage,” he prayed aloud. “Hear my plea, oh God. Do not let my enemies harm me and keep away the fallen angels.”

  He lifted the reins and gave them a small snap to encourage the stallion forward. He missed his own horse, but his stallion needed to rest. After reaching the summit, Tyro rode down the other side, his horse’s hooves sliding a bit with the falling rocks. He kept his balance on the horse. While riding through the canyon, the wind picked up, howling, and drowning out the evil sounds. Since he could no longer hear the evil spirits, Tyro felt stronger.

  Once in the open valley, he leaned back and found himself dozing off for a few moments. He believed his prayer had been answered. He could no longer feel the evil presence that had surrounded him earlier.

  “Thank you, El. You are the mighty God.”

  Tyro relaxed.

  Not long after, he jerked awake just before he fell off his horse. Tyro allowed his thoughts to run free. He loved the thought of being able to save the kingdom for his family. The people of the land looked up to him. They needed him to protect them from the invasion of evil tyrants. Tyro planned to make a difference for them in their lives. Recruiting powerful soldiers to send back to the king was an honorable task.

  By sheer numbers, clans from Alalakh were strong. King Asher’s tribe dominated Mesopotamia. Surpassing all others in strength and stamina, they could win most wars without difficulty. But this battle would be different. Enemy soldiers were well trained. The Nephilim were evil and possessed super-human strength, as their power came from their wicked fallen fathers.

  Time was growing short, so Tyro couldn’t turn back, no matter what was out there. He must locate the trained scouts from the villages that were closest to Alalakh. He then needed to ride on. The scouts had their orders. While they rounded up the men in reserves from each hamlet, Tyro would ride his stallion from village to village, searching out the most powerful enlisted men in Mesopotamia to be leaders. He would call them to action.

  He would tell them that King Asher needed them immediately, and to make haste to the palace. The people loved the royal family, and each man was quick to act. If he helped the king now, then someday, the king would help him. That was what Asher was taught.

  Tyro knew his own birth father had been a fallen angel who had truly loved his mother. When his father had gone to the house of eternal judgments, he was instantly forbidden from visiting Earth or Heaven ever again. That was all Tyro knew of the fallen angel who he would never know. But his father’s power flowed through Tyro and he was glad of it.

  Tyro had another thing going for him. His mother was a mystic. She could see into the spiritual world and discern between good and evil. Her heart was filled with the love of her God, called El. She had given Tyro unconditional love all of his life. And King Asher, who was a Goel and the only father he had ever known, had been ordained by Heaven. A truly a righteous man, he poured the knowledge of justice and mercy into Tyro, who had grown into a man full of kindness, understanding, and grace.

  Suddenly, rocks fell, blocking his horse’s path. His horse, very quick, managed to avoid an accident and Tyro patted him and quieted him when he snorted in fear. These Arabians were good horses, very agile. Tyro needed to stay alert as he descended down the last of the hills in Judea, riding toward the town of Adah.

  While crossing the pastureland, he thought of his mother. She had once been the Princess of Adah. Tyro had been told that, legally speaking, Kenana was still Queen of Adah. She had moved the local rulers into the town square, and walked away from the palace, leaving her friends, Tall and Sarah, in charge of Adah.

  Once off the mountain pass, Tyro found himself in an open field. He looked around and saw oil lamps in the windows of the farmhouses and huts. He stopped at the biggest house in each village and told them of his mission. He quickly left messages in every hamlet. His message was simple: “The king needs warriors. Go to him, and make haste. And spread this message to all.”

  Now, as he approached his birthplace, he saw a guardian with a polished helmet standing guard. To the man’s credit, he simply nodded, bowed and let Tyro pass.

  A servant asked if he coul
d tend to the horse, and Tyro gladly released the reins. As he started toward the palace, a middle-aged lady who was expecting a child came out to meet him. It was Sarah. She lifted her head toward him and smiled. “Tyro, you still look like your same handsome self,” she said, elated.

  He hugged her gently, careful to avoid her swollen belly. “Sarah, how are you feeling?”

  “Still with child.” She laughed.

  “Another child.”

  “After eighteen years.”

  “Amazing.” He smiled at her and looked around. “Is Leah here?”

  “She is. Come inside.” He followed her as she led him down a cobblestone path into the courtyard. Colorful flowers and plants in giant pots were scattered throughout the area.

  “Queen Kenana always felt that Jubal’s ornate gardens could have easily passed for the Garden of Eden,” Sarah said. “In this drought, I can’t keep the yard as pretty as she did, but I do my best.”

  “You are doing extremely well.”

  “Thank you.” Sarah reached for his hand and squeezed it tightly. “The seriousness of what is happening in the land is starting to have an impact on me. How is your mother holding up?”

  “Mother is quite serious these days.”

  “Troubled times can sadden even the most joyous person.” Sarah wrinkled her forehead. “How are things in Alalakh?”

  “Not good.”

  “Is there tribal unity in Mesopotamia?”

  “No. There is trouble brewing back home. The situation is growing chaotic in some areas. We don’t have time to set up an encampment, so people do whatever they think is right and they don’t always agree.”

  “Oh, how terrible. This is not a good time for me to be with child.”

  Tyro felt sorry for her. “That is not all. I’ve come for your husband. We need him. To fight.”