Glorious Companions

by Summer Lee

  Kenana saw that the spark in his eyes faded. “The pregnancy is good though. Right?”

  Tall blushed. “Yes, Sarah is a strong lady. A true jewel.”

  “Good.”

  Tall grinned out of the corner of his mouth, and said, “It will be like starting over when we have another child.”

  “How soon will the baby come?” asked Ava.

  “About three more months.” Tall raised his eyebrows. “I hope to be home in time.”

  “You will be home before the baby comes,” said Kenana. “I promise you. Asher and Tyro think this will be a short war.”

  Tall’s eyes lit up. “Thank you. That is encouraging news.”

  Tall had a bag over his shoulder.

  “What is in the bag, Father?” asked Leah.

  “Medicine for wounded soldiers,” he said. He then answered Kenana’s quizzical stare with, “I study herbs in my spare time.”

  Kenana shook her head, smiling. Tall was not only a warrior, but he was becoming a great healer as well. “Just set it down in the courtyard. There aren’t any wounded just yet,” she said, thankful.

  “There will be.”

  “We appreciate your remembering,” said Kenana.

  “Will one of the women bind up your wounded?” Tall asked. “I’ll be too busy fighting in the battle.”

  “I can,” said Ava. “But I was hoping to get word that peace will replace war, and there are no casualties.”

  “I hope that is the case,” said Kenana. “Trust me, Ava is the best assistant you can get, but Asher will not let her work. There are young women in Alalakh that have been educated in medicine. You can turn the bag over to them.”

  “Great.” Tall seemed to be happy. A wide smile spread over his face.

  Leah reached for the bag. “I’ll take care of this for you, Father,” said Leah as she carried it away.

  “How did you travel here?” Kenana asked.

  Tall said, “It was too dangerous to travel alone, so I rode with three other men in a cart pulled by oxen. It was a good trip.”

  Kenana smiled and said, “A fine choice.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You look tired. Let me show you your room,” said Kenana, walking over to the staircase.

  Tall picked up his bag and followed her up the stairs. “You didn’t have to go to so much trouble,” he said.

  “You are not any trouble, ever. Besides your chamber is the last one at the end of the hall,” she said as they walked away from all signs of human presence. “You will have complete privacy.”

  “I like that. Especially right now.” He was close enough that she could feel his breath on her neck. It stirred her inward passions.

  As she opened the door, she felt his hand on her back. She suddenly had a surge in her lower belly that sent shivers up her spine. For five years, she had been dealing with an irrational feeling of passion every time she had been near this man. They walked into the room together. She heard him lock the door behind him. When he turned the wooden lock, the soft thunk sound made her feel faint. The chemistry between them was so strong. And now, they were locked in together.

  For the first time in years, the two of them were alone.

  “Tall!” she whispered. “What are you doing?”

  “Shhh!” he said.

  Kenana trembled. She could hear the pounding of her heart vibrating against the walls of her ribs. She stood and waited, her eyes closed. She expected to feel his warm lips on hers, but she didn’t. Instead, he picked her up and carried her to the bed. They were drawn together with a consuming fire of longing, as their passions, long dormant, awakened. Did she dare satisfy her craving for fulfillment?

  Next, she felt his body slip next to hers, and his open mouth on hers. It took her breath away, but she immediately relaxed into his arms, accepting the kiss. No one had ever stirred her heart as this man. But there was a big problem—they were each married to someone else.

  How far could she allow the passion to go? Two faces flashed into her brain. Through a fog of desire, she struggled to put names to the faces of Asher and Sarah.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  TALL

  A short time later…

  Alone, Tall walked through the garden and out of the palatial yard. He needed to be alone. To think. To decide. To reflect.

  Once again, Kenana had demonstrated self-control. Marriage to others was the barrier that kept the two lovers apart. Despite her desire for Tall, Kenana’s marriage to Asher made any thought of satisfaction even more complicated by Tall’s marriage to Sarah. Sarah was with child. She needed Tall and so did the child. Kenana had made sense in her whispered plea to stop, even as they kissed.

  A man was not supposed to ever be in love with the wife of his best friend. Tall did not know how it happened. But he did know when. Five years earlier, he had found himself alone with Kenana in the kitchen. They had connected immediately. Brushing against each other had sparked passion between them. Now he had to face himself and consider his future actions. He could not betray his friend, Asher.

  Should he talk about it to Asher? No.

  Tall went out beyond the fields to where he knew Asher often meditated. He saw him and walked up to his friend. “Can you give an old friend a bed for the night?” he asked.

  “Certainly. Kenana has your room ready. Didn’t she show you?” Asher looked surprised.

  “Yes, she did. Thank you.” They embraced and patted each other on the back. “Good to see you again,” they said in unison and then both laughed.

  Asher said, “Thank you for coming.”

  “How are things in the enemy camp?”

  “Dangerous. They attacked a small village, half-day’s journey north of here. There were no survivors. If we don’t act quickly, Alalakh will be next.” The king pointed to a rock. “Sit down, my friend.” Asher sat across from his old friend. Shaking his head, he said, “We have big problems with giants stealing from our already drought-affected gardens. Our men aren’t safe when they go out hunting either. This fight has taken on an aspect I didn’t foresee: theft of food and poaching of wild game. If they keep stealing from us, we might starve before they even get a chance to try to kill us.”

  “That is what Tyro told me.”

  “Although we have plenty of storage in the palace, things outside the walls are much more dire, as far as food, water and game animals. We must kill the enemies before they create a famine such as Mesopotamia has never seen.”

  “We must take action before they rob us blind, let alone try to kill us. How can I help?” asked Tall.

  “We want you to be one of the captains to lead some warriors against the Nephilim. Tyro is in charge. He will tell you more.”

  “Good, good,” was the answer.

  “So,” Asher asked. “What is the news from Adah?”

  “It is peaceful now. But when we finish the battle up here, we need some soldiers down south.” Tall glanced down the road in the direction of Adah.

  Asher nodded. “I will be sure you are covered when this battle is won. There is no peace as long as people feel threatened and the enemy tries to force us into a famine as well as a battle of good and evil.” He paused. “Tell me about Sarah.”

  “She is going to have a baby at her age. I know of no other woman of her age who has done so.”

  “And how is she feeling?”

  “The preparations are many and she tries to do something each day, despite her lack of strength. She is middle-aged and not as vibrant as when she was younger. Our children will be eighteen years apart.”

  “That’s not so bad. I am sure Leah will be a big help to her baby brother or sister,” Asher said. “Are Gauss and Bo still with you?”

  “Yes. They are good workers. Good protectors.” Tall studied his face. “How are you faring these days?”

  “Well, my friend.” Asher inhaled and sighed. “Lately, I have been remembering my parents. I think about how it was back then. I remember seeing the palace
burning as I was being carried off. I don’t want it to happen again. I want this evil stopped forever.”

  “And what about Kenana? Does she seem happy?”

  “I guess so. She doesn’t seem any different,” said the king. “I am sure she will be relieved when peace returns to the land so she can get back to fretting about the small things, like where all the spoons in the house have gone.”

  Tall laughed softly. “Women always do that, don’t they?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll do all I can to help, Asher. So, we can go back to our lives and our smaller problems.”

  “We all appreciate that,” said Asher. “This land was thrown into chaos after my parents’ death. Various cruel warlords laid claim to the land. But never did they last, for there was always another cruel warlord waiting in the wings. That is how it was until I came back.”

  “The people waited for you, did they not?” Tall grinned.

  The king smiled, showing some enthusiasm. “They did. And they recognized me when I got here.”

  “You were the returning king who gave people hope,” Tall said. “Praise be to El.” Tall bent his head reverently for a moment, and then met Asher’s eyes again.

  King Asher smiled with moisture springing to his eyes. “They truly believe there is hope. We must make it true. With faith in El, our God.”

  Tall slapped him on the back. “You know, Asher, I believe it as well.”

  “Come back to the palace with me. I am sure Kenana will be looking forward to visiting with you.”

  “Thank you. She is a wonderful queen.”

  Chapter Twenty-five

  ASHER AND TYRO

  The soldiers gathered at the old fort. Training had begun. The opposing army had become aware that a growing Mesopotamian army was present, and they had started shooting arrows at the men. Asher put Tall in charge of training. He needed the kind of guidance that only God could give. He prayed for the Goels to come quickly.

  There was a rumbling of horses’ hooves approaching from the rear. King Asher turned and saw men on horseback appear at the crest of the hill, all holding swords at the ready. They sat atop Arabian horses, like the ones owned by Prince Tyro.

  “Praise be to El. The Goels are on time. And on fine horses.”

  The warriors sped down the hill, across the valley and to the back of the mountain at the old fort. Many warriors were there. Some had spears, and others had daggers and swords. Those who were skilled with slings and stones were stationed at exit points, to keep the war from spreading into town, and to stop those who would try to get away.

  More local men arrived. The youths that showed up were issued bows and arrows and were told to practice. They were also told to stay out of the line of fire. Each had a leather shield and club strapped to their body. There would be a strong showing, from young to middle aged.

  Farmers had left their fields of barley and emmer wheat ready to be harvested, just to help fight off the enemy. It was a further issue that the little they hoped to get from the fields might be burned or stolen by the enemy before it could be harvested. They hoped the war was short and they could return home before the fields over-ripened. But they had to come. This was a war that had to be won. Younger boys were left behind to care for the females and valuable animals.

  As king, Asher was automatically assumed to be the leader, but he proposed that Tyro be in charge instead. All agreed. Asher and Tall were captains. Men had been streaming into the old fort for a couple of days now. They came on horses over the mountains and hills. Others poured in across the barren desert on camels. The rest came on foot. They were excited and ready to follow Tyro.

  King Asher met with the great Goel warriors from all over Mesopotamia, and gave them the battle plan. There would be soldiers stationed both in front and in back of the enemy. They were told not to rush into battle until they saw the enemy running to attack. The strategy was that these men would overtake the opponents and destroy them.

  After giving commands, Asher walked away to be alone with El. Sitting atop the highest mountain, out of sight of the camp, he prayed. He stood on his favorite hill where he always went to meet God. There was a time to pray and this was one of those times.

  Asher looked at the angle of the setting sun. It was time to get the men in position for the night. By now, Tyro had put warriors in place to attack from the back. Tyro would first send some soldiers from another location to provide the diversion. That was the plan.

  There were enemy scouts watching the camp. They could attack tomorrow, he thought.

  In the distance, he saw Tyro. His spear was long and deadly. The Mesopotamian army had a brilliant leader.

  “Everyone except for sentries, try to sleep,” shouted Tyro. “We will be awake before dawn, which is not long from now. We will not wait for daylight. So, sleep in your battle gear, ready to move out when you hear the shofar. Sentries, you will receive extra food during your night duty. Father and I studied battle arrangements, and we trust El, that He has shown us the best plan.”

  While the other soldiers slept, Asher’s men marched to the other side of the encampment. They arrived as planned, just before dawn. When all of his forces were in place, Asher sent up a flaming arrow to begin the battle day. He then bowed his head in a silent prayer, acknowledging that he needed God’s direction.

  Tall was waiting. One lone trumpet signaled the wakeup call for the men at the old fort.

  “Up,” Tyro called out loudly. “The Lord is giving your enemy to you today.”

  The warriors were up and fed meat and bread. They quickly lined up in battle formation as they chewed. After eating, Tall’s men were ready as well.

  They waited for the shofar to sound.

  Chapter Twenty-six

  RACHAEL AND KENANA

  Darkness passed, and a glimmer of light appeared across the horizon like a thin line of red-gold that grew.

  The sound of the shofar vibrated clearly through the distance.

  The fighting had begun out in the hills. The women huddled behind the cupboards in the palace. Rachael could hear Ava breathing hard. She looked at her. “Are you all right?”

  “I’ve been through this before, and I’ll live through this.”

  The palace atmosphere was oddly quiet. Rachael said, “Mistress Ava, do you know what we should do now?”

  “I know this much,” Ava said. “I don’t feel protected inside this room.”

  “You’re right.” Kenana nodded and said, “We are not safe in here. It is the first place the enemy would seek us. Follow me. We’ll go to a safer place.” She bent down to a squatting position and went around through the hall and down into the kitchen and out the back door.

  “Stay low!” she said, and she had seen the men do that, so she told the women to do that, too. Rachael hesitated. Kenana was headed to the shelter for common folk. Surely she had nothing to fear if that were true, but she was scared anyhow. In spite of herself, she followed her mother. “Just where are we going, Mother?”

  “Into the shelter with the townspeople. We should be safe there,” Kenana said.

  “Safer than in the palace?”

  “Yes.”

  “All right, but I’m still scared,” said Leah.

  “Me, too,” said Rachael.

  Kenana stopped and hugged them both. “I know, my dears, but the king and prince have everything under control.” She looked at Ava. “Are you well?”

  “Sure. Keep crawling. The girls and I will follow.”

  They went down some steps, and opened a secret door across from the kitchen. This opened into a tunnel, which they slowly walked through. In a little while, they reached a big gate that allowed them to enter into the shelter. Kenana knew the door code. She knocked three times, waited, and knocked four times. “It is Kenana and Rachael,” she called out.

  The gate swung open. The area was far larger than Rachael expected. A worker inside drew a curtain open, revealing a comfortable living space, including long
cushions on benches. She offered the queen a place to sit and a cup of tea. She said, “The king said that if you came here, I was to reserve this area for you, Your Highness.”

  “Thank you. Come girls,” Kenana said, clasping Ava’s hand. “We will be safe here.”

  Rachael and Leah followed. Rachael’s eyes rested on the narrow form of her mother. The queen was both beautiful and strong. She looked beyond Kenana and saw safety. The city people were crammed in on the other side of the shelter where it was dark. There stood a young, slightly muscular teenage boy. She recognized him immediately. It was Joel.

  Joel surprised her by waving to her.

  Rachael waved back and walked toward him.

  Joel smiled.

  Rachael smiled back indulgently. She moved over to where he was and asked, “How are you and your mother doing?”

  “We are both scared.”

  “That would probably describe everybody here.”

  “At least we are safe.”

  “True.”

  “How long do you think we will be in here?”

  “I overheard my father and brother talking. We may be out by nightfall.”

  Joel said, “They must have a good strategy.”

  “I think they do,” she said, “How are you doing with your past accusations?”

  “If we survive this, then I will face my accusers. I am praying for their mercy.”

  “I can see why. I had better stay with my mother. She gets upset with me very easily.” Rachael turned and moved by Kenana. She listened as her mother talked to Leah. “Dangerous men have banded together to run us out of here.”

  Rachael felt more fear rising inside her chest.

  Leah asked, “What did you do to cause their rage?”

  “I think it is because Asher rebuilt the community.” Kenana looked convinced that was what she believed.

  “How do you know?” asked Rachael.

  Kenana said, “I observe others.”

  “That is what Tyro told me.” Leah spoke with confidence. “He plans to go after the top man first. Once he is dead, it will weaken the other army.”