The Kingdom

Susori could only be amazed at their impudence. The flaming swords swished and the mightiest of the enemy were no more.

Fires were everywhere. It was to the point that the heat and flying embers given off by them should have put her and her children into flames, but it was as if a protecting veil had been drawn over them.

Susori found herself sobbing at the plight of her people and she asked the Malachim in general around her, "Can you not help them too? Do you not care?"

Instead of the censure she half expected to receive for her impudence, she received looks of commiseration from them all. Instantly she felt that she was in error for thinking that what was transpiring around her was any fault of those shepherding her through the fires and the depravities of the enemy.

"I'm sorry! I just want this bloodletting to be over! I just want there to be no more killing!"

"Our Master wishes the same, but as it is written within the words of El Elyon all must be fulfilled. The end of the world is not a time of tranquility and peace, but rather of war and despair. Despair for life to be over and a daily war to stay alive. To those who believe though, a way has been made out of the wrath of the judgment that has been held in store for this day. You are not alone, but a remnant of your people who believe in the new covenant remain," one of the Malachim said.

Somehow Susori and her children suddenly found themselves transported from the fiery streets running full with blood into a gentler country setting. Refugees from Crona streamed all around her, fleeing to the East.

A Malachim lifted her and Lavaya onto the back of an oxcart. The Malachim no longer glowed with fire as beings ready for war, but appeared as normal men. The one who had lifted them into the cart addressed her once more, "What has been foretold will come to be and everything promised of the Father will by no means fail."

Susori nodded tiredly. Unable to hold herself up any longer, she lay back to nurse her son and fell asleep under the watchful protection of those sent to protect her. Lavaya, meanwhile, stood watch over her mother and stared with fascination at the men who no longer glowed with fire.

*****

I stood with my back to the flames of the campfire. There was sound out in the night. Was it another band of Kingdomer refugees or a force of Philanthian Knights intent on what many within the kingdom were beginning to call a popular rebellion.