The Kingdom

I drew my sword from its saddle scabbard and held it out in readiness to bring it down upon the enemy that stood still in horrified disbelief at what was occurring. In that moment, every member of the Nicationer army fully realized a thousand times over the folly of their beliefs in gods of falseness and immoral deceit.

There was no denying that the source of my faith in El Elyon was justified. Their gods were no gods and it was their undoing this day.

Some of them made to run while most continued to stand still in horrified wonder, too paralyzed by fright to move a muscle. I crashed into the enemy ranks even as fire seemed to consume them in a solid front of epic power previously unseen on the battlefields of man.

It seemed that in less than a minute the enemy host lay fallen within the valley and I and Phalon were alone once again. I pulled Phalon up to look over the devastation, even as scores upon scores of vultures already hovered within the air as if pre-alerted of the bountiful feast to be had this day. El Elyon truly did know all and orchestrated the beginning from the end.

I waited for the caravan silently, still marveling at what El Elyon could do. In an hour's time the caravan appeared and slowly made their way around the scene of divinely purposed conflict. The faith of all was increased as one and all realized the depth of the Father's love for us who had forsaken all to follow where our faith had led us.

I came up alongside my wife's cart and tied Phalon off to it. I handed the lance with the banner to an old man sitting beside the driver and climbed on past him into the wagon.

How I could think of sleep in a moment like this after what I'd just seen I wasn't sure, but I had let fear wear upon me for days and now the peace that I felt told me it was safe to rest. I lay down beside my wife, who slept on, blissfully unaware of the larger engagement that had just occurred.

Lavaya appeared at my shoulder with a grin and I knew what she wanted. Tiredly I smiled up at her and said, "Daddy needs rest, but then I promise I'll give you your first riding lesson."

"Yes!" Lavaya crowed out jubilantly.

Smiling I fell asleep, even as my son claimed my finger with his tiny hand.