The Kingdom

Why did he want to know this?

"Yes…….and…….no," I said in a stutter, not overly sure of my answer.

Kuri cocked his head to the side and regarded me with a questioning smile that somehow relaxed me enough to let me form my own thoughts and explain, "If I was ever to desert you and become your enemy I could never win. If I'm to remain by your side as a friend then why should I fear you?"

Kuri nodded before extending a hand to me and saying, "Well, let us pray then that you are forever my friend."

I took his hand and he pulled me up to my feet, "Come, let us move off a ways from the smell of waste that lies around us," he said, as he grabbed up his pack and started to move off.

"Kuri?"

He stopped and glanced back and I said, "I always want to be your friend Kuri."

"And so you shall be!"

I broke free of my stance and hurried to catch up with him. As I fell in alongside of him my mind replayed over all that I had seen. After we'd gone several hundred yards Kuri stopped by some dry brush and made a fire.

I looked around, a little surprised that he would welcome more confrontation by making a fire. Then, I heard something in the distance from where we had just come.

"The survivors have come back to eat their own. Fallen creatures are ever opposed to the ways of creation's foundations. We're safe here for they have plenty to eat."

I turned away from the sound of gory carnage and sat down next to the welcoming heat of the fire. I was staring into it reflectively when Kuri asked, "What are your thoughts?"

Surely he must know what they were as I seemed to be nothing but an open scroll before him? Out of respect I responded anyway, "I was imagining what it would be like to be able to do something like what you did back there." I ducked my head down, slightly embarrassed at the admonition, because I knew I would never be Kuri.

"No, you will never be me, but I'm going to teach you to be like me. With my help and provision from the Most High, there is the likelihood that not only will you do things you have seen me do, but even greater things."

I looked at him as if he were crazy and asked, "How is that even possible? I know I can never be as good as you."

"I'm going to help you Benaiah, which means a part of me will be in you and from there, what can man tell in regards to what El Elyon may purpose to come to be? Now go to sleep and dream of the battles to come."