a horse
separate from the line of horses, but had the pack horses secured to his mount.
First Thunder and Rock also rode their own horses, and they varied the speed of
their mounts as they switched from rear guard to forward guard. The Beagle rode
atop several bundles secured to the last of the tied up mares. Every now and
then the Beagle would jump down and circle the group, going far to the front,
wide to each side, and far behind as he did so.
Just
after a midday rest, Fleet of Foot suggested the group of children could spread
out further as they all, except the youngest, showed fair riding skills. So it
was when they remounted, that Deborah, Mel, Nic, Eve, and Silas had horses of
their own. This left Esther to ride with Dinah, Hannah with Mary, and Ruth with
Jeremiah.
The rest
of the day went smoothly, and the group made quick time with the use of the
Coterie horses. However, as the sun neared the horizon, David and First Thunder
sped up the procession’s pace as they were still a few miles out from the next
sanctuary.
“We are
not out so far that we can’t make it by full dark,” First Thunder mentioned,
“but it would be best not to risk your group.”
“We have
a tail,” replied David; “of that I’m sure.”
“The Void
Riders would be at risk if we caught them in the light of day, but, I think
they’d be willing to take the risk. Do you know why you’ve been called here?”
“I have a
strong suspicion, as did Brother Oswald; I’m sure you do, too. Why does He ever
bring twelve of the same bloodline into the Crossroads? We now also have
powerful enemies standing against us.”
“You’ll
have to tell them, sooner rather than later. They need to be prepared. Fleet of
Foot wants to continue on with you.”
David
looked over at First Thunder, with a mixture of surprise and thankfulness
washing over his features. “I couldn’t ask any of you to risk more than you
already have,” David replied.
“He wants
to be part of it,” said First Thunder. “I’ve agreed. Rock and I can make this
delivery without him. He is versed in many weapons; not a master, but well
suited to help you teach basic skills.”
“I cannot
guarantee his safety; however, I would appreciate another set of trained hands
and eyes. Will we part company at the Southern Cross then?”
“Yes, we
are going on to Council Rock. . .”
First
Thunder and the rest of the procession were brought to an abrupt halt. In front
of them, a bright being materialized in an explosion of rainbow color. It wore
a simple robe that shimmered in the waning light and its features were not
fully visible due to light reflection, refraction, and transparency. Upon its
back a large set of feathered wings sparkled like many different jewels, each
no less or more solid than the rest of its body. When it spoke its voice seemed
to be a mix of both male and female tones.
“Be not
afraid,” it said. “I come with news of dire importance.”
The
Beagle moved in front of the group. “Speak your message for we all serve He who
is the Word.”
The being
bowed its head in acknowledgement of the Beagle. “You,” it started pointing to
the Beagle then everybody else in turn, “the Truth Wielder, and his offspring
are to go to Council Rock. Demons have fully vested their schemes there and are
in the process of amassing forces to fail the Seventh Kingdom. Warriors of the
Word will be sent to you when battle is joined. The time for the new kings and
queens to take their places upon the thrones of the Crossroads has come.
“To you,
Sword Bearer, I give you this news; your wife and unborn child are being
escorted to the Central Kingdom where they will await your arrival after your
first child has taken control of Great Hall at Council Rock.”
With that
final statement, the being vanished, becoming at once more translucent and
refractive at the same time. Silence reigned, not even the sounds of nature
intruded. Then, two beats of a heart passed and a single
separate from the line of horses, but had the pack horses secured to his mount.
First Thunder and Rock also rode their own horses, and they varied the speed of
their mounts as they switched from rear guard to forward guard. The Beagle rode
atop several bundles secured to the last of the tied up mares. Every now and
then the Beagle would jump down and circle the group, going far to the front,
wide to each side, and far behind as he did so.
Just
after a midday rest, Fleet of Foot suggested the group of children could spread
out further as they all, except the youngest, showed fair riding skills. So it
was when they remounted, that Deborah, Mel, Nic, Eve, and Silas had horses of
their own. This left Esther to ride with Dinah, Hannah with Mary, and Ruth with
Jeremiah.
The rest
of the day went smoothly, and the group made quick time with the use of the
Coterie horses. However, as the sun neared the horizon, David and First Thunder
sped up the procession’s pace as they were still a few miles out from the next
sanctuary.
“We are
not out so far that we can’t make it by full dark,” First Thunder mentioned,
“but it would be best not to risk your group.”
“We have
a tail,” replied David; “of that I’m sure.”
“The Void
Riders would be at risk if we caught them in the light of day, but, I think
they’d be willing to take the risk. Do you know why you’ve been called here?”
“I have a
strong suspicion, as did Brother Oswald; I’m sure you do, too. Why does He ever
bring twelve of the same bloodline into the Crossroads? We now also have
powerful enemies standing against us.”
“You’ll
have to tell them, sooner rather than later. They need to be prepared. Fleet of
Foot wants to continue on with you.”
David
looked over at First Thunder, with a mixture of surprise and thankfulness
washing over his features. “I couldn’t ask any of you to risk more than you
already have,” David replied.
“He wants
to be part of it,” said First Thunder. “I’ve agreed. Rock and I can make this
delivery without him. He is versed in many weapons; not a master, but well
suited to help you teach basic skills.”
“I cannot
guarantee his safety; however, I would appreciate another set of trained hands
and eyes. Will we part company at the Southern Cross then?”
“Yes, we
are going on to Council Rock. . .”
First
Thunder and the rest of the procession were brought to an abrupt halt. In front
of them, a bright being materialized in an explosion of rainbow color. It wore
a simple robe that shimmered in the waning light and its features were not
fully visible due to light reflection, refraction, and transparency. Upon its
back a large set of feathered wings sparkled like many different jewels, each
no less or more solid than the rest of its body. When it spoke its voice seemed
to be a mix of both male and female tones.
“Be not
afraid,” it said. “I come with news of dire importance.”
The
Beagle moved in front of the group. “Speak your message for we all serve He who
is the Word.”
The being
bowed its head in acknowledgement of the Beagle. “You,” it started pointing to
the Beagle then everybody else in turn, “the Truth Wielder, and his offspring
are to go to Council Rock. Demons have fully vested their schemes there and are
in the process of amassing forces to fail the Seventh Kingdom. Warriors of the
Word will be sent to you when battle is joined. The time for the new kings and
queens to take their places upon the thrones of the Crossroads has come.
“To you,
Sword Bearer, I give you this news; your wife and unborn child are being
escorted to the Central Kingdom where they will await your arrival after your
first child has taken control of Great Hall at Council Rock.”
With that
final statement, the being vanished, becoming at once more translucent and
refractive at the same time. Silence reigned, not even the sounds of nature
intruded. Then, two beats of a heart passed and a single
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