bird called out in
song. David turned to his children, who were already shifting their gaze to him
instead of the now vacant spot on the road in front of them. He noted the
expressions of bewilderment, wonder, and incredulity in their faces. Facing
forward once more, he began speaking.
“That was
an angel undisguised,” David spoke softly, yet everyone there could hear him,
“one that confirmed what I’ve suspected for the past few months.” David took a
deep breath before continuing. “As I told you, very few people have traveled to
the Way World and returned to their planet of origin. I knew I would be called
back; the Beagle and the Sword of Truth were constant reminders of the job I
still had to do. I originally hoped you children would be spared the hurt of my
disappearance when it came. However, as more and more of you were born, I began
to wonder if you were not to join me. When we found out your mother was
pregnant with a twelfth child, I dreaded the truth of what that could mean. I
dared not speak my fears, for in speaking the truth would be revealed.”
These
words were spoken with David’s back to the rest of the group. Finally, he
turned his horse around and faced his children. “I have told you of the twelve
different kingdoms within the Crossroads. What I did not tell you, though, was
that each of the kingdoms is held by a member of the same bloodline. Currently,
and for eight generations, the thrones have been held by the race we call
elves. However, over the past two generations, the forces of the Void have been
able to infiltrate and corrupt the dynasty until now it is near collapse. In
the history of the Here Between, this has nearly happened several other times.
Before the end times, it will happen again. We have been tasked with bringing
about a stronger order by claiming the thrones of the twelve kingdoms. You and
your unborn brother or sister are to be the next kings and queens of the
Crossroads.”
David
stopped and felt the burden he had carried for many months double as the truth of his words set in. Before he could speak again, Eve, who could
no longer hold her tongue or anger in check, spoke up.
“So
that’s it; sucks to be you! Now, not only are we stuck here, we have to somehow
become rulers! Well, I’m sure this is magical and awe-inspiring to most of you,
but to me it’s a load of. . .”
“Eve!”
The Beagle’s harsh tone cracked like thunder in the girl’s ears. She pulled
back as she looked down at the rebuking hound. “So, you believe this is too
much for you? What part of this do you think is too much for God? If you have
fears and doubts, voice them at an appropriate time and in a more constructive
manner.
“You’re
right in thinking the task set before you will not be easy; then again, you are
not alone. Call upon the Lord and He will provide. Take strength in the Word
and you will find courage, wisdom, and guidance. You will be tested sorely, for
the forces of the Void seek chaos and confusion to better carry out their
ultimate goals. Nonetheless, there is nothing that can stand against you if the
Lord is for you.”
The
Beagle stared at Eve for several moments. The angel then spoke once more, “I’d
hate for you to be so obstinate on this point that you would have to spend
three days in the belly of a whale to come to your senses.”
“ Wha . . .” Eve began, but the Beagle cut her off at once.
“Don’t test
God. I’m positive He could come up with something to help you come around.”
At these
words, Eve looked genuinely abashed. The Beagle huffed and walked away.
Everybody remained silent as they took in all that had just occurred. Then
First Thunder put his hand on David’s shoulder.
“Then we
shall travel together, your family and mine.”
David
looked up, taking in First Thunder’s reassuring air. “As the Word speaks, we
follow.”
Fleet of
Foot spoke up then, “As we follow, God provides.”
“Amen,”
said the Beagle. “Now let’s
song. David turned to his children, who were already shifting their gaze to him
instead of the now vacant spot on the road in front of them. He noted the
expressions of bewilderment, wonder, and incredulity in their faces. Facing
forward once more, he began speaking.
“That was
an angel undisguised,” David spoke softly, yet everyone there could hear him,
“one that confirmed what I’ve suspected for the past few months.” David took a
deep breath before continuing. “As I told you, very few people have traveled to
the Way World and returned to their planet of origin. I knew I would be called
back; the Beagle and the Sword of Truth were constant reminders of the job I
still had to do. I originally hoped you children would be spared the hurt of my
disappearance when it came. However, as more and more of you were born, I began
to wonder if you were not to join me. When we found out your mother was
pregnant with a twelfth child, I dreaded the truth of what that could mean. I
dared not speak my fears, for in speaking the truth would be revealed.”
These
words were spoken with David’s back to the rest of the group. Finally, he
turned his horse around and faced his children. “I have told you of the twelve
different kingdoms within the Crossroads. What I did not tell you, though, was
that each of the kingdoms is held by a member of the same bloodline. Currently,
and for eight generations, the thrones have been held by the race we call
elves. However, over the past two generations, the forces of the Void have been
able to infiltrate and corrupt the dynasty until now it is near collapse. In
the history of the Here Between, this has nearly happened several other times.
Before the end times, it will happen again. We have been tasked with bringing
about a stronger order by claiming the thrones of the twelve kingdoms. You and
your unborn brother or sister are to be the next kings and queens of the
Crossroads.”
David
stopped and felt the burden he had carried for many months double as the truth of his words set in. Before he could speak again, Eve, who could
no longer hold her tongue or anger in check, spoke up.
“So
that’s it; sucks to be you! Now, not only are we stuck here, we have to somehow
become rulers! Well, I’m sure this is magical and awe-inspiring to most of you,
but to me it’s a load of. . .”
“Eve!”
The Beagle’s harsh tone cracked like thunder in the girl’s ears. She pulled
back as she looked down at the rebuking hound. “So, you believe this is too
much for you? What part of this do you think is too much for God? If you have
fears and doubts, voice them at an appropriate time and in a more constructive
manner.
“You’re
right in thinking the task set before you will not be easy; then again, you are
not alone. Call upon the Lord and He will provide. Take strength in the Word
and you will find courage, wisdom, and guidance. You will be tested sorely, for
the forces of the Void seek chaos and confusion to better carry out their
ultimate goals. Nonetheless, there is nothing that can stand against you if the
Lord is for you.”
The
Beagle stared at Eve for several moments. The angel then spoke once more, “I’d
hate for you to be so obstinate on this point that you would have to spend
three days in the belly of a whale to come to your senses.”
“ Wha . . .” Eve began, but the Beagle cut her off at once.
“Don’t test
God. I’m positive He could come up with something to help you come around.”
At these
words, Eve looked genuinely abashed. The Beagle huffed and walked away.
Everybody remained silent as they took in all that had just occurred. Then
First Thunder put his hand on David’s shoulder.
“Then we
shall travel together, your family and mine.”
David
looked up, taking in First Thunder’s reassuring air. “As the Word speaks, we
follow.”
Fleet of
Foot spoke up then, “As we follow, God provides.”
“Amen,”
said the Beagle. “Now let’s
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