By the Sword (35 page)

“I love you, Talya.”

Talya choked back a sob.

“And I love you! But don’t go. Let’s gather everyone together. We can all pray.”

He turned away from her then and ran
,
tearing himself away from the life that he would never live with her. Tears blurred his vision as he stared at the fatal cloud.

Jalarn had found someone far more valuable than power and wealth. And she was worth dying for.

Jalarn ran into the red cloud before Talya could even begin to pray. Instantly, it started to dissipate until all that remained was a light fog in its wake. But Jalarn was gone.

Talya dropped to her knees as she cried out. He was really gone. Jalarn had given his life for everyone – for her. Her body shook in uncontrollable sobs. It wasn’t fair.

“Oh, God!” she cried.

A hand rested gently on her shoulder. She looked up and saw that it was Tanel.

“He made a remarkable sacrifice,” said Tanel.

“He found God. Thank You, Jesus,” breathed Talya as she stared up at the sky.

“He is safe in the Savior’s arms now.”

“But I am going to miss him so much! I just got him back, and now…”

“I know.”

Beyond the battlefield, Ittonifer’s castle split down the middle with an ear-splitting crack. Everyone on the battlefield gasped. The earth shook from under its solid foundation and the entire structure fell down into a deep void. Everything that Ittonifer had ever owned was gone. It looked as though the empire had never existed.

A thick silence swept over the field. Everyone stood transfixed by what had just happened. The remaining Malinorian men dropped to their knees in surrender.

General Edandir shouted at the top of his lungs.

“The empire has ceased!”

There would be no more attacks from the wicked city, no more spells chanted to turn the hearts of men. But so many had fallen by the devil’s wicked hand. The difficult task of burying their dead was upon them. Victory had come at a high price. It was a cost that Talya had not been prepared for.

General Edandir approached General Kinar of Chira. They shook hands.

“I do not know how to thank you for coming to our aid. You have no idea how blessed we are to have you as an ally once again.”

The younger general grinned.

“It was an honor to fight by your side and see the fall of the empire.”

Queen Roselyn walked over to them.

“Your king and I will have some matters to discuss,” she said.

“Yes, he wishes to speak with you promptly,” said General Kinar.

General Edandir felt like he was having a dream. It still seemed unreal that Ittonifer’s empire had vanished from the earth.

“Look!” cried Roselyn, pointing ahead.

Edandir watched an exodus of city people emerge from the ruins of Malinor. He was grateful that they had been spared.

“What are we going to do with them?” asked Commander Sanere, who had just joined them.

“What Jesus would have done,” said Edandir. “Forgive them. Give them another chance.”

“It was Ittonifer and his men that had brought destruction to these lands and suppression to their own people,” said General Kinar.

Sanere nodded thoughtfully.

Edandir walked closer to the large crowd of people, each now without a home. Now that they were closer, he could see that a slender, well-dressed man led the way. He motioned for the others to stop. There were several elderly people, a few men, and a lot of women and children there. Edandir’s heart went out to them. They were completely homeless.

The richly dressed man approached Edandir. His posture was that of one who had led a very privileged life, but there was also humility in his countenance.

He suddenly dropped to his knees.

“I have come to beg you to at least spare our children, and if you could be so kind, please spare the women.”

“Get up. I am not going to kill anyone,” said Edandir.

The man stood again, appearing confused.

“Are you going to imprison us then?” he asked.

“No, because I know what it is like to live without God. I was once just as you are. What is your name?”

“Timen.”

Queen Roselyn came to Edandir’s side.

Timen shifted uneasily. All of the Malinorian refugees knelt then.

“I want to welcome all of you into my country,” said the queen in a loud voice so that everyone would hear. “I only ask that you respect that Sanctus was founded as a God-serving country. You can make your own decision to follow Him or not. We will not force you to believe anything, but know that it is our hope that you will.”

“Thank you,” said Timen.

*****

Chrissa stood alone on the hill where she had been fighting off Malinorians only moments ago. The Malinorian Empire was no more. She was free from the fear that Naeshi or some other barbarian would come and take her away. She was free to do what she wanted with her life now.

A movement caught her eye. In the distance, Ittonifer rode away, alone, on his horse. She blinked back tears, remembering their last moment. She had not been able to kill him. Even after everything that happened, he was still her father. He had nothing left.
His riches had been swallowed up by the earth
as though they had never existed. His powerlessness, poverty, and isolation were enough punishment for a man like Chrissa’s father. It was worse than death for him.

Still, she allowed herself to ponder where he might go.

“He won’t be able to bring you pain anymore,” said a soft voice.

Chrissa turned to face Queen Roselyn. She was beautiful and she seemed kind.

Chrissa nodded and crossed her arms. Her heart still ached. Her own father had tried to kill her, but she forced a smile.

“It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Your Majesty. Please accept me as your humble servant.”

“Servant to me you are not,” the queen replied. “You have no idea how long I have waited to see you again.”

Chrissa tilted her head, confused.

Tears streamed down the queen’s flawless ivory skin.

“Is everything all right, Ma’am?” asked Chrissa.

“Yes,” breathed the queen. “I… I have never been happier in all my life.”

Chrissa did not understand. She bit her lip, unsure of what to say.

The queen fidgeted her sapphire pendant nervously. Chrissa frowned. It was a Malinorian-crafted piece of jewelry that wealthy married women normally wore.

How strange.

“I thought I would have to die before I could be with you again,” the queen wept, “I’m so sorry, Chrissa.”

Chrissa’s pulse quickened. It couldn’t possibly be. She brought a trembling hand to her mouth.

“Are you… my mother?”

The queen nodded, unable to speak as she sobbed. Chrissa stiffened as shock hit her like a sledgehammer. She stared at the woman that had given birth to her. Her mother. Chrissa felt lightheaded.

Ittonifer had never spoken of her. Chrissa had always been too fearful to ask. She had just assumed that her mother had died.

“Please, forgive me for not protecting you from your father!” cried the queen. “He told me that you were dead.”

“Dead,” echoed Chrissa.

The shock wore off and dread swept over Chrissa. Ittonifer had kept them apart for so many years. Her mother had thought her to be dead. All her life, Chrissa had desired to know her mother. She wondered what she looked like, what her passions had been. Now they stood staring at one another. It was like a dream.

Is it a dream?

A tear slipped down Chrissa’s cheek. No, it was real. Queen Roselyn, of all people, was her mother – a strong, intelligent woman.
A living, breathing angel.

The older woman spread her arms. Chrissa let out a joyous cry as she ran to her mother. They held one another and wept.

*****

General Edandir wiped the sweat from his brow. He was thankful for the night’s cooler air. He had finished burying his hundredth knight that evening. The general set his jaw firmly. There would be many mourning families back in Sanctus. They had won the battle, but their losses had been devastating.

Still, there was so much to be grateful for. Jalarn, once a cold-blooded killer, had accepted the Savior into his heart before giving his life for everyone. It had been a heartbreaking scene, too. Watching the youth give his life like that. Edandir exhaled. Ittonifer had been blessed with such a wonderful nephew and daughter.

Edandir thought of his daughter and he smiled. Talya’s faith in God had been strengthened, and she had forgiven Edandir. Queen Roselyn and Chrissa sat on top of the hill catching up on the many years that Ittonifer had stolen from them. A few of the knights from Malinor had turned their backs on the devil and now trusted in the Savior.

The seven giants had buried their three friends. They stood over their graves, mourning.

General Edandir approached them.

“I am very sorry for your loss. I want you to know that you will forever be considered valiant allies of Sanctus.”

“They were honored to die for a nation that fights against evil,” said Saclam.

“They are with their Lord now,” said Edandir.

Saclam nodded with a winsome look in his eyes.

“Please feel welcome in our kingdom. The queen considers you citizens of Sanctus.”

“I’m honored,” smiled the elderly giant, “but we are needed back in Hunter Forest.”

The large men had a deep loyalty to their forest. Edandir wondered if they had a secret city somewhere up in the tall trees.

The giant rested his huge hand on Edandir’s shoulder for a moment before making his way back home with his men. The general watched them leave. They had been invaluable fighters, but sought no reward or recognition.

Edandir glanced at his remaining army. Battle hardened and weary from burying their dead, it was finally time to return home.

*****

Talya stood before Queen Roselyn in the throne room with her traveling bag. General Edandir paced back and forth as they spoke quietly. He wiped away the beads of sweat that had formed on his forehead. His daughter was going to be the death of him. He could not remain silent any longer.

“Are you sure you know what you are doing? You are a knight, not a missionary.”

Talya’s sad eyes met his and she nodded. It had only been two days since the battle in Malinor. She had loved Jalarn.

“I can’t kill another human being, Father. Please understand.”

“Yes, I do. But do you want a life constantly on the run? Where people would rather hang you than listen to you about God? I’ve been to some of those foreign places, Talya.”

Talya raised her chin.

“I am a knight, Father. I do not fear death.”

“Are you sure this isn’t just to run away from the loss you have been feeling?” Edandir asked.

Talya shook her head.

Queen Roselyn placed her hand on his shoulder and they exchanged looks.

“Who else will go if she does not? Our country is at peace now. Her duty to the army is finished.”

“I have to do this,” said Talya.

“I just got you back. Please, promise me that you will not leave me forever.”

“I promise that I will not be gone so long,” she said.

She ran to him then, and he held her, wishing that she could become that carefree little girl again. But she had grown up so much in the past month. God was now her first priority.

“I am so proud of you, Talya. Your mother would be, too.”

“Thank you.”

“I do hope that you will bring your sword this time. For protection only, of course.”

For the first time since the war, Talya’s mouth turned up into a slight smile.

*****

Under an overcast sky, Tanel rode with Talya to the edge of the south border of Sanctus. They stopped their horses, sitting in silence for a few moments. A world that did not know God was out there.

Talya peered over her shoulder at the outskirts of Sanctus. She could still see the top of the castle’s highest tower. Her heart raced. It was the last time she would be in that familiar place for a while.

“Please don’t be gone too long,” said Tanel.

Talya looked at him and smiled.

“I will be back one day. I promise you.”

“I can see it in your eyes. You are hoping that Jalarn is still alive, transferred somewhere by the spell.”

Talya looked down. It was what she had hoped, but she did not want to cause herself more pain by thinking so.

Tanel took her hand and gently squeezed it.

“You have to let him go,” he said quietly.