Seal of the King (16 page)

After Aaron finished
his explanation, David spoke. “I’m in no position to question your analysis. Quite frankly, I believe we have to act quickly. I don’t think we can wait months for us to travel around the armies, so I think we need to come up with a plan to pass through them.”

Edwin
said, “That will be very difficult.”

David agreed
, “Yes, I’m sure it will be. Perhaps we can disguise ourselves as two people who would be allowed to pass. Can you offer any suggestions?”

Aaron said thoughtfully
, “That may be possible. However, there is a problem if you are questioned too closely.”

“
What is that?”

“
There are essentially three types of men, and beasts that you will encounter. There are vile evil men who are just that, and would be no more dangerous to you than anyone else. Then there are those who bargained their souls for power. They are comparable to our gifted, and can see the light in someone, and would attempt to kill you on sight. Lastly there are demons who are his spawn, soulless creatures that feed on fear. They too can see the light, and despise it.”

“
Do the men who bargained their souls for power appear like regular people? And when they die does their spirit cry out?”

“
Yes that’s right. They can be difficult to kill, you need to either stab them in the heart or cut off their heads.”

“
I’ve had several encounters with that kind. I could see the shadow of darkness behind their eyes, yet they could not see that I was of the light.”

Aaron
mildly surprised said, “Really. That could be extremely helpful to you. That could give us more options in coming up with a disguise. If you were traveling as an emissary, and they could not see you were of the light, you may be able to pass through unharmed. But they would be able to see Aurora was.”

“
I was thinking about that too. When she and I went to see my father, and rescued him, they did not recognize her. Do you think that somehow my protection could have extended to her?”

“Jasmine has told us some of your story, how the two of you have been connected since you were children. Normally a gift does not extend in that way
, but it may be that the bond you share makes the two of you different. The question is will it be strong enough under such difficult conditions with so many adversaries? Of course, the bond you have comes from our Lord, and it is said, what the Lord has wrought let no man tear asunder. And as we know, even demons and beasts are subject to his authority.”

David said distractedly “
Yes, Jesus drove out evil spirits, and demons with a single command.” Something was nagging at him, and he couldn’t place it. Deciding he needed to think away from them he said, “How soon do you think the rest of the council should be here? I think I need to wake Aurora, and give her something to eat before they arrive.”

Aaron answered
, “It shouldn’t be too long now, perhaps another hour.”

David
said, “Jasmine would you mind if I took some food to her?”

Jasmine answered “no, of course not, let me get something together for you.”

David turned back to Aaron again “One more thing, what do you know of where the Dark One dwells?”

Aaron said darkly “
exceedingly little, only rumor actually. No one has ever gone there, and returned.”

David said softly “I guessed as much.” Then in a clear voice
, ”I like the idea of posing as an emissary, would you please work on that while I attend to Aurora. I’m planning to leave in the morning, will that be enough time for you to prepare?”

Aaron looked at David giving him that penetrating stare he had gotten so many times in the past few days. Then with an air of surprised satisfaction
said, “Yes, I will make sure everything is prepared, and we will be ready by morning.”

David stood as Jasmine brought him some food
and water, and said, “Thank you Jasmine.” Then turning to Aaron said, “thank you.”

Aaron asked
, “For what?”

David
said, “For being forthright, and allowing me to consider my own fate instead of trying to tell me what to do. It’s clear you’re used to being in charge, and I appreciate the respect you’ve shown me.”

Aaron smiled “young man, we are all headed down a path that has no map. I’m old enough to know that I don’t know everything
, and you were chosen for a reason.”

David nodded
, and said, “I’d better go get Aurora.” He turned, and left feeling the enormity of it all again. He went from feeling like he had no idea what he was doing, to moments of clarity, but he couldn’t see more than one step ahead. In many ways, he wished he could go home, but there was a part of him that would never give up like that. As he walked back to the room, he shook off his feeling of doubt and thought back to Aurora. They were in it together, they both had their fears and doubts, and at the same time they believed in each other. They were bound to one another, and that bond was their strength and protection. They were bound to one another before they were born, Aaron had said it “what God has brought together let no man tear asunder.” The only way their bond could break was if they broke it, but he knew neither one of them would betray the other. He only hoped their bond was strong enough for his protection to extend to her.

He listened
by the door, and could hear her soft rhythmic breathing telling him she was still asleep. He quietly pushed it open, and set the food down on the table. He stood for a long moment looking at her. Just seeing her there warmed his heart. He sat down on the edge of the bed and gently pushed the hair off of her face. She stirred slightly at his touch, then in a soft voice he said, “Aurora.”

She rolled onto her back opening her eyes
, looked up at him, and smiled.

"Hi there,"
David said in a soft voice.

“Hi” She replied
, “what time is it?”

“I think it’s about 3 in the afternoon. I’m sorry to wake you
, but the council will be assembled soon. I thought you might like a chance to eat, and clear your head before they get here.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize it was so late.”

David got up and brought her some water. She sat up to take a drink. Looking out the window he saw a pleasant spot to sit where she could eat in the fresh air, and enjoy a view of the lake.

“Would you like to sit outside for a little bit? It’s warm
and sunny, and we could have some quiet time together while you eat?”

She smiled
, and put her arms around him laying her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her too and sighed.

After a few moments of just sitting there
, she said, “I suppose if we’re going to see the council, some fresh air would be good to help me wake up.”

David
said, “then let’s get you up, put your boots on, and I’ll grab a blanket for us to sit on.”

They went outside
and sat down under a tall strong oak. The branches were high enough to let the afternoon sun in to warm their skin. It was a beautiful day, and the light danced on the lake in front of them. He sat with his back to the tree. Aurora sat so she could lie back across his leg, and into his arm looking up at him as she ate. She noticed the surroundings just enough to add to her sense of peace. But she was more interested in his company than anything else.

He sat there absent-mindedly stroking her hair as he told her about his conversation with Aaron
, and the plan he thought of. “What do you think? Does that sound like a good idea to you?” David asked.

Again it warmed her heart the way he sincerely asked her opinion
. Many had feared her, but the kind of respect he showed her was not like anyone else.

“Normally I’d say the plan was suicide
, but I think you’re right. They don’t ‘see’ you the way they see the rest of us. It was only when we were separated in the forest yesterday, and those men found me, that they knew what, and who I was. But when we went to get your father, and we were side by side they couldn’t. Remember that the lady we first met believed your story about getting married?” Aurora said blushing slightly.

“Yes.” David answered
.

“Well it must have been our bond as he said, that extended your protection to me.”

“We just don’t know how far that protection extends. I’d be a lot happier if the distance between us didn’t matter. With all the perils of this journey, if we were separated, you’d be in even greater risk.”

Aurora looked at him affectionately
. She put her arm around him, and said, “I don’t know how our bond could be any stronger than it already is.”

David smiled at her
, and then it hit him. “Aurora” his voice a little weak, and his mouth suddenly extremely dry “I think I may know a way.” He said.

Aurora asked “how?”

David looked at her with his trepidation showing in his face he said, “We could marry.” Her eyes widened, and her face could not hide her surprise “I know it sounds crazy, and I hope you don’t think I’m being forward, I mean I wouldn’t expect you to be intimate with me or….” His voice failed him.

She sat bolt upright
, and he began to panic thinking he had ruined everything. Then she threw her arms around him and said, “Yes!”

A wave of relief washed over him. He felt a mixture of jubilation
, and exhaustion. For the few seconds she stared at him in disbelief, he thought he might have crossed a line that would damage the feelings she had for him. That would be a loss he was not prepared to recover from.

Suddenly Aurora began to giggle. Leaning back to look at him she
said, “I believe that’s the first time I’ve seen you afraid.”

He laughed too “you have no idea. I was afraid you might think the worst of me.”

She pulled him close again resting her head against his. “I’ve lived for so long with the possibility of each day being my last, I never thought I could dream of a life that was more than fighting the war. Somehow, finally meeting you changed that. As impossible as it seems, you’ve made me believe I could have more.”

“
I only hope we can.”

Aurora leaned back to look at him again
, and tenderly placing her hand on his face said, “If it’s our fate that we don’t survive this final battle, even the short time we’ll have together will be more than I ever dreamed, and I’ll be satisfied.”

David smiled at her “I’ve felt so empty for a long time
, and you’ve filled that emptiness. I want to have every moment we can together. But if today is my last, just having you in my life will have been enough. You are more than I ever dreamed of, and I’m humbled by your presence.”

Her eyes held his gaze as she moved closer to him. Her soft full lips parted slightly, he could feel his heart racing as she closed her eyes. Slowly their lips met as her hand slid around behind his head pulling him to her. She pressed her lips hard against his
, and he pulled her close to him. His heart was pounding against his chest, each beat drumming in his ears. He felt the curves of her firm body melting against his, and he was entirely lost in her touch.

It could have been hours or minutes. It didn’t matter. What passed between them with just this one kiss was almost overwhelming.

***

She leaned back gazing affectionately at him she had felt it too. Her heart still pounding, she mused that pleasure had become a foreign concept to her
, but this was more. It wasn’t just their bodies that had touched and embraced, it was as if their souls had momentarily passed through one another, and in that moment they were one. She slid down resting her head on his chest, with his arms wrapped around her; she could have stayed there for eternity. As they sat quietly, she closed her eyes savoring the memory of being lost in him.

Finally
, with a touch of sadness he said, “We have to leave in the morning. I’ll talk to the elders, and see if they can perform the ceremony for us tonight.”

Tonight she thought
and pushed herself up against him more closely. Yes, she didn’t want to wait any longer than they had to.

“At least I have your mother’s dress to wear.” She
said, “My leather travel clothes wouldn’t be fitting for a bride.”

“I wouldn’t care what you w
ear. No clothing can hide your beauty.” David said then added reluctantly “I hate to say it, but we’d better get back. They should be gathering now, and they’ll be looking for us.”

She nodded
, and sat up. They gathered their things and headed back to the house. Holding hands both of them had contented smiles and were lost in their thoughts.

When they arrived at the house
, Jasmine came to meet them and looked at them curiously. She could see a difference but couldn’t put it into words. “I was just about to come look for you. The council is meeting in the back building.”