“But why? Why?” Rachel started pacing on the high, wide wall that surrounded their beautiful city.
“Careful, Rachel. A stray arrow might fly your way.”
“They’re not shooting.”
“Not yet, sis, but some young recruit might have itchy fingers.”
Rachel slumped on a bench nearby. “Is everything he’s saying true?” Despair edged her voice. “Are our gods just as puny and useless as our neighbours gods?”
Abe and Mary stared at her in astonishment. “Our gods? What are you saying, Rachel? We have only one God.” Mary pointed solemnly upwards, “The One True God who reigns in the heavens.”
Rachel grimaced. “So we say. I happen to know that lots of our people smuggle all kinds of gods in.”
“So the enemy within these walls is what will really weaken us.” Abe looked very solemn.
Rachel got up and peered over the balustrade. The sight of so many enemy soldiers encamped round about made her tremble.”
“Oh, look, there is one of our King’s messengers. He is going to speak to Adolf.”
“He is asking that Adolf please talk in Latin so as not to frightened the people. He knows Latin but assumes most of us don’t.”
They listened quietly for a moment, “That wicked man is mocking us!” Rachel cried. This is the city of our King and he acts like we are all so foolish and weak!”
“Well, we are, aren‘t we?”
Rachel didn‘t seem to hear her brother.
“He keeps taunting us about our losses! How so many have left to live in other cities or even among them, and the rest of us will soon give in also!”
“Rachel, stop your ranting and raving! Can’t you see the angels?”
“What angels?”
“The angels surrounding the city of our King?”
“No I can’t." She sagged against the wall, "I guess my eyes are dimmed by a lack of faith.”
A newcomer had joined their group and silently listened for a moment.
He eventually spoke up. “Know ye not, that even as we fret our beloved leader is in the council room consulting with the High King? He’s receiving messages --council -direction-even as we speak.”
A little boy with a timid voice spoke up. “But our King is dressed in sackcloth!”
The newcomer, whose name was Isaiah, put his hand on the thin, young shoulder.
“Aye, it is a serious war we are facing.”
“But we will win?” Lucas asked worriedly.
“Of course we will win! The Higher King will aid us if we put away our strange gods and depend only on him.”
“But there has been terrible losses.” Rachel still looked woebegone.
Isaiah smiled at her kindly. “Aye, and there will be more. But fear not, it needn’t be you nor I. Besides there are always those hearty warriors who will be brave enough to steal into the enemies camp to rescue our captives.”
Rachel’s facial features relaxed.
“ Do you know what, ladies, and you, to, Abe? I think you have watched the enemy long enough. There’s plenty to do deep in the castle to keep your minds off all the negative. Why not hustle up a great meal for all of us?”
He started to march off, then with a cocky salute and a slight bow added; “Why art thou afraid of the enemy? His threats are only a lot of hot air. If our Higher King would so chose he could send them away with a blast.”
ll Kings 6:17 and Chapters 18- 19.
www.audio-bible.com/bible/bible.htm
Books by Marilyn Friesen are available on line: bookstore.iuniverse.com/ - United States
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