By the Sword Page 12

  Her eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and she searched for even the slightest hint of human civilization.

  The night was calm and quiet.

  Just like the evening when I killed Waltez.

  The memory of his face just before she had impaled him with her sword flashed through her mind. She tried in vain to forget about it. The eerie stillness only made her think of it more. If Talya did not know better, she would have thought that Waltez had regretted burning down that village.

  Suddenly, a bunch of leaves and branches rained down on her.

  What is going on?

  Chapter Eleven

  Chrissa closed her eyes. She wished that she could just disappear. She opened them again and wanted to cry. One of her handmaidens curled the last few strands of her ebony hair.

  Chrissa could barely breathe in the overly tight black corset gown that she wore. Another one of her servants placed the long, matching lace veil over her head.

  “You look so beautiful, my lady. Naeshi will be so proud to have you as his bride,” breathed one of the girls.

  Chrissa took a deep breath. It was the most depressing day of her life.

  “I think I’m going to be ill,” she said.

  “Don’t say such a thing,” said her eldest handmaid. “You can’t let anything spoil your beauty today. Have a glass of water to settle down.”

  “I need a moment alone,” said Chrissa.

  The girls stared at her for a moment before finally leaving her in peace. Chrissa fought to hold back the tears that had threatened to fall all morning. She just wanted to die.

  Die, or become someone else.

  A soft, cool breeze streamed into the heavily fragranced room. Chrissa went to the open window and took in more of the fresh air. It would be the last time that she would be able to enjoy the view of the grounds surrounding the barracks where she could watch the army march and train.

  She and Naeshi would live in the west wing of the castle. Chrissa would spend the majority of her days there, unless her husband allowed her to leave the room.

  Husband?

  Chrissa shuddered. She closed her eyes again, imagining that she was in a different place and time, where she could live the way she wanted to.

  Like that enemy female knight that saved me from Naeshi.

  Suddenly, a sharp cackle from just outside startled her out of the daydream. A blackbird had landed on the ledge of Chrissa’s window. Once she moved, the bird flew away and disappeared into the trees.

  A free soul.

  With a sigh, Chrissa turned away from her window and walked toward the door. She was getting married today and here she was fantasizing of things that would never happen for her.

  Then, her heart raced as an idea formed in her mind.

  *****

  An impossibly tall young man stood several feet away from Talya. He looked to be around her age. He had probably been watching her from up high in a tree before jumping down.

  He has to be at least twelve feet tall.

  The giant glared down at her.

  Talya realized that even with her sword she would not be able to take on a giant by herself. She decided it would be best to initiate the conversation before he crushed her.

  “I apologize for intruding,” she said as politely as she could, “but I come to you in peace.”

  The giant scoffed.

  Talya swallowed nervously. What a ridiculous thing for her to say.

  “I’ve been sent to speak with you.”

  The large young man just frowned at her. The thick bushes behind him rustled, and he was joined by another equally tall, but much older man. He had long white hair with a matching beard.

  Talya’s heart drummed against her ribcage.

  “What is it that you want, child?” he asked.

  “I just want to speak with you before the Malinorians do.”

  The two giants exchanged glances.

  “Malinorians? Here?” asked the young one.

  “We have not dealt with your kind for many years,” said the oldest one.

  “It was very foolish of you to come here,” said the younger one.

  “I didn’t come of my own accord. God sent me here.”

  “God?” spat the younger giant. “He doesn’t live in this part of the world.”

  There was more pain in that statement than anger.

  Talya bit her lower lip.

  And to think that I nearly said no to this mission. Who else would have told these people about God?

  “You need to go,” said another giant from behind her.

  Talya turned to see an even larger giant with a long, black beard. He held a long spear in his left hand. Talya watched it carefully as he toyed with it.

  The Pegasus pawed the earth nervously. Talya hoped that the mare wouldn’t fly away without her.

  “Easy, girl,” Talya cooed.

  The mare snorted and nibbled on a patch of grass.

  Good, at least she is occupied for the time being.

  “God wants you to know that He has not forgotten you,” said Talya.

  “These are pretty big claims,” said the bearded giant. “What makes you so special that God would choose you to come here?”

  “Um…”

  “Wait,” said the younger one after a moment. “We might as well hear the small one out since she came all this way to deliver this divine message.”

  All three of them laughed.

  The conversation was not going well.

  “Please, I’ll just say my peace, and then I will leave you be,” she said.

  “Speak it and be gone,” the old one said.

  “Our nation, Sanctus, the last God-serving nation on the continent, is going to war with the Malinorian Empire. They have defeated Cardamon – our last ally. I wanted to go with my country and fight for our freedom, but I was sent here instead.”

  “So you want to use us to fight these monsters. Is that it?” asked the youngest one.

  “First they ostracize us. Then they expect us to risk our lives for them,” sneered the largest one.

  Talya didn’t know what to say. Diplomatic discussions were not her thing.

  “Tell them about Me, Talya. Show them the scroll. Show them Jesus.”

  Talya shut her eyes, cringing at how much of a fool she was. God showed her an image. It was of Jesus, the Christ. He was hanging on the cross. He was humiliated, battered, and alone, yet He loved His enemies so much that He had begged God for their forgiveness. That was Love.

  Talya’s heart had been so consumed with violence and hate that she had forgotten about the most important reason why everyone was on the earth – including her. God wanted a relationship with every person He had created.

  She opened her eyes. Instead of imposingly large men, she saw torn, shattered hearts needing the same Savior that she had so selfishly kept to herself for many years.

  Swallowing, she pulled out the scroll, whose Scriptures she had read many times before, and handed it to the eldest man.

  “Men of Hunter Forest, do you know that God’s Son died for your sins?”

  “What foolishness are you saying?” asked the eldest.

  “Please, let me tell you the whole story.”

  “We don’t have time to listen to children’s tales,” scoffed the bearded one.

  Talya suddenly remembered the ring from her pocket. She dug it out and then showed it to them.

  “The prophet who sent me asked me to give this to you.”

  The youngest crossed his arms, while the oldest one’s eyes widened.

  “Let me see that!” he said.

  His thick fingers snatched it from her hand.

  “Where did you get this from?” he asked.

  “From Uittan. He is a prophet of God.”

  “Uittan,” said the youngest. “Is that the same man you knew as a boy, Grandfather?”

  “Yes. He was the only kind person outside of this forest that I have ever met. We were friends as lad
s. Please, child, go on with your story. If Uittan believes this, then there may be something to it.”

  Talya started from the beginning.

  “Jesus was with God at creation. He is God’s Son, you see. He came down from Heaven in the form of a human being to dwell among us as a blameless man. He was here solely so that He could die for our sins. All we need to do is ask Him to forgive us for our sins and He will.”

  The eldest giant extended his hand.

  “May I see your scroll, child?”

  “Yes, of course. You can keep it.”

  “Go on,” said the youngest. “How did this Jesus die?”

  “He was nailed to a cross after being brutally whipped. He was wounded for our transgressions. Bruised for our iniquities. But He loved us still. He made Himself sin on that cross so that anyone could be forgiven. And He lives.”

  “He lives? How could that be?” asked the bearded one.

  “On the third day, He arose from the dead. He is back in Heaven now. He is waiting for you to accept Him into your hearts so that you can dwell with Him for all eternity.”

  “Sounds too good to be true,” said the young one.

  “Quiet,” said the oldest of the three.

  He bent down on his knees to look at Talya from a more equal height. His eyes glistened with revelation.

  “Thank you for risking your life to come here. I have heard the story of Jesus dying before, but not like this. I did not know why He died,” he said.

  *****

  Mounted on the swiftest firedrake in Sanctus, Uittan rode to Hunter Forest. He had prayed fervently that Talya would complete her task. He had faith in her. She was still so young and headstrong, but so were the many others that God called.

  The thick forest, lit only by the half-moon’s light, came into view. Once he was at the center of the forest, he steered his dragon down. They landed on the forest floor.

  Uittan saw ten giants, and Talya was standing among them.

  He smiled. She had come through, after all.

  Thank the Lord.

  Talya saw him and ran over.

  “Uittan! All of the giants have accepted Jesus.”

  “Praise God!” Uittan cried.

  He got off of his steed and walked over to the formidable men. When he saw the eldest giant, he rushed over to him. They embraced.

  “Saclam, it has been too many years!”

  “Uittan, the young girl that you have sent to us has shown us the truth. Thank you.”

  “I am so happy to hear of it, old friend,” said Uittan. “We were both blind those many years ago. Now, here we are many years later, and we are both children of God.”

  “I am forever grateful that the Lord took mercy on this old fool,” said Saclam.

  Saclam turned to face Talya.

  “And I also need to thank this dear young one again. She did not back down when we asked her to leave.”

  “I am delighted that all of you are believers now.”

  “Talya gave us some background information on the upcoming battle. My men and I want to march with Sanctus and help them conquer those Malinorians,” nodded Saclam.

  “I will gladly give my life for the last God-serving nation!” said another giant.

  “This will mean a lot to the general. I will take you to him. Talya, you are to stay here for the second part of your mission,” said Uittan.

  This time she did not scowl or protest. Talya only nodded. She had changed a lot already.

  Uittan laid his hand on her shoulder.

  “Your task has just begun. Remember that God is with you no matter how high, far, or deep you go. The devil will try to tempt you to go off course. Be not deceived by what you see or hear. Trust God. He will protect you.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Uittan presented something wrapped in leather to her.

  Her eyes widened as she unveiled her weapon.

  “My sword! Thank you. But I don’t think I will need this now.”

  “Sometimes, a sword is needed. It is not the weapon that is dangerous, but the person using it. Ask God to give you the wisdom to know when, or if, you should use it,” he said.

  “I just don’t trust myself with it.”

  “That is why you must take it now. Put your faith in God, and He will give you the strength and wisdom to know what to do.”

  “Well, thank you. I am going to try.”

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

  “You knew my mother?”

  “Oh yes. Very well.”

  “But my father never let on that he knew you before.”

  “We did not meet until the queen brought me back here a couple of days ago. I knew your mother as a girl.”

  “Why did you not tell me until now?”

  “I wanted to see what sort of person you were first.”

  “Oh.”

  “Your mother had been very involved in the ministry, especially before you were born. She was one of my theology students at the university in Cardamon when she was around your age. In fact, she was quite a bit like you.”

  “Really?”

  Uittan smiled at the memory of Anstalla. She had been one of his most dedicated pupils – always ready to go wherever God needed her. He would forever miss her soft smile and her love for lost souls.

  “You may have your father’s ability with the sword, but you have your mother’s passion for life.”

  Talya blinked back tears.

  “Thank you for the kind words,” she said.

  “When passion is directed correctly, God can move in your life.”

  Talya nodded.

  “Thank you for showing me that,” she said.

  “Thank the Lord, child. I am only an old messenger.”

  Talya smiled and walked back over to the giants to say good-bye.

  Saclam gave the scroll back to her and then led the tall men out of the forest.

  Uittan mounted his dragon to join them. Before leaving, he looked back at Talya. She was staring at the stars.

  “I am leaving now to go with the giants,” said Uittan.

  “All right. I will see you after all of this, Uittan. And tell my father and Tanel that I miss them.”

  “God be with you, Talya. Remember what I told you. Do not be deceived.”

  *****

  Jalarn could sense that she was in the forest. The feeling had intensified after he had finished his dinner. He left his men to their jokes and games, and started through the dark forest in search of her. That sword maiden was most likely there to sway the giants’ allegiance before he got to them – the fool. It would be the last time that she would get in his way. She would not escape him here.

  “Show me where she is, lord. I will not fail to kill her for you this time.”

  Jalarn’s eyes had adjusted to the dimly lit woods. He would find her soon. He would not sleep until her blood soaked the ground and the giants were under his control.

  He came to a clearing.

  No sign of her.

  Jalarn backed up and went the other way. He found one set of human tracks. They were definitely not a giant’s. It had to be her footprints – they matched someone of her height and build. He followed them, listening carefully.

  He was a little surprised that she was by herself. No one would choose to enter that place alone unless she was crazy. Why had she come to Hunter Forest to sway the giants on her own? She was asking for death being in the same forest that he was. Like a hungry predator stalking his prey, Jalarn knew that he would soon kill her, and once he did, he could finally forget about her.

  *****

  The moonlight highlighted the lion emblem on Jalarn’s breastplate. His slow, even footsteps barely made a sound. Talya crouched in the bushes, waiting for him to come closer. She gripped the hilt of her sword, holding her breath.

  The moment has come. God must want me to kill Jalarn or He never would have brought him to me at this moment. The world will soon be rid of another senseless
killer and Malinor will have no general to lead them.

  Jalarn passed by her hiding place. Then, he stopped.

  “You can come out of those bushes now,” he said without turning around.

  Annoyance surged through her. How in the world did he know that she was there?

  Magic.

  Talya leaped out of the brush and then yanked her sword out of its sheath.

  Jalarn slowly turned.

  Dressed in the usual Malinorian black armor and battle mask, only his glaring eyes showed any hint of humanity. He unsheathed his sword and took a step forward.

  He eyed her for a moment.

  Strange. Why is he just standing there?

  Talya suddenly felt very self-conscious.

  “You’re not in armor,” he said.

  Then, he ran at her.

  The forceful clang of their swords pierced the crisp night air. She attacked him with a series of thrashes. He blocked them all, but he had no opportunity to use a single counter attack.

  “You’ve improved since our last duel,” he said.

  “It was far easier for you to beat me back when I had been fighting other warriors for hours on end!”

  “Good,” he said. “I did not neglect the rest of my dinner for an easy kill.”

  Kill? That’s what you think.

  He swung his sword toward her. She leaped out of the way, spun around, and placed a high kick into his chest. He stumbled backward.

  Jalarn came at her with a powerful round of swings. It took all of her strength to block them. His intensity had increased. They fought back and forth for several minutes.

  Some of the bushes around them began to rustle.

  Talya’s pulse raced.

  Is it more Malinorians?

  Three large millipede-like insects scurried out and rushed between Talya and Jalarn. He severed one of them with his sword. The other two disappeared into the darkness.

  Talya breathed a sigh of relief. It could have been much worse.

  Jalarn stalked toward her again.

  Talya blocked his swing.

  “Just so you know, I have already spoken with the giants,” she said.

  “You lie.”

  Their swords collided. She dodged to the left and grazed his upper arm.

  He cursed.

  “They are on their way to join my army right now. So, it looks like you wasted a trip.”