The Prophet and The Phoenix.

Nephelous, the high priest and prophet of the town of Wrethmire, sat on a boulder in an orange grove with an open canopy. He read from his small Bible silently with a broad smile.

…and let birds fly above the Earth in the open expanse of the heavens.

The prophet closed his Bible then closed his eyes and lifted his head to the warmth of the sun. He sighed and his shoulders rose then fell.

He heard flapping wings and opened his eyes and before him a large golden colored bird had perched on a fallen log. “Greetings, prophet of the Most High God,’ said the bird.

“Ah, my old friend Grithin. Good morning. How are things in the realm of Ethenar?”

Grithin ruffled his feathers that shone in the sunlight. “Alas, civil war still rages in my homeland.”

Nephelous shook his head slowly then ran his palm down his face. “That saddens me.” Nephelous stood and approached Grithin. His eyes teared. Nephelous stroked the right wing of the mournful phoenix.

“But I have good news great bird. I have sought the Lord on the matter diligently for some time and He has told me an end to the war between griffins and phoenixes is nigh.”

Grithin’s eyes widened, and he wiped his tears with his wing. “Truly! When! How!”

“I am not sure of the details. But I know all will be reveled soon,” said Nephelous.

“How I long for that day!” said Grithin. “…to see our two races come together in peace.” Grithin took a deep breath and stretched his wings. “well, I must be going. I must tend to my companion and my younglings.”

Grithin looked skyward to take flight back

to his home when Nephelous froze with an open mouth and wide eyes. Grithin hesitated at the strange state of Nephelous as he suddenly came to his normal self.

“What happened Nephelous? It is like you were in a trance.”

Nephelous looked down and grabbed his head without answering.

“Come to your senses prophet!!” said Grithin.

“I had…a vison of the future.”

Grithin hopped of the log with a glisten in his eyes. “Did the vision speak of the end of the war?”

Nephelous paused. “It did.”

“Then that is splendid! Why are you sad?” said Grithin.

“It is best I do not tell you the vision.” Nephelous turned away and covered his face. “Come walk with me through the woods to my personal hut. I will explain everything.”

Grithin nodded and fell in step behind his human friend. They entered the shade of the forest as Nephelous looked down with his hands clasped behind him.

“Do you recall the first time we met Grithin?”

“Indeed. You had made your sixth year as a priest.”

Nephelous chuckled. “I was quite scared of you but curious as well.”

A gust of wind blew the prophet’s robe and the phoenix’s feathers. The smell of pinecones mixed with the sweet, heady rose bushes.

“I was shocked when you spoke,” said Nephelous.

“You should not have gone to the borders of Ethenar.”

There was silence for five minutes.

“Nephelous, tell me your vision. Why are you apprehensive?”

Nephelous stopped walking. “The war will be over within a year. But it will come with a price.”

“Please tell me. I can take it,” said Grithin.

“Both griffins and phoenixes will have to suffer the loss of life-and very precious ones as well.”

“A death? Who’s?” asked Grithin.

“It will take two deaths-one from each side; The king of the griffins and the king of the phoenixes must die.”

King Pergemus! He is the oldest and wisest of all phoenixes! He is like a father to us.”

“There is more. God has decided to forever separate griffins and phoenixes from men. Just as the cherub who wields the sword of fire to guard the way to the garden of Eden, a cherub will guard the way to Ethenar.”

“Then our friendship will cease someday. Pergemus’s death and the end my friendship with you will bring me great sorrow,” said Grithin.

“It will grieve me too. But God is sovereign and just. He has His reasons.”

Grithin sighed. “Let us treasure the time we have left.”

“Indeed. There is my hut. A strange tiredness overtakes me. I must rest. When the day of peace comes to Ethenar, remember it is God who orchestrates everything.”