True Friendship

King Baron stood atop the highest tower of Castle Cromious. He looked across the wilderness to another castle.

“The castle of the of Wrethmire-and its king, Lord Varian. It’s been two decades, but it seems days we were friends. If only you abandoned the false deities and embrace the Son of God.”

Baron sighed. He turned and went down a spiraling staircase to a vaulted antechamber. A muscular man with a breastplate and a cloak appeared. “My Lord, we have pushed back Varian’s army into the forest”

“General Brawn, I don’t want any more deaths even if it is our enemy’s soldiers. Send another peace envoy.”

“But Lord, the last time we sent one, it was destroyed.”

“This time we pray fervently. I could vanquish Varian’s forces. I prefer they accept the gift of salvation.”

“Yes, my Lord.” General Brawn bowed and turned but King Baron grabbed his shoulder and looked into Brawn’s eyes. “This time I will go too.”

“Lord Baron, that would be unwise.”

“With myself and others’ prayers I have confidence.”

Baron walked away from Brawn and headed to the castle gates. They were opened and Baron exited the citadel. He saw a servant.

“Servant, I want you to alert the whole kingdom to hold a prayer vigil for me and the envoy going to Wrethmire. Tell the people to give supplication to God.”

“Yes, Lord,” said the servant as he ran off to inform more servants.

Soon, the servant approached Baron. “It is done.”

At midday and Baron prayed along with his subjects. He did so until night in his chambers. When he ceased, he laid on his bed and fell asleep.

Baron awoke at the sound of a rooster. He swung out of bed and put on his royal attire. Last of all he put on his crown. He left his room and saw the general in the antechamber and Baron approached him. “How soon can you organize an envoy?”

“Within the hour, Lord.”

“General Brawn did you pray, as I ordered?”

“I did.”

“For how long?”

Brawn looked down and folded his hands. “An hour, Lord.”

“I would have loved it if you had prayed longer.”

“Of course, my Lord.”

Baron nodded and once again he exited the castle to await the envoy into the forest. Twenty minutes later, he saw Brawn lead a procession of soldiers. They all walked down steps from the broad fenced courtyard and neared the royal stables where a carriage was.

Once inside the carriage, King Baron was brought through the kingdom city and into the wilderness.

Soon they saw something peculiar. A small thatch hut sat on a hill with a trail leading up to the hut. Baron ordered the carriage to halt, and he stepped out.

King Baron ascended the trail and came to the wooden door of the hut and knocked.

An old man in a black sackcloth cloak opened up. “Ah, you must be a king from your attire.”

“I am king Baron from the kingdom of Cromious. It is odd that you do not know who I am.”

“I have lived in his hut for over three decades.”

“And you have never seen the warfare between me and Wrethmire?”

“My name is, Therin. I am a priest of the most high God. His Spirit has hidden my hut from hostile forces.”

“My kingdom has long since converted to the God of the Bible,” said Baron. “We are headed to the forest.”

“I hear that place is haunted by ghosts and evil beasts.”

“I did not know,” said Baron.

“I believe I was meant to pray for you.”

Baron smiled. “I would be grateful.”

Baron bowed his head and Therin spoke a prayer of protection for him.

“Thank you, sir. I accept this with gratitude.”

Once inside the carriage, Baron and the envoy went on. Soon they entered the forest. Immediately, an ominous, foreboding feeling came over Baron. He clutched the seat cushion.

“I don’t like this place,” said General Brawn.

“I just saw something hide behind that tree!” said a soldier.

Everyone looked at the tree. A moaning from behind the tree. Then a transparent ghoul-like figure hovered into sight. “Leave this place, human.”

Suddenly, a bright light flashed and a shining being in white robes appeared. The being took out a flaming sword and pierced the specter through and it shriveled into a mound of black tar.

The shining being vanished.

The soldiers were white with fear.

“We must move on,” said Baron.

“What just happened!” said the same soldier.

The envoy went on until they came upon dead soldiers.

“Look at those scratch marks on them,” said General Brawn said. “An evil beast must have killed them.”

“God is with us.”

A soldier came from behind a tree and drew his sword. More came from behind trees and large shrubs. The envoy was surrounded.

King Varian himself walked to the chariot. “The gods have delivered you to us.”

“Where is the rest of your army?” asked Brawn.

“A manticore slayed most of them.” Varian looked down. “Have you met any of the hostile beings here?”

“The God you rejected has helped us.”

“In any case, you are mine…”old friend.” Varian pulled out a dagger and went closer to the chariot.

Baron walked right up to Varian and ripped open his shirt. “Kill me then.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“We were friends once and I sorely miss you.” Baron began to cry. “If you truly hate me, then take my life.”

Varian looked at Baron and then at his dagger. Varian stepped away and eyed Baron up and down. “You have blasphemed the gods.”

“Have I? Look into my eyes! I know you can see the love and peace in them. Have the gods given that?”

Varian veered into Baron’s eyes, then he dropped the dagger. “I believe you. You went so far as to put your life in danger.”

“In love and war, you sometimes have to go for broke.