pointed out the smithy and the guardhouse, where they kept their weapons. He showed her Jonas’ cottage in the distance and smiled gentle greetings to every villager they passed on the way. Finally, he stopped and pointed to a church at the top of a low hill dotted with grass. Its steeple rose up high with a cross on top that pierced the clouds.
They climbed the rock and dust encrusted hill and entered the church. The instant Willow stepped inside she felt a bit cooler and wondered how it was possible. Was it the high ceiling and two giant fans swinging back and forth over their heads that felt so refreshing?
Unlike the church in Theshwar, there were no lit candles dancing along the walls. There were rows of chairs and an isle that led to the podium.
Caleb led her to a chair and then sat beside her.
“It’s very peaceful here,” she remarked softly.
“Yes. I like it like this,” Caleb whispered back. “But I like it when it’s full too.”
“When is it full?”
“Sundays, holy days, weddings, funerals.”
Their whispers echoed in the empty church and drew the attention of a man in another room off to the side beyond the podium. He stepped forward.
“Caleb?”
“Pastor Joseph.” Caleb hurried out of his seat and up the four steps to the podium and the old man’s side. “I didn’t see you yesterday when we were handing out food. Did you get your share?”
“Yes. Yes,” the pastor laughed and patted Caleb on the arm then looked him in the eyes. “Did you find what you were after then?”
Caleb looked at Willow and smiled. “Yes.” He led the pastor to Willow and introduced her. This is Princess Willomenia Odare, Baltrasard’s daughter.”
Pastor Joseph gave Caleb a scowl. “I don’t condone ransom, son.”
“Nor do I, Pastor.” He explained everything to the pastor, who studied both of them intently.
“We have a conundrum,” the pastor said.
“We have many,” Caleb agreed.
“You love Baltrasard’s daughter,” Pastor Joseph guessed correctly.
“Yes,” Caleb confessed, and took her hand.
The pastor set his dark brown eyes on Willow. “And you love Caleb.”
“Yes,” she admitted shyly.
Caleb brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. Somehow, it reassured her. He would make certain everything went as painlessly as possible and if she needed healing when this was over, Caleb would know what to do.
Who was it who designed this plan for Predaria’s demise? Had Caleb’s god seen what her father was going to do so he raised up a man called Caleb to save the land before it became part of the Desert Countries? When she thought about all Caleb had done for everyone, she knew his god’s favor was upon him.
“We should pray,” Pastor Joseph advised and sat in a chair in front of them.
“What do I do?” she asked either of them.
“Just speak to Him,” Caleb told her. “Ask Him if He’s real and to reveal Himself to you.”
“All right then.” She remembered that when Caleb prayed, he closed his eyes and sometimes held his hands together. So that’s what she did. “Greetings, God. My name is—”
“My dear,” said the old pastor. “No need to speak out loud. Our Lord can hear our thoughts. If you feel led to speak in your voice to Him, do it softly. What you pray about is between you and Your heavenly Father.”
She smiled and closed her eyes again. This time, she spoke in her thoughts. Greetings, God. I’m Willow. I’m not going to lie, You intimidate me, so is it all right if I speak to Your Son while You sit in?
Caleb is a good man. If that’s because of You, You must indeed be good. I wanted to ask if You could help us? We have many battles to see fought and I don’t know if I’m good at that sort of thing. Am I strong enough for this life? Will I hurt him?
She heard Caleb finish his prayer and whisper something to the Lord about rain.
“We ask in Your Son’s name,” said Pastor Joseph. “Amen.”
“Amen.”
“Amen,” she echoed, not knowing what it meant.
“I want to show Willow the fields, Pastor,” Caleb explained when he rose from his chair, cutting short their visit.
“Of course,” Pastor Joseph laughed. “I thought you’d taken her there first.”
“No,” Caleb told him and pointed up. “He’s always first.”
He grasped Willow by the hand and tugged her out of the church. She called farewell to Pastor Joseph and promised to see him again.
“Come,” he bid her as they pushed open the church doors. “It’s just over