By the Sword - By Sara Flower Page 0,75

Malinorians. Tanel liked the idea. They would have much more advantage over their enemy by fighting them from above.

Tanel nearly tripped over something. It was a quiver full of arrows lying beside a fallen archer. He snatched it up with his free hand and made his way up the hill.

The giants stood at the base of the hill as a barrier. The large men moved aside so that Chrissa, Endil, and Tanel could get through.

Tanel shrugged off his empty quiver and strapped on the new one just as the Malinorians began to fight their way up the hill. The giants did their best to keep the enemy at bay, but several enemy soldiers still streamed through.

As fast as his arms would allow him, Tanel shot a fresh round of arrows at his enemies. It helped, but every time a man was shot down, another ran up in his place.

Once again, they were surrounded by the entirety of the imperial army. Chrissa and Endil stood in front of him, while Pori and Timlin stood on either side of him. His friends blocked and stabbed at their foes, sending them tumbling down the hill. Tanel took down as many men as he could with his blade once his arrows had run out again.

It was the best position that they could be in under the circumstances, but that was hardly saying much. They needed another miracle soon.

Tanel glanced up at the sky.

Lord, we have come so far. Please, help us.

*****

General Edandir groaned as he was shaken back to consciousness. It took a while for his vision to focus. Several Malinorian palace guards encircled him. Ittonifer stood close by glaring at him.

Edandir’s head thundered in pain, and he longed for Seline’s bitter tea.

“Get up, Edandir. Your execution awaits,” said Ittonifer.

General Edandir got up, still lightheaded. He had never felt so groggy in all his life. One of the guards tied Edandir’s hands behind his back.

“Move!” shouted Ittonifer.

Edandir and Jalarn followed the guards out of the castle and toward the field where the battle raged. What remained of Sanctus’ army was on a hill. They were fighting off thousands of oncoming Malinorians.

Edandir’s anger suddenly overshadowed his fatigue. He should have been out there helping them. Now, he was a helpless prisoner of Ittonifer – about to be decapitated.

At least my daughter is out of harm’s way now.

“Will Talya be all right?” asked Jalarn.

Edandir had a difficult time believing that it was Ittonifer’s nephew asking him that question. The deep concern in the lad’s eyes was genuine.

“I believe that she will live. She has to. I took her back to camp and the doctor is helping her now. She risked a lot for you.”

“I know.”

“Good. Now, let’s settle the matter of your eternity. It looks like we might be entering it sooner rather than later.”

Jalarn looked downward. His shoulders slumped.

“You fear death?”

“I am not afraid of anything! I just know that God will never forgive me after all that I have done to His people. I don’t think I can even forgive myself.”

“Jalarn,” Edandir lowered his voice so that Ittonifer couldn’t overhear, “you saved Talya’s life. You turned against a wicked empire. You are not the same person that you used to be. I can see now that you regret what you did. God will forgive you if you ask.”

Jalarn stared at him with an odd expression. It was definitely a conversation that neither one of them would have imagined they would have.

“But it can’t be enough to wipe out what I have done. You know very well how many innocent, good people I have killed. He doesn’t want me.”

“The only one that can wipe out your sins is Jesus. He rose from the dead after He died for everyone’s sins and then overcame the devil. There is nothing that you could have done that He will not forgive. He had to die for us, because not one person could ever go to God’s Kingdom by his own righteousness. I was just as much of a sinner as you were.”

“Talya said the same—”

“Enough!” shouted Ittonifer.

He walked over and slammed his elbow into Jalarn’s stomach. Jalarn flinched, but resumed the straight, rigid posture of a respected general.

“Your delightful little conversation is over, gentlemen,” Ittonifer sneered.

He moved between them.

*****

Thick black storm clouds loomed above as a lightning bolt crashed down close to the battle. Rain poured down in succession. It was as though the weather was mocking them.

Tanel’s arms had grown weary of the constant stabbing and slashing.

“Don’t