By the Sword - By Sara Flower Page 0,79
had lost one of His beloved. The weeping didn’t stop.
The extent of what Jalarn had turned his back on hit him like a massive wave. This time, a loving voice whispered to him. Its closeness made him shake.
“Oh, how I love you so, Jalarn.”
The holy presence left him faster than a whiplash. Jalarn was alone.
“I’m so, so very sorry.”
The hopelessness of eternal death began to encircle him.
Jalarn covered his face as he wept, trapped in his self-appointed everlasting prison.
The demon at Jalarn’s side cackled, digging his claws deeper into Jalarn’s arm.
No, no, no!
*****
The earth tremors had ceased. The Malinorians regrouped and charged back toward what remained of Sanctus’ army.
The former magicians, protected by the large crack in the earth, continued to shout out Scriptures from The Great Scroll. It was clearer than ever that God’s power was far stronger than the devil’s magic. It was the reassurance that Edandir’s people needed.
Edandir fought his way through ten more Malinorians and then caught a glimpse of Ittonifer. The man was stalking toward Tanel, whose back was turned. He was fending off two enemies with his sword. The young archer would not have a chance against a third swordsman, let alone an expert one.
Edandir raced toward Tanel until a heavyset Malinorian blocked his path.
“Tanel, look out behind you!” Edandir yelled.
Tanel spun around and blocked Ittonifer’s powerful strike.
“Lord, protect him.”
Edandir focused his attention back to finishing off the large Malinorian in front of him.
A dragon screeched from above the raging battle. Edandir squinted to make out who the two riders were. Uittan and Roselyn.
What is she doing here?
Edandir jabbed his enemy in the belly, sending him backward into the mud. He glanced back over to where Tanel and Ittonifer had been. Tanel was nowhere to be seen, but Ittonifer was on his way toward the place where Uittan and Roselyn had landed.
It had been many years since she had seen him, but Roselyn knew that it was he coming for her. She recognized his solid form and determined walk even in the thick mist. She had hoped that this day would never come, but it had.
Ittonifer was going to kill her.
She looked desperately at Uittan.
“Are we just going to stand here?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“But we are unarmed! He will kill us.”
She knew that he would. Killing was what Ittonifer did best. And there was nothing that he hated more than a traitor.
Ittonifer was still several paces away, but his booming voice rattled her.
“Roselyn!” called Ittonifer.
Roselyn cowered behind Uittan. She thought that she had finally overcome the fear that plagued her for so long, but she had been wrong.
“Do you honestly think that old man is going to protect you?”
The prophet took a step toward Ittonifer.
“Not by my own power, but by God’s.”
Ittonifer laughed hollowly.
“There is nothing that He can do that my lord’s power cannot do.”
“You are very wrong.”
Ittonifer glared menacingly at Roselyn. She backed up more, getting closer to the deep trench, while Uittan stepped forward still.
“Trust in Me, daughter.”
But no one has ever hurt me in the way that Ittonifer has. Now he is here to kill me.
From across the depression in the earth, several cloaked men were shouting something. It sounded very familiar.
“A thousand shall fall at thy side and ten thousand at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee.”
Roselyn had heard that verse from the Great Scroll many times, but its revelation hit her like a tidal wave as God spoke gently to her spirit.
“Believe that I will deliver you. Trust in My strength, not in your own. Fear not.”
Roselyn took a deep breath and then slowly took her place beside Uittan.
She faced her adversary as a strong queen should, ignoring her trembling legs. Along with the men, she began to quote the very same Scripture that the giant-slaying king of old had written of the Lord.
Uittan, who had been silently praying up until that point, joined in and shouted with a loud voice. If God had saved them from the wolves, surely He would protect them from the wicked ruler.
Ittonifer broke into a sprint, but the ground trembled and the air filled with the sound of drums and horns. Ittonifer stopped in his tracks and faced the direction of the noise.
It was the first time that Roselyn had seen him ignore an easy kill like that. She squinted and stared at the horizon. It was another army, but they were wearing green capes. Her heart raced.
“It’s Chira! They have come to help us!” she cried.
Ittonifer yelled in