Seal of the King (2 page)

He absentmindedly put the bowl down as the dog ate steadily. Then he made his way to the rear door. The back porch was
just large enough to escape the rain, and clean your boots before coming inside. Standing there he had a clear view, and off in the distance he could see lights dancing in the trees.  Standing there, he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end, and a tingling sensation that began to run through him like static electricity. Something was going on, and he knew it couldn’t wait until morning.

He made his way back inside, “Rusty, you stay here I’ll be back in a while.” He said to the dog who, was contentedly eating. It occurred to him that it was a bit strange that Rusty didn’t seem to notice. The dog
knew if a squirrel was in the garden while he slept, and yet, he seemed entirely unaware anything was out of the ordinary.

He headed to the door grabbing his coat
and keys. In moments he was back in the Jeep, (the 4 wheel drive was a necessity on this property), and he headed out on the dirt road leading in the direction of the disturbance. The road was rough so he couldn’t go too fast, but he was feeling a strange sense of urgency.

Unexpectedly his thoughts turned to her. It was many years ago, she was leading a team of men in the woods. She moved through the dense forest effortlessly while the others strained to keep up. They emerged from the forest
and intercepted a group of enemy soldiers, with her in the lead. The fighting was fierce, and she was a blur of motion. A huge soldier was bearing down on her, while, at the same time, one of her team members was in trouble. With a look of complete calm, she sent an arrow to the defense of her compatriot first, leaving her only seconds to ward off her own attacker. Dispatching him with ease, she raced off to the aid of another of her fellows.

David, heading into the unknown thinking of her, her strength, her courage, smiled.

***

She knew the soldiers were gaining on her, despite her grueling pace. She had led them to an area that was too rugged for them to take advantage of their horses, and they were pursuing her on foot now. Her strength was waning while the soldiers, having had the benefit of riding to catch up with her, where undaunted. The gorge was still far off, and at this rate they would overtake her before she got there. Her legs strained managing the difficult terrain. But she was not one to panic and as long as her heart beat she had hope, but her hope was fading.

A memory of him floated to the surface. He couldn’t have been more than ten or twelve years old. He found the calf injured, its leg stuck between two rocks. The area was remote
, and it was near dusk. Freeing it, he tried to help it walk. The calf fell to the ground, so he picked it up. He struggled desperately to manage its weight. By the time he arrived back at the farm, it was pitch black. The frantic look of worry on his parent’s faces, as he collapsed from the exertion, turned to joy at his smile of reassurance. He would never give up, and neither would she.

When she heard
the whistle of the first arrow, it sent a chill through her. She knew better than to look back. She needed to focus on where she was going. A single misstep and they would have her. Even as tired as she was, her adrenalin kicked in. It gave her a small surge in her stride, but she still had a long way to go. Suddenly to her left, a massive flaming ball shattered a dying tree sending sparks and debris flying. The acrid smell of the burning oil filled her nostrils. Her eyes stung slightly from the heat and ash. She dodged to her right just in time to avoid a few arrows. She quickly scanned the area looking for anything that would give her an advantage, but she was exposed. There were some rock formations off to her left, but they were too far, and the lateral move would give them too much time to catch up with her. The reality of her situation hit her hard, could this truly be the end for her? Unable to spare the breath to speak she called out in her heart, and mind, dear Lord save me!

***

He had gone as far as the road would take him. He would have to make the rest of the way on foot. The moon was out, so he had enough light to see. He had covered every inch of this ground countless times day and night, so the limited light didn’t bother him. The crisp night air seemed to echo his senses. They were as sharp as could be. Every sight and sound caught his attention. He was moving through the woods as fast as he could, his sense of urgency rising. He knew he was getting close when he heard something.

The sounds were muffled like listening through water. It was the sounds of voices, the muted cries of an excited mob. As he moved towards a clearing he knew well, the sight before him took his breath away. What should have been a peaceful meadow was now a barren stretch of land filled with smoke. Small fires burned trees that were smashed
, and splintered into kindling. A horde of men were making their way up the rise, brandishing swords, axes, spears, and bows. Shouting, and screaming, their unkempt hair, and beards gave them a barbaric appearance. Wearing dark cloaks, and a variety of leather or chain mail armor; they were a fearsome sight to behold.

Out ahead of them, their quarry moved gracefully through the difficult terrain. Her long legs dancing around obstacles as she evaded their arrows. Her dark hair floated off her shoulders whipping to
, and fro with each of her evasive moves. She never looked back, but was always one step ahead of their attacks. In an instant, he knew who it was.

For a split second
, he drank in her grace, and beauty. She was strong, and agile, and moved with an assuredness that was mesmerizing. She was not afraid, at least fifty men were clambering along behind her, and she showed no signs of panic. The small pack on her back, a bow, and quiver of arrows, held fast against her slim yet muscular frame. She wore dark leather and tall boots that fit well, and moved easily with her. His glimpses of her had always been fleeting. To see her like this was like finding water in the desert.

At once
, he was filled with so many emotions he couldn’t move. The overwhelming joy at seeing her made him want to cry out. Then the terror of her predicament sent a wave of fear through him. There she was, all alone, trying to outrun death. He was barely able to breathe as a tear ran down his cheek, his heart breaking at the prospect of what was going to happen to her. With his next breath, all his emotions swirled into a rage-filled determination propelling him to action.

His hesitation having lasted only a moment, he moved to intercept her although he had no idea what he was going to do. He would not let these men lay a hand on her
. No matter what the cost, he would try to save h
er
. She did not see him coming and he closed the gap between them quickly. Fortunately for him her pursuers did not seem to notice him either. A few strides away and he saw it, a giant ball of fire heading directly towards her.

Having just dodged a barrage of arrows, she moved into its path. At a full sprint
, he leapt towards her, with his arms outstretched. As he grabbed her upper body, he twisted to pull her down on top of him so he would absorb the blow. He caught the look of shock on her face as she turned, and saw the fireball pass just above, right where her head had been a split second earlier.

The moment she was in his arms
, there was an explosion of sound, and light. The magnitude of it was something he couldn’t have conceived. The only thing he could think of is that it was like being inside a bolt of lightning when it struck, but even that seemed inadequate. Time suddenly stopped and lost all meaning. His only thought was to hold onto her, afraid that if he
let
go she would be lost.

He hit the ground hard with her limp weight on top of him. He could feel her chest rise
and fall against his. The brisk night air on his face, the return of the starry sky, and the sudden quiet told him, he was home again. The soft grass of the meadow was a far better place to land than the hard ground they had just left, but he was still momentarily stunned from the blow.

Looking from side to side, he could see enough to know they were alone. Then it hit him. He was there with her. All these years of seeing her, admiring her, believing in her
, and now she was in his arms, a living breathing person. He closed his eyes and soaked in the feel of her against him, the smell of her skin and hair. He was almost afraid to re-open them, afraid that if he did, she would be gone. He had been alone for so long and she had been his only real comfort. Affection for her swelled inside him, after all she had done for him, helping to carry him through his loss and pain. To be there for her when she needed him filled him with joy to the point near giddiness. He felt her stir slightly, and instinctively reached up to touch the back of her head for comfort, to let her know she was all right.

At his touch
, she sprang to her feet, spun to take in the surroundings, and in one fluid motion drew her bow, and knocked an arrow pointed straight at his heart. His eyes opened wide, but he didn’t move a muscle. Amazed by everything about her, he just stared up into her deep dark eyes. That she could go from virtual unconsciousness, to battle ready, in mere seconds with such grace, and fluidity, demonstrated what he knew in his heart. She was no one to be trifled with.

Suddenly her eyes went wide
, and her bow lowered just a bit, she hesitated perhaps for the first time in her life. It only lasted a second, but it was just long enough to make him smile. She grimaced with annoyance at herself for letting her guard down, and quickly resumed her deadly stance. He couldn’t help himself. His smile broadened, much to her annoyance.

“Why are you smiling? Do you think I won’t kill you where you lie?” She asked with a forceful
and commanding tone.

“I’m smiling because I’ve known you my whole life
, and I never thought I would have the pleasure of your company. I’m smiling because just seeing you standing there is enough for me. And if I were to die in this moment, I have no regrets.” He said. His smile gone now, replaced with the look of sincerity he felt in those words. She fidgeted uncomfortably, and he could see the turmoil building inside her. He knew she wasn’t going to kill him, but wasn’t sure what she was thinking.

***

Her head was spinning. She had almost given up all hope, had thought she was racing to her death, and now she found herself face-to-face with him. She swayed slightly trying to keep her balance. She had been reaching out for the strength he always gave her, and here he was instead. It was almost too much to comprehend. Out of thin air he had clutched her from certain death; she had seen the fireball too late, she knew by all rights she should be dead.

He wore the kind expression she had seen countless times before. She knew in her heart who he was. He was strong, gentle
, and caring. The one man, above all others, she felt she could trust, even though they had never met. He was the only one left who had been with her through her entire life. He was the only who knew who she truly was. He knew her before everything changed, and knew the woman she had become.

Her instincts that had been forged during ten long years of fighting were colliding with her emotions in a way she had never experienced. She never let her guard down
, and yet her heart told her she should. The conflict raging inside her overwhelmed her. It was all too much for her to understand.

***

He could see her chest rise, and fall as she tried to take in calming breaths. Then the last thing he expected happened. She fell to her knees, dropped her bow, and began to weep. She lifted her hands to her face to hide her embarrassment.

He quickly got up
, and knelt beside her. He reached over to take her hands in his. “It’s Ok you’re safe now,” he said as she looked up into his eyes, her deep dark beautiful eyes full of tears running down her face. Now instead of the strong confident woman of purpose, he saw the vulnerable little girl who, no doubt, had been locked away for a long time. His heart ached for her, he wanted nothing more than to comfort her, and take away her pain.

“Is it really you?” She asked, “I’ve seen you my whole life too
, but never thought we would meet.”

He smiled at her again, “I never dared to hope that we would meet either, yet you’ve always been with me.” She began to sob
, and he put his arms around her as she pressed her head to his chest to hide, and find comfort. He sat there quietly stroking her head to calm her, waiting patiently for her to regain her composure. The truth of it was he felt as though he could sit there forever, feeling her against him and it would be enough.

Finally
, she pushed away from him, “I’m sorry. I haven’t cried since I was a child. I don’t know what came over me,” she said wiping the last of her tears from her face.

“It’s all right you were in a lot of trouble when I found you,” he said. Standing up, he reached out
his hand, to help her to her feet. She hesitated a moment then took his hand. Her skin felt warm, and soft, yet her grip was strong and firm. Once on her feet she gathered up her bow and arrow, and replaced them on her back.

“I ... I thought it was the end for me,” she said softly, looking down
. “Those men have been chasing me for weeks, and they had me on the run all day.”

“I see,” he said, “that does explain some things.”

“What do you mean?”

“The last time I saw you there was a flash of light
, and the hair on my arm was singed. As a matter of fact, that was earlier today.”

She stood tall
, and said, “oh yes, I was almost more than a little singed that time.”