Dawn's Rising

Chapter 22; Captured

Julianna floated on a warm stream of liquid peace. She felt so safe and secure, just as she must have felt in her mother's womb. Surely she must be near to her Heavenly Father, as supersaturated as she was in His wondrous peace that passes all understanding. She opened herself wide to it and let it wash away all of the fear and horror which had taken root inside of her due to all that she had witnessed.

The words of a favorite Psalm whispered softly through her drowsy mind. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress: my God in whom I trust. Surely He will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of nigh, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness; nor the plague that destroys at midday. Yes, it was true. And that was what she felt like; as if she was nestled under one of the great wings of her Almighty God, snug and warm in the depths of His downy feathers. Julianna was so sure that if she only opened her eyes she would meet the piercing yet gentle gaze of the Father of all eagles as He peeked under His wing at her.

Julianna, it is time for you to return.

The familiar gentle whisper rustled through her musing mind and restored her to full consciousness. Oh, please no, God. May I remain with You in Your ocean of peace and never wake again.

It is not your appointed time, my child. And there is much yet undone. Kristina needs you now. Listen. And as if the softly spoken command suddenly reopened her physical ears, Julianna distinctly heard Kristina's tearful entreaties.

With one deep inhalation of breath, Julianna was again back inside her familiar body. But with a swell of profound relief she realized that the sense of being held securely in her Almighty Father's arms was still intact. How strange she felt, as if she was still somehow separated from her body. The sense of Heavenly peace was still so strong that it felt like a protective shield which stood between her and the dangers of the world. I wasn't just dreaming. You are still here with me.

I will never leave you nor forsake you. Her Lord's quiet promise gave her the strength she needed to reopen her eyes onto the fearsome world of the living. With a mild shock Julianna found that she was laying flat on her back, staring up at the ceiling above her. As she watched briefly the dancing brightly colored reflections cast by the now raging fire outside, she felt as weak as a new born kitten.

"No, please! He is my brother. And he is only a baby!" Kristina's terrified voice brought Julianna's head upright where it teetered on her unsteady neck. She took in the desperate scene playing out in front of her. Kristina and Lukas needed her. Drawing on a reserve of energy that she knew was not her own, Julianna raised herself up onto her hands and knees. Following a quiet inner urging she remained in that humble stance and began to move slowly forward.

Lion Claw stared down at the writhing baby in his arms. He knew that the ways of his people in such situations called for him to end the life of an infant to spare it unnecessary misery. But again he felt that great unseen hand holding him back. He just couldn't snuff this little one's life out, nor give the order to one of his men to do the deed.

"Julianna!" At the little red headed girl's joyous shout, Lion Claw's head shot up. Crawling slowly towards them on her hands and knees about half way across the floor was a woman with the same intense red colored hair. Her head was bowed down low so that the hair escaping from its confining bun hid her face from sight. When she came within a couple of yards of their feet she stopped crawling and in all humility bowed her head down until her forehead touched the floor. Then very slowly, as if to show there was no threat, she lifted up her two arms and stretched out her slender white hands with their palms wide open. The silently beseeching hands did not as much as tremble. Lion Claw marveled at the woman in front of him in reluctant admiration. He had never dreamed that a child of arrogant and greedy white men could ever be capable of such humility. Then slowly she lifted up her head and let her sky blue eyes come to rest upon the crying baby held in Lion Claw's arms.