Lions of Men

Chapter 37

Kiherah felt foolish and exposed as she made her way to the front. Her feet felt like dead weight, with every step she took. Everything within her resisted, and Shamarah whispered urgently for her to return to her seat. In the four years, she had known her, Kiherah had never once disobeyed her mother-in-law; never once dishonored her. Whether it was the lack of a mother in her own home or the fact that she was married to her son, she sought to please the queen as often as she could.

But something within her prodded her onward; a voice soothingly beckoning her with every step. Allista continued to sing and stepped off‪the scaffold as Kiherah approached. She smiled and stretched out her hands to her, the sun bathing her white tunic in its rays.

"Let God's River of mercy flood your soul,"Allista sang, her beautiful voice lullabying the princess.

"Living waters cleanse and make you whole.

The Lord, he beckons to come and die,

Be raised again with life inside.

Jesus is life; Jesus is life.

He is the one that brings new life

Oh, Jesus is life, he is the life.

He is the one that brings new life."

Kiherah reached out to Allista and melted into her arms. It felt as if she were stepping off a cliff, yet she was no longer afraid. Everything she knew was behind her, and she no longer feared the unknown. She wanted Jesus Christ more than ever.

"My dear child," Allista cooed, taking Kiherah in her embrace. "He maketh all things new."

Kiherah's eyes filled with tears at those words. Allista pulled her away and gazed into her eyes.

"Do ye believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?" she said.

"Yes," Kiherah whispered.

"Do ye believe that he is faithful and just to forgive you your sins and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness?"

"Yes."

"Wilt thou make him Lord over your life today?"

"I will."

"Then lift thy hands and repeat after me. Dear Lord Jesus, I am a sinner, in need of your mercy."

Kiherah lifted her hands and repeated those same words.

"Please forgive of my sins and save me. I confess that you are Lord and are alive forever more. Thank you for saving me, in Jesus name, amen."

***

Rowen sat down beside Rakurih and stared blankly at the sky. What had they just survived? Fire raining from the heavens, deadly storms, and now the most violent earthquake they had ever experienced? And as quickly as it all came, it was gone. The sun shined gloriously in the heavens; birds chirped, and the rain slowly drizzled to a stop. Was this indeed the work of a god Eudarius called benevolent?

While a traumatized Rakurih collected herself, Rowen went to search for survivors. He had little hope of finding any amidst the carnage and devastation that surrounded him. Smoke ascended from giant chasms formed in several places where the earthquake had done it's most damage. Large portions of earth collapsed and sank into the abyss.

Rowen trod lightly, testing every step, hoping the ground wouldn't give way beneath him. He crawled atop a boulder and took in the scene. Thousands of bodies dotted the broken roads. Nordon and Fellowship warriors alike had perished in the raging fury of God's wrath. Many more were swallowed up in the earthquake.