THE REALM

Chapter Twenty Two

  The wagon behind me was ablaze with flame. Blindly I reached up and grabbed hold of the awning cover of the wagon and pulled. Flames kissed my skin as the burning canvas tore free of the wagon. I slung it toward the charging Lion Man and miraculously I saw it envelop him like a flaming curtain.

  He shrieked and tore at his burning prison, but that wasn't what my ears picked up on. I turned to peer over the side of the wagon to behold a baby squalling in abject fear as the heat of the flames started to get close to it.

  I reached over the side of the wagon and lifted the baby out. One glance told me enough to see that the baby's mother was dead and that her tormentor was about to be free of his fiery diversion. Looking farther down the line of wagons I saw that the scuffle had attracted the attention of even more of the Lion Men. Upwards of 20 of the hideous creatures were bounding towards me on all fours.

  I turned and ran for my horse as if I was once more being chased by a monster in the valley of the Holy Mountains. The mare had stayed where I had left her and that alone had to be an act of El Elyon, because I could clearly see the crazed looked in her eyes as she saw what was chasing after me.

  I vaulted upwards into the saddle, my mind awash with the panicked need to get away. I urged the mare around with my knees and she lurched forward into a hard gallop.

  I prayed I wasn't killing the young life held fast in my left arm from the hardness of the ride. How did one even hold a baby?

  I looked behind and despaired. Lion Men chased after us on all fours with the speed of their feline counterparts.

  Who had wrought such evil? Despite the fear and panic of the moment I felt extreme anger take hold over me. I turned forward and as I came abreast of the last wagon, which was burning, I thrust the reins of the horse between my teeth and, reaching out with my right hand, I tore free one of the wooden side struts that formed the support for the awning cover.

  Half of the shaft of wood in my hand was ablaze with fire and leaning low over the side of the horse I touched it to the dry grass which took flame; but it wasn't going to be enough!

  "El Elyon, I need help!"

  A wind of unexpected force blasted past me and left me blinking in its wake. I heard the roar of flames crackle to life behind me like a gust of wind blowing through a narrow corridor. I glanced behind only to behold a wall of fire as wide as the horizon departing quickly behind me in the shape of an outward V.

  There was no sign of my pursuers, but I did not slow the mare down. El Elyon had saved us. He'd answered my call for help just as Kuri had said that He would.

  I looked down and met the silent stare of the baby in my arms. A little hand, stained with blood from the open gashes on my chest, rose to squeeze playfully at my lips. Despite everything I felt myself smiling. How was such innocence as this baby's stare possible after all I had just seen and experienced?

  I turned from the baby's playful fingers at my lips to look up towards Shamayim. "Now what?" I asked.

  Instead of an answer falling from the skies above I instead felt an indwelling voice say within me, "The way lies before you."

  Feeling shaken by the response I continued to ease the mare forward at an easier pace. I really hadn't had my question answered, but questioning further seemed wrong.

  As I rode the enormity of my situation became more and more heavy to bear. I didn't know where I was. I didn't really know where I was headed other than north. And I didn't have a clue as to what to do to care for a baby.

  The baby had started to cry and feeling distraught at the noise I whispered, "Creator help me!"

  "Trust and patience. I will keep you."

  *****

  Hours went by during which I looked back many times, but there were no signs of pursuit. The baby was crying incessantly now and it was destroying what little calm I'd been able to instill in myself during the past two hours.

  It was getting dark when I topped another rise and saw more smoke, but this time the source was from a chimney. A tidy looking homestead lay in a cul-de-sac of the prairie. Studying it closely I felt peace upon seeing the orderliness of its upkeep.

  By the time I reached the buildings heavy shadows had fallen over the land and the air had turned chill. The baby needed care and the old mare was on the verge of collapse.

  I wasn't doing too well either, but I could have gone on. In fact I could ride for days on end if it meant never encountering creatures such as the Lion Men ever again. Somehow the world was a dirtier and more decrepit place for knowing that they existed.

  I walked the old mare through the barnyard and up to the house. I stopped and waited as I sensed my arrival had not gone unnoticed. It was hard waiting because the baby only continued to wail piteously, its voice hoarse with its need for milk.

  A man separated away from the dark shadows at the barn and came closer. He had a large bow in his hand and I watched as he tucked an arrow into his belt. He was a capable looking sort and I had no doubt as to how proficient he might be at putting an arrow where he wanted it.

  A tall boy stepped away from the corner of the house toting a wicked looking pitchfork. As aware of danger as these people were I couldn't help but wonder how they hoped to stand up to a pack of lion hybrids.

  The man came to a stop beside the house and laid his bow against the wall. "You best be getting down off that horse lad. You look about done in."

  As if on cue with the man's words the door of the house opened letting out a golden array of color into the gloom of the barnyard. Two women hustled out in a rustle of skirts. I instantly trusted both of them and handed the squalling child down to them.

  They took the baby and instantly it seemed that there was order to the night. The baby still screamed, but I knew it would be all right and I felt relief wash over me.

  I started to dismount only to half slide off the horse. I gripped onto the saddle horn, but two strong hands were already ushering me the rest of the way to the ground.