THE REALM

Chapter Twenty Nine

  I rode into the midst of a panicked bunch of men and called out authoritatively, "Get into the water! Get into it now!"

  I got blank stares in return, but my audience was then brutally shoved along by Jarken and Thanuel, who seemed to know what I was about to do.

  I spurred the horse I rode onward and, leaning out of the saddle, I snatched up a burning torch from near the caravan mistress's tent and wasted no time firing it and all the cargo I could find. Arrows zipped about me, but none landed.

  The cargo ablaze, as well as many of the tents, I dropped the torch and wheeled the horse toward the central waterhole. The horse gave out from beneath me as a javelin plunged deeply into its side, but a few inches from my leg.

  I kicked my legs free of the stirrups and bolted from the saddle in a head first tumble. I somersaulted up to my feet and just kept running. Flames had already spread from the tents to the overhead canopy that was as dry as tinder.

  I heard the sound of a horse's neigh of terror from behind me as burning embers from the overhead canopy fell to the ground. A lance thrust past me by the barest of margins and I reacted aggressively. I dodged to the left and slammed into the horse's shoulder, whose rider had just about gored me through.

  The unexpected shove sent the horse into a tumble of horse and man. I launched into the shallow water and sloshed my way to the tight formed group of men near the pool's center. None of the marauding raiders were as interested in attacking the men in the pool as they were with escaping the blazing inferno that was erupting all around us.

  The cargo was beyond salvaging and with angered shouts the raiders fought free of the blazing oasis, leaving us alone. Through the smoke we watched as they regrouped and threw their mounts into hot pursuit after the departed caravan.

  My plan had worked. Now all we had to do was survive the fire.

  Coughing on smoke, I kept low in the water and watched for opportunities to escape, but the entire oasis was well ablaze. We were alive, but still, this smoke wasn't good for anyone.

  I gestured to the others when I saw a route open up and reluctantly they left the shelter of the water to follow after me. Being completely soaked helped combat against the heat of the flames, but it was still hot!

  Finally a way opened up to where we were breathing fresher air and then suddenly we were free of the oasis. Gasping in relief, we pressed on until we were entirely free of the smoke and breathing the cleaner air of the desert.

  Beating at the burning embers in my hair I watched the almost comical antics of the others, still fully clothed, beating at themselves and rolling around in the sand. I'd used my shirt to filter out smoke in order to breathe while still in the water, but I'd lost it at some point in the escape through the flames. I hugged my arms to my bare chest. The burning oasis was warm at my back, but the desert night air was cold.

  A cloak fell about my shoulders and I glanced to the side to see that it was Thanuel who had done it. He was laughing as if it was all a big joke instead of being the dire circumstance it had been. We had just nearly all been burned alive.

  Thanuel's arm came around my shoulder and he shook me good-naturedly, "Ahhh what a good head you have on your shoulders Benaiah! If it wasn't for that stunt, even now we would all be dead or being roasted alive over a bandit's fire. Well done!"

  "I just about got you killed and yet you're thanking me for saving you?"

  "I was but singed. It's nothing! Now what are your orders?"

  "Orders?" I responded back blankly.

  "Yes! Orders! We are yours to lead. You saved our lives and we are now indebted to you. Aren't we boys?" Thanuel called out. Roars of approval echoed out from the men gathered, the loudest of which being Jarken.

  I separated away from Thanuel and turned to face the group, "I'm not your leader! I'm the youngest of you all to be sure!"

  Thanuel pointed a big finger at me, "Ahhh but you are the smartest!"

  Giving him a direct look I said, "I very much doubt that Thanuel."

  Thanuel shrugged his shoulders and smiled ruefully before then kneeling down on one knee and saying authoritatively, "It does not matter! You are a man. A good man. A man worth helping and I for one want to be a part of what you get yourself into. Here is my sword and my hand is ready to wield it, but it lacks direction as does the course of my life. Now, what are your orders?"

  The others echoed much the same and I found myself staring down into the expectant faces of 14 battle hardened men who stared at me as if I was the source of their purpose for being. How had this come about?

  Feeling unsure of what was expected of me as a leader I said by way of an order, "I'm headed north."

  Thanuel clapped his hands and rose to his feet, "North it is then!"

  I shook my head as a sudden thought came to me,"We should see if anything remains of the cargo and catch up those camels grazing over there. I have no money. I can't pay you anything, but if we complete the journey then maybe we'll have something."

  Jarken nodded and walked toward the grazing camels slapping me on the back as he passed by. Half of the group followed, while the other half headed toward several piles of cargo that had gone untouched by the flames.

  I stood there with Thanuel as I watched the others move off to accomplish the orders that I had just given.

  "Why?" I asked aloud.

  "Why not?" Thanuel responded.

  I shook my head, at a loss for the way things were changing. I felt overwhelmed and excited all at the same time. Panic seized me all of a sudden. What if I messed up and got these men killed?

  Thanuel stepped beside me to view the burning oasis. The mistress's tent was gone and yet when he spoke I instantly knew what he was referring to, "That was special, what you did. I have seen few men, and none of your age, resist temptation such as that. You've already succeeded in one area where most have failed."

  "I'm nothing special, Thanuel, so don't build me up as such."

  Thanuel smiled, "And yet, I believe that you are."

  He started to walk off to where they were loading cargo up and I said, "What if I get us all killed?"

  Thanuel turned and shrugged, "Death comes to all of us at some point. The difference, though, is in how one faces it. You have a choice Benaiah, live in fear of death or live life fully and do what needs done. I think you're the latter and that's enough, as it's better to go out like a lion then choked off like an old hound on a leash."

  He continued on and I shook my head at his twisted logic. He did have a point though. What good did worrying get me right now?

  Now was the time for action, with the future being a new surprise around each corner of life's path. I wanted to see what lay ahead and now I had a company of men to go along for the journey. I wasn't alone anymore and I had the respect of others. That was a rather nice feeling.

  I saw some more camels and I headed off to help Jarken round them up. My life had just jumped once again in a way I hadn't expected. Would I ever be ready for what life threw at me next?

  Reversely, what did it matter if I wasn't ready? I had purpose in the belief in El Elyon and He directed my steps and provided the abilities that I lacked. Should death find me it would not be an end, but rather the start of another journey.

  At peace, at the realization of the slack hold of the fear of dying, I headed back toward the oasis tugging on the lead strap of the string of wide-eyed camels. They didn't like the flames, but oddly for me as I gazed at the fire consuming the oasis, I had a vision of seeing the sight again, only it would be houses on fire and not palm trees.