Chapter 1: Fire in the Night

Peace looked around. The village was in ruins. Thick black smoke choked out the sky and refused the sun it's right to shine. The smoldering land smelled of burnt flesh. There was nothing left. Peace reigned her mare back over to her commander, Commandeer Flieshiv. She sadly shook her head.
"We're too late"
Flieshiv gazed across the desolate valley and focused on the fading dust trail to the north-west. He sighed, then muttered "so many dead already". He then turned to his troops and sat up tall.
"We have lost another innocent village. The enemy gains numbers faster than fleas. It is time. We must send for help. I will take whatever wrath the council throws at us. Do not be afraid of them. Someone must undertake this mission. Someone swift, and wise. I do not know what you will find, but you must find something. Beyond our lands, beyond the world we know, there must be someone who can help." He paused for a moment and looked over his troops. They were all loyal and honest to the core, yet any mission that went beyond the borders of their land was like a death wish. Granted, so was any mission inside their own borders anymore. "Will anyone dare to brave the treacherous outerlands? Do this not for me, but for our people, our families. I do not wish to endanger any of you, but if we are to survive, we must do this."
Peace looked at her commander, then out at the smoldering lands. She sighed within herself, then took a deep breath. "I will."
The whole unit fell silent. They all turned to Peace in respectful yet fearful silence. She was the only female who had ever been trained to fight as a soldier, and the only one who had ever succeeded in joining the ranks. It was not a woman's place to be in the army, and yet she had showed herself equal, if not better, to all those she had ever fought beside. She was respected, feared, and loved by all. For her to risk herself for everyone else had never crossed the soldiers' minds.
Even knowing all this, Peace persisted. "I will, I'll go."
Commander Flieshiv looked at Peace, there was a certain sadness in his eyes. "Peace..."
"I'll go. I know the dangers. But I also know the way better than any other. I came from the outerlands, remember?"
"Yes, but..." Flieshiv sighed. He know that once Peace had her mind set there was no changing it. "We need you here."
"Why? So I can watch more of our people die, knowing that I can't do a thing? No, I must do something. I can do this. Let me go. For the people."
Flieshiv nodded. He didn't like it, but... she was the best choice. He only prayed that she would succeed.
"Alright. Go. May God bless your journey. Will you take a companion?" Flieshiv motioned to the troops. "You know any of them would go."
The troops looked up at Peace again. There was both hope and fear in their eyes. They all wished that Peace would think them worthy of being selected, and yet they all realized the danger and likely doom in this mission.
Peace looked at them, slowly, processing her options. Then she turned back to the commander.
"No. I will not put any of their lives at risk. And I will be able to travel faster alone." She paused, and looked at all the troops once more. "God be with you." She then turned to Flieshiv. "Lead them well. If I do not return within three months, I'm not coming back. Do what you must to save them." Peace raised her hand in farewell and turned her horse to ride off.
Flieshiv called after her. "Peace." Peace paused and looked at him. "Let us pray for you first." Peace nodded and turned back to the troops.
The soldiers bowed their heads, and all closed their eyes in solemn reverence.
Flieshiv lead them "Dear Father in Heaven, Creator of all. We know that you are all powerful, all knowing, and loving. We also know that you can save your people. We trust that you will deliver us from this present enemy. Lead our dear companion and sister in Christ. Show her to the one who will deliver us. And Lord, keep her safe, please. In your great name we pray, Amen."
The soldiers opened their eyes and looked up at Peace. Flieshiv also opened his eyes and turned to her. Peace could clearly see the worry in his eyes. She reached over and placed her hand on his shoulder.
"I know this is right. This is what God wants me to do. It is our only chance."
Flieshiv nodded. "I know. Trust in God, he will guide you."
Peace nodded and turned to ride off again.
Flieshiv watched her ride off across the desolate plains. He quietly prayed "God, bring her home."