Chapter 13: Reunion

The three siblings continued to stare at each other in amazement. Yevish stood between Peace and Zeal, watching their faces with amused pleasure. Justice reached over and ruffled Peace’s short blonde hair. He and Zeal had hair that was just as straight as Peace’s, though a bit darker, and shorter.
“Look at you. Short hair, and this face and you, you’re…” Justice moved his mouth without words, he was so happy he couldn’t think straight.
“All grown up.” Peace and Zeal replied together. They looked at each other and laughed.
“And who’s this?” Justice asked excitedly as he knelt and picked Yevish up in his strong arms. “A son?” He tussled the boy’s sandy hair as he looked back and forth between Peace and Yevish.
“No, not by blood. More like a brother.” Peace said laughingly.
“Well then, anyone who is Peace’s family, is ours.” Justice smiled wide, a playful light jumping in his eyes. Yevish smiled, reached up and caught Justice’s arm.
“You’re just like Kload, always messin’ with my hair.” The boy said jokingly as reached over and tussled Justice’s hair. Justice laughed.
“Kload?” Zeal looked at the boy questioningly, but received no answer as the boy was now bursting out laughing in Justice’s playful arms.
“It’s me.” Peace said with a smile as she watched the boy and her brother.
Zeal looked at her, one eyebrow raised, “Kload?”
Peace laughed slightly at his look. “I needed to be a man to stay safe on my journey. The full thing is Kload Reveille. You can thank Yevish for that.”
Zeal smiled. “I see.”
Suddenly the hatch opened and the four overjoyed room occupants turned to look at it. Dafrin emerged and stepped onto the floor. A bemused smile played on his face. “What’s all the ruckus about?”
Peace rushed forward and wrapped the man in a hug. He stood in surprise, his arms spread out wide, looking similar to a bird pinned to a wall. When Peace released him he took her by the shoulders and gently pushed her back a step. “Well, wadda’ know. How about that? Peace ya little rascal!” This time Dafrin hugged Peace, then stepped back again. “I’ll be had.” He shook his head. A voice called out from below. “Oph,” He gave out a small call of surprise.  “I’ve got a business to run. But I’ll be talking to you tonight. And you’ll be stayin’ here, no ifs, ands, or buts.” He pointed at her to emphasize his point. “In the meantime you stay up here and not a soul will know you’re here.” He paused on his way down the stairs. “As long as ya keep the ruckus down, that is.” Dafrin smiled, winked and walked down the stairs, closing the hatch behind him.
Peace looked back at the laughing Justice and Yevish and smiled. Zeal looked at his sister. She was so different, though, what could he expect. She’d only been 16 when they sent her off, hoping against all hope that it was the right choice. It had been. For 25 years they’d wondered, knowing that it was likely that she was dead, but still hoping that she was actually living in a better land. And now… He smiled as he watched her. She was a beautiful woman, all grown up in every way. He noted the clothing and leather armor, as well as the swords. So they hadn’t saved her from everything. He supposed that she had probably kept up the sword fighting for sentimental reasons at first. It had been a special thing that he and Justice had taught her. In a sense he was glad that she had kept up the practice, it was likely the only thing that had allowed her to get back to them.
Zeal shook his head as Peace burst out laughing at Justice’s and Yevish’s antics. They were mock wrestling now, rolling all over the floor in the process. He looked back at Peace, there were so many things he wanted to ask her. It seemed as if everything was different now. He would have to wait till later though. He and Justice needed to talk to her at the same time, so they could both hear everything, and help each other fill Peace in. They had 25 years of catching up to do, it was going to take both their minds to remember it.
After a few minutes Justice and Yevish settled down and Peace took out her face mask and put it back on. Justice and Yevish kneeled on the floor, panting, wide smiles covering their faces.
Zeal looked at Peace questioningly, “What are you doing?”
“I have to unsaddle Darkstar, and bring him inside, I don’t think he’d appreciate me leaving him out there all night like that.”
Zeal nodded. “We’ll leave you two to catch your breath.” He turned back to Peace, “I’ll get a stall ready for him.”
Peace nodded and they headed downstairs, leaving the hatch open behind them.
Justice looked at Yevish. “You want to come help me work?”
Yevish nodded excitedly. They both stood and headed downstairs.
After helping Peace get Darkstar in and settled, Zeal went back to work. Yevish followed Justice around for the rest of the day, learning all he could about the stables and how they worked. Dafrin couldn’t stop smiling and chuckling for the rest of the day. Life was so strange.
Peace took the saddle bags and packs up stairs and set up an area for her and Yevish. They would be spending a few nights here, though not too many. She still had a mission, and she was still short on time. She prayed that Justice and Zeal would be able to help her, maybe even come with her. She didn’t know what the Lord had planned, but she knew that He knew what He was doing. She would just have to trust and be patient. One question burned on her mind for the rest of the day though: did her brothers know of Yeshua?