Chapter 18: Strife Firenight

It was well into the night before the five riders stopped to rest. Yevish had fallen asleep earlier and Peace now handed him down to Justice who took the boy and gently laid him in his bedroll. Zeal set about lighting a fire, they all had things to discuss before they rested. Once all the horses were unsaddled and bedrolls laid out the four adults gathered around the fire.
The stranger spoke first. “I wish to thank you all for your assistance. I had killed one of those soldiers already, but I was running out of strength and likely would not have come out of that fight well if it hadn’t been for all of you.” Justice, Zeal and Peace all nodded to him and he extended his right arm. Justice and Zeal reached out and took it in a warriors grasp, but Peace restrained herself from reaching out. She was accustomed to the warriors grasp with her own men, but this was not one of her men, and she needed to be careful as he might regard it as strange and offensive. However, somewhat to Peace’s surprise, the stranger extended his arm to Peace as well. She took it and grasped it firmly above the wrist, as was customary and then withdrew. This was the warriors grasp, and however simple it seemed, it was quite significant. It was an acknowledgement of partnership and a symbol of potential or existing trust. If a warrior wished to show brotherhood or true friendship they would bring their fist to their chest after the hand grasp. Peace was glad that this warrior found it acceptable that a woman was a warrior.
“I suppose we ought to introduce ourselves.” The stranger hesitated a moment then smiled slightly. “I am known as Strife FireNight.”
The three siblings looked at each other, a knowing light filling their eyes. Strife caught the look and looked at them questioningly. Justice replied for all three of them. “We are the children of Xathin DaySpring. I am Justice, this is my brother Zeal and our sister Peace. And as to former communication, it just so happens that we have been searching for you.”
“Well, that is interesting though not entirely unusual. But before you all get your hopes soaring because of my former ‘glory’ days, let’s get a few things straight.” Strife’s complexion became serious. “I am entirely finished with the insane business of questing. I’m not up for hire by any warlord or king, and no I will not take up the occupation of full time warrior again.” He looked between all three of them to emphasize his point.
“I must say I disagree with your statement and hope that part of it is untrue. It seems to me that once one is a warrior they cannot choose the full time or part timeness of their occupation.” Justice began.
“And being as a warrior is always a warrior and questing is quite simply part of the description of warrior, then I can truthfully say that you are not done with the business of questing.” Zeal continued.
Strife rubbed his forehead with the inside of his hand. “What’s next?” he asked wearily, expecting Peace to finish up the thought.
“We’ve come seeking your help. No it’s not in the insane business of questing, it’s concerning the mad business of war. No, it’s not under the hiring of a king or warlord, indeed it is against the will of the ruling council. It is for a people, a nation. A people oppressed by a warlord.” Peace sighed. “It’s for a people that have striven to do nothing but help others all their lives.” Peace paused to study the downcast face of Strife. “It’s a mad idea and it likely won’t even work, but I do not believe that God would have guided us to you and brought us this far if it was not to work.”
At the mention of God Strife looked up. “Yeshua?”
“Yes.” Peace responded, unsure of the significance of Yeshua to this man.
Strife looked at the three siblings long and hard. “Which people?”
“Those of Arthea.” Peace stated simply, everyone had heard of that land and of the hope and beauty that therein dwelt.
Strife looked at Peace, a very serious light settling in his eyes. “If it were not for these people, I would likely refuse. However I am only one man, I do not lead an army any longer. How am I to be of any help?”
“The plan only depends on a small group of men. The basic concept is to send these men into the enemies encampment as new recruits. If the men were notorious and well known they would be likely to get in and higher easier and faster. From there this band of men would proceed to destroy our enemies from inside out. It was the only plan we could formulate that might actually work, and that we could actually accomplish.”
Strife thought for a moment. “It has potential to be a sound plan. I will need to be closer to the situation before I help to clarify it.” Peace nodded in agreement to this. “However, you mentioned a group of men.”
Justice answered, Peace had explained the plan to Zeal and him earlier. “It is in an attempt to make things easier for those on the inside, as they can be in multiple places at once.”
“Yes, I see. I also believe that I know where to find such men.” He paused and nodded to himself, then looked up. “Are we agreed?”
The siblings smiled slightly at each other and Justice clasped Strife’s outstretched arm. The agreement was made.