Chapter 20: Memories of Another Home

Peace looked out across the landscape. It was obvious they were heading back towards the outerlands as everything was becoming more barren. Chiff was in the Eastern parts of the Northern desert, a good ways from the Arthean border. It was the second of three cities in the country which had managed to survive in the harsh deserts. Many more cities managed in the wastes and along the deserts borders, but only three had managed to sustain themselves in the center of the desert.

It was around noon and the small band had just settled down to rest during the hot afternoon. Zeal was preparing for the study of God’s guidebook; while Yevish and Justice were attending to the horses. Peace had finished caring for Darkstar already. The Stranger had set up his tent (which served to protect him from the sun) and was already resting inside. Peace noted to herself that Strife had been true and generous since he’d been traveling with them; though perhaps a bit hard and offish as well. Such hardness was not odd however and was commonly viewed as necessary for survival in the life of a warrior.

Peace and her brothers had prayed hard and searched God’s word for council and had been assured that Strife was the one God had sent to help them, and yet… his presence still made something deep within Peace revolt. Every fiber of her being screamed in protest when he came near… but it was without reason. Why did this stranger bother her so? In all her life only one other person had made her feel in such a way. Peace had searched her memories. She had prodded her brothers’ memories. She had even gone so far as to ask the Stranger if he recognized her. There seemed to be no former connection between them at all, much less one which would elicit such strong feelings inside of her. Strife had also proven himself to be a true warrior and had given them no reason for worry or suspicion. Peace shook her head: she’d just have to learn to live with it she guessed. Hopefully her natural response would fade in time.

Her thoughts drifted towards home: towards Arthea. She’d been gone more than a month now and she was deeply worried about how her people were faring. She remembered a special place in Arthea, a little sanctuary up in the Mountains called the Peace of God. There was a large lake up there surrounded by little villages and monasteries. It was like a paradise, though generally a little cold for some people’s tastes. She had learned much of God there in her younger days and had gone back as often as she could to settle her heart. She remembered going there some with Flieshiv when the monks had offered a few nights stay to the army. It was the way that the monks chose to show their support of their country: by caring for the soldiers and giving them a place of peace and rest on their wearying patrols. It was always good to visit there, especially with Flieshiv. Peace sighed a bit at the thought. It was both a happy sigh at the pleasant memories and a sad one at not having seen Flieshiv in so long. Joson Flieshiv, her dear friend for all her years and trial in the army. He was the one who had helped her into the military academy, and it had been him and his friend Bern who had kept her secret those first few years. It was also Joson who had visited her those years she was in prison and he who had eventually managed to get her free and back into the army. He, God, and Bern truthfully, but Peace had felt God’s blessings the most through Joson’s constant friendship. As she looked back at the last 20 years she realized that she wouldn’t have gotten anywhere that she was without Joson. She wouldn’t have had a clue about how to achieve her desire to serve in the army without him, and she wouldn’t have made it through all those years in the military without him. He had helped her through everything. God had helped her more, as always, though she sometimes forgot such, but God had often used Joson to help and guide her. Peace shook her head again. Flieshiv would be alright: he was in God’s hands, and that was enough.

Peace turned as she heard her name called and then walked over to her brothers and Yevish. She sat down and joined them as they prepared to study God’s guidebook. They would read and discuss and pray… and draw together as they drew closer to their God and Savior.