Chapter Four
R E V O L T
Nehemiah lay awake holding Ezria in his arms. He knew he should be sleeping but his mind was wide awake. He looked over at her face; sleep seemed to be evading her as well. As was time. Her face was still as beautiful as the day they wed. Her hair just as long and thick, flowing around her shoulders as he ran his fingers through it. If it weren’t for this horrid curse, he would think he was the luckiest man in the world.
A man does not become great by having it easy. It is adversity that pushes him to greatness. The time was near. He could hear the men gathering outside. He wondered if the dragon could be defeated. He kissed her forehead and sat up. No point in doubting himself now. His family, his people, they all counted on him and believed in him. He must not fail them.
“Is it time already?” Ezria whispered.
“It is.”
He gave her a hug and held her tightly.
“Whatever happens tonight, know that I love you and that I do this for you and our son.”
“I know.”
He kissed her quickly, then rose and went about his preparations. After strapping on his boots and battle garments, he lifted his father’s sword. This sword was the one possession he treasured. The land he stood on was bravely fought for and won by his father when the northern tribe attacked their small village long ago. He remembered when he was just a young boy, how his father fought off hordes of men to protect his land, his wife, and family. One day the sword would be passed on to his own boy.
“I remember when I was young, I was so proud when I saw him fight. The stories he told and the things he did were amazing. I always hoped I would be as strong and brave as he was.”
“You are. He would be proud of you. We are proud of you, too.”
He smiled, sheathed the sword and left the room. He stopped by Demetrius’ room and peaked in. He looked as if he were sleeping.
“Father?” Demetrius called out.
“I thought you were asleep.”
“No, I couldn’t sleep. You’re going to make Netiro sorry he ever came here, aren’t you?”
“Of course I will! We’ll come back with his ugly head on a platter!”
“And can I have a necklace made out of his teeth?” Demetrius sat up looking more excited about his father’s possible victory.
“I don’t know about that.” Nehemiah laughed. “His teeth may be too big to make into a necklace. Why are you so excited anyway? Just a few hours ago you seemed so afraid about all of this.”
“I wasn’t afraid!” Demetrius said defensively. “Besides, Netiro will be gone by this time tomorrow. I know it. The same way I knew something was going to happen before Netiro attacked.”
“What? You knew the dragon was going to attack?”
“No, not really.” Demetrius paused, trying to think of how to explain. “I just knew something bad was going to happen. I don’t know how, and at the time I didn’t know what it meant or what to do. Now, I know that after tomorrow, he’s never going to bother us again. I just know it.”
“This must be part of your magic. How often do you get these feelings?”
“A lot lately.”
“This sounds like a powerful magic, Demetrius. You would be wise to listen to these feelings and try to understand what they mean. I’m sorry I can’t help you more to understand your path to what appears to be you becoming some sort of wizard or sorcerer. But I promise you, as soon as we have restored order to Nephram, I will do everything I can to find you a teacher. I won’t allow your gift to be suppressed by a dragon or by lack of teachers or anything else.”
Nehemiah sat on the bed next to his son. “I’m glad we talked tonight, you have given me great hope and strength. But before I go, I want you to reflect on these days of persecution and slavery to the dragon. I never want you to forget the destruction and despair this monster caused. I believe in all situations, no matter how dire, we can find opportunities to learn, to be thankful, to see the good and count our blessings. I believe these times may serve as an invaluable lesson to you.
“The dragon is extremely powerful, he could do an abundance of good for this village and others if he so chose. Instead he has chosen evil. Many who are given great power become slaves to it themselves and become tyrants. Promise me you will never forget what happened here, and that no matter how powerful you become, you will use your magic only for good.”
“Father, I could never…I would never dream of doing evil!” Demetrius was shocked his father would even think such a thing.
“I know you wouldn’t. But power can corrupt even the purest of hearts, my son. I would not be a good father if I didn’t warn you to monitor your actions. You’ll be a man soon; you’ll have to make your own decisions. I have to be sure that I’m teaching you to make good ones. You understand?”
Demetrius reluctantly nodded.
“Your heart is good, Demetrius. Your body is strong and you are wise beyond your years. You will be a great man one day.” He leaned down and kissed his son’s forehead and hugged him. “Don’t worry about it now. We’ll have plenty of time once Netiro is gone to get you all the guidance you need.”
“I promise I’ll always use my magic for good. I’ll look after Mother while you’re gone, and I’ll make you proud of me, you’ll see.” Demetrius said, still hugging his father.
“I already am. If I had one hundred sons, I couldn’t be more proud of any of them than I am of you.” He ruffled his hair. “I love you, Son.”
“I love you too.”
“I should go now. Get some sleep, and I’ll see you in the morning.”
He walked out of Demetrius’ room to find Ezria standing at the window.
“Goodbye Ezria, I love you.”
He couldn’t see her face but he knew she was crying.
“Goodbye my love. May God be with you. With us all.”
He turned to leave.
“Wait,” she ran to him and held him close. “Please be careful, Nehemiah.”
“I will.” He kissed her one last time then left to meet the men outside.
“Nehemiah!” Jerith called as he came running towards him. “Thought you were never coming out of there.”
“I had to say goodbye to my family. Jerith, have you been drinking already?”
“Of course! How else am I to get the nerve to battle a dragon?”
“What am I going to do with you? I would try to marry you off but I doubt I would have any bidders.”
“Bah!”
They walked among the men, talking and poking fun at each other for a while. Nehemiah was glad to see everyone with such high spirits and energy. Demetrius’ words also helped to boost his confidence. He was sure victory would soon be theirs.
“Attention! All of you!” Nehemiah leapt atop a big rock and looked around him. Everyone was dressed, preparing their horses, sharpening weapons, praying, saying goodbye to family, or drinking. They were a good-looking group and as it grew silent he was determined he would bring back as many as he could.
“As I look around, I find myself in awe of the men around me. This is the bravest group I have ever had the pleasure of being amongst. That, or the most foolish.”
Some of the men burst into laughter.
“What do you know about bravery, Nehemiah?” Jerith yelled from the crowd as he ran to Nehemiah and pushed him off of the rock. Everyone roared with laughter as Jerith took Nehemiah’s place on the rock. “Coming from a man who can barely ride a horse!”
“The man who looks like a camel jests?” Nehemiah teased back.
“Now that’s getting personal, Nehemiah.”
“Get down from there, you big oaf.”
Jerith jumped down and Nehemiah took his place on the rock.
From atop the rock he gazed into the sky until the laughter faded and a wave of seriousness washed over the group. He’d gone over the words he would speak several times in his mind. But as he stood in front of his friends, neighbors, and
family, he couldn’t remember the speech he had prepared. He looked out into the waiting crowd. He had commanded their full attention; his silence may be interpreted as fear. But he knew it was very important that he choose his words carefully. He took a deep breath and trusted that the Lord would put the right words in his mouth.
“Where we go now, I can not guarantee you will all return. But whether you die tonight, or a hundred seasons from now, you shall always be remembered by your children and your children’s children and their children’s children as heroes. As the men who freed our families from the curse which has plagued our village for far too long. Into the dragon’s lair we will descend tonight, and as the sun will rise, so shall we. Free and alive with the head of the dragon! Strength and honor be your shields, freedom and justice be your sword. It is time to kill a dragon!”
The roar of applause and cheers that rose that night from the village rivaled that of the dragon. Nehemiah ran his hand through his disheveled hair as his eyes traversed the crowd. He smiled his charming half smile—the same one that helped him win the trust of the people to become the unofficial leader of the village; the same one that won him the most desired woman of the time when far wealthier men were vying for her affection. There were older men, some would say there were wiser men too. Certainly there were more intelligent and muscular men, but he was the one, when the need arose, who inspired his people. He was the one they looked to for leadership time and time again. He was the one that earned Ezria’s love and had been blessed with a son gifted with magic. Nehemiah was a man who usually got what he wanted, and right now he smiled because he wanted a dragon.
“To the dragon’s lair!” He raised his sword to the night sky as if victory was already theirs. The cheers continued as he jumped down from his perch on the rock. He moved through the bustling crowd, shaking hands and slapping backs, as they all headed to their steeds.
“Nehemiah, where is your horse?” someone shouted.
Jerith laughed and slapped him on the back as he walked past to get on his horse.
“Did you have to say that?” Nehemiah mounted his horse beside Jerith.
“I thought it might enliven the spirits. No one wants to hear one of your dull speeches.” He laughed and galloped into the night.
“Nehemiah!” Elijah ran towards him, waving his arms. “Nehemiah, don’t worry. You can count on me. I’ll do my best. You come back and take care of your family yourself though.”
“Thank you Elijah, and I too will do my best.” He shook his hand and nodded to him and his wife. With a swift kick in his horse’s ribs, he disappeared into the night.
Ezria and Demetrius watched the scene from her window, their gazes locked on the backs of the riders until long after the last had vanished from sight. Demetrius put his arm around his mother to comfort her.
“Goodbye, Nehemiah.” Ezria softly whispered.