However, as the boys looked on, the spirits seemed to be working to get out of the creature, as though its death had temporarily trapped them inside. The demons leaped out of the bear carcass, searching briefly before fleeing into the darkness.
“Let’s get out of here before something else happens,” Gideon said. They left what they had at the camp and ran into the night. Gideon led the way and soon they were back to the road. It was going to be a long walk through the darkness in order to get to another town without the horses. But it was far better than what might be waiting for them at the camp. Ethan and Gideon had been tired before. Now, they had enough adrenaline surging through their veins to keep them going until dawn.
FEAR
Ethan and Gideon followed the moonlit road as the wind blew gently upon them. It was comfortable, just right for walking. Foreboding crept along with them like an assassin present beyond the trees on either side of the road. They had left the sound of angry demons behind them, but they still might be following.
The demons had evidently figured out how to see Ethan. With the bear’s physical eyes, the demons had found him. Only Gideon’s quick thinking and expert skill had saved the boy. “Do you see anything yet?” Gideon asked. This question had become his favorite phrase over the past two hours as they walked on the road.
“Maybe we should hold hands,” Gideon said. Once he made the statement, he felt like a complete fool. “I mean, so we can both remain invisible to the demons.”
Ethan gave the priest a sidelong glance. “Awkward.”
“Okay, forget it. I’m an idiot.”
Ethan laughed. “It’s not that, Gideon. I think it only works when I have both hands on someone.”
“Oh.”
“How long have you been a priest of Shaddai, Gideon?”
He thought about it for a moment. It seemed like he had always been at the Temple with Master Isaiah. “About fifteen years now,” he said. “My parents surrendered me to The Order when I was four years old.”
“Why would they do that?” Ethan asked.
“Well, my parents had been unable to have any children. I had a brother who was stillborn before me. My parents told me they prayed for three years to have a child. They made a vow to dedicate their firstborn son to Shaddai and his service. I was born the next harvest time. True to their vow, they surrendered me to the priesthood of Shaddai when the time came. I’m glad to have grown up in The Order. I have my place in the world serving the Lord of Heaven and Earth.”
“Do you have any brothers or sisters now?” Ethan asked.
“I have three sisters and two brothers, but I’m rarely able to see them.” Had it been daylight, Ethan might have noticed Gideon’s expression grow sad at that point. “They’re all together as a family while I serve The Order.”
“Does everyone in The Order fight the way you do?” Ethan asked.
“Way? Yes, we fight the same way.”
“But Mordecai said you were the best, didn’t he?” Ethan asked.
Gideon was surprised the boy had been able to hear anything he and Mordecai had been saying. “He did.”
“Well?”
“Well what?” Gideon asked.
“Is it true that you’re the best?”
“Of course not,” Gideon said. How could he say otherwise? It would have been prideful. At any rate, Gideon knew his own skill, but his opinion had always been, that there was always someone better than yourself, even if you had not met them yet.
“I would really like to learn how to fight like you do,” Ethan said. “Do you suppose you could teach me?”
Gideon had hoped to hear the boy say that. “Ethan, I can honestly say, I would be honored to teach you anything I can.”
They heard the snap of a twig in the trees to the left of the road. Both of the young men froze in mid-step. Fear reared its ugly head as they stammered. They tried to identify the sound, praying not to hear anything more.
Leaves crunched beneath a foot somewhere in the darkness. The hairs on their necks stood at attention. Gideon imagined another bear, or worse, staring at them from the murk of the forest-its body full to the brim with a ravenous horde of wicked spirits.
It was difficult to determine whether the cold, night air raised the gooseflesh or simply the sense of impending doom assaulting their senses.
“Could be a squirrel,” Ethan whispered.
“At night?”
“Mouse?”
Two steps this time and a loud snort of air. “Or not a mouse,” Ethan said reluctantly. “Should we run?”
It was not a bad idea exactly. Gideon had thought of the same thing, but pride held him firm to his spot on the dusty, moonlit road. Instead, he pressed Ethan and they began to back down the road keeping whatever was in the woods in front of them. They heard a cacophony of branches snapping, leaves stomped and brushed away.
Something very big rushed through the last layer of foliage-a huge dark mass carrying branches with it as it emerged. “Bear!” Ethan cried and they were off. Like the start of a race, both young men turned and sped down the road as hard as they could.
The thing behind them took up the chase. They heard its heavy footfalls on the packed earth behind them-it was gaining. Then, ahead on the road, another something rushed through the trees. It stood directly in their path, taller than a man. Then it whinnied.
The two young men nearly fell over one another trying to stop. “A horse!” Gideon said. “And not just any horse-my horse!”
Ethan turned. Whistler trotted up behind them with branches sticking out of his saddle in all directions from his tromping through the undergrowth.
“Abigail,” Gideon said to his horse, “You nearly scared us to death, girl.” He patted the spotted mare, never happier to see the horse in all of his life.
Ethan caught hold of Whistler’s rein and doubled over, taking in gulps of air. They both looked at each other and started to laugh aloud. “Aren’t we a couple of ninnies?” Gideon said. Ethan could only nod, trying to catch his breath.
“Well, this is a stroke of blessing from the Almighty if we ever needed one,” Gideon said. He checked Abigail’s saddle and found some provisions left and another sword tucked away in a scabbard wrapped in a blanket. Relief washed over him like a refreshing wave of water. He felt exhausted but happy to be alive.
Ethan pulled small branches and brambles away from Whistler’s saddle as Gideon mounted Abigail. “We’ll certainly make better time now,” Gideon said. “Let’s get moving before we encounter something worth being afraid of.”
Ethan pulled the last briar vine free, then hopped onto Whistler’s back. Whistler bristled and snorted. He was ready to be ridden, glad to have his master back. With a quick snap of the reins, the two young men set off down the road. With hope, they would be able to reach another town before dawn.
TILLEY
By the time Ethan noticed dawn approaching in the east, he could see the distant lamplight of a town. As the boys continued down the road, they came to a sign. Tilley Town, written on the first rung of a multi-post sign.
