A Warrior's Redemption

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  All I had were questions for the good people that had taken me in and cared for me. At first, they were reluctant. Then parts of their connection with my parents became clear.

  “I knew your mother as a girl. She was one of my best friends when we were young. We lost contact with each other until we met again as newlyweds. Eliak was in the army and he was transferred to the garrison at Kingdom Pass where he was under the command of your father, who had just recently married your mother. Those were good times.” Samantha finished softly.

  “My father was in charge of Kingdom Pass!” I exclaimed.

  “Yes and he was one of the best to ever command there,” Samantha replied. “He gave it all up for your mother though. She did not like the fighting and the constant danger your father faced. Not to mention the attempts on her own life, which led to contention between her and your father’s family. Your father knew that the decision to leave the Valley Lands would not be a popular one so they simply left in the middle of the day one day without warning. There were only a very few of us that knew of your parents decision to move here to the Ernor Hills. It was a secret that we closely guarded. I can well understand why they wanted to get away from all the rigors of a life spent fighting in a constant war and dealing with the intrigues of the high council. We had just moved here ourselves for much the same reasons, when we heard of what happened to your family. The report that we heard was that all of your family had been lost. I mourned a long time for my dear friend and her family, but I’m comforted to know that she’s in a good place and that if such things are permitted I’ll see her again one day.”

  “You believe in the Creator as she did?” I asked.

  “Yes. I wouldn’t have gotten very far in life if I hadn’t,” Samantha replied softly.

  “She was always trying to teach me of the Creator, but I’m afraid I didn’t listen very well or care as I should have at the time. Now I do, but I know very little about the Creator or His ways and yet He has revealed Himself in a powerful way in my life. I feel a deep hunger to know more and to understand the meaning of all this,” I said, gesturing around me to everything and nothing in particular, “And what my place and purpose is in all of this. I know what to do that’s right in front of me, but no more past that. It is very frustrating!”

  Samantha smiled a little, “How you remind me of my early days in wrestling with my newfound faith. Don’t worry, Roric, about the future. Your path will be made clear in the Creator’s good timing. It may mean a lot of patience and faith on your part, but it’s always the best path taken. What is important though, is that you have set your heart on the task of learning what the Father of all life has for you to do in this life and He will not disappoint you in this. Be patient Roric, for understanding will come in His good timing and all will be made clear, you’ll see.”

  “You sound like you’ve experienced the process many times. Tell me, does it get any easier?” I asked.

  “Yes and no. Faith will always require surrender and trust, but as time goes by and you see more of the Creator and His work in your life, the easier it will be to believe. The more you believe, the more faith you’ll have to see you through your journey. I have a lifetime of watching the Creator’s intervention in my life to attest to His good mercies and blessings. The Creator is always faithful to those who are faithful to Him; this is as much of a certainty in regard to your walk with Him as I can tell you, Roric. Now, come and help me get these herbs we’ve picked back to the house. We’ll need them for the soup tonight,” Samantha slipped an arm through mine and let me lead her back to the house.