Back in Shavron, Ursus wasted little time with actions that need to be taken. It was a
rainy day when he ordered to see the council and also invited Caleb to attend. Ursus
took control of the meeting as the council members listened respectfully.
“We have a mutiny” said Ursus starting, “And I cannot tolerate the decision Chetz has
made any longer. Not only have they rudely pulled away from the richness of the Child
Trade, but have based on a religious tale.”
“And what religious tale would that be?” asked one of the council members.
“Gospel.” said Ursus forcing the words from his mouth, “The emperor also aims to
influence other nations. He has forced my hand to destroy them. Chetz has always
been a thorn in Shavron’s side, and it is time to see that Chetz no longer exist.”
Caleb, who was no more important to the meeting that the chairs in the room, timidly
help up his hand to be recognized. Ursus found the move annoying, but allowed the
hound to speak. Caleb found it hard to speak under the gaze of Ursus, but he found the
courage.
“What right do you have to extinguish a whole nation?”
“Right?” said Ursus slowly walking up to Caleb, “What right do you have to question
me? I am the High Judge of Shavron and it is my duty to see that my nation remains
strong and vibrant. If there is a threat I will remove it.”
There was some uneasiness in the room. Ursus saw the doubtful look on the council’s
faces.
“Caleb may be right.” said another council member. “Starting a war is risky. If the Shavronites disapprove it will be a waste of time.”
Ursus stood agape for a moment, with an expression of confusion and anger. In a
growling voice he spewed her ire.
“DO YOU WANT TO BE POOR AGAIN?!
The walls seemed to shutter under the bear’s booming voice.
“Answer me: yes or no?”
“No, Ursus.” said the council members nearly in unison.
“Good. If one country changes then it will effect the others. If we lose out money we lose
our lives. All of you have trusted me in times past; trust me now. I have been working
behind the scenes--behold!”
Ursus opened a leather parchment that was unnoticed before. He pulled out eleven
letters and handed them out the the council. The letters passed through the hands of
the group as they read printed ink. Each message was giving military support to
Shavron for a massive war to bring Chetz back into the Child Trade.
“It will be a total of one hundred an eighty five thousand troops.” said Ursus confidently,
“They are already in motion. Chetz will begging for mercy---he’ll regret the day he
crossed me.”
Ursus dismissed the council. Caleb was proceeding to leave, but he was called back by
the High Judge.
“Caleb, my tone was harsh with you. It’s been very stress these few days, please
forgive me.”
“You’re forgiven.” said Caleb.
It was Ursus’s plan to gain the trust of the hound; and taking a peaceful tone in voice
and manners, he came to Caleb placing his arm around him. The hound felt the weight
of the arm which did not make him comfortable at all.
“I had a run with your niece when I took my trip to Chetz. She’s doing quiet well. In fact,
she’s been adopted into the royal.”
“She has!”
“Yeah, they got some blended family thing going on,” said Ursus with little concern. “She actually influenced the emperor to start following the Holy One. Utterly amazing that a
child could do that.”
“How?”
“She likes telling the Gospel. I wonder where she got it from?” said the bear giving
Caleb a pensive look.
“She learned it on her own.” Caleb said lowering his head in shame. “Its not my fault
that---”
“I’m sure she did,” Ursus said smiling, “Esta seems to be a rags to riches story, its an
amazing turn of events for her.”
Caleb remained silent as the High Judge cleared his throat.
“I have a mission for you. It’s very important. To be honest,” the bear said chuckling, “It’s
ironic.”
“What do you want?”
“I want you to bring your niece back Shavron.”
“Why? What for?” said Caleb inquisitively.
“The Child Trade has suffered some damage. Having your niece to be a example of the
benefits of the Trade will bring back the industry’s strength. A “rags to riches” story! It
will be marvelous; and best of all, we’ll be heroes in the eyes of the world.”
Caleb was struggling with the request, Ursus wanted to know why.
“How I am going to get to Chetz? Let alone get into the emperor’s home? Will Esta even
want to come with me?”
“You ask so many questions,” replied Ursus, “All you need to do is go there and get her.”
Ursus tone was direct and nearly threatening. Caleb’s cowardice prevailed again and he
soon found himself leaving Shavron for Chetz. Along with Caleb, came the twelve
armies. A grand armada traveled overseas in pursuit of destruction and death; among
the nations was Shavron. The twelve armies came together as one massive unit five
miles from the Chetzian border. Along the border were erected watchtowers, and one
such tower saw the massive force encamping. A runner was sent to the palace. He
found the emperor playing a game of tag in the open field with his children. Humbly the
runner approached. The game was quickly stop when the details where given of the
impending doom looming over the country. Dorian, who should have ordered his troops
to prepare to fight, made a strange request.
“Send for my captains, the treasurer, and the my councilors. Have my haste to the palace. Bring all the servants to this spot.”
“What reason?” said the runner.
“Prayer.” was Lugar’s reply.
“Excuse me, you highness.”
“You heard me--now off with you!”
The emperor’s officials obeyed whole-heartedly coming to the emperor’s; and with his
wife and children beside him, they sought the Holy One. Dorian upon his knees lead the
supplication as thus:
My Father it is you and only you that gives us live and strength. It is You and only You
that love us before we loved You. It’s by Your grace that we know you now as a loving
Father, and today we need you. The Chetzian army is no match for the massive force
against us. Neither do we know what to do. We look to you now to save us--to have pity
on us!
Dorian ended. There was no voice from heaven, but a potent peace that came over all
of them. The captains, councilors, children, and servants all admitted to it.
“We will wait, then,” said the emperor, “We will wait to see what God will do.”
Chapter 13: Esta’s Escape
Sisera, Pogisa, and Esta found themselves roaming the palace halls. They did this
when ever in ennui, and would decided race down the corridors to keep the excitement
going. The servants in the palace shook their heads stating “that children would be
children” and never scolded them. During the race, Esta sprinted down a long passage
keeping her first place status among the three, suddenly she stopped at a large painting
and began to stare at it. Sisera, who had passed her came back.
“Hey, what’s wrong---quitting already?”
“No more running.” said Pogisa breathing heavily as she slowly approached, “I may be
running with four legs, but its not working for me.”
“You would be in second place,” said Sisera jesting, “Ms. Sight-seer is too busy with the
painting. It was done when I was younger.”
The painting on the wall was that of the emperor and his troops all dress in full military
garb. Each leopards’ face portrayed courage and determination.
“How many do you think are?”
“I don’t know,” said Sisera looking at it, “Who cares? Lets finish racing.”
Esta looked at Sisera, the painting, and back as Sisera again.
“What?”
“Oh, nothing,” said Esta turning away from the painting, “By the way, see you at the
finish line!”
“Hey!” said Sisera running behind her.
“That’s not fair, elephants should get a head start.” said Pogisa following.
During her review of the painting, Esta had contrived a plan that was dangerous if not
out right insane, but her zeal for the Story transcended her better judgement. Not a
word of the plan was spoken during dinner with the family. She didn’t tell Sisera or
Pogisa. The emperor and queen did not mention any details of the enemy force at the
border. However it was stated that the children were forbidden to leave the palace under
any condition until told so. The dinner ended and all three were sent to bed.
It was an hour after she was tucked in, that Esta got up, packed a little sack of snacks,
put on her hooded cloak (she looked very much like little red riding hood). Over the past
several months she had learned the protocol of the palace. She knew where soldiers
were placed to protect certain doors and what times the gates were closed and opened.
This made her exodus a little easier.
Getting out of the palace was quiet simple: the front door was always guarded, but there
was a smaller side door down the hall that lead into a cellar. From there she could get to
the outside court, where five guards were always walking around. Esta proceed with the
fight leg of the journey. She found to her delight, that the cellar door was open. Esta
opened the door and went down the flight of stars to the dark cellar. It took her a
moment to find the back door, but unfortunately it was locked.
“Now what?” she said to herself.
Suddenly she heard a voice coming closer to the door. As not to get caught, she hid
behind a barrel. The back door was opened as two of the emperor’s guards came in.
“How come we have to inventory all this stuff?” said the first guard, “Its a waste of time.”
“Stop your complaining.” said the second, “Its a simple job--better than standing in place
for twelve hours. Besides, we get paid handsomely by the emperor.”
“We see how long that last with that army at our borders,” said the first dishearteningly.
“We should just surrender.”
“Not much a believer in prayer are you, eh?”
“It was a nice one, but the reality is that we are outnumbered two hundred to one.”
“Since your so concerned about numbers--you start counting first.”
Now as the guards were counting, Esta quietly slipped out the door into the court. She remember that there was a grated gate on the westside. With little to be worried about,
she made her way there. She first pushed her bag of snacks through and with some
effort force herself through the bars. Now free, she had a twenty mile journey to the
border. Not knowing how long that would take her, Esta started to walk into the night,
sing as she did to calm her nerves. Under the light of the moon, the heroine walked
steadily further away from the secure gates of the palace, she looked back constantly
with some trepidation, but never retreated to the safety of its walls. The road that she
had taken took her into the open fields. She walked carefully, keeping her eyes keen to
any threats, but found none.
As she continued, she finally came upon a horse hooked up to a open wagon. A
leopard began to load the cart with bags of grains, fruits and barrels of wine. Esta took
cover as best she could as not to alarm them.
“Hurry up!” said the horse to the leopard, “If we are caught....”
“We won’t get caught unless you keep blabbing about it.” said the leopard, “I’m going as
fast as I can.”
“Treason will get us hanged” said the horse nervously.
“Don’t be stupid. No one is going to hang a horse--they might shoot you though.”
“Very funny.” said the horse snorting.
“Remember the money,” said the leopard, “Giving rations to those armies will put us in
good standing when they wipe out Dorian and his army, we will receive a great reward.
How fast can you get to the camp?”
“Half an hour.” said the horse.
After the last bag was loaded, Esta climbed into the back and hid herself between the
bags of grain.
“Hey, did you hear something?” asked the horse.
“Yes I did,” said the leopard, “your mouth. Now, start moving.”
The cart began to pull away as Esta slowly drifted asleep.
Chapter 14: The War that never Was
The cart finally came to a sudden stop. Esta woke up from the jerk of the carriage.
When she peaked over the side, she felt that she was in another world. Rows of tents
covered the ground as warriors from the the nations prepared for battle. She saw
Shavron’s flag among the other flags. Swords were sharpened, pistols were cleaned,
and other weapons of war were being prep for the anticipated onslaught. Stations of fire
pits illuminated the war camp, casting long flickering shadows on the ground. Esta left
the carriage unseen by the horse and leopard. She had the goal in mind to talk to the generals to share her the Story with them, but where could they be? All the tents looked
the same and as she explored through the camp, and no one, yes no one, seemed to
see her as she walked openly as if she was in a park. It was as if she was invisible.
Finally she found a large tent lit from the inside. She looked around to see if anyone
cared, and walked right inside. Before her were the twelve generals all situated around
a large table. They spoke of maneuvering the troops and how to quickly break through
the Chetzian defenses. Esta walked up to the table and stood there waiting to be
recognized. She stood there longer than she wanted, but finally one of the generals
caught sight of her and was so startled that he jumped from the sight of her. This got the
attention of the others, who were also surprised that there was a child in their war tent.
“Hello.” said Esta waving at them.
They all waved back in a very childlike way; so overcome by the child’s presence that
they could hardly speak. Finally one of the generals broke the awkwardness with a
simple question:
“Who are you and where did you come from?
“Oh, my name is Esta. I’m the emperor’s daughter.” she said doing a curtsy.
“The emperor’s daughter?” said another, “but your a dog and the emperor is a leopard.”
“Its a long story. Oh, hey Can I tell you all a story? I think it will help you change your
mind about attacking my daddy.”
The request to utterly laughable, and the generals proceeded to take a moment to
engage in a little laughter. After all had subsided, one of the generals wiped a tear from
his eye.
“My dear child, “ said the general gaining his composure. “ we are creatures of war, we
have engage in epic campaigns to destroy and conquer. We have orders from Ursus the
great high judge of Shavron to bring your father into submission to the Child Trade; what
mere story is there to change our mighty minds?”
Esta began to fidget. Another general decided to chime in.
“You are very precocious child,” he said examining her, “This Story of yours interest me
and besides it will break the boredom of talking of tomorrows battle. How about it
everyone---a little tale to pass the time! A little merriment!”
The other generals, with a slight smile and a few chuckles agreed; and Esta was given
her opportunity. She started as always with a short prayer and began to speak of God’s
Son and all that he did with such amazing detail that the generals believed they were
right there in midst as He healed the sick, rose the dead, spoke of His death and
resurrection, and the promise that if anyone believed on Him they would never be judged by God for their sins, but have a new life and the power to live that new life. One
general did his best to hide his tear stained face; for he had heard the Story when he
was a child, and had forgotten all about it as he got older.
Now when Esta was speak, her uncle Caleb was walking by the tent, and recognized
her voice; he waited outside. When Esta finished, it was dreadfully silent, no one spoke
for sometime. There was deep thinking in the tent, eyes traveled from side to side trying
to make sense of it all, others just bothered not to speak at all.
“So by this Story, all must trust and believe on Glory in order to get to heaven.
“Yeah, oh--repent too.” said Esta quickly, “can’t forget that.”
“Esta.” said Caleb poking his head into the tent, “Esta!”
She turned and was overjoyed to see her uncle. She ran to him and they hugged.
“Hey, who are you?”
“Oh, I’m Caleb. I came with you with ships. I was in boat number fifty four--”
“We don’t care.” said one general cutting him short, “Why are you in here?”
“To find my niece and have found her. We’ll leave you to your plans, sorry.”
Caleb took Esta’s hand and led her through the camp. She was happy to see him and
she spoke of all her journey’s.
“And Uncle Caleb, King--the cheetah I was telling you about--he broke into the palace.”
“Oh, the wretch!” he said leading his niece inside his tent. “Did they stop him?”
“Yeah, my dad---”
“Your dad?” said Caleb, “Who’s that?”
“The emperor.” she said confidently, “He taken me as his own.
Caleb knelt down and placed his hands on Esta’s shoulders.
“I am your family. I’ve been looking for you for so long. I’ve prayed to God that I would
find you and He has answered my prayers. I want you to come home, Esta. I’ve missed
you.”
“But,” she said boldly, “I am home. The emperor, the queen, Pogisa, Sisera, and
Charm--I love them.”
“Do you love me?” asked Caleb.
Esta stood silent and looked down at the ground. Caleb stood to his feet and nodded his
head.
“Alright, I guess it can’t be helped. I’ll take you back to the palace in the morning. Hey, how about something to drink? I got your favorite--pear juice!”
Esta’s eye’s brightened as she anticipated the sweet nectar. Caleb poured the juice into
two cups, but he held in his hand a veil filled with a potion to put Esta asleep. He held it
over the cup, decided whether or not to pour it. He gave in the temptation, fear the ire of
Ursus, and allowed the potion to drizzle into Esta cup. She took it innocently and before
she knew it, she was fast asleep. Caleb placed her in bed and kissed her forehead.
“We’ll be on the boat for Shavron tomorrow. I’m sure the emperor will understand.”
The following morning the palace was in an uproar. Esta was missing. Every room was
checked and doubled checked. Servants and guards were question relentlessly, but
Esta’s whereabouts were unknown. On top of that, an guard came hurriedly to the
emperor with a bundle in his hands, he knelt as he present his message.
“Sire, I have news of the twelve armies.”
“My daughter is missing,” Dorian said, “they have the entire land if they want!”
“Well, your highness, they won’t be taking anything.”
“Why?” said the queen interrupting.
“Because the army has called for a condition of peace. I have all twelve white flags to
present to you.”