As Sure as the Dawn(196)

“Be strong and courageous, beloved,” Rizpah could almost hear Theophilus speaking again. And on the heels of that remembrance came the words of God: “Do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes before you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”

“I will speak the truth,” Rizpah said loud enough for all to hear. “Hear the Word of the Lord! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! It is the Lord who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with loving-kindness and compassion, and who will satisfy your soul!”

Anomia screamed in rage, the words like hot coals upon her mind.

“It is the Lord God who has made us. He is the Good Shepherd, and we are the sheep of his pastures!”

“Speak no more!” Gundrid cried out in fear, looking to the skies. Darkening clouds swirled overhead, thickening. “See how her words have angered Tiwaz!”

“It is the Lord God you have angered!” Rizpah cried out. She saw the night sky blackening and was desperate for them to hear. “Tiwaz holds no power over you but what you give him. Turn away. Turn away from him before it’s too late. Turn to the Lord.”

“Don’t listen to her! Stop your ears!” Gundrid commanded. “Cry out to Tiwaz! Cry out!”

The warriors began the baritus.

“The Lord made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them!” Rizpah cried out. “There is no one holy like the Lord. There is no God besides him, nor is there any Rock like our God!”

Anomia hit her hard enough to drive her to her knees.

Atretes lunged forward but was dragged back. Other hands fell upon him and he was forced down, face to the ground. Holt’s knee was in his back, others held his arms and legs.

The baritus rose louder, a battle cry against the Lord.

“Put your armor on, beloved,” Atretes remembered Theophilus saying. “One man of God puts to flight a thousand, for the Lord your God is he who fights for you.”

“God,” he groaned. “God, fight for her.” Bound and helpless, he prayed, crying out with his heart to the Lord. Jesus, I have sinned. I deserve death, not her. I turned away. Lord God, forgive me, I turned away. There is no one besides you. O Lord, my God, come between my wife and this multitude. O Lord God, my God, forgive me.

He wept. “Jesus! Jesus!”

God, don’t let her be destroyed because of my weak faith and foolishness. O Lord, let them not prevail against you.

The clouds swirled, boiling over and blocking out the stars and the moon so that only the torches cast light upon the sacred grove. An ominous rumble rolled.

“Hear Tiwaz’s voice!” Anomia screamed, heart racing wildly.

“Repent!” Rizpah cried out, sobbing in fear for them. “In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust. Turn your hearts to the Lord!”

“Cry out to Tiwaz!” Anomia screamed above the din. “Let him hear your voices! Yes! Yes! Let him hear you!”

“Tiwaz! Tiwaz!” Warriors banged frameas against their shields.

Lightning flashed, the jagged spear of hot light striking the sacred tree. The mighty oak cracked down the middle and fell, shaking the earth on which they stood. Flames shot up from its root.

Men screamed, some fleeing the circle in terror, Gundrid among them.

Anomia remained, ranting at them. “Call upon Tiwaz before he destroys you!”

“Tiwaz! Tiwaz!”

Lightning flashed again, striking the altar this time and melting the golden horns.

Rizpah prostrated herself in holy terror. “God, forgive them. O God, forgive them.” She wept.

Herigast fell to his face and clung to the earth.

Only Rolf stood arms spread wide, filled with elation. “Justice belongs to the Lord!”

“Silence them before they bring further wrath upon us!” Anomia screamed, and those of her chosen council moved against them. “She is the enemy! Our salvation depends upon her death!”

“No!” Freyja cried out, staring up at the swirling heavens. “Her god comes upon us. Don’t touch her!”

“She must die!”

“No!” Others screamed.

Anomia saw the terror in those who remained and knew she had to use it. “Better that one should die to save the many!”

Freyja was terrified. “What if what she says about her god is true?”

“You have betrayed Tiwaz with your lips! You have always betrayed him in your heart. I have seen. I know!”

Freyja drew back.

Anomia dragged Rizpah up from the ground by her hair. “What if she’s lied about everything else? Speak, witch! Is the child of your body?”