East of Ashes (7 page)

Those days were gone now, but looking up at the walls encircling the arena, Lamech was struck by the majesty of this building that still stood 11 centuries after it was built.

Drawing up to the inn, they were greeted by a squealing sound coming from a window above. Looking up in bewilderment, they saw a plump woman hanging out of a window, vigorously waving
one of
her fat arm
s
. Her other hand was clamped over her mouth as she squealed in delight. All the while she was jumping up and down, shaking the window frame with her sizeable figure.

Lamech was staring with a gaping mouth. "What
on earth
... she's going to bring the whole place down!" he breathed in wonder.

Leala and Joash burst out laughing as Lamech stared slack-jawed at the spectacle above them.

"Sarah! Come down here!" Leala shouted laughingly at the woman.

"Coming!" Sarah squealed and then tried pulling out of the window frame. "Oh deary me," she grunted in effort, "Coming... in just a... oh, this blasted window!"

With a mighty heave she finally managed to free herself from the frame.

"Is that your...?" Lamech began, his mouth still hanging open.

"It is!" Leala laughed as she got down from her horse. Joash and Lamech got down too, the latter as if in a trance.

Sarah burst forth from the inn in an explosion of glee. Lamech took a step back in surprise, his hand instinctively going for his sword.

"Leala! Leala!" Sarah screamed as she grabbed hold of her cousin and pulled her into a hug. Leala seemed to disappear for a moment in a shower of lace as the two danced with joy.

Realising that he still had his hand on his sword, Lamech quickly let it go and tried to relax as Sarah enveloped Joash as well. Then she turned to Lamech.

"And you must be Lamech!" she exclaimed, and then winked at him. "Leala has told me so much about you in her letters! Come here you big old softy!" she laughed and ran up to Lamech. Too late he realised what was going to happen next...

He tried to dodge her but she was too quick for him. He was soon bent over forwards as Sarah pulled him down and gave him a hug that squeezed the breath out of him. Not knowing what else to do, he patted her on the back with his hands in bewilderment.

"Only good things, I hope?" he managed to stammer, gasping for air when she finally let him go.

"Oh you're quite the mystery man, are you?" Sarah beamed at him, "But not to worry, you don't fool old Sarah!"

Unsure of what to make of
her comment
, Lamech rubbed the back of his head with one hand as he considered this jovial spectacle in front of him.

"Well, don't just stand there! Come in, come in! Ben is beside himself with excitement!" she exclaimed, shooing them inside with waving arms.

"Her husband?" Lamech asked Leala.

"No, their dog," she smiled.

"Oh," he mouthed silently

As they entered the inn, they were met by a giant with four legs and a tail. The dog lumbered forward to greet them on shaky old legs which stood in shrill contrast to the vigour with which he was shaking his tail.

Lamech eyed it suspiciously, convinced that getting too close to that tail would surely be lethal. Not to mention Sarah with her infectious smile.

What a surreal trip
, he thought to himself. At least it wasn't a boring one so far, he shrugged inwardly as he cautiously patted Ben on the head.

The dog's tail-wagging doubled in vigour, causing the poor old soul's shaky back legs to give way and he collapsed on the floor in a fit of pleasure.

Yes, definitely not boring.

The night is far spent,

the day is at hand.

Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness,

and let us put on the armour of light.

Romans 13:12 (NKJV)

CHAPTER 4

--- Arles, September 1097 ---

Sarah's husband, Armand, showed them to their rooms. After freshening up, Joash and Leala decided to head for the inn's common room. Lamech came down a little later after Sarah had gone up to his room to get him.

As far as Joash could tell, they were the only guests at the inn t
hat night
. It suited him perfectly, having never really enjoyed the company of too many people at the same time.

Outside it had started to rain, water pouring down in torrents as the clouds spew
ed
forth
their
contents. Inside, the common room's hearth filled the place with warmth. The travellers sat down as Sarah heaped stew onto plates for them.

After serving them, Sarah sat down next to Leala. They were soon lost in their own world as they animatedly traded stories. Lamech opted to take a seat close to the fire where he ate quietly, while Joash sat off to the side, mechanically eating his stew with his one hand and using the other to scratch on the table with his dagger, all the while gazing intently at Leala.

Joash nearly choked on his stew when Armand suddenly spoke next to him: "You're ruining my table."

Wiping his mouth, he glanced up at Armand.

"I'm sorry," Joash said, trying to surreptitiously wipe away the small wood chips that his dagger had pulled free from the table.

"I'm only joking," Armand smiled and then held out his hand, "That's a beautiful dagger. May I have a look at it?"

"Of course," Joash answered and handed it over.

Armand studied it carefully, stroking the inlaid jewels on the handle with his thumb. Testing the point with his finger, he inhaled sharply when it drew blood.

"Sharp too," he chuckled, sucking his injured finger.

"Yes. It belonged to Leala's father. When he died, he gave it to me," Joash said quietly. Then he smiled, "He liked to keep his weapons in good condition. He used to say that 'a ready sword is a good argument,'" Joash smiled.

Armand laughed and handed back the dagger. Joash took it and returned it to his belt. He turned back to Armand, who was looking over at Leala.

"You should tell her," Armand said.

"What?"

"That you're in love with her."

Joash looked bewildered.

"Who, Leala?" he asked.

In response, Armand sighed softly and sat down next to Joash.

"Yes, Leala," he said. "Any man who has been in love can see it, Joash. Why not tell her?"

Joash carefully placed his spoon in his bowl and then looked at Leala again, lost in thought.

He dropped his head and whispered: "I can't."

Armand's eyes softened.

"Why not?"

After hesitating for the briefest of moments, Joash blurted out: "Because look at her! She's an amazing, beautiful woman! She could have any man she wants!"

"So?" Armand asked.

"So... I'm..."

"You're what?" Armand asked when Joash dropped his head again, unable to put his heart into words.

Realisation dawned on Armand's face.

"You think she's too good for you, don't you?" he asked, "That, compared to her, you're a weakling? That a woman like her won't be interested in you?"

Joash nodded his head slightly in answer, unable to meet Armand's eyes.

Armand didn't say anything at first as he looked at Leala thoughtfully. Then he turned back to Joash, a frown on his face.

"Well, that's rubbish!" he said, sounding angry. Joash's head came up and he looked at Armand, irritated at how his feelings were evidently being brushed away.

His irritation wasn't lost on Armand, who sat down opposite Joash and said: "I don't mean to be abrupt. Apparently you have convinced yourself of a lie."

He looked at Joash intently: "When you came walking through that door this afternoon, I was immediately impressed. Why? Because you radiate controlled strength, but more to the point, the way you treated those around you shows that care for others. It's like seeing God's strength and grace being embodied to the fullest in one single man."

"No, you're not Jesus," Armand smiled as Joash looked at him with a frown. "But it's clear that quite a bit of Him has rubbed off on you. To a Godly woman, that's more attractive and important than anything else!"

"As you know, Leala stayed with us for a while and take it from me: you're her type," he winked at Joash.

"But sitting here moping about whether or not she's in love with you is a waste, my friend. Because it's irrelevant!"

"Irrelevant? What could be more relevant?" Joash asked in surprise.

"Whether she feels the same about you is beside the point. It should not influence whether you pursue her or not. If you really like her, then pursue her. If you don't, then why be in love with her?"

Thoroughly confused, Joash just looked at him blankly.

"Do you believe God is in control of your life? And that He has a plan?" Armand asked.

"Yes, without a doubt," Joash replied.

"Well then do you believe God has a wife picked out for you?"

Joash frowned.

"I believe that God knows what is best for us. I believe he is deeply interested in helping us make the right choices in life. But in the end it's still our choice."

"Exactly! I agree," Armand exclaimed, "So who do you choose?"

Joash thought about this and then replied: "I guess the right answer would be God's choice."

Armand looked at him with a lopsided grin.

"That's the theologically correct answer. Fine, let me ask you in a different way: do you believe God will lead you to the right woman? To the one that He picked out for you? The one He knows is the best choice you could make?"