Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: BAGGAGE (02/08/18)
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TITLE: Out of Nowhere | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jack Taylor
02/09/18 -
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Out of nowhere a trunk of severed thumbs had appeared in the pinnacle of power. His tax collectors had been disposed of.
“Summon the allies!“ howled the monarch. “And take this baggage out of here.”
Messengers scattered and the raging reigner raked his ruby-ringed fingers through his chest-length beard. He reached for his scarlet tunic and rambled toward the rose garden. Relief, rest… that’s what he needed.
The shuffling arrival of slippers and swishing silk robes only annoyed him. There was no time for pleasure at a time when the world was at stake. Another trunk rested in the lower branches of an olive tree. No words needed to accompany the taunt.
A fiery-red sunset followed by a blood-red full moon increased his agitation.
Days later, centered and certain, King Joram huddled with the allied kings. Rebellion demanded raging response. The seven-day march began under a relentless sun. Three armies dispersing dust columns under their tromping feet. Spears and swords clanking, shields thumping, tongues drying up from lack of water.
Division and discouragement dampened the drive of the troops as they drooped onto the rocks and dusty crevices of shadowy ravines. The baggage of war weighed heavy. “We’re doomed, moaned the mercenaries.”
Once again the monarch raged. “Is this the way that the king of the heavens displays his anger? Does he destroy the righteous with the wicked? Is there no discernment by the Almighty? Must we live under the baggage of guilt? Summon a Prophet.”
Elisha reluctantly arrived and focused himself as a harpist soothed his soul. little baggage weighed him down. Bunches of grapes were set before him. He ate slowly and waited for the Monarch of Heaven to speak.
This skirmish between Israel, Judah, Edom and Moab would serve the sovereign wishes of the Almighty. “Dig ditches!” That was it.
Joram threw off his scarlet tunic and gripped the bloodied blade of his war sword, flashing it at the prophet. “Ditches? In a desert?”
Elisha lifted the scarlet tunic off the ground. “Ditches. If you dig ditches water will come and you and your men and your cattle will be satisfied. Furthermore, you will win the war.”
“Ditches? Whoever won a war by digging ditches?”
Ditches were dug. Rage was strong. Sleep was welcomed by weary soldiers.
And out of nowhere, it came. Rivers of red – or so it seemed.
As the morning sun crested over the hills water nestling in the ditches was obvious to the enemy observers. “Do you see it?” asked one. “Blood. As far as you can see.”
“Those kings must have fought each other,” the other responded. “To the spoils.”
The rebellious mobs hurled themselves onto the invading camp and were soon surprised by the resurrection of a well-armed and very much alive force bent on slaughter.
The tents of Moab were shredded and the riches of each town and village were pillaged and carried away as baggage. A final battle against the king of Moab. The monarch stood on his city wall with a knife at the throat of his firstborn son. His future hopes lay in his hands as the enemy prepared to dismantle his last refuge. “Stop! He called. His hand slashed quickly. The sacrifice shocked all who witnessed and the rage drained away with the blood flowing over the stone parapet.
Leather strands of bright colors streamed off the spears of the victors as they paraded through their towns hauling the treasures of the defeated. The baggage of victory was a welcomed relief for life put on the line.
And yet the night came with the night terrors. The baggage of war as images of draining life danced like holograms in the mind of the king. Watching his former subject sacrifice his son to signal his surrender. Considering the cost of peace should his own kingdom fall.
From that day forward the king sent courtiers in advance to scout for hidden trunks and baggage which might hold ominous threats of his own demise. From that day forward he called the prophet often to release his own internal baggage. He knew that out of nowhere another piece of baggage might signal another battle.
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