Kendra

Part 5

“I led men against the ravening hordes, they called me a hero. I long again for those days.”

“I fear for you Kendra,” she touched his side, “seeing the wound you received from Cephrasi made me realise that you could easily die, you are no good to me as a spirit.”

“You worry too much Salinas, being in the Bosom bores me. Guarding with my father is better, but I long for songs of victory over common enemies; maybe even long for the hunt of beasts gone mad.”

“That is one thing that does not enamour me to you Kendra, your violent nature.” She turned from him slightly.

“But that is how I met you, don’t you remember, on the road to Sikasin, you and your family were being attacked by brigands. There were thirty of them and your father and brother were falling beneath their blows. I drove them off with an ox goad, not a scratch on me.” In his minds eye he saw himself with an ox goad beating the brigands. He began to smile.

“Yes, and we were grateful, you were so strong and handsome. We were thought of as tall in our village, but you were taller and stronger.”

He grabbed her waist and pulled her towards himself, “As my father took a wife among the daughters of men, so his son took you to wife, and you made me glad. But I will not sit at peace while evil men roam the earth oppressing the innocent.”

“Very noble of you,” she smiled, “now peel the apples, tonight we are having pie for after tea. Anyway, I thought all the evil men had died in the flood?”

“Hrumph,” grunted Kendra as he picked up the apple knife.

Mankind again started to flourish on the earth. The land was green with vegetation and creatures again walked and crawled upon its surface.

There was a righteous man who loved God. He was extremely wealthy in cattle and flocks. His name was Job. He had seven sons and three daughters and was well respected in his community. When his children celebrated and partied, in case they had sinned, he would sacrifice a bull to God to atone for them.

One day Satan, who had been roaming throughout the earth, came into the presence of God. Kendra was watching while his father also presented himself. He also saw Cephras there.

“Have you seen my servant Job? There is no one more righteous than he. See how he loves me and honours me,” said God.

“He only honours you because you have blessed him. If you took away his wealth and his blessings then he would curse you,” replied Satan.

“Very well then you may take away his wealth and his blessings, but do not harm his body, or take away his life.”

Then Job, for no reason he could think of, was blighted. His children were celebrating together, there was a violent wind and the building fell down. They were killed.