The Message of Peace

A war between two kingdoms has occurred for a decade. Will divine forces end the battle?

The waters stretched below the sunrise. Jaden’s brown hair ruffled in the, gale as he sat on a boulder. His eyes glistened as he veered off. “When will this bloody war cease?” he said. Jaden stood then turned about and returned to the castle of Airavier.

As he walked along a steep cobblestone path, a man in iron greaves and a chain mail neared him. “General Jaden, I bring news from Nimbius,” said the man. “King Ifria, has attacked the village of Nimbus.”

“When did this happen?”

“A sole survivor just brought news.”

General Jaden frowned. “King Ifria’s forces are trying to incite retaliation. He surely plans to ambush us from surrounding the forest.”

Jaden continued his approach to the castle with the soldier.

General Jaden was silent during the walk to the castle. The two men approached the castle gate.

“Welcome back, General,” A guard said atop the wall.

The gate raised. He entered and King Darvy immediately met him and he saluted the king with a bow. “General, you have heard of the attack?”

“Indeed. As I told this fine guard, I advise us not to counter strike. The surrounding forest is perfect for a surprise attack.”

“So be it, then.”

Jaden was about to walk back to his quarters then Darvy stopped him. “General-the magi have had a vision and have asked to consult you.”

“At once, my Lord.”

Jaden went through a door and entered a long drafty corridor with small braziers lining the corridor. He came to a vail of curtains. He separated the curtains and entered a large domed chamber with constellations displayed above.

“Greetings, General Jaden,” said a man in a red cloak.

“Hello, Seraph.”

“Please sit,” Saraph said as he pointed to a wooden table.

“You have had a vision.”

“Quite true. It regards the Winter Solstice that is to occur tomorrow.”

Jaden leaned forward. “And?”

Seraph smiled widely. “The end of the war.”

Jaden jolted to his feet. “Truly!”

“indeed. The vision involves you and a mysterious traveler you will meet.”

“When does this happen?"

“It is to occur at midnight at the shore of the Blue Sea.”

“That is where I go to think.”

“And I believe it is the perfect place,” said Seraph.

Jaden stood and took a deep breath. “I am anxious. I will go to my quarters to wait.” Jaden smiled and exited the curtains.

Jaden went through the curtains and walked back to the main antechamber. Jaden ascended a staircase and opened a door, entered, and lay on his bed. He nodded off into a deep slumber.

He awoke and looked at the tall clock. “It’s almost eleven O’clock at night!” The man stood and dashed out of his room and sprinted for the front gate.

A guard met him. “What are you doing so late at night?"

“I am going to the shores of the Blue Sea.”

The guard nodded to three men that cranked the gate upwards. Jaden dashed through and ran for the shore. He soon arrived and perched on the boulder overlooking the waters. His nerves were tensed and his he glanced around for the man.

Two hours seemed to pass and he nodded off. Something roused him awake. Standing before him was a young man with mysterious sea-blue eyes. “Hello, Jaden.” His voice was calm and gentle.

“Who are you?”

“I am Gabriel. I come to give you this.” Gabriel gave Jaden a scroll. “Tell this to your foe and the power of the Most High will pierce your foe’s heart and peace will supernaturally transform him.”

Jaden glanced down at the rolled parchment. He looked back up but Gabriel was gone! Jaden looked around but he was nowhere. Jaden unrolled the scroll and read. The message was powerful but brief.

“A God who became a man? And immortal life is given to all who believe He died and rose again?”

An effervescent wave seemed to wash through his soul and he shed a tear. “I believe!” It was as though the eyes of his soul were open and his spirit was reborn. He then purposed to go directly to the valley border that separated the two warring kingdoms. In the distance were three men on horseback with the emblem of a serpent, that represented Darvy’s foe.

The three galloped to Jaden.

“What is the general of our foe doing so late and all alone at such a dangerous place?” said one of those on the three horses.

“I surrender. All I ask is to speak with King Ifria.”

A pause followed. “You have got britches, I will say that,” said the same mounted soldier. “Very well.”

Jaden’s hands were tied behind his back and was seated behind one of the soldiers.

Jaden was brought to the enemy fortress and was ushered before King Ifria’s presence.

King Ifria was thin and tall with ghostly grey eyes that reflected his cunning mind. “Why are you here?” he asked.

Jaden pulled out the scroll and skimmed over the short message and looked deep into Ifria’s eyes. “The creator who made heaven and Earth and all life sent His son to redeem man from his slavery to iniquity and all who believe this simple message will inherit eternal life through His shed blood.”

Ifria seemed to be cut to the heart and he blinked a few times. He clutched his head and closed his eyes tightly. He opened them to reveal a gentle countenance, far from the bloodthirsty, sly gaze that characterized his mentality. He looked down. “Send a message to King Darvy. Tell him we want peace.”

“My Lord!” said a guard.

“Things have changed-I cannot explain it.”

Jaden returned to King Darvy with a scroll sealed with Ifria’s signet ring with a message of peace.

At sunrise the two kings met in the middle of the valley and Darvy was transformed by the message in the scroll too and the two kings made a stone altar, symbolizing their peace.