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Battle of the Kingless – Ch. 14 | KT OLLA

THE unknown speaker stood in front of Jephthah. He was a huge, stud thing and he swung his sword across the warrior’s face.

Jephthah stood still for a while, then he caught that blade with a hand.

That man looked at him for a moment, and then laughed.

But Jephthah was serious. ‘Who are you and why d’ you trouble me?’ he queried, hauling off the man’s sword.

The man smiled and asked, ‘Your subordinates just told you, didn’t they?’

‘No they didn’t. Why do you trouble me?’

‘Because I am curious! I wanted to see if you can own me. Or if I should!’

The Gilead-born looked at the stranger in front of him, wondering at what he was saying.

The man went on. ‘You came and earned for yourself the four I’ve always wanted to train.

‘I have an eagle eye for prospects. And those boys standing behind you were the ones I’ve set my eyes on since you came around.

‘You won them too easily, didn’t you? I really wonder how you did it.

‘I wonder how strong and quick-witted you are to have won my militants of tomorrow!

‘That’s why you had my best men fight you, moments ago!’ he said.

Jephthah glanced back at the men lying beaten on the ground. He just let out a breath, then turned back to face the hefty stranger.

‘Listen, I didn’t earn anyone! And I am not interested in owning you as you earlier suggested. Now that we’re settled, you can pick up your men and leave in peace!’

‘No, no, no… that’s not right!’ the bulky man refuted. ‘Don’t you know? You’ve just earned me even now!

‘You see, you’ve got strength, and you don’t have those greedy eyes which often kill us. I can see you’re a noble fighter through and through.

‘It is amity and peace that you chose against sparing with me to own my guerrilla. Certainly, you lacked those greedy eyes that ruin men!’

Jephthah looked at him to respond, then he saw he had nothing to say at all.

The next moment the leader of that wild pack picked up again; for he wasn’t done still.

But this time, it was a heavy stand he declared.

‘So, man of war and wits!’ he called in a bold voice, ‘let me and my men fight for you!

‘It is a better to die fighting for honour and nobility. Than to fight and die for no cause or glory!’

Jephthah had the words to reply now. But he was so baffled that the words ran out without a thought.

‘But I’m no lord or king; and I don’t have a glorious cause in any case.’

That man clamped his sword and clutched it to his chest.

‘My name is Macot of a common house in Tob. I have heard about you and your God, Jephthah of Israel. Pray let my band be your fighters, man of war and wits!’

Jephthah and his men just stood there speechless.

Then Macot bowed, touched a knee to the ground and stuck the tip of his sword into it.

‘Today I swear by the Maker of the wonders of earth! Today I swear my sword and my men to you, man of war and wit.

‘I swear myself and all to Jephthah, Jephthah of Israel!’

Then he rose to his feet and roared, raising his sword to sky. ‘To Jephthah!’

And his century responded in an endless cheer.

‘To Jephthah! To Jephthah! To Jephthah!’

Then as those hundred cried out a roaring cheer, the fainted twelve woke from their sleep and ran to their leader.

But that leader was under Jephthah now, so he simply pointed at him.

The rising sun shone a radiant gleam that day also. Like the day Jephthah found his friends restored in the new Baddok and co.

Today, Jephthah hadn’t only gained a pack of friends, but also an army.

But still, there was no home or kingdom for him to call his.

Copyright © April 2022 by Kayode & Tola Olla

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