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Battle of the Godless – Ch. 13 | KT OLLA

GOMER addressed the council. It was with words that were the wisest ever spoken. It was with words which arrested the ears and the heart.

‘Wisdom and valour are two enemies,’ began the old man. ‘Like two heirs of an empty throne. Wisdom and valour are brother enemies that never mend.

‘We the wise have no valour, Elders of Dan. And they the valiant ones, they know nothing of our wisdom.

‘Wisdom are brother enemies: they don’t get to play together within the body of a single human.’

The people shifted in their seats, heaving a thoughtful breath. Some leaned back and nodded. Some simply crossed their hands and sighed.

Everyone taught his ears to listen.

Gomer picked up again after pausing to observe the men.

‘But then doesn’t a miracle happen at times? Doesn’t a wonder occur once in a while? A wonder we ourselves cannot control.

‘So every once in a while, brother enemies are placed together in the same human being. They eat, they play, they live together for as long as nine months.

‘But people never know they could grow up to become total strangers. Even when today we call them twins.’

He finished: ‘Once in every while, my friends, miracles happen and wisdom and valour get to live in one and the same being.’

He looked at Ajar as he added:

‘And that happens when a man knows the bounds of his strength and works within that limit!’

Right then Ajar looked back at that long gaze resting on him. So he felt beaten by the words which came with it.

He felt hit, he felt wrecked inside. He felt that those words were peculiarly said to ridicule him.

For he still remembered how boastful he’d been when he knew the five were being sent to Philistia. When he hadn’t known that the Philistines were more than he could handle.

But Gomer didn’t know about this man’s arrogance and pride. Neither did he say those words to scold the famed hunter.

Gomer’s words were simply for his own self, as the wise one realized now that Dan shouldn’t have aimed for Philistia, to begin with.

And that long gaze on his face. It was an expression of admiration for the man. This leader of the spies who had hastened them back home.

He thought Ajar was that perfect example of that miracle he just described.

But Ajar didn’t know this. For Gomer himself didn’t know him.

Now, in that moment when Gomer said his words, the house buzzed with a thoughtful murmur. Everyone found those words perfect and just.

And they simply wanted more.

Old Gomer didn’t let the men down. For when he picked up again, he proffered a practicable thought as the way forward.

‘We are mere guests among the people we live with, and so we don’t have the advantage of military strength.

‘We are nomads in these towns of Zorah and Eshtaol. And that is why we don’t have a regular army. But just a convenient militia force.

 ‘But now…!’ He banged his fist to register his next words on minds.

‘Dan shall focus on the weak populations of enemies everywhere round us. Everywhere from the south down here… up to the farthest north!

‘And these five worthy men, these same men… they shall again be our eyes in those places. And bring back good news for us this time!’

He turned to the five and addressed their head.

‘Ajar the Brave One, I repeat: Focus on the weak among all peoples.

‘Focus your might on people with no law, no king, and no God. Those are our easiest prey!’

So following that decisive congress, Ajar and his men were equipped with more supplies for their mission. And after a week of preparation they set out again on the road.

This time, heading north.

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