The Barren Land
The Shepherd, Book I
A Novel by Jeffrey B. Linn
All Rights Reserved

Chapter V

At dusk of the following evening we crested the far side of the western range. Looking down into the valley, we beheld a stone castle rising out of a plain dotted with tufts of thistle grass.

"This fortress," mentor related, "stands against the influence of the wasteland. I have been here before. It seems to have been weakened."

"Weakened?"

"I discern something, but I cannot know for sure until--Hold! Look! They are under siege."

I had difficulty making out anything in the dim light except the outline of the edifice, for it was illumined by lanterns from within. But then I made out the shape of a man standing motionless, facing the fortress. To his left about ten yards away stood another. Then I noticed many others, at regular intervals, encompassing the structure.

"Menace!" I erupted. "Why build on the field when there are more defensible positions close by in the hills?"

"It is a refuge for those fleeing the grasp of the dragon," mentor chided. "Should they, after beating off such a force, be compelled to ascend the heights?"

I could contend with neither the wisdom nor the heroism of those below.

"Shall we descend?" I queried, not relishing the notion of confronting the eparchs of the enemy. They would be dressed in the black silk, the uniform of his league, with the dragon crest woven in gold on the right breast and his brand in the skin of the left cheek. Intimidation was the least of their arts. A mere glance could commute bravado to despair. But the one undeniable strength that upheld me was that I already put no stock in myself, but in the One who was with us.

"No, my son, we will take our stand here, linking with those who strive from within." He climbed onto a boulder. "Come. We must lean into the wind," he said smiling. He lifted his hands skyward in invocation. I knelt in the dust. We spoke no further, but sought the Presence and focused our hearts on the defense of the citadel.

After perhaps an hour I heard mentor plead, "My hands." I vaulted to the top of the rock and supported his elbows from behind. Then suddenly his arms relaxed. "It is done," he said. "Behold."

I peered down the mountain. The gates of the fortress swung open revealing a brightness within. A man came forth.

"Alone!" I exclaimed.

"He has received all the support he needed," said mentor. The ring of attackers began to disperse.

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