The Grey Wolf’s army blocked the front and back gates of the town of Cold River. “General, should we surround the town?”

“No need, Major. There is no other way in. Send the word we attack just before dawn.”

***

After Walker hugged Sophia and his new friends, he started back up the mountain trail. His new shoes made it easy to climb. He was alone but not lonely, for a wind kept company with him. When it nudged him to take the right fork and leave the familiar way, he was not surprised.

This path ran along the mountain ridge. He ate and slept in a shelter above the clouds. At the end of the second day, he descended a steep trail through a forest of fir trees down to a familiar valley, the wind curling around him. He saw the town ahead, lit by the setting sun.

The wind pressed on him to leave the main road that led to the front gate, so he took the difficult footpath through the dark woods until the wall of the town loomed before him. A large window too high to reach was the only feature in the wall. He saw the shape of a woman in the window. When she saw him she held up her finger and he waited while she sent down a rope ladder. He climbed silently and she helped him in.

At last, she spoke. “The king sent you. Are you the hero who will fight the army?”

“All I have is the live ember of Auntie Betty’s riddle,” he said.

Her eyes grew large in wonder. “Come with me,” she said.

They left the house through the door on the street. She quickly led him through the winding lanes and alleys, stopping to knock on a few doors and beckon the ones who answered. Only a few street lamps were lit in order to keep the town dark. They moved swiftly through the shadows.

The woman, Hannah, gathered ten ember holders, one of whom was Auntie Betty. When she saw Walker, she hugged him fiercely but kept quiet. The whole town was under an order of silence. They stopped at last by the water-well in the center of town. The shops were closed. Only one dim light burned at the far end of the center square. They turned and looked to Walker expectantly.

He whispered, “I found the burning embers and brought one back. I didn’t wait for a hero. I thought you should have it right away.”

They each pulled out their ember box. As they dropped their grey coals, barely warm, in a heap in their midst, Walker could see their discomfort.

“How did they get so cool?” he asked.

One said, “I was too busy.” Another said, “I was too sick to come to the fire-ring and no one came for me.”

Around the circle came other answers: “I was ashamed.” “I was abused.” “I doubted.” “There was no shepherd.”

Walker dropped his ember and the extra. They fell in a streak of gold light onto the dark ones. The embers began to glow and grow warm and then they burst into flame. As the crackly fire grew large among them, their hearts grew warm and they beamed at one another around the circle.

Together they raised their faces to the sky and lifted their hands, palms open as though they offered something to the sky and were ready to receive.  One by one they praised the Maker in the name of the King. A wind circled them, ruffling their clothes and caressing them. A second time around the circle, they recited memorized promises from The Letters. Again around, they petitioned for protection for Cold River against the enemy. The wind blew strong. They sang a song of deep yearning, no longer silent, and the song rang out into the night.

At the end of the song, they grew still. The wind fell and their clothes settled. They waited expectantly.

***

The Grey Wolf stood in position behind the first line of his soldiers, ready to enter. He was about to nod to the drummer to give the signal when he heard a commotion behind him. Furious at this disobedience, he wheeled around. A messenger panted and went on one knee before him. “Your majesty, a message from home. Your gates are under attack and you are needed at once.”

The Grey Wolf signaled his army to turn away but he gazed one last time at the town and howled his frustration. Shortly after, the night watchmen blew trumpets to tell the glad news that the enemy had gone.

***

The ember-friends looked at one another in wonder. They began to laugh and cry in joy.

They collected their glowing embers. One remained. Before they could decide what to do, a young woman came out of a shadowed doorway, where she had been watching. She said, “Will the King take me, do you think?”

Hannah replied, “Yes, I know he will! He knew you would be here. See? An ember for you.”

Epilogue: The mayor thanked Walker with a ceremony and said, “I always knew you could do it,” which wasn’t exactly true but everyone knew the mayor didn’t like to be embarrassed. Walker stayed in Cold River for a while. The ember fellowship grew strong and met regularly. A few others joined them. The Grey Wolf lost interest in Cold River. Eventually, Walker continued his journey and had other adventures, but that is a story for another time.

End of Part I