The gate clicked into place solidly and the enemy retreated after having suffered serious casualties. A cheer went up from all the defenders on the wall.
I dismounted and walked toward the welcoming committee that was forming. Ayaya was the first to rush forward. Her voice was painfully hoarse as she spoke, "Thank El Elyon you came!"
The excitement fell from her face to then be replaced with a spirit of defeat as she said, "I've failed in my quest to get them to leave. I……."
I put my hand over her mouth, "Rest your voice Ayaya. You have not failed! The witness we give to others is not measured by their willingness to accept what we tell them, but rather by how faithful we have been to impart what truths have been revealed to us. El Elyon expects our best and I do not doubt that is what you've done. Now who is this approaching me?"
"The tribal elders. The Yesathurim have no central leader."
I nodded before I headed straight for the group with Ayaya by my side.
"Welcome stranger! How many spears do you bring to the fight?"
"About four thousand, but I haven't come to help you in your foolishness to think you can resist the prophecies given of old."
The five tribal chiefs stared at me in a mixture of shock bordering on outrage. Inspiration came to me and I pointed to the wall at my back, "Your wall will fall in three days' time. I speak to you from the Most High and not out of any private knowledge. I will help you today and tomorrow, but before the third day dawns I am leaving with my warriors and all who choose to come with me of their own free will."
"And just who do you think you are to speak to us so?" One of the tribal members spoke out harshly.
I stepped forward, "I'm the man who killed the monster single-handedly on the spot you now stand. Behold the dirt still stained red by its blood. I'm also the man who helped make this valley habitable and a safe place for your people to dwell, along with the Savior of your own flesh and blood whom you rejected as a leader over you in times past and even now to the present! That's who I am! Now where can my warriors bed down for what remains of the night in order to be rested for the attack in the morning?"
The five tribal chiefs looked at me in shock. One pointed off to the left and I said, "Thank you. I will see you on the wall in the morning."