From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [201]
Arman, I am but a man. I cannot defeat this enemy by my own strength. I barely have strength left. Achan fell to his knees and stifled a cry at the pain in his leg. Please banish the Darkness, Arman. Bring back the sun. Defeat this enemy before me. Let Your light shine again, over all Er’Rets. In the name of Your Son, Câan, I ask this of You.
He opened his eyes. The sky was still dark. Nothing had happened. Arman had not answered. Shung now stood between him and the keliy, which had taken the form of an adolescent Berland boy.
“Arluk wanted to live,” the boy said. “To be squire for Koyukuk.”
Arluk. The friend Shung had killed in his youth.
Shung mumbled a prayer. “Arman God. Arman One. Arman Three.”
Ôwr shook in Achan’s hand. Soon the keliy would wield its green fire and he and Shung would fight until they fell.
Achan? Sparrow’s voice rang inside his head. What is happening?
The mere sound of her voice boosted his morale and stilled his trembling hands. I called on Arman, but He does not answer. What more can I do?
Perhaps you can give Him an offering.
Arman doesn’t need my offerings. Gold cups and coins are for idols like Cetheria. All I have is Ôwr and half a gold coin.
Not riches, Achan. An offering from your heart. Arman deserves more from you than demands.
Of course. Achan recalled Toros’s advice. “Arman does long to hear your prayers, but He also deserves your praise and worship. Your allegiance.”
Achan closed his eyes. Arman hu elohim, Arman hu echâd, Arman hu shlosha be-echâd. You are my god. You are my creator. You are holy beyond all comprehension. Mightier than the fiercest cham. Stronger than the tallest Eben. You are wise. Worthy of more than I know how to give. You’re my deliverer. My father.
Heat swelled in the pit of his stomach. Heat that could do miracles. If only all the people could feel Arman’s power. How could they doubt the truth then?
He sucked in a quick breath of cold air. The lyrics of a song the worshippers in Melas had sung came to him now.
No darkness have we who in Arman abide.
The Light of the world is Câan!
We walk in the light when we follow our Guide.
The Light of the world is Câan!
Achan carried Arman inside him. He was part of Arman’s light. So was every man, woman, and child in Er’Rets who believed. Alone, as one man, Achan could not succeed. But if all the people joined together…
Because the temple of Arman was His people.
Achan lowered the shields around his mind completely. Voices gushed into his thoughts, drowning out one another. Millions of voices. He winced at the level of noise. At the pressure. The pain.
He gritted his teeth and spoke to all the people at once. Lo, this is Achan Cham, born Gidon Hadar to King Axel and Queen Dara.
The din in his mind softened a great deal. He could hear the keliy speaking to Shung, feel the cold wind whipping around Arman’s warmth within him. I stand at the top of the Armonguard watchtower facing Lord Nathak, the man responsible for my parents’ death, the man responsible for ushering the reign of Darkness over Er’Rets. Arman has set me as king over this land.
Some voices protested.
He ignored the curses and growls and raised his voice. I come to you for help. We’ve been silent far too long. Many of you have turned your backs on Arman. Many never bothered to know Him at all. But Arman is the One God. He created Er’Rets and everything in it. He gave each of you life and purpose. He loves all of you as His own sons and daughters.
To defeat Darkness, we must unite our faith. We must worship the One God, Arman. We must call out to Him for mercy. Though He hears my prayer now, my voice alone is not strong enough. I am only one man. But together, we are mighty. I ask you to join with me now. Worship Him.
And Achan began to sing.
Er’Rets was lost in the darkness within.
The Light of the world is Câan!
Like sunshine at noonday His glory shone in.
The Light of the world is Câan!
In his mind he could hear scattered voices singing along.
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