The medicine man tried saving Abner.

Cleaning and stopping the bleeding from his chest, in his crowded tent, as soldiers and well wishers stood outside.

Abner stared at the sky, and occasionally winced in agony.

The medicine man then called for a flame to seal the wound.

Beniah pushed through the crowd, getting to the tent.

"Move! Get ready to evacuate!" Beniah yelled.

Most didn't move.

Beniah got next to Abner's face.

"Abner. We must move. Joab's army could be here soon."

Abner turned his head.

"Let them come."

"No," Beniah raised his voice to his direct in command. "You might want to die, but your men will be massacred. They have families. The war is over."

Abner thought about what he said briefly.

The hot iron was being prepared.

"Make the call."

Beniah nodded and turned and went outside of the tent.

"You all have heard correctly," Beniah's voice bellowed. "Our king is dead and the houses will unite. But the brother of Joab is dead by Abner's hand. Evacuate now, or be prepared to die right here."

The soldiers who were still there outside the tent immediately went in to action, whether to leave or stand their ground.

They pulled swords and the last of the armor and provisions, and made a circle around Abner's tent.

The hot iron was placed over Abner's sliced chest.

Joab's army were drunk and mad and all mounting their horses.

He watched from his tent, covered in sweat and tears, as across the way, the holy man prepared his brother's lifeless body.

Abishai quickly walked in the tent to face his brother.

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"Are you going to stop this?"

Joab, in his pain, actually smiled.

"No."

"This could be the end of you, brother."

"Good."

Abishai wasn't going to try more.

Joab then emerged from his tent and raised his sword.

The men on horseback reared and screamed and took off into the night.

The wound was sealed.

Beniah came to Abner, covered in sweat and a face full of agony.

"You have to ride," Beniah whispered.

"Let me die here."

"You are a part of the new kingdom, Abner. You represent all of us in this new world," Beniah pleaded. "You work for the king. Don't let this go to waste."

"Let Joab have it. My hands are covered in blood as much as him."

"You were chosen. Not him. Come. Medicine man. Help me."

They got Abner up quickly and dressed him. They placed an armor on him and his trench coat.

"Now. Say goodbye. They are giving their lives for you," Beniah stated.

Abner stepped forward, wincing.

He was shocked at all the men who were waiting there, protecting him.

A tear fell from Abner's eye.

"I won't forget you. And your families, the lovers of our house, will be protected. I will be your representative to the king. Our exploits will live forever. Our people will live forever."

The men roared and cheered and screamed and cried.

Abner raised his sword.

They raised theirs back.

Beniah quickly pulled him away.

The thunderous chorus of horses were heard down the mountain.

The house of the outcast king stood, waiting.

In the darkness, everything looked different.

So when the first horse appeared, it was already too late.

All were right behind it.

They trampled the line of men.

Tents were flipped and fires spread.

Swords and axes and arrows came forth.

Heads were split and stabbed.

The mad horsemen then jumped from their horses and began to chop the bodies into pieces.

Heads were thrown into the air.

Blood was drunk.

Amelik's mask was found and put on.

There was no honor here.

Just death.

As the sun rose, some who awoke from the violent orgy were shocked. They had started killing each other. Their own army and brothers.

The houses were united in death.