Abishai walked outside the barracks.
Days had gone by.
The kingdom united.
Armies joined.
Heretics executed.
Prisoners set free.
Free made prisoners.
Joab disappeared after the funeral of Asahel.
Abishai tried to clear his head, leaning on his staff.
The King announced for him to come to his royal court, soon.
What if I say no?
Abishai took a breath as he walked.
He thought of his brothers, of Swordfall, and all that occurred.
As he walked, he saw a woman wearing black picking flowers.
Her gown flowed in the soft wind.
Her basket was full of berries and flowers and other things.
She looks too young to be in mourning.
Abishai walked slowly over to her.
She looked up.
Her eyes full of anger and sadness and yet life.
Larkin nodded a greeting to Abishai, then went back to her work.
"Have I seen you before, madam?" Abishai asked. Such beauty was rare.
"You have," was her curt reply.
"Do you live at the fortress?"
"I do."
"Do I know your family?"
"Not quite. We served the dead king. But we were under your king's rules and land," Larkin whispered.
Abishai nodded.
"Can I help you?" Abishai offered.
"No."
"Come. We must make it back it to the fort. It is dark. And enemies are everywhere."
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Larkin looked up, agreed, and they started to walk.
"I am Abishai."
"I am Larkin. I know who you are."
Larkin stopped and looked at Abishai.
"I loved your brother. And he loved me," Larkin's voice rose.
Abishai looked at her. She was stunning. He was surprised by the announcement, but not taken off guard.
"I heard whispers of a young woman around the base," Abishai answered. "And I am sure the only reason he did not speak of it was your family's allegiance. And I doubt he really cared about that."
That was of no comfort to Larkin. She started to walk again.
"How long will your mourn him?" Abishai asked.
"Forever."
Abishai nodded. He was a soldier, and knew he and brothers would face the sword one day. His mourning was different.
"Will you avenge him?" Larkin asked sharply.
"Against Abner? Do you want war, woman?" Abishai snapped back.
"I want vengeance," Larkin exclaimed back.
Abishai was taken back by her honesty and bravery.
"So does Joab," Abishai said as they walked through the cooling hills.
"Will he take it? Will he avenge Asahel?"
Abishai did not respond.
He gently took her basket of goods from her, and let her lean on his spear.
That was answer enough.
Joab was on his hands and knees, praying. Begging to the Creator.
He cried and spit and sweat.
He was naked and filthy.
The small hut was a runaway sanctuary for him. Made by himself, it was a small prayer sanctuary and safe sleeping spot. Made of trees and brush and old wood.
From the outside, it looked like a small outhouse without a door, but a little wider.
Joab turned.
Noises outside.
He turned and grabbed his sword.
"Who goes?"
An arrow flew into the small hut.
Joab ducked, then walked out.
He came out into the night sky, still naked, sword drawn.
Three thieves were running at him. One was pulling an arrow again.
"Leave!"
"We'll be leaving with your horse and weapons. You'll have no need of it anymore, Joab!"
Well, that was it.
Joab ran forward, and beheaded one thief with one swipe.
The arrow was pulled and fired.
Joab cut the arrow in two pieces mid air, while he then blocked a swing from another sword.
He then kicked out the knee of the swordsmen, then slammed his own sword against the enemies shoulder as he fell to the ground.
The archer pulled a dagger, but Joab's sword was already through his mid section.
Joab pulled the sword out brutally in one motion.
He looked at three bodies around him and sighed.
Two of them were former soldiers of his. He really had no respect or authority in this new world.
His own men trying to kill and steal from him for sport and laugh and because he was nothing.
Joab cursed the king he had served, and his own army he fought and died for.
He then thought of his enemy Abner, who had been enemy of all of them, and was now above all, and at the right hand of the king.
Joab slowly walked back to his fox hole and cried.