Read Online Red by Ted Dekker - Free Book Online Page B

fleeing to the forest. Seven thousand of his men had joined the battle here in the canyon. Three thousand had given their lives.
    It was the worst defeat they’d ever suffered.
    Now their hope rested in a black powder that did not exist.
    The Guard waited a mile to the west, ready to make for the forest at a moment’s notice. If they could not find the saltpeter within the hour, Thomas would give the order.
    They had enough charcoal already. William had led a contingent of soldiers to the caves for sulfur. They hauled nearly a ton of pyrite rock to a pit two canyons removed, where they’d built a fire and coaxed liquid sulfur from the stone. The stench had risen to the sky and Thomas couldn’t remember ever being so ecstatic about such a horrible smell.
    It was the odor of Scab flesh.
    But the saltpeter eluded them. A thousand warriors searched in the moonlight for the white rock, licking when necessary.
    â€œWe could bring the archers back and at least give the Horde a parting surprise,” Mikil said beside him.
    â€œIf we had any arrows left, I would shoot a few myself,” Thomas said. He looked up at the moon again. “If we can’t find the saltpeter in an hour, we leave.”
    â€œThat’s cutting it close. Even if we do find it, we have to mine it. Then grind it into powder, mix it, and test it. Then—”
    â€œI know what we need to do, Mikil. It’s my knowledge, remember?”
    â€œYes. Your dream.”
    He let the comment go. She’d always been a strong one, the kind of person whom he could trust to take his place at the head of this army if he were ever killed.
    â€œIf we are forced to flee, what will become of the Gathering?” she asked.
    â€œCiphus will insist on the Gathering. He’ll hold it at one of the other lakes if he has to, but he won’t neglect it.”
    She sighed. “And with all this nonsense of Justin coming to a head, I’m sure it will be a Gathering to remember. There’s been talk of a challenge.” Thomas had heard the rumors that Ciphus might press Justin into a debate and, if necessary, a physical contest for his defiance of the Council’s prevailing doctrine. Thomas had witnessed three challenges since Ciphus had initiated them; they reminded him of the gladiator-style matches of the histories. All three usurpers had lost and been exiled to the desert.
    â€œIf there isn’t, I may challenge him myself,” Mikil continued.
    â€œJustin’s treachery is the least of our concerns at the moment. He will fall in battle like all of Elyon’s enemies.”
    She dropped the subject and looked westward, toward the Middle Forest. “What will happen if the Horde overtakes our lakes?”
    â€œWe may lose our army, we may even lose our trees, but we’ll never lose our lakes. Not before the prophecy delivers us. If we lose the lakes, then we will become Desert Dwellers against our will. Elyon would never allow it.”
    â€œThen he’d better come through soon,” she said.
    â€œYou may not remember, but I do. He could clap his hands and end this tonight.”
    â€œThen why doesn’t he?”
    â€œHe just might.”
    â€œSir!”
    A runner.
    â€œWilliam calls you. He says to tell you he may have found it.”

    â€œHERE! WE’LL do it all right here.” Thomas gripped the large mallet in both hands and slammed it into the glowing rock. A slab of the cliff crashed down.
    It was translucent and it was salty, and of all people to find it, William had. If it wasn’t saltpeter, they would know soon enough.
    Thomas grabbed a handful of the fragments. “Bring it down. All of it.” He turned to William. Bring the charcoal and the sulfur. We will set up a line here for crushing the rock into powder and we’ll mix it under that ledge. Put a thousand men on this if you have to. I want powder within the hour!”
    He ran to his horse and swung into