A Hero's Heart. Joseph David Hightower

and still you try to kill me, your only son!”

      “You have killed your father without even raising a sword, and by killing you, I can save my own life.” Heru’s father screamed back. “Do you not understand? This is the only way to appease the ancestors! I have no choice!”

      The hatred emanating from both men fed the demon in the corner, it continued to call out to both men, “Kill your son now, finish it! Save your life old man, it’s the only way!”

      “Heru, kill your father, save yourself, he’s not going to listen to you. You must protect yourself! Kill him now!” the demon kept spewing out venomous barbs and taunts, the room filling with the toxic green fumes until both men could barely be seen for the fog in the room.

      They each raised their swords preparing to strike the last death blow to each other, when out of nowhere, an unseen force blew into the room, separating the two men. A great wind blew open the doors and windows ridding the room of the poisonous gas. A brilliant blinding light filled the hut as Yeshua stepped into the room clothed in a purple robe that floated around Him with a radiating white battle armor beneath. There were twelve jewels adorning the breastplate, one for each tribe and the words: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS, was inscribed on His right thigh. He turned his head and spoke only one word to the demons; “ENOUGH!”, and they exploded into a thousand particles that fell and melted into the floor.

      Chapter 12

      He approached Heru and said, “Rise my son, sin no more and ready yourself, for your new life has just begun.” “Remember, I AM with you always, even unto the ends of your days!” Then, just as quickly as He had appeared, He was gone.

      Several hours passed with both men stunned and unaware of the outside world going on around them. Heru was the first to come to himself, and rising to his feet, he immediately went in search of his mother for advice on what he was to do next. He found her with several women from the village working in the communal garden. He called her to him and as they walked together, he quickly told her all that had happened in the meeting house with his father. When he was finished, she reached out and grabbing his arm and pulled him down close to her face. “My son, I feel it is best if you got as far away from the village as you can. God means for you to trust Him. You must do this without me. Your life is in danger here and you cannot stay. I will pray for God’s protection over you and my love will travel with you, but for now you must go this journey alone. I am sure that as you travel, He will place different people in your path to help you and for you to help, this is the only way for you to grow stronger! Go now, before your father awakes and God speed my son, I love you!” placing one last kiss upon his forehead, she pushed him towards the path that led out and away from the village of his childhood.

      She stood rooted to the spot as her precious son walked out of her sight and away from her arms, tears streaming unchecked down her face, she whispered into the wind, “Go in peace my son, I will love you for all time, you are forever in my heart. God protect my son and guide his every step, help him to find You, and Into Your hands I place my trust!” blowing one last kiss into the breeze, she turned and walked back into the heart of the village.

      As she came back into town, Lord Hanabashita came screaming out of the house. “Stop him!” “Heru, you come back here and finish this battle!” “We are not finished!” “Heru, if you leave, never come back! Do you hear me? Never come back! You are now dead to me, I no longer have a son!” he spun around and grabbed his wife, “Why did you let him leave, woman? You know the traditions of this village and yet you have interfered!” throwing her to the ground he yelled for the village guards to bring Heru back.

      The guards gave chase following Heru for several miles when they suddenly came to an abrupt stop. An unbridgeable precipice opened in front of them, causing them to be unable to follow Heru any further. They slowly turned around and headed back into the village, dreading the moment when they had to face the village master. As they entered the village, everyone began to gather around them to try and find out what had happened to Heru, but they spoke not a word until they reached the door of Lord Hanabashita’s hut. Once they were allowed in they quickly explained what had happened and why they were unable to bring Heru back.

      Lord Hanabashita dismissed them with a wave of his hand and slowly sat down in his chair. “What have I done? I almost killed my son and I failed, I am now going to die, the ancestors are going to come for me!” “Oh, why didn’t I just perform the nightly sacrifices last night, then all of this could have been avoided, but instead, I now no longer have a son, the village no longer has as heir, and my wife will soon have no husband?!” cried Lord Hanabashita to himself.

      Chapter 13

      After traveling all day, Heru was exhausted. He had been busy all day, he had helped put out two fires, helped to move three wagons and find one lost yack. He slowly pulled his pack from his back, still unsure how he had come to have the pack in the first place, but grateful none the less. He laid it on the ground and stretched his tired body out and laid his head-on top of the pack, starring up into the dusky sky. As he fell into a deep sleep, he was once again pulled back to the refreshing waterfall. This was fast becoming his favorite spot, for it was here that his strength was renewed, his tired body was healed, and his hungry young spirit fed. He breathed in the mist rising from the pool as the waterfall poured down. He dipped his hand in and took a long purifying drink of the cold, crisp, clean water. He could feel it being absorbed into every pore of his body finding every spot that needed healing and healing it at once. He knew that Yeshua would be there soon, so he sat down crossed legged next to the water and waited.

      Before long, the door of the cabin opened and Yeshua stepped out. He looked out at Heru and said, “You could have entered the cabin at any time, you are one of my many brothers and you are always welcome.”

      “I didn’t want to intrude on you Master, I’m not worthy to even cross your threshold.” replied Heru.

      “You are a child of my Father and as such you are entitled to the Father through the Son at any time.” Yeshua said with a smile. “There is much for you to still learn little brother, yet I will send helpers to you. In fact, you will meet the first one before you even see the sun rise. The rest, however, will not be so easily recognized, one will even need your forgiveness and patience. Take heart my brother, I know you will not fail because I know your heart! It is now time for you to wake up and continue your journey. Look to the vines just up the rode and rescue a good friend of mine.” finished Yeshua.

      The cottage and the waterfall began to fade from Heru’s vision and as he rubbed his eyes he looked up and noticed the stars shining brightly in the night sky and realized that he was now awake. He arose and gathered up his pack and put out his small camp fire and started down the road, looking for the vines that Yeshua had spoken of. It was only about five or ten minutes into his walk that Heru began to hear someone calling for help. As he rounded a corner the sight that was in front of him caused him to come to an abrupt stop. It was an almost comical sight. An old man hanging upside down completely tangled in some Kudzu vines.

      “Please, if you know my master, I beg of you to help me down. Please don’t pass an old man by.” screamed the old man.

      Heru was so busy laughing that it took him a moment to pull himself together. “I mean you no disrespect young man, but if you could please stop laughing and help this old man down, I would gladly appreciate it!” the old man said in a spluttering voice.

      “Do not worry old man, I am going to help you. After all, Yeshua told me you were here.” Heru said on a laugh.

      He withdrew a small blade from his pack and began the arduous task of cutting through the thick vines, after several minutes, the old man fell to the ground with a thick sounding thud!

      “Ouch!!!” cried the old man, “You could have been a bit gentler in the handling of an old man!”

      The old man climbed to his feet shaking the dirt from his already filthy clothing. Looking at this old man, Heru just shook his head. This was not what he had expected of a guide, but this was the friend that Yeshua had