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The Tishbite
The Untold Story of Elijah

By Kurt W. Schuller (USA)

Chapter 12

This manuscript (currently titled "the tishbite" but I am considering "A Man of God") is unfinished This Is a fictional account of the life of Elijah. It is raw and powerful reflecting the actual state of life at the time.It has a strong sexual theme which is necessary because of the story it tells. It is both inspirational as well as entertaining. It was written to entertain the reader first.` Your feedback is welcome I hope you enjoy.

Part one: A Man Of God

Chapter Twelve

Chapter 12
Elijah Paused at the crest of an emerald green hill overlooking a thin ribbon of water that fed this fertile valley. He thought that Miriam would have liked this place and decided that he should bury her here. With the care of a devoted father, he began to lift the body off of the donkey. The raven, which had flown ahead, appeared seemingly out of nowhere. He landed on Elijah’s shoulder and began to squawk loudly in apparent protest.
Elijah backed away from the body.
“It is nearly sunset.” He growled at the bird. “She must be buried.”
The bird flew to Miriam’s body and squawked loudly.
“Filthy stupid bird.” he muttered angrily under his breath.
Then he began to feel it.
It danced on his nerve endings, causing his body hairs to stand on end as the power of His presence began to course through his body.
The Lord was very near.
Elijah turned and looked out over the valley below. It appeared to be melting, as if it had been a freshly painted picture left out in the rain. Eventually all of the colors ran together and pooled in the center of the valley. And then, slowly at first, they began to migrate outward, painting a new landscape before him. Elijah squeezed his eyes tightly together, half expecting the vision to disappear. Yet there it was before him. The new landscape began to take shape. It was a dry and dusty wilderness plateau, bereft of any features save one; a full-grown broom tree. And then, as quickly as it had come, the Lords presence could no longer be felt.
The Raven flew to the base of the tree and waited patiently.
Elijah led the donkey to the base of the tree. Here he saw a roll of white silk burial clothes and precious oils for the cleansing of her body. It was then he noticed something hanging in the tree. It looked to be a new cloak. He stood up and reached as high as he could, managing to get his hand on one of the sleeves. He pulled it out of the tree and examined it. It was made of some type of fur, with a leather strap strung through the robes belt loops. He threw off his bird feces stained cloak and put on this new one. It was soft and warm and fit him as if it was made for him. It felt familiar, and comforting.
He went to the donkey and retrieved a small hand spade to begin to dig Miriam’s grave.
Again, his ebony friend began to raise calls of objection. Elijah slowly slid the spade back into the pack and the bird fell silent.
Then he remembered. He had been here before in his dreams. He now knew what he was to do.
He put back on his old cloak for one last time. Closing his eyes, he removed her bloodstained clothes and then covered her with his new cloak. He poured a small amount of oil onto his palm, picked up her right hand and began to smooth it across her arm. As he approached her shoulder he saw two deep angry bite marks. He stopped, unable to continue for the rage that began to well up in him. And then the tears came and put the fire of his rage out.
Miriam still needed him. He would have his day of vengeance, of that he was sure. He bit his lip and fought to regain his composure.
He worked methodically, careful to keep covered whatever part of her body was not being anointed. When he had completed her cleansing, he began to wrap her in the burial silk in the same fashion, always protective of her modesty.
When he had finished he threw off his old cloak and put on his new. He laid her head at the base of the tree and stood over her for brief moment. He struggled to remember her as she had been; her beauty, her warm smile and her gentle nature. And when he had formed her features in his mind, a sharp tinge of grief stabbed again and drove deep into his heart.
“Why her Lord? Why did she have to die?”  He sobbed.
A gentle breeze began to wash his face.
“Elijah” he heard Miriam’s voice whisper. It was as if her spirit was being carried by the wind.
 “Do not shed tears for me. No, great prophet, If it were possible, it would be I shedding tears for you. Elijah, you must stay strong”
The breeze danced through his hair. And then, he did not know how, it seemed to pass directly through him, as if his body was porous. It tickled him slightly and sent excited chills down his spine.
“Know that I am at peace.”
Elijah closed his eyes and whispered softly. “Goodbye, Miriam. ”
The air grew very still, and he knew that she was gone.
He led the donkey back to the hills crest and turned to take a last look.  The raven remained behind as if to stand guard over Miriam’s body. As it done before the landscape began to melt away, the colors pooled and then flowed out again, returning him to the fertile valley.
He thought of what her spirit had told him.
“Where is my peace?” he whispered to himself.

Continued Next Week