The New Guard (Crossroads Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Owl.
    “My children . . , David; I have to find them.”
    “Be at
peace, Rebekah. Your family is safe now and heading to a meeting place; where
you will reunite with them. As for going back to your house, well, that is not
possible. You are no longer on Earth, and the way back has moved. Look around
you and see the proof of my words.”
    Rebekah
tried not to think about how crazy those last words sounded, the proof of a
talking owl’s words. However, she did look around and what she saw did confirm
the angel’s words. Though she saw trees that she recognized, there were a great
deal more she did not. Then she realized she had been long in the woods, and
those outside their house were easily crossed in an hour in any direction.
    Once more
the Fox barked. The Owl turned and nodded. “Yes, we must go.”
    The Owl
branched closer to Rebekah. “The immediate road ahead is not hard; we are mere hours
outside of Haven. There you will be safer and more comfortable. I can explain
more as we travel, but you must trust in me as a Herald of the King of
Creation. God is with you, Rebekah. Follow us. I will try to explain as much as
I can along the way.”
    Rebekah
awkwardly stood, then nodded. The Owl did likewise as it took to the air. The
Fox merely turned and started leading the way. Rebekah looked down and smoothed
out her dress. She reached up and checked the pins that were still restraining
her auburn hair from falling down her back. She’d not taken it down since
yesterday and saw no sense in doing so now. Finally, with a sign of resignation
she started after the two angels, the thought of getting back to her children
and her husband driving her forward.
    *
    After
only an hour of traveling, Rebekah came upon a well-worn road. While most of
the road consisted of crushed stone, there were large, flat slabs here and
there.
    “The road
will get better as we approach Haven. The road from Haven to the Central Kingdom
is nearly all smooth. In deference to your condition, we will arrange for
wheeled transport.”
    Rebekah
stopped to take a drink from the water skin which didn’t seem to ever empty.
Rebekah’s head was still reeling from her surroundings and the information the
Owl had begun to share with her. During the trek through the forest, she had
been studying the shrubs and trees. There so many recognizable ones and so many
strange new ones with subtle differences from those she knew on Earth. She
wondered how many other new things she’d find here and if she’d ever get use to
finding minute differences amongst the expected.
    Rebekah
took another sip of water before speaking. “So you said Haven is a town in the
Second Kingdom?”
    “Yes,”
the Owl answered, “and the artisans and warriors who maintain it have erected
strong barriers that keep out the forces of the Void. Any agents of the
Deceiver found within are violently expelled. As I told you earlier, this is
the Here Between, a crossroads between each of the home worlds of the twelve of
God. Angels and demons use this place to travel between, as well. In fact, the
war between Heaven and Hell is fought openly in this world, and thus it is
easier to discover the enemy. This does not mean they don’t go about veiled,
passing unnoticed as they poison the Children of God.”
    Rebekah
began walking up the road in the direction the Owl indicated and then said,
“Let’s stop talking about aliens and angels and demons for a bit. This is all a
bit to take right now. Can you tell me why I am here? You still haven’t
answered that or where David and my children are.”
    The Owl
glided effortlessly around Rebekah. She had stopped trying to track its
progress as watching the endless spirals it made was causing her to feel
queasy. The Owl spoke in a quieter tone when it finally answered her. Rebekah
had to strain to hear.
    “Your
husband is an ally of God and carrier of a powerful weapon as part of his
service.”
    “The
sword I saw him wearing?”
    “Yes, the
Sword of