Free From The Ashes by Ian Alexander, Joshua Graham Page A

called out the name of Valhandra, it happened.   Thank you.”
    “The thanks go to Him.”
    Then the good people of Xingjia and the neighboring villages gave a cheer, marveling at the enemy troops fleeing from them.   Chi grabbed Ying by the arm and pointed out at the scattered Chungans.   “What are they doing?”
    “They’ve witnessed the power of His name.”
    “No, I mean what are they doing at this moment?   It cannot be.”
    Ying focused on one of the groups.   Employing the sharpness of an eagle’s eyesight, he discerned what was happening.   “Amazing!”
    “Are they doing what I think they are?”
    “Unless it had been by Valhandra, I would not have believed it.   But I see now that they have been cast into utter confusion.   They’re fighting themselves, killing each other!”   And after a few minutes, the Chungans were finished.   Every last one of them lay in the sand, dead by the hands of their comrades.

     
    When Ying and Chi arrived at the gates of Bai Kuo, the entire populace had gathered and gave a resounding cheer to welcome them.   The people of Xingjia and the other villages followed them into the Citadel, where they were led to a tall platform.   There stood the various lords and elders of the province who had been heretofore subject to the Lord Protector.
    The eldest, a man with a long white beard stepped forward to both Chi and Ying.   He looked them over with sagacious eyes and smiled.   “I am Kuhlau, Lord Elder of the Third District.”
    Chi and Ying answered, “My Lord.”
    “As the prophecies have foretold, the Kingdom of the Sojourners have this day been established.   And you, O fearless commander of Xingjia are principally responsible for the deliverance of Bai Kuo.”
    Chi bowed deeply.   “My Lord, I have done no such thing.   It was Ying—”
    “We are but men, my Lord,” Ying said.   “All glory and honor must be ascribed to Valhandra, the King about all Kings.   For He alone has been our deliverer.”
    Stroking his beard, Lord Kuhlau considered the matter.   “But we find ourselves in something of a quandary, do we not?   For with the loss of Princess Mei Liang, we are without an heir to the throne.”
    Ying shoved Chi forward.   “On the contrary, My Lord.   According to the ancient tomes, He that beareth the mark shall rule over My people for three generations. ”   He pointed to Chi’s collar.   “Show him.”
    Kuhlau stepped forward, gestured to Chi who complied by pulling down his collar.   “You bear the mark, indeed.   Moreover, you have taken the form of the black warhorse which further confirms that you, Chi Ma, are the one to reign over the new Sojourner kingdom.”   He waved over the other Lords, with whom he conferred briefly.
    Then, with every one of them nodding in concurrence, he turned to face the throngs. “Can there be any doubt that this man is the chosen King?   For it has been predestined in the scriptures that one such as he would arise during the Millennial Phoenix’s return, and hasten the return of Valhandra’s prophets and mighty men—The Sojourners.
    The people shouted words of praise and honor.
    Looking less and less confused, Chi stood tall.   He spoke quietly to Kuhlau.   “But what of Ying?   It was he who—“
    “Valhandra’s will is a mystery to even the wisest of men.   We know only what He has told us in His spoken and written word.”
    Ying cared nothing for the glory, the crown, nor the kingdom.   The only thing that came to mind was the thought of Mei Liang, and it wounded his heart like the cut of a knife.   He put his hand upon Chi’s shoulder.   “My friend.   It would not do for anyone but the chosen one to ascend the throne.   And that is you.   Take your place.”
    Chi seemed to understand the finality hidden between the words of Ying’s speech.   He nodded, pulled him into an embrace, and went before the masses.  
    All the ceremonial words, vows, and antiphonal cheers