Free Final Kingdom by Gilbert L. Morris Page B

make you sleepy. You all have pushed yourselves hard.”
    Aramore went around and treated every wound. But when he got to the dwarf, Beorn shook his head, saying, “There’s nothing wrong with me.”
    â€œYou are a stubborn dwarf—but then all dwarfs are stubborn. Open your coat.”
    Beorn tried to stare the centaur down, but that was difficult since Aramore towered high over him. Muttering, he pulled his shirt open and submitted to the ministrations of the centaur, who treated his wounds with a cooling salve. “This stitching was well done.”
    â€œAye, it was that. The girl knows her business,” Beorn said.
    â€œAll of you sleep now. When you have rested, we will talk.”
    â€œThat was the best sleep I ever had,” Sarah said, stretching luxuriously. She had been awakened by a female centaur, and she and Abbey had risen to see that they had almost slept the clock around. She stretched again and yawned. “I feel so refreshed.”
    â€œSo do I,” Abbey said. “There must have been something in that stuff we smelled that made us sleep.” She ran her hand through her hair and said, “But I wish we could take a bath.”
    â€œIndeed you shall,” a lady centaur said with a smile. She had a beautiful face with mild brown eyes. “Come, we will see to your needs.”
    She led them to a beautiful clear stream, and an hour later both girls were bathed and dressed and their hair had been arranged by another of the mare centaurs. Sarah felt like a new person as they approached the banquet shed.
    â€œShe’s as good as any hairdresser I ever went to,” Abbey said, patting the plaits that formed her corona of blonde hair. “I wish she could do my nails.”
    â€œI think they’ve done enough. But, look!” Sarah said suddenly. “The boys are already there—and our guides. It looks like another feast.”
    â€œWelcome to my table,” Aramore said as the girls entered. “We will eat, and then we will talk.”
    It was another long meal, and the humans were filled long before the centaurs. However, it was only polite to wait, and during this time they learned a great deal about centaur habits.
    Then Aramore asked, “Who is your leader?”
    The Sleepers sat in silence.
    It was finally Dave who said slowly, “Our leader, Joshua, has been captured—so until Goél appoints one of us, you can speak to me. I am the oldest but not necessarily the wisest.”
    â€œA good answer, David,” Aramore said. “Tell us then why you have come.”
    Dave gave the essence of Goél’s message. He concluded by saying, “Goél has asked that you and your people join with him in the final battle against the Dark Lord. All the free peoples of the world, all the House of Goél, will meet at the Plains of Dothan.”
    Aramore listened carefully and for a while appeared to be thinking deeply on the matter. He called a short recess during which he met with Moonwise and several other centaurs, evidently the leaders. Finally he came back and said clearly, “We will go to the Plains of Dothan at the command of Goél.”
    â€œThat’s wonderful, Aramore,” Sarah said. “It makes the journey worthwhile—” But then she thought of Josh and Wash, and sorrow swept over her again. She lowered her eyes and said no more.
    For some time the council made plans. When they concluded, Aramore said, “I will speak with you alone —the five Sleepers who remain.”
    Somewhat surprised, the Sleepers left the banquet hall and walked out into the open air. It was almost dark now, and the stars already twinkled brightly.
    Aramore said, “We have heard of the prophecy of the Seven Sleepers. Now there are only five—and perhaps there will be even fewer.”
    Sarah held her chin high. “Josh and Wash both knew—we all knew—that serving Goél could bring