5J

5J

In the end, Gabriel had but eleven acceptable arrows. Then che put the bundle of eleven arrows into hez pouch of skin, which seemed too small to accept them, to the wonder of the same men who had recently eaten their fill of bread from the same pouch. Che reached in with another hand and pulled them out again. This che did again two more times, until he had three bundles of eleven arrows each, which che gave to Jabez.

And Gabriel said to him, "Who are the three other men among you skilled with the bow?" Zethan, Rimon, and Asher came forward and were similarly equipped. Then Gabriel said to Elam, "As the chieftain of these men you must choose which two shall lay aside their swords and take up the bow instead for the fight that will soon overtake you."

Elam named his brothers Rosh and Jemuel. Gabriel gave them each their own bundle of the three and thirty arrows.

Remiel said, "When the signal is given to fight, the archers must fire their arrows at the foe as quickly as possible, without delaying overmuch to take aim. The rest of you must hurl stones at them as you can. I counsel collecting piles of stones outside your tents now."

Rosh asked, "What then shall be your signal to fight?"

"Three blasts of my horn," said Gabriel. "You must all be waiting inside your tents before the ninth hour."

Young Asher's hand reached out to squeeze the black rubber bulb of Gabriel's horn, but che said, "Don't."

"I for one will not skulk inside my tent," said Elam. "I will meet these horselen on my feet with a sword in my hand."

"That is well," said Remiel. "Both Gabriel and myself shall stand with you. Belphegor is one of the Holy Ones and B'nei Elohim custom demands a suitable reception."

Elam and Gabriel and Remiel stood alone in the camp of the Remnant as the third hour past noon arrived. The warriors riding with Belphegor arrived at the camp of the Remnant as Elyon had foreseen, with both len and beast arrayed for battle under heavy layers of black leather and polished brass. Belphegor was at once heartened that only three withstood him, but also dismayed that he could not see the Ark of the Covenant sitting upon the pillars of stone as it was when he saw it last under the eaves of the Wall of God. One of the three hailed him by name.