5S

5S

There in the dead of night the Remnant was waylaid by a band from the Saiph League who sought to obtain the Ark of the Covenant for their paymaster. The night watch was vigilant, and the men of the Remnant were aroused in sufficient time and order to fend the ruffians off, but during the Jemuel was struck down by a foe's blade even as Gabriel had portended.

Sariah the mother of Rosh and Elam was struck to the quick, because she had lost her second son so very soon after losing her husband Lael, and all the Remnant grieved with her for many days. Still the Ark gave no counsel which way to turn.

Elam led the people north and west beyond the frontier of Alodra and Nath into lands of Haaretz that none had yet claimed. Yet the grass on the golden hills was still to poor to sustain the flocks, and the Remnant suffered another raid that took the lives of three of the women. The Ark was still safe, but Elam saw he was constrained to strike north and seek the sanctuary of the forest. Elam said to Rosh, "You, my brother, are the high priest of the Lord our God. Could you not persuade the Lord I am contrite for my sin against him at Shaula Wood? My hands cannot now rightly hold a blade. We've lost a brother. Every day we are in danger of losing the Ark of God and the lives of everyone gathered by our father to protect it."

"This have I done," said Rosh, "and much more besides. I reveal now what God has said to me: 'I do not hold everyone to be in service to me, but of those whom I have set aside to commit my blessings and my oracles perfect obedience is demanded. Know you, then, even as night follows the day, when I am antagonized I will retaliate.'"

The Remnant abandoned the open field and wandered among the trees of Eliath Wood, where at least there were many green leaves for their animals to eat. But the trees therein grew very close together, and it was difficult to keep the animals from drifting apart.

Elam repeatedly tried to lead the people out of the Wood, but ever they were assailed by brigands soon after they emerged, forcing Elam to retreat into the forest, and each time they made this attempt some of their livestock was driven off.

Elam himself perished during one of the attacks. Then was the curse of Gabriel fulfilled in its entirety and Lael's third son Rosh became the chieftain of the Remnant, now fifty souls.

In the time of mourning a woman of the B'nei Elohim was seen.