"Deus Provideat!"

Hi, here is a short story I wrote last year. Enjoy!

The six months of preparation for Othniel and Manna's wedding was almost up and both were ecstatic about the upcoming celebration. Their union would signify the official joining of two peaceful tribes that resided in a remote forest completely untouched by the civilized world. Their belief in the one true God, unusually light brown skin and equally light brown hair made them a very unique tribe. The beautiful trees canopying their little villages provided protection that kept their peaceful communities secret. Manna was crippled but Othniel passionately loved her nonetheless.

One bewildering day Manna's tribe was attacked. The savage attackers concealed themselves among the scrubs and massive trees until they presumed everyone in the village was occupied.

"Tempus est." The leader whispered. The ruthless warriors crept in. Manna's keen eyes spied the men. Her heart began to race. She knew there would not be enough time for her to crawl over to sound the alarm as the men were very close and had their spears in a ready position. Due to her feeble state she was in charge of keeping watch of the young children not old enough to participate in the days activities.

She stuffed the three babies in her charge into little packs and shoved them onto her back. "Nolite ergo solliciti esse dulce. Ego vos protegant." She whispered. She motioned to the obedient 2 year old boy to keep silent and follow. "Venit Japheth." She crawled slowly backward keeping her eyes on the dark men at all times. Their war paint scared her and she tried to shield the young boy's eyes from the sharp spears. She knew if she could hide in the forest she could save the children. As she rapidly pulled her body along the ground her dragging, useless legs scraped across the rough forest floor. Though they were bleeding in several places, she did not seem to feel the pain. Her thoughts were solely on protecting the children she had been entrusted with. Thankfully the prospect of a forest adventure kept the young boy occupied.

As soon as they were past the horrid men they began to hear screams and cries of horror, fear and pain. Manna knew her people were being destroyed for they had had no time to prepare for the battle. "Salva nod Deus," was all she could mutter. She dared not look back at the terrifying scene. The invaders ramsacked the village and stole all the young, agile boys and girls and cruelly killed the useless, old and feeble. Manna was almost out of strength and once she suspected she was a safe distance into the forest she laid down the babies, hugged the little boy tight and collapsed into a frightened sleep of exhaustion.

Meanwhile Othniel had heard the shouts and rushed his tribe to the rescue. But it was too late the slaves were taken and the rest killed. Othniel was immediately horror and grief stricken. The love of his life was either chained to some ruthless man or dead. He resolved to overtake the murderous men.

"Nos vero pugnabimus. Nos mos vinceret. Et salvabit nos amici nostri." Othneil stated as he set out with a small supply of provisions and all the eligible men of the tribe furnished with spears, swords, bows, and arrows.

"Amen"

"Imo!"

"Pugnandum!"

"Vinco!"

"Deus adiuves nos!"

"Sociis!" Were the various, confident replies of Othniel's friends.

Their keen eyesight and amazing hearing quickly lead them to the theives. If the foolish men would have known the strength and friendship of the neighboring tribe they scarcely would have come near either settlement. When Othniel's men attacked the enemies camp the prisoners immediately sprang into action. Former slaves tackled their masters. The skillful men slew the villains and reclaimed their friends.

"Habet. Virbus ostendimus!" One proud man exclaimed to Othniel.

"Non. Pater noster in caelis viribus ostendimus." Was his humble yet confident reply. He was very thankful for the few casualties they had in the fight. The reunited friends, including Othniel, felt victorious until Othneil discovered his crippled to-be wife was not there. His grief was unbearable. He threw off his armour and dashed into the forest. After all this his Manna was still not there.

"Ergo nequit sine ea." He cried as he ran. He fell on his face, got up again and continued running until finally he fell on his knees and cried out. "Deus, quid? Ego te tantum dilexit. Ita feci tibi. Tantum vobis confisi sum. Manna dilexi tantum. Extra te, in omnibus quae mihi opus erant. Deus, quid? Intolerabilis dolor est." Othniel wailed for quite some time until he heard a soft whimpering sound and opened his eyes to see the love of his life sleeping with Japheth the little boy in her arms and three babies beside her beginning to cry from hunger. Her hands were raw, face muddy, hair tangled and legs gashed, but she looked more beautiful than ever before to Othniel. He looked up and cried, "Deo gratias. Nunquam profecto est." Then he quietly touched Manna and whispered, "Manna, ecce adsum. Tutus es. Ita is sapiens. Quia amo te."

After administering to each others wounds. Othniel picked his Manna from God up into his strong arms and they triumphantly marched back into the weary camp with the the three babies on Manna's back and sleeping Japheth in her lap. Othniel and Manna both learned the valuable lesson that from keen eyesight, to strength, to Mannah, God always provides. In unison the couple cried, "Deus provideat!"