Chapter 19: Prisoners

I wasn't quite dawn when Himni rose from his knees, several yards from where the others slept. He had fallen asleep quickly the night before, but woke up well before the sun came up. The hot, inky night had driven him from his slumber, and while he knew it wasn’t safe he had wanted desperately to be alone—to offer up a sincere, verbal prayer to his Heavenly Father. He had been on his knees a long time, though his remaining companions were not awake yet.

He stared across the plain, watching the sun rise and remembering that terrible day three weeks ago when the young boy had come running to warn them. He was so out of breath he could hardly speak. Himni had never seen the child before and did not understand how the boy knew them, or how he had happened to see the others arrested. Nobody else knew either. His appearance was a miracle, though little else had gone right since fleeing the city.

Then, finally, yesterday, King Antiomno had granted them an audience. It was agreed ahead of time that Omner would speak, but when it came time to bow before the king no words came. Fearful of losing their opportunity, Himni had stepped forward. As he stepped from behind his brother, he knew what had shocked Omner into speechlessness. King Antiomno was wearing a long necklace of what appeared to be human teeth. His chin was painted in a complicated pattern of swirls. The priests behind him were wearing headdresses made of a single row of black feathers, but the king’s head covering was elaborate and colorful. Himni had plunged ahead anyway.

To Himni’s surprise they were actually allowed to see their brothers while the king himself followed them to the dungeon. Himni shuddered involuntarily at the recent memory of the four missionaries. Their naked skin was dotted with recent and old bruises piled layer upon layer in a sickening sea of green and brown and purple. Aaron was still lucid, but the other three didn’t appear to be. They had obviously been given very little to eat, if anything. Willing himself to be tough in front of the king, Himni fought to keep the tears from spilling down his cheeks. After speaking to Aaron for just a moment, Antiomno had interrupted them.

He put his scepter under Omner’s chin and eyed him carefully. “You look like the tall one.”

Omner finally found his voice, “He’s my brother.”

The king cackled heartily, “Now isn’t that sweet. You have come to save your brother but when you see the heathen king you are too frightened to even beg for his life.” His cruel laughter reverberated the dungeon and Himni’s skin had gone cold with fear.

Finally recovering himself, the king had said, “It was my intention to throw you in with them. But now, I think, I have a better idea. You tell this white god of yours that nothing short of a miracle will save these men. It would take an order from King Lamoni-hah himself to release them, or plagues or locusts or hail or whatever your god sees fit to do. You go back to the woods and call on your god to make me release these men, or in a week’s time, they will be dragged to the top of my temple and sacrificed to the gods of the Lamanites while my people cheer. On that day you will know the real power of Heaven.”

Himni’s head hung low in the early morning light. After those terrible words, the king’s laughing expression dropped and was replaced with one of pure evil. Then, using his scepter, he had unexpectedly clubbed them both on the right side of the head, near the eye. The brothers hardly had time to react before they realized they were both dripping with blood. “Such a wound takes about a week to heal. If your brothers have not joined you by that time, then they won’t. Let’s call that the seal on the contract between your tiny god and the multitude of deities that fill my sky.” His laughter had followed them all the way out of the dungeon.

They had been escorted from the city. Now, less than a day later, Himni got to his knees again, praying for a miracle. After several minutes in this attitude the thought came to him that Ammon would somehow help them. Such a thing seemed nearly impossible, but Ammon had gotten Himni out of more than one seemingly impossible situation.

One of these times came vividly to his mind. When he was just seven, and Ammon was many years older, Himni was out in the fields, helping some of the workers harvest potatoes. There was an old well on the edge of the field that he and his brothers had been warned many times about, but curiosity got the better of him. He was seldom without his brothers and he took advantage of the opportunity to not be bossed by them. He had left his work and gone exploring. It was only after her fell into the well that he understood their words of warning. Panic set in almost immediately, though he tried very hard to keep his wits.

His brothers had taught him how to swim, so he treaded water for a long time, while alternating trying to cling to the slippery, rocky side. He called for help until he was so hoarse that even his tears were silent. His legs grew numb and he was sure that he would die. And then he heard Ammon’s voice. Later, Ammon would tell him that they were in the middle of their lessons that afternoon when suddenly he just knew his brother was in danger. He had unceremoniously left his studies and run to the old well. Mosiah had held his youngest son tightly that night; there was no punishment, obviously Himni had been punished enough by the fear attached to his disobedience. In his whole childhood, he remembered that as being the one day that Ammon and his father had gotten along.

There had been other times too, perhaps not so dramatic, but Ammon seemed to sense when Himni needed something. So, as Himni knelt, instead of just praying for a miracle, he prayed that wherever Ammon was and whatever he was doing, he would somehow know that Himni was in trouble and come to save them. Somehow.


Even with their letter from Lamoni’s father, Ammon’s anxiety increased hourly as they approached Middoni. He knew the men were exhausted. Since meeting the great king, Lamoni had insisted they not stop. They had traveled nearly all night, stopping just long enough to eat and rest their pack animals. Tempers were short, but Ammon ignored it. As long as Lamoni would push on ahead, Ammon did not disagree. Arriving even a few hours earlier might mean the difference between life and death for his brothers.

As they approached the city, Ammon could see that Abish had indeed been correct about the feast day’s approach. The road was crowded, and although safe passage was made for Lamoni, going was slow. On their fourth day of travel, they arrived at the city gates just before sundown. Lamoni hesitated.

“What’s wrong?” Ammon fought his impatience.

“I know what we need to do, friend, but there is some protocol that must be followed.” His diplomatic words soothed Ammon’s restlessness slightly and he continued. “Middoni is a well-protected city, as are all the cities at the north end of the Lamanite lands. This gate will be closed by sundown, allowing no exit or entrance until tomorrow morning. Our coming here tonight violates that security. Besides, the king is likely at or preparing for his evening meal. The interruption is unconventional.”

“So we camp.” Ammon tried very hard to not sound impatient, but he was certain that Lamoni knew him too well not see right through the façade.

“On the other hand, their feasting begins tomorrow at noon and Antiomno will not want the week’s festivities interrupted for any reason.”

“What is to be done?”

Ammon’s desperation made revelation impossible. Now, so close to their objective, he was at a total loss for how to proceed. There was a long pause. “We should wait,” Lamoni determined with an air of finality.

Ammon was less disappointed than he expected those words to make him feel. He had faith in Lamoni’s judgment, and he was grateful that someone else made the decision. He nodded slowly. “It is well. If we are rested our arguments will be more convincing.”


Just after dawn they entered the city gates and rode through a marketplace already becoming overcrowded. Unlike Ishmael, in Middoni everything was centrally located. The entire populace that Antiomno ruled was inside the walls. The congestion heightened with the many visitors streaming through the gates. Even though it was barely light, vendors were already busy selling a variety of foods and goods. Ammon knew he was very conspicuous at the king’s side and was unsure how to avoid eye contact—should he hold his head high and risk appearing haughty, or should he look down, as if he was Lamoni’s slave or prisoner? He opted for neither, keeping his eyes straight ahead, reminding himself that he too was a king’s son.

King Antiomno’s anger was evident, but Ammon sensed another emotion playing beneath his hard and impassive face. He was afraid. Deeply afraid. Ammon could see that he clenched his teeth, but whether it was fury over King Lamoni-hah’s royal decree read in front of him or because he was trying to keep his chin from quivering, Ammon wasn’t sure. He couldn’t explain it and wouldn’t press his luck with this man by pursuing the matter, but somehow in their coming he had seen the hand of God. And it terrified him.

The prisoners were ordered to come. Although he had separated from eight men all those months before, only four were brought. Ammon’s heart broke when he saw their condition. Their wrists and ankles were rubbed raw where they had obviously been tied. Their naked skins were tattooed with layer after layer of bruises. Aaron, the strongest of his brothers, was emaciated. His bones stuck out in sharp relief and he was the only one of the quartet able to stand on his own. But Ammon’s terror became so sharp he could almost taste it when he scanned and identified their faces. Ammon walked to Aaron and looked into his sad green eyes. “Are Omner and Himni dead, then?” The tears threatened to spill as he said the words aloud.

Weakly, Aaron shook his head. “They were never captured. I think they are in hiding in the jungle.”

Before Ammon could say anything else, Antiomno spoke, “The others you speak of sought audience with these men a week ago. They weren’t harmed and were given safe passage out of the city.”

Ammon bit off a sarcastic reply. He was quite certain the visit wasn’t as amiable as Antiomno would want them to believe. Ammon just kept his eyes on his brother’s and nodded, “We will find them.”

Aaron nodded too; the relief was so evident on his face that Ammon’s tears could not be stopped from spilling down his cheeks. Lamoni was businesslike as he arranged transport for the wounded men out of the city. Antiomno gave a display of hospitality by inviting them to stay in the palace. Lamoni was equally diplomatic in his refusal saying, “No, cousin, we have no wish to interrupt your feast day. Undoubtedly you have many important people staying with you: our business is to move on.”

“There are indeed many here this week. This is the most important of our festivals to honor the rain god. But then, I have heard strange rumors that those in the Land of Ishmael have stopped paying homage to the old gods.”

Lamoni paused and Ammon could see him weigh the words carefully. “It is true that many in our region have begun rethinking what they have always claimed to know about the gods.”

Seeing that he could not bait Lamoni, the king said no more. Still, as was proper, he walked Lamoni and his party to the front of his house. Just before they parted, Ammon stopped and said, “King Antiomno?” He bowed low as he said it, his heart in his throat but knowing the Lord had given him the words to say.

The King narrowed his eyes at being addressed by the Nephite, but he nodded his head for him to proceed anyway. “Thank you for the release of my brethren. For the kindness you have shown this day, God has in turn shown me how this people might receive their rain.”

Ammon met his hard gaze without flinching and could read the thinly veiled curiosity just under the surface. “And how is that, Nephite?”

Ammon smiled so slightly, “Several years ago this very week, a holy man was killed on your sacrifice day for his testimony of the living God. His death was meant to appease your rain deity who then sent no significant rain to replenish your barren land. Middoni has been under condemnation all these years for his death, and for the deaths of others in like manner. If you will announce to your people this day that there will be no sacrifice; that the Nephites you captured have been given their freedom as well as all the other victims, then the only true God with any power in the universe will send you the rain your people desperately need.”

The color had drained from Antiomno’s face and his eyes grew wide. Ammon felt the power of the Lord move through his entire body as he made his prophecy. Ammon lowered his voice, “The feeling in your heart tells you I have spoken truly. You are a great king—a man who can destroy life at whim. But if you will follow the counsel of the Lord’s servant this day and risk the displeasure of your priests, then you will do the first brave thing you have ever done in your life. Today your courage could save your nation.”

Antiomno blinked and the direct gaze he’d held Ammon locked in for several moments was broken. He shook his head and staggered back from Ammon, the color returning slightly to his face, “Get out of my house.” He said with a low growl.

Ammon bowed low, “As your majesty wishes.”

Little was said until the group was well outside the city gates. A camp was made in the jungle and scouts were sent to locate the others. Their camp was not makeshift; it would be some time before Aaron, Muloki, Ammah and Shem were well enough to travel. Lamoni ordered them to build it on the highest ground they could find. Ammon looked at him sideways as he gave the orders. When they were alone, Ammon said, “I like your faith, friend. We will be drier on high ground if the rain does indeed come.”

Lamoni smiled. “Antiomno was angry, but he didn’t kill you on the spot. He knows that only God could have delivered those men from prison today. He has a few hours to mull over the most important decision of his life. I think he will make the right choice.”

Ammon smiled at this man who had become dearer to him than any save his brothers in the past six months. “I hope so. It would be a great boon to the missionary work in this city.”

There was silence for a moment. Limhi said, “Did the Lord tell you about the holy man that was killed here? Antiomno seemed to know of what you were speaking.”

Ammon shook his head. “The Lord didn’t tell me. Abish did.”

“Abish? The midwife?”

He nodded. “The holy man killed was her father. He hadn’t been dead a month when she found herself a slave in your household.”

“All these years, and I had no idea.”

Ammon clapped him on the back. “Even in suffering there is purpose. Before he was killed he taught her the gospel. She never forgot him or his message, and she has kept the faith close to her heart. It is her prayers that led me to your household; her friendship with Zaria that caused your wife to listen instead of having me killed when you were finding your way through the veil of unbelief; and it was information she gave me that prepared me to defend your sheep.” Lamoni looked in astonishment at Ammon’s grin. “In all the years I guarded my father’s flocks I never took a large and newly sharpened sword with me to do so. The Lord gave me strength that day, but his handmaiden gave me a tip.”

Lamoni laughed heartily. “I like you more all the time, Ammon. I can hardly wait to meet the rest of your family.”

“Me too, brother, me too.”

Omner, Himni and the others were found just later that day. Himni looked directly at Ammon and smiled one of his rare smiles. “We stayed close to the city; I knew we would see you today. You have always been there when I needed help the most.”

“We were almost too late,” Ammon said soberly as he hugged his younger brother.

“But you weren’t.”

That very night, storm clouds rolled in and the heavens poured. The parched earth soaked it up as a sponge. Muddy water ran in rivulets all around their tents. Only Himni did not sleep soundly in the wonderfully cool evening. He stood out in the rain, allowing it to wash over him in great torrents. He laughed for joy at being reunited with his brothers, and for a city that was ripe for conversion.

Chapter 18--Half His Kingdom

The first few days were awful, but their lives quickly settled into a routine. The queen certainly missed her husband, but she was so busy with the added responsibility of running the city in Lamoni’s absence that she had little time to regret. Abish was equally busy, though with very different tasks. She was now delivering babies all throughout the land of Ishmael and was often away for several days at a time.

Near the end of their third week away, the queen received an unexpected visitor that sent the entire palace into an uproar of preparation-making. Lamoni’s mother herself came for a visit. Queen Vitria was a formidable presence for even a lady as gracious as Zaria.

“I am so glad to see you!” The queen exclaimed when she saw Abish return one afternoon after four days away.

“I heard that you have an important visitor.”

“Yes, and it worries me. The only times I’ve spoken to her without Lamoni present have not gone well. She would only come if there was something very serious on her mind. She doesn’t waste time on frivolities.”

“Maybe she just wants to see the baby.” Abish speculated.

“I think the baby visit is a cover. I think she has learned all that has happened here.”

“Then she is probably livid over Lamoni’s absence.”

“You know, that is the strangest part. I thought she would be. But she seemed to expect it, almost like she knew he wasn’t here.”

“Have you spoken with her yet?”

“Only formally. She just arrived the day before yesterday, but she has requested a meeting with me later today.”

“How can I help?”

“Will you stay with me?”

“Won’t that seem strange, for her to request a private meeting with you, but then you invite me to join you? A stranger for Queen Vitria to meet?” The queen’s cheeks flushed a bright red and she and opened her mouth to speak but no words came. In that moment Abish understood. Her own cheeks grew hot too, but with something more like anger than embarrassment. She kept her voice low, willing herself to be patient until she understood. “I see. You aren’t inviting me to join you; you are inviting me to stand in the corner, mute, as a slave.” Instinctively, Abish fingered her mutilated earlobe. The mark was still painfully obvious to even a casual observer.

“Please hear me out.”

“I’m listening.” Abish sat back in her chair, arms folded.

“She will expect me to have slaves and servants around. If she is carrying a message back to her husband, it may be better for her to see that things are pretty much the same here, at least until Lamoni returns. Besides, then you will hear everything that goes on and you and I can talk about it later. I won’t ask you to do anything for us.”

“You won’t, but she might.”

“Probably not, that would be very irregular.”

Abish chafed under the request, not that it was a difficult thing to do, but only because she hated being treated as a slave again, even in appearance, simply because it was convenient. She remembered telling Lamoni that she would help take care of his wife. She really had asked so little from her in recent months, and Abish did live in their home. The arguments for and against ran through her head and she sighed, “I will do it, but only because you are my friend and I think it will help you.”

The queen’s face relaxed and she smiled, “I am so sorry to ask you to do it, but I think it will be for the best.”

For whom? Abish couldn’t help but think bitterly, but she kept her mouth shut and nodded. She traded her outfit that afternoon for a simpler one and helped the queen dress her hair. Abish chided herself for being so foolish as she helped the queen. This was a task she had always enjoyed before, so she tried to convince herself that she was just helping a friend get ready for an important day instead of only being there because she had no other choice. It almost worked.

Queen Vitria was prompt. She entered the room with a slave of her own and Abish kept her eyes averted, remembering the proper behavior for a slave as she saw the subdued manner that the other woman held her head. Abish and the other woman stood on opposite sides of the room, ready if called, but shadows otherwise.

“We missed you at the celebration months back.”

“We were sorry not to attend; I was very ill after the baby was born.”

The queen’s eyes were sharp as they regarded her daughter-in-law. “Surely Lamoni could have had no part in dealings with women; he could have come alone.”

“Lamoni was loathe to leave me; for a time my midwife feared that I would die.”

“It is a poor midwife who brings a woman and child through delivery only to nearly lose them in the days after.” Abish’s face burned with anger, but she held her tongue.

Zaria’s voice turned slightly cold, “My midwife is the best of women. She seldom loses a mother or a baby, even in the most difficult circumstances. Because of her, Sariah and I both lived.”

The queen’s eyes narrowed, “Yes, I have heard legend of the child-midwife who delivers babies in this quarter of the land of Ishmael.” Abish almost bit her tongue to keep from gasping. How far had her overblown reputation spread?

There was more silence. The queen prompted quietly, “But I know, Mother, that you did not come all this way to discuss my midwife.”

“Indeed I did not. There is something much more pressing on my mind.” The queen raised her eyebrows ever so slightly, encouraging her mother-in-law to continue. “For a few months now, ever since our celebration, Lamoni’s father has heard alarming reports coming from this land, causing him to believe there was more to Lamoni’s absence than just a sick wife. In fact, these reports were so alarming and so patently out of character for our son, that my husband decided a few weeks ago that he would journey to this city in an attempt to discover the source of these rumors.”

“We were never privileged to receive this visit.”

“No you were not. My husband met Lamoni and a very unlikely companion when he was a just a few days on the road.” She snapped.

“You must mean Ammon.” Abish could tell by her tone that her friend was fighting to keep her composure and dignity, and while her voice did not shake, she kept her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

“Is this what your Nephite calls himself?” The queen was haughty.

“Ammon is a Nephite.”

“My husband has given me some of the details from their chance meeting on the road. I was first surprised to learn that they were headed to Middoni, and not to see Lamoni’s father, as should have been proper.”

“They had actually planned on meeting with His Majesty, and were making plans for such a visit when urgent business called them to Middoni.”

“Yes, I heard of this ‘urgent’ business. Apparently there are more of these Nephites who have been imprisoned by Antiomno.”

“Yes.”

“And the Nephite knows this because his god told him?” The haughtiness of her tone had been steadily increasing.

Abish was proud of the way Zaria held her head high and replied, “Yes, your majesty, that is how Ammon knows.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Indeed.” There was a pause. “Well, if by some means of stealth or deception he has learned this information, Antiomno has made the right choice by putting our enemies in prison.”

“Did your husband send you to deliver this message?”

“My husband does not order me about. I am free to come and go as I wish. If he merely wanted a message sent then he would have sent a slave.” There was another pause, this one heavy with waiting. Abish could see her queen wanting to ask the obvious question then—why had she come? Why did it seem that she was not on the king’s errand if these were indeed his feelings? After an uncomfortable interval, the high queen finally got to it. “Where they were going was not the only item of interest to my husband in the course of their meeting.”

“Oh?”

“My husband ordered Lamoni to kill Ammon.”

Abish nearly bit through her tongue to keep from crying out and she saw the blood drain from the queen’s face, “And how did my husband take this command?”

“He refused. In fact, his refusal was so vehement that it angered his father greatly who then attempted to take Lamoni’s life.” The stillness was powerful and the Zaria’s eyes welled with tears. Abish felt her stomach churn with anxiety, but the silence only lasted a moment. “You’ll be grateful to know that your Nephite intervened just then, and while my husband is a powerful man he is no match for a young man who rips the arms off his enemies with his bare hands.”

Abish nearly chuckled with relief and at the latest distortion of Ammon’s strength. The queen’s face finally relaxed also and she said mildly, “I believe he used a sword.”

“Whatever! The point is that my husband had to promise him half his kingdom to make Ammon to let him go.”

Sensing Queen Vitria’s growing discomfort with the direction the meeting between her husband and son had taken, Zaria’s said sardonically, “Ammon hasn’t seemed all that greedy to me. The king should have been more conservative; Ammon probably would have been satisfied with your husband’s promise not to attempt to murder my husband.”

Queen Vitria looked at her sharply and narrowed his eyes again, “You seem to know the Nephite well.”

“I like to think we do.”

“Well, that is exactly what he said! That he would let him go on condition that he would not kill Lamoni.”

The queen’s face softened somewhat, “All in all, your Majesty, doesn’t that seem to have been for the best? Your husband and your son are both well and perhaps they will begin to see eye-to-eye on some things.”

“I don’t want my husband to be minded as Lamoni is regarding Nephite traditions. Your people are not my people.” Abish suddenly saw into the heart of what this was all about. Queen Zaria did look like a Nephite and Vitria seemed to think she was somehow responsible for all that had transpired.

Zaria lowered her voice and said, “In all the years I have been married to Lamoni, I have followed his leadership and learned all I could about his culture, leaving my own behind. Now, under the influence of the true God of Heaven, Lamoni is trying something else. Once again, I am wholeheartedly following my husband.”

Queen Vitria suddenly swept to her feet, “What is it about this Ammon that has you all so bewitched? My husband is acting as crazy as the rest of you!” She dropped her defenses in an instant and suddenly looked more worried than haughty.

Abish fought to keep control of her face, it would not do to have Queen Vitria believe the slaves were listening in. Zaria spoke in low tones, “Your husband was impressed with Ammon then?”

“It is not to be believed how impressed he was! When he saw how much Ammon loved Lamoni, he granted Ammon’s brothers’ clemency. Even Antiomno cannot argue with that, regardless of the charge against his brothers. On top of that, he has given Lamoni absolute control over this land.”

Zaria’s face was no less puzzled than Abish’s own as Queen Vitria explained, “Didn’t you understand, Your Majesty,” this latest was said with much sarcasm, “that Lamoni’s power and policy was contingent on his father’s good grace, but now! Now my out-of-his-head son can do whatever he likes regardless of what my husband thinks. He has made Lamoni a sovereign nation right here in the middle of the Lamanites! He has never allowed this kind of privilege to any of his kings before.”

She could see the queen mulling this over. “So this means that although Lamoni’s kingdom is smaller than his father’s, they are on equal footing?”

Vitria was momentarily taken aback, “Well, yes, I suppose.”

“And that my status is likewise equal to yours.” Now her mother-in-law was really speechless. “I thought so. Thank you for bringing me this news. And now, if our interview is finished, I would be happy to show you back to your rooms; or, if you prefer, my friend Abish can do so.” Here she turned and pointed to where Abish stood, beaming. The word friend had made all the difference.

“Your refer to this slave as your friend?”

“She is not my slave. Lamoni has freed all our slaves.”

“This is scandalous! What has gone on here?”

The queen stood now, to her full height, making her taller than Queen Vitria who suddenly seemed a little bit cowed, “I would be happy to tell you the history of our relationship to the Nephite Ammon, but I would have to ask you to listen very carefully and with an open heart.”

“I have never been so insulted in my entire life! I am unused to being treated in such a manner.”

“Milady, I have no wish to insult you, but our equal status prevents me from having to listen to outlandish criticisms of myself, my husband, or our friends. Again, if you wish to hear the full, true story I am happy to give it to you, but if you have merely come to belittle and gossip, I must insist that our visit be concluded.”

Abish could see that Queen Vitria was unsure whether to argue and risk being put in her place or leave the room, giving her daughter-in-law power over her. She was saved the choice by the Zaria’s deep bow and her own exit from the room. Abish hastily followed her. Her friend swept through the hall, head held high and silent. Even with Abish’s long legs she had to walk very quickly to keep up with her quick pace. When they made it to the queen’s bedroom chamber she shut the door behind her and quickly looked around. Seeing they were alone, she sank to the bed in a fit of relieved laughter.

Abish grinned broadly and the queen said, “That was by far the most indecorous things I’ve ever done as queen. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if I end up paying dearly for it, but oh, it felt good to tell her exactly what was on my mind.”

The great queen was indeed offended. She left first thing the next morning, after requesting one last interview. Abish was the only one present, but she was unable to stay invisible enough to avoid the queen’s disdainful stare. She bowed slightly before the queen and said only, “You and I may officially have equal status, but you are certainly never welcome in my home. That goes for your nasty half-breed child also. Helamoni, Lemuel and Selah are welcome to visit any time they wish; I had no quarrel with their mother. It will, in fact, be good to get them away from this house of zealous Nephite-lovers.”

Much of Zaria’s grace had returned this morning, and Abish was impressed with the way she held her head and kept her countenance, “Is this the message you would have me pass to your son, then, when he returns?”

“I have no faith in your ability to pass on any message to my son; I know that whatever you say to him will place yourself in a perfect light and I will be a monster. So you may say whatever your like to him: I know it will make no difference.” She left the room in a swirl of robes and feathers.

Zaria sighed and leaned on the arm of the chair. She looked very pale and colorless compared to her counterpart who had just left. Abish loved her for it. “My rash words from yesterday can’t make me laugh today. We really need Lamoni’s father on our good side. He was perhaps getting there, but hearing how deeply I’ve offended his wife could turn his mind very easily.”

Abish smiled wanly, “Or perhaps he is not so ignorant of his wife’s nature as to believe outright whatever she may say about this visit.”

Queen Zaria smiled wanly, “I think I cannot see anybody today; I just want to spend the day with Sariah. Today I want to be a mother instead of a queen.”

“A great choice. You are not so busy today, and I’ll have your schedule cleared otherwise.”

“You know that you don’t actually work for me anymore.”

Abish laughed, “I know. Old habits are hard to break. Let’s just say I’m helping as a friend; my own duties are light today.”

The queen stood and sighed, “I’ll be so glad when Lamoni is back.” Abish said nothing as she nodded slightly. Lamoni’s return would definitely be good for the kingdom and for Zaria; Ammon’s return would be good for the church, but what would his return mean for her? Like all the believers in Ishmael, she missed his enthusiasm and his way with words. And in a part of her self she hardly dared acknowledge, she missed his easy charm, handsome face and ready attentiveness.

All of this skimmed across her mind in the silence and Zaria said quietly, “Will you be glad to see Ammon again?’

Abish smiled and put her arm around the queen, “Yes. But whether that means anything significant or not . . .”

“Maybe it’s too early to say.”

Abish nodded, “And he is here on the Lord’s errand. That must come first.”

“Your turn will come, dear. Maybe when you least expect it.” In that moment, the Spirit whispered patience. For many years to come she would remember the peace of that moment and remind herself to just wait.

Chapter 17

Chapter 17—No One Save it Be God
Abish listened to the queen carefully, but had to ask again, to make sure she understood, “How did Ammon receive his message?”

The queen was infinitely patient, “He said that the Lord revealed it to him.”

“No messenger, nothing?”

She shook her head, “No. Ammon’s exact words were that no one had told him save it was God himself.”

“And he is certain they are in Middoni?” Abish felt the fear grow inside.

“That is what the Lord told him. What?” Abish’s instant pallor was not lost on her friend.

“My father was killed during their week of feasting to the rain god.”
“Yes.”

“Their feast day is approaching soon.” Now the queen’s face lost all color.

“You don’t think they would. . .”

Abish shook her head, “I don’t know. My father once told me that they preferred their victims to be willing, it made a better show for the crowd that way, but perhaps because they are Nephites. . .” she trailed off as well. The inevitable was too difficult to talk about. “What is Ammon planning on doing?”

“I’m not sure what he was planning on doing, but now he is taking Lamoni with him and that should help.”

“Does Lamoni know the king?”

“King Antiomno is a good friend of Lamoni’s. They were raised together in his father’s palace; I believe they are distant cousins.”

Abish looked momentarily puzzled. “Antiomno was not the king when I was a child.”

“No, the former king fell out of favor with Lamoni’s father and Antiomno was appointed in his stead.”

“Did he die?”

The queen flushed slightly and put her head down, “After he fell out of favor he mysteriously turned up poisoned a few weeks later.”

“Ahh. . .I see.” Abish’s face reddened a bit too. Their lives were so different now, that it was sometimes difficult to remember how closely akin they were to a very savage people. “It is good to know things are different, at least in this part of our land anyway.”

“Yes. That is why it is very important that we try to spread this message or I fear we will not last long.”

Abish changed the subject back to what they had begun talking about, unable to get the image of her father’s gristly death out of her head. “Do you know if Antiomno practices human sacrifice?”

It was silent for a moment, Abish could see that the queen was carefully choosing her words so as not to either alarm or reassure. “I don’t know. But I do know that when new kings pass into power, they do very little to interrupt the status quo that existed before, particularly if the people are happy or prosperous.”

“But the former king had fallen out of favor with Lamoni’s father?”

“Not over human sacrifice. My father-in-law has generally allowed the communities to worship as they will. There was a Nephite-style temple in the city I grew up in. It would not have been built had Lamoni’s father not allowed it to be. You have to remember that the Lamanites are a very loose collection of people. As you move further out from these lands that have been centrally held for generations, you will find many that do not even speak the language we consider Lamanitish. Some of the groups, like mine, are here by choice, but countless others are here by force. This has been going on for hundreds of years, but some of the cultures never really assimilate.”

Abish was taking all of this in with a nod. She could also see that she needed to warn Ammon. “I think I need to go find our Nephite friend and pass on some information.”

“It is probably wise, but all is nearly in readiness. They are leaving this day. Even when you came I wondered if it would be Lamoni coming to say goodbye. Ammon is likely at the stables.”



Abish hurried, suddenly energized despite three nearly sleepless days. She found him grooming horses and finalizing the packing of the chariots. It was not a large group, but she could see from their preparations they planned on being gone some time. She had hurried so quickly to find him, but now, as she stood in the door of the stable she was unsure of how to approach him.

She was saved the awkward moment because he came to her with a wan smile, “I guess you have received word of my bad news.”

Abish nodded sympathetically, “I know you are leaving today anyway, but I wanted to bid you extra haste.”

“Oh?”

“There is a feast day coming in the land of Middoni, that is, if they are still practicing the same religion that they did when I was a child.”

“So it will be crowded.”
“There is more to it than that.” Ammon raised his eyebrows and she continued, “The Lamanites in Middoni always do a human sacrifice during this feast. It is this feast during which my own father was killed. Murdered on the altar so that he would not speak.” Abish surprised herself by saying the words without anger or sorrow. This awful thing had become a fact of her past now, no longer something to fear and hide from.

The blood drained from his face and all trace of humor left his eyes. “Dear God.”

Almost without thinking, she put her hand out and touched his arm, a thing that their social norms forbade but seemed as natural as anything. “I am sure the Lord has told you in time.”
Ammon sat hard and shook his head, “I hope so.” He then looked up and toward the door Abish had just entered through. “Lamoni has just gone to say goodbye to his wife. We will be off within the half hour.”

“It is good.” She said and sat next to him. Ammon put his head back down, lost in his thoughts. Abish glanced sideways at him. It might be true that Lamoni was friends with the king over the land of Middoni, but civil wars had probably started over less than what he would be requesting, particularly if Antiomno had some specific offense in mind when he’d imprisoned Ammon’s companions. As she quietly studied his features, she could see his face filled with tension for the coming journey. Normally she had seen such arresting brightness in his eyes that it was easy to be enveloped in his passion, but not today. Abish believed he would not close his thoughts to her if he asked, and so she ventured to pull him out of the shell she had never before seen him cast around himself.

“And what are your brothers like, Ammon?” His countenance opened slightly, and she knew that she had been right to speak to him.

“They are the best of men.”

Abish smiled even more brightly, “All alike?”

“Oh no. Each unique and strong in his own way. I have felt quite lost these past months without them as my companions.”

“And you are the oldest?”

“Yes, Aaron is just younger than me. You know, I have a great passion for the work of the Lord; I feel it so deeply that my mouth runs over with the joy in my heart. When we preached in the land of Zarahemla, much of the time it was I who jumped up in the middle of the village square. The Lord blessed me with the right words, but Aaron is the real leader. He thinks and studies and ponders things out. Not long after we left the land of my father, we received word that the people wanted Aaron to be their king.”

“I am sure you would have made a great king.”

Ammon shrugged, “Possibly, but in Nephite lands, the voice of the people has a great say in how things come to pass in our government. Our people are wise and Aaron is much like my father; but he decided on the ministry. We sent the messenger back to tell our father that not only did Aaron refuse the crown, but that each of his brothers, in turn, did also. We suggested a new form of government all together. It is an idea my father had toyed with for many years.”

“What would you do without a king?” Abish had never heard of such a thing.

Ammon grinned. “There are other ways, my Lamanite princess.”

She laughed, “I am no princess.”

“You are a true daughter of the Most High King of Heaven. No title is more fitting.” She remembered Zaria’s words from a few days before and felt the blood creep into her face as his blue eyes bored directly into her dark ones. Nephite customs and directness of speech were so different to her. She was unsure what to make of it.

To clear her suddenly rapid breathing she said calmly, “There are two other brothers you mentioned before.”

“Yes, Omner is the third brother. If Aaron is a born leader than Omner is a born follower.”

“Is that a good thing?”

“Now that we are all on the right path it is a marvelous thing. He accepts much on faith and follows obediently the course he has chosen. Whatever work needs to be done, Omner is the first to jump to his feet and volunteer. He knows how to serve.”

“So, Aaron is the head, you are the mouth and Omner is the hands.”

Ammon laughed loudly, “Cleverly put.”

Just then they were interrupted by Lemhah who gave some last minute instructions to Ammon. He also let them know that Lamoni was on his way. She lingered only momentarily after Lemhah left, feeling the tug of her exhaustion, but knowing Ammon would be gone for perhaps many months. His presence had been the light in the darkness that had been her life; because of him, every day of her future would be different. She wanted to bask in his glow, if only for another instant.

“I suppose we must part ways now,” Ammon said as he stood from the low wall on which they had been sitting.

Abish smiled, “But the separation will only be brief and then you will come back with your brothers.”

His countenance clouded, “I do hope so.”

“The queen and I will pray for your safe and quick return.”

Ammon smiled again in that arresting, sun-from-out-behind-the-clouds way, “My own mother died when I was very young, but I watched the mother of my best friend pray many years for my soul and the souls of my brothers; she prayed for the Lord’s mercy when it was the last thing in the world any of us deserved. As I think back on her now and the goodness of her heart, I must believe the Lord listens especially to the prayers of righteous women. Knowing that you are here, praying for us, will no doubt speed the success of our mission. After all, it was your prayers that brought me here in the first place.”

“Do you really believe so?”

“I do, Abish. The Lord did not overlook your years of righteousness despite the many difficulties. Some of the prayers requiring the biggest miracles take the longest time. Look at the good work we have already done here in Lamoni’s land. Who knows the extent of the labor the Lord intends for us?”

Abish smiled. Even in his worry, he still took time to teach her the gospel, to testify of truth and to look forward with optimism. Spontaneously she said, “I’m grateful you came.”

“I am too. In many ways, I have never been happier than I am right now.” He did not look at Abish directly as he said these words, but she blushed anyway. As much as she was sorry for the trouble his brothers might be in, she was almost grateful for the months he’d be away so she could sort out how she really felt about this glorious man who had seemed to have come straight from Heaven.

Not knowing what else to say, she finished with, “Then, until we meet again.” Ammon bowed low as she turned to leave the stable. Suddenly, she remembered something and turned just as Ammon had begun to walk away. She called him back. “One more quick question.”
“All right?”

“You never said anything about your last brother.”

Ammon’s smile became almost wistful as he looked out the window and into the light. “My dear youngest brother with enough charity to encompass the whole world. I pray that his weeks in a Lamanite prison have not taken his great love of mankind from him.” He made eye contact again with Abish. “Himni . . .” He trailed off and nodded slowly, “Himni is the heart.”

Chapter 16: A More Hardened People

It was nearly the worst day of Aaron’s life. The only exception he could think of was the day that his young wife and newborn son died. He and Himni found a small stream as they staggered away from the city they had just been banished from. Himni looked to make sure that nobody was nearby and he helped his brother bathe his face. Aaron winced at the pain. He looked at Himni, “What do you think? Does it look bad?”

Himni made a face, “Pretty bad.”

“It hurts like the devil.”

“I am sure it does.” He glanced nervously into the surrounding jungle again. “I think we need to move on, brother. It would be better if you could rest, but we are still close.”

“I know, I know. I’ll get up.” He groaned, “Just not very quickly.”

Himni smiled. “Glad to see you have some humor left.”

Aaron was on his feet now. “But not much.” He arched his back to stretch as they began walking down the path. “Is it just me, or were they really like the meanest, most contentious people you’ve ever seen?”

“They were pretty bad all right.”

“You know, it wasn’t that long ago they were Nephites. I thought that might make them more receptive, but wow. . .”

Two days before he and Himni had entered the city of Jerusalem, home to the Amulonites and the Amalekites. There was a generous sprinkling of Lamanites thrown in as well, but many times it hadn’t seemed any different than walking the streets of Zarahemla. Until they started talking to the people, of course. The first day had not been bad, but this very morning they had decided to go right to the synagogue to preach. Aaron felt like that was a nice touch; standing there he could easily explain the true purpose of the building they had erected for worship. His preaching had almost immediately turned into an ugly argument. Himni had tried to take a turn speaking, but Aaron plunged ahead, trying to prove from the scriptures the many errors of their ways. Then, after the angry crowd got tired of throwing words, they began throwing rotten fruit. It was a testament, really, to how much they hated them; Aaron knew this land had been in a drought for many years and even rotten fruit was probably scarce. Then the stones had started; that is when they fled.

Aaron glanced sideways at his brother who still had gooey stickiness in his hair. A direct hit. His face was clean now and not as bruised as Aaron’s own. It looked like most of the stones had missed his face. Still, Himni’s head was down and his normally cheerful gait was heavy. Aaron felt the same way. He hadn’t felt that deeply contentious for years—since the last time he and his brothers had been preaching against the Church. It suddenly occurred to Aaron that if he had just allowed Himni to speak, his soft-spoken brother might have won over the day with his pure, simple testimony.

Instead they had been thrown out of the city, mostly unharmed, until Aaron had tried to shout one last thing into the mocking crowd. That was when the soldier at the gate drew his sword and clubbed him with the hilt of it across his face. Aaron had fallen, but the blow had not knocked him out. The soldiers spat in his face and growled at Himni, “If your brother opens his mouth again, we’ll flay you open while he watches and then we’ll kill him.”

Foolishly, Aaron had tried to speak again, but patient Himni had covered his mouth and dragged him to his feet. He began running as more stones flew, compelling Aaron to follow. Aaron had seen one of those stones, and not a small one either, hit his brother in the small of his back. It must be causing him a serious amount of pain, but Himni was silent about it. The only reference he’d made to Aaron trying to speak one last time was, “It isn’t martyrdom if you ask them to kill us; it’s suicide.”

They walked through most of the long, hot afternoon. In the two weeks since parting from Ammon they’d had no success. And not much to eat. They had planned to meet Muloki and Ammah outside the village of Ani-Anti the next morning. It wasn’t far from Jerusalem. Omner had gone with them. The others had gone ahead to Middoni.

Ani-Anti was not a large enough city to have any type of wall, but it was after dark when they arrived on the outskirts. Not wishing to alarm anyone, they waited in the forest nearby for daybreak to come. It would be another night of sleeping on the ground. Aaron didn’t mind so much; it seemed to be the only time there was a break from the heat in this terrible land.

As agreed upon, the others joined them early the next day. Thankfully, they didn’t ask how the work in Jerusalem had gone; one look at Aaron’s face was enough to explain. Aaron asked them for a report on their activities. Ammah was blunt, “It isn’t great. Most of the people we have met seem more interested in contending with us than anything else.”

Himni shot Aaron a knowing glance as he replied, “Yeah, we know.”

Omner was more positive, “Still, I think we have a few here that might listen. We certainly haven’t been beat up or threatened. I think we need to stay here for a few more days. We aren’t supposed to meet the others over in Middoni for a while yet. I think we should keep trying.”

Himni then made his longest speech for the first time since yesterday morning, “And I think, brethren, we ought to kneel here and pray we will say the right thing, that no matter how provoked we are we will not contend. I think we should pray to know their hearts so that we might be able to say the right words. We should pray to remember our goal in coming to Lamanite lands was love for our brethren.” Here he looked at each one of them solemnly, “My prayer this day is that each of us will remember to love these people and not just try to prove something to them.”

Aaron could see the flush creep across his face. It was hard for Himni to be so bold. He had little wish to offend anybody. Indeed, he had only persecuted the church in Zarahemla because he had no wish to disappoint his brothers. But even then, hardly more than a boy, he had stood up to the others, particularly if their ranting turned hateful. As Himni spoke, he did not look at anyone directly, but Aaron imagined for a moment that his eyes focused a moment longer on himself. It was a bit disconcerting, really. Himni’s eyes weren’t quite the same color and the slight difference was uncanny when the light caught his face just right.

Omner spoke up first, “Well put, brother. Would you lead us in prayer?”

Himni glanced at Omner, the flush creeping further across his face, but he nodded. For the first time since his last conversation with Ammon, Aaron felt the peace of the Lord move in his heart as Himni prayed. Aaron prayed in his own heart that he would humble himself and love the people.

The next several days of preaching were mostly futile, but Aaron felt the spirit in his missionary work for the first time since coming to the Land of Nephi. He concentrated on listening to the people and bit his tongue every time he felt compelled to argue. Despite their lack of success, he actually began to enjoy their work.

While they weren’t officially run out, it was safe to say that they had worn out their welcome. They had talked to everyone who would talk back and nobody wanted anything to do with them. At least, that was what they said. As Aaron became more sensitive to the whispering of the Spirit he could see that some wanted to listen, but were fearful. Discouraged, the turned their faces toward Middoni.


Aaron wasn’t in Middoni more than a few days before he began to feel that the Amulonites and Amalekites in Jerusalem had been hospitable. In Middoni there were strict rules about who was allowed in an out of the gates. They had actually stayed at an inn in the city of Jerusalem, but there was no such accommodation here. They had to leave the city wall every evening by sundown or face arrest. Still, even with this precaution, Aaron had little hope of avoiding arrest. To avoid notice from King Antiomno, they had stayed in the housing end of the city, away from the temple, palace and crowded marketplace. Often times, he and his brethren would split up for the day into at least two groups, but regardless of how they divided, he insisted that Himni stay with him.

Aaron knew that Himni was taking this parental supervision in stride, but he didn’t think it would last much longer without some comment. One evening after they had done some hunting in the forest and were walking together, Himni cleared his throat in a way that indicated he wanted to talk about something. Aaron waited.

“You know, Aaron, you were married at my age.”

Aaron smiled at Himni’s round-about way of approaching what was on his mind. “I hadn’t thought of it that way.”

His little brother gave a lopsided grin that reminded him of Ammon. They both looked a lot like their mother, whom Himni had never known. She had died giving birth to him; he had almost died too. The three of them had felt protective toward him from the minute he took his first breath. He tried to put these thoughts into words now. “I promised my father and my older brother that I would look after you; I don’t take these promises lightly.”

“We are under the Lord’s protection, brother. He will look after us.”

Aaron smiled, “I know you aren’t a child, Himni. And I have faith that the Lord is watching out for us. Maybe an extra set of eyes is just helping him along.”

“A man could not ask for better older brothers.”

“But?”

“You have a way of getting to the heart of things, don’t you?” Aaron nodded, encouraging him to continue. “I feel impressed to travel with Omner’s group tomorrow.”

Aaron said nothing for a moment, praying in his heart for some kind of answer. The only impression he had was to let go—to trust his youngest brother. “I will travel with Ammah, Muloki and Shem tomorrow. You and Omner will go with the others.”

“Thank you for trusting me, Aaron.”

“I would trust any of my brothers with my very life; it is others I do not trust.”

“Then we must trust in the Lord.”


Not having Himni with him the next day made him bold. As the other three were agreeable to it, they decided they would try to preach in near the temple, in the markets. The area was crowded and they spent the morning talking to many people, a few of whom seemed interested. All seemed to be going very well, actually, and then the trouble arose out of nowhere.

When the sun was nearly at its zenith, Muloki was preaching and he had gathered quite a crowd. He was too concentrated on his sermon to notice, but Aaron had been standing off to one side and began to see shoving in the crowd. Then the noise began. Muloki finally stopped orating as he saw several large Lamanite soldiers and priests yelling and pointing. Aaron strode over to them, and was going to ask what the problem was when he was seized and clubbed over the head. Pandemonium broke out. Aaron and his brethren had agreed that if arrested they would attempt to resist, so that at least one of them might have a chance of getting away to warn the other group. He fought back as well as he could, but even in the chaos and the press of bodies he could easily see that they were outnumbered.

He was clubbed again, the force of the blow knocked him to his knees and his last thought was a hasty prayer that Omner and Himni would somehow learn what had happened to them and flee the city.

Chapter 15: Establishing a Church

All week long, Abish heard of many comings and goings in the palace. Hundreds were taught the gospel. One of the Lamoni’s pools in the courtyard was designated as a baptismal font. Many were baptized. Ammon appointed a few others who could do this work also, otherwise he would have spent most of the day dripping wet. Lamoni had been the first baptism.

Abish sighed as she looked out the window to the back of the palace; she would have liked to have been second, but it wasn’t possible. After her initial burst of spiritual energy, the queen had become very ill. Her milk all but dried up and she was too weak to even hold the baby. She was bleeding badly and Abish feared that even if she did survive she would never have another child. Lamoni, when he wasn’t preaching, was at her side. Ammon blessed her and kept vigil too. Abish fasted and prayed. She knew that she would never be able to look back on the joyful events of this week with anything but sadness if the queen passed.

Finally, after nearly a week of being on the verge of death, the queen took a turn for the better. Her fever broke, and although she was weak, she was very hungry. In her deep relief, Abish slept soundly for her first night in many days.

The next morning she awoke slowly feeling well and rested. The queen had also slept well and Abish left her in the hands of a healer. She wanted to explore the changes taking place in the palace and in the city. The first thing she noted was that the slaves were gone. The cook in the kitchen explained that they had all been freed—either allowed to go home or kept on as paid servants. Within the palace walls, several private huts were being built for those who wanted to stay. One of these residences was being fashioned near the queen’s room, so that Ham might stay with his wife for the many months that she would be Sariah’s nurse. Abish walked through the courtyard, marveling at the changes and well-pleased with the general feeling of happiness she felt from people and saw in their faces.

She was strolling casually when Ammon found her in the garden. She smiled and waved when he saw her. “Hello, Abish.” He said simply as he fell into step beside her.

“You and Lamoni have been busy.”

Ammon smiled and shrugged, “You never know what the Lord is going to do.”

“I thought I almost ruined it. My big mouth nearly got you killed that day.”

Ammon continued smiling, “But my life is in the Lord’s hands. I will not die until it is my time to do so. There is still much work for me here. Besides, the people you gathered witnessed some remarkable miracles. Many have told Lamoni and I that they have become believers in part because of what they were witness to that day.”

“Really?”

“Yes. But more important than any additional preaching today, my priority is to get you baptized. That is what you want isn’t it?” He said slyly as he gave her a sideways glance. She smiled in reply, knowing that he already knew the answer. “You have also been very busy, Abish.”

She nodded, the fatigue and worry from the last days momentarily clouding her face, “I think all will be well now.”

“Good. Lamoni has nearly eaten himself up with anxiety over her.”

“He is a good man.”

“The best. He is like a brother to me.”

“The two of you will do many great works in this land, for these people.”

“You will be a part of that work too, Abish.”

She smiled and nodded, “I hope so. It is as if a great weight has been lifted from my heart. To no longer hide my belief is the most freeing feeling I could ever imagine.” They walked through the garden in companionable silence for several more minutes. Abish finally said, “I’ve had a question in my mind for a few days now.”

“Go ahead.”

“How many of those sheep-stealers did you really kill?”

Ammon laughed right out loud at her question. He too had heard the rumors of his superhuman strength. “Seven.”

“So not the reports of thirty that some have said, but not the two or three I actually suspected.”

“I am not sure if that is meant to compliment or humble me?” he said with a question in his voice, but she knew he was definitely teasing now.

“Maybe a little of both. Let’s see about that baptism, huh?”


As she rose out of the water that day she had never felt happier. Her heart was light and free and for a moment she believed that nothing in her life would ever be wrong again. Ammon helped her out of the water, and she immediately began drying off, though such a thing was hardly necessary. It had been another hot day, as it nearly always was. The difference was that today some clouds were actually gathering. There hadn’t been a proper and lengthy rainy season in the land for so many years that it was hard to even remember the last time there was a good, cooling downpour.

Abish nodded happily as Ammon explained that her confirmation would be done later. It was taking longer to get through the confirmations because he was the only one, for now, with authority to do them. He also explained to her about the Holy Ghost and what that would mean to her when she was confirmed. He then made a statement that seemed out of place, “Lemhah tells me you read and write.”

“Yes.”

“Very well?”

“I haven’t had a lot of practice, but I think I have a knack for it.”

“Do you think you could record the names of the baptisms and confirmations? In Nephite lands we keep records of such things so that members of the church might be fellowshipped and helped.”

“I think it is a great idea. Have you kept track so far?”

“Pretty well. Lemhah has been a great help, but he is also busy with other duties in the palace.”

Suddenly there was a loud noise from the sky, like a thousand people clapping together at once. Abish screamed and looked up, the sky had grown dark in just the few minutes they had been in the courtyard, “What was that?”

Ammon laughed good-naturedly at her reaction. “Thunder. You know, like before a big rainstorm. It looks like we are in for a huge one today.”

“Thunder? It has been so many years since I’ve heard it.”

Suddenly, a breeze picked up and there was the most wonderful smell in the air. “Uh-oh.” Ammon said.

“What?”

“That smell means the rain is nearly here. We’d better make a run for it or you’ll be baptized twice today.”

They ran headlong for the palace but didn’t quite make it before the skies opened up. They were both laughing when the reached the portico, though Abish had to admit she was also a little bit startled. “Well,” Ammon said, “I guess you will always remember your baptism day.”

Indeed, Abish thought, the first day of the rest of her life.


As the church grew, Lamoni and Ammon became serious about organizing it. Small congregations were organized and visited often by Ammon himself to ensure that the preaching remained pure. Abish often followed Ammon to places where he preached and copied down the words he said. People remembered her from the day many of them became believers and her notoriety as a midwife expanded and she became very busy that way as well. She chuckled sometimes thinking that her reputation was stronger than her actual skills—not unlike Ammon and his sheep.

One afternoon some months after Ammon had come, when Abish was not particularly busy, she was in the queen’s chamber, spending the afternoon with her. Little Sariah was adorable; her features were just like the queen’s but she had Lamoni’s dark eyes, hair and skin. She was rolling around the ground to get to where she wanted to go and Abish was sitting on the ground with her as she explored her environment with giggles and coos. She idly wondered what it would be like to be a wife with a baby. In some ways it would probably be quite wonderful, but then, in other ways she greatly enjoyed her newfound independence as well.

The queen sensed her mood, “And what will be next for you Abish?”

She smiled. “I’m not sure. I’m quite content.”

“And you are still young; barely 17.”

Abish sat up, crossing her legs. “I think my sister had a baby or two by the time she was my age.”

“Perhaps you will look for your family now.”

“I have thought about that, many times. I’m not even sure where I would begin. Truthfully, I’m not sure how close I feel to them, even my mother. Besides, it is difficult to say how well the rest of the Lamanites are going to take all of these believers in their midst.” The queen nodded. Abish knew that such a thing had been a frequent topic of conversation between Ammon and Lamoni. In fact, the week after Ammon came, Lamoni was supposed to have gone to a feast day to celebrate his father’s 25th anniversary as ruler of the Lamanites. All of his sons, as well as the other Lamanite nation kings had been invited. Between teaching the gospel and the queen’s unexpected illness, Lamoni had stayed behind. The queen had tried to encourage him to go, fearful of Lamoni angering his father, but he reasoned that her health and God’s work were more important. He sent word that he wouldn’t attend, but Abish wasn’t sure how much he had explained. Now, all these months later, he was considering taking Ammon to meet his father to try and convince him to allow the preaching to spread to other parts. Ammon spoke often of finding his brothers to find out what their success had been. Only when large numbers of the Lamanites were converted could those in the Land of Ishmael be assured of any real safety.

There was silence for a few moments; perhaps the queen was thinking the same things. Then she said, “I was thinking that you might like to move outside the palace.” Abish sat up, momentarily startled. “Don’t look so shocked, darling. Most of those who were once slaves have done so. If you would like to stay there is plenty of room for you, but you might like the independence that it would afford you.”

She tugged at her hair that was growing painfully slow. Still it nearly covered her earlobe and with the practice of slavery being banned, the notch in her ear meant very little. At least in the Land of Ishmael, “Perhaps.”

The queen nodded too. “It was just a suggestion; I love having you here.”

Abish leaned back down on her elbow and held a delicately carved rattle for the baby who followed it very carefully with her eyes and made clumsy, grabbing motions for it. “I love being here; especially now.”

There was another long pause and the queen cleared her throat and said mildly, “Dinner conversation has certainly been livelier since a certain young man joined our household.”

Abish’s cheeks burned hotly, but she kept silent, trying to pretend ignorance, but it was nearly impossible to ignore Ammon’s natural charm and magnetism. Sometimes it seemed that Ammon often sought her out for things that could have just as easily been done or answered by someone else. There were others who could do the scribe work that he pretended she was so wonderful at. And more than one woman in travail in recent weeks had received a blessing from Ammon himself as he accompanied Abish to their homes, particularly if it was late at night.

She continued to flush under the queen’s direct gaze, unable to reply until the queen said softly, “You admitted to me yourself once that he was handsome. Would such an alliance be so terrible?”

“I think that Ammon has become a very good friend recently. I do not want to read more into it than is really there.” As the words came out, they sounded so level-headed, but Abish could not ignore the way her heart seemed to thump in her chest when she thought of marrying Ammon. “Besides, Ammon is a prince.”

The queen shrugged, “And you are a daughter of God. This makes you a princess in your own right.”

Abish shifted uncomfortably, “I feel like I’ve spent my whole life trying to be invisible. It is still difficult to imagine a different kind of life.”

“I am sure that will change in time. You know, my friend, even before the gospel came to us, there was something about you. I’ve never known a woman to carry such a light in her eyes or such capability in her hands. A man like Ammon would be just the kind to recognize such powerful gifts.” Abish looked away, feeling her cheeks burn anew with the compliments she was not used to hearing. The queen gently prodded, “Maybe it is time to be on your own—to discover who you really are and what you might be capable of.”

“Maybe you are right.” She smiled at the queen, enjoying the way friendship felt after so many years without it.

Just then a servant came to announce that Ammon wished to see her. The queen nodded and Ammon entered. He was unusually pale and obviously distraught. “Have you seen Lamoni?” He came right to the point, uncharacteristically forgetting his manners or his charm when it came to the queen. Something definitely was wrong.

The queen sensed it too. “Not for several hours; whatever can be the matter?”

“I’ve just received some news I need to speak with your husband about; if you see him, please tell him that I’m looking for him.”

The queen smiled gently, “I certainly will, but is there any way that Abish and I might help you?” For the first time since entering the room Ammon looked sideways at Abish, startled to see her sitting on the floor. He really hadn’t seen her. He still didn’t seem to see her and just answered, “No my lady; I am sorry to have bothered you.”

“It is no bother, Ammon.” Abish said and then repeated the queen’s request, “Are you sure there is nothing we can do?”

“I’m sure. I’ll leave you now.” He was out the door before anything else could be said. The queen shrugged as Abish looked at her, puzzled.

The queen said, “I suppose time will tell if it is something we need know.”

Abish agreed and added, “He was certainly agitated.”

“Yes, I’ve never seen him like that before.” The subject was quickly dropped, as nothing more could be said. Abish spent the rest of the afternoon entertaining the babies. Sasha’s boy was toddling everywhere on his short, chubby legs. Nothing was safe from his prying hands, but there was something utterly adorable about him too. Home and family or independence? In her heart she hoped that she wouldn’t have to choose one over the other.


That afternoon was the last restful time she had for several days as she helped five mothers give birth. Four boys named Ammon and a little girl name Shammon. She bit her tongue to hold back the laughter after the last boy was born. It had been happening a lot lately. When all these children grew up they would have to be numbered to keep them straight. Two of the births had been difficult and she’d spent an entire three days away from the palace. She was anxious for a good night’s rest and a bath.

Despite her late night deliveries, Ammon had not sought her out to join her as he often did and she wondered if the source of his anxiety would be revealed when she went back to the palace. She chided herself for how much she missed his company. She knocked quietly on the door, unsure if the queen would actually still be awake. Zaria answered with a very distressed look in her eye and exclaimed, “Oh Abish, come in; we have just learned the most awful thing.”

Chapter 14--Conversion

Despite the wonderful prospect of staying up to speak with Ammon that night, exhaustion got the better of Abish and she too fell quickly asleep. The rest didn’t last long. Little Sariah was awake just a few hours later. Abish gently roused the queen, who practically nursed the baby in her sleep. Then Abish took the infant and rocked her near a moonlit window. She hummed softly to the wrinkly bundle in her arms who soon dozed. Before she could stand to lay the baby down, however, Ammon joined her.

“Sorry to wake you.” Abish said in a whisper.

Ammon shrugged. “If my faith was better I would be sleeping like a baby, but the truth is my stomach is all tied in knots.”

“He will arise in the morning.”

Ammon smiled at her. “Yes, indeed, there is something special about the faith I have already seen among the Lamanite women.”

“Perhaps the conversions are just beginning.”

“I hope so. It is the reason I came to this land.”

“I have wanted to ask you about that.”

“It is an interesting story really.”

The baby breathed a sigh and slumped further down into Abish’s arms. Abish smiled. “I have plenty of time. I think Sariah has settled in for the night.”

“Sariah is an interesting choice.”

“It was the name of the queen’s grandmother; she is an Amalekite you know, although her mother was a Lamanite. Now, for your story.”

“My father was the King of the Nephites. How is that for a start?”

“Pretty good. Now I’m really curious.”

“I am the oldest, so I grew up knowing that I would one day be king. In Zarahemla, however, it works differently than here. While I had many opportunities as a young man, I was also expected to work to support myself, as my father and my grandfather did before me. I hated being a farmer. I couldn’t understand why, when we were the royalty of a nation, the people shouldn’t work to support us. It burned me up inside. My father was very good friends with the head of the church, Alma. Alma’s oldest son was also named Alma and we ran around a lot together, though he is some years older than me. We began to see the Church as the source of all our woes.”

“How so?”

“With the Lord’s strong teachings on self-reliance and caring for the poor and so forth, it became very easy to see that because of the Church my father cared more for others than he did himself. I thought this was a very bad thing. Alma and I would stay up late at night throwing rocks in the lake behind my house and complaining to one another about the state of things. We decided that if we could lead people out of the Church, it would have less and less power over the way the kingdom was governed. My father would have to exert greater control and actually become a king instead of just a farmer.”

“That seems a little twisted.”

“Oh, it was. Then, as we began going around and speaking openly against religion and God and our fathers, there was no logic to it at all. I was doing it for the power.” His voice had risen slightly, and the baby stirred. He was silent for a moment while the baby re-settled herself and then he continued, in a softer voice. “It was during those years that realized I had a great gift for speech. I had a way of finding just the right words to lift an angry crowd off the ground. Alma and I did much damage to the Church. And I dragged my brothers into it.”

“They just followed your poor example?”

“Not exactly. My brother Aaron is younger than me, by just a year. While I was busy persecuting the believers, he had fallen in love and married young. When he had been married less than a year, his wife and baby died during childbirth. He was devastated and bitter. He had never fought against God before, but he was suddenly angry. I was there to fuel the fire with my damning words. He joined with us and then the younger ones came.”

Abish could hardly believe her ears. She cleared her throat and said in a whisper, “What finally happened to make you change?”

There was a long pause. Abish had almost begun to wonder if he’d heard her question or even dozed off when he answered with some emotion, “One day, while the five of us traveled to a city where a large group of our followers were, an angel appeared to us. There was a cloud and a voice. I didn’t understand the voice, but in our astonishment we fell to the earth. There were more words; we strained to hear what the message said but to no avail. Still, there was power in the words and we fell again. Alma was hit the heaviest; he was completely unable to speak and so weak we had to carry him to his father. His father rejoiced in his state and then invited everyone who knew of the event to fast and pray for Alma’s recovery. In spite of myself, I joined in. I was hoping that somehow Alma would awake and help us understand our experience. Maybe he had gotten something more from the angel and that is why he had reacted so much more strongly than we did.”

“Did he arise?”

Ammon nodded, “And the angel’s message and had been specifically for him. He taught us of repentance and redemption. He described the torments of Hell in a way I will never forget. We were converted from that time on and set about to make reparations for the damage we’d caused. We spent some years at home, but it was hard. Many of our followers stayed out of the Church and many believers continued to mistrust us, especially me, although Alma regained much of his credibility. My brothers and I decided that journeying to this land was the only way that we could attempt to redeem ourselves for our myriad mistakes.”

“Wow.”

There was another long pause filled only with the irregular, but normal, newborn breathing. Again, Abish wondered if her companion had gone to sleep when he said, “And what of you, Abish? How is it that you are so well-spoken and yet a slave? How is it that you are so young, but you have the wisdom to bring life into the earth? How is it that you are a believer with enough faith to pray a missionary to come to your King from hundreds of miles away?”

Abish told him the barest details, and though she still felt the familiar sorrow well up inside when she thought of her father, she realized for the first time that her sadness was completely void of bitterness. Recent events had done more healing for this wound than in all the years leading up to Ammon’s coming. She felt a glimmer of hope that she would feel whole again.

Just as she stood to go to bed, Ammon said, “My heart tells me that your powerful faith will yet play a role in all that is to come to pass. The miracle we have seen in this family is only the smallest portion of the work God intends in this land.”


Abish arose early the next morning. She hadn’t been able to sleep very well either for the anxiety that filled the pit of her stomach. She understood now what Ammon meant when he said that if his faith had been perfect, sleep would have been easy. The queen was unusually anxious too, but Abish forced her to eat, trying not to worry about the strain of the last days all over her face.

Finally, about mid-morning, they heard low groans from where Lamoni lay. The three exchanged pleased and anxious glances and went to his bedside. The queen reached out her hand to touch him when he suddenly sat up. He reached out his hand as well and caught hers midway. They exchanged a tender glance and Lamoni whispered fiercely as he kissed her hand, “Blessed be the name of God, and blessed art thou.”

He then went on to testify of the redeeming power of the Savior to all mankind. Abish again felt the now familiar swelling of joy in her heart and she glanced at Ammon who gazed intently on the tender family scene taking place. As the king’s voice raised in intensity, the door to the chamber was opened and Lamoni’s shepherds spilled into the room just in time to hear the very thing Ammon had prophesied. The exhausted king fell back against his bed; surprisingly, the queen slumped over him as well.

Abish rushed to her side and saw that she, like Lamoni from the day before was well, but caught up in some kind of a trance. Ammon picked up his testimony where the king left off and then prostrated himself on the ground praising God for the faith of the people he had come among. His words were filled with gratitude. While Abish was startled by all these happenings in a space of a few minutes, she could see that the other servants were frightened, or was it something else?

Within moments of seeing Ammon cry unto the Lord they began to do the same. They too knelt in an attitude of deep humility, asking forgiveness for their many sins and misdeeds. As she saw these men kneel in such humility, something deep inside of her snapped. For years she had contained her testimony, carefully hidden from the world. But today was the day to tell! Today was the day to testify of the song in her heart for the true God of heaven.

The door was blocked by servants, but there was another way out. The back of the queen’s rooms opened up wide into the courtyard, and just through the courtyard was the busy city square. In less than five minutes she would be to a place where she could tell hundreds of people of these events and lead them back to the palace to show them the amazing events of this day. Without another thought, she flung wide the doors and curtains that separated the queen’s chamber from the courtyard and ran as fast as she could to the heavy garden doors on the opposite side. There were guards there, but she merely said in her most commanding voice, “The queen orders this door open today so that all might come in and see a great miracle that has come to pass.”

The guards did as she asked and it surged her confidence for her message; she ran into the busy market square and stood atop a low wall. She shouted above the many hawkers there that day. “There has been a miracle in the land of the Lamanites today! A man has come to declare a message of salvation and peace to the king of this city. I have seen first hand the salvation of the Lord in Lamoni’s house. He desires all to come, see and hear this man whom God has sent to preach to us. The back gate of the palace courtyard is open even now that all might know the greatness of God.”

She had the attention of many and she continued in this vein until a large crowd had gathered. “I am but a servant to the King and Queen of Ishmael, but if you go now then you will hear the servant of the God of Heaven proclaim a message! Go! Find a way into the palace that you may learn for yourselves.”

Perhaps they were moved by her words, or perhaps they were just grateful for the diversion, but they began heading to the palace and sharing the news with their neighbors along the way. Abish left the square and called out to people in the street; explaining the need to go to the house of Lamoni. Some listened, others did not, but by the time she was ready to head back to the palace, word had spread and she was joined by many others. The crowd jostled along.

Reactions in the crowd were mixed; she was dismayed to hear some murmuring in the crowd about some great evil that had been visited on their people because they had heard the messenger spoken of was a Nephite. Others argued that the evil was brought about because of all of the men that the king had killed over the sheep incidents at the waters of Sebus. But the report that frightened her most came from a clump of large men she passed by unnoticed.

“I think the messenger people are speaking of is the Nephite.”

“You do?”

“Yes! The same Nephite who slew my brother just three days ago.”

“If he is the same man then we are wise to stay away; he is very powerful.”

The man scoffed at the comment, “He was prepared, and that is all. He is just a man. An open invitation to the palace is just the chance I need to find this Nephite and kill him. Until three days ago we had a lucrative scam going and this man has ruined it all, besides killing our friends. I will have my revenge today!” He drew his sword and he and his companions began pushing frightened people out of the way.

The heady euphoria Abish had felt since Lamoni’s awakening ebbed immediately at their words. Her only thought was to warn Ammon and perhaps Lamoni about what was coming, about what she had started. She felt sick and began making her own way through the crowd, hoping there would still be a private, back entrance into the house so that she could prevent this great evil.

She hurried as fast as she could, elbowing her way through the throng flooding Lamoni’s home and grounds. Her fear mounted as she heard the conversations around her. Rumors flooded from the palace that Lamoni and his queen were dead and that the Nephite monster had cast some sort of spell over them and the servants; that anyone who came near them was in danger of falling under the same spell. Abish entered the smaller door by the corridor, pushing through clusters of people, winning her several looks of disgust from those she’d gathered. She entered the chamber just in time to see the men with the swords rush through the room from the other side. The evil look on the face of their leader was unmistakable as he charged at Ammon; before Abish had time to scream warning the man with the sword fell dead to the ground. The murmurs immediately spread through the crowd again. A woman behind her hollered, “It is the Great Spirit; we must worship him too or suffer the same fate the others have.”

Some followed this directive while others resumed their arguments. The contention grew and grew around Abish until she ran to the midst of those who had fallen in an attempt to clear her head from the false accusations around her. Her heart felt as though it would break. How could such a beautiful day ended with such ugliness? How was it possible that she could have caused this to happen when she only wanted to praise the name of the Lord and have others do the same?

Years of unshed tears built up behind her eyes and she no longer tried to keep them back. They flowed unabashedly down her face and she felt desperate and scared. Her heart cried out to God and in that moment, the stillness she had felt on occasion swept through her heart and she knew exactly what to do. Blinded by years of tears flowing down her face, she moved clumsily to where the queen knelt, praying in her heart that her next action would somehow help to undo this great wrong she had unwittingly caused. She turned and faced the queen and knelt before her. She sensed a quieting in the room; evidently some had seen her kneel and were waiting to see what would happen. She slowly stretched her hand forth to take her hand. As she did so, she whispered, “Arise my lady.”

As soon as she touched the queen’s hand, Zaria stood straight up to her feet. She saw Abish’s dazed face and embraced her, laughing for joy. She cried with a loud voice, “Oh blessed Jesus, who has saved me from an awful hell!” She smiled brightly and looked around at the gathered multitude; it was now her turn to be dazed. She turned her eyes Heavenward and held her arms wide, “O blessed God, have mercy on this people!”

She stepped away from Abish and began speaking to the people of the vision she’d had. Many of her words were difficult for Abish to even understand as she taught doctrines Abish had never before heard and spoke rapidly, explaining everything at once. Then, she reached over as Abish had done and touched Lamoni’s hand. He also arose, looking around with eyes full of bright joy.

He was silent for a moment and the gathered multitude began murmuring once again among themselves. He strode to the center of the room and raised his hands up, “My people! It is not God’s will that you should contend with one another! It is his command that you hear his word and learn of the things I have been taught these last few days. If you will listen, you may stay as long as you like so I may teach you.”

The crowd thinned almost immediately, but those that remained were silent as they squeezed in for greater advantage. Lamoni began to preach with power and authority. Ammon picked up in this vein just a few minutes later.

Seeing the queen’s exhaustion, Abish took her by the arm and removed her down the hall to Lamoni’s quarters where she might get some rest. As she saw the joy so evident on Zaria’s face, Abish knew that every struggle and difficulty had been worth it.

Chapter 13: Two Nights

Abish just stared. She had never before touched the king and didn’t move to do so now even though she’d had more healers’ training than any other in the room. She was grateful when Ammon moved so she didn’t feel compelled to. He touched the king’s head and listened to his chest and pronounced, “Lamoni is fine, probably just the shock from all he has learned. He should be taken to his chamber where he can rest comfortably.”

Lemhah issued some orders and in a daze the men carefully hoisted him and carried him into the hallway. Abish followed at a careful distance, with Ammon. She looked at him sideways and whispered, “Have you ever seen such a thing?”

Ammon smiled, “Only once. It was God’s way of redeeming a soul that was headed for almost certain damnation. He will recover.” Almost unwillingly, she trusted the confidence in his voice, wondering if she had sounded the same to Sasha earlier that morning.

“How soon?”

“It is not for me to say.” Abish felt mildly distressed, knowing that somehow she would have to explain all of these happenings to the queen. He caught her expression and said, “You have faith, don’t you?”

“I have faith; but I must relate these events to someone who does not—at least, not yet.”

“The queen?”

Abish nodded. “Queen Zaria is already overwrought emotionally. She has a very new baby, and the birth was difficult.” Abish flushed to be discussing such things with a man. “This will be hard for her to understand.”

Ammon nodded. “Perhaps it is best if I stay away until she wishes to see me.”

“Yes. Knowing that you are involved in these events may increase her distress.”

“Then I will wait.”

“And I will try to help her see.” She smiled slowly, “But I’ll leave the preaching to you. You are very good at it.”

“When the word of God is preached by the Spirit, both those who hear it and those who receive it are edified together. There is no better feeling of comradeship in the world than sharing the gospel.”

Almost without thinking she said quietly, “Then I expect that we will be very good friends.” They parted ways and she hurried her steps to be with the group that entered the queen’s room.


As predicted, the queen did not take the news of her husband’s episode very well. Abish tried to explain, but without Ammon’s preaching the story really didn’t make much sense. Perhaps it had been a mistake to caution him against coming because now the queen was adamant about not sending for him. Despite the testimonies of her servants, Abish thought she seemed fearful of the Nephite, though she was impressed by the presence of mind the queen kept for being a new mother. She maintained her authority very well and ordered Lemhah to not let word of any events leak out. The slaves were ordered to secrecy, though Abish knew how poorly such an admonition was kept among the servants themselves and was sure everyone in the palace would be discussing what had happened in about twenty minutes.

She allowed Abish to examine the king to determine the cause of his unconsciousness. Abish attempted, but she knew it was mostly for show. She trusted Ammon’s promise completely, and tried to reassure the queen. “He is fine; there is no injury or anything to indicate any trauma or damage. He will come out of this in a few days. His heartbeat is faint but steady. He will arise when it is time for him to.”

The queen regarded Abish closely, “I don’t mean to insult you, dear, you are a marvelous midwife, but he is hardly pregnant. I’m calling a healer.”

Abish tried to protest, but it wasn’t her habit to do so, so she decided to wait it out. As feared, the healer’s opinion was much starker. He told the queen that Lamoni had slipped into a coma it was unlikely he’d ever recover from. He suggested the king had been hit or even poisoned. Hearing this libel, Abish found the courage to protest. She argued that she had been there.

The healer glowered at her and answered, “I am not accustomed to being second guessed by slave-girls. I order you to hold your tongue.”

The queen looked exasperated, but whether she was more frustrated by Abish or the healer was hard to say. Not wanting to embarrass the queen or be slapped by the healer—a thing totally within his rights—she closed her mouth, praying with all her heart that he would leave very soon.

Before he left, he added, “I’ve seen this kind of thing before—the coma getting deeper and deeper. You won’t even know when the moment of death arrives until he starts to stink. I will watch him closely through the rest of the week and I would do all you can to find who has caused this to happen to him. This couldn’t have just been spontaneous.”

The queen sank into a nearby chair when he left. Abish quickly found a stool for her and helped her prop her feet. “This is too much decision making for a woman who just had a baby. I am so tired.”

“I’m sure.”

“Let me hear your version of events one more time without a chamber full of dirty shepherds or that nasty little healer.”

“Just relax for a little bit first.” Abish rubbed her feet gently.

“Where is Sariah?” The queen asked after a moment.

“Resting. She’s been with Sasha this afternoon. If you aren’t sleeping when she wakes up then I will have Sasha bring her to you.”

"I like her.”

“The baby or Sasha?”

The queen smiled lightly and leaned back in her chair, “Mmmm. . . Both I think. Well, I know I like the baby; I haven’t fully decided about Sasha yet, but she does come with your recommendation so she is probably wonderful.”

“Ammon comes with my recommendation too.”

"Yes; but perhaps you are just besotted by his blue eyes and fair skin.” In spite of herself, the queen’s grin was mischievous and girlish at the same time.

Abish smiled, trying not to blush and failing miserably, as she massaged. “He is handsome. I will admit that.”

The queen sighed and leaned back. “You know, I never found Nephite men all that handsome. I was actually grateful when I learned my father had promised me to a Lamanite. The alternative seemed too terrible. If you want handsome, a lady need look no further than Lamoni.” Her voice caught slightly as she said his name.

“He will be fine. You will be side by side with him in no time.”

“How can you be so sure?” The queen’s eyes were swimming with tears.

“With mine own ears I heard your husband tell Ammon that he would believe anything he said. I feel the same way. If Ammon tells me that your husband is just working through his salvation, then I know it is the truth.”

The queen nodded slowly, but Abish could see she didn’t understand. Abish continued, “Let tomorrow be a nice quiet day—just you and your baby and your resting husband. If he isn’t awake by tomorrow evening then perhaps you will want to send for Ammon and speak to him yourself.” The queen nodded again.

“It is a good idea. In the meantime, don’t slack off on that foot rub.”


But the next day was not a quiet day. Before Abish could arise and order the doors sealed to outside visitors, the healer returned with Lamoni’s three children close on his heels. Selah, a special favorite to Lamoni, was nearly beside herself with hysterics. They were already dressed in mourning clothes and the procession sent the baby into high-pitched catlike wails for having her morning feeding interrupted. Frustrated, the queen handed the baby to Sasha and began trying to sort through the mess.

The older boys were arguing over whether or not Lamoni had started to stink. The queen broke into their conversation loudly. “He doesn’t smell! His own servants bathed him just last evening and he is not dead.”

"But he’s going to die!” Selah wailed.

The queen looked like she would slap her, but refrained, “Pull yourself together, Selah! Nobody knows anything yet. He is just fine. Until we know more I would appreciate it if you would just pretend that he was sleeping.” Selah sniffed back her tears, knowing from the queen’s tone that it was unwise to be disobedient.

Unwilling to let it drop, the younger of Lamoni’s boys accused, “You wouldn’t tell us if he was dead! Then you could be queen all by yourself and the Amalekites would come and move into our palace.”

Abish couldn’t help but try and interpret the queen’s expression to that comment—it was a mixture of amusement, impatience and exasperation. “Clearly, Helamoni, you don’t know how it works. If your father did die, then your brother, Lemuel, would be the king. I would be nobody. And there are too many Amalekites for this house anyway. Now, it is very evident that neither of you are ready to be king yet, so your father wouldn’t die and leave his kingdom in such disarray, would he?” The brothers looked at each other and finally they both shook their heads.

“Now, please, just go. Your father needs it to be quiet so that he can recover.”

Abish added, “And your stepmother has just had a baby; she also needs it quiet so she can recover.”

The children were not gone more than a minute when the healer started in. This time the queen waved him off. “I will call for you again when you are needed. In the meantime, please do not hang around the palace scaring people with your speculation. I think we will wait this one out a little bit.”

He left, offended by both her tone and her words. But he wasn’t gone ten minutes when others began arriving—courtiers Abish often saw standing around hoping to advance their positions. The priests paraded through next. The noise alone was exhausting with the constant undercurrent of conversation about whether or not the king stank, and if his condition had anything to do with the Nephite in the palace. So, while it was apparent the servants had indeed gossiped, the healer had been no less reserved with his opinion.

“Enough!” The queen finally said aloud just after midday. The latest group of people in the door was headed by an undertaker who’d brought a funeral shroud and a group of six wailing mourners. When she asked him what he was doing he said that he’d been ordered, by someone in the palace, to bring burial clothes because the king was dead and they wanted to lay him in his family’s sepulcher that very day. Without even a reply, she ordered everyone out. The ensuing silence was wonderful. She sank, exhausted into a nearby chair. She was exceptionally pale and Abish quickly ordered a lunch for her. The queen drank a large cup of water. “I’m not feeling all that well.”

“Lunch will help.”

“Getting all this resolved would help more.” She waved her hand toward where Lamoni lay, so peaceful and oblivious to the chaos that had surrounded him that day. “He doesn’t stink, does he?” The queen had begun to even doubt herself.

“No.” Abish reassured her.

“I think maybe it is time I see this Nephite of yours.”

“Lunch first.” The queen agreed. Abish noted that she looked a little bit better after lunch, but she was still very pale. Seeing that the queen had eaten well, Abish stood to go get Ammon. “No, send somebody. I don’t want to be alone. And if anybody else comes, send them away.” Abish stood to follow her directive. “Wait. Send for the shepherds also, but ask them to wait in the hall.”

Ammon arrived within minutes. He was out of breath as if he had sprinted the distance. As he had been with Lamoni, he was supremely cordial with the queen in his manner of address and speaking, but even with the formality, his voice carried warmth and familiarity.

He bowed low, “What would you have me do, My Lady?”

Her words were likewise filled with formality, “Our servants have made it known to me that thou are a prophet of a holy God and that thou hast power to do many mighty works in his name. If you do, go in and see my husband. Thou knows that he has laid for two nights and days.” Her voice quavered slightly and her eyes filled with tears. Unable to stand any longer she sank against Abish’s arm and lowered herself into a chair, “Some are saying that he is dead, and that he stinks and others want to place him in the sepulcher! But he isn’t dead. And he doesn’t stink.”

Ammon smiled winningly at the queen and Abish noted that some of the color returned to her face as he did so. “Of course he isn’t dead, your Majesty. The veil of unbelief is being cast from his eyes so that he can behold the light and glory of God. When he arises his soul will be infused with a joy that surpasses understanding. He will be a new creature, born again by the power of the Lord.”

Abish’s heart burned and she prayed that the queen felt it too. Ammon walked to Lamoni’s bedside and knelt over him in prayer. His words were beautiful and alive. Abish had never heard such a prayer. As his voice faded, Abish heard the barest sniffle from the queen. He stood slowly and came to the queen. He bowed low in front of her again and took her hand. “He is not dead, but he sleepeth in God. On the morrow he shall rise. Bury him not.” He added his last, simple sentence with a gentle smile, knowing the queen had already vehemently decided against that. “Believest thou this?”

She smiled back at him, tears coursing freely down her cheeks. “I have no witness, save thy word, and the word of our servants.” She quietly took Abish’s hand as she said this, but kept her eyes directly on Ammon’s. “Nevertheless, I believe that it shall be according as thou hast said.”

“Blessed art though, because of your exceeding faith. I say unto thee, woman, there has not been such great faith among all the people of the Nephites.” He leaned forward and kissed her hand as he said these words. Abish truly believed that she would burst wide open from happiness in that moment.

The queen asked the shepherds to come in again to tell their story; she assured them that she believed them and asked that they return the next morning, that they might see Lamoni awaken. And then, she asked Ammon if he would teach her the things he had taught Lamoni. Abish heard much of Ammon’s sermon again, trying to commit portions to memory, wondering if she would ever grow tired of hearing him speak.

As supper neared, Abish asked that meals be brought to them. The queen stifled a yawn as they ate. Ammon took note, “Your majesty is tired.”

“You have no idea.”

“So where is this beautiful baby I have heard about?”

The queen smiled. “You are a flatterer, Ammon. But somehow I believe that you mean every word of it.”

Abish retrieved Sasha and the baby. Introductions were made, Ammon was especially differential when he learned that Sasha was Ham’s wife and was thrilled to meet their little son. Food was plentiful and Sasha was invited to join them. The queen startled them all with a sudden comment, “You know what? I am unbelievably happy. I am exhausted and actually feeling a little bit sick, but I’ve never felt so happy. Here I am, a Lamanite queen eating dinner with a Nephite, my midwife and a slave, and it doesn’t even matter. For the first time I feel an overwhelming love toward everyone around me. I would never have guessed that this feeling is the secret to true joy.”

Ammon nearly laughed with happiness at her simple statement and the song in Abish’s heart reflected Zaria’s feelings exactly. Ammon moved to leave after dinner, “You need your rest, Queen. There will be many days for sharing and teaching the gospel. I would not forgive myself readily if you became sick from the strain of these past days.”

“I will rest; I don’t think I could stay awake even if I wanted to. But will you stay and keep vigil with us this night? Abish has not been sleeping much herself for checking on me and Sasha and the babies. I am sure she would love your company.”

Abish felt the blood creep into her face, hoping her skin was dark enough to hide the heat she felt rush to her cheeks. Ammon bowed low, “As your Majesty wishes.”