Come Prepared 14 of 14

So my story ends for now. The morning I came upon the mark of the cross above the path that led from the clash of the Red Palmetto and the Mist.  In our journey through, try as we may to prepare for all the possibilities, the best preparation we can carry is the anticipation of the extraordinary to occur. That day, I was loaded for bear. And when the Bear rose and the Red's marched beside the Palmetto to face the Mists, I followed and I thus return to tell you. As Ripley said, Believe it or not!

A sign given 13 of 14

And there, emblazoned upon the tree, the marked spot with a cross and the letters R and P.  And then the path was gone, blending as quickly as the Mists receded.  But as I stood looking back, I knew that I had witnessed the grand confrontation of the Red Palmetto and the Mists. If not for the descending of  heavenly Grace, it is certain I would have succumbed to the overwhelmingly powerful Mist.

A path provided 12 of 14

As for me, I was granted by this heavenly grace, a pathway of escape. Suddenly, before me rising from the forest floor out of the cypress and pine needles, a path, leading me from the place the Palmetto and the Mists met that morning. Much as I desired to remain, I knew I must quickly take this opportunity of mercy.

The descending graces 11 of 14

And as the legions of the Palmetto stood upon the threshold of the Mists, descending between the pulsing line of combatants, came the Heavenly Graces, restoring in a twinkle order to the upturned wood. As suddenly as this march had begun, catching every element within the forest up in the march, including this interloper, all was calm and of one peace. The Mist that was at once menacingly enveloping, was now but a lingering, harmless wisp. The Palmetto swordsmen now swayed peacefully. The Red's a lesser color of crimson. In the distance a Pileated chattered the news over the Hammocks longing for their loved ones called into the march.

Two by two 10 of 14

In columns of two they strode to the edge of the Mist. Today would be the grand reckoning, the moment the heart of the pine would pour forth an amber hue. Swords drawn, a quiet before the call came. We waited that terrible word to charge forth into the Mist. But instead of the terrible word, something beyond comprehension occurred above. Of one gathered eye we all peered into the heavenly light appearing.

We March 9 of 14

Never in the life of the wood had we witnessed the march to the last leaf. What stirred such an urgency in the realm, that they would risk their all, to face this Misty foe?

Grand Parade 8 of 14

Their color of war painted in a brilliance reserved for times as these, on and on they came, this army of the Palmetto and Bay, marching on into the Mist to face their destiny.

The terrible swords 7 of 14

The terrible swords were raised, the march was on. Sword upon sword passed the grand review, the legions parading, gazing into the heart of the bark and on toward the Misty morning fight.

Palmetto Legion 6 of 14

The Lordly Palmetto guard stood as the words were barked. The inflamed hearts of the red warriors began the march into the mists.
I followed haltingly to the rear.

March of the Red 5 of 14

And then I entered the clearing in the first light of morning. There, the orders were being barked to the red warriors gathered for the grand march through the thickets. I shuttered to think what would come of these valiant braves as they faced the mist.

Beside the bark 4 of 14

I came to the base of the long leaf pine. It was strewn with bark, dropped neatly in a pile, as if by some methodical peeling, something was dissecting the trunk. And yet, I could find no evidence upon the trunk of the dissection. Certainly these were higher creatures than I had imagined. Was this the insult that would cause the woods this day to rise and march?

Low we go 3 of 14

Dropping to my knees, I tried to envisage from the vantage of the creatures who lurk below my steps. Coming closer to the level they live, I was able to discern what lay ahead with clarity. I heard from the earth a trembling, as if legions upon legions were on the move.