The Belief

By R.K. Funderburk

Mikail Sadan starts his young life working hard providing for his mother while his father is away as a soldier. Mikail dreams of a soldier’s life and hopes to be a warrior one day. Mikail finds out that his mother and father are not his biological parents, but they found him and separated him from a twin brother who was consumed with evil.
Mikail Sadan is met with hardship and hostility throughout his life. He loses his family, the single love of his life and all those who meant most to him. Mikail is consumed with hatred and set on revenge against all those that have wronged him. He ravages all that he encounters by killing, raping, and pillaging as he seeks revenge on those who were responsible for his losses. Mikail crosses rivers, rain forests, attacking caravans and unsuspecting villages leading a group of marauders.
The adventurous tale comes full circle when Mikail meets his match on the battle field and finds that a power exists that he never imagined.
The power is in fact God who gives Mikail the option of serving him or serving Satan. Mikail is told by God that his sins on earth is what put him in his current situation, but mankind can and will look upon him as a Saint if he fulfills an obligation to God. Mikail has to make a decision that will not only alter his life, but the future of mankind.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.K. Funderburk
• Release date: Aug 24, 2011
• ISBN: 9781301222186

R.K. Funderburk

R.K. Funderburk attended Southwest Texas State University and Stephen F. Austin State University. He has lived in Texas his entire life and currently resides in an unincorporated area north of Houston, Texas. Keith lives with his wife and two children. He enjoys reading and all outdoor activities.

Book preview

The Belief

By R. K. Funderburk

Published by R. K. Funderburk at Smashwords

Copyright 2008 R. K Funderburk

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an andditional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use, then please return to Smashword.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Author’s Note

We are a people of the world striving for the same goals of prosperity, health and spiritual peace. We separate ourselves through ignorance of one another. The world’s resources are ours to share not dispute over, unification was the true intent for our creation. A time will come when need for each other will be imperative but unattainable if the barrier between personal differences is not broken down.

If our beliefs are so different then why are the origins so similar? A majority seeks comfort during life and insurance of bliss at the end of our lives. This achievement is generally sought through a religious belief of one kind or another. If a person stood back with an unobstructed view they would see the basic principles are the same.

- In the Qur’an under the chapter of Muhammad verse 47.11 and 47.12 which has been interpreted as, That is because Allah is patron of those who believe, and because the disbelievers have no patron. Lo! Allah will cause those who believe and do no good works to enter Gardens underneath which rivers flow;

- It has been said that Islam rejects characterizing God in any human form or depicting Him as favoring certain individuals or nations on the basis of wealth, power or race. He created the human beings as equals. They may distinguish themselves and get His favor through virtue and piety only.

- Allah is referred to as a compassionate and merciful God. Allah sent a messiah to the people known as Muhammad.

- Buddha did not teach of a God, but laid a foundation for mankind that should be considered with formal religion. Buddhism clearly identifies human qualities to have both compassion and loving kindness. Buddha taught that people should treat others with good will at all costs. These qualities should not be isolated to family and friends alone, but to all beings without exception. Meaning despite wealth, power or race and I should add religious belief. Buddha spoke of spiritual harmony through treating others with kindness and compassion regardless if we are on good terms with them or if it is those who do us harm.

- We as a people would benefit from Buddha’s teachings of harmonious relations with all persons inhabiting the earth. Buddha spread his belief through others who could be considered apostles.

- Christian belief lays claim to having a forgiving and loving God who sent a messiah to spread his word. The messiah is known as Jesus. Jesus proclaimed that the road to savior is through the belief in God.

- Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe in me also. John 14:1

- Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORDS, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday Psalm 37:3-6

- For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly Psalm 84:11

Though the material is but a slight overview and limited to only a few examples, I think that the basis to most beliefs will have some resemblances in nature and origin. It seems most who look for spiritual guidance find a God which is forgiving and caring. Each God also wishes harmony among all people despite differences. As a people would it not be beneficial to cast aside right and wrong in our spiritual upbringing, but concentrate on the similarities. Do we not all strive for the same thing through a belief? A belief lies inside all of us and it is a belief to enhance our spiritual awareness and peace in the living world. Harmony on earth lies just under the surface, most just have to put obvious differences aside and scratch under the thin layer of prejudice to find the truth.

Pessimists will forever scoff at sound reasoning, but in consolation all will inwardly agree that spiritual peace throughout the human race is much desired.

Are the similarities in religious beliefs a coincidence or do you think God protects all of his children? I believe God is known the world through and alters his presence depending on the economic, ethnic, and racial influences in particular regions.

The intention of this read is for fictitious enjoyment and is not based on any factual occurrences. If the contents leads but one person to step back and take a positive look at the benefits of spiritual belief then I will deem it a success.

Chapter 1

Life of a Child

He slid through the forest like a wraith, tree to tree on a carpet of pine needles that filled his nostrils with a pleasant odor. He began cautiously ducking under the purple and white blooms of the rhododendron which marked the season of warm weather. He proceeded with sword at the ready, knowing the enemy was near, he could smell his quarry as the breeze drifted into his intent face. They call me the child of death brought about by the slain enemies of the past, he thought to himself which brought a wry smile. Closer and closer until the enemy were in sight. Just as he had thought, the louts were slumbering around a camp fire without a worry in the world. Poor training for such an unknowing lot as these, to be basking about so close to enemy lines, he whispered to himself. He crouched behind the last tree and counted six…six that would meet their deaths on this fine day. He stood to his full height, stepped out into the clearing and loudly proclaimed, I am Mikail Sadan and today is the day you will die!! The enemy scrambled for their swords as he went to work.

Mikail had sword raised and floated to the nearest victim as if he was gliding on air, running the first man through before he could even lift his weapon. He followed through coming face to face with the second, a clash of steel then a quick swipe and his second enemy was lying headless. His surprise had worn off and he faced a man swirling a spiked ball on a chain, he deftly went under the weapon spilling his opponent’s guts which rolled out and onto the soft carpet of pine needles.

The last three formed a half circle around him, two with swords and one with a mace. The middle scoundrel, heavily muscled wearing a long shaggy beard cracked a smile of yellow broken teeth spoke first, We now have you where we want you, tell us your name and who sent you and we will kill you quickly, otherwise… the man gave a shrug stepping forward.

Mikail made the speaker feel the tip of his sword slide through the middle of his neck. The speaker slid to the ground while he made quick work of the two remaining. Never, ever waste your time talking when there is killing to be done. Action not speech is the best tool. The words vibrated in Mikail’s head, words that were spoken to him from a professional soldier, his father. He lowered his sword and realized that he had not even broken a sweat, his shirtless body was dry and his buckskin pants were not even dirty.

Mikail, Mikail, where are you! the voice echoed through the forest. He sighed and stuck his wooden sword behind his leather belt and started trotting towards home where his mother would be waiting.

He entered his village to find his mother waiting, waiting with her fists on her hips, the way only his mother could do, this cannot be good he mumbled.

Mikail you are only a young boy, you have not been on this land long enough to go traipsing around in the woods, go get washed up for food time.

Mikail lowered his head in resignation and proceeded to do what he was told because you did what you were told or you met the switch. He found out very early that it was a whole lot easier to do what was expected of you compared to the harshness of the switch. He entered their home which was built of stout pine poles and covered with hardened clay. He thought how secure he felt in the home even though the floor was also made of clay and not timber like he heard some homes had, but it was his home and it meant safety. He went to the corner where a table held a bowl of water for him to wash and a piece of cloth to dry his hands. He was only allowed to keep his hands clean; his father proclaimed that too much washing of the body would only allow the biting bugs to drink your blood. This was not uncommon, he never knew anyone in the village to bath anything but their hands. He was required to scrape his teeth with a shredded piece of a black gum twig every night. He did not much like this, but wanted to keep his teeth to chew. His mother told him if he did not scrape his teeth every night his teeth would fall out of his head. His home was sparsely furnished with table, chairs and shelves for food. His mother had a cooking place where a fire was kept under a suspended gourd dish that was obtained by the wandering trader for five chickens. The cook place also doubled for warmth in the times of cold. The opposite side of the room was where he slept on pine boughs covered with cloth on the floor while his mother and father slept in the only other room in the house. He looked around the small dwelling and thought of nothing but safety.

Momma, when is father going to be home?

Soon his mother responded in a worried tone. Every evening he asked the same question and received the same answer.

Momma if I eat all of my food can I go play in the village?

Mikail’s mother gently stroked his head in a reassuring manner, be home before it gets dark. He ran towards the village of Luege as his mother stared off towards the mountains in the north.

Mikail awoke before the light came, dressing in his buckskin breeches and padded his bare feet to the table while his mother placed his bowl of watered down oats before him. He sleepily ate in silence not wanting to think of the work ahead. The chores of tending the garden and animals were never ending, but as his mother had told him before, Do you want to do the chores or do you want to go without food? He stumbled to the small shed that housed their single milk cow.

Mikail vigorously rubbed his hands on his legs so the coolness of the morning would not startle the cow while he pulled on its teats to extract the milk that was much needed. He was soon lost in thoughts of battle while milking the cow. He wondered idly when his father would return from fighting the Hordes from the north and was curious why his mother was always worried. He was not worried because his father was the biggest man he had ever seen and would never be bested by any of those old Hordes. He remembered evenings watching his father practice with the sword while he shadowed him with his pretend sword. His father took time out to instruct him on his stance and footwork all the while gently chuckling at his efforts. He wondered if he was going to grow as big as his father, but doubted it. He did not miss the fact that he had darker hair and skin than that of his mother or father, presuming that with those differences he would always be short and skinny. This did not dampen his spirits because as soon as his father returned he would ask him for a real sword and lessons on its uses. He quickened his step and went to the garden thinking that if he finished his chores he could still retrieve his wooden sword and practice to show his father how much he had learned.

Mikail’s wishes were soon squashed when his mother walked to the garden where he was working and soothingly praised him, The garden looks good, it ought to keep some food on the table through winter, but our fish supply is running low. When you are done here I need you to go to the river and check your traps. His mother did not miss the disappointment in his eyes and wished even more for her husband to come home. These are things that need to be done by father and son she mumbled to herself as she walked back to their dwelling.

Mikail grabbed his wood pole and line from the shed and headed off to the river. He came to the low point in the river where he could walk along the sandy bank under the high cliffs. He then followed the river to the fish traps without wading trying to avoid entering the water until it was absolutely necessary because the frigid water always made his feet loose feeling and turn blue. He came to the point where the traps were out in the middle of the meandering river and started gathering as much drift wood as possible. He built a tepee of dried wood and produced his flint and a small amount of dried bark from his possibles pouch that hung around his thin waist. He had his fire going to the point where he knew it would not go out. He then retrieved a long stout pole that had a hook whittled out on the end which was leaning against the cliff where he had left it from his last outing. He held his breath and braced himself for the shock of the cold water. He began to wade out to the traps just far enough to where he could hook the trap on a loop that was built into the top. He pulled the first reed woven trap to him to find it empty. He replaced the first and snagged the second with the same results. He had the same luck until the sixth and last trap which was filled with six heavy multi-colored trout. Quickly He pulled the last trap to the shore and left it there with the fish flopping and gasping for breath. He ran to the fire adding wood which the flames licked eagerly, sitting down on the sand and propping his blue feet on a log close to the fire. He grimaced while the tingling in his feet became almost unbearable. The heat finally did its job and he had proper feeling back in his feet, so he placed the trap back in the shallow water and tied it off to keep the fish alive as long as possible. He took up his fishing pole and retrieved a small feathered article from his pouch. Mikail studied the chicken feathers that were tied onto a sharp curved wooden dowel that he had whittled himself. He always thought it looked like a feathery bug and did not understand why the fish found it appetizing, but shrugged and proceeded to tie it on his line which in turn was tied to his wooden pole the only fishing pole he had. He stood up and tossed the bug out into the river and plopped back down on the sand. He laid the pole down next to him reclining and continued his daydreaming adventures as a soldier.

A brush against Mikail’s leg brought him out of his daydream as he watched his fishing pole sliding into the water. He bolted toward the water without any regard for the frigid temperature and dove head first grabbing wildly at the pole. He grasped the pole while completely submerged in the river. He found his footing and started retrieving the line which was being pulled through his calloused hand. He fought the fish while backing up on the shore and brought in another trout, bigger than any fish he had ever seen. He beamed with pride while he put the monster trout in the trap with the others. He was so caught up with catching the fish he forgot how cold he was until his teeth began chattering. He thought his teeth were going to break against each other and quickly striped his breeches off and stood naked in front of the fire. He did not have time to be bashful; his only thoughts were on getting warm.

Mikail was finally dry and a shade warmer than before. He hung his breeches over the fire to dry knowing that they would become hard as dried cow dung, but he had no choice. Pulling up his pants he went to stringing his catch on a raw hide strip looping and tying it off so he could sling it over his shoulder for the journey home. He retraced his steps upriver but took a different route back to the village as his father’s voice echoed in his head, Deviate your direction while traveling and never follow the same path twice, you never know when a enemy will be laying for you. He chose a longer route back to Luege at a trot with his fish bouncing off his back, the sun was falling fast. Luege was just over the next hill when voices raised into the air, voices of panic, The village is under attack, he whispered to himself. Hel broke into a run wishing he had a real sword because he had sworn to protect his mother while his father was away. He raced out of the woods to observe men, women, and horses running in every direction.

Chapter 2

A Father Returns

Mikail ran behind the first dwellings of the village to remain unnoticed until he could think of a plan. Everyone was yelling and running around with soldiers on horseback covering every road throughout Luege. He then noticed most of the townspeople were crying with joy and soldiers dismounting, wrapping their arms around loved ones. They are home, father is home he said to himself. He took off like a deer with a bolt in its hide and ran towards home.

Mikail ran up to his home finding a large war horse standing in the yard still with its bundles tied behind the saddle. He frowned, knowing that this was a much finer horse than the sway back that his father had left on. He started to go indoors hesitantly thinking that this was not his father’s horse and that his father was not to come home. He was well aware that other families in the village mourned at the loss of their fathers who were soldiers, but grim determination made him open the door. He knew how well trained his father was and that no one had the ability to best him in battle. He stepped into the dim interior to find his mother weeping openly and holding her up was his father. He just stood there, still, unable to move; swaying like a corn stalk in the breeze. Mother and father both turned to look at their son standing planted to the floor.

Father frowned a bit and asked, Son are you just going to stand there or are you going to come shake your father’s hand.

Mikail broke from his trance with emotions running wild and ran to his father enveloping him with a hug not wanting to ever let go. Oh father I thought you were…. I just thought you were not going to come back Mikail said in a rush.

Not come back and leave you here to get behind in the chores and spend your time idly at the river or wondering around aimlessly in the woods his father chuckled. Your mother was just telling me that you were going to bring home some fish for dinner, which I suspect is true since you smell like you have a whole mess of fish stuck down your breeches his father said while licking his lips.

Mikail’s cheeks reddened as he had forgotten that he had the fish slung around his back. He started to unsling the fish when his mother roared, Oh no you don’t, you are not going to mess my house with those fish, just get outside and start cleaning them, I don’t know why you thought you could bring them in here without cleaning them first.

Miakil started to retreat out of the house when his father spoke up, Let’s go Mikail, I want to see how well you can clean a fish, since it seems you have already grown so much that it looks like I am going to have to double the planting just to keep you fed.

Mikail thought this was the most wonderful thing in the land; he could stand side by side with his father and maybe hear what adventures his father had gone on.

They went to the cleaning board by the shed, side by side, with his father leading the Courser. Father where did you come by such a fine horse, how much did it cost? Did you fight a whole bunch of armies? Did you ever get hurt, how far did you go? Miakil’s questions flooded out.

Whoa, whoa, slow down there, the horse came from a low lord who apparently did not need him anymore since he left him wandering the country side. I was afoot and needed a horse in the worst way being that my Rouncy had been killed. I will fill you in on all the details tonight over supper, let’s get these fish cleaned and this horse brushed.

That evening the three sat over supper, with the fresh smells wafting through the room. Mikail sat over his fresh fish with liberal helpings of fresh asparagus and corn that was picked by his hand only this morning with his head bowed. His mother was reciting a prayer of thanks for the food and return of his father. The prayer was always given before meal time and he thought it to be a bit foolish to give thanks to someone he had never seen or spoken to. He always thought that they could give thanks to him for the plowing, planting, picking, and hunting for their food, but one did not speak against the words that were spoken at the dinner table. He always listened to his mother or it would be the switch on the backside. He ate with relish and found that he was hungrier than expected. He thought he smelled the sweet aroma of baking and his intuition paid off when his mother produced a fresh yam pie. The pie was a treat which he assumed that it was for the return of his father.

The family settled around the hearth and blazing fire with anticipation. Mikail sat twisting and squirming waiting to hear about his father’s adventures. He had to endure the silence while his father got comfortable producing his wooden pipe and sat filling the bowl. His father explained that he was able to obtain fine sweet tobacco from Aberdeen. He did not know one tobacco from another but relished the sweet smell as his father lit the bowl from a burning stick produced from the fire at the hearth. The smell of tobacco brought back a sense of security to him, because this represented that his father was home.

As you know our small army of one hundred fighters set off to scout for threats against our community. Before we left there were grumblings that the Hordes to the north were mobilizing for some unknown reason. Mikail’s father began his recollection of the time spent away from home. We proceeded northwest with the intent on traveling to the Schote Ocean and then back eastward along the boundaries to the Northland. The Luege army set forth at a slow pace due to the fact that we wanted to keep our strength not knowing what we might come across. Moving at a slow pace we enjoyed the warm weather. The grass was lush and green sprinkled with wildflowers in full bloom. The horses had plenty to graze on and we had plenty of wild game to supplement our diet. We made our first stop at The Three Skulls which is little more than a trading village. The Three Skulls is a ghastly place with sinful women, highway men, and soldiers for murder, but a good place to obtain information. Information travels in and out of The Three Skulls with the merchants that frequently come to do trade. There were only three permanent structures made of cut trees placed on top of one another and sealed with mud and grass, the trade store which has everything anyone traveling would need but at inflated prices I must say. The Hall had many women who were there to sell their flesh, a very poor site indeed and there was a tavern which one can let a room and get a beer.

Mikail sat in amazement and wondered idly how painful it would be to cut off your flesh and sell it, but he wanted his father to continue and dared not interrupt him.

His father continued, The rest of the inhabitants live in crudely constructed lean-tos and barely do better for themselves than the beggars. We made camp on the outskirts of The Three Skulls and due to our numbers we were not bothered, but the only information that could be had was for a price. We are an army without much coin so any price was too high for us. The lack of information obtained was disconcerting, but The Three Skulls sells’ everything and so we learned nothing. We continued after resting our horses in the same northwesterly direction staying off of paths in an attempt to remain inconspicuous as we wanted to draw as little attention to ourselves as possible. There are always caravan robbers who will attack and take what they can, this we wanted to avoid, we had little to offer anyway. The closer we got to Landing the more inhabitants we saw and it got to be impossible to avoid people. Men were alert and ready for trouble for the people we saw had the look of dishonesty about them. I was scouting ahead off of the trail and worked my way forward through heavy vegetation and trees. I observed a curve in the trail that had high rock walls on both sides with brush and trees growing over the rim to form a canopy over the trail and I counted twenty six horsemen waiting in the middle of the trail. The horsemen where a rough looking lot and did not lack the need for weaponry for each had a sword accompanied by numerous pikes and maces. I sat my horse silently and saw that the brigands occasionally glanced up the rock walls. I then picked out men lining the ridge peering down on the trail and realized they were all archers. The brigands obviously knew of our existence and were waiting. I retreated quietly and made haste back to the Luegian army.

I called a council of all the leaders. One out of every twenty five men was responsible for its group and the decisions for the army rested with four of us. I described what I found and we came to the conclusion that we could retreat and find another possible route that would take us to Landing or proceed and meet the brigands head on. The problem with retreating was that there were no guarantees that another band of cut throats would not be laying for us on another trail and time was too precious to be lost in locating another trail. The decision was made to proceed forward. I was to take my twenty four men to the top of the ridge, splitting them in half, twelve for each side. We were to disarm the archers while the remaining seventy five soldiers were to negotiate with the remaining men on horseback.

"I got my men in a group and explained what we were up against and sketched out the plan for attack. I made sure everyone understood what there job would be and stressed that timing was essential for success. I then asked anyone if they had further comments or ideas about the plan of attack. I learned a long time ago that there are leaders and there are followers, but if leaders do not take their follower’s opinions seriously he will soon be a follower himself. Some of the men made a few observations that made sense so minor changes were made. Although the changes were minor