The Age of Ornan

Burdep was heading towards his room when Gallar met him, “You should get prepared for the battle,” The old guardian said.
“I suppose I’m as prepared as I will ever be,” Burdep answered.
“I couldn’t disagree more!” Gallar said, “You wear only a mail shirt for protection and your sword is as dull as your wit! Your dear wife is far better prepared than you.”
“AnnaLoshea?” Burdep asked, “My AnnaLoshea is prepared for the battle!?”
“Yes indeed!” Gallar answered, “She had the smiths sharpen her blades. She has armor that I would call light and yet far exceeds yours and she had bracelets on her wrists and ankles with those crystals in them.”
“She always wears those!” Burdep said, “It makes her dances more entertaining when with each kick of her foot or flick of her wrists fire, ice, and wind fly about. She knows I will not let her be here for that fight!”
“Oh really?” Gallar asked, “Does she normally decapitate targets when she dances or is that some new morbid hobby of hers?”
“Blast her!” Burdep said, “She knows better!”
“Why so flustered?” Gallar asked, “I really do not see a problem with her being here for you.”
“Say no more of this!” Burdep shouted and stormed towards the door.
“Burdep.” Gallar said just as he pulled the door open.
Burdep came to a stop and stood silent.
“My lad I do not think that AnnaLoshea’s preparation is troubling you this greatly.” Gallar continued, “What’s wrong?”
Burdep sighed and shut the door, “Why are we doing this Gallar? Why do we fight this endless war with no hope of victory?”
Gallar hung his head and walked over to Burdep, “Why does Oruras fight?” he asked.
“What?” Burdep asked as he faced the guardian, “I don’t know.”
“Yes you do,” Gallar said, “Why does he fight?”
“For revenge,” Burdep said, “He sees us as the embodiment of all who tormented him in his early years.”
“Oh, so you think this is all about you?” Gallar said, “Oruras does indeed fight for revenge but you are hardly his target. Oruras fights against Vashaar. He hates Vashaar with all that is in him and all he desires is to see Vashaar fail. He knows that the Holy Scriptures say Vashaar will rule and reign here for one thousand years and if he destroys the races then he makes Vashaar a liar.”
“I suppose that’s true.” Burdep said, “But what does that have to do with us fighting this hopeless war?”
“It has everything to do with it!” Gallar said, “If we were merely fighting for ourselves I suppose it might be in our best interest to flee and find caves and small islands where we could hide from Oruras for the rest of our lives but we are fighting for so much more than ourselves.”
“What are we fighting for?” Burdep asked again.
“We are fighting for the truth!” Gallar said, “We are fighting for Vashaar’s word. By attacking us Oruras is waging war on Vashaar and will not stop until he proves Vashaar a liar!”
“In that case Oruras is mad!” Burdep said, “I know Vashaar and he is no liar! Whenever I think I have a handle on who Vashaar is he always shows me something to help me know I do not understand him as well as I think. But one thing I know for certain, he is no liar!”
“Then why so glum!?” Gallar asked.
“Because our fight is hopeless!” Burdep answered.
“Then you are as great a fool as Oruras!” Gallar said, “Do you not see that Oruras has taken on an opponent he cannot defeat. He fights against Vashaar and therefore it is impossible for him to win! The battle has already been won!”
“It sounds so simple.” Burdep said, “But don’t you realize what odds we are talking about? How can you say the battle is won? Have you not heard the reports Modec brings us? Hundreds of thousands march on us! We are talking about numbers I cannot even imagine!”
“They are no more than a hill of ants to Vashaar!” Gallar said, “Just have faith Burdep! The life of a Vashaarite is a life of faith. If you want to talk about impossible odds then consider that it was impossible for you to receive anything but an eternity in torment for your sins against Vashaar! You were hopelessly lost but Vashaar saved you! If you can trust Vashaar to save you from so great an enemy as your sin then it should be no problem at all for you to trust him to save us from the wrath of Oruras!”
Burdep chuckled to himself, “You know you’re right,” he said, “I have made this all out to be about Oruras and me but this is truly about Vashaar.”
“It is indeed.” Gallar said, “Just trust him and he will work it out. Just be faithful in what he has asked you to do.”
“I suppose as long we take a stand on Vashaar’s word we can never be moved.” Burdep said, “Thank you Gallar! This is what I needed to hear.”
“It was my pleasure Burdep,” Gallar said, “Now what do you plan to do?”
“I plan to get ready for battle,” Burdep said, “If we are going to have victory I might as well look the part of a victor.”
“Very good!” Gallar said, “Just remember that the greatest weapon we wield is Vashaar’s word! Always stand upon the authority of Vashaar’s word, even in the times when it does not make sense to. His word is the sword that can undo all evil!”