Chapter 1
Part 2
“Who is the leader of the Bejhar?”
Frego’s eyes got large and round. He looked at Max, whose face was reflecting his own expression. “Dad, you can’t be serious?”
“Why can’t I?”
“I find it hard to believe.”
“Believe and answer.”
“You’ve met a thousand times, at least.”
“That’s twice I’ve heard that today. Which, is not an answer.”
Frego looked at Max again with astonishment. “Father, I’ll be right back.” He all but ran from the library.
This wait was killing Max. He was so confused. How could the king not remember who his commander was? The person that has saved the kings life many times. Had carried him off the field of battle because no one else would dare touch him.
The king and Max heard Frego’s voice in the hall. Max stared blankly at the coat of arms in the middle of the room as the door opened. Frego entered with another person who was dirtier than Max. This new person stood slightly to the left and a few steps more into the room than Max.
“My king.” The voice that spoke was soft, feminine.
As the king rose from his seat, there was a burning in his stomach. When he was face to face with this person, she lifted her eyes. Blue eyes. A blue that burned deep into the king’s soul. He felt as if she could see right through him. For a moment, he was speechless. It was only when she lowered her glance that the king could speak. “Leave us.”
Max and Frego lowered their heads and left quickly.
“Why can’t I remember you?”
“All things happen in God’s time, my king.”
He was taken aback by her answer and wasn’t quite sure how to respond. As he walked back to the desk, he pointed at a chair opposite his, “join me.”
“If my king wouldn’t mind, I will stand. The caretaker might be offended if I leave the contents of my garments on his polished chair.”
“Why do I feel some animosity toward you?”
“I’m afraid I wouldn’t know, my king.”
He returned to his chair with a heavy sigh, “would you just talk to me?”
She left the room for a moment returning with a black piece of fabric, draping it over the chair before sitting down. “What would you like to talk about, my king?”
“You.” She started to repeat herself but the king raised his hand stopping her. He rubbed his face with his hands before speaking. He was tired. “Sleep hasn’t been my companion of late.” His stare was in her direction but not at her. The words that he wanted to say hung in the air around his head but he couldn’t catch them to make sense of what he needed to say.
“I know.”
He raised an eyebrow, “how?”
“It’s my job.”
“Am I allowed to know your name?”
“Kessa, my king.”
“Kessa. Thank you.” He got up and left the room.
She glanced at the desk before leaving the room herself. The king was studying maps of Mecca when his father ruled. Under Kol’s leadership, the city had grown. For the time being, he was able to pace the growth so that their world didn’t collapse into chaos.
https://byjolenerice.wordpress.com/2023/01/04/once-there-was-darkness/
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