Once there was Darkness

Chapter 6

Today was a special day. Once a year the two suns of Laypa were out at the same time. This made for a hot day indeed. Those who worshiped God spent as much time as they could in the glow of the two suns. It wasn’t a test to see how long you could stay in the suns. The test was doing it. Though many took pride in the amount of time they could endure the power. Participants called it the Sun Dance.

Kol wasn’t feeling his best but had made up his mind that he was going to participate this year.

He stood in his tent among the thousands that had been erected. The power of the sun was mighty. He dreaded it so.

“Are you sure you’re up for this?” Kessa’s voice was gentle to his ears.

“I have to.”

“My king, are you punishing yourself?”

“No, this is one of our rituals. You know this. Made it a point to remind me.”

“I do. And I did. But you haven’t eaten this morning and have not drank enough fluids. I do not have to remind you that there are preparations for this dance. Many spend weeks getting ready to dance with God.”

He took a deep breath and walked out into the blazing suns with Kessa not far behind him. He was not going to let her be right.

All participants were allowed to cover their nudity and wear sandals. It was preferred you wear nothing at all.

Protective eye coverings were a must. Kessa’s eye coverings had a special advantage. She could see where she was going. Most importantly, she could see Kol.

His lack of preparation for this day showed. He wilted like a flower. She scooped him up and carried him back to his tent. It was only after the cover of nightfall that she took him back to the palace, where a cool bath waited for him.

He rolled his head to see her sitting on the floor reading a book. “I don’t want to hear a word about it.” She didn’t look up at him, just kept reading her book. “What are you reading?”

“Dad bought me a new Bible to honor today. I wore my last one out.”

“How long was I out in the sun?”

“My king, you said ‘not a word about it.’” She gently reminded him. Was she teasing? There was a hint of playfulness to her voice.

He closed his eyes, “humor me.”

“Fifth-teen minutes.”

“That’s all?” He was devastated.

“That’s all.” She finally closed her Bible.

“What was the longest I’ve ever stayed out in the suns?”

She laughed, “you held the record for years. So much so that your skin was much darker and your hair lighter. Do you still have that double sun plate the priest gave you?”

“I don’t remember a plate.”

She thought for a moment, “you may have given it to me.”

“What plate?” He was confused.

“Yes, you did give it to me. Beth hung it on the wall.” There was a playful tone to her voice.

“What plate?” She hugged her knees lost in thought. “Kes, what plate?”

“Sorry my king,” she blushed. “For years, I say plate because it was a large round; well, plate – with two suns on it. The old priest thought it was novel to circulate the plate among participants who stayed out in the suns the longest. The new priest stopped it saying it took away from God and made the dance more of a game.”

“Why did I give it to you?”

“You said it wasn’t fair. That I spent just as much time in the suns as you did.” She changed the subject. “Dad and Frego are going to the temple tomorrow. Do you want them to sit with you?”

Kol hadn’t planned on going to the temple. He had no reason to throw at her other than he was the king and didn’t have to. That was weak especially from him. So, he blurted out the next best thing. “What kind of question is that? Of course.” She got up holding out a towel for him. “Will you be there?”

She smiled, “you know it.” After lowering her glance she said, “my king I owe you an apology. It was not my place to get terse with you. Today could have been a complete disaster.” Galatians 6:1

He lifted her chin making himself look into her eyes. If she really could read his soul, she would know it was welcomed. “Every now and then, I might need a swift kick.”

She blushed. “My king.” And turned to leave.

“Kes,” he called after her. “Thanks for helping me remember.”

She lowered her glance as she bowed her head. “My king.”