Once there was Darkness

Chapter 13

Part 2

Rajaf and Kessa started building the boat. It started out as a rough raft. Just trees held together with rope. It was the last thing they could do to honor their friend. They chanted the old prayers as they worked.

Kol’s horse snorted, pulling them from their task. “May I help?”

Rajaf smiled, “of course.”

Kol had left the entertainment of King Teo to Abraham and Frego.

It took all day to build the Icorda. It was the last worldly trip a body would make.

The next morning, a procession left the city. Priest Solomon was in the lead, chanting as they walked. Next was Kessa and Kol carrying Mordecai’s remains. Rajaf and Frego were next. Then the citizens of the city that wanted to pay their respects to the dead. Though in her heart, Kessa knew that most of them were paying their respects to Kol, for Mordecai was his friend.

The Icorda was already floating in shallow water. They walked to it placing his body on top. As the priest chanted, each member of the procession laid a flower or a branch on the Icorda.

King Teo and his party joined the procession but at a distance out of respect for King Kol and the people of Mecca.

Priest Solomon stopped praying. Kol was surprised to see King Brum. He placed a flower on the Icorda. But as he thought about it, it shouldn’t be a shock. Mordecai loved everyone. And as it seemed was loved in return.

King Teo watched in awe at the love that was being shown for this man.

Kol prayed over his friend. As did Rajaf. Kol released the ropes that were holding the Icorda in place and it began to float quietly down the river.

Kessa walked into the water with a bow and flaming arrow. She took a deep breath, “if ever there was a man I could call my brother, it was thee.” Kol noticed Rajaf shaking beside him. He put his arms around the old man’s shoulders. “May flights of angels take you to your rest, my brother.” She closed her eyes, saying a silent prayer.

Kol was shocked. He knew from the way she was acting that they were close. But it wasn’t until this moment that he realized how close.

With a deep breath of courage, she sent the arrow speeding toward the Icorda. It burst into flames as she fell to her knees in the water.

Kol and Kessa were the last two to leave. He pulled her from the water. “Forgive me, I had no idea.”

“All is forgiven.”

“I should never have shouted at you.” He took his cape and wrapped it around her. The air of night was getting cool. At the palace wall, they moved to go their separate ways. She reached for his hand. He was caught off guard; however, it was a sensation he liked. They stood there that way for a moment before he hugged her.

“Help me pray that I can erase that image from my mind.”

He caressed her face. “I will.”

A couple days had passed since Kol saw Kessa. He knew she needed some time.

Sleep ran from him. After what felt like hours of tossing and turning, he got up and went for a walk in the garden. One corner of the garden was public. A monument had been erected for citizens to have a central point to mourn the dead if they wanted to. People left tokens of their love, flowers, and trinkets behind. Whoa to you if you took something from this place. Once the flowers had died, a care taker removed them, the end.

As he got closer to the monument, he heard sobbing. The sound stabbed him in the heart. So much pain was being poured out. He would only get close enough to make sure the person was okay. His heart sank when he realized it was Kessa. Without saying a word, he knelt beside of her, placing his hand on her back. She rose up slightly, leaning into him. But she never stopped crying. His presents seemed to cause her to cry that much harder. He wrapped his arms around her as tightly as he could. It became his job to keep her from flying apart.

She woke. For a split second, she didn’t know where she was. Then it became clear she was on his pile of cushions.

“How are you this morning?” Kol’s voice was gentle. He offered his hand to help her up.

As she accepted it, she answered “rung out, my king.”

“Please, will you stay for breakfast?”

“Forgive me, no. I should get going. Thank you for your kindness.” It was her intent to give him a slight peck on the cheek. He moved and instead of his cheek, they were lip to lip.