Once there was Darkness

Chapter 14

When Kol returned from his duties; on the foot of his bed, he found his cape folded neatly with a piece of a delicate flowering vine laying on top. This flower was unfamiliar to him. As he inhaled it’s scent, it struck him that he knew this smell. But the where was lost.

Later that night he woke from sleep with a start, covered in sweat. His heart was racing. When he tried to light his bedside candle, he was shaking so hard the match fell from his hand. Suddenly, his throat and mouth filled with disgust. ‘No, not all over the bed. Or not the floor.’ He told himself. Kessa had suggested he keep a basket close by. ‘Where was it?’

In the dark, about to be sick. ‘Made it.’ To his delight, the floor was cold. It felt good on his distressed body. After he threw up, he was weak. His stomach cramped. There was nothing left in him but he couldn’t stop convulsing. What was around him other than the basket? It was hard to tell in the dark. After frantically feeling around him, nothing was what he found. He tried to smack the floor. Did he? He must have.

Warm hands slid around his body. He couldn’t move. His stomach hurt too much. “My king.” It was Kessa. Praise God it was Kessa. He was able to relax knowing it was her.

When he woke, he was in the bed. His body was sore and stiff. The basket had been switched out for a new one. What had he dreamt about? It couldn’t have been what he ate. Because he hadn’t eaten.

A couple days had passed. He was in the library. A very faint knock filled the room. ‘Knock again,’ he thought. Nothing. He lay down his book and went to the door. A porter was outside. “Did you knock?”

“No, sire. That was Lady Kessa.”

“Will you go get her?”

“Yes, sire.”

He was looking out the window when she was let in. “Please, come in.” The expression on his face was genuine. He was happy to see her. “Will you sit?” He pointed to the two chairs in front of the large desk. “I apologize for earlier. I wasn’t sure I heard your knock.”

“Sorry, my king. I honestly thought you were lost in your work.” She sat down, then he sat as well. Crossing his leg toward her.

“How may I help you?” She pressed her lips together before she spoke. He assumed thinking of the right words to say. He leaned toward her, “say what you need to say.”

“Are you alright?”

The question caught him off guard. He looked down at his hands. “I’m not sure.”

“I, in no way want to overstep my boundaries. I was hesitant about last night.”

‘Tell her the truth.’ He thought. “You and I have been through a lot.”

She smiled, “we have, my king.”

“You are good at your job, Kessa. I know you always have what is best for me in the forefront of your mind. Your presents is always welcomed at my side. Whatever that may be.” There was a moment of silence between them. “Why do you ask this?”

“Being sick, in any form, is a very delicate position to be in. People can use those situations, exploit them. We have never really talked about sickness.” He watched her rub her hands together. “Being in a state of sickness is a very vulnerable position.”

He got up. “I was dreaming. But I have no idea what I was dreaming about.”

“What did you eat before bed?”

He blushed, “nothing.”

She pulled a small box from the large piece of fabric she was wearing. When the material moved, he noticed she was wearing her uniform under it. She stood. “I have had this in the works for some time. With your permission, I would like to try this and see how it works. For situations you get in where you are unable to speak but have access to a hard surface.” She presented him with the box.

Inside was a beautiful medallion. It was just like the coat of arms that hung above the desk. He looked at the one on the wall, then back at the small one in his hand. “This is amazing craftsmanship.”

She was staring at the floor. “Pray we never need it for its intended purpose. Better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it.”  

“Will you do me the honor?” He handed it back to her. She took it from him putting it around his neck. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath; enjoying the fact that she was so close to him. He realized the flowering vine on his cape smelt like Kessa.

Kol opened his eyes. The room was dark. He fingered the medallion that was laying on his chest.