Once there was Darkness

Chapter 21

Part 2

The student spoke again, “So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”

Max answered almost immediately, “John 16:22.”

Kol spoke, “Kessa don’t move.”

“Keep talking.” Max reported.

The Bejhar that went to check on Rajaf sent Violet back to report. “Oooooo.” She scooted over to Frego; bowed her head to the king. “Sicro found Rajaf unconscious on the floor. He’s coming back around.”

“Violet,” Kol asked. “Can you climb?”

“Yes my king.”

“Go to the bottom, climb back up. As you climb, I want to know everything that is around you. Climb all the way up to Kessa and whatever you do, don’t pull the rope.”

“My king,” she bowed and left.

She yelled up when she had reached the bottom. The climb was pointless. There was nothing. Just a straight shaft. No boards were loose. Not even a ledge big enough for a bird to land on.

Kol looked up. ‘God help us.’ He remembered when Frego and Iram got stuck. “Will you two come over here?” He asked Priest Solomon and his student. “Keep reciting the Bible.” They moved. Kol walked around Max to a door that opened onto a small balcony with a railing around it.

Max stood, joining Kol. “What are you thinking, my king?”

“It may not work.”

“She keeps repeating two messages.” Kol looked at Max. He took a deep breath as he hung his head, whispering “she loves us both and I need to protect you.”

Kol’s voice cracked. “She’s given up?”

Max didn’t answer; he couldn’t. Reading her lips tore his heart out. He was finally able to say, “we have been up here a long time. The night is half over, my king.” He still didn’t raise his head.

Kol whispered in his ear, “what are you not telling me?”

Max only shook his head. Finally he asked, “your plan?”

“It may not work. When Frego was little, he and Iram got stuck up here. She jumped twice from up here. How did she do that?”

“Kessa has always been a woman of many talents.”

“At this point, her muscles are screaming. You know she’s in great pain.” It was all Kol could do not to cry. He walked back into the room. Max was right behind him. “Can we swing the bell toward the back wall? It will hit, prayerfully fall backwards, giving us enough time to cut the ropes and pull her out?”

“We need to pre-cut the ropes. We will have seconds.” Frego answered.

“Are we assuming that one motion of the bell will bring it down?” Violet asked.

“Yes. The housing has been severely damaged.” Max answered.

“We precut the ropes, push the bell and pull her to one of those two corners.” Kol was pointing to his right over the priest and his students head.

“Protect her head.” Max was thinking out loud. “This corner.” He walked to the one closest to him. This has to be perfect.”

“What’s this platform like? Is it strong?” The student asked. “If it will hold, push the bell, drop her down, the bell should land on the corner of the platform.”

“Measure it.” Kol ordered. The Bejhar got to work.

“Sorry, my king. The bell is smaller than the hole.” Max hissed.

“It’s going to fall when we do this.” Kol was thinking. “Only four people need to be up here. Four who are good at.” He trailed off.

Max, Violet, and Frego “us.” Frego pulled Kol’s attention to the group.

“God I pray this is how this works; precut the ropes.” He stopped, “we need another person. Someone to swing the bell.”

“No, we got this, my king. Frego and Violet on the far side, they are the youngest. Can move the fastest. You here. I will push the bell.”

“You can do that and get to your rope?” Kol asked.

“I can my king. I will.”

“There is a rope tied around her waist. It will need cut once the bell clears the hole. The bell will pull her with it.” Violet reminded them.

“I will. I want everyone out of here that doesn’t have a job. Pray that we will be able to walk down the stairs and not have to fly down.” Kol instructed.

Everyone gathered at the gate and prayed.

The group began cutting their chosen rope. They cut til the fibers groaned. Max and Kol put their knives in their mouth. Max stood at the bell, nodding at Frego.

“On three,” Frego spoke. “Cut your rope and run. One, two, THREE!”

Max pushed. Frego and Violet cut their rope. As they stood to run, the bell crashed into the wall. Max cut his rope. Frego ran past him pulling Kessa’s right leg. Violet ran toward Kol pulling Kessa’s right arm. Kol was done. He looked up to see the bell falling backward toward the hole.

“Move!” Frego shouted.

Kol and Max pulled at the same time. Kessa was free of the hole. Kol was struggling to cut the rope around her waist. He hadn’t notice Frego was cutting as well. The bell gave a desperate pull at the rope. Max and Violet laid on Kessa holding her against the pull of the bell. The rope finally broke where Frego was cutting.

The bell vibrated angrily as it hit the ground. Dust bellowed out in every direction. The tower withstood the impact of the crash. Max went down to check the stairs. He shouted back, “we can get out.”

Once everyone was safe outside, Kol cut the ropes off Kessa.