Once there was Darkness

Sandstorm

Part 4

“Thank you my son.”

“Forgive me sire. I meant no disrespect.”

“Forgiven this time. No, we will not go check.”

“We could be here all night.” She said with panic in her voice.

“God will let us know when it is time to leave.”

She sat back down.

Frego fell asleep.

Rajaf continued praying. Kol laid his hand on Rajaf’s shoulder, “she’s okay.”

He let out a long sigh, “thank you, my king.”

There was a pounding at the door. Everyone stood. Kol opened the door to Kessa. She was covered from head to toe in sand. The only clean spot on her was where her eye coverings had been. “May I have a word with you, my king?” He closed the door behind him stepping out into the hall. He took her by the arm, “are you okay?”

“Yes, my king. There has been extensive damage to the city. If at all possible, let these people stay here tonight. It is dangerous out there.”

He opened the door with Kessa standing beside him. “It has come to my attention that extensive damage has occurred to our city. You are welcome to stay here tonight and go home first thing in the morning.”

Emma asked, “do we have to stay?”

Kessa looked at Kol, she answered. “No. However, if you choose to go home do so with great caution.”  She walked out into the hall where Rajaf gave her a great big fatherly hug. Sand bellowed from her.

People were stopping to talk to Kol.

“Stay here tonight dad. The street to your house is impassable.”

She and Kol walked down the hall together. “Everyone that can, has been instructed to go to the temple. It has very little damage. The bell tower; however, has been destroyed.”

A voice called from behind them, “is there a safe path from here to the temple?” It was Emma.

Kessa just stared at her before answering, “as safe as any. Soldiers have lit torches to serve as a path.”

“What about the gas?” A male member of court asked.

“There is a fire next to the market that started before we could stop it. But the flow of gas to the city has been stopped.”

Everyone was following them. They stopped at the great steps leading out of the palace. Kol’s heart sank as he looked out at his city. It looked like they had been invaded. Homes had been reduced to rubble. Stones lay everywhere. Chunks of the steps were missing. Wooden beams littered the courtyard.