Aja Part 1
Kessa was walking the palace grounds. The army had been there laying the ground work for gas.
“How many soldiers would have still joined if they would have known they’d be doing this?” Max pointed at the ground.
She smiled, “all of them.”
A hearty laugh escaped him. “Anything amiss?”
“Not yet. Let’s keep it that way.”
“Once gas is in the palace, should we come up with a new signal?”
They both turned to look toward the king’s chamber. All was dark. “Perhaps we should.”
“You know. If he would just ask you to marry him, we wouldn’t have to worry about signals.” When she looked at Max, not only was he grinning from ear to ear; he was also blushing.
“Let’s talk about you. When are you going to invite her to dinner?”
Max gasped before he grinned. “Who’s following me?”
It was her turn to laugh. “No one. It’s written all over you.”
“I’m going really slow. She’s a lot younger than me.” He kicked at the ground. “I have to figure out if what I think I feel is real or if I’m just feeling sorry for her?” He huffed, “can we go back to fighting? Having massive projects to do?” He stopped, “Kessa, what to I have to offer a woman?” As she turned, he was staring at the ground, “I have no home. I know no life other than being a soldier. Am I doing her a disservice? When I die, will she be able to remarry?”
They continued walking, “you know I’m going to say pray.”
“I am.”
“What kind of feelings are you getting from her?”
“She’s sweet. We walk and talk a lot. I just feel all mixed up inside.”
“What’s her name?”
“Lilly.”
Poetry & More 