Once there was Darkness

Chapter 41

Part 1

Kessa and Kol were sitting in the garden enjoying a relaxing evening when a sister appeared. Her brown frock was as peaceful as she was against the beauty of the garden and the calm of the evening.

“Priest Solomon sent me to speak with you.”

Kol rose from his seat, “join us.”

She was confused. This wasn’t the action of a tyrant. She was rarely wrong about people. He genuinely seemed kind. Priest Solomon had filled her head with the images of a power wielding tyrant who trampled people under foot with wild threats and abuse of power. With great hesitation, she took the seat he offered. As he motioned, another chair was brought out and placed beside the queen.

Kessa motioned and a sweet young lady brought out another service for tea and placed it before the sister. She thought she recognized this young lady. “Tea,” the queen asked, as she filled the cup. When the sister raised the cup to her mouth, the smell of the liquid tickled her nose. She smiled as she concealed a giggle. “My dad made the tea. God has given him many talents.”

“Delicious. Thank you.”

“How may we help you?” Kol asked.

There were those violet eyes. He was the only person she had ever met with violet eyes. And in her life, she had met a lot of people. The queen mother had light blue eyes, almost gray. But what the sister remembered most about the queen mothers eyes, they were cold and empty. The king’s eyes were kind, questioning but the overwhelming sense of authority lay behind them. Kessa had piercing blue eyes. The sister couldn’t look at them for very long. It was as if the queen was looking through her. Into her very soul at the most intimate parts of her being. She discovered she did better looking at the bridge of the queen’s nose.

“I am Sister Sheryl. Priest Solomon sent me to speak with you because unlike him, I took no oath. His oath didn’t encompass the width of the church. I prayed that you would liken his words to the ramblings of a senile old man.” She smiled. “There is nothing senile about Priest Solomon. Looks like God has allowed his words to take root in your heart. While he has chosen not to break his promise. I made no such promise.” Sister Sheryl took a sip of her tea. “Priest Solomon and I grew up in the church. Perhaps that is the thread that binds us. Priest Solomon knows all of my secrets and I know all of his. I think we are as close as we will ever be without being married.” She looked up. “Perhaps this is a conversation we should have in private?”

Kol had a finger on the corner of his mouth as he listened. “This is private.” He lowered his hand.

“Yes. Maybe Abraham should be here instead of me.”

Kessa looked at Kol, “we have spoken with Abraham.”

When she saw the love between these two, she knew in her heart that God wanted her to talk. Maybe the words she had to say would bring peace to the king’s heart. Though with Kessa by his side, it seemed to her that he needed answers more than peace. Kessa made another motion. The young lady appeared with a tray.

“What are these?” Sister Sheryl asked.

Kessa smiled and the young lady answered with great excitement, “cookies.”

“Thank you Jolla.” Kessa was still smiling.

“Jolla,” Sister Sheryl gasped. “I thought I recognized you.”

Jolla smiled, bowed and left.

“She looks so happy.”

“She is,” the king answered. “Her cooking skills are amazing. Though she seems to prefer baking.”

Sister Sheryl took a cookie from the plate, “what do you remember of your childhood, sire?”

“Kessa, Abraham, and some very close friends are helping me with major events.”

“Priest Solomon takes care of the church and I take care of the children. Though I haven’t given birth to any of them, I feel like they are mine. I want them to grow up healthy and happy. To become strong members of our community. Not knowing the love of a parent can change a child. Sometimes for the worst. I pray that with God as our guide, we can show each child the love they deserve. My queen, as you know, not all children fit in with temple life. Some of them choose to join our military.” She stopped taking a bite of the cookie she had chosen. “This is divine.” She marveled as she laid it back on the saucer. “Max, for example, has grown into a fine man and a good leader. From what I’m told.”

Kessa added, “Max is indeed a Godly man.”

Sister Sheryl smiled. “That makes my heart glad.” As she looked at the king, her expression was sad. “I remember you. When you were placed in my arms, all I could think about was how tiny you were. Out of all the children I’ve ever held, you are the one I thought I would break. So tiny.” She trailed off. “It isn’t uncommon for parents with high status lives to bring their children to us. You were different. Our doors are open to all people, as you know. When those parents brought us their children, it was for a week here. A month there. I honestly thought when your wife died.” She looked at Kessa, “my apologies. That you would have brought your son to us. I kept expecting you but you never showed up.”

“It never occurred to me to throw my son away.”

Sister Sheryl bristled at this, “oh the children aren’t thrown away.”

“What do you call it?”

“Redirection. Direct direction to God.”  

“Forgive me, but I don’t need the temple to give me a direct direction to God. Jesus did that. I understand the importants and the function the church serves in our kingdom. But don’t ever think you are my direct link to my heavenly father. The church is only part of the journey. I feel your function is one of support and guidance.”

Sister Sheryl didn’t know how to respond to this. Even if she should.