Chapter 41
Part 2
Kessa brought the conversation back around, “how old was the king when his parents dropped him off?”
“Oh,” she continued with a start. “Not his parents. The queen mother. I never met your father. Sometimes I wonder if he knew at all that you spent the better part of your life in the temple. When you, as a family unit attended service; when you did, it was as if you were one happy family. I honestly don’t think he knew.”
“Explain to me how he would not know.”
Kessa spoke, “my husband, how many things have I done under your nose that you have had no idea about?”
He sweetly answered her, “but a child. I would have come unhinged if Abraham or Rajaf would have taken Frego to the temple or the barracks and just dropped him off without telling me. I don’t accept that.” His gaze went back to Sister Sheryl. “How old was I? When all this started?”
“A month old. Maybe two at the most. You spent the better part of the first 5 years of your life with us.”
“Where does Abraham fit into this?”
“Abraham came every day.” Kessa held up her hand for Sister Sheryl to stop talking. Jolla came out with a plate of bread and cheese.
Sister Sheryl was amazed, “she’s growing into such a fine woman.” When Jolla left the garden, Kessa motioned for Sister Sheryl to continue. “Yes, Abraham visited you every day. Some days it was only for an hour or so. But I can’t think of a time he didn’t come to at least check on you.”
“Were you the one that pushed me in a chair and yelled at me for hours because I took Max food at the river?” Kol asked quietly.
Kessa looked at him with a stunned expression.
Sister Sheryl choked on her tea. “Heavens no. I do remember there were several times you wondered off. I followed you at a distance a couple times. The act itself was very kind. I told Priest Solomon and Abraham.”
“Abraham was the one who talked Max into coming to the temple in the first place.”
“Yes, you and he brought Max with you one afternoon.”
“Did I talk much?”
Sister Sheryl thought about that for a moment. “Now that you mentioned it, very little. You would speak when spoken too. Answer direct questions. You were never chatty.”
“I have a memory of playing in this garden when I was 5.”
“Shortly after your 5th birthday, the queen mother came and got you. Telling Priest Solomon that you would be starting your military training in a few months.”
“You’re military training. When you came to us, you walked with a slight limp. We were told you had cut your foot that morning.” Kessa added.
“Who told you?”
“Abraham.”
“What is the longest amount of time I stayed at the temple?”
“Your official training started when you turned 2. The only time you left after that was on your birthday. And you officially left when you turned 5 to start your military training.”
Kol was lost deep in thought. Kessa didn’t disturb him. She motioned for Jolla who delivered Sister Sheryl a large tray of cookies to take back with her. Kessa walked the sister to the garden gate. “Thank you.”
“I really shouldn’t say anything. I have no proof. I always thought Abraham was his dad.”
“We will see you at worship. Enjoy the cookies. I know Jolla enjoyed making them.”
“Thank you.”
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