Once there was Darkness

Kessa’s house on the mountain became their getaway. Anytime either of them needed a break, that was their retreat.

Petro came running up to Kessa. He was red faced and out of breath, “come, come” he pointed at the stables.

She followed him finding Kol asleep on the hay. Chico was curled up by his side and Molly (Kessa’s horse) had her head laying very close to Kol’s head. Kessa’s smile stretched from ear to ear. This was a sweet sight. She whispered in Petro’s ear as he took off again. He brought a blanket from the house and a couple other items she had asked for and left again. Kessa covered Kol and Chico up with the blanket. She sat opposite him leaning up against one of the stable beams, drawing this scene.

Kol hadn’t fully recovered from his years of fighting with God. He didn’t share her idea that he was truly having a disagreement with God. His view was that he was fighting demons. The positive side of this was that he wasn’t having nightmares anymore. And of course, their marriage. But there was something else he was struggling with. She didn’t push him to share. He would tell her when God told him he was ready to let go of his burdens.

With each line she drew, her thoughts of what he went through, events both heartbreaking and joyous. Joyous because not only where they married but he reunited with God. He made his peace with God or his demons.  

Her fight with God had left her with a stiff hip. If he didn’t wake up in time to help her get up, she would have to either roll to her feet or pray Petro came back to help her up. And sometimes if she stood too long or sat too long for that matter, right down the middle of her leg, from her hip to her knee, it felt like a trail of ants was marching to their nest.

After she put the finishing touches on Molly’s head, she looked up to see that he was watching her smiling. “Hello my wife.”

“Husband.”

He got up bringing the blanket with him to where she was sitting. “What are you doing?” She showed him the drawing. “Is that what I look like?”

“More or less.” She teased, “we have mirrors.”

He put his arm around her waist before kissing her. “You are amazing.”

She blushed. “Thank you.”

“I never had a picture of me commissioned. The palace is full of family portraits. I don’t think that is an expense the city needs. That money can be put to other uses. Like our water plans.” He picked at his fingers for a minute. “Do you mind if we talk about General Marcus?” She hung her head. “No matter what you decide to do, you know I will support you.”

“I do know that.” She forced a smile.

“What is God telling you?”

A broken laugh escaped her as she stretched out over her legs, leaned back up and sighed. “I am terrified. Are you aware just how massive your army is? Not only does Marcus command your ground army; Captain Rede answers to him.”

“Marcus has always deferred to you when we are in the field.” He reminded her sweetly.

“These are small groups under 50. Not thousands.”

“The soldiers respect you.” He moved to caress her back as they talked.

“Are you comfortable with this?” She locked eyes with him.

He still wasn’t able to hold her gaze long. “As your husband, it would be a lie if I didn’t say it concerns me. But I know you. I know your faith in God is strong. You do nothing without his direction.”

“What are your concerns?” He wasn’t quick to respond. “This is a decision that affects both of us.”

“As the Bejhar commander, you have always been behind me. I have always known that you have my back no matter what.” He thought for a moment. “This has nothing to do with your skills or abilities; you will be beside me. You will,” He trailed off. She moved to lay her head in his lap as he continued rubbing her back. “You will always be a target to get to me. I’m not making sense. My words are getting lost.” He took a moment to collect his thoughts. “I’m scared as well. Marcus is usually beside me on the front line when we were in battle. Being my wife as well as my general increases the size of your target.

“Changing the line-up doesn’t change the importance of the position. It makes no one a coward if your general leads the second charge and say Max was beside you on the front line.” She rolled over, he rested his hand on her stomach. “Or if your general led the first and you led the second.”

“We have the most romantic conversations.” He lay back in the hay guiding her to him.