Skip to main content

Sons Of The Flaming Throne – Ch. 17 | KT OLLA

ON the day that followed the Third One’s night of plotting, it was his closest adversary who woke up with a headache.

Joab rose up with the early morning sun in his house near the palace. It was some sudden concern about Absalom’s growing fame that stirred him.

The soldier’s sleep through the night had been quite a short one. He’d lost his sleep at the first crow of the cock at dawn. Even when he’d only gone to bed at midnight.

And so, when the man sought his lost sleep in vain, he was compelled to linger on the ongoing development in Absalom’s camp.

Within the four years that had quickly swept past, Joab told himself that the prince’s spreading fame was happening only because the young man craved attention.

That, when Absalom couldn’t catch his father’s eyes since he returned from exile, he decided to settle instead for the people’s acceptance.

Well, it was King David who first told the concerned soldier this line of thought, when the ruler’s son’s name started to blossom in Israel.

And that hasty thought had worked to lay Joab’s worried heart to rest.

But then, it was a brief rest that the man knew.

For this very day, Joab lost his quiet sleep and jolted up from bed. And he decided it was time to tell the king to wake up too.

He was suddenly afraid of something, yes. ‘Oh there’s fire on the mountain and we’re all sleeping!’ he sighed.

Thus, David’s general set out on foot that early morning, to warn the king. He went out at the hour when the royal courts would normally open.

The soldier intended to lay down his thoughts before the monarch, and seek permission to deal with the matter.

But when Joab arrived at the palace, it was a different move that knocked him out. For he wasn’t that armed for this brutal game, after all.

Well, the army general saw Absalom’s servant waiting on his master by his donkey. And on the animal’s back the prince had left his scarlet band seated as kingly as a ruler’s crown.

And when he saw this, he stopped and sighed. ‘Absalom is here!’

Now it dawned on Joab that his target was there within the palace already, meeting with the king before any courtier would arrive.

It dawned on him that day that their foe was born a faster foot.

Truly, while Joab lingered in bed to find sleep all night long, the young Prince Absalom didn’t even bat an eye.

This throne seeker had stayed awake through the long night masterminding the plans that would topple the stoutest war king to ever lead Israel.

Then he’d literally rode from his warroom to the throne room. And his early call was what forced open the palace gates.

But still, David’s general wouldn’t take an early defeat. He was prepared to counter the traitor’s move immediately.

So he crashed into the palace with the force of a windstorm.

And even the iron gates fled both ways.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sons of the Flaming Throne 2 – Ch. 9 | KT OLLA

ABISHUM wasn’t done speaking. So she picked up on the matter as things were bound to change. She spoke: ‘See, it was a bedroom cry for Aleph. But not until the day things were shoved in her face… ‘And that day she gave up on hoping! ‘Well, what Aleph thought was the reason why Beth couldn’t marry, was different from what it was with people. ‘She used to think it was because there was no man in her house to ask the daughter from. As is our customary practice in Israel.  ‘But when a drunken man shoved it in her face one night, it hurt her too much what people say. ‘“No one will marry your daughter, woman! Why will anyone do? When death hides in her bosom like it hid in yours. Or why did your husband die? ‘“Look, if you don’t know it – your family is cursed! You only have one child in a nation of plenty. ‘“God has prospered Israel with many children like the sea sand. But what do your family bear? Only one! ‘“So, who will want your cursed daughter for his son to love? You really don’t...
Post a Comment
Read more

MUSTARD I – Ch. 7 | KT OLLA

NOW it had rained all morning this day. And the sun was finally tearing through clouds to take the day’s glory. It was a brief break for the villages of Ede’s farmlands. As they rested from taking turns in harvesting yams. The town’s harvest season of yam and cassava tubers were in the rains... So they worked double to get them stored in barns and sold in markets – to avoid early rot in the wet weather. Yes, the crops were sources of flours and flakes for main foods. And several kinds of yam – like the ewùrà, ebòlò and the white yam, were also prepared as meals. So, everyone was out going about their own business those rest days... The farmers would go for a routine check on their farm every morning. And return earlier than the time to gather for talks by evening. Every evening, the men would sit under the shade of trees, and play board games amid talk and drinks. They’d talk about everything. From the ruler to their people. And to their wives and children. The young Moro chose to go a...
Post a Comment
Read more

MUSTARD II – Ch. 8 | KT OLLA

NOW Oji and Daleka went in to meet their brother as his wife hurried out of the house. ‘You meet me well, brothers,’ Morrow smiled as he dished his food. ‘Care to join for breakfast?’ ‘Oh we just had ours, big bro,’ Oji answered for them. ‘Thanks for the offer.’ ‘In that case, will you—?’ ‘Oh never mind,’ their youngest smiled, ‘we can sit and talk while you go on eating. We also have things to share with you.’ He looked to his partner for agreement and Oji nodded back. Yes, it was the culture there for someone to invite their guest to table when the latter meets them dining. Then, it was the right ethic for the guest to decline with thanks. Morrow glanced at them. ‘Oh really? Have your seat then. ‘And meanwhile, you did a lot helping last night – I appreciate it. Please tell your wives, too, we’re grateful.’ ‘Well, that is nothing,’ Oji waved a hand. ‘We are grateful that you returned! That you came home alive!’ Morrow looked at them and smiled. He had just finished dishing, so he smi...
Post a Comment
Read more