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Sons of the Flaming Throne 2 – Ch. 11 | KT OLLA

THAT same morning, Benaiah was set to leave Shunem with the new found queen.

The need was urgent and so the nobles could not wait; they had to take the king’s wife to him already.

But that journey back to Jerusalem would take them a time. They’d gone combing the hinterlands for weeks. So it would take an equally long time to return with their find.

In that case, they’d got to set out fast. And there they were, ready to go.

Abisha was dressed up in a white flowing garment, prepared for her by the court chamberlain – custodian of the king’s household and servants.

Now the woman along with two nurses had followed the band which travelled there.

All night long, the new queen had been washed in fragrant petals, adorned with jewelled ornaments and treated to meals. She’d been served and pampered by women who catered for the greats.

So, garbed in the finest laced dress she’d ever seen; her scented hair itself sitting a wreath of lovely greens… she couldn’t believe this was her story.

Now that early morning, Abisha was handed over to the nobles, fully set to meet the King. And so her mother spoke the parting words.

‘My precious Abisha! Abisha my child!

‘Oh, I never knew this day would come! Never knew our curse will turn a blessing! A blessing to the King of Israel for that matter!

‘Ah if I had known, would I have burdened you with my tears? Would I have lamented there was no man? Ah, would I have given up hope before the end?

‘Oh, I didn’t know, I didn’t know! I’m sorry I gave up on this, my child! I am sorry I gave up on us!’

Abisha picked up her dress and ran into her mother’s hands. The tears were trickling from her eyes.

‘Oh mother, mother! Mother!’ she sobbed. And the two women wept for joy that day. 

Following the warm embrace, the older woman looked to the nobles. They were all seated there in the living room.

‘Thank you for looking upon my humble house!’ she breathed. ‘Thank you for choosing my girl for the King!’

It was Benaiah who answered.

‘Let the God of Israel have the glory. It was He who led us down to your doorstep, or we wouldn’t have lodged. For it was when we came that we knew we’ve arrived.

‘So give the Lord the praise, Woman. He alone has chosen your daughter before now!’

There, Abishum looked up with amazement, laying her two hands on her breasts. She looked up in all gratitude as a tear coursed down her face.

Benaiah finished his words, reassuring her. ‘Mother of Abisha, rest your mind. Your daughter will be well taken care of, as you can see.

‘She is wife to the King, and so I needn’t say much. For she’ll be his youngest, and therefore his choice.’

He turned to Abisha, a courtly hand stretched towards her.

‘Come, Most Blessed of All Women. We must take our leave now. For duty calls—and so do love.’

With that spoken, Abisha was handed over to Benaiah and the man walked her to the royal wagon that had been set to take her.

So in no time they set off towards Jerusalem. Towards a palace wanting in warmth, and love.

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