Skip to main content

Sons of the Flaming Throne 2 – Ch. 20 | KT OLLA

DAVID had been reigning for about forty years already. And in those years of his reign in Israel, soldiers have stood and fallen for him.

The warlord had conquered lands, conquered nations. He’d taken territories, subdued enemies.

Yet as the monarch grew older and nations bowed to him, there remained no wars to fight; and so his valiant men had nothing doing.

His soldiers settled in families and kept livestock. They became shepherds and keepers of vines. The great ones among them got involved in public duties and administration.

Still, there were a few who didn’t change with the changing tide. And chief among them was Joab, commander of the army.

No, it wasn’t that the man didn’t settle down with family or other civil matters. But Joab wasn’t quite settled enough when it came to his heart and attitude.

The old man had been quite loyal to David through the long years. But ever since the time that wars were done with, he had lost his sense of purpose.

Joab wasn’t all that interested in national affairs, as he couldn’t thrive much in talks of diplomatic matters. All that the sixty-year-old wanted was war.

Therefore, the former fighter grew more dissatisfied as the years mounted. He’d felt like blaming himself many a time for not being able to fit in well in society.

But still he’d remember his badges, the tears and scars of battle. He’d remember the glories, too. The taste of victory, the sound of triumph.

He’d remember him and realize he was great in what he was made to do. And so, he’d turned about to cast the burden on someone, at least.

Now there in front of all was King David, the figure of Israel’s responsibility. So he blamed him for his loss of worth and value.

If only David would be as lion as when he was the lion! Iron as when he was an iron!

If only he would be as young and strong as the days of glory! Then warriors won’t be sitting in chambers talking like women!

What a shame; what a shame on Israel! Her King can’t fight, nor will he let his people war!

Then Joab stopped attending the council meetings. But once in a while he simply went there to hear the latest of the country’s matters.

Yet no one missed the former soldier, whether he was absent or he simply sat down absent-minded.

Even so, King David saw it all, knew it all.

He knew that Joab was being very bitter towards him. And even when he sought to clarify, he saw that he wasn’t seeking answers.

So therefore, the monarch left the man to himself afterwards.

Now the warrior went on seeking for a younger David. Nay, a younger form of himself.

Then at last, the man’s wishes came through. For the Fourth Son now chose to see him.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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

Knighted Again – Ch.13 | KT OLLA

MAQWELA caught the smile on Nile’s face as he turned back to him. He knew why the boy smiled, yet he liked him more. Those were some things of innocence that he missed. The king liked people who wouldn’t cower when he used power. Unlike how he’d tremble as a boy when his late father abused the right. Yes, he liked folks who still retained their peace as they grew. Like those cute youngsters listening to him. So the monarch resumed, but he preferred to go the earnest way. ‘Now like I said earlier, that nobody enters here except Maqwela passes them – you must also know that nobody hears the things I’ll be speaking now unless we tell them! ‘Now I know you’re smart enough to know what I said – and what I left unsaid!’ The duo braced up and gestured with a nod. They knew the weight of that sentence and were ready to keep the monarch’s secret. They knew they were about to hear a blast. And so they braced up for it. Right then the middle-aged heaved a deep breath, crossed his arms over his ch...
Post a Comment
Read more

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