Sage and Song, Chapter 22: The Royal Treatment
Chapter 22: The Royal Treatment
In a multitude of people is a king���s honor, But
in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince.
PROVERBS 14:28 NKJV
Kester recalled himself enough to lower his head before the king���s son. At that moment, the ring-tailed monkey in Lemuel���s hands sprang free, landing on Kester���s shoulder. Solomon laughed at his pet���s antics, but the other boy scowled.
Although Kester tried to give it back, the wee imp clung to him, mussing his hair and crooning monkey-nonsense.
Lemuel turned his back on monkey, lion, and king alike, stomping his way to the throne room.
For the remainder of the morning, Kester sat at Solomon���s feet with the lion���s head harp in his lap. He played David���s melodies���low and sweet���while men from far and near visited the king���s court, bringing their gifts or their troubles. And all the while, Lemuel sat upon a regal cushion, attended by two minders. Kester couldn���t tell if they were teachers, bodyguards, or a bit of both, but every time Lemuel squirmed, they���d pinch or poke him. And with each stern word they put in the prince���s ear, he���d shoot increasingly surly looks in Kester���s direction.
When a break was called, Solomon strolled over to Lemuel, and while the king spoke with his son���s companions, the boy favored Kester with a haughty glance. Almost as if he���d won some victory.
���What did you do to yon princeling?���
Kester stirred and searched the captain���s lined face. Do? Hugging the harp to his chest, he slowly replied, ���It was not my intention to give offense, but ��� his discontent seemed to begin when I was shown favor by Mauler.���
���The lion���s favorite?��� Benaiah glanced at the big cat, whose half-lidded eyes shone like liquid amber. ���Not the king���s favored one?���
���He is a prince. King Solomon���s own son.���
���One of many,��� Benaiah countered. ���Lemuel���s lost in a crowd.���
Kester���s eyes returned thoughtfully to Solomon. ���His father loves him.���
���That���s the way it should be.���
���And you love him.���
���Oh?��� The old man���s gaze sharpened. ���What makes you think so?���
���You know his name.��� Kester rubbed his fingertips lightly over taut harpstrings. ���And you were one of many.���
���One of the Thirty.��� He smirked. ���But also one of the thousands. Everybody loved David.���
���Is that why you understand Lemuel?���
���Maybe so. And maybe now you do, too.���
Kester leaned back against the throne, stretching his legs far enough to tuck his toes under Mauler���s cushion. ���Would an apology be appropriate?���
���Nope. Total insult.��� Benaiah eased himself to the floor at Kester���s side. ���Especially now that the brat���s marked you as a rival.���
Uncertainty slipped into Kester���s heart, bringing uneasiness along with it. ���But I���m a servant with no rank.���
���Trust me. You don���t need rank to have something another man will covet. And you have more than you realize.���
���Me?���
���Let���s make a list, shall we? A place at the king���s side. A treasure beyond compare,��� Benaiah said, rapping a knuckle lightly against David���s harp. ���A talent few can match. A voice fit for heaven itself. And the innocence to think himself unremarkable.���
Kester fidgeted. ���I do not want attention.���
The captain jerked his thumb at the throne they were both using as a backrest. ���Welcome to center stage.���
���It was not my intention to ���.���
���Yeah, kid. I know.���
At that point, Kester realized that Benaiah wasn���t simply keeping him company. He continually scanned the room, and some of his scowls were nearly as dark as Lemuel���s. Shrinking slightly into the guardsman���s side, the boy asked, ���Am I in danger?���
A grunt. A sigh. And an answer that didn���t answer anything. ���Just be careful, Kester. You���ve made good friends, but because of us, you might make bitter enemies.���
���Because of you?���
The old man offered a tight smile. ���Any king���s favor is a blade with two edges. It can protect you, but the closer you���re kept, the deeper you���ll be cut when his enemies try to pry you away.���
Kester whispered, ���What should I do?���
���About Lemuel? No idea.��� Benaiah shrugged. ���But otherwise, it���s the same as I said before. You been practicing that holler?���
���N-no.���
���Keep it in mind, newbie. Just in case.���
��� Why do you suppose ���royal��� has its share of insulting connotations?
��� Do you have a rival? Can rivalry be good?
��� How about sibling rivalry? Do you get along with your brothers and/or sisters?
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Author���s Note: This story is a prequel to Christa Kinde���s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates on Thursdays. More information can be found on the Sage and Song index page. Sage and Song, �� Copyright 2015 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, subscribe to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.
