In the king and queen’s chambers, Dorian was looking out the window over the vast
kingdom that he had inherited from his father. He was restless; and kings when they are
restless, muse over past victories, failures, and improvements to be made over the land.
His wife came to him.
“Its time for bed, you have been looking out the window for half and hour.”
“I’m not tired, my dear,” said the king pensively, “ Answer me this: I’m I a good king?”
Emerald the queen, curious that the question was even asked, reassured her husband
of his noble upbringing and laws he established throughout the years, but it did little to
remove the question from his mind.
“How about a bedtime story?” said the queen, “just like when we were kids. A good tale
always delights us.”
“Our royal jester is visiting his sick mother, it would be very rude to command him back.”
The queen thought for a moment and then an idea came to her mind.
“Sisera was telling me that Esta told him a story. He couldn’t remember the details, but It
sounded interesting from what I could gather.”
“The new play slave?” replied the king shaking his head. “I doubt that a silly child’s tale
can make night better.”
“It can’t be as silly as when the jester tells his.”
“Point noted.” replied the King, “If Esta is sleeping leave her be, but if she is awake
bring her in.”
The queen quickly made her way to Esta’s room. Finding her awake, she escorted Esta
to the royal chamber. Upon entering she was greeted with a warm welcome by the King.
Once the situation was explained that the both the king and queen wanted to hear a
story. Esta said she only had one to tell.
“That is the one we want to hear,” said the queen, “ you can begin whenever you like.”
Dorian and Emerald sat down awaiting the unfolding of the characters and plot. Esta
was a little nervous. It was easier with Sisera because he was about her age, but the
glaring eyes of the adult leopards was quiet different. The king assured her that they
would listen without interrupting. Esta felt better and started.
Dorian and Emerald listened pensively as the child expounded the gospel tale of the
birth of God’s son by the Holy Spirit, His power to forgive sins and heal diseases, the
truthful claim of how He was the only way to God, and how those who didn’t accept
death for sins would be damned. She told the king and queen of the sacrificial death
and the glorious resurrection (to which the royal couple nearly laughed), and final Esta
claimed that Glory was still very much alive and would come back when He was good
and ready.
“What a strange tale?” said the queen looking at her husband, “Never heard of such a
thing.”
“Nor have I,” said the king, “A creature that was killed and is alive as much as we are?”
“Yes, sir.” said Esta.
“Where did you get this from?” said the queen, “For no child or adult could make this
up.”
“I read about it.” she said, “its in a book.”
“And who wrote this book?” said the king.
“Well....God did.” said Esta with a childlike tone.
The king and queen gave each other a look and returned their gazes back on Esta.
“And you believe what is in God’s book?”
“Yes.”
“Everything?”
“.....Yes, your highness.”
The king paced the room for a few moments, knelt in front of Esta, and asked her
another question.
“This Glory you speak of......if He has died for sinners, as you call them; am I, my wife
and my son one of those sinners?”
Esta was quiet, very quiet.
“Dorian,” said the queen in Esta defense, “you’re scaring her.”
The king ignored the comment.
“Child, I asked you a question. Answer me.”
The little courage that she had gave her the ability to pronounce the words.
“Anyone....who...does not...believe....is one.”
Suddenly, the king grabbed Esta viciously by the arm and began to pull her from the
room.
“DORIAN, NO! STOP!” shouted the queen.
“Silence!” said Dorian abruptly.
Out of the room he pulled Esta; forcing her to run behind him. She was taken to her
room; and with a little nudge he forced her across the threshold. Esta lost her footing
and fell to the floor in tears. The kings gaze was different now: menacing, ruthless, and
unforgiving. Under the king’s anger, Esta shook with fear awaiting the punishment.
Dorian gave the child another look, turned his face away, and slammed the door shut
leaving Esta alone for the night.