Mighty King

In the following week, after a funeral for the village children who perished, the two boys found themselves standing at the gate of King Herod's palace.

That morning, Solomon had woken up in a sweat. Enraged like a swirling tornado, he stormed out of the village with Jacob trailing at his feet, trying to calm him down.

It was no use.

The shepherd boy's black hair was damp, spiked, and wild. His deep green eyes a fire. His face stained with tears. 

Now, in front of  power,  a very brave Solomon kicked the gate with all his little might.

He screamed and spit and cursed.

"Do you know what I know, mighty King?" He sneered.

"A child is born! There will BE no hatred!" "NO death upon us!" "The Son of God is here and YOU will pay!" He shrieked.

To Jacob's dismay a group of observers began to gather around the boys. Out of the corner of his eye, the very guards who he had seen slaying the infants approached Solomon.

The biggest guard grabbed Solomon by his tunic and hit the small shepherd boy across the face. Everyone gasped as he collapsed down.

Jacob watched with the growing crowd. Some began to laugh at the scene.  Some continued to observe in silence.

The guards circled around Solomon. Jacob's heart raced. What were they going to do to him? What was he supposed to do now?

After minutes of excruciating uncertainty,  the black haired boy stepped out and appeared again.  He was displayed by the guards.

Holding a large drum in his hands, a guard spoke to them.

"This boy says there is a new king! We shall throw this king a welcome ceremony!"

The crowd began to clap and jeer and laugh as the guards handed the drum to Solomon.

Together, the guards forced Solomon to drum and march down the busy streets of Galilee. They tormented him and mocked him. They laughed and pointed at the boy for making a fool of himself.

After his march, the guards left Solomon alone.

The crowd slowly dispersed into the town.

Solomon retreated to a curb by a merchant selling goods who had been watching the scene from afar.

To Jacob's surprise, the merchant knelt down and wiped Solomon's face.

"It is brave what you've done, I believe you."  He whispered.

Solomon gave the man a weak smile and spoke.

"But if we find this King, what will we give him?"

The merchant sat down beside the boys.

"I once needed money,  so I sold my greatest treasure to a man and his wife not long ago. Perhaps you could use your drum."

The merchant gave the boys a knowing look.

"What was your greatest treasure?" Asked Jacob.

The merchant sighed and looked off into the sky.

"I sold my strongest donkey." He replied.

Though there were tears still in Solomon's eyes, Jacob saw something in him.

It was determination. It was bravery. It was love.

So that night, the boys began their journey to follow the star.

And through the night Solomon played his drum.  

 

 

Author's Note