The Sign and The Flood

A bolt of lightning quaked the sky with thunder as a torrential downpour pelted on the houses of the kingdom of Nathalia, flooding the city. General Harem looked though a stain glass window of the castle tower with tears. It’s been two weeks since the floods began. Will they ever stop?

A servant ran up to Harem. “Lord, the dam on front of the citadel is breaching.”

“How long do we have?”

“If the water level keeps rising it will rupture in three hours.”

Harem’s face went pale. “Does the king know!”

“Yes.”

“What does he command?”

“He has been in his chamber for hours, since before the rain started today.”

General Harem sprinted down the stairs. When he reached the main antechamber, he went to King Trophimus’s door and pounded on it. “My, Lord! Please come out!”

The king opened up. “What is it?”

“The…the flooding of course! What have you been doing in your room all this while?”

“I have been holding a prayer vigil.”

“With all respect, religion will not help!”

“God caused this calamity to occur, He can stop it.”

“We must take some sort of action!”

“And what would you have me do?”

Harem shook his head. “Something! Anything!”

“Now, I must continue.” Trophimus entered his room and shut the door.

Harem noticed through an arrow-shaped window and a patch of light in the dark clouds. Minute by minute the patch expanded. The rain was starting to abate.

Harem saw the slight overflow of the dam, stopping leaking water. The storm was dying.

Harem saw a rainbow, over the mountains to the north. The rain was over for the day. Then something odd happened-a large red kite bird flew through the gate, over the wooden barricade and perched on top of a fountain spout.

Harem reeled back. “This must an omen! What could it be?”

“It is indeed a sign,” said Trophimus behind Harem. “And I think it means our salvation is near. I have been praying for a sign from God.”

“But this is how it works! It rains then stops; it rains then stops.”

“Have patience, general.”

The barricade was taken down and the king walked out.

Harem followed him out.

“This bird is rare and lives in remote areas. What are the chances of one flying through the gate and perching on a fountain? I indeed believe it is a sign of deliverance.” Trophimus looked into Harem’s eyes. “What do you think it is?”

“I…don’t know.” He looked down. “My head hurts. I need to see the alchemist.”

Harem turned and reentered the castle then headed to the east wing, where the alchemist was.

The alchemist door was half open and Haren went in. “Hello, Bronus.”

“Ah! Hello, as well!” said an old, scraggly man with a white beard. “How can I help you?”

“My head hurts. Do you have a potion?”

“Of course.” Bronus went to a shelf full of vials and bottles.

Harem glanced over his lab, full of books, scrolls, papers and blueprints spread out on a few tables and shelves. Something caught his eye in the room corner.

“What is that bird-like object there?”

Bronus picked it up and brought it to Harem. “It flies in the wind controlled by a string. I’m still perfecting it.”

“You’re fortunate you live in the east wing of the castle where the deluge does not reach you.”

“Oh, I know.” A grandfather clock chimed six times. “It’s time!”

“Time for what?”

“To test my kite! Will you join me?”

“I would settle with a remedy for my aching head.”

“Very well.”

Haren took a bottle of red potion and made his way to his room. He drunk the potion and laid on his bed. Drowsiness overtook him and the last thing he saw was Bronus’s flying object through his window.

He awoke two hours later. “I wonder what time the rain will begin in the morning.”

Haren exited the front gates and saw Bronus still flying his gliding contraption.

“Ah, Haren! Come!”

Harem approached the jolly man.

“You steer it.”

Haren took a spool of yarn, and the force of the wind tugged at his hand.

“Hold it tightly.”

Haran was enjoying himself. A smile came over his face. “This would make a great children’s toy.”

“Perhaps.”

“What will you call it?”

“A kite! Just like the bird!”

“General Haren!” said Trophimus, several paces away.

Haren ran to the man and bowed.

“Tell, those taking shelter in the west wing to go back to their homes.”

“But the floods!”

“God has told me the rains have passed for good.”

“But lord…”

“Do as I say.”

Haren ran off and went to a large antechamber like that in the main hall.

“Citizens, it is safe to go to your homes.”

“How do you know this?” said a man in a blue tunic.

Haren hesitated. “The king has had a prophetical dream.”

About half of the group of people cheered while others mocked.

“By order of King Trophimus.”

Haren ordered a procession to walk back through the castle and out the front gate.

Haren felt a knot in his stomach at the stance of the king and his belief.

Dusk came and Haren was wary when the rain would start again. He lay in his bed unable to sleep. Fatigue induced sleep and he woke up the next day and it was ten O’ clock in the morning. No rain!

He jumped on his feet and barged outside the gate and not a cloud was in the sky.

The king went to Haren’s side. “You see. It is the end of the affliction.”

Haren smiled as he saw Bronus next to a child flying a kite.

“What are you going to do?” asked Trophimus.

“I’m going to…go fly a kite.