- Laith Taher 149
“That is all right, My Lord,” the sick man said.
“Seeing you now means the world to me.”
Filled with sadness, the king said, “Don’t call me
‘My Lord,’ Commander, but rather ‘Matthew’ or ‘son.’”
When he said so, he cried and so did Reid. They
both realized that it was time to say goodbye. Reid said, “I
shall call you ‘My Lord.’”
The king realized that it was the right time and last
chance to open up.
He replied, “Call me ‘son’ as we are father and son,
Commander. You are my real father. I have always loved
you more than my own parents. You have always been the
tree which provided me with shade, the rock which
provided me with strength, and the thunder which scared
my enemies away. I was always aware that you could
topple me and take over—”
The commander interrupted him, “That is
impossible.”
The king put his hand on the commander’s hand.
“Please, let me finish... I was always aware that you could
topple me and take over, but you have never done so. On
the contrary, you have protected my kingship and favored
me to your own sons.”
“There is something I want to tell you, My Lord,”
said the commander.
The king said, “Say it, Commander.”
The commander said, “Ever since you came to
power, I was hoping that I get killed in battle defending