Prophetess-Psalms of the Damsel

Rephalah stood at the cauldron, cooking her meal. The kitchen hut was the largest of the chief’s other huts. As she cooked, the spicy aroma went up through the thatched roof. As Rephalah cooked her mind wondered for a moment.
“Rephalah,” said Kaleigh, the old maidservant that was helping her cook. “You need to concentrate.”
“I’m sorry, Kaleigh. I just have a lot on my mind.”
“Tell me, Rephalah. What is troubling you?”
“Kaleigh. I have a question: Do you think I’m beautiful?”
“Why of course. You are still an attractive woman.”
“But how attractive do you think I am? You can be honest.”
“I know my eyes are getting dimmer each day, but you still are a beautiful woman.”
Rephalah laughed.
“Kaleigh you, really are going blind. Why do you lie?”
“I…was being honest.”
“But tell me. Would you say that any man would still find me attractive?”
“Rephalah, you seemed very obsessed over this.”
“You did not say yes, so I take it as a no.”
Kaleigh sighed and put her hand on Rephalah’s shoulder.
“Getting older is not easy, is it, Rephalah?”
“No, it’s not. Especially when you have to worry about competing with another woman.”
“Rephalah, believe me, I understand your struggle. It is something that all we women must deal with at some point.”
“But I am not ready to do so, Kaleigh. Not now. What hope do I have now? How can he love me now? There is now a new woman in his life.”
“Rephalah.”
“I don’t want to think about it now! Dinner is almost prepared. Go get my husband.”
Kaleigh was about to go find the chief but he walked into the room. He was a big, hairy, barrel chested man. His long, dark beard covered his chest. He wore a robe of soft material; it was of fairly high quality.
“Did you finish dinner, Rephalah?” he said.
“Yes, milord. It is just about ready.”
“Good. It has a nice aroma.”
The chief went to the cauldron and smelled the stew.
“I cannot wait until dinner time.”
Rephalah smiled.
Well at least, he appreciates my cooking still.
“I am glad it pleases you.”
“I am so excited, Rephalah. Eleigh just told me she has a special surprise for me. She is going to show it to me during dinner.”
And that just killed the mood. Eleigh! The other woman.
Oh, how I despise hearing that name.
“Rephalah, Kaleigh. Go prepare the supper. We are going to have a feast.”
The king walked off joyfully. Rephalah put down the spoon and simply stood stiff.
“Are you alright, milady,” said Kaleigh.
“No! Not in the slightest. How, Kaleigh! How could he do this to me! How could he take another wife?”
“Come now Rephalah. You’ve been through this before.”
“Yes, but this time, I don’t think I will be able to outlive this one. I just can’t handle this anymore.”
“Rephalah, you must be strong. ”
“I am trying but what strength I have is gradually fading.”
Kaleigh held Rephalah’s hand.
“I know you feel as though the gods have not been good to you. But believe me, your fortune can always change.”
“At my age, I am well past the point of hope. Now come on. We have a dinner to prepare.”
~.~.~.~.~
Rephalah sat at the table in the dining hall with the chief and Eleigh. It was a medium sized table. The chief sat at the head of the table, and the two women sat across from each other. Rephalah often resisted trying to sit with the other woman but the chief wanted it. There was silence for a while.
“Milord,” said Eleigh. “I have something for you.”
Eleigh got up and called one of her maidservants. The servant came with a large cloak. The chief opened his mouth in oak. The cloak was quite lovely with beautiful blue dye, and the material was soft.
“Eleigh,” said the chief. “Where did you get this?”
“Do not worry about that, milord. Let me put it on you.”
The chief got up and Eleigh with the help of her servant put the cloak on the chief.
“Now you look like a true ruler.”
“Thank you, Eleigh. Truly you are a blessing of the gods.”
The chief gave Eleigh a kiss. Eleigh flashed Rephalah a victorious smile.
“Eleigh,” said the chief. “This is the best gift that you could’ve given me.”
“Well…” said Eleigh. “I wouldn’t say that…”
“What are you saying?”
Eleigh touched her belly.
“You can’t be serious.”
“I am, milord.”
The chief smiled and hugged Eleigh. Rephalah stood stiff as she watched the two hugged.
I cannot believe it!
“At last!” said the king. “I am going to be a father! Will it be a son?”
“It is possible. Let us hope to the gods that it is so. I know you have wanted one for a long time.”
“Eleigh. Truly you have brought happiness into my life. I could not have asked for more.”
Rephalah looked at the chief’s smile. She thought back to a time when she herself used to make the chief smile like that. She looked at Eleigh. She had a glow on her face.
I remember when I glowed like that.
Rephalah wiped her eyes and stood up.
“I ask your permission to leave, milord.”
“Yes, that is fine,” the chief said nonchalantly.
Rephalah rushed out of the room. Kaleigh followed behind her.