The Book of Ahkman

1Now at came to pass that after the space of a year Likem did marry a woman and she bore unto him a daughter. And again as I did labor within the temple the voice of the Lord came yet again upon me and proclaimed that Yalime should be given unto Lekim. For the Lord would yet cause that his promise unto Lekim should be fulfilled. And the priests did bring Yalime unto the lower court of the temple. And like Dinari she too was married to a husband. And I spoke unto the Lord, Why have you commanded this thing? For are there not many women in all the cities of the people of Suran? And are they not beautiful and lovely to behold. Why then hath you commanded that this woman who already hath been taken as a wife should be given? And the Lord spake unto me saying, It is my will that they shall be united. Now go forth and proclaim unto her my words that she may believe. And I went and told unto her those things which the Lord and spoken unto me. Now Yalime had come unto the temple with her husband, Talat. And she wept because of that thing which had been declared. And she took her husband into a chamber of the northern wall. And they cried mightily unto the Lord. And they came forth again into the lower court. And she spoke unto me saying, I do not know why the Lord has commanded this thing. For surely the Lord knoweth that I love my husband and that I love our children. For how can I depart from them? How can I leave those who are the objects of my love? And she did proclaim her love unto her husband. And it came to pass that she spoke again unto me saying, I do not know how I shall bear this thing for my heart doth break, but behold I shall do whatsoever the Lord shall command. And I shall be married unto this man Likem. For I know that the will of the Lord shall not lead me in the wrong. Now she did embrace her husband, Talat, and did kiss him. And after these things he departed out of the lower court. Now it was at this time that the priests brought forth Likem into the lower court and they also brought his wife Amila. Now Amila was greatly distressed for she desired that she alone should be the wife of her husband. And she did not desire that her husband should take another woman to wife. Now behold I spoke unto them concerning that which had transpired. And Amila did weep with many tears. Now behold Likem spoke saying, My beloved Amila, you do know of the love I have for you. For you have been my wife and I have proven my love unto you. But behold the Lord hath required this thing of us. And we must do his will. And I do assure you that not one particle of my love shall depart from you. And you shall not be lessened in my sight, nor shall I diminish anything from you. And he did also speak unto Yalime saying, I know that we have never before met. And I know that this thing is greatly distressing to you. For if it was my will I would not cause this great hardship to come upon you. But it is not my will that hath declared this thing, for it is the will of the Lord. And I know that your desire is unto you husband. And I shall not strive to replace him in your heart. But I shall give my love unto you. And I shall give even that same love, which I have given unto my wife, unto you. And I shall serve you all the days of my life as I shall do also with Amila. And I shall do these things not to gain favor in your eyes, but because it is my desire to do these things. And neither of you shall be greater than the other in my eyes, nor shall one be favored above the other. And it came to pass that I, Ahkman, did anoint Yalime; and I did unite Lekima and Yalime in marriage and Amila did depart out of the lower court and return unto her home. And Lekim did take Yalime into a chamber of the western wall of the lower court and they did consummate their marriage, as was our law. And Yalime did conceive and she bore a son and his name was Gubir. And thus the promise of the Lord was fulfilled unto Lekim. Now behold I write concerning the life of Amila and Yalime for even though they did have great struggle in this thing which was commanded they did come to love each other as wives of Lekim. And they did serve each other and care for their children unitedly. And now because Lekim was an honorable man and did fulfill all his vows the love of Yalime was increased towards him. And she did come to love him greatly. Now she did still retain love for her husband, Talat and her children of him. And they did visit her within the house of Lekim. And her children rejoiced to see her. But behold Talat did also marry another woman and he did love her. And I have heard Yalime come into the outer court of the temple and pray unto the Lord. And she hath thanked the Lord for causing that she should be the wife of her beloved Lekim. And she hath received a greater joy and happiness than she would have had she remained with her husband Talat. And likewise Talat did receive a greater joy. And Amila did receive a greater joy for the blessings which had been bestowed upon her. And Lekim was a strong man in the Lord and he was blessed greatly and his joy was increased. For these are the blessings which shall come forth unto all those who obey the voice of the Lord.