“Where did you come from?” she said aloud. There was no brand, so she decided to take the lamb home, to the small pen behind their dwelling, and find out to whom it belonged. She also knew anyone could come along, and the lamb would become a meal. Compassion overwhelmed her. She felt lost like this little lamb.
CHAPTER 11
Ezekiel prepared himself to go to Rina’s. He finally had enough money for a dowry and could provide a life for her. The thought brought a smile to his face as he looked out the window. The sun glowed a tangerine hue, which meant she would be home from the vineyards.
Thump, thump, thump. He could hear his heartbeat pounding in his ears as he mustered the courage to take the next step of his life. He prided himself on being a planner, charting every step with the tools he was given. A group of children played in the street with sticks for swords. Roman children were easy to spot with their traditional white togas contrasting with the burlap and animal skins of the Hebrew children. Young women were helping their mothers by watching the younger children. Roman soldiers seemed to pay little attention as they engaged in their talks of war and adventure. Ezekiel almost envied them and the experiences they had. He had never been outside of Tiberias. It would be nice to see the world. It would be even nicer to see it with Rina.
Finally, he could see her house in the distance. Smoke curled into the air from the fire opening. They were cooking dinner. He smiled as he walked. Surely, he would be invited for dinner. As he neared the abode, he noticed a man on horseback riding to the house from the opposite direction. Puzzled, Ezekiel quickened his steps. He stopped at Rina’s house. Rina came into view, and it was as if a tunnel formed around his eyes, centering on Rina and this man. She was smiling. Her eyes danced the way they once danced with him. It was like watching himself from outside his own body, only he had been replaced with a better-looking version. Moments later, Rina noticed him walking the path toward them. Ezekiel halted. There was no more to say. There was nothing to do at that moment. He stood there with his gaze upon the one who broke his heart.
“Ezekiel, I want you to meet my friend Asher and his sister Abigail.”
He seemed not to hear her.
“Is he dumb?” asked Abigail.
“Ezekiel?” asked Rina.
“Oh. Hi,” he said at length. “I’m sorry. I must have interrupted something.”
“This isn’t what you think it is.”
“Can I say something here?” Asher asked.
“What?”
“I think this is exactly what he thinks it is. Unless you were lying when you kissed me the other day.”
“Aw, brother, you are so cruel,” said Abigail in a mocking tone.
Ezekiel filled with rage. Before he could control himself, his fist crashed into the face of his rival, sending Asher backward to the ground. Abigail backed up in amazement then in one swift motion turned and mounted her horse and galloped away.
Rina screamed, “Stop! Are you an animal?”
“You made a big mistake. You just attacked a Roman citizen.”
“You’ve dishonored my friend. I believe it’ll be you who will pay.”
Climbing to his feet, Asher looked Ezekiel in the eye. “You know I could make you pay for your insolence, but since you’re Rina’s friend, I’ll overlook this infraction. On one condition—you never call on her again. Think carefully about my offer. I can make you and your family pay for what you just did.”
“Is that a threat? Because the way I see it, I was defending Rina’s honor. I could say the same to you. Leave her alone.”
“Both of you stop,” Rina insisted.
“I can explain this. I just purchased a certain vineyard, and it provides you with a life, Rina. Doesn’t your father have a position of authority there? I was coming to talk with him about a little matter of the heart. It looks like I was almost too late,” Asher said.
Ezekiel said nothing for fear his temper would get the best of him again.
“So, here’s my offer. Rina, I’d like you to be my wife. If you accept my offer, then your father will be put in charge of another vineyard I own. If you don’t, I can’t promise anything, but I think I may look for more loyal subjects.”
“So, she’s just a piece of property you can barter for?” Ezekiel stepped up to Asher, but Rina stopped him.
“And another thing—I won’t have Ezekiel thrown in prison for his crime.”
Rina felt the heat of anger rising in her soul. “So, if I agree to marry you, you won’t hurt my family? Are you insane?”
“Am I to take that as a no?”
“The way I see it, I can just say I saw you force yourself on her,” Ezekiel threatened.
“Who are they going to believe? A fisherman or a wealthy Roman? As a Roman citizen, it’s within my rights to take a wife of my choosing from any of the girls of our conquered empire.”
“No, it’s not.” Ezekiel glowered.
“Again, who’re they going to believe? It’s well within my rights to strike you down right here. After all, you attacked me. In fact, I think that’s exactly what I’ll do.” Asher went to the scabbard of his horse and pulled a sword. He smiled at Ezekiel’s retreat. “I knew you’d come to your senses.”
“So you’re saying that if I agree to marry you, you will keep my friends and family safe?” Rina asked.
“Yes, provided I don’t have to defend myself again,” said Asher.
“Can I think about it?”
“Don’t think too long.” Asher mounted his horse and rode away.
“Rina, you don’t have to do this!” Ezekiel said.
“You attacked a Roman citizen, Ezekiel! His family is well-connected, and he just bought the vineyard where my father works.”
“Roman citizen or not, I’ll defend your honor.”
Rina frowned. “What if defending my honor dooms us all? Then what? Are you just going to challenge him?”
“Even a Roman citizen has limits on what he can do.”
“Not to us. They can do whatever they want, and we have no voice.”
“I have a voice.”
“And your arrogance is going to get everyone killed. I have no choice. I have to accept his proposal.”
“Some proposal. Marry me or I’ll hurt everyone you know. Do you think he’s capable of being a loving husband? You might live in luxury, but make no mistake, he’ll abuse you and move on once he’s done,” said Ezekiel with disgust.
“And what of my parents? What of you?”
“I can take care of myself. As for your parents, there are always other vineyards.”
“I’m sorry, Ezekiel. There’s no other way.” Rina walked inside, shouting, “Don’t follow me! I think it’s best if we part ways.”
Ezekiel stood there in shocked silence. Surely, she didn’t mean it. He walked away after a moment of reflection, knowing it would be fruitless to try speaking with her now.
People gathered on the street, speaking so loudly Ezekiel couldn’t focus. All he wanted was to get away. He wanted to run. He wanted to take one of his boats and brave the sea—to reach a new land with a new promise. One thing stopped him, however: his hatred for his father.
Just then, the seed of a plan hatched in his mind.
CHAPTER 12
Abigail rode into the Tiberias market. She had no idea what she was looking for. Just something to buy and the thrill of irritating her brother, whom she loathed. After tying up her horse at the entrance, she stepped into the crowd. Slowly walking by each of the booths, she ignored the vendors who were trying to sell her new garments or fruits and grain. She saw something shiny in one of the booths, and her heart sank to the pit of her stomach. She had seen this dagger before. It was stolen when she was a teenager—intended to be delivered by her father in exchange for a land deal in Jerusalem. Since her father was murdered and the dagger stolen, they had to settle in Tiberias instead.
“How much for that?” she asked. Eliab stood to attention.
“This is a ve
ry nice piece,” said Eliab, who brought the dagger from its display stand.
“This piece was stolen. I demand to know who you bought it from.”
“Just some street rat who picked it up from the streets.”
“I don’t believe you. I’m going to ask you again or I will bring my family in and you can tell them. My father was murdered for this dagger.”
“I paid a lot of money for this piece. I had no idea it was stolen.”
“Give me a name and I will pay you thirteen hundred drachmas for it.”
Eliab pondered for a moment. “You can’t say I told you.”
“Your secret will be safe with me.”
Again, Eliab paused. He didn’t want to betray Ezekiel, but he needed the money, and if the dagger was stolen there was no way he could sell it.
“Money first.”
Abigail produced a money pouch from under her garments. She set down the sack full of coins on the table, allowing them to clank for effect.
“Name!”
Eliab’s face fell somber. “Ezekiel.”
CHAPTER 13
The room seemed strange to Ezekiel. A peculiar haze filled the space at the edges of his vision. In the center stood Asher and Rina in a passionate embrace. Asher withdrew a dagger from her abdomen as he stepped away. Blood soaked through her outer garment as she fell to the floor. Asher turned his gaze to Ezekiel with a devious smile and laughed triumphantly. Ezekiel ran toward Rina, who turned into Yeshua with the prophesy, “Someone will die if you don’t return the money and retrieve your dagger.”
Ezekiel’s eyes flew open. His cloak was drenched in sweat as he stood from his mat. The room was silent as he walked into the night air. The dream etched newfound resolve in his mind.
Why would Yeshua show up in a dream, though? It had been almost two years since he heard that prophesy. He searched his mind for another way but couldn’t think. Like a tattoo on his mind, the thoughts consumed him. He would have to find Eliab.
Word reached Hadwin that Rina was considering a proposal of marriage to the man who would become his employer. The news grieved him. He knew she had always dreamed of marrying someone she loved. Though it seemed irrational to him, deep down he knew marrying for love was a thing of the future, and the currents of time were against his daughter.
Rina sobbed at the thought of marrying Asher. She needed to decide soon. She hated seeing her father work so hard and knew he would take an early grave if he continued at this pace.
On the other hand, Asher’s threat was a window into his soul. She hoped it was just an emotional outburst, but he had seemed so cold, so calculated. She felt like a piece of land to be bartered for. In that moment, all the attraction she had for Asher transmuted into fear.
She had hoped for clarity by this point, that her thoughts would stop turning to Ezekiel. Though she was trying to protect him and her family, she felt ashamed for entertaining the idea of Asher’s proposal. How could a man speak of love then talk of her as if she were property? But she knew—to men like Asher—that’s all women were. Property. She was fortunate enough to have a father who was a good man. He had taught her the value of independence, so, when a man came along, she could truly have freedom within the relationship. Now she was to be a slave. Like her grandmother, she would live in the confines of society and marry for survival. Tears fell from her cheeks like falling stars. It was the death of a dream.
The next day, Rina woke from a deep sleep. Somehow, she was just as exhausted as the night before. Her dreams had fallen dark with the night. The smell of bread baking in a clay oven just outside filled her nostrils. The sweet aroma of fresh honey collected by her father was also a welcomed scent of home. Rina wondered how much longer she would have before she was whisked away to serve a master whom she now found repugnant. Still, the smile of her mother warmed her heart, and she remembered why she had to do this. Her loved ones must never know of her sacrifice. It would be her and Ezekiel’s secret. In the meantime, she needed to get a message to him.
“I need to go for a walk, Mother.”
“Alright, I’ll go with you.”
“No, I need to go alone.”
“Alright. Please be careful. You’re my only child. I wish I could give your father a son, but all he has is you. It would break his heart if something were to happen to you.”
“I’m always careful, Mother.” Rina kissed her on the cheek and hurried out the door.
Fighting back tears, she ran to Ezekiel’s house. Once there, she saw no one was home. Ezekiel must have been out fishing. She had to see him, although the pit of her stomach turned in fear that she would be found out. Tears made streaks in the dust accumulated on her face. I must look like a wreck, she thought.
She went past the animal skin door and looked for some way to get a message to him. Her Hebrew was impeccable. Her father taught her every night when she was little. He thought it would make her a more desirable wife someday. She found a remnant of dried animal skin and a crude cooking knife. She took the end of the blade and pricked her index finger. She willed herself not to make a sound and wrote in Hebrew the following words with her blood:
It read, “You must know what I do, I do out of love. There has never been someone whom I have loved more than you, my dear Ezekiel. But now I must love another. Please forget about me with the knowledge that you did the best you could.”
Afterward, she washed her hands in the sea. The message would be received. She had let him down easy.
“What are you doing here?” said a voice from behind.
Startled, she turned to find Aaliyah. “I just left a message for Ezekiel.”
“So, I saw. Let me see your hand . . . You know we have ink. You also know Ezekiel has loved you since you were little. If you think you can leave him without it hurting, you’re mistaken.”
“I’ll hurt him and everyone else I love if I stay.”
“Rina, there are ways of becoming a slave while thinking you’re doing the right thing. I thought I was right to marry Dismas, and it brought me nothing but pain. He seemed wealthy, but I didn’t really love him, at least not at first. When I found out what he was, it was too late. There was good in him, but the bad won in the end.”
“I won’t be marrying for money. I’ll be marrying for the security of those I love.”
“They say love is only for the Gentiles, but their marriages are just as bad as ours. It seems love is a myth, but then I see your mother and father. I realize if you find something like that, you fight for it.”
“Aaliyah, I love your son. That’s why I must leave. I can’t explain it, but I hope one day you’ll understand.”
Aaliyah hugged Rina with tears in her eyes. “You know you are like a daughter to me. Please don’t do this. But even if you do, I wish you never-ending happiness.”
Rina was speechless. This was the kind of mother-in-law she always hoped to have. Now it was all out of reach. The more she tried to push it out of her mind, the more it rooted in the core of her heart.
CHAPTER 14
When she arrived home, Asher was waiting for her.
“I was hoping to have an answer by now. Surely you’ve had enough time to consider my proposal.”
“Asher, I was attracted to you, yes, but I’m not property you can barter for. You threatened my family and dear friend. It is not something easily forgiven.” Rina knew she must weigh her words carefully. For now, she didn’t want to seem eager to push him away.
“At least understand I do what I do because I love you.”
She looked at him for a moment, not knowing what to say. Her lips parted, but words were slow to come out.
“So you threatened the people I love because you love me? I don’t understand.”
“Oh, I stand by my threats, but it’s only because I have to have you.”
“Then I’m not an object of your love, just your obsession?”
“I take it your answer is no,” said Asher.
“My answer is yes if
you keep your end of the bargain. However, I have some caveats of my own. You honor your promise to keep Ezekiel safe. You give my father a raise with the ability to buy the vineyard. And I want you to pay a dowry worthy of the woman who will give you an heir.”
“Do you think you’re worth it? With a flick of my hand, you and your family could be enemies of Rome.”
“We would be free enemies of Rome. If I were to marry you, my life would not be my own. I would be your trophy—brought out whenever you wanted to show me off. I could live with that if those I love are safe. You say you love me. I’m worth at least that.”
Asher smiled up at the sky. “I believe I’ve met my match. I love a cunning woman.”
“And one more thing. We do this with a Hebrew wedding and engagement. Nothing Roman involved. Understand?”
“I understand. I understand you’re not in a position to make any demands, but these seem to be reasonable, so I’ll comply. See you later, my love.” Asher smirked as he turned to leave. “One more thing. I need you to attend a party with me in three days. I’ll have the garment makers come by and measure you. There will be important people there, and I need you to make me look good.”
Rina said nothing as Asher caressed the side of her face.
“Your coldness toward me will have to change. But don’t fear, your father will receive your dowry within two days. Everything you requested will be done. Now excuse me, I have some business to attend to.”
CHAPTER 15
Ezekiel put away the nets for the day as he and his fishermen dragged the boats onto the beach. The day’s catch was abysmal. Each cut was barely enough to live on.
“Hopefully tomorrow will be better,” he said to Simon, who ran the crew.
“I have something I want to talk to you about.”
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