“Because my father stole the dagger a long time ago, and I need to return it.”
“You think you can buy back your father’s life with this?” Her voice wavered. She produced the dagger which had been tucked in her waistband.
“I need to try.”
“If you see Hadwin, tell him I need to see him. I won’t harm him or have him imprisoned.”
“Hadwin’s alive?”
“I believe so, yes. Once Hadwin has met with me, you can have your dagger. No sooner.”
“But I have money.”
“I don’t need or want your money. I need to talk to Hadwin. Deal?”
“Do I have a choice? What if he is dead?”
“He isn’t. Believe me; he’s alive and on the run.”
“How do I know you won’t kill him?”
“You have my word as a Roman and a Hebrew.”
“I’ve known both to lie.”
“Then you won’t get your precious dagger.” Lifting her chin, she dismounted the donkey.
Ezekiel backed up, his hand gripping the handle of the sword under his cloak.
“Don’t worry; I’m not going to hurt you.” She led the donkey away with Cassius close behind.
Ezekiel stood there, dumbfounded until his donkey’s bray brought him back to the present.
______________
The road to Jerusalem stank of rotting flesh. Looking up, Ezekiel realized the Romans had left a row of recent crosses up. As harrowing as the sight was, he needed to see if his father was among them. He wasn’t, which brought an element of relief, but Ezekiel could no longer contain the contents of his stomach as the smell overwhelmed him.
He knew, if executed, his father would be among the worst offenders. There would be no room for mercy, no possibility of burying him according to Hebrew customs. He hated the Romans for their cruelty but understood why they used this method of execution. It kept the people fearful.
Clouds filled the sky, and he knew the rain would soon be upon him. At the first few drops, he secretly hoped it would come down in torrents, but all he got was a splattering of rain, which just made him miserable. His wineskin at least provided a small amount of relief. With each mile, he rewarded himself with a sip of wine.
The journey was more arduous than he remembered. As the day waned, he could see the light of torches in the city. In Tiberias, the town went to sleep at sundown, but here, it seemed alive late into the night.
As he approached the city center, he became aware of his sweaty stench. A night camped outside the city, and a swim in the Kishon river would do him good. With his donkey securely tied, he walked down to the riverbank by the light of an oil lamp. The water was cool against his skin.
He hung his clothes on a tree branch to dry and stepped back into the water. Floating on his back, he stared up at the night sky. The stars seemed to have a life of their own. How could one God create all of this? It took armies of slaves to build Rome.
Elyam would scold me for even thinking this.
As he drifted in the water, so did his thoughts. He felt something new—disconnection. He knew no one in Jerusalem except for family, and even then, he wasn’t sure they would accept him if he couldn’t provide. His thoughts turned to Rina.
How could she love him now? They had been apart for too long. Would she be the same? Asher wasn’t honorable, and he could’ve taken her innocence without thinking twice to serve his own interest. Was she still a virgin? It would only matter if he believed in the old laws of Moses, which he didn’t. But somehow, it still mattered. These feelings only made him feel more disconnected.
Ezekiel gathered some wood and made a small fire. He laid out his clothes on a large, flat rock to dry. The flames created waves of orange light rolling off and disappearing into the sky. The sparks and smoke floated up, hypnotizing him until he fell asleep.
CHAPTER 28
The sunlight bled through Ezekiel’s eyelids, waking him with a start the following morning. He quickly realized the privacy the darkness had afforded him was gone with the rising sun. Grabbing his cloaks, he jumped behind a tree and donned his tunic.
Lifting his sword, he tested its weight in his hand. It seemed well-balanced. He had never used a sword in his life, so, facing the tree, he thrust the blade into its trunk. It took some force to remove it. He tried a new method, swinging the blade downward in a chopping motion. The sword bounced off the tree, smacking him in the face. Embarrassed, he looked around to see if anyone was watching.
Off in the distance was a group of men coming up the path. He could hear them laughing. Surely, they hadn’t witnessed his foolish mistake from that far? He hid the sword in his cloak. As the men drew closer, he felt beads of sweat on his forehead. Wiping his brow, his hand came back red. He leaned down beside the river to wash his face. Crimson drops dissipated in the water as the men approached.
He looked up, and the four men just stood there smiling. One of them, clearly the leader, folded his arms and said, “It looks like you had a fight with yourself and lost.”
The rest snickered as Ezekiel’s face turned red. Touching his forehead, he felt a gash and a bump. “I’ve never wielded a sword before. I decided to try a blow against that branch.”
“First, you’re holding it all wrong. Try this.” He reached for the sword buried in Ezekiel’s cloak. Ezekiel let the man have it.
Swinging the sword in an effortless motion, he said, “See? If you grip the sword like this, you have more control.”
Ezekiel marveled at the skill the man demonstrated. “What’s your name, sir?”
“I’m Sittish. I come from the Hittite country. You must excuse me and my men. It’s been some time since we had such a laugh.”
“Can you teach me?”
“To what? Get yourself killed?” Sittish paused for a moment. “Out of curiosity, why do you want to learn?”
“It just seemed like a good idea . . . in case I need to defend myself.”
“Well, the world is a dangerous place. Let me look at your weapon for a moment.” Sittish went silent as he tested its weight. “It’s not very balanced. I’m afraid if you’re as unskilled as you say, it won’t serve you well.”
His men said something in a language Ezekiel didn’t understand. They reluctantly bowed and went on while Sittish stayed behind.
“First, an axe is made for chopping a tree. A sword is not. When you wield a sword, you must think of it as an extension of your arm. When I hold my arm out, it doesn’t go to the tip of my fingers but to the tip of the sword. If the blade is unbalanced, you have to build up the strength to wield it.”
“How do I use it if I’m attacked by a Roman?”
“You don’t. Just pray they have mercy on you.” Sittish, still holding Ezekiel’s sword, pulled out another one. Holding each, he moved fluidly, swinging both swords as if they were counterpoints to the same weapon. His movements were so skillful Ezekiel just watched, mesmerized.
“You see, when the weapons become extensions of your arms, you can use them any way you want.” Sittish stopped an inch from Ezekiel’s face. Impressed that he didn’t flinch, Sittish lowered the weapons and bowed. Ezekiel clumsily bowed back.
“I can teach you for a few hours then I must be on my way.”
For the rest of the day, Sittish worked with Ezekiel. With each drill, Ezekiel improved his skill and felt more confident he could hold up in a fight.
“You’ve been a wonderful student. Now I must go and become a student as well.”
“Really? Who’s to be your teacher?”
“I must go and find him. His name is Yeshua.”
“I know him.”
“You know the great teacher of the Jews and yet you don’t want to follow him?”
“It’s complicated.” Ezekiel looked down.
“It always is, my friend. I want to learn all I can from teachers who have wisdom.” Sittish picked up his cloaks and sword. “Good luck with your Romans. I hope you don’t end up on one of their c
rosses.”
CHAPTER 29
Rina looked around as she did her chores. Although much had changed, her life felt the same in many ways. As a woman, Jerusalem was stricter on her than Tiberias. The influence of the world on Tiberias allowed for women to own property. In Jerusalem, the Pharisees and Sanhedrin made sure the law of Moses was strictly enforced. She’d even heard one of the religious officials praying out loud in the market, stating how thankful he was not to be a woman or a Gentile.
What she was looking for she couldn’t say. She just longed for a freedom she had never experienced. She longed to be seen as the treasure she was, not just “another silly girl,” as many of the older folks were fond of saying. The only times she came close to that feeling were when she had worked with her father at the vineyard. He and Ezekiel were the only two who seemed to see beyond her gender to the person. Elyam did his best, but even he had preconceived ideas as to what a woman should be or do.
This made the news that Ezekiel wasn’t returning with Elyam even more devastating. She felt abandoned. Again.
Rina knew she had no right to feel this way. She was the one who’d betrayed Ezekiel. She didn’t blame him for never wanting to speak to her again. It was a wonder her mother didn’t blame her for their misfortunes. They still didn’t know if Hadwin was dead or alive, and the days just kept going by.
Today, all but Rina had gone into the market to sell some of Elyam’s livestock. She stayed behind because it was her “time.” The menfolk were commanded to stay away from women when they bled. It was only a few days, but it felt like each month she was being rejected.
Ezekiel had never treated her this way. She remembered him coming to the door only to have her mother shoo him away. She longed for her friend.
While tidying up, she decided to go for a walk. It was a nice day, and the walls of their hut were closing in on her. There were days when she hated being a woman. She hated even more the injustices she saw toward women like herself. The Roman women had more rights than she did.
No one was around, but still she covered her face and walked to a nearby garden. The garden was filled with olive trees, some of which looked very old. As the sun peeked through the trees, she remembered her father taking her through the vineyards as a little girl. Rina remembered how strong she thought her father was, and how she felt nothing bad could happen so long as he was around. Ezekiel possessed the same strength, but somehow, she resented it in him.
She remembered the lamb she had rescued and how that lamb was fattened to feed her family during a difficult time. Her attempt to help an animal still ended with its death.
CHAPTER 30
Rina enjoyed her day alone. Everything in her life seemed to revolve around other people—keeping her mother comfortable, laughing at Elyam’s silly stories. All of it designed to please others. Nothing in her life was for herself. It was as if the whole world wished her to be a slave.
She was tired of people telling her how to act, think, and feel. She missed her childhood in Tiberias, when things were simpler. She could be friends with boys without inciting suspicion. A tear rolled down her cheek. She had never felt this frustrated or vulnerable before. She fought hard to keep more tears from following, but they flowed out like the sudden storms that rolled off the Sea of Galilee. She was thankful to be alone. Her mother would call her weak for showing this much emotion.
She neared the Temple Mount and noticed a crowd of people around a stone seat. Each synagogue had one. It was called the “Seat of Moses.”
“Thank the God of Abraham if you were born a man and not a woman. For the woman is given to emotion and easily tricked. Be even more thankful if you were born a man of the tribe of Levi. For the knowledge of God is given to him. Do not look to the Samaritans for friendship, for they worship God on the wrong mountain.”
With every word the teacher spoke, Rina grew angrier. Weren’t women children of God as well? Was it not said the glory of a man is his wife? How could this Pharisee teach with such hateful language? Turning to leave, she heard him say, “And there goes one now who’s no doubt offended by the truth!”
Laughter erupted from the crowd.
Rina just kept her head down and kept walking, determined not to let her emotions prove this horrible man right. She quickened her pace. The direction didn’t matter as long as it was away. Once she passed the temple, the mood changed in the city. People went about their business amid the hustle and bustle of the markets. The more she walked, the better she felt. Getting out of the house felt like freeing her thoughts from a prison. The smell of bread baking in clay ovens even made her smile.
The sun was now in the middle of the sky. In the distance, however, she could see clouds forming. I better get back. She didn’t want to go by the temple again, but it was the closest route home. Turning to leave, she noticed a man watching her from three houses away. The man bore a resemblance to her father. She told herself it couldn’t be. She was imagining things. But she wanted to be sure. Hazarding a glance back, it was too late. The man had disappeared.
The clouds seemed to be gaining on her now as she neared the temple. The crowd had since dispersed, the seat of Moses, empty. It struck her as odd that the same seat was used to teach love and hate at the same time. She felt the first drops of rain. Now almost running, she could see their home not far ahead.
“Rina!”
She was in such a hurry to escape the rain she failed to notice the man approaching until they nearly collided. His voice knocked the wind out of her.
CHAPTER 31
“Rina!” Ezekiel helped her up. Together, they stood in the rain, their eyes locked in a gaze he had only dreamed about until now. But anger soon replaced shock in her beautiful eyes.
“I don’t need your help!” Her response stung him. “How dare you come back now!”
“I’m happy to see you too.”
“I’m sorry, but you have to leave.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m unclean!”
“You know that never bothered me.”
“Well, it bothers me!”
“So, you would leave me out in the rain?” Ezekiel noticed she wouldn’t meet his eyes. “I’ll stay on one side of the room, and you can stay on the other. I just want to talk.”
“We have nothing to talk about.”
“It seems like we have a lot to talk about.”
“Look, I cannot hear another word about you not forgiving me, or how I was wrong for agreeing to marry Asher. I know—if I hadn’t, my father would still be here!”
“I never said those things. If anything, this never would have happened if I hadn’t punched Asher that night.”
“You’re right. It is your fault! If you had just minded your own business, none of this would have happened!”
“If it concerns you, then it’s my business. All I ever wanted was to build a life for you! How do I get repaid? By watching you run off with that Roman! Even as your friend, I’ve always just wanted the best for you!”
“I don’t need rescuing! I am not helpless!”
“Clearly! You know, maybe you’re right. I should leave.” Turning from her, he stormed off, completely drenched.
Since staying at Elyam’s was not an option, Ezekiel powered through the rain to the outskirts of Jerusalem. He managed to find the tree where his donkey was still tethered, happily munching on damp hay. Fortunately, the rain had abated by now. Setting his sword against the tree, he turned to hang his clothes on a branch when he sensed someone behind him.
Spinning around, he met a hooded figure, who pointed the blade of his own sword at him.
“I can tell you’re a fisherman and not a warrior.” The man said in a familiar voice. Pulling back the hood, the man revealed himself.
“Hadwin? I thought you died! Abigail said you lived, but I didn’t believe her.” Ezekiel stepped into a hug, which seemed to take Hadwin by surprise.
“Well, I’m very much alive. I am curious, though. What were y
ou speaking about with my daughter just now?”
“You were watching us?”
Hadwin nodded. “I’ve been living in the shadows for some time now. I came here hoping to spot Rina, and I did. I saw her in the street earlier today, but she doesn’t know it was me. I followed her back to the house where you two were.”
“It’s Elyam’s house. My mother is staying there, along with Ester and Rina. I came to visit, but everyone was away.”
“Except for Rina.”
“Yes. Except for her.”
“Well, never leave your sword out of sight, my boy! That’s how you get killed.”
Ezekiel grinned sheepishly.
“Do you have any food?”
“A little. But it might be spoiled now from the rain.”
“Do you think we can build a fire? I’m freezing.”
“I think all the wood’s wet too. However—” A thought came to him. He pulled a small flask of oil from his satchel. “Can I have my sword back?”
“Yes, here you go.”
Ezekiel took a branch from the ground and used the sword to shave off the outer bark, exposing the dry heartwood fibers. He soaked some in oil and encased them with the remaining dry fibers. Placing them on a rock, he grabbed two stones and began striking them over the pile. With several strikes, the beginnings of an ember emerged, but it diminished as soon as it appeared.
A few more strikes, and Ezekiel gently blew on the pile. The pile burst into flames, allowing the men to add larger pieces of wood. It wasn’t long before they had a raging fire. The success lifted their spirits. Both men laid on their backs, watching the embers rise to the heavens.
“Rina will be glad to know you’re alive,” Ezekiel said to break the silence.
“You can’t tell her.”
He knew why. “What do you want me to say?”
“Nothing. Talk about me as if I’m dead.”
“Then why seek me out? Why let me know you’re alive?”
“I figured someone needs to know, and I trust you.”
“Why? I’m the son of a thief, after all.”
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