“You’re no more a thief than I’m a murderer. You’re not responsible for the sins of your father.”
“Not according to the Sanhedrin.” Ezekiel looked into the fire, which was burning hotter now. His eyes became misty, and even in the dim firelight it was difficult to hide. “Abigail has a dagger my father stole. I need to get it back to spare his life. The only way she’ll sell it to me is if you go to her. She believes you’re alive.”
“How could she know that?”
“I don’t know. Maybe she visited your tomb. Are you willing to meet with her?”
“She’ll kill me for sure.”
“I have a plan.”
“No. I cannot risk losing my life for a thief. No offense.”
“I thought you said I wasn’t a thief.”
“You’re not, but your father is. If he’s still alive.”
“Like I said, I have a plan.”
“No!”
“Then what kind of life do you hope to have? Your family already thinks you’re dead, so if she kills you, so what? You know Elyam and I will take care of Rina and Ester. But if this works and you live, then you’ll have come back from the grave in their eyes. You have the chance to be a family again. Who knows, you might even get your own vineyard out of it.”
Ezekiel could see Hadwin pondering the idea.
“All of your life, you’ve been a fighter. When I was little, I looked at you and wished you were my father. You were wise, loving, and you took care of your family. You deserve to see them again, and not as a fugitive.”
The firelight bounced off a tear that ran down Hadwin’s cheek. “Can I give you my answer in the morning?”
“Of course.”
After a moment of silence, conversation picked back up again. But it wasn’t long before both fell asleep to the sound of crackling flames.
CHAPTER 32
Rina was ashamed of herself. Never, in all her imaginings of meeting Ezekiel again, did she think she would react as she had. But the combination of her weighty thoughts and feelings and the shock of his sudden appearance proved more than she could take. The night had come, and with it, Elyam, Bathshua, Aaliyah, and Ester returned from the market.
Once more, the house was alive with preparations for the next day. Although separated from them, Rina could hear their voices in the next room. She decided not to tell them Ezekiel had come by. It was inappropriate for her to be with him unchaperoned. Especially in Jerusalem. She only hoped her reaction hadn’t pushed him away for good. In her heart, she knew that wasn’t the case. He would come back to her.
The next day, Rina woke to the sound of birds chirping. Unexpected happiness shone on her face in a way that was difficult to hide even with her face covering. Her mother looked at her with quizzical eyes. Elyam and Bathshua engaged in their usual banter while the morning grew in brightness.
As Aaliyah helped her with the morning preparations, Rina couldn’t help but notice her downcast face. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing.”
“I have something to tell you a little bit later,” she whispered. The thought of Ezekiel being in Jerusalem might cheer her up.
“Alright.”
“What are you ladies talking about over there?” asked Elyam.
“Nothing! Nothing at all.” Rina smiled under her face covering. For the meantime, it was nice to have a secret all her own.
CHAPTER 33
The sun peeked above the olive trees and vineyards that scattered the countryside, waking Ezekiel and Hadwin slowly.
“We need to get moving,” Ezekiel said behind a yawn.
“I never said I was willing to go along with this.”
“Yes, you did.”
“When?”
“When you stayed the night here instead of building your own camp elsewhere.”
“Alright, I admit it. I’m interested in your plan. But I haven’t made up my mind for certain yet.”
“At any rate, let’s go back to Tiberias. We can plan from there.”
Hadwin agreed, and it wasn’t long before they were on the road. The way through Nazareth seemed the safest route. Abigail’s men weren’t likely to find them there.
“You look suspicious.” Ezekiel indicated his companion’s hood. “Just walk in plain sight.”
“What if someone recognizes me?”
“Then, hopefully, they’ll take you to Abigail.”
“You and I both know that’s not the way we want this to play out.”
“Yes, but it’s a way in.”
“She’ll want to kill me.”
“Maybe, but if Yeshua healed you as you say, do you think he did so only for you to die now?”
Ezekiel thought back to the miraculous story Hadwin had shared by the campfire. Maybe there really was something special about Yeshua. But he couldn’t think about that right now. From a glance at Hadwin’s face, he could at least tell his words had the desired effect of persuasion.
Familiar surroundings soon came into view. The crosses which littered the outskirts of Tiberias had been removed. While the smell still lingered, it was at least faint.
“It won’t be far now.” Ezekiel weighed his words. He could see Hadwin struggling. “I meant to say thank you before.”
“For what?”
“For agreeing to this crazy plan. For not treating me like the son of a thief . . . or giving up on your family.”
“It’s nothing you wouldn’t do, my boy.”
Silence ensued until they came to Ezekiel’s house. On the way, Ezekiel had stopped by a stand for some pickled sardines in olive oil. He made a fire in the clay oven and poured some wine. Hadwin drank it so fast Ezekiel thought the man would burst right in front of him.
He knew Abigail frequented the market in Tiberias. The plan was to let certain people know Hadwin was back and where she could find him. He studied his companion’s face as they ate. It would be a big gamble. Even though Hadwin was willing to participate, a twinge of guilt grew in Ezekiel’s mind.
“Stay here. I’m going into town to let the word out you’re here.”
The road into town seemed less familiar. Although Ezekiel had walked it thousands of times, the mood of the place seemed different. Coming to the market, he focused on the task at hand. He told a few key people Hadwin’s grave had been found empty, that he was reportedly alive, hiding in his abandoned house. The venders he had chosen could be relied upon to spread the news. To make sure they took the bait, he ended each whispered telling of the story with, “Please don’t tell anyone.”
Ezekiel smiled inwardly as each one vowed to keep the news to themselves. Word would reach Abigail in no time. Before returning home, he bought a new cloak and undergarments for part two of his plan.
“I’m back,” he said upon entering the house. But Hadwin didn’t turn from his vantage point at the window. He looked out toward the sea.
“How did people receive the news?”
“Everyone was very interested. They won’t be able to resist spreading the gossip.”
Hadwin seemed to snap out of his reverie. He gathered some reeds to make a decoy. Using the clothes Ezekiel bought, they would make a figure in Hadwin’s old house. Time was of the essence. They pulled a wheeled cart along the road toward the abandoned house with their supplies. Ezekiel even brought along a knife to shear hair from Hadwin’s head for the dummy. From a distance, it would look like Hadwin was sitting by his clay oven. Both agreed it would be wise to camp out somewhere equidistant from their houses.
Once again, Ezekiel acknowledged to himself the plan’s risk factors. The irony of the situation wasn’t lost on him either. Here was the man who’d been like a father to him helping him save his real father, who had been absent most of his life. A twinge of guilt resurfaced. What if this didn’t go as planned? Was it worth the gamble? Only time would tell. It was too late to turn back now.
The boulder they hid behind provided ample cover while giving them a comfortable place to camp. The day
waxed on as the two men sat in as much silence as they could handle. Ezekiel just hoped they wouldn’t have to sit there overnight.
Finally, there was movement around the house. They spied a servant boy approaching it with an oil lamp. Within minutes, the house was ablaze.
“I guess we have our answer as to coming in peace,” said Hadwin.
But Ezekiel didn’t answer. He felt the sharp point of cold steel against his neck.
“Stand up very slowly,” said a gruff voice. Ezekiel complied. He saw Hadwin freeze as another man drew a sword to his friend’s throat.
“We’re going to walk slowly down to the street.”
Ezekiel noticed three more armed men nearby. One of them disarmed him, examining his sword.
“You won’t do much damage with this!”
The others snickered while Ezekiel rolled his eyes. Hadwin shook visibly. When they came to the street, horses were waiting for the men. There was even one extra.
“Get on the horse. And you, get on behind him,” said the leader.
Ezekiel mounted quickly and pulled Hadwin up behind him. One thought comforted him. Abigail wouldn’t bring them to her alive, on horseback, if she were just going to kill them. People could see as they rode along, and that would be careless on her part. Abigail didn’t strike him as being careless.
The men didn’t appear in a hurry either. Ezekiel realized some of them had once worked for Hadwin. He knew they respected him. The horses trotted along at a slow pace until they stopped before Abigail’s palatial home. Her mother stood at the entrance, ready to greet them as guests. This was entirely unexpected. Inside, they were ushered to a large reception room where Abigail sat on an ornate chair. The dagger sat in plain view on a stone table before her.
“It was a brave thing you tried to do today. I gained a little bit of respect for you because of it.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“I was talking to Hadwin,” she corrected.
“What do you want?” Hadwin asked.
“What do I want?” She acted as though she’d never pondered that question. Ezekiel knew better. Any man who underestimated Abigail, did so at his own peril.
“I need a manager.”
“What makes you think I would ever work for you?”
“Well, I don’t believe you have a choice. Out of mercy, I offer to make you my bond slave.
“According to Hebrew tradition or your own?”
“Since I’m half Hebrew, we can use that tradition.” She called for a servant.
“But I have to agree to this.”
“You know I’m capable of having you put to death if you refuse.”
Ezekiel looked at Hadwin in horror.
“What of my family?”
“I have no use for them. They can stay wherever they are. You’re never to speak to or see them again.”
Tears formed in Hadwin’s eyes as he turned to Ezekiel. “I knew the risks.”
A servant entered with a small tool in one hand. Ezekiel recognized it as an awl, a tool used for piercing small holes in leather. Two more servants brought Hadwin to the doorpost. Using the awl and a hammer, they pierced his left ear first, then his right.
“Now you belong to me,” Abigail said coldly.
As the men took him away, Hadwin yelled to Ezekiel, “Take care of Ester and Rina! Don’t let them know where I am!”
Ezekiel felt a heavy hand grasp his arm. After throwing him outside, the servant tossed the dagger at his feet. For a second, he considered attacking the man with it, but it would be suicide. As the door slammed shut, he picked up the dagger, tears forming in his eyes. He hoped this would all be worth it. For now, the only thing he could do was to keep moving. He would go back to Jerusalem.
______________
The way back to Jerusalem was painfully slow. How am I going to keep this from Rina? he thought. Clouds filled the sky, though the sky refused to rain. At least the air felt cool to his skin. He already had a late start and no supplies to make camp. Abigail had left his money alone. All he had was his money and the dagger. At least I can save my father’s life. He walked all through the night. The sun was coming up over the horizon when he finally sat down beside a sycamore tree. Exhausted and guilt-ridden, he let himself go to sleep. He woke when the sun was in the middle of the sky. He checked his cloak. The dagger and his money were still there. Relieved, he rose from his position and trod on. His head felt heavy. His walk was almost a stagger. By the time he saw the city walls of Jerusalem, he felt a burst of energy. Quickening his pace, Ezekiel set out for Elyam’s house.
Rina met him at the door.
“Ezekiel! It’s so good to see you!”
“You too.”
“What’s wrong.”
“Nothing. I’m just tired.”
“Well, I’m sure Elyam has a place for you to rest here.”
“Ezekiel, my boy!” said Elyam as he emerged from the back door of the stone house. “You have come back to us. We must celebrate!”
“I’m afraid I’m not up for a celebration tonight,” said Ezekiel. “I’m just very tired and need to lie down and rest for a while.”
“Sure! Sure! I have a room waiting for you.” Elyam led Ezekiel to the back where he could lie down. As his eyelids began to close, he could hear Rina and Elyam talking outside. He positioned himself so he could make out their words.
“Do you think he will ever forgive me?” asked Rina.
Elyam paused for a second. “Rina, Bathshua and I have been married for a long time. Before that we were friends for a long time. All I know is that Ezekiel is a good boy. If he doesn’t forgive you yet, he will in time.”
“Then why do I feel that I have betrayed him? I did what I thought was right.”
“Do you think he bears some guilt as well?”
“What for?”
“Maybe for the shame of who his father is. Rina, you had a wonderful father who loved you and your mother very much. While I tried to be a father to Ezekiel, I could never replace Dismas. It is a wound that doesn’t heal easily. Give Ezekiel time. He could have found one of dozens of other girls to be his wife, and yet he has not chosen another. That tells me he still loves you.”
“I miss Hadwin.” Rina began to cry.
Ezekiel, who wanted sleep desperately, felt his eyes welling up too. He pretended to sleep until sleep finally overtook him.
______________
Ezekiel woke to the smell of bread baking in the clay oven. The smell was heavenly. He was tired of eating pickled fish and drinking cheap wine; oh how he longed for a meal of lamb stew and bread! It was a meal that his mother would make only for special occasions when he was a child. He smiled. Walking into the kitchen area, he stretched his arms up and yawned.
“Well, look who has come in from the long journey,” said Ester.
“Smells like it too,” said his mother. Her eyes danced, and he knew she was glad to see him.
Ezekiel wanted to ask where Rina was, but he knew it would betray his feelings for her and the regret over asking her father to steal the dagger from Abigail. They would surely be glad to know he was still alive. However, to know they could never see him or speak to him again would be a pain worse than death. They have already moved on, he thought. It would be cruel to bring up his being alive right now.
It was not long until Rina arrived with wine purchased at the market. Ezekiel noticed that she smiled, but her eyes did not.
When they sat on the ground for the meal, Elyam regaled them with the story of his donkey waking him up on the trip to Tiberias. He told it with such gusto that even Rina could not help but snap out of her gloom to laugh. There is the smile that I love, thought Ezekiel.
After the meal, Ezekiel got up and walked outside. Night had fallen on the city, and the torches were lit for the streets.
“Where are you going?”
Ezekiel turned to face Rina. “Just needed some air.”
“Mind if I get some air with you?”
>
Ezekiel wanted to say that he did mind. He wanted to say a lot of things. But he was respectful. “Do as you wish.”
“Do as I wish? Really? We have not seen each other in over a year and a half, and all you can say is ‘do as I wish’?”
“What do you want me to say, Rina? Do you want me to say everything is okay?”
“I want you to be honest for once in your life, Ezekiel. You declared your love for me, and now you seem as far away as you ever were.”
“A lot has happened.”
“A lot has happened to me too, but I am still here.”
“I know that. I don’t blame you for anything.”
“Blame me? Blame . . . me? If anything, I blame you! I would have been happy to be the wife of a poor worker in the fish market if it meant you would be good to me. Whatever happened, we could face it together. But you had to go and sell something that is not yours to build a life I did not want.”
“Then why did you agree to marry Asher?”
“Because I wanted you to fight for me!”
“I did! And you know where that got us.”
“Yes. I am fully aware of where that got us. The question is, what are we going to do now?”
“I don’t know.”
“At least you are honest about that.”
“You keep talking about honesty, but you know I have never lied to you.”
“No, you just lie to yourself, and you want those who love you to lie to you too.”
Rina stormed off, leaving Ezekiel there with his guilt exposed. So much for peace and quiet. He decided to walk into town. The atmosphere here was different from Tiberias in that there were more people milling around after dark. Jerusalem had become the trading hub, earning the nickname “the second Rome” from the non-Hebrew travelers.
The streets were lined with vendors, though not as many as during the day. Ezekiel checked to see if his money pouch was still there. The sheath of the dagger dug into his side where it was hidden strapped to his waist underneath his cloak. He knew they took most prisoners to Jerusalem. Since it was the hub of the Jewish world, the Romans knew they would get more attention in the city than they would if they performed their executions in surrounding areas. If an uprising broke out in a particular town, they would execute their prisoners near that town to deter the population from uprising again.
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