Watch Your Back

by William V Weeks

Abigail couldn’t understand how her husband continued to function on less than six hours of sleep each night. Neither did Tallis. He spent most of the time tossing and turning and focusing on the events of his day. Abigail worried for his health and safety. She’d married a proud man.

  “It’s time to get up, my love. Your soldiers will arrive at the north gate before you. Hurry. Your morning meal is on the table.”

  “Thank you for fixing this for me, and letting me rest a little longer, Abigail. My nights are so short and the days much too long.”

  After eating, Tallis left his house and met with four of his soldiers before they went on duty. “This morning I want you to follow the same routes you walked yesterday. Make sure you greet people and tell them why we patrol our streets. Ask how their families and businesses are doing. Encourage them. Be kind to everyone you meet, and remember, the more compassion we show, the more people will help us when emergencies arise. One last thing. Keep your ears and eyes open. This is going to be a good day. I can feel it.”

  Tallis watched his troops leave the marketplace. Team two headed south toward the gate while the other pair walked down the first side street to the lake. Nobody asked why he wasn’t wearing his uniform. Neither did Abigail. This surprised him, but he didn’t want anyone to recognize him during his visit to Tiberias. With luck, Paroh would have some useful information to share with him.

  One knock on the door and a voice replied, “Come in.”

  “Paroh, it’s good to see you. What did you hear yesterday? Anything I can use to capture our murderers?”

  “What I heard doesn’t matter, but what I saw may interest you.”

  “Tell me. I need to get back to Hammath.”

  “I spotted a former friend of mine. Someone I grew up with, but haven’t seen in years.”

  “Don’t tease me, my friend. I’m not in the mood for guessing games this morning. Who did you see?”

  “Yesterday afternoon, I saw Acaph leaving the blacksmith shop as I walked along the street near the well. He exited the gate behind the building. I ducked out of sight so he wouldn’t recognize me.”

  “Good work, Paroh. Do you have any idea where he went?”

  “I followed him at a distance. I didn’t want him to think I was tailing him and try to lose me. Anyway, Acaph headed to the fortress, but he took several side streets along the way and met another man. I didn’t recognize him, but as I limped by, they spoke to each other. They didn’t pay attention to me as I hobbled passed.”

  “Did you overhear anything the two said?”

  “Acaph called the other man by name, and they talked like they were good friends. He called him, Mered. The pair started whispering as I passed by their location, so I didn’t overhear their conversation.”

  “What else can you tell me?”

  “When their discussion ended, Acaph turned and headed back the direction he’d come from. Mered hurried away and went to the fortress. The guard on duty waved him through without checking his identification.”

  “Impossible. Did Mered wear a uniform?”

  “No. Why do you ask?”

  “Kaleb assigned those two to my Conturbenium when Kush and Masa died. I stationed them at our north gate, but they deserted their post, and the men who killed my soldiers escaped. Did you see anything else, Paroh?”

  “I remained outside the fortress for a few minutes. I could see the courtyard from my location. Mered wandered around a bit and stopped when he saw whoever he was searching for. Seconds later your Commander stepped into sight. The two spoke for three or four minutes. At the end of their meeting, Nikolaos handed Mered a small pouch like the one you carry your coins in, before going into the building housing his office. Mered stuck the sack under his belt, looked around, and headed out the north gate.”

  “Did you see where he went?”

  “I left. I didn’t want Mered to see me again and think I’d followed him.”

  “Thank you, Paroh. I’ve got to leave now. Keep up the good work. I’ll meet with you in another day or two.” The news stunned Tallis, and his headache returned. What is Nikolaos up to? Does he have his own informants, or did he arrange for Acaph and Mered to join the Army? Did his superior officer set him up? No wonder Nikolaos wasn’t upset when he’d told his Commander the pair deserted. Anybody else and he’d hunt them down like dogs. Is he behind the troubles we face in Hammath? Tallis decided to visit the blacksmith shop and chat with his brothers. They better not be part of this.

  Paroh lived five blocks away from his brother’s shop. Tallis heard the sound of hammers pounding on metal well before he reached his destination. Acaph appeared out of the corner of his eye, and darted out the back gate, running north as fast as his legs would carry him. His brothers better tell him what a former soldier was doing behind the shop.

  “Hello, Zosimos. You’re working hard this morning. It looks like you need to hire another apprentice to help you keep up. With so much business, you’ll soon become a rich man.” His brother’s jaw dropped, telling him, he wasn’t expected.

  “Tallis, what brings you to my shop?”

  “I need to speak with you and Hilarion. I have more questions for both of you.”

  “Now what do you want to know?” Zosimos slammed the hammer down on his workbench.

  “Do you remember when I asked you where you were one evening last week?”

  “How can I forget?”

  “What did you tell me?”

  “I said I was with my wife. Don’t you believe me?”

  “To ease your mind, I know you told me the truth.”

  Zosimos stared at Tallis, hands on hips. “You came to my shop to say you trust me?”

  “Of course not, but I am confused.” My brother’s shoulders relaxed as did his posture. “I asked Hilarion the same question. He told me he was with you at the time, on both nights, but you claimed you were with your wife. Hilarion said you and some friends had a great time laughing and joking around. He also mentioned everyone went on a run out into the countryside.”

  Zosimos’s eyes softened as a smile crept across his face. “He must be thinking of some other night. We don’t hang out together since I married Ya-el. Besides, we see each other at work. Believe me, that’s enough.” Zosimos reached for his hammer. “No more questions. I have work to do.”

  Tallis glanced around the shop before walking to the open back door of the building. He didn’t see anyone inside the fenced area. “Where’s Hilarion?” Tallis wanted to give him another chance to answer the question.

  Zosimos didn’t look guilty of lying. He looked his brother in the eye when he spoke, and didn’t blush when Tallis tried to bait him.

  “He didn’t show up for work this morning. I don’t believe I’ll see him today. I still think you question my word.”

  “Did you give me a reason to doubt you? I need a straight answer from our baby brother. I’ll check back another time. He might decide to work the next time I drop by.”

  “After I’m through yelling at him, I’ll mention you stopped in. I’d love for you to stay and chat, but today I’m a busy man and need to focus on my work. Have a safe trip home, and say hello to our mother for me.”

  Tallis glared at Zosimos but didn’t reply as his anger grew. He didn’t appreciate his brother blowing him off like a speck of dust on his shirtsleeve. Anyone else and Tallis would haul them to the fortress for questioning, or turn them over to Kaleb. He expected his brothers would have a serious conversation once Hilarion returned to the shop. “One more question, before I leave. Who did I see enter and then run out your back gate as I arrived?”

  “I didn’t realize anyone was out back.”

  “Do you know a man named Acaph?” Zosimos’s face brightened.

  “I’ve never heard of a man by that name.”

  “Funny. I watched the man enter your back gate, and sprint away when he saw me approaching.” Tallis waved goodbye. “Have a good day, brother.” Zosimos shrugged his shoulders. Somebody’s l
ying to me. Both of my brothers might get upset with me before I figure everything out.

  Abigail rushed around the house, as she prepared to join her mother and Odelia in the marketplace. Yesterday afternoon, she’d boiled an extra two dozen eggs gathered from their hens and baked extra loaves of bread so she could feed more hungry people before the three of them ran out of food. Her mother and mother-in-law wanted to go meet Kiva also. Abigail planned to ask the Rabbi to pray for her husband and his soldiers, and for the safety of Hammath. If she had the courage, she would ask the Rabbi to help encourage more women to assist them in serving the needy and providing more food and necessities to distribute.

  Reaching the marketplace, Abigail glanced at her surroundings, looking for people she didn’t recognize who were spending their time watching the movements of those doing business this morning. She didn’t notice anything suspicious so she began handing out what she’d brought to the needy. Martha received a new shawl, and Bilhan a wool blanket. Like the previous day, the women ran out of food despite their best efforts to bring more bread, fish, and produce with them.

  “We still can’t serve everyone in need,” Abigail said to her mother and Odelia. “I’m so frustrated. We need more help and resources.”

  “What time do we meet with Kiva?”

  “The Rabbi said he would see us after we finished giving away our provisions, mother. I suppose now’s a good time to look for him.” The women found Kiva standing outside the synagogue door.

  “Shalom, ladies. May the morning be kind to you, and I’m blessed to see each of you.”

  “It’s good to be alive today.”

  “It’s wonderful to be alive every day, Odelia. I understand you wish to speak with me. How may I assist you?”

  “Would you please pray for Tallis? He’s my eldest son and Abigail’s husband.”

  “I know your boy. Tallis came to my aid the other night. Do you have any other requests?”

  “Please pray for our ministry, helping the homeless and needy. We need strength to care for the less fortunate, and we could use more women to join us. Extra donations would also help, and pray we can find housing for those living on the street,” Abigail said.

  “Places where people can keep warm and dry during the winter months,” Nammi said.

  Kiva opened the synagogue door. “Ladies, step inside. We’ll have more privacy indoors. … Where would you like me to begin?”

  “Ask God to encourage the poor and give them hope,” Odelia said as she hustled into the building.

  “I’ll include your request in my prayers. Anything else?”

  “Please pray for the soldiers who protect us. They face danger every day, and ask God to remove the troublemakers causing problems in Hammath to leave.”

  “As you wish, Abigail. I want each of you to pray in silence while I offer my prayer on your behalf.”

  “Thank you, Kiva.”

  The Rabbi raised his hands toward Heaven. “Father God, I praise your name. Thank you for those who donate their time and give from their plenty with joy in their hearts. We implore you to encourage others to step forward and share from their bounty so the needy can survive these difficult times. Please provide more people to help distribute the goods provided. Watch over Tallis and his soldiers dear Father. Drive evil from our land. Bring rain to replenish the Earth. Bless our community and the people who love and honor you. Give each person living in Hammath a caring heart. Bless us. Bless Israel. Thank you. Amen.”

  Nammi reached for Kiva’s hand and looked into his eyes. “Thank you so much.”

  “Trust in God, ladies, and He will hear our prayers and fulfill every need. I am honored to help you.”

  “I would like each of us to continue praying for everyone’s needs while giving thanks for the many blessings given to us throughout the day. I know I’ll keep praying for the safety of my son and his soldiers.”

  “Bless you, Odelia. Have a good day, ladies. I will see you tomorrow morning.”

  Forty minutes after leaving the blacksmith’s shop, Tallis managed to slip back into Hammath without his soldiers, or anyone else seeing him. Two minutes later, the old man saw the Decanus approaching his house and waved.

  “Good afternoon, Tallis. What a pleasure to see you today, young man.”

  “Shalom, to you, sir. I hope your day is going well. I was coming to visit you.”

  “Today, I’m feeling good. Come. Follow me. I suppose you don’t want anyone to see the two of us talking together in the middle of the street.” Addai opened the door to his house, letting Tallis enter first. “I finished another walk through my neighborhood before you arrived. I wish I had some news to share with you, but the streets remained quiet so far today.”

  “Peaceful is good, my friend.”

  Addai looked at the soldier with a sly grin on his face. “I will take another stroll later this afternoon, or right before the sun goes down. With luck, I’ll overhear a conversation of two and have some valuable information to share with you.”

  “I hope you will see or hear something soon, but if you don’t, it may signal nothing will happen during the next few days. Increasing our patrols may also discourage our troublemakers from returning, though they might try to hide from view and study our movements, hoping to figure out how we operate. The rainy season should arrive soon. We don’t need a drought.”

  “I don’t think it’s going to rain tonight, Tallis. My joints don’t hurt.”

  “My men and I don’t like working in wet weather either, but we need the moisture. I’m looking forward to a quiet winter. My troops and I can use the rest. If spring comes late, I wouldn’t complain either.”

  “If I hear anything, Tallis. I’ll come find you so we can talk. I will also pray for your soldiers and you.”

  “I hope you do learn something, but it’s safer for me to find you. I don’t want you to get hurt walking the streets after dark, and thank you for your prayers. I need all the help I can get these days. Tomorrow, I will check in with you. Take care of yourself, Addai. And don’t venture outside after dark. You know what happened to Kiva.”

  Chapter 12