Abigail prayed for the soldiers who protect Hammath and Tallis as he dressed and readied himself to meet his men. Though she whispered, her husband heard every word. He was grateful for the prayers, how she worried for his safety, and how the prayers ended, according to God’s plan. Tallis hoped he and his troops were part of His plan.
Tallis kissed his wife goodbye, removed the bar securing their courtyard door, and stepped onto the street as the blast from a horn filled the air. The Decanus ran toward the north gate as a second alarm sounded, coming from the same direction, and he began to sprint. Are my troops under attack? As Tallis neared the marketplace, he spotted four of his men standing in the middle of a crowd. The closer he came, the louder the noises became. His heart pounded, and his temples throbbed. Faster, Tallis. Run.
The Decanus worked his way through the crowd, stopping at the first soldier he came to. “What happened, Bazak?”
“The place looked like this when I got here, sir. Tam arrived before me. Ask him what he saw.”
Tallis shook his head as he surveyed the damage. Kaleb’s not going to like this. He’ll tell me we let our guard down again. “Tam, I need to speak with you. Did you see anyone running away when you reached the marketplace this morning?”
“No, sir. A few merchants had arrived before me, but they said they hadn’t seen anyone either. Whoever created this mess slipped into town after we completed our patrols last night, but before people began moving throughout the village this morning. Some of the fishermen might know or saw something on their way to the lake earlier.”
Tallis scanned the marketplace, surveying the damage. “Tam. Have you seen Moss? I want him to help those with damaged property to rebuild, or, at least, make enough repairs so people can open for business today. Try to find him, will you?”
Approaching a smashed produce stand, the Decanus, addressed two of his soldiers. “Shet, I want you and Bazak to assist these people cleaning up the mess. Then help those with goods and wares to sell first. The tax collector can fend for himself.”
Another soldier entered the marketplace. “Habib. I want you to team up with Tam when he returns from finding Moss and patrol the town. Start at the bathhouses and look for damage before continuing along the lake. Next, check the south gate. When you finish, report back to me, and we’ll decide how to proceed. If you find damage at the baths, come back and find me. As you go, ask any other men you happen to meet to come and help us in the marketplace. We’ll need everyone’s help to clean up this mess.”
Several minutes later, Moss arrived and surveyed the damage. The carpenter put several men to work removing rubble from the street, stacking reusable materials close to the damaged stalls. Tallis thought of offering a prayer, asking for God’s help to get the businesses open before the shoppers arrived, but a man standing close to him broke his concentration.
“How do I pay my taxes?”
Tallis told him to hold onto his money and hoped Kaleb never found out he’s said such a thing to the man.
Ari and Yoel soon arrived, and their Decanus directed them to begin a second patrol following the same route taken by Ula and Tam. If any more soldiers came, Tallis planned to use them to make sure the interior streets remained secure while checking for further damage. At the moment, he didn’t have anyone available to notify Kaleb. His Centurion would need to wait.
Turning around, Tallis saw the tax collector standing in the middle of the street staring at the remains of his booth. The man didn’t look pleased, and Herod won’t like it when he doesn’t receive his tax money from Hammath today. Neither will Rome, but for some reason, this didn’t bother the Decanus.
By now, much of the rubble was gone from the main road, and a few shops were open for business. Moss hadn’t bothered to help the taxman rebuild. Tallis smiled as the man grieved for his damaged stall.
Hearing footsteps clomping along the cobblestones, the Decanus spun around and saw Kaleb marching toward him followed by a Conturbenium of soldiers. “Tallis, I understand you had trouble last night. You know Priam. He brought his troops with him. Put them to work as needed.”
I’m in trouble now. “How did you find out we had another attack, sir? My men are still patrolling our village streets, looking for more damage, and talking with people to see if they witnessed the destruction of our marketplace. Those on patrol will return in the next few minutes with their reports.”
“The first thing Nikolaos said to me this morning concerned the trouble in Hammath. He sent me to investigate. Looks like whoever did this created quite a mess.”
“We’re doing everything we can to assist with the cleanup. Some vendors began selling their merchandise before you arrived.” Kaleb didn’t respond, continuing to look around the marketplace, shaking his head. “How did Nikolaos get the news in regards to this latest incident? I didn’t have anyone to deliver a message to him. Did he tell you where he got his information? I’m curious to know.”
“He didn’t say, and I didn’t ask. I don’t question my superiors, young man. I want to retire in peace. So, how can Priam and his soldiers help you?”
“What I need is to have these troops patrol our streets tonight. My team worked eighteen hours yesterday, and today didn’t begin well. We need time to rest, Kaleb.” Tallis closed his eyes, trying to think what to say next. “We work day and night, but we still come under attack. Without more soldiers, our efforts to improve the situation will prove futile.”
“I understand how difficult it is to protect your village. Ten men can’t guard both gates, patrol the streets and the lakeshore eighteen hours a day. Your community sits on a long narrow strip of land wedged between the water and steep cliffs to the west. You don’t have enough troops, but you know this. I will give your request some thought, but I can’t promise anything. I’ve encouraged, and begged the Commander to expand the recruiting process, but producing trained soldiers will take eight weeks or more. We don’t have eight weeks, and Herod isn’t concerned with the troop shortage.”
“I’m surprised. The last time we discussed this issue, you made me believe we were on our own. I would love to have more soldiers available to help us, but I still can’t figure out why Herod stopped recruiting men in the first place. Doesn’t the Tetrarch understand the seriousness of the troubles occurring in the province?”
“I wish I had an answer to your question, but it’s my responsibility to provide you with the resources you need to do your job. I am making this decision, not my superior. I will not leave you short-handed any longer. Your father and my friend lost his life during a surprise attack one night because he lacked the manpower to repel his enemies. What if last night’s attack had occurred when you and your men were still on duty? How lucky for you the saboteurs figured out what hours your soldiers patrol Hammath, and waited until you retired for the night. Had they attacked earlier, you might be dead too.”
“Dying never crossed my mind. I’m surprised you’re willing to help us and thank you for understanding our situation. Let me think how I can use the extra troops.”
“While you think, I’m going to send a runner back to Tiberias, so Herod will send a second tax collector to help with the overload this mess created.”
Kaleb’s words came as a surprise to Tallis. This wasn’t what he’d expected when he saw his Centurion entering Hammath. He turned and walked a few paces and reflected on the possibility of getting more troops to work with. After weeks of begging for more soldiers, and receiving nothing but negative responses, the Army would consider his request. I know this is crazy, but what if I rejected Kaleb’s offer? Can I gather enough information from our residents, Paroh, and Addai to figure out when and where another attack will come from? Tallis realized the information he’d received so far hadn’t prevented last night’s violence. With more data, he hoped to create a strategy and spring a trap on those terrorizing the community. What if Kaleb ordered him to take the extra troops? Where would they live? I’d rather provide housing for the homeless. Several other questio
ns ran through his mind, but Tallis needed to chat with Paroh.
Kaleb and the tax collector stood discussing the damaged booth. “May I speak with you, sir.”
“You’ve made a decision, Tallis?”
“I’ve been thinking over your offer to assign another Conturbenium in Hammath. Would you consider sending the troops you brought with you today back to Tiberias so they can rest? If possible, Priam and his soldiers could return at sunset, and patrol tonight and then rest on the Sabbath. My soldiers need time off to relax and enjoy their families.” Kaleb remained silent. “We also have a housing shortage in this village. I don’t know where any new men would live. After the Sabbath, we can change our daily routines, so my current Conturbenium works during the day. The second squad would patrol at night.” Kaleb didn’t say no, and he didn’t say yes. He stood there staring off into the distance. I hope he likes my idea.
Seconds later the Centurion turned and looked at his Decanus. “I’ll tell you what. I want you to send your men home to rest until sunset. At the twelfth hour, I’ll take the troops who came with me back to Tiberias. They can sleep in their own beds while your men protect Hammath. Priam and his Conturbenium will return in time to patrol your village before sunrise. I will come with them, and when we arrive, you, Priam, and I will work out the logistics to protect this community. I hope you like my plan because I’ve made my decision.”
“Thank you, sir, but there is something else I would like you to consider. We can improve our defenses if you would authorize the construction of new doors for our gates. This would enable us to protect the village while focusing our efforts on defending the lakeshore.”
Kaleb’s jaw dropped as he stared at Tallis. “Give me some time to consider your request and discuss your idea with Nikolaos. No promises. You and your troops need to get some rest, so I want you and your men go home.”
“Yes, sir. My soldiers and I will report for duty at sunset.”
Tallis turned and saw two of his troops coming toward the marketplace and directed them to find their colleagues and tell them to go rest until the twelfth hour. “I’ll meet everyone at the north gate.”
Instead of heading home, Tallis walked to the synagogue. He hoped Kiva might arrange for someone with a boat to transport him to Tiberias and back so he could meet with Paroh. The time had come to find another person to spy on more people.
The Rabbi was a man with many connections, and he happened to know a fellow who agreed to meet Tallis near the bathhouses and transport him to his destination and return to Hammath.
The Decanus hurried to the lack. One fellow glanced and nodded at him as he approached his location. “Get in and lie down, so nobody will see you.” Tallis did as directed and they pushed off, rowing toward Tiberias. The wind blew against them the entire trip north, but with luck, they would make better time on their way home. An hour later, Paroh stood before him.
“Tallis, are you feeling well?”
“I’m tired and stressed. Hammath came under attack sometime during the night. Our marketplace received substantial damage, and I need to find out what you’ve learned since our previous meeting. I need to figure out who is doing these things to our community, and why, if I can.”
“I’m not sure I can help, though quite a few young men continue visiting the blacksmith’s shop. They all can’t work for your brother. They don’t stay long, but it makes me wonder if they deliver and take information between the shop and other people. With my injuries, I’m not able to keep up with them as they travel throughout the city.”
“Thank you for the update, Paroh. Your information helps. Allow me to give you another six dinars in case I can’t return for a few days.” Tallis turned to leave. “By the way, Kaleb is considering the addition of another Conturbenium to assist us in the defense of Hammath. This will help us since my soldiers and I continue to serve double duty.”
Leaving Paroh’s house, Tallis headed toward his next destination, hoping to find another person to help him. Someone who’s witty, and fast on their feet, a person he can trust and will blend in with a crowd. Then he spotted her standing at the well, water jar in hand, looking like she had nothing to do. Tallis picked up his pace and closed the gap between them. As he drew closer, she turned and began to walk away. “Dodi.” She didn’t recognize him at first glance.
“Who are you—Tallis.”
“Shush. I don’t want people to know I’m here. Come with me.” They walked around the nearest corner to hide from view.
“What are you doing in Tiberias?”
“I came to find you. I need your help.”
“How can I do anything for you? I’m a young woman without a husband. I shouldn’t talk with you.”
“Our families have known each other for years. So please listen to what I have to say. I need someone with time on their hands. A person who can listen and observe the world around her, and I know you can run like the wind should the need arise. Will you help me?”
Dodi glanced around to see if anyone watched them. “I’m not sure. I listen and observe now, but what good does it do me? I still don’t have a husband. What do you want me to look at and listen for, Tallis?”
“To people, Dodi. Some Zealots decided to make life difficult for the residents of Hammath. Several nights ago, some of them murdered two of my soldiers, and last night they destroyed our marketplace. I have no idea who leads them, but I need more information to figure out who I’m dealing with. I have to find out when they plan to strike again and where. You may know some of these young fellows, or have friends who do.”
“What makes you think I would associate with anyone who behaves as you described?”
“A friend of yours has a younger sister named Efa. She is my youngest brother’s girlfriend. His name is Hilarion. He works at the blacksmith shop owned by my middle brother, Zosimos. My hope is you can visit Efa and become her confidant, so she will open up to you and give you the names of the men visiting her boyfriend. Of course, I would expect you to keep any information you learn from Efa and my brothers to yourself.”
“Becoming Efa’s new best friend will take more than a day. I haven’t seen her since your brother began getting to know each other. It may take a while for her to warm up to me again. She will want to spend more time with Hilarion than me. Besides, she’s much younger than I am.”
“You could visit with her during the day when my brother is working, and discuss their relationship. Efa might confide in you, but you need to work fast. Meet some of their friends and listen. Hilarion has another friend by the name of Dan. You may want to meet him, though I don’t know anything regarding the young man. I’ll pay you two dinars per day and check back with you as often as possible. What do you say?”
“I suppose I can try. Who knows, I could find a husband in the process. How should I contact you if we need to meet before you return?”
Tallis paused. He’d spoken too fast, fearing Dodi would turn him down. “A friend of mine will come to your house in two days if I don’t return before then. His name is Paroh. He limps. You can trust the man with your life. Remember to listen because the job you do may help prevent another attack in Hammath.”
“I will do my best to help you.”
Tallis handed Dodi six dinars. “I will pay you, again, the next time we meet. Be careful.”
The Decanus hurried off toward the waterfront as the wind increased. Tallis hoped to return home in time to meet his soldiers before going on patrol for the night.
Chapter 14
Watch Your Back Page 13