Watch Your Back

by William V Weeks

“Good morning, Bazak. I don’t want to keep you away from your duties too long, but this is a good time to develop a plan to free Benson.”

  “I don’t think we can wait much longer, sir. What if Zamir and his friends attempt to rescue their colleagues and fail, they might decide to move Benson to another location. We may never find him then, and if their attack is successful, Benson won’t be anything more than a liability so why keep him alive.”

  “I’m placing you in charge of this mission. You’ve seen the interior layout of the courtyard and the approach to Zamir’s estate. Plus, you know where to locate the boxes. Such knowledge will allow the team you select to get in and out of the compound in less time than someone who’s not familiar with the area. What will it take to bring Benson home?” Tallis watched his Decanus bite his lip and glanced around the area. “You have only one opportunity to free our soldier. Failure is not an option. The stakes are high, to say the least, but I have confidence in your ability to complete this assignment to perfection, Bazak.”

  Bazak smiled and whispered, “Thank you for your support, sir. To answer your questions. We will need two boats and seven soldiers to travel with me, plus enough fishermen to row their vessels. We could also use a breeze blowing from the north, so we can raise the sails and leave Magdala faster once we’ve freed Benson, but I know you don’t have control over my last request.”

  “I assume you’d like to conduct this mission at night.”

  “The darkness will help protect us from people seeing our team as we approach the shore and the estate. We need to surprise whoever is present when we enter the courtyard. If the plan works, I can scale the wall and find out where they’ve hiding Benson. My men and I don’t want to go charging in and discover we’ve made a grave miscalculation by heading in the wrong direction. His life is in danger now. We don’t want to make the situation worse.”

  “How will you manage to enter the courtyard without alerting the guard to your presence?”

  Bazak sighed. “You’re asking tough questions, sir, and I appreciate your confidence in me. You’ve given this mission a lot of thought also. Most men in leadership positions would tell their subordinate how to do the job rather than asking for input and ideas. I’m honored you’re giving me the opportunity to work out the details of this mission. Thank you for forcing me to think my plan through in advance. I would like to take Nuri with us. He can pick a lock faster than anybody I know. I need to take three more soldiers with me too. We would be the ones who scale the wall. Nuri and the three remaining troops will enter the courtyard once he unlocks the front gate. This way we can attack from two directions.”

  “I hope your plan works. How will you involve the fishermen in your rescue attempt?”

  Bazak took several minutes to explain how the primary job of Nosh and fourteen of his colleagues was to transport the soldiers to and from Magdala rather than fighting, though they should prepare themselves to help if the mission runs into problems. Otherwise, the fishermen would guard their vessels during the rescue attempt.

  Bazak’s thought this out better than I expected. “I agree with your plans, and I am confident you and your team will do well. The only reason I bother to question you is to make sure you’ve thought everything through. You’ve made me proud. Keep up the good work.”

  “It shouldn’t take too long to cross the highway and reach the estate’s entrance. Give us an extra two or three minutes to scale the wall, determine Benson’s location, and cross the courtyard. By then Nuri will pick the lock, open the gate and help us fend off anyone guarding the compound. Once we have Benson, we’ll return to the boats together, and Nosh and his men will have turned their crafts around for a quick escape.”

  Tallis smiled at Bazak’s response. “Well done. What will you do if they’ve chained Benson to the wall or in shackles? Nuri won’t be with you.”

  Bazak froze then stared at his Triplicarious. “What do you want from me? I won’t know the situation until I get there. How would I know in advance if he’s chained, shackled, or sitting there wondering what’s for breakfast before I arrive?” Waving his arms, the Decanus continued to respond. “I suppose I could take some keys with me or a cutting tool to free him if he’s chained to a wall for the stone floor. Whatever we do, we’ll need to work fast.”

  Tallis noticed the sweat beading on Bazak’s forehead as he quizzed him. “Calm down. I know you can’t plan for every contingency you may encounter. I’m pushing you to make sure you’ve thought out as many different scenarios as possible before you enter the courtyard. You need to think everything through, so you won’t feel pressured during the rescue attempt.”

  “I know the importance of proper preparation. A mission seldom goes according to plan, but you’re right. I do need to prepare for as many different situations as possible. My goal and responsibility is to bring everyone, including Benson, home alive.”

  I’m not sure Bazak feels as confident as he’s trying to display. He looks worried. “Thank you for easing my fears. I’m sure you will use caution rather than risking the lives of everyone. You’re a smart man, Bazak, and I wouldn’t allow you to lead this mission if I didn’t trust your judgment.”

  “What did you think we’d do, Tallis, leave our boats, knock the front door down, and come rushing into the courtyard yelling and screaming while I ran around trying to find Benson? We wouldn’t reach him alive.”

  “No, Bazak. I don’t doubt your ability to complete this mission, but this is the only order I’m going to give you. I want you and your team to cast off sometime after sunset, and proceed to your destination at a comfortable pace depending on the conditions. If the weather is favorable, leave later. Begin and complete your assignment in a safe yet timely manner, and get back to Hammath as fast as possible. Our soldiers will protect you in case Zamir’s men attack your return. I don’t know what night we will implement your mission. Please, be patient with me. Timing is crucial. I can’t tell you any more right now. I’ll see you later and please share your plans with Nosh. Help him select his strongest and most trustworthy men to assist you.”

  “Thank you, Tallis. I will do my best to bring Benson home alive.”

  Zosimos held a piece of molten metal, bending it into position. As he sweated over the task, the smithy wondered why Hilarion hadn’t bothered to show up for work. He’d promised to come before sunrise. Three hours ago. He still hadn’t arrived, and Nikolaos expects this order by sundown.

  With so many people looking for work, Zosimos could replace his brother in a minute. If he didn’t hire another employee soon, he’d wear himself out and have to close his shop until he recovered. Since signing the contract to work for Herod, the smithy hadn’t had time to hire additional help. This morning, his shoulders ached. A box of swords lay on the ground, but Zosimos couldn’t lift the container by himself without risking injury to his back. Tallis had recommended firing Hilarion. This morning, the smithy wished he’d taken his brother’s advice.

  “Good morning, Zosimos.”

  “Where have you been? You’re late, Hilarion. You promised me you’d arrive three hours ago. You knew I needed your help today. I can’t trust you anymore.”

  “Sorry, brother. One of my friends stopped me on the way to work—”

  “And I understand how it is when you have a job and people depending on you, but you don’t care whether I can keep my doors open and food on the table. You only think of yourself and your friends. You don’t know the meaning of being responsible, and your word is no good.”

  “You can count on me. I said I’d come to work. Here I am. So I kept my word.”

  “You promised to arrive before sunrise. Since when does the sun come up this late in the day?”

  “What can I say, but I am sorry? Trust me. In the future, I’ll be on time.”

  “You’ll be on time. You made the same promise two days ago when you didn’t show up until after the sixth hour. You arrive late for work more often than you come on time. No more! Do you
understand me? No more.”

  Hilarion rolled his eyes. “Whatever you say, brother.”

  “Come and help me carry this box. We need to put it on the wagon out back. Be careful. It’s heavy. I don’t want you to injure yourself so you can’t do your job or work.” Stupid kid. How can he be so irresponsible? Our parents didn’t raise us to behave like this.

  Hilarion found his apron lying on the floor near the back door and pulled it over his head. “This is payday, isn’t it Zosimos?”

  “It is for those who work. Starting today, I won’t pay anyone who fails to show up on time or doesn’t come to work at all. You’ll receive what money you’ve earned after we get this order for the army completed and loaded on the wagon.” Zosimos stood glaring at his brother while Hilarion tied his apron. “It takes a lot of moxie to come and go as you please. You do as little as possible, and then you turn around and want me to pay you. For what? A dead man does more work than you sometimes. Your lack of effort should embarrass you. I can’t trust you to do what’s right anymore. You think everything is a big joke. Grow up.”

  “I’m sorry I disappoint you, but my friends are important to me.”

  “How much do your friends pay you? Do they give you more than I do? If so, you can quit and go work for them. From this point forward, I don’t want your friends coming to my shop to visit with you. I will no longer tolerate your leaving with them whenever you want. You’ll work during the hours I assign, and I will hold you accountable to arrive on time and work hard the entire day. Otherwise, I will fire you. Do you understand?” Why didn’t I take Tallis’s advice?

  “Sure, Zosimos. I need this job.”

  “I know you do, but if we weren’t related, I would have fired you after your second day on the job. No more slacking off. No more coming to work late. No more friends during work hours or you will need to find someone else to do with your life. Now, get to work. I want you to heat the metal and bend it over so you can put a pin in the hole you create. We’re making hinges for several large doors today.” My brother needs a good smack on the back of his head. A wake-up call since talk doesn’t seem to get through his thick skull. He’s slow and can’t get the job done on time. Why do I put up with him? “Pick up the pace, Hilarion. You’ve made hinges before. You need to finish the entire stack in less than an hour. Is your fire hot enough? Use the billows if you need too.”

  “I’m working as fast as I can, Zosimos. It’s hot in here. Can I take a break?”

  “A break? You’ve worked less than a quarter of an hour. What’s your problem? I expected you to work slow when I first employed you, but you still work like it’s your first day on the job. Get moving. I gave you a break when I hired you. Today, I’m questioning my decision. Did I make a smart move when I employed you?”

  “Why are you on my case, Zosimos? I say hello to a friend, and you think the world came to an end or something. Get a life. There’s a big world outside your front door.”

  “You didn’t answer my question. Soon, you are going to find yourself out in the big world so stop talking back to me. Hurry up and finish the job I gave you to do. Then you can take your break.”

  “I can see a boat on the water. How long do you think they’ve been watching you and your men, Gad?”

  “Not long, Tallis. This time they rushed toward the shore before stopping. Then they turned around and rowed back to their current location. I prepared to sound the alarm. I suppose they are testing our defenses or waiting for more boats to arrive before making their next move.”

  “We’re prepared for them, but I’m pleased they didn’t come ashore. I’d worry less if we had more soldiers available during the night too, but we should be okay. Priam had posted six men to guard the prisoners. Two inside the building and four more patrolling outside. The rest of our troops will come to your aid should you need their help.”

  Two soldiers stood on the shore watching the water. “What do you think would happen if they rushed us after more boats arrived, Tallis? Would they turn around a second time? I suppose the information they learn by rushing the shore may prove useful should they decide to try and rescue their friends.” Tallis shrugged his shoulders as the two stared back at those watching them, wondering if more boats would arrive. “Tallis, I want to apologize for questioning why you have our troops patrolling as we do during the night. After last night’s meeting, I’ve been thinking how we can lure our enemies into believing they can attack us with ease. I focused too much on protecting the prisoners in the tower. I never imagined you would move them away from the lake so those attacking us would need to spread out as they came ashore.”

  “We don’t always have time to think or plan when you supervise ten soldiers, Gad. Other times you need more information to make critical decisions. It’s difficult to know everything without having every piece to the puzzle. You’re doing an excellent job, and I appreciate your work and support.”

  “Look, Tallis, they’re rowing back toward Tiberias. I hope they don’t return later.”

  “I hope they never come back. We’ve seen the last of our spies for now. They aren’t ready to attack so they will do their best to test and pester us. Our foes know we can see them, and yet they continue to harass us in an attempt to determine how we’ll react. I don’t think we played into their hands tonight.”

  “Some people enjoy playing games.”

  “Don’t let them bother you, Gad. Pray for strength when you feel weak. He’ll make you strong, and your fears will disappear.”

  “Do you pray when trouble and stress surround you, Tallis?”

  “I’m getting better, but I’m not perfect.”

  “I suppose praying can’t hurt.”

  “Not only will it not hurt, but prayer will also help improve your spirits. You’ll be better prepared for whatever comes your way.”

  “Do you worry our enemies will attempt to rescue their friends?”

  “Not often. I’ve come to believe everything is in God’s hands, and He will resolve the problem in His own way and time. I’m a helper. I listen and make decisions based on what I hear and feel by figuring out how the pieces fit together. If you’re worried, Gad, don’t be afraid. God is in control. That’s my new philosophy. Besides, worry doesn’t make anything better, only worse.”

  “So you’re saying you believe in God.”

  “Down deep in my soul, I’ve always believed. I figured out He watches over me in the last week or two. I’m learning to depend on Him for my strength and wisdom. He provided me with this job. It’s my responsibility to protect my fellow soldiers and the citizens of Hammath. I’m confident I can do the job. What about you, Gad. What do you believe?”

  “I’m a Jew, and God loves my people and me.”

  “You didn’t answer my question. Do you believe in God? Of course, this raises another matter. Would our God love you if you weren’t a Jew?”

  “Why would He. He’s the God of Israel, not the gentiles. They have their own gods don’t they?”

  “My father was Greek. This makes me half-Greek and half-Jew, and I know my father didn’t believe in Israel’s God. I learned about the one true God from my mother. Father used to say the Greeks would invent a new god whenever something happened man couldn’t explain. Then it was the god’s fault when the same thing happened again.”

  Gad looked up at Tallis asked, “So you’re saying Greek gods, create problems for men and the God of Israel saves the Jews from their problems?”

  “What if God saves everyone from their problems when they believe and trust Him with their hearts?”

  “I never gave the idea any thought, Tallis.”

  The Triplicarious smiled at his Decanus. “Neither did I until right now. Why don’t you go check on your soldiers, and I’ll guard this area until you return.”

  Each night the Zealots became a little bolder. As Tallis watched, he prayed for the rainy season to arrive. But God, we need mild weather until we rescue Benson. Then it can pour, and our troubl
emakers will disappear until next spring. In the end, Tallis realized the only way to end their problems was to capture Zamir and his friends. In the meantime, Herod’s soldiers will remain vigilant.

  Chapter 25