by Fiona Tarr
David returned to his brothers and started to rummage through his pack searching for the food his father had packed. Jerim took the food, passed out a small portion to each of his brothers and then stored the remainder with his belongings. There were no tents for the general soldiers, only the officers. Everyone just made themselves a little pile of bedding and other items out of the way. Rain was rare this time of year; it was sand storms they needed to worry about. They could spring up from nowhere and without protection they could strip the skin from a man's back in minutes. Every recruit had been issued with a blanket which could be used for protection in addition to the head cloth which usually accompanied their tunics. The head cloth wrapped around and over the head leaving only the eyes exposed, and in desperate circumstances it could cover even the eyes. Apart from these possessions, there was nothing else of much value and nowhere to store personal treasures in any case. Most of what the brothers had brought with them had now been traded for food or favour.
Jerim's mind wandered as he packed away the remaining provisions. He had been unable to work his way into the favour of the King's envoy as he had planned. He still had not even been given the man's name. There was little chance of making his way into the King's service now. He was without hope and despair penetrated his every thought. He had not even been allowed to serve in a position of honour. Instead he had been relegated to menial tasks like a servant.
David jolted him from his thoughts as he started to strum on his harp. It was a peaceful, yet strengthening melody and Jerim began to relax for the first time in weeks. He had to admit, David was talented with the harp if nothing else. Men stopped what they were doing and started to congregate around him. He was now playing a delightfully uplifting tune which accompanied the tale he had begun to weave a tale of heroes from ancient times, of leaders of great power and wisdom, of enemies down-trodden by a triumphant Israeli hero, sent to fulfil his God given destiny. As David ended a cheer rose from the assembled soldiers. The entertainment had not gone unnoticed by the King and his officers.
'Who is that young man?' asked the King of no one in particular.
An officer answered, as no one else seemed to be going to offer a reply. 'I believe he is a shepherd boy my King. I have heard of him from traders, but did not believe it until today. He plays with perfection, a truly gifted musician.'
'He does,' agreed the King. 'Martinez, ask the lad to join us at supper. Talent like that should be encouraged and rewarded,' ordered the King as he thought to himself how he might acquire this young man into his service.
Martinez nodded and bowed slightly to the King as he left the assembled officers, to speak with David. The soldiers were now calling for David to continue as conversation started among the gathered crowd as to who he was and where he had come from. Jerim was uplifted by the playing though he was even more uplifted by the thought that his little brother may be of some use after all. He could see the potential already, his mind working on a plan to raise his standing in this horrible war torn regiment. Jerim noticed the King’s envoy approaching and thought he would take this opportunity to speak with him again. He had not had a chance to get close since they first rode in. He had thought for a brief moment that the officer was actually avoiding him, then dismissed the concept and rationalised he was simply a very busy man. The thought had lingered though. Now as he tried to gain the attention of the officer he realised the envoy was making a very direct line towards David and had not even noticed him along the way.
Martinez walked through the group of soldiers still assembled around David. As he walked past Jerim, he deliberately avoided eye contact; to have looked at him, would have provided the man with an opportunity to start a conversation. God forbid, if Jerim spoke to him again, the temptation to hurt the man would be overwhelming. Therefore the general reasoned, it was really in his best interest to ignore him. He did not really want to harm him, particularly with David present. He was also aware such an altercation could jeopardise his new friendship with the young man, whom he was growing to admire. Martinez found it interesting how those who were blessed with talent did not usually know it, while those that had no such blessing thought they possessed it all and usually bragged endlessly about it. He let a smile move across his face, not only as a greeting to David, but also at the thought of his brother Jerim having no idea he was an imbecile.
David saw Martinez approaching him with a friendly smile, which he returned as he stood to welcome the officer. He bowed slightly and Martinez stepped forward, gently slapped the boys shoulder, holding it with his left hand as he grasped his forearm right to the elbow with the other. He stepped in close, maintaining the greeting, as he leaned in to speak.
'It seems young man you have attracted the attention of the King with your playing. Nor did I miss your earlier exploits with the giant.' Martinez noticing the concerned look on David’s face, quickly continued. ‘The King was pleased and you have nothing to fear. You are in no trouble for either your playing or your antics.' David relaxed and smiled again.
Jerim approached from the outside of the circle to come close to David’s side, just close enough to overhear the conversation, hoping for an opening to speak with the officer.
'What is it the King wants of me Mart... Sir,' faulted David as he nearly called the officer by name. Jerim did not miss the stumble or the way the officer greeted David. It was clear they knew each other, even though David had only been in camp a day. He was getting quite frustrated. He puffed himself up, on the verge of saying something just as Martinez took David’s arm, leading him away to continue their conversation in private.
'The King has requested that you join the officers for supper and play afterwards for entertainment,' he whispered so no one else could hear. ‘He enjoyed your playing for the men and would like to meet you.' Martinez noted the genuine surprise on the young shepherd’s face. He paused for a moment before speaking.
'I am very flattered by the King’s invitation, it is just that I came here to check on my brothers and then to report back to my father on how they were doing. I really should get word to him soon.'
'The King has only asked for your company tonight. You will have need of food and rest before returning to your father. At least this way you get to do so in prestigious company and with food fit for a King.' Martinez pointed out politely. David pondered this a moment and then nodded his agreement, to which the officer was obviously relieved, slowly releasing the breath he had been holding.
'I did not really have a choice did I?'
'No, I am afraid not, however that is of no concern now. You decided to stay. Just remember David to use your intellect when dealing with men of power. There is always a clever way to serve, and preserve yourself at the same time. Now excuse yourself from your brothers and ask the guards outside to see the King’s envoy when you come to the King’s pavilion, ready for supper.'
David thanked Martinez then turned to return to his brothers. Jerim was standing still with his hands on his hips and a challenging look in his eyes.
'What was that all about?' His words were almost spat out. 'How is it you know the name of the King’s envoy? What have you been up to?' Jerim was winding up, set for a full-scale interrogation when David raised his hand in a gesture of silence and indicated with his eyes towards the still milling soldiers. Amazingly Jerim ceased talking and looked around realising this was not the place for such a discussion. He could barely contain his annoyance as he ushered David into a more secluded area behind a pile of supplies. The armour from long dead soldiers and wooden boxes full of instruments and bloodied rags used by the surgeon surrounded them now. Many had not been washed and were still covered in dried blood and human flesh. David was amazed that Jerim did not seem to see or smell the decaying flesh and concluded that this war had taken a huge toll on the Israeli people, his brothers included.
‘Before you go on, Martinez introduced himself to me. I did nothing to invite the conversation. I did not even speak to him when h
e first visited father, when you all left for this war.' David spoke quietly and softly, trying to be gentle with his brother.
Jerim thought before continuing. ‘What did he want with you just now?'
'He has asked me to play for the King tonight that is all. I will play, then tomorrow I will take word back to father that you are all as well as can be expected. Alive at least.' David spoke with compassion for he was now thinking that maybe this war was not an adventure after all. 'I will ask Martinez if he can keep you all safe. He owes me no favours, but we seem to have formed a bond and he is a man of great influence here.'
'You could ask him if we could all go home, that would be even more useful. I am aching to see my betrothed and this place is disheartening to the spirit.' Jerim was sulking now; the words held no conviction as his body slumped. David had never seen him like this before. He was a proud and arrogant man who believed he was far better than he actually was and often thought he had been hard done by, always the victim. However he was not a man of malice. Today standing before him with his shoulders slumped and his eyes dull and downcast, David realised this position of powerlessness was leaving his oldest brother barren of hope, a broken man. If he could, he would see Jerim given some position of authority. As the oldest brother he was used to being in charge and needed to be needed in an almost addictive manner. He patted Jerim on the shoulder and reassured him as best he could.
‘This war will be over soon and you will be back home herding goats and able to take Amelia for your wife.' The mention of Amelia appeared to lift Jerim slightly from his dark mood.
David left his oldest brother then to speak briefly with Nate and his other brothers. 'I will most likely head home tomorrow to father and pass on news of your health to him and your mothers. Nina and all our sisters are doing well managing the herd with the servants. The women nagged father so much so that he could stand it no longer, sending me to check on you. He was even questioning his sanity in marrying them all.' David rolled his eyes in an exaggerated manner as he reiterated the conversation he had shared with his father and his own thoughts on marriage. He then excused himself promising to see them again before leaving.
As David walked away, Nate smiled recalling once again why he liked David so much. When he told a story even a boring one, he animated it so much with his hands, expressions, emotions and passion that the listener could truly see the story happening, as if he were there in the moment. When David imitated the look on their father’s face as he talked of the nagging wives and the joke about having taken too many, all the brothers had laughed. It was just who David was; there was something joyous about the way he told a story, even if there were no heroes or Kings in this one about their family, they could relive it as if they were all there, home and safe. Nate felt renewed having seen David once again.
Chapter 5
David was nervous as he approached the King’s meeting tent. What was a shepherd boy supposed to do in the company of royalty? How did a shepherd boy even end up in the service of his King, playing music and sharing supper with nobility? He calmed himself and reasoned that if he was here it was for good reason. It did not have to make sense to him right now. He needed to be open to the opportunity as he had always believed in destiny. However his imagination had never considered that he would be playing his harp for the King. He stood before the guards, asked for the envoy, being careful not to mention Martinez by name, and waited. One guard disappeared into the tent returning quickly with Martinez. He was guided into the tent where the King sat on the floor on silk cushions around a large, low table. The colours of the fabric were exquisite, like nothing David had seen before. Most of the colours he had ever seen were dark moody colours like brown, dark plum and the colour of sand which reminded him of the endless sandy deserts which could be found further east of his homeland. These colours were bright like the sun, sky and the leaves on the palm trees. He made a note to discover how they made these dyes one day. He would get some robes made bright and cheerful just like the cushions, well not exactly like the cushions, but bright and vibrant none the less. He was interrupted from his thoughts as Martinez introduced him to the men present. David bowed low as he was introduced to the King.
'David, where did you learn to play your harp so beautifully?' asked the King.
'My mother taught me, my King.' He bowed once again, as he answered with a silent prayer for calm. David could not believe the steadiness of his words. There was no hint of the nerves, which threatened to engulf him.
'Join us, join us young man. We will eat and then you can honour us with your wonderful playing and storytelling.' The King motioned for David to take a seat at a vacant cushion at his left hand, while Martinez took a seat to his right. The conversation quickly carried on without David having any need to say anything, for which he was very grateful.
He had time to take in the tent; especially the large taller table at the far side on which was laid out in a miniature version of the battlefield. He could see no throne in the tent. He liked the idea that the King never took a seat above the men in his close group of officers. This made David feel more at ease. He never liked the idea of anyone lording over him or others. Men of power were there by God’s grace and need not think they were above others. Sitting on a throne like they did in other cultures just did not seem right to David. He was growing to appreciate King Saul already. He watched the King as the conversation flowed. He smiled often and the smile reached his eyes. If you covered everything except his eyes, you could probably still tell what he was thinking. His beard was closely trimmed and dark, with the occasional spot of grey starting to peek through making his age tricky to gauge. He looked every bit a King with his long hair pulled back at the neck and crowned with a golden band of silk.
The officers dined on roasted goat, dried fruits, nuts, flat bread and a lightly watered wine. It was the best meal David had recalled in some time though he was careful not to overfill himself. Playing on a full stomach could be very uncomfortable and quite embarrassing if it started to gurgle in those crucial quiet moments of the story.
Martinez approached David and suggested he sit on the table at the far end to tell his story and play. All the officers eagerly made themselves comfortable by fluffing up extra cushions and settling back, with a wine in hand. David began by playing softly to warm up his fingers and to begin building some anticipation for his story. He had decided to retell a story which had been handed down through the generations of his people. One everyone would be familiar with as it formed part of their spiritual foundation and was set in the land of their forefathers.
The story led the audience through the anguish of a devoted man of God whose favourite son was lost to him. The son had been sold into slavery by his jealous older brothers. It was a story of great faith and courage. David played masterfully as he quickened the music during the suspenseful moments such as when the wife of the boy’s new master tried to seduce him and when his refusal had led to accusations of rape and imprisonment. David played mournful, sorrowful tunes as he told of the boy’s long and seemingly endless days in the darkness of his prison. The boy triumphed over adversity and was taken into lifelong service to the Pharaoh of Egypt. The Pharaoh embraced the God of Israel, saving the Israeli people from famine.
David finished to the applause of the officers and stopped to take a sip of wine. The King spoke in Martinez’s ear and there was obviously a discussion springing up which had raised the eyebrow of the King. David began to feel uneasy; something was happening and he was not sure he was going to like it. He recalled what Martinez had said to him about powerful men and using his intellect to serve yet preserve himself, so he spoke a silent prayer for wisdom and waited.
An officer next to him congratulated him on a story well told and handed him more wine and dried fruit to nibble on. This officer was young, probably only a few years older than David.
'Welcome David, my name is Jonathan. Thank you for playing, it was wonderful.' Jonathan said good-natu
redly. 'We are planning a hunting and scouting trip in the next few days. Would you care to join us? We will get great practice with the bow and spear.' He was genuinely enthusiastic.
'I would have liked that very much, however I will be heading home to our herd to help my father. He is aging and with my brothers here, his work load is heavy.'
‘That really is very un......' The King drew David’s attention, interrupting Jonathan.
'David, young man, I believe I am in need of the services of a personal courtier and bodyguard. Martinez will train you in the art of the sword in order to make sure you can protect me. You can be my companion playing music when the mood takes me. I believe your playing will be a joy to my palace at home and my time here.' There was no confusing the King’s words; this was not a choice, but an order.
David’s immediate reaction was to refuse. He suppressed the urge to respond. He had to have time to think. He knew it would not please the King to decline the role. Besides, part of him truly wanted to stay and serve the King. This was his chance to experience an adventure and who knew where it could lead. He noticed the look on Martinez's face. It was a mixture of concern and caution.