by Beth Shriver
Nethan only nodded, his attention back on his tools on the table. As Enan walked away, he heard a loud, sharp ring as something hit the stone wall. Enan turned to see pieces of the wall fall to the ground, leaving a scar as a reminder of Nethan’s rage.
****
Twelve men of the council sat before a group of townspeople to update them on their visit to Alef. They sat at a long table facing the people in the temple consulting room. Low murmurs in hushed tones carried throughout the room as Isaac rose and said a prayer asking for wisdom and direction.
“Being one of the five elders to visit Alef, I have been selected to inform you of the decisions made with the elders of Ale and Lamed and among our own council. Emissaries have informed us from each of the three villages that Claudius is on the move to our land. He left at daylight. It is three days ride to reach Zayin, which we assume they will attack first then move on to Alef and Lamed.”
“Why do they come to us?” An older soldier in the crowd asked, a man that had three sons fighting for their village. The elder put his hands on the table in front of him and looked around the table to the other elders, then back to the crowd.
“Josiah is among us.”
Whispers and gasps went up as the elder held up a hand for silence. “As you know Josiah made his home in Gimel many years after Jerusalem’s fall. Although the city was heavily fortified, Claudius seized an opportunity when he felt his army ready and has forced him from his domain.”
More mumbles and chatter, this time louder than the last.
“He has not been to Zayin. We considered it more dangerous than the other villages. Claudius’s men have been scouting him out to see where their next attack would be, hence he has been moving from place to place. Our commanders have met and planned their defenses to protect the villages. All soldiers will be informed directly after this meeting.
“Do as you see fit to look after your families. Some may wish to go to the cliff dwellings and lodge with the people living in the hills, but let me warn you, the soldiers cannot protect you there. They will be ordered to guard the people inside the village walls. There is no other way to protect ourselves other than to form a blockade.”
Panic spread like blood pulsing through their veins, the heartbeat continuing to drum through the crowd. Many left immediately to tend to their homes and families. Others stayed and asked questions to the elders. Enan stood next to his father, frozen to the thought of a battle in his own village, involving everyone he held dear to him.
Forcing himself out of the chilling thoughts, he grasped his father’s arm. “I need to report to Levi, Father.”
Joel seemed to know better and waited for Enan to finish telling him where his heart would take him.
Enan felt the pause and continued, “And find Tirzah.”
Joel nodded at the confession. “Go, I will gather your mother and siblings and prepare the cellar. Your brothers and I will find ample supplies.” Enan had never seen his father’s eyes so solemn, and fear crept its way into his soul. He busied his mind with considering where Tirzah would be at that hour, then set off to find her.
The streets were busy as families tried to connect and scrambled for much-needed supplies. Merchants took whatever they could for their own families and left their goods for others. The wells had a constant stream of women filling vases.
Enan found his way to the commander’s tents and was told where the archers were being informed of their formations. General Boaz barked out orders to his commanders and listened intently as they spoke to him. He gazed downward, pulling on his salt-and-pepper-colored beard and nodding in acknowledgement.
After the briefing, Enan slipped away to find Tirzah. People ran through the streets calling to him, trying to find out information.
“How long do we have, Enan?”
“Where will we be safe, in the cliffs or in my home?”
He waved but continued to run. “Pray, my friends.” He didn’t feel he had the answers and didn’t want to guide them in the wrong direction.
Tirzah ran down the narrow path in front of her home and jumped into his arms as he entered through the gate. He held her close but then felt her back arch as she pulled away.
She wiped her cheeks before she looked up at him. “What are your orders?”
He held her face in his hands and brushed his thumbs along her cheeks to feel the softness. Staring into her bright eyes, he could hardly tell her he had to leave. He had just gotten home and had only had a short time with her. It wasn’t right to be asked to leave her again
He looked to the heavens and thought of the oath he took as a soldier. Repeating it over and over again in his mind, he regained the mind frame he needed. But before he left her, he would make that same oath to her.
“Are your parents here?” He tugged her by the hand, leading her to the door and into the kitchen where Andrew and Martha sat at the table in prayer. Enan and Tirzah joined them and once they finished Enan addressed Andrew.
“I want to ask for your blessing.” He didn’t intend to demand, but the urgency he felt could not be hidden. Martha’s red, blotched face showed the strain of the situation, and now he had added even more. She remained silent as Andrew’s eyes drifted from Tirzah to Enan.
“What blessing, Enan?” Tirzah’s pinched brows and dropped lower lip told Enan she needed an answer. Enan searched the older man’s face for permission, and Andrew avoided his daughter’s gaze to answer Enan.
“Not now, Enan.” Andrew shook his head and looked down, avoiding the hope in Enan’s face and Tirzah’s confusion.
Tirzah pulled Enan toward hers and asked again, “What do you mean?”
“To marry you.” He grasped her shoulders and stared into her eyes, searching them for an answer.
She covered her mouth with her hand and gasped. “Oh, Enan. Why didn’t you tell me?”
Enan sighed with relief. “I wanted to have your parents’ blessing first.”
“I wish I would have known.” She held her hand to his cheek and tilted her head to the side. Tears flooded her eyes as she fell into his arms. He pulled her close, resting a hand to her head and rocking her gently.
Her parents watched—Martha with a hand to her mouth and tears in her eyes, and Andrew with raised brows and pursed lips. Andrew leaned forward and put his head in his hands.
Sitting up straight again, he spoke, “I know this is hard for both of you, but we will all get through this, and when it is over, we will address this issue.”
Tirzah whipped around and faced her father. “This issue. Is that what you call Enan’s proposal? Is that all this means to you?” She roughly wiped a tear that escaped down her cheek then stood erect. “This is more than just an issue to me, Father.”
Enan felt her tears on his arm and held her as she spoke.
Martha stood. “Tirzah!” she barked. “Don’t speak to your father so disrespectfully.”
Andrew put his hand on Martha’s. “Let it be, Martha.”
Tirzah’s gaze flickered from one of them to the other in hurt and frustration, and she ran out through the back door.
Enan ran after her, grabbed her, and held her. “Calm down. Everything will be fine.”
“How can you say that? They have no right, not if this is what I want.” She sank into his chest.
He pulled her away. “Am I who you want?” Enan brushed his finger under her chin.
She gazed at him through watery eyes and nodded. “With all my heart, Enan Asher.”
Enan knew by the determined look in her eyes that she meant what she said. He led her to the hill where he had found her his first night home and stood in front of her, holding her hands in his. “If we can’t be betrothed, we will pledge our love to one another.”
She smiled and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him.
“We aren’t supposed to do that part until the end of our vows.” He grinned.
“What vows?”
“If your parents won’t give us their blessing, w
e’ll ask for God’s.” He closed his eyes and thought for a moment then opened them and began his promise to her.
“I, Enan take Tirzah, to have and to hold from this day forward in God’s ordinance in the holy estate of love. I will forsake all others and be true to my love, Tirzah, until death do us part.”
He squeezed the grip on her hands and stared into the face of the woman he loved. His heavy heart lifted from the worry of war to thoughts of his promise to her.
She tilted her head and began her vows to him. “I take Enan to be my beloved, to love and cherish until death do us part, according to God’s holy law. I will leave all others and be true to my love, Enan.”
Enan took Tirzah into his arms and kissed her as he never had. As they embraced, he wished away all the fears of what was to come and hoped for their dreams. As he took his lips from hers, he memorized the look of love she gave him and resolved to remember it in battle to keep him strong.
****
After attending the meeting, Nethan briefed his men and went to find Tirzah. No one answered at her home. He went to the back of the home and searched the animal courtyard and around the grounds, but saw no one. He was about to leave when he saw the couple in the distance, walking from the hills back toward her home.
Tirzah’s hand rested in Enan’s. They strolled slowly, not taking their eyes off one another, and Tirzah looked radiant. She stopped Enan and moved his face toward her. He stroked her long, dark hair and put a hand to her back. They were oblivious to everything and everyone around them, including him.
Nethan hit a watering pail and sent it flying. Soon, Enan would be gone to battle, out of his way to pursue her. But was that enough for him not to return? The odds against Claudius’s army were not good for the people of the Zayin. Their only hope against the Romans was if advancements from other villages would get word and come to aid them. Hawks and riders had been sent, but time was running out. It was a gamble to bet on ridding himself of Enan in battle, and one Nethan could not take.
As Nethan entered the commander’s quarters, he passed by some of his subordinates—all young men, fearful for their loved ones. Most were eldest sons and feeling responsible for the safety of their families. Nethan did little to console them and sent them on their way. He had another matter on his mind.
He came to Levi’s tent and requested to speak to him. A young soldier came back out of the tent and nodded approval for Nethan to enter. Nethan pushed back the flap and let it drop behind him. Levi sat at a table, writing and mumbling to himself, preoccupied.
He was short, but powerful, with a chest like that of a bull’s and biceps the size of an ordinary man’s thighs. Nethan stood at attention.
“Ah, Nethan, come and sit.” Levi pointed to a small, wooden chair, and Nethan obeyed. “Your guards are ready for this battle, Nethan. I could see it in their faces as they looked at me tonight. You’ve done well with them. Do you see this also?”
Nethan should be pleased with the compliment but hesitated, doubting the commander’s sincerity. Everyone knew of Nethan’s unmerciful tactics with his men, and he would be surprised if Levi would be one to approve of them.
“Yes, Commander, I do, but I come to you with a different matter.”
Levi returned to his work and motioned for Nethan to continue. “Speak.”
Nethan swallowed hard and forced out the words. “I come concerning one of your men, Commander.”
Levi glanced at him then continued to write.
Nethan wrung his hands and began his tale. “He is your best archer and has the heart of a lion. He is more devoted to this campaign than I have ever known anyone to be.”
Levi grunted. “But you haven’t been in battle as I have, Nethan. A man can change once he is in the heat of combat.”
“This is true, but from what I know, this man has such a desire to fight, it would be shameful to him if he didn’t have the most suitable position to put his skills to task.”
“Who is this man, and what do you suggest, Nethan?”
Nethan swallowed again. “For him to be in a position certain to be in the fray.”
He now had the commander’s full attention. “And what would that be?”
“To lead the charge, and lop the first head. Nothing would spur the spirit of the men more than seeing this man, who is a great leader, engage in the first kill that starts this battle.”
“This is his desire?” Levi lifted his fingers and palms together and held them to his chin as he took in this request.
“He is a man of honor. He would never refuse such a challenge.”
“Who is this man?”
“You know your men so well, I’m sure you could guess before I even have to tell you. Enan, of course. He shines as a star. Let him excel in this battle, Commander.”
Levi puckered his brow. Nethan put his palms on his shirt to wipe the sweat from them. He hoped Levi wouldn’t notice the perspiration on his forehead. Even if Levi agreed, Enan could still refuse, but he knew his old friend well enough. Enan wouldn’t refuse his commander and trainer of all these years—the trainer who had made the decision to place Nethan in the guard, rather than as a foot soldier to fight with the sword. If Nethan’s plan worked, his vengeance against Levi would be fulfilled as well.
“You think much of your friend and comrade. If he has the same confidence in himself as you have in him, I’ll send him, God willing.”
“I believe I am familiar with him, Commander. We have been friends since the time we could talk. We know each other well, enough for me to know his humility. He’ll have to be encouraged, maybe even commanded to perform such an honor.”
Levi nodded. “If Enan sees his vision as you see it, he will have all honors in engaging the charge.”
Nethan rose. “Thank you for offering this opportunity to Enan, Commander.”
Levi nodded. “I’ll consider and speak to Enan come sunrise. Good evening.”
Nethan had hoped for a more affirmative answer. He would have to wait until sunrise to know the outcome. If he saw Enan to the right of Levi at their departure, things would go well for Nethan. If he was in his assigned formation within the cavalry archers, Nethan would proceed with his alternative plan.
“Good evening to you, Commander.”
Chapter Fourteen
The orange sun was directly overhead as Marcus’s men stopped just before the hills of Mount Hermon. They were hot and thirsty, but he ordered them to start their work before they filled their bellies. It would take almost six hours to complete the task of setting up camp, and that was only if each man did his work without fail.
Anthony rode up next to him, his gray horse panting heavily with nostrils flaring. “Your tent will be ready for you shortly. I had Timothy assign his men to the duty.”
Marcus jumped down from his horse, stretching his legs and let out a sigh. “Tell them to be quick. And get me some wine.”
“Yes, of course. Do you wish to send word to Maximus that we have arrived?”
Marcus gave him a sideways stare and motioned for a soldier to take his horse. With no response, Anthony waited until Marcus walked away and then went on with getting things in order. Each soldier carried his own tools to help set up a seven-man tent. Sweat dripped from their brows as, exhausted from the day’s ride, they took their shovels and began to move mounds of dirt to make ditches.
Men carried wood to make a rampart to protect them from spies and saboteurs during the night. Others took wood to build walkways that lead to the cooks, stables, and latrines, and all leading to the general’s quarters. A makeshift watchtower was erected which enabled them to see for miles around. If any were spotted during the night attempting desertion, there would be a show for the rest to see when Marcus punished the traitor. And with Marcus on edge, there would be no mercy.
When the men finally went to wash and eat, gruel, bread, and dried fruit were served, as usual. Marcus had asked them to be rationed to one cup of wine. He retreated to his tent for his mea
l of figs, cheese, porridge, and wine, and asked not to be disturbed. After supper, he rolled out a map and had just begun to study it when Anthony appeared outside his tent.
“I have asked for privacy. Can it wait?” Marcus did little to hide his foul disposition, but Anthony was familiar with his moods and stuck his head through the flap.
“Excuse my intrusion. The commanders would like to confirm the tactics we will perform at daylight.” Anthony gestured to a wooden chair and sat without waiting for Marcus’s response.
Marcus grunted and stood. “I will go over it again, and you can relay it to them. I am weary and need wine and sleep.”
He pointed to their location on the map. “We divide into the two groups. I will go to Alef, and you to Lamed. I have appointed equal numbers of archers, four soldiers, and cavalry to each division.” He stopped and faced Anthony. “In essence, we will each have half a legion as we go to fight.”
Anthony nodded. “Then we join in Zayin?”
“Yes, once we have searched for Josiah and taken what we desire, we head for Zayin. If one of us does find him, he will send word to the other. Anything further?”
“Not concerning the plans of deployment.” Anthony leaned in closer and put an elbow on the table in front of him. “If we do find Josiah, should we take him alive?”
“No, fool. I want his head on a stick. No chance for him to escape.” Marcus’s salty grin revealed his heightened mood. He met Anthony’s gaze, enjoying his raised brows and hesitation.
“I am feeling a bit more festive now. Bring in the commanders and plenty of wine. We should celebrate the victory tonight that we will have tomorrow.”
Chapter Fifteen
Enan sat by Levi’s tent, warming by a small fire pit. Levi’s attendant brought them barley gruel and bread. They ate quietly for a moment. “You didn’t have much time to see family and friends.”
Enan took a bite of gruel, chewed quickly and swallowed. The flavor was bland, but he knew it would be a long while before he would eat again. “Yes, I was able to spend only a small amount of time with everyone.”