“Can I have some of your food?” she asked. She moved closer to me. Maybe she was a homeless beggar.
“Here.” I gave her the rest of my meal hoping she would go away. I didn’t want to share my water. I needed that. I scooted back so she wasn’t as close. She had an unpleasant odor that was familiar to me, but I couldn’t place it.
She gobbled up the food as if she were famished. She didn’t say anything until she finished it.
“How is your journey?” she asked.
“Fine.” She made me feel uneasy.
“Where are you headed?”
“To Capernaum,” I lied.
“Where are you from?”
I didn’t like being interrogated. This time I didn’t answer.
She turned and looked across the plains.
I followed her eyes.
A red horse carrying a dark rider galloped across the field. The rider wielded a sword and I perceived he was slashing objects, though whatever he was striking was invisible.
“You are that rider,” she said.
“What?” I asked.
She smiled and revealed several missing front teeth. “I’m your benefactor.”
I shook my head. “No, you can’t be my benefactor.”
“Danger lurks in Galilee,” she said.
I stared at her. I told her I was going to Capernaum.
She quit smiling and pointed her bony finger at me. “Things are not as they appear.”
I moved away from the woman and glanced back at the horse but the rider was gone. The horse galloped further and further away.
“Your fate,” she said, “if you go to Galilee.” The strange woman-turned-diviner walked away. When she was gone, I bent over the ledge and heaved up my lunch. What little I ate.
I tried to calm myself. Was she the one who paid for my motel room? How did she know I was going to Galilee and not Capernaum?
“Shoot,” I said, “it’d be just my luck to have her for a benefactor, an old panhandler who looked like the devil.”
I picked up my belongings and took off, no longer excited about going to Galilee. Was I about to do something I would later regret? I looked back to make sure she wasn’t following me—whoever or whatever she was. I hoped I never saw her again.
CHAPTER 13 RANDOMNESS
I couldn’t put the beggar woman out of my mind and kept thinking about her strange words, “Things are not as they appear.” How could she pretend to know my fate? Only God knows those things and I couldn’t imagine him sharing my future with someone who appeared to be a freeloader. I shook my head as if I could shake reality back the way it belonged.
My mind wandered. Maybe life at its simplest came down to nothing more than choices—except I didn’t choose to come to first century Palestine.
What if our future wasn’t predetermined and we could choose? Suppose God put us into situations we didn’t like to test us? Attempting to remove God from my life had made me powerless. I thought it would be the opposite—empower me. Without God, was life nothing more than a series of random events? I couldn’t change the past, but what about the future? Did God just program me like a robot or did he give me free will? What was the point of living if we were no more than robots?
Maybe more than one reality existed at the same time and something caused them to collide into one reality. What would happen if the two got mixed up?
I kicked some rocks in my path. Dr. Luke had provided a sense of security. Whom would I rely on now? Would I listen to an old demented woman—who claimed to know more about my future than I did?
I remembered Psalm 23 from the Tanakh. “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.”
The sheep did not fear its enemies because the shepherd protected them, like the young lad I had witnessed. The boy relied on a cane and his faith in God to keep away the wolves.
Why hadn’t God protected my father? Why did he bring me to this strange fate?
I pressed ahead. Speaking of choices—which road should I take? If I went west, I’d drown in the ocean. If I went east, I’d venture into enemy territory. If I went south, I’d be back at the inn. If I went north, a young boy unable to speak for himself needed me to speak for him. I clung to that. I swiped my forehead with my arm, as if I could wipe away the fear.
Suddenly, a crow out of nowhere sky-bombed me. I swatted at him, “Go away you buzzard.” The black bird squawked and took off. That was too deliberate—he meant to attack me.
I sped up, more anxious than ever to get to Brutus’s house. Nervous energy propelled me to run.
I soon arrived at the outskirts of Lower Galilee on the northern ridge of the Jezreel Valley. I studied the map. My destination was close.
I paused to survey my surroundings. I was surprised at how desolate the town was. Besides the olive groves, nothing else seemed familiar. In 2015, thousands of Arabs and Jewish residents pressed in on each other, living in crowded communities side by side. In the first century, the small community eked out a quiet existence. Its notoriety was linked to a man Christians called Yeshua—or Jesus. Culture shock at the difference between the first century and 2015 made me feel like I had traveled a long way from home. I had in a strange sort of way—two thousand years into my past.
I remembered Ami’s comments about the Immerser. I shuddered. Christians called him John the Baptist. It wasn’t long after the Immerser’s clashes with the Jewish authorities that the man from Nazareth came on the scene. I sighed. Why did I have to come to the area where he lived? Maybe that was why the old woman told me to go back.
Of course, until the Immerser’s beheading, the rabbi wouldn’t have much influence. I hoped that was years away. I wished I had read some of that book Lilly had given me. I regretted my mocking attitude—I could have learned something if I hadn’t been so close-minded.
I walked a couple more hours and reached the man’s house. The structure sat nestled beneath a cliff surrounded by a lush green pasture. For a Gentile, Brutus had done quite well. Rome paid administrators nicely and didn’t tax the Gentiles as they did the Jews. Now that the moment had arrived, I was excited. I walked up to the door and knocked.
A few seconds later, a burly man greeted me. He was fit and trim for his advancing years. His aging eyes were gentle and his complexion darker than I expected.
I introduced myself. “I’m Daniel, son of Aviv, and I’m here to see Brutus, son of Dirk.”
“Daniel, come in, come in. I’m Brutus, son of Dirk—call me Brutus, please—welcome. I’m so glad to meet you.”
After our initial introductions, he closed the door and motioned me to sit. “Please, make yourself comfortable.”
I did and glanced around the exquisitely furnished room. Brutus had a broad taste in cultures from his travels and exposure to many languages.
Soon a woman walked in half her husband’s age. I was surprised at the difference in demeanor between the two. She eyed me with skepticism, without warmth. Her eyes roamed my body, making me feel uncomfortable.
“Let me introduce you to my wonderful wife. This is Scylla.”
“I’m honored to meet you,” I said.
“Welcome—”
“Daniel, son of Aviv,” I said.
—“Daniel, son of Aviv,” she repeated.
Scylla reminded me of an aging beauty queen. Her long face appeared drawn and her pale eyes had lost the glimmer of yesteryear. Her husband deserved better, but I chided myself for being so judgmental.
Soon a boy who looked to be about twelve entered the room. His mannerisms reminded me of an immature child. He avoided eye contact and walked clumsily. He looked away without saying anything. I sensed anger mixed with distrust. I would have to earn his acceptance.
“Nathan,” said Brutus, “meet Daniel, son of Aviv.”
The boy finally made eye contact before turning away. I smiled hoping to crack through his steel façade. He didn’t know I could reach beyond
it—yet.
A tense moment followed when no one said anything. Suddenly the boy cried out, followed by a full-blown tantrum. Smiles left everyone’s faces and introductions were over. I sat and watched, not sure what to do.
Nathan thrashed about, rubbing his feet across the wooden floor and flailing his hands.
Brutus spoke gently, “Stop. I’m here.” He grabbed the boy underneath his arms and pulled him over into his lap. Brutus then held him until Nathan quit struggling and became quiet, rocking him back and forth.
I tried to read his thoughts. Confusion and fear filled his mind.
“Tell Nathan that I’m not going to take him away.”
Brutus did as I instructed and the boy seemed to relax.
“Nathan needs time. Tell him I’m his friend and I will live here for a little while.”
The boy’s father did again as I instructed, and calmness settled over Nathan’s demeanor. He eyed me now with less apprehension.
Brutus nodded. “I think this will work.”
I smiled.
A young woman carrying bags of food entered through the front door. She was tall and slender, with long, dark brown hair. She brought to mind my sister, Martha. The girl did not seem to notice me.
“Come over here, Mari, and meet Daniel, son of Aviv.”
When Brutus said my name, she turned white. For a moment, she looked as if she would faint.
Brutus perceived something was wrong and lifted Nathan from his lap to catch her, but she instantly regained her composure. If she existed in my own time, I would know her—pretty young women never escaped my attention.
I stood. “Nice to meet you, Mari.”
A moment later Scylla clapped her hands. “We’ve had too much drama. Let’s lighten things up a bit. Mari, please prepare some food for our guest. I’ll be in my quarters.”
The two women ambled towards the back. I scooted closer to Nathan. I soon realized nothing was ever as easy as it first appeared. The real work had just begun. I would earn every shekel I made, especially when I met Judd, the caretaker of the animals.
CHAPTER 14 SECRETS
My first test as a “big brother” occurred a couple of weeks after my arrival. Brutus was on leave from his duties in Jerusalem to help with my transition to the household, but Roman officials showed up early one morning. They claimed Brutus must go with them to Jerusalem. It was difficult for Brutus to conduct business from Nazareth. Because he loved the Galilean countryside, he endured the long trips to Jerusalem and Caesarea from Nazareth.
When I heard Brutus was leaving, I wanted Judd to show me how to prepare Brutus’s horse for travel. I went back to the cave and found him.
Judd laughed. “Don’t you know anything about horses?”
I shrugged. “I just want to see how Brutus likes his horse saddled. That way, when you go on vacation, I can do it for you. Or if you are busy with other duties.”
Judd became less defensive. “Well, then. Grab that saddle with the horns.”
“Horns?” I repeated.
“Yeah. Hanging on the wall.”
I looked for a horned saddle, whatever that was. “This one?”
“No, that one,” Judd said impatiently.
“This?”
“No, the one to the left of that one.”
Why had I volunteered to help? I grabbed the one with four horns and carried it over to him. Judd put the saddle on the animal’s back.
“What about the stirrups?”
Judd scrunched his nose. “Stirrups?”
“Yeah, for the feet.”
“Never heard of that,” Judd said.
“Oh.” Maybe they didn’t use stirrups in first century Palestine. I couldn’t imagine riding a horse without stirrups.
Soon Judd had the horse ready. I attempted some small talk. “How long have you been working here?”
Judd laughed. “Our families go back generations. We are probably related.”
“That’s interesting.”
“Lots of history you don’t want to know,” he added. “Don’t be nosy.”
I threw up my hands. “Just making conversation.” Family secrets he didn’t want to share—at least not with me.
Judd added, “Whatever you do in this cave, don’t mess with Assassin.”
“Assassin?” I repeated.
“My donkey.” He pointed to a large red-haired brute.
The animal appeared so mean-tempered I didn’t know why he thought I would want to touch his animal anyway.
A few hours after Brutus left, things went awry. I heard Nathan’s cries and ran up to his room. The timing was unfortunate because Mari was usually around to help, but she had taken the day off to visit a friend.
When I entered, I saw Scylla slapping Nathan’s face. “Stop it, you stupid child,” she screamed at him.
I rushed over to intervene. “Don’t slap him,” I said. “Let me help.”
She stepped back, surprised at my sudden appearance. I’d heard his cries before they were audible. No one knew about my special gift. I had caught her doing something that Brutus would never approve of. How often had she done that? I wrapped my arms around the young lad.
“Nathan, I’m here.” His pain could not be spoken. Now I could be his voice. I gave him hope.
Scylla walked towards the door. “Thank you for coming. Things are not as they appear.” She slammed the door behind her.
When would things ever be as they appear? I rocked Nathan to soothe his cries. The boy probably had reason to be frightened when his father left.
I took Nathan outside and we spent the afternoon in the pasture with the sheep. Perhaps being around the timid animals would do him good. Soon he forgot about the incident as his thoughts went elsewhere, particularly when we came across a snake. He pointed at it excitedly and I could hear him say through mental telepathy, “It’s not poisonous.”
‘How do you know?” I asked.
“I know all the snakes around here,” he said through unspoken words.
I was impressed. I didn’t know much about snakes, except for the Palestinian viper, the most common poisonous one, and I didn’t know if it was around in the first century. I suppose when you can’t speak, you find ways to occupy your time, especially when you feel isolated and alone.
I noticed Judd watching from a distance, as if noting everything I did. I shook off the distraction and became preoccupied with Nathan. Our laughter lifted his dampened spirits. Perhaps someday a miracle might loosen his tongue.
CHAPTER 15 ATTACK
Five months later
Brutus’s trips had become more frequent because of unrest in the country. Yochanan the Immerser had stirred things up, though I hadn’t heard word of his beheading. I had even heard Yeshua mentioned in passing on the streets. I knew the firestorm that was about to be unleashed.
I sighed. I couldn’t have been brought to a more controversial place than Galilee in the first century. If God existed, and I believed he did, why did he bring me here? I was a non-practicing Jew who wanted nothing to do with Yeshua of Nazareth. Why hadn’t God found a Christian to bring here? Why me?
The days turned into weeks. I had not been back to Dothan but fondly remembered Dr. Luke, thankful he had found me this job. Brutus paid well and my money was growing. I kept it hidden in my room.
One afternoon I was repairing the leg of a chair in the dining area. I considered taking it to the local carpenter, but I didn’t think the chair was fancy enough to warrant the expense.
Brutus was somewhere else and Mari had gone into town. Nathan was taking a nap. The house was quiet. I was on my knees finishing up when what I perceived to be fingers caressed my neck. I reached behind me and felt a hand.
I stood and turned to face her. Scylla’s eyes were drunk with wine. She threw herself at me.
“No,” I said.
I tried to extricate myself from her embrace.
Scylla persisted, running her fingers through my hair. “Oh, Daniel, my love
—the signs in the heavens are there, like when Brutus came to me to read his future.”
I looked away so she couldn’t kiss me. “What signs?”
She burned with unbridled passion. “I have powers you don’t know about.”
I fell backwards tripping over the chair that I had just fixed. The noise echoed in the room, loud enough to wake Nathan.
When I stood and tried to escape, she trapped me against the wall. She whispered into my ear. “How do you think I got Brutus to marry me?”
“I—I don’t know.”
Suddenly she clawed my neck and cried out in a haunting voice. I writhed as she ran back into her private quarters. When I touched the open wound, blood tinged my fingers. I looked up and saw Judd standing in the doorway. A knowing smirk covered his face.
“It’s not what you think,” I said.
“I can keep secrets.” He rolled his eyes and walked away.
Did he believe I had attacked her? What if she made false accusations to her husband? She had a witness who wouldn’t mind ruining me. I stared at the broken chair. I should have taken it to the carpenter.
CHAPTER 16 ANNOUNCEMENT
I was always thankful when Brutus came home as his good-natured humor lifted everyone’s spirits. He had a proclivity for speaking in multiple languages at once, and would wink when we gave him a blank stare. This time he returned more excited than usual and sought us out individually.
“I have a big announcement to make,” he said several times during the day. “Join me tonight at dinner. We’ll celebrate with a big pot of red meat and vegetables.”
I spent the day pondering what the big announcement might be.
The aroma of salt, onions, garlic, and cumin soon filled the house. At last, when mealtime came, we were all seated, waiting to hear the big news.
Seventh Dimension - The King - Book 2, A Young Adult Fantasy Page 6