The Warrior (The Herod Chronicles Book 1)

by Wanda Ann Thomas

  Nathan made brief eye contact with her before coming to a stop in front of her brother. “How are you? I tried to visit you.”

  She hadn’t imagined it. His voice was as gentle and comforting as a soft, summer rain. And, though he’d addressed James, she knew the questions were for her. She inclined her head slightly in answer.

  James swiped his hand at the people flowing past them. “Aside from being a sideshow in today’s circus, we are fine.” He stuck his finger in Nathan’s face. “Why haven’t you found Lydia yet?”

  Alexandra’s toes curled. Her brother’s poisonous attitude was embarrassing and worrisome.

  The color drained from Nathan’s face. “Come, walk with me, and we will talk.”

  She put her head down and moved forward.

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to keep my promise,” Nathan said. He paused and cleared his throat.

  She found the courage to look up. Her breath caught. Nathan was staring at her over James’s head. She opened her mouth to say his apology wasn’t necessary, but her tongue wouldn’t work. Her father never allowed her or Lydia to speak to men. She and her intended husband, Philip Peter, had never shared a word.

  But she’d already talked to Nathan, the day of the attack. Yes, and her father had called her a whore.

  A hot updraft of wind caught and lifted Nathan’s dark curls as he spoke. “Finding Lydia is going to be difficult.”

  A mountain-sized hole opened up inside Alexandra. She dipped her chin and rubbed at her forehead. My dear, dear Lydia. What are they doing to you? What are you suffering?

  “We will get her back. I promise,” Nathan said.

  “I know.” Her voice shook. She swallowed and looked up at Nathan. “I believe you. I do.”

  Some of the tension went out of Nathan. “Herod of Idumea has agreed to help me hunt down Judas.”

  She swayed on her feet. Herod and his Idumean soldiers were going to join the search for Lydia. What would Father say?

  “Alexandra?” Her brother tapped her arm. “When was the last time you ate? Goda told Father you aren’t eating enough to keep a mouse alive.”

  Today was a day of fasting, so she hadn’t eaten. What about yesterday? It was hard to think. She sighed. “I can’t remember.”

  Nathan moved to her side. “Come and break the fast with my family. After dinner I will introduce you to someone who might be able to help Lydia’s cause.”

  She straightened. She hadn’t dared hope for such a promising lead.

  “I always wanted to visit the festival campsites,” James said and walked on. “Come along, Alexandra,” he called back.

  She looked back toward the city. They’d be away that much longer.

  “I can take you home, if you’d like,” Nathan offered.

  A boisterous group of boys ran past them. One of them almost collided with her brother. James shook his fist at them. Why did he have to be so prickly? “James wants to go,” she said.

  “But he didn’t ask what you wanted.”

  “Me?” She frowned. “It is for the man to tell the woman what to do.”

  Nathan raised a brow. “James is not fit to order a donkey about, never mind another person.”

  She bit her lip to keep from laughing. “I will stay for my brother, and for Lydia.” Her smile died. “Can you tell me more about the men who took Lydia?”

  “Let’s catch up with your brother. He will want to hear what I have to say.”

  The road grew more rutted. They rounded a sharp curve and found James digging a rock out of his sandal. Scowling, he joined them.

  Alexandra resisted the urge to fuss over him. “Nathan has agreed to share what he knows with us.”

  “Judas the Zealot and the twenty, or so, men following him were part of a larger group of rebels dedicated to forcing the Romans out of the land,” Nathan said. “I know them well. They are my friends and neighbors.”

  James narrowed his eyes at Nathan. “Why aren’t you one of them?”

  Nathan pulled on his collar. “I went with them a few times at the start, hoping to talk them out of it. They wouldn’t listen. Five years later they’re more convinced than ever of their cause.”

  A heaviness filled Alexandra. Nathan seemed too good, too perfect to have associated with criminals. But he wasn’t all loveliness. He’d been a soldier in the Jewish army and probably killed many men. She rubbed her arms.

  James’s purple scar pulsed. “So you have been looking the other way while your friends attack innocent people?”

  Alexandra winced at the bald assessment.

  Nathan hung his head. “I’ve closed my eyes and ears to it and tried to stay clear of trouble. I promised my family I was done with war and fighting.” He laughed without humor. “Hearing my excuses out loud makes me realize how pitiful they sound.”

  She admired his honesty and took comfort in the knowledge he honored his promises, because it meant he’d invest equal diligence in keeping the vow he’d made to her. “What have the authorities done to stop the bandits?” she asked.

  The corners of Nathan’s mouth turned down. “Practically nothing. The rebels live in plain sight and enjoy the support of most people. The current governor of Galilee has sent out men a time or two, but I don’t think he wants to find Hezekiah and Judas, for fear of riling everyone up.”

  “Who is Hezekiah?” James pointed at his scar. “And what does he have to do with this?”

  “Hezekiah is the man I’m going to take you to see, Nathan said. “He and Judas are cousins. Judas’s ideas have always been more radical than Hezekiah’s. They parted ways a few weeks before you were attacked. Judas and his men have gone into hiding in a remote part of Galilee.”

  Her brother’s brows rose. “Hezekiah is in Jerusalem. Why doesn’t someone arrest him?”

  “Hezekiah has many supporters,” Nathan said.

  A chill went through Alexandra. “You and Hezekiah are on speaking terms?”

  Nathan frowned. “I told you, the rebels are my friends and neighbors.”

  A bitter taste filled Alexandra’s mouth. She hadn’t considered the fact that the festival campground would be full of people loyal to the men who had attacked her family. Lord, please grant me strength and grace.

  CHAPTER 4

  They left the road and entered an orchard. Alexandra’s pulse quickened.

  Loud talk and laughter soon filled the air. Nathan led them on a zigzagging path through a maze of trees and tents, the smell of roasted lamb swirling about them.

  They came to an ancient, gnarled olive tree sheltering two black tents. A tall woman, probably Mary’s mother, worked over a cook fire at the edge of the leafy canopy.

  Alexandra and James followed Nathan to the larger tent. The flaps were rolled up, and a small man sat on a large, cushy pillow in the middle of the shelter. His face lit. “Son, did all go well?”

  Nathan crouched down next to the frail man. “It did. I’m sorry you had to miss it. You look a bit stronger now.”

  The aged man waved his hand. “It was nothing. A mere inconvenience.”

  Nathan laughed. “You could be on your deathbed and you’d say the same thing.”

  Merriment danced in the older man’s rheumy eyes. “I feel much better, and I’m glad of it, seeing you have invited more mouths to eat my food and to drink my wine.”

  Nathan held out a hand, inviting her and her brother to come closer. “James and Alexandra Onias, it pleases me to introduce you to my father, Joseph of Rumah.”

  Alexandra bowed her head, already liking the kindly, old man. It was a shame his health was so poor.

  Joseph smiled and patted a nearby pillow. “Come, tell me how the sacrifices went. I could hear the shouts from here.”

  James stood fast. A scowl marred his face. “After traveling so far, I am surprised you stayed away from the Temple.”

  Alexandra hunched her shoulders at her brother’s rudeness.

  The elderly man’s smile never faltered. “There is a we
ek yet to go. I hope to attend a service at the Temple at least once before returning to Galilee.”

  James shared a knowing look with her. “Our father was beaten half to death, yet he insisted on attending the required festival.”

  A twinkle entered the old man’s eyes “Ah, but your father is a religious man. He carries a heavy burden. I’m but a poor farmer.”

  “Father. Father.” The clatter of slapping feet put an end to the uncomfortable conversation. Mary and the apple-cheeked boy Alexandra had seen with Nathan earlier today raced up to Joseph.

  Mary spoke in a rush, “Timothy called me a silly sheep and told me to stop baaing over the maiden’s dance.” She dropped to her knees and took hold of her father’s hand. “I want to dance with the other maidens. Can I?” She looked over to Nathan for support.

  Alexandra held her breath, hoping the girl would get her wish.

  Nathan smiled and winked. “All of Mary’s friends will join the dancing.”

  Joseph patted Mary’s hand. “As much as I dislike it, I suppose I have to accept you are growing up. You have my blessing. You may go.”

  Mary threw her arms about her father’s neck. “Thank you. Thank you.”

  She stood and gave Nathan a hug, and then she wrapped her arms around Alexandra.

  Surprised, Alexandra laughed.

  Mary moved on to Timothy. The boy made a cross-eyed face. Everybody chuckled.

  The feel of Mary’s warm arms wrapped around her lingered with Alexandra, making her wonder what it would be like to have a life filled with loving hugs.

  Joseph pointed a finger at Mary. “Promise me you will ignore the young men who line up to watch the dance and choose a wife. Give me the pleasure of your company for a few more years, Daughter.”

  Alexandra sighed, marveling at the high regard Joseph had for Mary. Her own father thought unwed daughters a heavy burden. Alexandra and Lydia’s abrupt fall from grace at least had the virtue of proving him correct.

  “I promise,” Mary said. She turned her happy face up to Alexandra. “Are you going to join the maiden’s dance?”

  Though she hated to disappoint the dear girl, it couldn’t be helped. Her father would rage at her if she joined the dance in the vineyard. Alexandra opened her mouth to say no.

  But James answered for her. “My sister would be happy to join you.”

  Alexandra’s stomach knotted. Had an evil spirit got hold of her brother’s tongue?

  Mary clapped and hopped in a small circle.

  Alexandra smoothed her tunic. Her fingers shook. She looked up. Nathan was staring at her. She swallowed. Unnerved, she wanted to run back to the safety of her bed chamber. But she couldn’t. She’d come here to find out all she could about Lydia. More remained to be done. Alexandra clasped her trembling hands and tried to smile.

  Joseph of Rumah’s wife stopped by the tent entrance. “The food is ready.”

  “Rhoda, come and meet our guests,” Joseph said.

  The tall woman wiped her hands on her apron. “Move to the table and we can talk there.”

  Noise and confusion reigned from tent to table, but the family quickly sorted themselves out. Colorful mats ranged around the large, flat stone that served as a makeshift dining area. It looked nowhere near as comfortable as the cushioned couches and raised platforms the Onias family ate from, but the hospitality around the stone table more than made up for any deficiency. And something smelled delicious. Alexandra’s stomach growled.

  She stopped short. In all the excitement it hadn’t occurred to her they would be eating at an unclean table. A strict Pharisee, her father practiced a form of ritual pureness deemed rigorous even by stringent Pharisaical standards. Moses’ Law listed objects or persons considered unclean, and another whole set of directives aimed at making one clean after coming in contact with the unclean. Unlike common Jews, who either did not have the time, or the means, or the inclination to avoid the unclean, Pharisees aimed for perpetual purity. The Pharisaical strictures regarding the proper handling and preparation of food were particularly onerous. They were so exacting, in fact, some women marrying Pharisees had provisions written into the marriage contract requiring the husband to maintain two kitchens, one for himself and one for his family.

  Alexandra whispered a discreet warning to her brother. “Father would not want us to partake of their food.”

  “Our dear father,” James said, achieving a sarcastic note despite mumbling, “need not ever know.”

  Appetite gone, she struggled to get her food down. Gradually, though, thanks to the soothing influence of the Rumah family’s amiably chatter, she began to relax and enjoy the meal.

  She was fascinated by the active part Mary and Rhoda took in the discussions. Alexandra and Lydia were never invited to speak or give their opinion on any matter. When their father had company, she and her sister had to stay in their room.

  “Alexandra,” Joseph said, directing attention to her. “I hope you did not spill tears over Philip Peter. I think it disgraceful of the family to make a new engagement for their son so soon after breaking the agreement they had with your father.”

  A flavorful chunk of meat lodged burr-like in her throat. Embarrassed, she turned to James and silently begged him to speak for her.

  His eyes were as impatient as his words. “Answer the man.”

  Though surrounded by friendly and encouraging faces, she couldn’t make her mouth work. The dreadful silence stretched on and on.

  James exhaled an exasperated breath.

  Rhoda clapped to gain their attention. “Eat, eat, or you will have no time to deliver the olive oil.”

  Dinner was soon over and the family dissolved into a frenzy of hectic activity. Under Nathan’s deft supervision, the unruly clamor ended with the campsite set right and Joseph settled in bed for the night. Mary and Timothy burst with merry excitement.

  Alexandra’s trepidation grew and grew at the prospect of meeting the cousin of the man holding Lydia. Then there was the maiden’s dance to worry over.

  Too quickly it was time to go. Rhoda stayed behind with Joseph. The children and Nathan leading the way, Alexandra left the Rumah campsite behind and walked deeper into the olive orchard.

  ***

  Alexandra walked in the Kingdom of Heaven. Or so it seemed. The glow from a thousand campfires lit their way. Laughing children darted to and fro. Savory smells abounded. Ripples of cool air washed over her face. Silhouetted against the black sky, the naked branches of the olive trees stretched upward. The trees of the field shall clap their hands. The fanciful words of the psalm played over and over through her mind.

  Buoyed along like a bubble on the still air, the dream-like quality of the night burst when she came face-to-face with the leader of the Galilean bandits. Hezekiah left behind the large group of men sitting around his fire and came over and embraced Nathan in a big bear hug.

  Hezekiah didn’t look as menacing as Alexandra had expected. His smile was jovial.

  Nathan clapped the man on the back. Turning to her and James, he introduced them.

  The older man sobered. “Please accept my sincere apology for your unfortunate trouble.”

  “Unfortunate?” James said indignant.

  “Judas mistook your father for a Roman sympathizer.”

  Alexandra felt as though the ground moved below her feet. The trial they had endured, and still suffered from, was the result of a simple mistake?

  Through the buzzing in her ears, she heard Nathan ask, “Why is Judas still holding the girl?”

  Hezekiah smoothed his neat beard. “Judas claims the girl wants to stay.”

  James bristled. “We paid the criminal a generous ransom to get Lydia back.”

  Hezekiah held out empty hands. “Judas characterized it as a wedding present.”

  Mortified, Alexandra stepped forward. “You speak lies. Lydia is all goodness. She would never consent to marrying a thief and murderer.”

  Hezekiah narrowed his eyes at her and the oth
er men in the camp grumbled loudly over her interference. James huffed and spluttered.

  Nathan of Rumah remained an isle of calm. His brown eyes locked with her gray ones. “I think it best if you leave. Will you trust me to take care of this matter for you?”

  Alexandra nodded.

  Nathan sent her off in Mary’s care.

  The sweet girl’s nonstop chatter barely registering, Alexandra let herself be led blindly along. After winding this way and that, Mary eventually pulled her to a stop. Festive music sounded and someone took hold of her free hand. Propelled on her way once more, what initially seemed a blur of lights slowly resolved, revealing hundreds of winking lamps strung among grapevines and the twinkling of thousands of stars overhead.

  Dozens of girls wearing glowing white gowns weaved in and out of leafy lanes, sweet laughter trailing behind them. Instantly enchanted, Alexandra felt her burdens ease.

  The line of girls contracted. She and Mary were pressed close together. Breathless and full of joy, the young girl confided, “I will remember this night for the rest of my life! Bless you, bless you, bless you, Alexandra Onias, for coming with me tonight.”

  Pace quickening as the string of maidens uncoiled, Mary squealed and said, “here we go again.”

  Alexandra joined in the fun, skipping in time with the maidens and the music. The carefree bliss seduced. Drawn into the spirit of the maidens’ dance, she laughed and leaped and twirled. For the first time in her life she felt wholly alive.

  Mary tugged on her hand. “Nathan has come.”

  The onlookers a mere blur, Alexandra focused on finding his handsome face. She caught a glimpse of large, doe eyes. Lydia? But her sister couldn’t possibly be here. Alexandra twisted around for another look.

  Mary crashed into her and Alexandra fell face-first into the dirt. She craned her head back to see whose feet she had landed on and found Philip Peter, the man she had hoped to marry, glaring down at her. She scrambled to her feet.

  Philip Peter jumped back. “Away with you, woman!” Face thunderous, he held his hands up, warding her off. “The Lord as my witness,” he yelled, beseeching the astonished onlookers, “I washed my hands of this woman. Yet she shamelessly throws herself at me.”