Othni glanced at the house. “We don’t know if anyone else is in there with her other than his wife.” He shifted his gaze to the men. “Tamir isn’t armed that I can see, and wouldn’t be much help anyway. Gilad and the other man are. But so is Enosh. If he is truly with us, we have the advantage. I say we go with Enosh—we trust Him and Yahweh.”
Trust Enosh with his life? With Acsah’s life?
Easy to say.
Harder to do.
Enosh? What was he doing here?
Acsah hovered at the edge of the common room. Why did they have to be so far away? Too far for her to hear anything.
Too close for her to escape.
Tamir was an odd fellow. He seemed to be a simple shepherd. He’d been genuinely welcoming. His wife—Hannah?—was even more charming. Not at all like Gilad had said.
His warnings rang in her ears. “You will be staying here for a while. If you try to enlist anyone’s help, tell anyone you were brought here by force, attempt escape or otherwise interfere with my plans, you can be assured I will take my revenge against Caleb and Othniel, once I am done with you.” She shuddered at the memory of his dark, lust-filled eyes taking in her figure, misshapen as it was.
“You must eat. You don’t look well.” Hannah’s warm hand on her shoulder interrupted her thoughts. “There’s no need to wait for my husband and the rest of the men to return.” She cackled, revealing a gap-toothed smile, and handed her a bowl of thick stew full of root vegetables and barley. “He loves visitors and he loves talking even more. They’d be out there for days, if he had any say in the matter.”
Which would give her a chance to run. If Hannah weren’t here. Although she didn’t seem to want to hurt her. Not the way Gilad had made it sound.
“Now sit, and eat that. Your baby needs it.”
Acsah sat, and dutifully scooped up some stew with bread and ate.
“Do you know how long your husband will be gone?”
Acsah coughed on the bread stuck in her throat. “What?”
“Your husband said he’d be going somewhere quite dangerous and wanted us to watch after you for a while since neither of you had family down here. He must love you very much.”
Acsah set the bowl aside and tried to stuff down the stew climbing back up her throat.
Hannah patted her on the back. “Are you all right?” She glanced toward the courtyard. “It’s all the noise. How can you relax with so much noise? Come toward the back, where it’s quieter.”
“That’s really not necessary—”
“Nonsense. It’s no trouble at all. We’ll be away from the children and the men … just what you need. And I will keep a close eye on you in case your baby decides to come. I know your husband is worried about you.”
No, no, no. How would she get away now?
Hands on daggers, Othni and Siah followed Enosh and Gilad, staying out of sight as much as possible.
Enosh had maneuvered the group so Gilad and his accomplice had their backs to Othni.
As they drew nearer, Gilad evidently heard them. He spun around, his hand grasping his dagger.
Tamir stepped back. “What is this?”
Please give me the right words. “My name is Othniel, shophet of Debir. The woman this man says is his, is mine. I have come to take her back home.”
Tamir folded his hands and rested them on his ample stomach. “I am afraid you have been misled. Gilad is my dear friend. She is his wife, and this is his companion.”
Othni squared his shoulders. “Gilad took my wife, by force, from my vineyard.”
“He lies.” Gilad spat out the words.
Tamir shrugged. “He says differently. As I know Gilad, and I do not know you, I must believe him.”
“He said you would keep her here for him in return for silver.”
Tamir sputtered. “I would do no such thing. He told me he was going on an unexpected and dangerous journey, and asked if I would look after his wife while he was gone. There was no mention of silver.”
A sly grin spread across Gilad’s face as he placed a hand on Enosh’s shoulder. “And now, my friend, as I promised you, Kiriath-Sepher is yours. There are four of us and two of them.”
Tamir scrambled over the fence, landing unceremoniously among the animals.
Othni’s stomach sank to his knees. Was this all part of a plot by Enosh to get them out here alone? Even without Tamir, three against two … and Gilad and his friend carried more muscle. Were they as skilled with a blade? Who knew? But a dagger in almost anyone’s hands could be deadly.
As Enosh advanced on Othni, his hand on the short sword strapped to his hip, every step lasted an eternity. Was nothing he said on the way to Juttah true? Why even bother coming? Just to watch as he betrayed them?
He halted before Othni, his face hard. “I told you I would claim this city as mine.” He glanced over his shoulder at Gilad. “I also told you I had nothing to do with this.”
All the tension washed from Othni’s body. Relief warred with the knowledge that Gilad and Omri still stood across from them, armed and now even more angry.
Enosh pivoted to face Acsah’s captors. “ I warned you not to harm anyone. Especially Acsah.”
“You weren’t making any progress. Planning, talking accomplishes nothing. You have to actually do something, so I did.” Gilad closed the distance between them, his eyes shooting daggers. “In fact, maybe I should be shophet. Then I could just keep that pretty wife of his. He doesn’t seem able to protect her ver—”
Othni lunged at Gilad, wrapping his arms around the man’s chest and sending both of them crashing to the ground. Othni sat up, straddling him, pressing his knees into his sides. He drew back his fist and landed a solid punch on Gilad’s jaw.
Gilad squirmed underneath him, but Othni leaned into his chest.
Off to the side, he could see Enosh and Siah keeping Omri out of the way.
Othni lowered his face to Gilad’s. “Stay away from my wife.”
Gilad sneered. “If I get out of here, I’ll come back for you. Then I’ll go after her, because there will be no one to stop me.”
A chill ran down Othni’s back. The momentary distraction was enough to allow Gilad to push Othni to his side. In one swift motion he stood to his feet and broke for his tent.
Siah shoved Omri at Enosh and took off after him.
Othni clambered to his feet and bolted. He could not allow Gilad to get anywhere near Acsah. He called on every last shred of energy he possessed and passed Siah. He could catch Gilad in two, maybe three strides.
Yahweh, please.
With one final kick of power he surged ahead. He stretched out his arm. He tackled Gilad, then turned him onto his back. This time, he drew his dagger and held it at the man’s neck. “According to the Law the penalty for kidnapping is death. Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t slit your throat right now.”
A fist gripped his wrist. He glanced up at Siah. “Because you don’t want that memory haunting you for the rest of your life. Let us take them to Hebron to be judged instead.”
Enosh approached, nearly dragging Omri who was bound, arms behind his back with his own sash. “You have enough to take care of in Debir. We’ll handle them.”
Othni regarded the man under his blade. Surrounded now, flat on the ground, he seemed far less a danger. Still, this man had taken his wife, and he wanted to exact the punishment himself.
Wasn’t that his right?
Acsah was thankful when a commotion in the courtyard caused Hannah to finally stop talking for a few moments. The woman had dragged her back here, insisting she rest, then proceeded to talk continuously about her five children, her twelve nieces and eighteen nephews … Under other circumstances, it might have been delightful.
“I thought I told them to go play at Sarah’s.” She rose and flounced toward the courtyard.
Was it safe? Could she follow?
Hannah gasped. “What are you doing? Let him go! He is a guest in our home. Tam
ir!” She ran back for Acsah. “Acsah, there is a stranger hurting your husband! He has a knife.”
Othni? Acsah jumped up, at least as much as she could jump these days, and rushed after Hannah. Then it hit her. Oh, no … she means Gilad. She slowed.
Yahweh, forgive me. She didn’t really wish him harm. Or did she? She certainly was in no hurry to save him.
“Tamir! Do something.” Hannah’s voice was panicked. What exactly Hannah expected him to do against an armed man when Tamir had liberally indulged in wine, was unclear.
At the tent’s entrance, Hannah pulled her into the courtyard. “Look! That man has a knife and is threatening your poor husband.”
“Oh! Thank you Yahweh!” Acsah grabbed Hannah’s arm and pointed to Gilad. “That’s my husband!”
“Of course he is. That’s what I’ve been saying.”
She shook her head. “No. The man on the ground is not my husband. The man with the knife is my husband.”
Othni stood, his back to her, and she ran to him, but Siah caught her before she reached him.
“His crime was committed in Debir. He should be judged there, not in Hebron,” Othni sheathed his blade as Gilad was helped to his feet.
“You cannot judge this. You are both victim and witness. You will not be seen as impartial.” Enosh removed Gilad’s sash and wrapped it around his wrists.
“And Caleb will? His daughter is the victim!”
“They have Levites in Hebron. They can judge.” Enosh tied another knot at his elbows.
“Othni.” Siah tried to get Othni’s attention.
“Give me a minute.” He snapped at Siah without turning around.
“Othniel.”
“What?” He spun around, and his face paled. He met her in a few short strides.
Siah released her, and she embraced him.
“I’m sorry. I just wanted him to pay for what he did to you.”
“I’m all right.”
He pulled back. “Are you sure? And the baby?”
She nodded. “He’s fine. Can we just go home now?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Siah spoke from behind her.
Othni glanced at the sky and nodded. “I’m afraid he’s right. It’s very late, much too late to travel.”
Acsah could not believe her ears. Why couldn’t they just go home? She did not want to spend the night in this tiny little town that smelled of sheep.
Enosh agreed. “Please stay here. It is too dark and too dangerous. Seraiah and I will take Omri and Gilad to Hebron in the morning.”
“It’s not good for the baby,” added Tamir’s wife.
That was all Othni needed to hear, apparently.
“I’m afraid I must agree.” Standing in front of his house, Tamir pleaded with them. “You may have my rooms. You can leave as soon as the sun peeks over the mountain. I will not be offended. But please, not now.” He herded them toward the house.
Acsah dropped to the ground, resting her head on her knees, and wrapping her arms around her legs. She should be thankful. She’d be sleeping next to Othni tonight, and she would be home tomorrow.
And Gilad could never hurt them again.
But she was tired and sore and hungry, and she just wanted to go home.
A familiar hand landed on her shoulder.
Othni rubbed circles on her back. If he wasn’t careful, she’d fall asleep right here.
She lifted her head and looked to where the ladder led to the roof. Acsah placed her hand on the ground and started to push herself up.
“No, no. Stay right here. I told Tamir we’d sleep in the courtyard. He was appalled, of course, but I know you’re exhausted. You don’t have to climb that ladder again; you don’t even have to move.” He shook out a light blanket.
Othni lay back. “Come here,” he whispered.
She laid her head on his shoulder. Her belly rested against his side. His cheek pressed against her forehead.
The ground was hard. Her back hurt and she was covered with dust.
But Othni had found her, and tomorrow she would be home. Everything else could wait.
Othni awoke next to his wife in a courtyard in a tiny village. The shepherd’s small children lay scattered around them, having fallen asleep wherever they finally collapsed, exhausted from the day’s play. Sheep bleated and owls called softly.
The sun had barely begun to paint the sky with its glorious colors. He lay in the silence, as the dusky grays gave way to deep violets, intense pinks, and fiery oranges, before finally dissolving to yellows and then the bright light of the summer day.
Watching something so infinitely beautiful could only fill him with praise—praise that he had not lost what held most dear.
Soft footfalls called him from his thoughts. He raised his head. Enosh and Siah led the would-be captors from the house.
He slipped his arm from under Acsah’s head and stood as quietly as possible, then hurried to meet them.
Siah checked the knots on the men. “You shouldn’t have risen. Go back to your wife.”
“She’s still asleep.” He glanced over at her. “Why don’t you take the donkeys?”
“You need them— ”
“We don’t. Acsah said she’s not interested in getting on another donkey any time soon. Besides, if you have one, if one of them gives you trouble you can knock him out and throw him on its back.”
“I still—”
“We’ll each take one.”
“I’ll get it.” Enosh left for the sheep fold.
“About last night …”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m not sure I would have had as much restraint as you did.”
“Will you two be witnesses enough?”
“Only need two. And Enosh is the one who actually saw him grab her and put her on the donkey.”
“I still think I should go. I want to see him punished. I want to see him—.”
“And that’s why you shouldn’t go. Go home and see your baby born. See life, not death.”
Hoofbeats sounded in the near distance.
Othni glanced at Enosh leading the donkey. “You trust him?”
“For this? Yes. For anything else? We’ll see.”
“I still don’t know.”
“If he’d wanted to hurt any of us, he could have done it by now.”
“Maybe. Keep your dagger close.”
Acsah left Othni stabling Donkey and rushed, as fast as her belly allowed, to Simona’s. She eased the gate open and crept toward Rapha’s quiet form lying on the ground. She softly gasped as she slid to her knees next to the young man who had fought so bravely to protect her.
Her fingers lingered over the swollen, purple bruises on his face. He had two cuts on his lip and another under his eye. Dark blue blotches splattered his chest and sides. A light cloth covered him from the waist down.
“Rapha, I’m so sorry.” She swiped her cheeks with both hands, unable to stop the tears from flowing. Why? Why would he take such a beating for them?
“He loves you very much. All of you.”
Had she voiced her question aloud?
Simona scooted in beside her and handed her a bowl of fresh grape juice. “You mustn’t feel guilty. This is not your fault. It's Gilad’s. Only his.”
“But it’s certainly not Rapha’s. And look how he has suffered.”
Simona adjusted the bandage on his arm. “Yes, he did. And the only things he has said are, ‘I’m sorry,’ and ‘Are they all right?’”
“What could he be sorry for?”
“I believe he thinks he failed you.”
Acsah put her hand over her mouth and sobbed.
Othni knelt beside her and gathered her close, but she pushed him back.
“Look what we did to him!”
“No, ahuvati. We did not do it. Gilad did.”
“But we allowed it to happen.”
Othni sat beside her and took her hands in his. “Acsah, listen to me. Rapha wants more than anything to
help those he loves. He’s much like you are in that respect. What do you think it would have done to him if we had told him he was not good enough, or clever enough, or strong enough to protect you?”
“We would have broken his heart.”
“Besides, I’m not sure Siah or I could have done any better against two of them, unarmed.”
She cocked a brow at him.
Othni grinned. “Did you see that black eye Gilad had?”
She laughed weakly. “Good point.” She took Rapha’s hand in hers. “Why isn’t he moving?”
Simona patted her arm. “I’ve given him lots of thyme and chamomile to help him rest. He was in a great deal of pain. But he’s quite alive, and he will heal.”
Acsah drew her finger down the splint on his left arm.
“That’s the only broken bone we found. He has a horrible bruise on his arm here”—she pointed to his bicep—“where it looks like he was struck by something other than a fist.”
The sickening thud of the branch as it hit Rapha’s arm sounded in her mind. “Gilad swung an acacia tree limb at him,” she whispered.
“He protected himself well.” Jedediah joined them on Rapha’s other side. “He has several bruises on his arms where he must have warded off some of the blows. He has many bruises on his sides as well. Gilad apparently kicked him while he was on the ground.” He scoffed. “Coward.”
“Rapha tried to get him to leave us alone, but he wouldn’t.” She gently pushed his unruly curls back from his face. “He hit back a few times, but mostly he just stood between Gilad and us, taking whatever Gilad gave him. Gilad knocked him down and h-he kept g-getting up.” She dissolved into sobs.
Simona checked the splint. “I promise you, he will be fine in several days. Other than his arm, he has only bruises. Bad ones, but only bruises. He will be in a good deal of pain, but he’ll be up walking and talking soon. Come by tonight. I hope to get him to eat some stew.”
“Can we take him home? I want to take care of him.”
“Tomorrow, perhaps. Let him rest one more day without moving him.”
Othni slipped his arm around her waist. “I want you to rest as well.”
“You are fine? No harm to you or the baby? The baby is still moving?” Simona searched her face.
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