The Chronicles of Gan: The Thorn (19 page)

“Manasseh, the Great
Emperor of Gideon, has asked that I do all of this
for him
, thinking that
the peoples of Daniel and Uzzah will submit to his will as an ass
does to its master, while they grind corn together at the mill. I
know something of Daniel, however, and they will never follow a man
of Gideon.

“But I . . . am
not
just a man of
Gideon!” His piercing gaze held both soldiers still.

“What would you have me do?” offered Zev,
with evident anticipation.

Rezon turned away.
Purposely avoiding eye contact, he spoke to the tent wall. “If only
the emperor could be . . .
convinced
.” He turned back, his
eyebrows high, lips curled.

Zev leered at Ilan, his grin sinister. He
stepped up to the table and picked up the general’s dagger, holding
it in his right hand. Wincing, he squeezed the razor-sharp blade. A
drop of blood appeared on the bottom of his grasping hand. Zev
placed the dagger back on the table, and then opened his hand,
showing two fresh cuts in his palm and fingers. A small amount of
blood pooled in his hand, covering other cuts which had previously
healed.

“I will remove Manasseh from his place, else
I will be removed from mine,” Zev said as he wiped the blood across
his own bare neck with the final word.

Without hesitation, Ilan also approached the
table to take the dagger, his eyes fixed on Rezon. He repeated the
same oath, in the same fashion as Zev. When both of the men
standing before him had blood smeared across their necks, Rezon
picked up his dagger and wiped the flat of the blade on the palm of
his right hand. He then sheathed the weapon without cleaning
it.

“I am very pleased. Leave tonight, and
return to me when it’s done. I have arranged for your provisions
and for horses.”

Ilan and Zev smartly saluted and turned to
leave. Rezon called them back. He unbuckled his leather belt from
around his green tunic, slipped the dagger and sheath from it, and
set the belt down on the table.

“Here,” Rezon said as he handed the sheathed
weapon to Zev. “Use this with care.”

Zev gave a bow, and the two soldiers
left.

Rezon stood alone in silence. He let out a
laugh, so deep and low it sounded like a grunt. The prospect that
he would soon be in command of the entire Gideonite army danced in
his mind, his greed and lust for power making his pulse
quicken.

He returned to his chair after replacing his
belt, at a loss of what to do next. While tapping the table with
the bottom of his empty goblet, his mind wandered. Thoughts of the
coming siege held his attention briefly, but then he called to the
guard outside his door.

“What is your wish?” the soldier asked when
he entered.

“I’m lonely. Bring me a prisoner—and I will
not be pleased if she’s ugly.”

The guard saluted and left. Rezon refilled
his goblet, then sat down. A coin on the table caught his eye. He
picked up the solar and flipped it over to see Manasseh’s image.
Closing his eyes, he rubbed the surface of the coin with his thumb
and smiled.

Chapter 16

Jonathan

T
he cold water from the fountain caused Rachel to gasp as she
washed the dried stains of blood and dust from her calloused feet.
Taking care not to make them bleed again, she ignored her
discomfort and cleaned the healing cuts the best she
could.

“Are you all right?” Eli asked as he
approached.

“Yes, it just stings.”

“Do you think you can wear your shoes?” he
asked, holding them up.

“I believe so. Earlier today I washed my
stockings, and a woman who lives in this part of the city gave me
some oil to soften the boots. I’ve been working the leather.”

She put on her stockings and took the boots
from Eli’s outstretched hands. After latching the brass buckles,
she stood to test them. She smiled, pleased to be able to stand
without pain. “They feel much better.”

“I’m glad. Are you sure you can travel in
them?”

Rachel paused. She hadn’t
seen Jonathan in weeks, and the thought of him being just outside
the city was almost more than she could stand. “Eli, I would
walk
barefoot
to
see him.”

“I know,” Eli chuckled.

* * *

Pekah stood near Tavor and Amon while they
discussed their plans. Travel arrangements were finalized as Eli
and Rachel approached.

“Are we ready to leave?” Pekah asked.

“I believe we are,” Eli said.

“Eli, is this your sister?” Amon
inquired.

“Yes, Captain. This is Rachel.”

“I am Amon of Gilad, a captain of Gideon,”
he said, voice rumbling. He bowed, and Rachel dipped her head
toward him.

“Your brother has told me the heir of Daniel
is nearby in the foothills outside Ain, and he means to bring him
here so we may meet. I’ve arranged for horses for both of you, and
a small group of soldiers as an escort. When you return, I invite
you to accompany me to the central plaza, where we will all meet
with General Jasher.”

“Thank you very much for your kindness,”
Rachel said.

Eli spoke. “Captain, we plan to return
before the evening meal.”

“Wonderful!” Amon said. “I’ll be expecting
you. I look forward to meeting this Danielite.”

Following Amon, they made their way back to
the plaza where they found a small contingent of men tending enough
horses for everyone, including an extra mount to bring Jonathan
back, and light provisions, should they be delayed in their return.
Amon said his goodbyes and left for his tent.

“Would you like help?” Eli asked Rachel,
holding the reins of her horse.

“I can manage.”

“But your feet . . .” Eli protested.

Pekah chuckled. “Better not argue with your
sister,” he said.

“So true!”

They all paused as she
mounted the horse side-saddle. Once she settled in, the men readied
themselves. The Gideonite captain assigned to accompany the group
did not say much, but motioned for them to follow. They went at a
leisurely pace. This gave Pekah another chance to admire the
fountains and balconies of Ain. Although beautiful in their own
right, the cities of his homeland were significantly more plain—no
fountains, and the buildings were typically made of large
timbers.
I would live
here
, he thought.

It did not take long for the group to
navigate through the maze of streets, and they soon found
themselves outside the city walls with the gates closed behind
them. The escorting captain rode around the group to get a
headcount. Once he was certain none had strayed, he gave the
command to ride.

As they rode, a gentle breeze carrying the
scent of farmland reminded Pekah of the abandoned farms, untended
animals, and quiet homes he had seen previously. A milk cow grazing
on an open hillside caught his attention. The sight of the loose
animal reminded him that the families had not yet returned to their
homes.

Soon they left the outskirts of the city,
where they began the gradual ascent of the winding switchbacks.
Pines and oaks were scattered along the road, but the trees did not
obscure the view of the tops of the hills or the rocky outcroppings
in the heights on the north side of the pass.

Pekah watched the area intently, hoping to
catch a glimpse of their friend, but searched in vain. A hawk
circled near the top of the rise, taking advantage of the late
morning thermals, but nothing else moved in the area. The twin
suns, warm and bright above them, felt good to him.

Conversation had been scarce during the
short ride, but now that they neared the top of the switchbacks,
they fell silent. The Gideonite soldiers who had provided the
escort now motioned Pekah to direct their way. He led them off the
road and across a dry stream bed, where they stopped near some
trees at the base of the rock outcroppings. Pekah dismounted and
tethered his horse. Eli joined him. Except for Rachel, the rest of
the riders remained in their saddles. She jumped down from her
perch. Her mouth open, she craned her neck, searching. Pekah
cheerfully accepted the reins from her hand and tied her horse to a
tree branch next to his own.

“We should look there,” Eli said, pointing
farther up the hillside. “I think Jonathan would have chosen a more
secluded spot above us for his refuge.”

Pekah thought about it and agreed. Rachel
remained behind, but he followed Eli a short distance to a spot
between two rock outcroppings, both as large as wagons. Pekah
leaned into the slope to continue climbing. A few pebbles tumbled
down from above them, causing both men to look for the source.

A familiar face appeared around one of the
massive piles of stone. Jonathan appeared to be nervous, holding
his bow defensively while he watched the company of Gideonites
waiting a bow-shot away.

“Everything’s fine!” Pekah assured him.

Jonathan looked at Pekah, at Eli, then at
Tavor among the soldiers. He seemed to relax. Then his eyes fell on
Rachel.

Pekah turned his head to see Rachel
stumbling up behind him, her eyes wet. Jonathan returned his arrow
to his quiver and hurried down to her. Before she could embrace
him, he fell to his knees, grabbed her hand, and held her palm to
his cheek as he closed his own tear-filled eyes. She stooped to
wipe his wet cheeks with her other hand, then tugged at his shirt
sleeve until he stood.

Jonathan did, and with a gentle pull, he
brought her close and held her. With her head nestled near his, the
two of them whispered several things unheard by the rest of the
party. There were nods from Rachel, and even a slight giggle. He
held her for a few more moments and then released her, but kept her
hand tightly in his own as if not willing to let it go.

Pekah and Eli stepped closer to the pair,
both grinning.

“Glad to see you,” Eli said. “I can hardly
wait to tell you what has happened.”

Jonathan surveyed the faces in the group
below, taking extra time with those who were Gideonite. He motioned
for Pekah to come closer, and then in a hushed tone asked, “Why are
they here, if you’re not a prisoner?”

Speaking in a manner and volume intended to
address the entire group, Pekah told Jonathan they had all come as
an escort to find him, and General Jasher of Bezek had declared an
end to the conflict.

“Jonathan, the Three Brothers are once again
at peace!”

“Tell me how,” came Jonathan’s incredulous
reply.

“I assure you, it’s true. Eli will tell you
everything while we ride back to Ain. Shall we go?”

Jonathan nodded, then proceeded to escort
Rachel to her mount, an arm around her shoulder. Falling to one
knee and steadying her hand, he provided a step and lifted her
gently to her seat. Rachel did not protest as she had with Eli. Her
eyes bright, she beamed at him, and he kissed her hand before
releasing it.

Taking his place on a steed provided by
Tavor, he begged them for a drink. “My water skin ran dry this
morning. I was too far from the river and didn’t want to leave my
lookout.”

Eli handed him a water skin as the group
began their descent on the winding road toward Ain. He asked about
Jonathan’s previous night under the stars.

“I used young pine boughs to make my bed
comfortable, but I didn’t sleep well. Too worried, I suppose.”

As they rode, Pekah frequently glanced over
to watch Jonathan, noticing that he would often reach out to touch
Rachel’s hand whenever their eyes met. He felt a twinge of jealousy
as he witnessed their tender exchanges. He let out a sigh, masked
by the clomping of horses’ hooves.

Pekah’s mind wandered back to the
conversations being carried on between the riders. He found Eli
relating the tale of their arrival in Ain on the day previous. Eli
told of the reception they received and everything else leading up
to the final scene with Manasseh, taking special care to describe
the emperor’s violent and angry reaction when Pekah refused to hand
over The Thorn. Eli stopped his narration and motioned for Pekah to
finish the story.

Pekah kept his gaze upon the horse’s ears
before him, self-conscious about his part in the tale. Choosing his
words with care so as not to bring attention to himself, Pekah
tried to describe the manifestation of power from above. “A fierce
wind blew in the building. It was like being in a storm, but it
wasn’t dark. A light entered the room as if from heaven. Jonathan,
I could feel it.”

“You could feel the light?”

“Yes. It felt like fire, but it did not burn
me. And it was stronger than the wind. The light flashed through
The Thorn and hit Manasseh. He immediately died, and the building
shook and fell apart.”

“I saw it!” Jonathan said, startled. He
leaned forward in his saddle with an intense look on his face.

“You saw what?” Eli asked.

“The light! Early this morning, I sat
watching the city. The ground shook, and I saw a flash of light. I
worried that something terrible had happened.”

“That’s when we were talking to Manasseh!”
Pekah said.

All three men fell silent, the significance
of the event sinking in.

Now thoughtful, Pekah touched the leather
bag hanging from his neck. Realizing that Jonathan had never asked
for the scepter to be returned, he mentioned it, but Rachel had
Jonathan’s attention. Apparently confused by the story, she asked
more questions, which Jonathan and Eli answered. Pekah listened. By
the time they were within sight of the city gates, Pekah forgot his
desire to give the scepter back.

In the distance, they
could see the banners of Gideon flapping in the wind, now joined by
the banners of both Uzzah and Daniel. A lump rose in Pekah’s throat
when he saw the colors posted together.
And in my lifetime
, he thought.
Reviewing the chain of events that had brought him from Hasor to
Ain, he marveled.