“We are here with a purpose, King,” Juan answered.
“Under whose application?”
“The King of Tarshish. He asks we serve as ambassadors to your land to learn more of your mighty kingdom.”
Solomon looked at Juan and Diego suspiciously. “What does your king hope to learn?”
Juan opened his palms as he spoke. “He has heard of your great deeds from those who travel and trade between our lands. Our king wishes to learn from such an able ruler as to how he might better Tarshish.”
Solomon studied Juan for a few moments. Juan was convinced that his words had pleased Solomon but was forced to wait for the verdict. As they were studied, Juan could also feel the eyes of the Solomon’s advisers and warriors that lined the side of the rooms. Juan knew that with a simple nod, both Diego and he would be struck down there in the court.
Instead, Solomon smiled. “I will be happy to host you in my home a while longer. Is there anything else I can offer you while you are here?”
Juan knew this was the moment to progress on their intentions. “We thank you for your generous hospitality, King. If we may be so bold, we would also ask that we be allowed to look upon the Ark of the Covenant. The stories of the Ark have inspired many and those stories have made their way to our land. It would mean much to our king if we were allowed to pray in the presence of the Ark.” Without giving Solomon an opportunity to rebut, Juan finished his request, “We would be honored if you personally show us your temple and the Ark.”
Solomon studied Juan for a long time. He could tell that the true intentions of the men from Tarshish had been left unsaid. Juan had spoken sufficiently to be allowed view of the inside of the temple and the Ark. The Ark, after all, was not his but God’s. He was merely the keeper of the Ark and it was not his place to deny such a heavenly gift to any man.
All the same, he did not want to be made a fool in his own temple. He was not concerned with Juan and Diego stealing the Ark as the temple was heavily guarded. He was not worried about either man harming him. I may be old, he thought, but I was once the greatest warrior in Israel. I can take on these two men until my guards join my side.
After some time considering, he realized that the only way to discover their true intentions was to go along with their request. “Very well. Tonight you shall dine with me and in the morning, we will go to the temple. There, you will be allowed to pray to God as you see fit.”
Juan and Diego thanked Solomon for his graciousness and were dismissed.
Juan was anxious but also eager. He would use that evening’s dinner to get to know Solomon and erase the doubts that Solomon had about them.
After a short period of time, tailors came to their room to fit them in new clothing for the evening: gifts from Solomon. Within an hour, their new wardrobe was complete and Rehoboam knocked on their door. He took a few moments to make sure they were satisfied with the style and fit of their clothing and when he was confident all was in order, he asked them to follow him.
He led them to the Hall of King Solomon where dinner would be served and where they would begin the process of convincing the king to assist them in changing the future.
CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR
The aroma of roasted meat ensnared Juan. They spotted the table that hosted Menelik and Rehoboam motioned to the empty seats next to him. Menelik waived them over.
The table before them was an assortment of food with the centerpiece a roasted ibex surrounded by a range of roasted nuts and fruits. “I see we finally found you some decent clothing,” Menelik commented as they were seated.
“These are very fine. Thank you for your hospitality,” Juan replied and Menelik nodded appreciatively. “Where is your father?”
“He likes to make an entrance,” Rehoboam answered.
Juan looked out at the room that seemed to buzz with a life of its own. The men were dressed in a variety of styles which reflected their region of the kingdom. Women in loose silk garments served the food and expertly avoided the wondering hands of the drunken attendees.
One of the women brought over mugs of ale crafted from honey. Juan took a drink and reflected back on the similar ales of the Northlands. “My compliments.”
“It’s Rehoboam’s own recipe,” Menelik noted.
Diego drained his first mug and a second mug was handed to him before his empty mug hit the table. He nodded appreciatively at the woman and she returned a smile that Juan had seen other women give Diego before.
Diego watched her walk away before turning his attention back to the room. If nothing else, feasts were always good for a few brawls and he expected this one to be no different.
No weapons were permitted inside of the banquet room but that did little to prevent men from being severely hurt or even killed. Diego knew that an ale mug could make an efficient weapon. So far, however, men were content to idle in conversation (or they weren’t drunk enough to fight).
After some time, horns blew announcing the arrival of King Solomon. Rehoboam leaned towards Diego, “I told you he likes to make an entrance.”
Solomon slowly made his way around the room and ultimately to the table that contained his two sons. To
