brandished their weapons, and angry shouts rose from the crowd. A wounded prisoner sat on the street, being tended by another. As Jasher and Amon approached, the captain hollered for silence.
“What happened here?” Jasher demanded.
The captain stiffened. “When we explained that you would soon arrive to free the prisoners, several of these men called us liars. One of them rushed forward with a rock in his hand. We did only what was necessary to control the crowd.”
Pekah looked at the Danielite who sat on the cobbled street, holding up his wounded arm so it could be wrapped with a strip of cloth. The injury appeared to be superficial. A large stone lay nearby.
Jasher pointed to the captain. “Take the man to the medical tent in the plaza so the wound can be properly dressed. Then set him free.”
The wounded Danielite gaped, amazed.
“Help him up,” the Gideonite captain ordered. A group of five soldiers broke away to assist in carrying out the general’s request, and they all left.
Amon escorted Pekah and Eli to the front of the holding area. Standing before Jasher’s group were two men, one a captain from Daniel and one from Uzzah.
“Tavor!” Eli cried out as they met. Tavor managed a meek smile, but did not say anything in return. Looking around at the assembled crowd, comprised mostly of Gideonites, Tavor’s expression soured. The Danielite captain next to Tavor clenched his teeth, his lips curled almost into a snarl. Eli could say no more before General Jasher introduced himself.
“I am Jasher of Bezek. I am a general of Gideon, and I have received news delivered by these men,” he paused, pointing to Pekah and Eli, “which has changed my entire perception of this war, almost in an instant! I am here to speak with the leaders of your peoples, so we might come to an agreement. I desire a permanent treaty, so peace might be had once again in the land.”
Tavor’s jaw dropped. The Danielite captain mumbled something under his breath in surprise. Jasher gave them both time to recover, and then proceeded to tell the two men all that had befallen both Amon and himself earlier that morning, including the fate of Manasseh and the covenant made by the men under his command. He then said, “I wish to end this war. Will you join me in doing so?”
Tavor still did not appear to believe what he was hearing. He backed a few steps away from Jasher in distrust, and looked to Eli for help. Eli nodded in affirmation and stated, “It’s true. This is his sincere desire. I am joining with him myself.”
The Uzzahite warrior studied his own commanding officer with some suspicion, but when he saw the sincerity in Eli’s face, a smile appeared. Tavor put forward his hand, taking Jasher at his word. The two of them made their oath, and then the Danielite captain did the same.
“You and your peoples are then free!” Jasher declared. “Please gather your leaders and come to the central plaza, where we will make plans for a very important journey. Together, we will commit the rest of the Gideonite armies to our cause!”
With that, General Jasher spun around on his heel and left them all standing there in wonder. A small contingent of soldiers followed Jasher as a bodyguard detail, but the rest stayed behind, talking to Captain Amon.
Eli almost pounced on his friend. He gave Tavor a great bear hug, just as he had Jonathan four days earlier. Tavor choked and pushed him off, patting Eli on the arms.
“How has this happened?” Tavor begged of him.
“I’ve made a new friend,” Eli said, pointing to Pekah. “This man is responsible for your release. His brave actions before Manasseh changed the heart of the general, who in turn has convinced the entire Gideonite army here in Ain to unite with Daniel and Uzzah!”
Pekah introduced himself.
“Thank you,” Tavor said, “for whatever it is you have done. I’m grateful for it.”
Pekah blushed and looked away at first, but then turned to say, “You’re welcome.”
Eli chided Tavor for leaving him at Hasor, as if it was his fault. The three men laughed together until Eli’s countenance turned from excitement to anxiety.
“Have you seen Rachel?” Eli asked, his expression earnest.
Tavor held up a reassuring hand. “Yes. She is here, and well. She cares for some of the wounded and sick.” He then pointed, adding, “She’s near one of the other fountains of the city.”
“Tavor, please take us to her!”
Interrupting, Amon stepped closer and said, “We should go together. That will allow my men to spread the word as we go, and therefore prevent conflict.”
“As you wish,” Eli agreed.
Following Amon, the entire body of soldiers entered the holding area. As they tromped through the streets, captains accompanied by their small bands peeled off to gather prisoners around them, declaring their freedom. Their jubilant message went through the crowds faster than they could walk, a cry of “The Three Brothers are again united!” echoing down the city streets before them. The profound declaration made Pekah’s skin tingle with excitement.
Leaders from the tribes of Daniel and Uzzah pressed close for news as the mob flowed farther into the neighborhood. At first, this caused confusion among some of the prisoners, but when they witnessed Eli, Tavor, and the Danielite captain walking among the Gideonites, many of them realized something extraordinary had taken place.
By the time the crowd reached the fountain, over three hundred men, women, and children trailed behind in a long procession. Captain Amon waved Pekah and Eli onward, then turned away from the main group in order to take care of business with other soldiers.
It did not take but a moment of searching the area for Eli to spot Rachel, and he called out to her. The woman stood from her work of checking the bandages of a wounded Danielite soldier and pulled her straight auburn hair back into a knot behind her. Recognizing Eli, she ran to fall into his outstretched arms and burst into tears of relief. Eli cried openly as he patted her back and whispered words of encouragement.
Made uncomfortable by their emotional reunion, Pekah stepped back to give them privacy. When Eli released her, Pekah stood closer but did not speak.
“Are you well?” Eli said tenderly.
“I’m very tired,” Rachel said as she put her hands to her cheeks to stifle a yawn. “Because we have no bedding, it has been hard to sleep.” She let her hands fall, then briefly looked away. “And I’m hungry. The Gideonites have fed us, but the rations have been small.”
Pekah could see her hair was visibly soiled in parts, and there were minor tears in her brown, front-laced dress. She had pulled the dress up to mid-calf, girding it about her hips with a green sash. The hem of her garment was also riddled with snags and mud, and her bare feet showed signs of recent bleeding. Hints of deep sorrow softened her brown eyes. Although he was not responsible for her discomfort, the pitiful sight tugged at Pekah’s heart.
Seemingly anxious to share all her burdens, Rachel volunteered the events of the past week in quick succession. She explained that the Gideonite army attacked Saron just as she left the market, and all the goods and money she had obtained by the sale of the spring lambs were lost.
“Eli, Asah is dead.” Rachel sniffed.
Eli shook his head, horror in his eyes. “What happened?”
“Our caravan had just started along the road to Hasor when we were attacked. Asah told me to run, and he tried to fight off a soldier who saw me trying to escape. But it was too late. We were surrounded. I ran back to our cart to find Asah dead.” Tears welled in Rachel’s eyes.
Eli held her again, his eyes misty. Looking over Rachel’s shoulder at Pekah, he said, “Asah is my father’s steward. Since Father is the High Priest of Uzzah, Asah has always taken care of the family property. He is a good friend.”
Pekah acknowledged Eli with a nod. He could find no words of comfort, and he sighed, wishing he knew what to say.
Still holding his sister, Eli asked about her arrival in Ain. Rachel wiped her eyes and pulled away. She then told of their march from Saron, through the Geber Pass, and finally into the city of fountains. She explained that the
