new leather boots she had purchased at market had caused her feet to blister. To ease the pain, she had removed them and wrapped her feet in shreds of cloth. A lack of shoes caused them to bleed, but now that she had been in the camp for three days, her feet were starting to heal.
“Rachel,” Eli said softly, holding her by the shoulders, “I was very worried when I heard Saron had been attacked. When Jonathan and I discussed where you might be, we only suspected you might be in Ain. Thanks be to the Holy One that you are here, safe.”
Rachel’s eyes twinkled with delight at the mention of Jonathan’s name. Her face glowed with joy as she looked from right to left in the crowd, searching for her betrothed.
“He’s not in the city, my sister,” Eli said as he put his hand on her arm. “Before coming into Ain, Jonathan secreted himself in the hills-he awaits my return with news. Jonathan is not aware that General Jasher of Gideon has declared an end to the Gideonite aggressions, or that Jasher wishes to join Daniel and Uzzah in ending the conflict.”
Eli’s declaration startled her. “How can this be?” Rachel asked.
“This is Pekah…”
Pekah bowed at the introduction, his eyes holding hers as he did. Rachel politely nodded.
“He brought a message to the emperor-a message inspired by the Holy One. Manasseh rejected it. A great sign was given from the heavens, and General Jasher witnessed the demise of his leader. Jasher’s heart has been turned, and he has made an oath to join in the protection of Daniel and Uzzah. Our peoples have been freed!”
Tears flowed again down Rachel’s face, and Eli stepped closer to wipe them away. Eli kissed Rachel on the forehead, then held her close.
“How are your feet? Can you travel?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“I want to leave right away and go to Jonathan. Do you wish to come with me?”
Rachel put a hand on her mouth, then she looked away. “Where is he?” she whispered as she brushed hair from her eyes.
“I’ll take you to him.”
Her eyes bright, she pulled herself up and kissed Eli hard on the cheek. “Thank you for coming for me.”
“Jonathan made me.”
Her mouth fell open, then she punched Eli on the arm, making him laugh. “I need my boots!” Rachel said as she ran off to find them.
Pekah tugged at Eli’s sleeve.
“Hmm?”
“She… she’s beautiful,” Pekah stammered.
Eli grinned, with arms crossed. “Yes. Yes, she is.”
Chapter 15
Two days earlier, just after dusk the same night on which Pekah dreamed of his encounter with the emperor, Rezon’s army camped outside the city walls of Ramathaim. A rich, green aurora billowed near the southern horizon. Embers glowed bright in the campfire next to General Rezon’s tent, where four Gideonite guards stood at attention, one at each side of the lodging. The flickering of a torch within danced upon the thin canvas walls. In the cool, still air, Gideonite soldiers in the camp huddled in small groups around steaming pots of dinner, ignoring the watchman fires upon the high city walls behind them.
On their way to the general’s tent, three soldiers hastened past some troops who slurped on thin stew. Nearly tripping over each other as they went, the tallest of the three fumbled with the straps of his breastplate, while another held his sword and shield. Once they arrived at the general’s pavilion within a tight cluster of tents, the three men approached the guards and stated their business. One of the guards disappeared through the tent flaps and then returned, motioning them inside. They stooped through in single file and found themselves standing before the seated general.
Rezon looked up from a map spread over the table in front of him. He studied the three visitors through strands of sandy brown hair that had fallen out of a thin leather band about his head. He brushed his hair to the side as he stood, then stepped toward the men as two of them saluted him in unison, raising their hands high. The third soldier gawked at the general, staring at his unusual hair color. He did not salute.
Almost amused by the staring Gideonite, a smirk crossed Rezon’s lips. Embarrassed, the soldier’s gaze fell to the ground.
Rezon scratched the stubble on his unshaven face, and then said with indignation, “I’m sorry the color of my hair causes you such.. concern. My mother was a Danielite.” He returned to his seat and grabbed for a goblet. The soldier still did not look up. Rezon sipped a mouthful, swished the liquid around, and swallowed. He pointed at the soldier who had stared. “You are excused! As you leave, tell the guard at the entrance to see me at once.”
The man finally did salute as he left, his expression dejected. The posted guard appeared through the tent flaps, saluted, and waited for orders.
“Have that man arrested immediately,” Rezon barked. “Take him to the center of camp and flog him. Do not kill him, however. I want him-and those who witness his punishment-to remember it.”
The guard raised his hand and ducked out. The other two soldiers remained at attention before the seated general. The face of the tallest remained expressionless, even stolid, yet the other wore a crooked smile.
After a thoughtful exhale, Rezon addressed them again, using his goblet to motion in their direction. “Which one of you is Ilan and which is Zev?”
The tall soldier blurted, “I am Ilan, and this is Zev.”
“I like the name Zev, ” Rezon replied as he set his goblet down and crossed his arms. “I need a wolf right now. In fact, I need an entire pack of wolves. Do you know why my chief captain chose you?”
Both Ilan and Zev said, “No, sir.”
Rezon regarded the two soldiers, inspecting their uniforms. Both were outfitted in the characteristic fashion of other Gideonite captains, and even had a remarkably similar appearance. They were of pure Gideonite descent, with short-trimmed, wavy hair almost as black as night, complemented by clean-shaven faces. Both were battle- hardened, about thirty years of age, and their darkened eyes showed the signs of many years of indulgence in various vices. This pleased Rezon.
He stood, drew the dagger from his belt, and placed it on the table in front of him, deliberately pointing the blade at the two soldiers. Recognition lit Ilan’s and Zev’s faces, and they stiffened. The general moved to stand next to his table and placed his fists at his side. He then spoke in soft tones intended to keep the outside guards from overhearing their conversation.
“You were chosen because Jael trusts you. You are trustworthy, are you not?”
Both men enthusiastically answered, “Yes.”
Rezon paced to the edge of the tent. “How very unfortunate the other man proved to be less than qualified.”
Returning to the table, he pointed at each of the men in turn. “You are here to help me. I have been given the delightful task of bringing Daniel and Uzzah into subjection. This task will be complete within a few days from now. Once I’m done, I am to return to Ain. If they can be found, I will present either the scepter of Daniel, or the head of the heir himself, to the emperor. I am confident the Danielite escaped here, to the great Uzzahite holy city. He surely has the scepter.”
Rezon paused and reached for his goblet again, draining all that remained. He looked at the wineskin hanging from the center pole of the tent, but did not retrieve it. Instead, he set the goblet down, and then almost shouted, “I do not want to bring them to Manasseh!” He stopped, wanting his statement to have some shock effect on the two men. They only stood straighter.
“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
