“Extra tents have been set up near here. Eli, Tavor, and Jonathan are invited to share a tent. There is also a tent for the lady,” Amon said, with a gesture to Rachel.
“Thank you, Captain,” she said.
Amon straightened and smiled, apparently pleased for his part in making her comfortable.
Jasher rose from his seat, and the rest of them did likewise. As they all stood to leave, the general reminded Pekah that he was still conscripted, and told Amon to find him accommodations with the other soldiers. “However, you may stay with your Danielite friends if you wish.”
“No, sir,” Pekah replied. “I will stay with the other soldiers, as suggested.”
“I have an extra cot in my tent,” Captain Amon offered. “I doubt the barracks in the city have any free sleeping space. We’ve sent all those who do not have a bed here within the walls to an outpost north of Ain.”
“Very well,” Jasher said.
Outside the tent, and standing under a lantern which Amon held aloft, Pekah waved his goodbye to the others. “May you all sleep well.” He then turned and followed Amon into the darkness.
Jonathan let go of Rachel’s hand, then waved to Pekah as he left with Amon.
Pointing to a barely discernable form in the darkness, the cloud cover preventing the moons from illuminating the plaza, Jasher said, “That tent near the fountain has been prepared for the three of you men. Jonathan, I plan to gather my captains for our journey toward Saron soon after dawn. At first light, would your group join me for a quick meal?”
“Yes, General,” Jonathan replied. “I, too, would like to be on our way as soon as possible. There are many lives at stake in the north. I hope the armies can hold the walls of Ramathaim until we arrive.” He reached for Rachel’s hand and held it tight.
“So do I,” Jasher said. “Jonathan, would you please accompany me to the lady’s quarters?”
“Yes, I will,” Jonathan said, winking at Rachel.
“We’ll see you at our tent,” Eli said as he and Tavor left.
A short distance away from the general’s accommodations, yet apart from all others, stood a tent Jonathan hadn’t noticed before. Light spilled from the open entrance. Two guards were already posted there, and to Jonathan’s surprise, a beautiful Gideonite woman waited at the entrance, her face illuminated by a lantern hanging from the tip of a pole above her. She appeared to be quite young, but she stood tall and confident. When Jasher approached, the woman stepped forward to kiss him on the cheek. Both surprised, Jonathan and Rachel exchanged glances.
“This is my recently wedded wife, Abigail,” Jasher said. “Rather than eating dinner with the soldiers and having to listen to talk of war, she insisted on seeing the beautiful fountains of Ain. She arrived a few hours ago under escort with a message from my mother, who has been ill. Abigail has cared for her while I’ve been away.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Rachel said.
Holding Abigail’s hand, Jasher motioned to the others. “This is Jonathan and his betrothed wife, Rachel. Jonathan is the heir of Daniel, and he came with the soldier I told you about, the one who brought The Thorn.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too,” Abigail said, her head dipping forward.
“I admire your courage to travel during wartime,” Jonathan said.
“Sometimes she does not concern herself with whatever danger may be out there in the world,” Jasher teased.
Abigail poked Jasher in the ribs, making him wince.
Jasher took Abigail’s hand. “Because of the change in conditions here in Ain, I asked her to stay, but we are still at war. Would it be acceptable for Rachel to stay with her as a companion?
“I would sleep much better knowing you were in the company of another woman, rather than by yourself,” Jonathan agreed.
“Yes, that would be fine,” Rachel said. “Thank you very much for your kindness.” She smiled at Abigail.
Eyes bright, Abigail reached to take Rachel by the hands, seemingly delighted to make a new friend.
“Abigail, let’s leave these two alone for a few moments. These dutiful soldiers can be their chaperones,” Jasher teased. The soldiers posted at the tent saluted sharply. The general then offered his arm to his wife as the two of them meandered toward Jasher’s tent.
Jonathan took no more notice of the guards, and reached forward to brush a strand of hair from Rachel’s face. He then pulled her to himself. Rachel’s eyes glistened with joy as he held her, and she shivered in the cool night air.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked.
“I’m just thrilled to be here with you,” Rachel said as she stepped back.
Still holding her hands, he took in the beauty of her soft features under the lantern light. She took in a breath as if she wanted to talk.
“What is it? You seem to have a question.”
“When are you coming to Ramathaim with our letter of marriage? We’ve been betrothed for nearly a year now, and I’m getting anxious to know the date.”
Jonathan grinned at the prospect of finalizing their marriage. “That’s why we are going home, so I can tell Rezon to leave. He’s not invited to the celebration.”
Rachel let out a giggle as Jonathan pulled her close again, twirling her around as he did so. He held her there for a few minutes, warming her, and then bent down to kiss her tenderly on the forehead. Light from the two lesser moons bathed her fair skin.
“Don’t think you’re going to get away with a mere touch on my head, son of Samuel,” Rachel said, teasingly defiant.
He usually kissed her in a more subdued fashion, but now, with both hands, he brought her face to his and kissed her hard on the lips, making her flush. He did it again, just to show how much he enjoyed it. Rachel moved forward, resting her head on his chest. They held each other, Jonathan’s chin nestled against her warm cheek. Over Rachel’s shoulder, he could just make out a woman approaching, a glow-stone in her hand. As she got closer, he could see it was Abigail. He released Rachel with a final kiss.
“I pray you will sleep well this night, my dear lady.”
“And you, my prince.”
Both went away smiling, Rachel into her tent with Abigail, and Jonathan to his.
Chapter 18
'Kissing my sister again?” Eli asked with a low chuckle when Jonathan entered the tent.
“Guilty.”
“You’re a lucky man,” Tavor said. “I have not kissed the love of my life for more than two weeks.”
“How long have you been married now? Four years, right?” Jonathan asked.
“Almost five.”
“I still remember how hot it was that day. How is your family?”
“The twins have been very… busy lately. My Sarah is a wonderful mother, but the two boys really test her strength. I wish I were there to help.”
“I’m sorry you’re not home,” Jonathan said.
“I am too. Eli and I have been scouting about longer than I would have liked, and I worry about her.”
“I understand completely-I would feel the same way.”
Tavor’s gaze fell to the ground. He cleared his throat. “Jonathan, I’m very sorry to hear about your father. Samuel was one of the best men I have ever known.”
Jonathan briefly looked away. “Thank you, Tavor. I think so too.”
Eli’s loud yawn caused the others to do the same. Each man arranged his things by his cot and bedded down
