tens of Uzzahites scattered here and there. Before him, a sea of raven-emblazoned breastplates covering the green tunics of Gideon was accented by the humble browns and grays of Daniel, and garnished with the coarse whites and browns of Uzzah.
Above them, Azure and Aqua were hidden behind a tapestry of gray, causing the morning to be cool, yet slightly humid, as the mists of the previous night lifted from the damp cobblestones of the plaza. Jonathan peered heavenward, hoping to catch a glimpse of the blue suns, but could not make them out. Now three days since the Sabbath, the two sisters were surely as far apart as they could be.
His neck ached. He rubbed it, noticing his own fatigue. Aimlessly scanning the crowd, his gaze fell on Jasher, who whispered to his next in command. Amon nodded, and Jasher lifted his hands until all chatter died.
“I wish to make good time in our travel today, so we are going to leave at once. We will take five hundred. Others are still gathering, and will bring up the rear with the supply wagons. I have arranged for horses for our group, especially on account of the women who will be traveling with us.”
A particularly rotund Gideonite shouted from the back of the crowd, “Will the emperor’s chamber be loaded up and brought with us?” His deep voice rumbled across the plaza, and those who heard him turned to look at the platform. Jonathan could see the dark wood flooring, once part of the portable stateroom of the emperor, and right next to it, a pile of broken beams, splintered lumber, and other pieces of ruin.
Jasher hesitated, but then responded gravely, “No. We will leave it. Let the Danielites of Ain have it. Perhaps they wish to save it for a memorial, so their children will remember what happened here yesterday when a very brave man named Pekah came to visit the emperor of Gideon…” Jasher’s voice trailed off, and then with a tremor in his voice, he exclaimed, “And remember today, when Gideon rides with Daniel and Uzzah. May our peoples never war again!”
A cheer went up from the group. Jonathan felt Jasher’s humble words pour into his own heart, and he was thrilled by the joy and excitement shining in faces all around him. Many in the group shook hands in friendship, and a break in the clouds spilled light across the city.
Rachel squeezed Jonathan’s hand, but he hardly noticed she had done so at first. She tugged a little harder, finally getting his full attention. He turned to see tears of joy in her eyes, apparently also deeply touched by Jasher’s pronouncement. Grateful for her sensitivity, he pulled her close and felt her warmth.
Daniel. Uzzah. Gideon.
Jonathan soaked up every detail-the crowd, the fresh smell of the light fountain mist floating in the air, the blast of a horn as Jasher waved the troops out of the plaza, Rachel’s hand in his. Everything about the experience made his skin tingle.
“I will remember this forever, Rachel.”
“Which part will you remember most?”
“The tribes, all together. Our children will hear the story of this day until I’m too old to tell it, or they are too tired of hearing it.”
“You will be a wonderful father, Jonathan.” Rachel pulled him close and kissed him.
Chapter 19
The next day Jonathan awoke to the warm glow of both suns and heard the enthusiastic chirping of birds in the trees all around him. They had camped in the Geber Pass, their tents filling every level spot next to the road that hugged the Saron River, winding between craggy cliffs and sheer rock faces. Gurgling from the swift water echoed against the nearby rock walls on the east, while the clangs, scrapes, and voices typical to any breakfast scene for several hundred soldiers bounced through crevices and cracks on the west.
Jasher’s company, led by Amon, had been joined by three other captains of fifty during the previous day, and the smoke from fires belonging to two thousand others was strung out as far as they could see toward the valleys and mountains of Ain-the city itself no longer visible in the distance. Most of the men in Amon’s camp had eaten and darted about in preparation to march once again.
Jonathan stood with Eli, Pekah, and Tavor, all dressed in Gideonite armor. A breastplate large enough for Eli had been found and brought to the camp during the previous evening’s meal. He wore it proudly.
Searching for either Captain Amon or the general, Jonathan spied Jasher apart from the camp, talking to Abigail. Eager to get Jasher’s opinion about leaving right away, he motioned to the others, and they started walking. As they approached the couple, Jonathan realized they were whispering. He held back, not wishing to interrupt any conversation intended to be private, but Jasher noticed them and waved them over.
“Good morning, Lady Abigail and General Jasher,” Jonathan greeted.
Abigail smiled and bowed. The general stepped forward and gripped the heir of Daniel by the hand.
“What a beautiful morning it is!” Jasher exclaimed.
“I don’t mind a little rain, but it certainly is nice to see the suns again after a day of total gray. Far better for travel, too.”
“With weather like this…” Eli said with a suspenseful long pause and a yawning stretch, “I am going to need another breakfast.”
“You would eat three, if offered,” Tavor chided with a wink.
Eli appeared shocked at the accusation, and then sheepishly shrugged his shoulders in a most exaggerated manner, causing his bright red beard to bunch up.
They were interrupted by the noise of horses riding fast from the north, and all turned to see who approached. Two Gideonite soldiers, both with wavy hair as black as night, rode up to the small group, pulling their mounts to a stop. The tallest one dismounted first and held both horses in place, but the shorter, stronger one jumped from his perch, heading straight for the general.
“General Jasher,” he declared, “I am Zev. Ilan and I have been sent by General Rezon to deliver an important message to the emperor. Where can I find him?”
Jasher studied them, but did not answer.
Something peculiar about these two, Jonathan thought, watching them closely.
“The emperor is not in our company,” Jasher finally replied. “Can we talk about this message privately? I can then take you to Manasseh, if need be.”
Ilan shot Zev a troubled glance, but did not speak. Zev straightened and, with a wry smile, said, “Yes, sir. Would you like to walk for a minute?”
Jasher consented and motioned for the rest of the group to remain as he joined the two riders. Zev and Ilan led their horses by the reins, and the three of them went a short distance in the direction from which the two soldiers had just come.
Zev whispered. From where he stood, Jonathan couldn’t hear a word of their conversation. Meanwhile, Ilan frequently peeked over his shoulder, his expression puzzled. On his third glance back, his countenance changed to fear.
“Did you see that?” Tavor said in a low voice.
“Yes. The Gideonite just realized that Jasher travels with Daniel and Uzzah,” Eli replied.
Abigail stepped close to Jonathan, who stood next to Eli and Pekah. “Why are they each wearing a glove on the right hand?”
Pekah turned white as wool and grabbed Jonathan’s shoulder in alarm. “I’ve heard rumors of secret alliances within Gideon. They make pledges in blood, cutting their right hands.”
Abigail gasped. “Something’s wrong! They’re going to hurt Jasher!”
Jonathan’s jaw clenched. Pekah’s eyes lit up with fire as he yanked his sword from its sheath, the sound of scraping metal heard by Jasher and the two soldiers. They turned to see. Recognizing that their situation had become very precarious, the two soldiers backed away from the general, putting Jasher between themselves and the others. Jasher startled, arming himself in a second.
Zev’s reflexes were as quick as a cat. He was on his horse, spurring it northward, before anyone could move to stop him. Ilan too attempted to mount, but before he could get in the saddle, Eli threw a sizable rock and hit him
