Embarrassed, Pekah looked away, but replied, “Thank you.”
Jonathan’s attention was diverted by two Danielite women making their way through the crowds of soldiers. He couldn’t make out what the taller woman said, but she held something, showing it to everyone. Each person she approached responded, “I’m sorry, I have not.”
Once the women were close enough, Jonathan could discern what the woman had in her hand. Both of the women recognized Jonathan and bowed their heads in respect.
“Jonathan, Son of Samuel, please help me,” the taller woman pleaded. “We are looking for our husbands. My husband is Benjamin, son of Daniel…”
“And mine is Simeon, son of Saul,” said the other. “Benjamin is wearing a token like this on his quiver.”
The lace ribbon she held matched the one found on the Danielite soldier’s quiver strap just outside of Ain on the road from Gilad. Jonathan swallowed. “Yes. I have seen them, my dear ladies.”
At first their eyes lit up with excitement, but when they saw Jonathan’s countenance, fear clouded their faces.
Jonathan carefully reached into the hidden pocket beneath his tunic and pulled the forgotten items from safe-keeping. He opened his hand, revealing a tight roll of lace, hair sticking out both ends. Next to it was a beautiful silver ring, a small lock of hair attached.
The sight made the women gasp. One of them was so shocked, she seemed to be frozen in place. The taller woman’s hand trembled as she took the lace from Jonathan’s open hand and stared at it in disbelief. Tears welled up in her eyes. She searched her companion’s eyes, and the two of them embraced, sobbing uncontrollably.
Rachel wept with them.
About this time, Abigail returned from an errand, smiling and happy, but she stilled as she witnessed the mood of the group. Seeing Rachel trying to console the women, she joined them, asking what she could do to help.
Jonathan still held the ring. Rachel whispered with a sniffle, “Let me give it to her. Do you mind?”
He placed it in her hand. Tears from Rachel’s eyes fell into his beard as she kissed him on the cheek. He did not bother to brush them off, but Rachel noticed and did it for him.
Making their way a few paces off, the men left the women alone to talk, but still watched over them. Abigail seemed to offer words of comfort. After a while, the crying stopped, and the women talked in low voices. Jonathan saw one of the women staring at her keepsake of ribbon. He thought about his actions in the forest, grateful he’d had the presence of mind to retrieve the belongings. He wondered if the women ever would have known what happened to their husbands if he hadn’t noticed that ribbon.
Somber, Jonathan and the others made their way over to several horse carts that had arrived with provisions. After taking a few bags of the items being distributed, the men found a place to sit on a hill by the road. They ate in silence as they watched the women talk.
Tavor frowned. He cleared his throat. “Eli, what should be done with Rachel when we get to Hasor? The battlefield is not really a place for her.”
Jonathan agreed.
“If Rachel is told what to do,” Eli explained, “she will probably do the opposite, out of spite. Whatever we decide, Rachel will have to be asked. Gently asked.”
“Eli’s right,” Jonathan said. “Rachel’s not going to like being left behind. At the same time, I don’t want to leave her in Hasor alone. There may be scouting troops from Rezon’s army patrolling around.”
“What do you think about the oak tree in the woods?” Eli asked with a wink.
Tavor’s eyes lit up.
Jonathan knew Tavor had been to the secret cave, long ago when all of them were still young men. To Jonathan’s knowledge, Tavor had never told a soul of the cave’s existence.
“Why a tree?” Pekah asked.
“Well, there’s a safe place to hide near the tree,” Jonathan said.
“But we are the only three who know how to get there,” Tavor interrupted. “One of us would have to take her, but it would be improper for Jonathan or me to take her there alone. It will have to be you, Eli, or the entire group.”
Eli nudged a stone with his foot. “I’ll take her,” he grumbled. “She’s going to like it even less than I will. My place is with you, Jonathan.”
“Thank you, Eli,” Jonathan said. He sighed, staring up at the scattered clouds drifting far above, which partially obscured Azure and Aqua from sight. He wanted Eli and his nine Uzzahite warriors to stay close by, but did not feel comfortable having Rachel as part of the advancing war party. He wondered how Rachel would react when told Eli would take her into hiding. The thought made him wince.
Chapter 23
Absolutely not!” Rachel declared. “I will not be left in Hasor to wonder what has happened to my brother or my betrothed! I’ve had that uncomfortable experience once already this week, and I don’t care to have another!”
Both Eli and Tavor flinched. Jonathan wanted to argue the point, but the smoldering flame in Rachel’s brown eyes made him think better of it.
Once the men had been silenced, Rachel said, “Besides, I want to be near the battle this time. I can help the wounded. I can encourage them.”
Jonathan relented. There was no way he could deny her, and he knew Eli couldn’t force her. “Rachel-thank you. The men will be grateful for your service.”
Her face still red, Rachel searched his eyes. “Good!” She mounted her steed, her look smug.
“Move out!” Amon gave the command above the crowd.
Jasher tromped up to the men and took Jonathan privately aside.
“I want you and your companions to ride with me near the banners of the tribes, if that’s acceptable.”
“It’s an honor,” Jonathan said as he tightened his Gideonite breastplate.
Once again, Jonathan’s ears filled with the rumble of hooves, a dust cloud rising above the riders. With the beautiful weather they were having, it seemed more like a family outing than a march to battle, but those false perceptions faded as the day dragged on. Several places along the Hasor road still exhibited signs of recent battles. Fresh gravesites reminded them all of the seriousness of their quest.
Late in the evening, the walled village of Hasor came into view. Jonathan pulled the reins back when Jasher signaled the advance units to halt. Far in the distance, just north of the village and outside its walls, loomed an exposed camp of Gideonites. Campfires there already burned, smoke drifting high into the air.
Jonathan retrieved his spyglass to get a better view of the enemy. Jasher did the same. Jonathan admired the general’s spyglass-ends of polished brass, cylinders of beautiful cherry wood, three telescoping sections-then lifted his own two-section scope, placing the sight to his eye.
The enemy camp was small, its soldiers easy to count. Jonathan estimated the band to be about forty men, none of whom paid any attention to the road from Saron. Finished counting, he reached to give Pekah the spyglass so he could look. Pekah scanned the camp briefly, then handed the scope back.
Jasher cleared his throat. In a low voice to his captains, he said, “ Thus it begins…”
Chapter 24
