Love Inspired Historical March 2014 Bundle: Winning Over the Wrangler\Wolf Creek Homecoming\A Bride for the Baron\The Guardian's Promise (75 page)

Two small black boxes sat on top with leather straps draping down the side. She drew her finger along the beautiful script. The box tumbled and slipped to the bottom of the chest. She reached in to retrieve it. Her fingers brushed against a lumpy leather bag. She removed it from the chest and held it up.

Her heart pounded against her breast bone as she untied the cord. The leather bag opened like a flower. Several stones appeared against royal silk. One of the stones caught her eye and she picked it up with her gnarled fingers. She held it up to the oil lamp nestled into a nook in the wall. The stone lit like fire, flaming to life in her hand.

She glanced down at the other stones. The rushing sound of the falls seemed to grow louder and she swayed. She knew each tribe had their own signet. Her father wore a similar one around his neck. Why would Ari have all of these?

The flaming stone began to warm in the palm of her hand. She laid the pouch down to better examine the fiery stone. She held it closer to the lamp.

“You must be mistaken,” she repeated, her voice louder.

“No. It was Ari.”

With the stone flickering in the palm of her hand, she knew the boy spoke the truth, a truth she did not have time to question. For the next breath had her looking into the eyes of one of the men who hunted them.

Chapter Eight

M
ira didn't think about what she was doing, she only acted. She grabbed one of the weapons lying on one of the benches and jumped in front of Joash. The weight of the weapon wavered in her hands. She braced her feet, lest she fall over. Her heart pounded in her chest. Her breaths were short and quick.

Lord, I am but a woman, and this man is a giant.

Water cascaded over the contours of the giant's bulging shoulders as he scanned the cavern with an assessing eye. His hands hung loose at his sides. He seemed relaxed, which caused fear to pound a little harder in her head.

His right eye twitched as the corner of his mouth curled. His chest expanded and she thought he might charge at her. Instead he nodded, turned around and left.

The sword began to drop from her hands but she stilled the muscles in her arms. She released a breath of air, and sucked another in. Laying the sword back in its place, she picked up a small dagger and looked at Joash. “Stay here.”

Mira peered over the edge of the rock just as the warrior dove beneath the falls. She climbed down and slipped into the water. She edged around the rocks until she found an opening in the falls to where she could spy the man.

The warrior rose out of the water. Waves sloshed against his shins, rocking him back and forth with the motion. He swiped his hand across his eyes.

“Praise be to the gods you are alive, Ianatos.” A queen's soldier sat with his legs crossed a good distance from the shore.

Mira's footing slipped and she sucked in a sharp breath of air as she grabbed hold of a rock. The warrior tossed a glance toward her before jamming his hands on his hips. He glared at her, rolled his shoulders as if to ease the tension. “Your gods have naught to do with my swimming capabilities, Roab.”

Roab's eyes widened. His lips stilled, but his hands fluttered like a griffin ruffling its feathers.

“Your superstitions are no more than a child's imagination.”

“The creatures...” Roab crawled forward on his hands and peered into the waters.

Mira dropped her gaze to the water lapping around her waist.

“There are no dangerous creatures in these shallow waters.” Ianatos bent down and snatched a small fish in midswim. “Unless of course, you fear this.” He held the fish eye level and watched as it puckered its mouth. He glanced at his companion. “Hungry?”

Roab's mouth moved much like their meal, but no sound emitted. Ianatos stepped onto the jagged bank and tucked the flapping fish between the rocks. “Hand me a linen.”

His companion stood to his feet, pulled a piece of cloth from one of the sacks and handed it to him. His gaze scanned the pool of water. Mira pressed back into the shadows. “What did you see, my friend? Did you find the rebels?”

Ianatos wiped the droplets of water from his head and then over his shoulders before drying his chest. Mira held her breath. What would this giant warrior tell the Hebrew? Long moments of silence caused her heart to pound in her ears.

“You were under the water a long while. Longer than any man can hold his breath in a bath.”

True. However, if the Hebrew discovered the warrior hadn't been in the water the whole time, the queen's guard would descend upon them. She waited, wondering if she'd have to defend Joash against these trained soldiers.

“You forget my upbringing.”

“Yes, you Philistines have a way with the deep. It's as if the gods have granted you gills.”

Ianatos laid the cloth over a rock. He eased to the ground and reclined in the sun. “Might I ask you a question, Roab?”

Roab squinted. “I'm curious, Ianatos. You are a man of few words.”

“Few words are needed for a soldier.” He picked up a small stone, glanced toward where Mira stood and tossed it into the water.

“Then ask, my friend,” Roab said as he formed a ring of stones for a fire.

Ianatos crossed his arms. Deep lines furrowed his brow. Mira bit down on her tongue. What question would this man ask his companion?

“Why is it you Hebrews have turned away from your God?”

Mira clamped her hand over her mouth. How often had she wondered the same thing but dared not ask even those men she knew remained faithful.

A stone tumbled from Roab's hand and rolled down the embankment. “You speak treason. What is it you found in the waters?”

Water lapped around her waist. A chill crept over her arms. She closed her eyes and prayed.

“Nothing.”

She snapped her eyes open. “Thank you, Lord.”

“I saw nothing.” Ianatos sat forward. “I'm only curious as to why you praise bronze idols instead of your true God.”

Glancing up at the sky, Roab rocked back on his heels and sat. “Our God has abandoned us. We worship idols because our queen requires it of her people. If she were to demand we bow to the one true God, we would.”

Roab's reasoning held no foundation. Mira could tell he was fickle. As were most of the Hebrews who'd turned from God.

Mira began to climb back onto the ledge when Ianatos's voice halted her.

“It grows late. You should build a fire atop that ledge so we might send a message to Suph that all is clear while I finish preparing our meal.” Ianatos pointed to a high place above the waterfall.

She watched a few moments as Ianatos cleaned the fish. His gaze darted toward her as his companion left the area. Mira didn't know why this Philistine had chosen to keep her and Joash a secret, but she was thankful for the blessing.

Chapter Nine

“A
don, adon!”

Ari jumped to his feet and peered down the path. Matthias, one of Caleb's servants, ran wild-eyed looking to and fro. Air whooshed out of Ari's lungs as if he'd been punched. He sucked in hard and forced his muscles to relax when his mind screamed at him to run back to the village.

“Matthias, here!” Ari waved.

Matthias glanced at him, his eyes haggard, bruised. He looked like a man bedeviled. Ari was not alone in his discernment.

“Shalom, Matthias,” Caleb called. “What is wrong?”

The man bent over, hands on knees. In between heaving gulps of air, he tossed weary glances over his shoulder as if he expected a great cat to appear. Or worse.

A rock settled in the pit of Ari's stomach. “Matthias, you have naught to fear,” Ari offered as he handed him a jug of water.

Matthias uncorked the bottle and sipped from the opening. Tears clung to the rim of his eyelids. He tried to speak. “They have come.”

“Who came?” Caleb asked.

But Matthias continued as if Caleb had not spoken. It was not like the man to show disrespect, which could only mean he had been given a great shock.

“I knew they would come and bring fear to this land. And they did.”

“Who, Matthias? Who?” Caleb shook his head. His hands trembled.

“Men of war. They came and, do you not smell the burning?”

Ari lifted his nose and caught a faint whiff of charred wood.

“The queen's guard is scouring the village. They were—were asking about the children.”

“The children?” Caleb's brow furrowed deep.

Ari bit back the curses on his tongue. Had Athaliah discovered Joash's existence? Ari glanced at Caleb, whose eyes filled with tears. He could tell by the movement of the older man's lips that he lifted up a prayer.

“We—we should return,” Caleb choked. “Matthias, if you would carry word to the next village—”

“Of course,
adon.
” Matthias bowed and raced away on nothing but his sandaled feet.

Ari bowed his head. “Caleb, I do not wish to leave you, however, I feel helpless. I should have been there.” Ari's conscience weighed heavy upon his heart. What evil had he brought on these good people?

“We will go together, pray this beast will make haste and hope the Lord has spared our family.”

Our family.
Ari's heart swelled even as it broke. He wished for Caleb's confidence, but he could not stop the urgency pushing at his feet and the fear gnawing in his chest.

“If only we had grain to offer up to the Lord,” Ari mused aloud thinking it would please the Lord to have a burnt offering.

“Do you think our God cannot see our circumstances?” Caleb asked.

Ari shook his head. “I'm quite certain He does, but the law—”

“Athaliah has banned our altars to God. But that has not stopped those of us who trust in the Lord from lifting up our thanksgiving.” Caleb tilted his chin, looking toward the sky. “I believe the Lord to have a compassionate heart toward those who love Him. If He did not, the world would have perished with the flood.”

A breeze blew across the rocky desert and encompassed Ari, cooling his skin from the blazing sun. It was as if the Lord had commanded the wind to agree with Caleb. Perhaps, his master was correct. Perhaps, the all-knowing God, creator of heaven and earth was more concerned with the intent of a man's heart than his actions.

“Help me down, Ari.”

“Yes,
adon.
”

Caleb wrapped his arm around Ari's shoulders as he helped him off the donkey. “You must quit calling me master, Ari. You are a free man, and soon, I pray, my son.”

“Until that day, I will continue to give you the honor due you,
adon.
”

“So be it.” Caleb wrapped his bony fingers around Ari's arm and shuffled toward a small grove. He knelt and motioned for Ari to do the same. “Let us thank the Lord for safe travels and the protection of our people.”

Ari watched as Caleb lifted his tunic off his shoulders and draped it over his head. A pang of longing gripped Ari.

He did not want to take the time to pray. He wanted to run back to the village. To Joash and Mira posthaste. He needed to see with his eyes, not just hope in his heart, that they were well. However, he must trust in the Lord, even blindly. If only it were easier done than said.

After their prayers were finished, Ari helped Caleb back onto the donkey and tugged rider and beast through the fields and between a canopy of branches. It did not take long for the sweet scent of the
afarsemon
to be replaced with the distinct scent of charred wood.

What had only this morning been vibrant greenery with blooms, was now a blackened mess. Their steps slowed as they took in the sight. Ari assumed shock had overtaken Caleb's tongue. For Ari knew he hadn't words for the desolation, either. Only disbelief and anger at the needless destruction of Caleb's crops. And a deep concern for what lay ahead of them.

They rounded the corner and Ari halted his footsteps. He reached out and wrapped his arm around Caleb to steady him lest he fall from the donkey's back. Ari gaped at what should have been an altar at the edge of the fields as Caleb's shoulders shook with his sobs.

All that remained of the altar was a pile of rubble. Ari dared not inspect the smoldering pile further. Knowing the cruelty of Athaliah's guards, Ari feared the worst. However, all he saw were chopped portions of branches from the surrounding olive trees.

“Who would do such a thing, Ari? Who?”

Ari closed his eyes. There was no need to answer Caleb, for both knew the truth. Besides, he wished not to waste another moment before he set eyes on Mira, and of course, Judah's rightful king. “Let us be done here.”

As if realizing he might find the same horror at home, Caleb's eyes widened in fear. “You are correct, Ari.”

Lord, what have I done? I never should have left them alone. Even for a short time.

Ari could argue the whys of the matter, but the truth was he was responsible for this tragedy. And he had no doubt Athaliah would have a grand laugh when she realized Ari's part.

His conscience ate at him as they approached the walled village. For he heard nothing but wailing. “Lord, forgive me,” he muttered beneath his breath.

“What need of forgiveness do you have, my son?”

It was not the Lord who had asked the question, but Caleb. Ari would much prefer to speak with God on this matter.

“For my iniquities,
adon,
” Ari responded, hating his deception.

“I suppose we all have them, do we not?”

Unable to speak, Ari nodded.

Just as they were about to enter through the gate, Ari halted. “I do not think it safe for you to go any closer. Not yet.”

“I must,” Caleb said.

“I will go.” Ari would go and see the destruction. He would—what would he do? Bury the dead to save Caleb from such devastation? Ari drew in a ragged breath.

“We will go together.” Caleb laid his palm on Ari's shoulder and searched his eyes.

Ari's shoulders sagged.

“I must know that my family is unharmed.”

“But,
adon—
”

“No!” Caleb snapped. In his years of service, Ari had not once heard his master raise his voice.

“Yes,
adon.
I understand, you must do what you must.”

Afraid of what they would find, Ari felt the urge to drag his feet. Yet he wanted to drop the donkey's lead and run as fast as he could. He would not breathe easy until his gaze touched Mira and Joash.

A swath of sand blew around them making it difficult to view the cattle enclosures but Ari knew they were close. Close enough to taste the acrid smell of death.

No sooner had they spied the earth-colored structures than Rubiel, with her long black hair streaming down her back, ran to greet them, Nathan fast on her heels.

“
Abba!
Oh,
Abba,
thank the Lord, all is well with you.”

Caleb shifted his weight and struggled to dismount. Ari wrapped his hand around the old man and assisted him.

“Tell me, child?”

She halted in front of them, tears streaked down her swollen cheeks. “Soldiers came and...” she choked.

Her betrothed patted her shoulder. “It is all right, Ruby,” he crooned. “There now, you should see to the children.” She looked up into his face, her eyes red-rimmed, a mixture of trust and anger marring her features.

“But—”

Nathan stopped her with a finger to her lips. “Allow me, Rubiel.”

She stepped forward, pressing a kiss to her father's cheek. “Shalom,
Abba.
” With that she hung her head and walked back to the center of the village.

“I fear she will never forgive me. I was not here when the soldiers came. The women and children were left defenseless.”

Caleb pressed his lips together and lifted his hand to Nathan's shoulder, his gaze shifting back and forth as if seeking the truth. Nathan had a tendency to shirk his duties. This, no doubt, was one of those times. By the worry etched on his brow, Ari had no doubt the man was remorseful.

Ari's gaze searched for Joash. Since Rubiel had gone to care for the children, there was hope. But that didn't stop the heavy stone rolling around in his stomach.

He had prayed the Lord would spare them, but with the look of grief in Nathan's eyes, his hope waned.

“My wife?” Caleb asked with choked emotion.

“Leah is fine. Bruised, but fine.”

“Thank Ye, God.”

“Soldiers came.”

A pain so sharp, as if his own sword had severed his arm, pierced his chest. Mira? He dared not ask. “What of Joash?”

Nathan bowed his head. His feet shifted in the sand.

Impatient and out of control, Ari grabbed the front of his tunic and hefted him off the ground. “Where. Is. Joash?” he ground out.

“Ari!”

Ari's heart quit pounding in his chest, but it was only Tama. She ran toward him. Her face swollen and ashen. Her eyes red-rimmed from tears.

“He's gone.” She collapsed against him.

Ari gripped her shoulders to keep her from falling to her knees.

“He's gone. I failed him.” Her sobs increased. “I—I tried to find him. I went near the cave—b-but soldiers were guarding it.”

He understood the pain of failure. It cut him deep. “There is no need to worry, Tama. All will be well. You will see.”

If only his words were true. He handed Tama to Nathan and then turned toward his master.
“Adon.”
He pierced Caleb's gaze with his eyes. “I am unworthy, but I ask that you trust me.”

“You cannot think to trust this bond servant, Father,” Nathan interrupted. “It's obvious he brought the soldiers here.”

Nathan's words twisted the blade deep into his soul. “Trust me, Caleb. I must go with haste to find the boy.” Ari dropped his chin. “When I see him to his rightful place, I will return.” He once again lifted his eyes. “I vow it.”

“Of course, Ari. You are a free man. You must do what you must.”

“My thanks.” He turned toward Nathan and Tama. “What of Mira? Is she well?”

Tama's mouth slackened.

Nathan's eyes narrowed before he hung his head in shame. “I did not realize—that is, she has not been seen since the attack.” He lifted his eyes. “I'm sorry, Caleb.”

Caleb fell to his knees, ripping his tunic at the neck. A cry of anguish on his lips. If Ari had not been so cold, if he had not been as stiff as the stone walls, he, too, would have fallen to his knees.

“I should have been here,” Nathan cried in distress.

Ari did not wish to know where Nathan had been when the soldiers went on their rampage. As much as he wished to fault the man, Ari should have been the one to protect Caleb's family. Especially since he knew the danger. The blame did not lie with Nathan, but with him. Directly at his feet. His iniquities were catching up with his sandals.

Ari laid his hand upon Caleb's head and his other on Nathan's shoulder. “It is no one's fault but my own and on my honor I will find your daughter and bring her back,” he assured them. He would locate Mira and return with her unscathed or die trying. “I vow it before God.”