Watch Your Back

by William V Weeks

Bazak planned for the trip between Hammath and Magdala to take three hours. This gave his team time to reach their destination, secure the boats, and hide from view. They needed to be in place before Zamir, and his men began their voyage south to liberate their friends. As the leader of this mission, Bazak wanted to make sure their enemies left before he and his soldiers initiated any rescue attempts to free Benson.

  An hour after sunset, two boats weighed anchor and disappeared into the night. Each man wore their darkest clothing while a new moon made it easier to avoid detection as they headed north.

  Passing Tiberias, Nosh made sure the boats remained a safe distance from the shoreline so people wouldn’t notice them. By Bazak’s estimate, they’d covered two miles in less than an hour. At their current pace, the team would reach Magdala in another hour and a half, an hour before they planned to enter Zamir’s estate.

  Bazak said a prayer as they continued north, asking God to help his team rescue their comrade and return to Hammath without incident. He also hoped the guard would flee, or not resist, when his soldiers entered the courtyard, so they wouldn’t need to shed blood.

  Nosh and his men approached the shore much faster than they had on their previous visit, hoping to drive their boats onto the beach so they could disembark without needing to wade through waist-deep water to reach dry ground. Both vessels came to rest twenty feet apart in a location covered with small pebbles rather than boulders which might puncture the hulls.

  Overgrown brush grew between the landing spot and the highway. From this place, the rescue team could see Magdala and the pier, on their right. Bazak counted more than ten fishing vessels tied to the dock. He wondered if one or two of his soldiers could swim over and set the boats adrift, but his orders didn’t include preventing the enemy from traveling to Hammath.

  Bazak whispered to his troops, ordering them to bring their gear with them. “Hide in the underbrush so nobody can see you when they pass our location. We’ll remain undercover until Zamir, and his friends leave. I don’t want any talking and stay out of sight.

  Within an hour, everyone started to feel restless as muscles stiffened. It wouldn’t be long before Zamir’s friends began heading toward the pier, preparing to depart. In the distance, Bazak heard voices. Did anyone see us come ashore? He didn’t see anyone, but he heard footsteps drawing nearer. I hope we stay still and don’t reveal our position.

  A twig snapped as someone approached Bazak’s hiding spot, and he reached for his knife before Nosh appeared from the darkness. “Bazak, they’ve loaded everyone into their boats. I counted nine in each vessel. Each craft can hold twelve so there’s enough room to bring their two friends back with them plus a few more should they take prisoners.”

  “What if we sink the remaining boats after they leave?”

  “Why would you want to ruin the livelihood of innocent men, Bazak? I hope they don’t damage any of my friends’ boats once they arrive in Hammath.”

  “I’m sorry, Nosh. I didn’t think before I spoke. After they depart, we will scout the area and decide if we need to change our plan. Leave four of your men behind to protect the boats when the rest of us head to the estate.” The two men turned and watched the boats of their enemy move away from the pier, heading toward open water. “Nosh, I want you and eight of your friends to go with Nuri and his soldiers. You and your colleagues will remain outside the compound. Your job is to protect our troops and Benson on our return to the lake. Bring clubs and your knives, but I’m hoping you won’t need to use them.”

  “They’re out of sight, Bazak.”

  The Decanus looked and confirmed Nosh’s observation. “Be patient, Nuri. In less than an hour, we can go home. If we move too soon, they might return rather than continuing to Hammath, and we may find them waiting for us when we return to our boats.”

  The rescue party waited several more minutes before Bazak stood and looked around the area. The pier remained empty. “Ari, come here. I want you to scout the highway from our location to the wharf. If the road is clear, go farther. Make sure nobody is around when we begin our mission.” If Ari returns with a good report, I’ll sprint to the estate and check for anyone guarding the compound and make sure the boxes are in the same location. Ari should return soon.

  Minutes later, the underbrush lining the highway began to rustle as Ari reappeared. “Everything is quiet from our location to Magdala, Bazak. The houses are dark. Listen. No barking dogs.”

  “Great work. Go back to your hiding place for now. It’s my turn to make sure everything is clear in the other direction.”

  The Decanus slipped into the night, making his way south along the shoreline until he came to a spot across the highway from Zamir’s front gate. He paused and listened. The area remained silent. Seeing no movement, he crossed the road and ducked behind an olive tree next to the southeast corner of the estate. In the distance, Bazak could see the glow from lamp shining from the window of caretaker’s house. Checking his surroundings, he explored the exterior of the compound until he reached the boxes which remained in their previous location. Checking to see if they would still hold his weight, Bazak began to climb. The first box remained steady. Two boxes later he pulled himself up over the north wall and crossed the flat rooftop with ease. The guard from the previous night sat in the same position across the courtyard. Retracing his steps, Bazak returned to his men. The old man inside never realized he wasn’t alone.

  “Is everyone ready?”

  “Not quite, Shet. I need to catch my breath.”

  “You’re getting old, Bazak.”

  “True, but I don’t want to overdo either. I climbed the wall. The roof is flat, so we’ll have no trouble getting into the courtyard. The steps are nearby and descend to the main compound. I spotted one guard who appeared to be asleep across from my location. When we head out, I want Ari, Tam, and you, Shet, to come with me. Nuri will take the other three soldiers with him to pick the lock and make sure the gate is not barred.”

  Bazak stood and stretched. “Nuri, listen to me. If the door won’t open after you pick the lock, send one man to the northeast corner, and tell him to wave one hand. I’ll slip into the compound and remove the bar. If the gate opens, I want your man to go to the same corner and wave both hands over his head. When he does, we will do a slow count to one hundred before we enter the courtyard. My team will rush the guard sitting to your left, and locate Benson and free him. We need to move fast in case others are hiding inside the estate. Is everyone ready?” Each man nodded.

  The Decanus waved to Nosh, and he and his friends moved to their location. “After Nuri and his team enter the compound, I want you and your men to cross the highway with your knives and clubs ready in case we stumble into an ambush or need help. When you see us heading your way with Benson, return to the boats and prepare for a quick retreat. May God be with us tonight.”

  Their timing needed to be perfect. Gad and Priam’s Conturbeniums moved through the darkness to secure a four-block area around the building housing Deron and Label. Two other soldiers guarded the entrance to Dan’s home, preventing him from leaving his dwelling. The only window opened to the east so he couldn’t watch the proceedings. The two Decanuses insured Tallis everything was in place.

  Herod’s troops were ready to implement the most complicated of their plan. Two soldiers snapped to attention as Tallis arrived at the building. One of the guards opened the door, allowing the Triplicarious to enter. Light from a small oil lamp danced throughout the room. A third man handed Tallis a long linen strip. “Here you are, sir.”

  Turning to the first prisoner, Tallis said, “Open your mouth, Deron.” He complied, and Tallis placed the cloth between his teeth before wrapping the material around the lad’s head, tying both ends in a knot. Moving to Label, Tallis repeated the process then ordered the guards to help the captives to their feet. Next, the soldiers removed the prisoners’ shackles, replacing them with rope so nobody could hear clanking chains as they walked through the village. E
ach detainee had enough rope securing their ankles to take short steps so any attempt to run would prove futile.

  “Move them to the door,” Tallis said to the guards. When Deron and Label were in place, they received their instructions. “I’m going to say this one time. You will wear blindfolds, and from this point forward I don’t want to hear a sound from either of you. If you understood what I said, nod. Good. Should you fail to comply, my soldiers will kill you. Iban, go ahead and blindfold them.”

  When everyone was ready, Tallis knocked on the door which opened. “It’s time. Iban, help Deron. Watch your step. No more talking. I’ll lead the way. Let’s move out.”

  Both prisoners negotiated the step to the street with ease. Everyone turned right, took another four strides, and then made a second right turn before walking up the hill. Two soldiers led the procession, ensuring the streets remained empty. The group turned left when they reached Hammath’s west wall and headed south. Part of the plan included trying to confuse the prisoners so they couldn’t remember their exact location as they traveled through the village. Three blocks later, the procession turned and headed down the hill toward the main road. Label stumbled, but Hod maintained his grip and prevented the lad from tumbling to the street. Ten minutes after leaving the original location, they arrived at their destination.

  “Iban put Deron in this room. Keep the blindfold on him and place him in a seated position. Hod, you can take Label to the next room and do the same thing with him. Guard them with your lives. The prisoners will not make a sound and do not light any lamps. We want to give the impression this building is empty. After I leave, secure the front door. I barred the other exterior doors before our arrival, but I will check them again before leaving. I will return with more troops to help you protect our guests before the attack begins. Four knocks will be the signal to let us enter.”

  Zamir’s friends made better time than expected on their voyage to Hammath. They managed to arrive well before Gad’s troops slipped into the shadows at midnight. The attackers held their positions far enough from the shore to remain hidden in the darkness, as Tallis and two Decanuses waited and watched with him.

  “Do you think they’ll attack once my soldiers hide from view, Tallis?”

  “I hope so. Zamir wouldn’t bring so many boats if all they planned to do was watch us patrol the shoreline, Gad.”

  “I wish they’d attack now. I don’t like waiting. I get nervous when I can’t control the situation.”

  Bazak whispered, “Let’s go.” The two teams moved in silence to their assigned positions. The Decanus climbed the crates, pulled himself over the wall, and crossed the roof. Shet looked around for signs of trouble while Tam waited for the signal. Bazak could hear his heart pounding, and he asked God to calm his soul. Ari followed his leader across the rooftop and joined Bazak near the top of the staircase. The wait begins.

  Tam saw the signal and whispered to Shet, “Tow hands waved. Start counting.”

  Both men climbed the boxes and crossed the roof, giving the count number to Bazak who peeked over the wall bordering the root and saw the gate opening. The guard continued to sleep. “Let’s move.” Reaching the bottom of the stairs, the team fanned out, leaving ten to twelve feet between each soldier. Bazak had warned everyone to not kill the guard unless he attacked them or tried to sound an alarm. He was an old man who had no way to stop four armed troops from achieving their goal.

  Nuri and his team rushed through the open gate as Shet reached the guard, striking the old man with the handle of his short sword, knocking him unconscious. Bazak drove his shoulder into the door located next to the guard, ripping it off the hinges. Benson sat on the floor leaning against the back wall. “Benson, wake up. We’re going home.” Benson looked at the soldier standing before him and began to speak, but Bazak cut him off. “Are you in chains?”

  Benson shook his head.

  “Can you walk or run?”

  “I’m ready to find out, Bazak. I haven’t moved much since my kidnappers brought me here.”

  “Come with me. Tell me if you need help.” The Decanus pulled Benson to his feet. “Let’s go. We’ve got to move fast.” The men were out the door and down the steps without incident. “How are you doing, Benson?”

  “I’m good, sir.”

  “Follow me.”

  Everyone was out the gate and running down the highway within seconds. Other than their footsteps and some heavy breathing, the area remained quiet. Nosh and his men stood knee deep in the lake holding their boats steady so the soldiers could jump in. With every team member accounted for, plus Benson, Tallis climbed into the vessel. “Let’s go, Nosh.” The fishermen pushed off and headed for deeper water. With their backs to the bow, they rowed as fast as they could as the boats slipped across the lake and into the night. The breeze intensified once they reached open water, and a north wind filled the sails. Magdala would soon become a faded memory, and Bazak turned his attention to Benson.

  “How are you doing, my friend?”

  “I’m good, Bazak. My captives treated me well after they brought me to their compound. How did you manage to find me?”

  “Tallis knows some people who helped him. We also captured two young men running through Hammath a few nights ago, trying to leave by boat. Our prisoners verified the information. A few nights ago, Nosh and some of his friends brought us to visit the estate.”

  Benson turned and looked at Bazak. “Why didn’t you rescue me then?”

  The Decanus hesitated before responding to the question. “We didn’t bring enough soldiers with us, and I didn’t realize how few people guarded you, or how to rescue you without getting caught ourselves. I saw one guard, like tonight, but I didn’t know if any other people were around to help the old man.”

  “They didn’t allow me to leave the room, so I didn’t know how many guards patrolled outside. I never heard anyone talking, and the same old fellow always brought me food and something to drink. They never bothered to tie me up or put me in chains. If I’d known he was the only one on duty, I would have snuck out and gone home.”

  “I’m surprised you didn’t try to escape, Benson, but I’m glad they treated you well, and you recovered from your wounds.”

  “My body hurt for several days, so I wasn’t going anywhere until I felt better. Once they put me in the room, I didn’t know where they were holding me for certain.”

  “When was the last time you ate or drank anything?”

  “The guard fed me as the sunset this evening, but I could use something to drink. Do you have any water?”

  “I’d give you some wine, but I didn’t bring any with me, and you need to keep your head clear. We may be in for a fight once we return to Hammath. The men who took you prisoner are on their way to free their two friends. We also found out who killed Masa and Kush, but for now, I want you to rest. Like I said, we could run into trouble and need to fight our way into town. Here’s the water you asked for.”

  Bazak leaned back against the bow, reflecting on the success of the mission. They managed to rescue Benson without incident or casualties. Two hours later, they heard yelling and screaming in the distance though they couldn’t see anything in the dark.

  Chapter 27