Cynisca put her arm around me and laid her head on my shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Daniel. It’s my fault, all my fault.”
I don’t know how long we sat on the floor. I didn’t care that I looked like a fool. Three years I couldn’t have back. I had nothing to show for my time here. My dreams of medical school faded.
Maybe I was supposed to take over the family business. Maybe—maybe God was punishing me. I couldn’t quit crying. Every shekel I had saved for the last three years was gone.
Anger rose within me. The brothers—how could they do that? And what stupid scroll did they think I have? I knew nothing about a scroll.
I could go back to the brothers’ flat and wait for them. They’d have to return sometime, even if not tonight. I could hide inside and confront them when they returned. I looked around the room. My only possession of value was the laurel wreath the young Jewish girl had given me, and my clothes.
Cynisca stroked my arm. “Daniel, you can still run in more races and win more money.”
I pushed her away. “Cynisca, I will never race again.”
She stared. “What about the contract? You’ve got another four or five months left.”
I looked away. “I can’t.”
Cynisca shook her head. “I don’t understand. How can you walk away now? Don’t you want another chance to win more money?”
“I’m going to Jerusalem, to the Passover.”
“What about me?” she asked. “I—I’m afraid to stay here. If the old woman finds me and somehow learns that I—that we didn’t, what might she do to me? I mean, I know you are going to think I sound weird, but—I’m afraid of her.”
How could everything have become so complicated? What could I do to extricate myself from the agreement I had made with Dominus? How could I protect Cynisca? Would I ever be able to escape the demonic woman who had followed me everywhere? How could I give the Naser brothers something I didn’t have?
All my money had been stolen and I had run away from the only girl I’d ever loved, and I was stuck in a world thousands of years removed from my home. I had abandoned God for a pagan world and embraced the idolization by adoring fans rather than worshipping the God I once knew. A supernatural being in a chariot of fire had rescued me from certain death and sealed me for a purpose I didn’t understand.
I bowed my head in mournful silence, wishing I had made better choices. Why didn’t I listen to Simon, the leper? I glanced across the room at the laurel crown given to me by the young Hebrew girl. It glowed with an unnatural light—a light that reminded me of the Merkebah. Hope sprung forth. All was not lost.
While things seemed bad, events could have turned out much worse. I should have died during the race. I could have become drunk with an evil potion and laid with Cynisca. And what did that mysterious man say to me—not to profane my body? I touched the mark on my head. What was the seal he spoke of? I could have gotten Cynisca pregnant. I couldn’t endanger her life. Why did I ever make a pact with that witch? She had to be a demon.
I shook my head as the sobering thoughts rattled my soul. Had God sent an angel to spare my life? What had I done to deserve his mercy after turning my back on him? How else could I explain all the things that had happened? I shuddered.
Cynisca’s voice cracked. “Are you well? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
I turned to her. “We both could be in danger.” I knew what I needed to do, but what about her? Cynisca couldn’t go with me and she couldn’t stay here. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to her.
“Can we take the horses?” I asked.
Cynisca’s eyes darted around the room. “I suppose. Why?”
I stood and held out my hand. She scrambled to her feet. “Wait for me. I need to go do something. Stay here, will you?”
“Sure. But tell me about what you want with the horses.”
“I’ll be right back.”
Cynisca relented. “Hurry. I don’t like being here alone.”
I collected my tunic and cloak and hurried to the door, losing my balance again.
She rushed over to me. “Are you sure you are well?”
“Yeah. I forgot. I’m still having trouble with my balance. I’ll be right back.” I locked the apartment and went to the washroom and changed. When I returned, Cynisca was gone.
I panicked. When I started to search for her, I heard her. “I’m under the bed.”
I looked underneath as she crawled out.
“Why are you under the bed?”
“I don’t trust that old woman—or Nidal and Tariq. They told me they were looking for a scroll and they robbed you. What else might they do if given the chance?”
“I’ve got a plan,” I said.
“What?”
I sat on the bed. “I need to go to Jerusalem for Passover. Something happened in the chariot. Something I can’t explain. Something I don’t want to share right now.”
Cynisca nodded. “All right.”
“But God got my attention, and with all that has happened, I realize—what’s important. Things I can’t explain, that I can’t tell you.”
Cynisca looked dejected and lowered her eyes. “What about me?”
“I want to know you are safe. What would happen if I took you somewhere? What about your family, the horses, and Dominus?”
“I’d need to let my family know. As long as the horses are safe—they are worth a lot of money. Dominus—my father would have to deal with him. But you—if they find you, they might send you to the mines because you are an indentured slave, although you’ve already made so much money, Dominus might let it go. People would be quite upset that a national hero was—treated poorly.”
I laughed. “I wouldn’t call myself that.”
“You gave people hope—every week they had someone they could admire, an escape from Rome, something to think about besides their miserable life.”
“Of course, if we take the horses, we will have to return them. Where do you want to go?”
“I have a friend in Galilee who can find a place for you to stay. I want you to go to Galilee, to Brutus’s home. Talk to Mari. She’s like a governess. Don’t talk to anyone but her. Tell her I sent you, that your life is in danger, and can she help you find a place to stay.”
“Mari?” Cynisca repeated.
“Yes. You are a skilled horsewoman. I’ve no doubt you can find work.”
“Will you be coming at some point?”
“After Passover, after I visit a friend.”
“What is Passover?”
Her question made me stop and think. “You don’t know?”
Cynisca shook her head. “No.”
“Each year, the Jews make an annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem to commemorate their freedom from Egyptian slavery over a thousand years ago. When they were in bondage, God told the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb and smear the blood around the doorposts. When Yahweh came to kill all the firstborn in Egypt and he saw the blood, he passed over those homes—hence, the name—Passover.
“I have sinned—greatly, and I need to make things right between God and myself.”
“I—I can’t go with you?” Cynisca asked.
I shook my head. “No. You wouldn’t feel comfortable. Jerusalem will be crowded with Jews for the Passover. They may not welcome you since you are a Gentile. You will be safe in Galilee, away from Jerusalem—and here.”
Cynisca studied my room in shambles. “Do you have a girlfriend?”
I rolled my eyes. “Why do you ask me that now?”
Cynisca shrugged. “I don’t know. I sense your heart is for someone—else.”
I looked away. “It’s not relevant right now, so don’t worry about it. Understand?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Now how do we get those horses?” I threw a few things in my bag, along with the laurel crown.
“Is that from last week’s race?” she asked.
I shook my head. “Months ago. Someone gave it to me.
”
“It’s beautiful.”
“And strange that it hasn’t shriveled up like the others,” I commented.
Cynisca reached into my bag and pulled out the crown to examine it more closely. “There is something different about it.”
“What’s that?”
“The color is deep and rich, like the leaves are still living.” Cynisca put the crown of laurel leaves back in the bag. “Strange.”
I changed the subject. “Can we get the horses tonight?”
“Yes.”
“Maybe you can leave a note for your family, but we need to leave—right now.”
Cynisca stood. “I’m ready.”
I straightened up the room and left the key at the front desk. My bill was paid through next week. I could sell the wreath on the way to Jerusalem to buy a couple of doves as an offering at the temple. I wanted to leave—immediately.
CHAPTER 41 JERUSALEM
We took the horses from the stables and left Caesarea. The night was cool and the moon was nine days shy of being full, but full enough to cast eerie shadows.
Traveling at night now caused me more concern than staying. That we wouldn’t be traveling together made me worry.
Cynisca came up beside me on her horse. “I have an idea.”
“What’s that?”
“I have a friend down this road. He might be willing to put us up for the night. He is wealthy—even has a stable for horses.”
“Are you sure? I don’t have any money.”
“I took care of that at the stables.”
“What do you mean?”
“I wrote a note that we are hiding the horses for a month for their protection. Dominus won’t question me after what happened during the race.”
“You mean my falling?”
“That and that several gamblers suffered severe losses. This isn’t an honest sport.”
“I don’t want to know any more,” I confessed. “The less I know the better.”
“And one of the slaves found curse tablets in the stall.”
“Curse tablets?”
“One of the opposing teams put a curse on you. It had the whole team spooked—including me. I didn’t want to tell you.”
“As I said, the less I know the better.” Curse tablets—maybe the old woman did that—she had to be a demon.
Cynisca continued. “I also took enough money to provide for the horses’ care and I have my own money. I’ll lend you some. Just make sure you return Oni in a month or Dominus will come after you—he’ll think I made all of this up so you could steal from him.”
“What about you and Mosi?” I asked.
“Dominus can’t send me to the mines. He needs me as his top trainer. He physically can’t do it.”
“That’s good.”
Cynsica frowned. “I wish I knew who that old woman was. She seemed so evil.”
“What about the Naser brothers?”
Cynisca thought for a moment “If you aren’t racing and they start winning, I think their interest in you will…wane. Money solves many problems. I’m most worried about the old woman.”
I didn’t want to tell Cynisca that I thought the old woman was a demon. I changed the subject. “Let’s stop at your friend’s for the night.”
Cynisca agreed. “I don’t like traveling in this darkness.”
We arrived at our destination and Cynisca tied up her horse and walked to the front door. A few minutes later, she waved for me to come.
I dismounted and tied my horse beside Mosi, somewhat skeptical that someone I didn’t know would let me stay overnight.
Cynisca smiled as I approached. “Daniel, you will never guess who this is—a mutual friend.”
I was greeted by a middle-aged man I didn’t recognize, but he seemed to know me.
“Daniel,” said Cynisca, “this is Theophilus.”
“What?” I stared at the man in disbelief. After a brief pause, we both laughed and received each other in a warm embrace. I couldn’t believe we were staying with Theophilus—Dr. Luke’s friend. He was the high Roman official who adopted Mari and the same man who asked Dr. Luke if he knew of someone who could help mentor Nathan.
We talked late into the night about Dr. Luke, my work at Brutus’s place, how Mari was doing, the healing of Nathan, and why I was no longer needed. Theophilus seemed interested in hearing all about Mari. As is true in small towns, relationships make strange connections.
I was careful to avoid the subject of Brutus’s multiple wives, though being a Gentile, he might not have cared. I thought Dr. Luke was Jewish, but perhaps he was only half-Jewish and half Gentile.
By far, Theophilus’s greatest interest was in the Jewish rabbi that he called by the Greek name Jesus from Nazareth. When he heard I had met him, he asked me for all the details I could remember.
I told him about Nathan’s miraculous healing and raising the dead twelve-year-old girl to life.
He clapped his hands, “Remarkable, remarkable.” He looked me in the eye. “Who do you think he is, Daniel from Jerusalem?”
If Theophilus was a pagan, why was he so interested in the Jewish rabbi?
I shook my head. “Honestly, I don’t know what to make of him, but I’m on my way to Jerusalem for the Passover and expect to see him. I will come back to Caesarea and give you a full reporting of what I see and hear.”
“I’d love to hear your report,” Theophilus said. “I am honored to be in your presence anytime. A friend of Cynisca, Mari, and Doctor Luke is a friend of mine.”
I thanked him for his kindness.
The slaves took care of the horses and we were given separate rooms. Cynisca confided to me after Theophilus had retired for the evening, “I’d like to learn more about your God, Daniel, and the Jewish rabbi.”
I promised her, “After the Passover and my visit to Dr. Luke, I’ll make a trip up to Galilee. We will need to return the horses—if the danger has passed for your safety—and mine.”
~~~
The next morning we left before sunrise. The night’s rest rejuvenated my body and I was anxious to get to Jerusalem. Theophilus’s passion for spiritual things had quickened my desire to worship in the temple. My life had been spared and I wanted to meet God at Passover.
Even Cynisca’s desire to learn more about my God made me realize I was blessed to be a Jew. What I had abandoned was now my burden—my passion. I couldn’t wait to offer a sacrifice at the temple.
Soon Cynisca and I came to the fork in the road. She would take the left one and ride towards Galilee. I would take the right one and travel through Samaria towards Jerusalem. My respect for Cynisca had grown—a woman who could have ruined me, who risked her life to protect me.
“Take this money for the care of Oni,” Cynisca said, “and here is a little extra for food.”
I shook my head. “No, I can’t.”
Cynisca looked confused. “Why not? You and the horse need to eat. You have no shekels.”
I dropped down from the horse and handed her the reins. “Take Oni with you. I will walk to Jerusalem.”
Cynisca stared at me. “It will take you days to reach Jerusalem. What will you eat? Why make this harder on yourself than it has to be.”
“God will provide for all my needs. I have water.”
Cynisca took the reins from me, shaking her head.
I touched her hand. “I’ll be fine. There is plenty of room in the stall at Brutus’s home for both horses.”
“Daniel, I got Oni for you to ride. I trust that you will return him.”
I stopped her. “I—I may not make it back. I can’t explain now. I want to do the right thing and return Oni to you while I can, and I don’t want to owe you or your father any shekels. I must trust God for his provision, and it begins now.”
Cynisca studied my face and smiled faintly. “All right.”
The sun had risen over the hills. The freshness of the new day was sweet—before the sun’s harsh rays brought thirst to the arid
land and dust clung to the crowded roads.
The future beckoned us. Circumstances I couldn’t have imagined brought us together. How much did God control and how much did I choose? I didn’t know.
“I hate long goodbyes,” I told her, “but I’ll be back to Galilee if God is with me.”
Cynisca smiled. “I have a hunch you will come. There is more in Galilee you desire to see than just me.”
I laughed. “I have business to tend to, though I fear my heart will be disappointed when I arrive and find the girl I love has married another.”
“Daniel, you’re alive. Leave to each day its own troubles.”
I marveled at her wisdom. Had my own faith in God enabled her to trust in my God, too?
Cynisca pointed towards Jerusalem. “Go to your Passover. Come and share with me about your God. Mine sits on a pedestal made by human hands. Yours occupies a temple—no, more than that. He lives—somewhere up there.”
I nodded.
Cynisca smiled. “Well, this is it, I guess. What is that Hebrew word for peace?”
“Shalom.”
“Peace to you, Daniel. Shalom.” She waved goodbye as she trotted away with Oni beside her.
“Goodbye, Cynisca,” I said under my breath.
She looked beautiful on a horse—an expert rider and a woman of virtue.
I wrapped my arms around the laurel crown that had not faded as I turned towards Jerusalem. Then I remembered where I had seen the Naser brother’s tattoo. Tariq and Nidal were from the future.
~~~
To Be Continued
Seventh Dimension – The Castle - Book Three, A Young Adult Fantasy, will be available in the Spring of 2015
Enjoy These Books By Lorilyn Roberts
Seventh Dimension – The Door, Volume 1 on Smashwords
Finalist in multiple book awards, YA Christian fantasy (ages 10 and up)
Seventh Dimension – The Door is the first book in the Seventh Dimension Series that combines contemporary, historical, and fantasy elements into a Christian “coming-of-age” story. A curse put on Shale Snyder because of a secret shrouds her with insecurity and fear. Following suspension from school, Shale’s best friend isn’t allowed to see her anymore and she feels abandoned by her family. When a stray dog befriends her, she follows it into the woods. There she discovers a door that leads to another world—a garden with talking animals, demonic underlings, forbidden love, and a king unlike any other. Can Shale overcome her past, defeat the underlings, and embrace her eternal destiny?
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