He heard his name being called and groaned. Lex whimpered. He tried to step away, but Lex wrapped her arms around him. Desperation heated her whisper. “I can’t wait until night. Take me somewhere private. I want to join with you.”
Blood pounding in his ears, he gasped, “I missed you, Lex. I missed everything about you.” With great remorse, he gently set her away. And just in time too.
Timothy came bounding through the trees. “Nathan,” he called excitedly. Nathan held out an arm and Timothy scrambled his way up Nathan’s side and hugged him hard around the neck. “Guess what?”
“What, monkey?” Nathan tousled the boy’s fine hair.
“We have company.” Timothy turned his grin on Alexandra. “Your father and brother have come to see you.”
Lex’s face drained of color.
CHAPTER 18
Nathan stepped out of the orchard and looked across the grassy valley to the low knoll beyond. The whole family stood outside the tents, fussing over Simeon and James Onias. Timothy was already halfway down the hill, racing toward the others. “Any guess as to why your father is here?” he asked Lex, only she was no longer beside him. “Lex?” He turned around. At first glance he didn’t see her. She stood half-hidden behind the gnarled trunk of an ancient olive tree chewing nervously at her lip and staring hard at her father and brother. “Lex,” he called a little louder.
She flinched, then hurried to catch up. Stopping beside him, her eyes remained fixed on the yard. “I wish the house was built,” she said.
Finishing the house was at the top of the long list of projects needing his attention. Entertaining visitors meant more delay. That was merely irritating. Simeon Onias bearing witness to his daughter’s present living conditions cut deeply. “He should have warned us he was coming,” Nathan said, more sharply than he meant to.
Lex wrung her hands, her eyes haunted. “I can’t imagine what possessed my father to travel through Galilee alone. Again. James must have been frightened half to death.”
Nathan put his arm around her shoulder and rubbed his hand up and down her arm. “Whatever the trouble is, we will manage it together.”
Lex sighed and offered him a weak smile. “It’s strange...my father coming here, don’t you think?”
Nathan scratched his chin and peered across the field at his father-in-law. “This makes it twice now your father has ventured into Galilee. I doubt he’s here to hunt for religious relics.” That was the excuse Simeon Onias had used last time. “Let’s go find out what he’s up to now.”
Setting out across the field, Nathan saw Simeon and James weren’t alone. The bald slave stood off to the side, tending a handful of donkeys. One of the animals was loaded down with mesh sacks and straw baskets. A young woman was traveling with them as well. It was probably too much to hope Simeon had somehow managed to secure Lydia’s release.
Lex slowed. “Elizabeth. What is she doing here?” Her breath hitched. “Elizabeth and James must have married.”
“You don’t sound pleased.”
“Her father and my father are cousins. They wanted James and Elizabeth to marry, but Father and Cousin Nehonya have been feuding. Besides, I didn’t think Elizabeth was of age yet.”
Nathan studied the new bride more closely. Of average height and weight, there was nothing remarkable about her, except she looked young. Very young. “How old is she?” he asked.
“Twelve, or thirteen, at the most.”
Nathan winced on the girl’s behalf.
They crossed the yard and joined the others.
Nathan forced a smile. “Shalom to you, Father Simeon. James. We could hardly believe our eyes.”
Simeon Onias’s frown deepened. “Nathan of Rumah, I would have a private word with you.”
No greeting. No acknowledgement of his daughter. No pleasantries. Rot the old prune. Nathan gave his father-in-law a hard look. “What brings you here?”
“What brought me here?” Simeon mocked, sarcasm dripping from each word. “I received word you have joined forces with Herod. Something my dear children knew but failed to mention.” The unhappy man narrowed his eyes at Alexandra and James. Lex blushed. James turned and walked back to the donkeys.
“Blame me,” Nathan said. “Asking for Herod’s help was my decision. I thought it the quickest, surest way to find your daughter.” Simeon’s complaint didn’t come as a surprise. Pharisees whole-heartedly resented Antipater for interfering in Temple matters. Antipater’s recent successes must be making them even more nervous.
“You are to end all contact with Herod,” Simeon ordered. “Leave the thinking to me, farmer, from now on.”
Give me patience, Nathan prayed, biting his tongue for the sake of the others. Glancing around, he saw that Lex and Elizabeth were exchanging uncomfortable frowns. Mary and Sapphira sidled closer and closer to Rhoda. Fidgety as always, his step-mother wiped and re-wiped her hands in her apron. Timothy played happily in the sand at his mother’s feet, oblivious to the tension.
Then Nathan looked toward his father. Joseph tipped his head in the direction of the largest tent. Food and drink might—or might not—serve as a palliative to Simeon’s bad mood. Nonetheless Joseph, who was unfailingly polite and hospitable, would do his best to placate their unfriendly guests.
Nathan held out a hand toward the tent. “Come and sit. We can discuss the matter over the morning meal.”
At the mention of food Timothy whooped loudly, dumped the sand from his hands and threw himself at Nathan.
Simeon reared back as though coming face to face with a striking snake. Thankfully, Lex intercepted Timothy before he could climb monkey-like up Nathan’s side.
“Why? I never. I...” Simeon Onias spluttered.
Lex whispered a few words in Timothy’s ear and the boy grinned and went and hid behind Rhoda. Nathan smiled his thanks at Lex.
She in turn smiled brightly at her father. “Welcome to my new home.” At Simeon’s glowering frown, she moved quickly on to her father’s cousin. “Elizabeth, you are married? This is so unexpected.” The new bride blushed.
Nathan must have met the girl at his and Lex’s wedding, but he couldn’t recall her specifically.
Simeon Onias pushed Elizabeth aside to scowl ferociously at his daughter. “I see your manners have already been corrupted. Go find a proper head covering, you Jezebel.”
Lex’s face and neck turned bright red.
Nathan could hardly believe his ears. He stepped between Lex and her father and put his finger in the man’s face. “Alexandra is my wife and answers to no man but me.”
Simeon smirked and something about the smug smile raised the hairs on the back of Nathan’s neck.
Joseph clapped for their attention. “My home is a house of peace. Come, let us eat.”
A cloud of awkwardness overshadowing them, they headed inside the tent. Basins of water and clean towels were set out for the travelers. Simeon, James, and Elizabeth washed the journey’s dust from their hands and feet. Timothy helped Nathan tie back the tent flaps to allow the sun in. Mary and Lex set extra straw mats around the large woven oval that served as the table. Rhoda and Sapphira raced to and fro, arms loaded with stone-carved bowls filled with dates, bread, and olive oil.
Nathan turned to check on their guests and cringed as Sapphira collided with the Pharisee.
Knocked back a step, the man’s face twisted with disgust. “Fool, slave! Watch your step!”
Sapphira burst into tears.
“Hold on.” Nathan moved to intercede, but Lex was quicker.
She stepped between her father and Sapphira. “It was my fault,” Lex spoke hurriedly. “I should have been paying better attention.”
Simeon turned his wrath on his daughter. “None of your excuses, Alexandra! You were taught how to run a proper household. You need to keep a tight rein on your slaves or they will take advantage.”
“Yes, Father,” Lex murmured.
Simeon fussed with the thick folds of his richly embro
idered garments. “Don’t stand there gaping at me. Come and help straighten my robe.”
Lex patted Sapphira’s arm comfortingly, and then knelt before her father, making a production of plucking and pulling at nonexistent wrinkles.
If Nathan ground his teeth together any harder they would shatter. Lex had said her life wasn’t always easy. Hard is what it had been. Too damnably hard. How many times had she had her ears and heart blistered because she’d stepped in the way of her father’s wrath on behalf of her brother and sister, like she was doing now for Sapphira? How often had she sacrificed her pride and feelings on the altar of Simeon Onias’s self-righteous tirades? Was it any wonder she was skittish about speaking her mind?
Not about to allow the puffed-up peacock to lord it over Lex even one more moment, Nathan walked over and knelt down beside her. Her eyes widened in surprise. He winked back mischievously, gently pushed her hands aside, and tugged hard on the hem of Simeon’s expensive robe.
Simeon batted at his tunic. “Enough! I wanted my clothes righted. Not torn from my back.” Sticking his nose in the air, he walked away.
“Sit down, already,” Rhoda admonished, claiming the attention.
Lex blew out a tremulous breath. Nathan stood and offered her his hand. “You are brave as a lioness defending her cubs,” he whispered, helping her to her feet.
“I’m sorry your family has to suffer my father’s impatience,” she said, barely able to meet his eyes.
Her discomfort killed Nathan. He made a promise, “The Lord as my witness, you will never suffer another cruel word from your father. Not while I breathe.”
Lex’s small smile of gratitude pierced his heart all over again.
Joseph waved everyone to the table. “Come and eat.” Simeon sat to the right of Joseph in the place of honor. Nathan took the seat opposite his father-in-law. James chose a spot as far away from his father as possible. James’s young wife looked about uncertainly. Joseph offered Elizabeth a kind smile. “Sit next to your husband, child.”
Frowning, she circled around the table and kneeled down beside Simeon Onias.
Nathan’s jaw dropped. Elizabeth and Simeon Onias were man and wife?
Honest as ever, Timothy blurted out what everyone else was thinking, “Alexandra’s father is really old. He should have married someone his own age.”
Elizabeth stared at her lap, her cheeks blotchy and red.
Nathan’s appetite deserted him. It wasn’t just because of Elizabeth’s tender age. Marrying daughters off shortly after they started their monthly flow, when there could be little doubt about virginity, was a common enough practice. But giving a young girl to a nasty old, dried-up stick of a man like Simeon struck Nathan as the height of cruelty. It was the equivalent of forcing Mary to wed an uncle, and a hard-hearted, ill-tempered uncle at that.
“Merciful angels!” Simeon scowled in disgust. “You’d think I murdered someone, the way you all are frowning at me.
“Father,” Lex’s voice shook.
“No more of your impertinence, Alexandra.” The fussy man rearranged his legs. “I get enough of that from Elizabeth. My wife talks enough for ten foolish women, but she is learning to keep silent.”
Nathan squeezed Lex’s elbow. What he wanted to do was plant his fist in Simeon Onias’s hateful mouth.
Lex chewed her lip a moment. “But...but...I thought you and Cousin Nehonya weren’t speaking.”
“Stop.” Simeon held a hand up. “What has gotten into you, Alexandra? You are acting as headstrong as your fool brother.”
“That’s unfair of you, Father,” James interrupted. “After all, Alexandra married the man you selected for her.” Lex’s brother aimed his bitter brown eyes at Nathan. “Father wanted useful sons-in-laws. Are you prepared to be useful?”
Nathan’s suspicion that Simeon was up to something deepened. “If my conscience allows it,” he said.
“James,” Simeon warned.
The boy traced his fingers over his empty plate. “Father’s angry with me. He promised cousin Nehonya I would marry Elizabeth. But I refused.”
A collective gasp went up at the unthinkable rebellion. Fathers reigned supreme as the head of the household, and children, be they ten years old or thirty and ten, were duty-bound to obey their fathers.
Simeon scowled some more at his son. “My cousin insisted on a marriage between his family and mine as a condition for our reconciliation.” Simeon shrugged. “So I married the girl.”
“Reconciliation?” Lex looked between her father and brother. “I am happy to hear it. It is good news.”
“Hold on, Sister,” James drawled. “Before you get all misty-eyed over the fact we are one big, happy family again, you need to hear why father and cousin Nehonya have set their differences aside. They’re scheming to make Father the next high priest.”
“High priest?” Lex sat up straighter. “Is it true?” she asked Elizabeth. The child bride looked to Simeon for direction. The old prune’s cheeks were puffed to the point of bursting.
“Is James teasing?” Mary asked.
“Truly?” Sapphira clapped delightedly. “My father will rejoice to have a righteous man sit as high priest.”
Timothy hopped up from his mat and came and leaned on Nathan’s shoulder. “Why do we need a new high priest? Did John Hycranus die?”
Rhoda shook her finger at Timothy. “John Hycranus is alive and well. Now, go back to your seat. Though heaven knows the man ought to be dead, eating all the rich food he does.”
Nathan peeled Timothy’s hands off his neck “Mind you mother, monkey,” he said, and exchanged an incredulous look with his father. Was Simeon Onias addled? The Hasmonean family had reigned as high priests for the past one hundred and twenty years. It would take nothing less than war to unseat them.
“Cease your caterwauling!” Simeon Onias put his hands over his ears. The tent went silent. Simeon lowered his arms and leveled a withering look at James. “You have said more than enough.”
“Does the boy speak true?” Nathan asked, hoping he’d misunderstood. “Surely, you’re not entertaining the wild notion of becoming high priest?”
“Wild notion?” The pious man’s mouth puckered. “My family owns the rightful claim to the office of high priest. My forefathers come from the line of Zadok, who was appointed high priest by King David. The Hasmoeans and John Hycranus are common priests. My cousin and I mean to set matters right.“
The argument had more than a little merit. The Pharisees had been at odds with the Sadducees for years over this very point. If not for his strong misgivings about his father-in-law, Nathan might have found the idea more to his liking. “Sapphira’s father will not be the only one glad to hear it,” he admitted with reluctance. “People are tired of the Hasmoeans’ corrupt practices. If you can straddle the line between the Sadducee and Pharisee's camps...” a task Nathan feared his wily father-in-law would be more than able to perform “...you will find many in Galilee who will support you.”
Simeon frowned at James. “Did any of what your sister’s husband said penetrate your thick hide? People are tired of the Hasmoeans. What do you have to say to that?”
James rested his elbows on his knees and propped his chin in his hands. “I am tired of you, Father. What do you have to say to that?”
“Father. James.” Lex pleaded.
“James,” her brother mimicked. “You won’t be so judgmental when you hear what Father wants from your husband.”
Lex’s eyes flashed and her spine stiffened. “My husband is a capable and quick-minded man, able to hold his own with the best and brightest of men.” Nathan watched with admiration. Lex had never appeared more beautiful or more strong.
“Soldiers are useful creatures,” Simeon agreed. Kneading the gray hair edging his long, wiry beard between his fingers, he studied Nathan for an uncomfortably long time. “You had quite the reputation as a soldier. It’s said some called you the angel of death.”
Nathan’s blood went co
ld. “Hold your tongue, old man.”
Simeon laughed. “Yes, I can see it’s true. You do possess a dangerous side.”
Nathan emitted a low growl. “You go too far.” A steady hand landed on his arm.
“Nathan.” Lex’s soft plea cooled his anger.
“Tell us what you want,” Joseph said.
Simeon cleared his throat. “I want your son to gather an army for me and lead them into battle against the Hasmoeans.”
Temper reviving, Nathan barked, “Are you mad?”
“My cousin and I have purchased arms enough for one thousand men.” Simeon raised his brows at Nathan. “Is that sane enough for you?”
“Wait, wait, wait.” The tent went dark around Nathan. There were so many things wrong with what his father-in-law proposed he wasn’t sure where to start. He took a deep breath. “Antipater has an army three times that size, filled with experienced soldiers. And don’t forget the three Roman legions sitting in Syria, waiting to pounce at the first sign of rebellion. You can’t—”
Simeon’s fork clattered onto his plate. “Leave Antipater and Rome to me. You worry about raising an army.”
Nathan pointed his finger at his father-in-law. “Stop your jabbering and listen. You thought wrong. I’m not a soldier. Find someone else to lead your army. I agreed to search for your daughter and nothing else. You will have no hope of getting Lydia back if you go to war against Antipater.”
Simeon waved his hand. “I’ve received report she is with child. Judas the Zealot is welcome to keep the shameless wanton. She is of no use to me in that condition.”
“With child?” Lex cried.
Nathan squeezed Lex’s shoulder and shot a dirty look at Simeon. Did the man have one feeling bone in his body? Disparaging his blameless daughter so, and announcing her pregnancy as though reporting yesterday’s gossip? And who was giving Simeon those reports? And why didn’t Nathan know anything about it? He was sure of one thing. He wanted nothing to do with his father-in-law’s intrigues and trickery. The sooner he set the old fool straight, the better.
The Warrior (The Herod Chronicles Book 1) Page 18
