The Warrior (The Herod Chronicles Book 1)

by Wanda Ann Thomas

  Heart beating out of her chest, she forced air past her clogged throat. “Nathan is away.” Thank the Lord. Please let him be far, far way.

  Judas’ scowl deepened. “Away where?”

  Summoning up her courage, she narrowed her eyes at the outlaw. “Return Lydia to us, and Nathan will stop hunting for you.”

  “Lydia is my wife.” Judas came closer and pointed a long, dirty finger at her. “Lydia belongs to me.”

  He smelled of dank smoke and sweat. Her sister shared a bed with this glassy-eyed man. Lex swallowed the bile rising in her throat. My poor, poor Lydia. What you must be suffering. “Let Lydia go. I beg—”

  Judas lunged toward her.

  She cringed backward, just as Joseph leaned over to shield her. “No! Leave her be!”

  Judas shoved Joseph aside, grabbed a hank of Lex’s hair, and yanked her to her feet. The knife flashed in her face. The knife that had sliced through James. The knife she had held. Her knees buckled.

  Joseph stood and raised his hands. “Don’t hurt her. We’ll do whatever you say.”

  Judas hot breath and bushy beard raked her neck. “Do not speak Lydia’s name again. Do you understand?”

  Lex choked out an answer.”I...I understand.”

  Her father-in-law stepped closer. “Let my dear daughter go, I beg you, and tell me what’s troubling you.”

  Judas pulled her against his bony body. “Why has Nathan turned against me? The Lord’s anointed.”

  Alexandra’s skin crawled. She struggled against the arm holding her in place.

  Joseph stepped closer. “Don’t fight him, Alexandra. The Lord will see us through this.” His soothing voice calmed her.

  She stilled.

  Joseph offered her a reassuring smile, then looked up at Judas. “Please. Come sit at my table and discuss the matter over food and drink.”

  Alexandra held her breath. The arm pressing at her shoulders went slack.

  Judas laughed and pushed her aside. He slid his knife beneath his belt and put his arm around Joseph. “You always were more reasonable than your son.” They walked in the direction of the tent. “So, where’s Nathan? You expect him soon?” Judas couldn’t have sounded friendlier.

  Lex clasped her shaking hands to her waist and followed. She hoped her dear father-in-law knew what he was doing. She wished Nathan were here. And was grateful to heaven he wasn’t.

  They left the orchard and crossed the field. Timothy saw them coming and waved. Water sloshed over the sides of the jar clutched in his arms. His smile fell. He dropped the jug and raced inside the big tent.

  A moment later Rhoda, Mary, and Sapphira followed Timothy outside. James and Elizabeth came out of the small tent to investigate what all the excitement was about.

  The red slash crossing James’s face blazed like a beacon triggering sharp images that flashed through Alexandra’s mind. Blood welling and spilling over James’s pale cheek. The knife slick with blood. Red droplets splattering her white tunic. Don’t fight Judas, her father-in-law had said. Her hands fisted. She hated to disobey Joseph. But if things turned ugly, she was prepared do whatever she must to keep Judas from hurting her family.

  The outlaw leader stopped beside the well and ordered Alexandra to fill the men’s water pouches. The raiders gathered around her and loaded her arms with water skins. Judas commanded the men to spread out and search the grounds.

  Rhoda gathered Timothy and Mary under her arms. “Husband, what do they want with us?”

  The raider acting as the second-in-command called out from the other side of the yard. “There’s no sign of Nathan or Onias.”

  Alexandra released a relieved breath. For all she knew Nathan might have come home while she was in the orchard. He was safe. For now.

  “Where’s Father?” she asked James, lowering the water jug down into the well.

  Her brother fidgeted in place as the raiders fanned out around them in a large circle. “Father went into Rumah to attend synagogue. And good riddance, too. We don’t need his screeching.”

  Judas grinned nastily. “I remember you did your share of crying last time we met.” His fellow raiders laughed.

  James gritted his teeth. “Go away. Leave before you regret coming here.”

  Alexandra’s heart went out to her brother and his attempt at bravery.

  Judas slashed his knife through the air and bluffed a move toward James. Her brother jumped behind Cousin Elizabeth. The raiders split their sides laughing.

  “You seem extra feisty today,” Judas commented, rummaging through the leather pouch hanging from his belt. He dug out a set of bone-carved dice.

  Alexandra’s breath hitched. The rope slipped out of her hands. The water jug crashed back into the well.

  Judas tossed the dice and caught them. Tossed them up and caught them. James’s eyes were glued on the dice. Lex knew she should do something, but what?

  Joseph clapped his hands. “Why don’t we move inside the tent? Rhoda will set out some bread and our best olive oil.”

  A guttural cry went up and James raced past Alexandra. She wanted to go after him, but her feet wouldn’t work. No, no, no! What are you doing James?

  Howling, her brother lowered his head and rammed the rebel leader in the stomach. Caught off guard, Judas stumbled backward. The dice flew through the air.

  James jammed his shoulder into Judas’ midsection. “Run, Lex! Run!”

  The rebel leader lifted his knife high over his head.

  Alexandra lunged for the deadly weapon. Joseph was closer. Her father-in-law grabbed Judas’ upraised arm. The rebel leader thrust his elbow back, knocking the frail man off his feet. Joseph landed on his back. His head crashed against the well with a loud crack.

  Everyone froze in place.

  ***

  The stables whirled in a blur around Nathan at the news that Judas the Zealot was on the march and heading to his farm. He gripped Royal’s reins, ready to ride the horse into the ground to get home.

  “Hold up,” a booming voice called. “I’ll ride with you.”

  “I can’t wait.” Nathan threw his leg over Royal’s back. Judas was a dead man if he touched any of them. Nathan would rip the mad devil apart with his own hands.

  A hand fisted in his tunic and yanked him off the horse.

  “Rot you!” Nathan yelled. He twisted around and threw a punch.

  Kadar deflected his fist. “Listen to sense,” the big man said.

  “What sense?” Nathan threw up his hands. “Judas the Zealot is going to do God knows what to my family. And you want to stand around discussing it?”

  The blond giant raised a brow. “I didn’t think Jews said the name God out loud. It’s always ‘the Lord this’ and ‘the Lord that.’ And you,” Kadar pointed a finger at him “I’ve never heard you take the Lord’s name in vain.”

  “You’re purposely trying to slow me down, aren’t you?” Nathan didn’t have time for a lecture from the Torah, especially one coming from a barbarian. “Go hang yourself!” he said, turning back to Royal.

  Kadar gripped Royal’s bridle. “Run in there like you’re Sampson brandishing the jawbone of an ass and you’ll get them and yourself killed.”

  Nathan hunched his shoulders against the levelheaded argument. Damnation! Kadar was right. Nathan directed his frustration at the stable boy. “Stop staring and go saddle the man’s horse.” The boy scurried away.

  Kadar let go of Royal and called a man out of the shadows.

  Nathan recognized the diminutive soldier as Herod’s fastest horseman and most reliable messenger. Kadar pressed a silver coin into the messenger’s hand. “Find Herod and tell him what you told me. Do it in record time and there’s a bag of coins in it for you.”

  The man nodded and disappeared back into the shadows.

  Nathan crossed his arm over his chest. “I’m not waiting for Herod to show up in Rumah.”

  A flicker of surprise crossed Kadar’s face. “We’ll need every available man to track
Judas down.”

  Nathan’s stomach lurched. “Judas is going to be long gone from the farm before I get there, isn’t he?” He ran his hand over his face. “Of course he is.” The next terrible thought presented itself. “What if Judas takes Lex or Mary captive like he took Lydia? It could be months before we get another lead.” He smashed his fist into the thick wooden beam framing the barn’s double doors. Royal whinnied and pranced in a circle.

  Kadar put a hand on his shoulder. “If that happens, Herod will turn Galilee upside down to get them back.”

  “You’re right. But at what price?” Nathan flexed his throbbing fingers. “Forgive me. I’m not thinking straight.”

  A slave led Kadar’s big black stallion over to where they stood. “Rumah’s a good half-day ride north of here from what I remember?” Kadar asked, as he climbed aboard Satan.

  Nathan gave a curt nod and swung up onto Royal’s back. He’d never felt more helpless or impatient. Lord, give me strength and a clear mind for my family’s sake. He snapped the reins. The horse jumped ahead. “Try to keep up,” he called back.

  CHAPTER 23

  Joseph lay motionless, his head cocked to one side. Alexandra fell on her knees beside him. Rhoda raced over and dropped down next to Joseph, lifted her husband’s hand and squeezed his fingers. “Joseph,” she coaxed. “Please, Joseph. Talk to me.” There was no response.

  Lex pressed her ear to her father-in-law’s chest and listened but only heard the loud thumping of her own heart. But then, praise heaven, she felt the steady rise and fall of his breast against her cheek. “He’s breathing,” she assured Rhoda.

  “Thank the good Lord,” Rhoda’s voice wobbled. “We’ll need a blanket to move him inside.”

  It was eerily quiet. Lex sat up and looked around. Judas had his arms out, holding everyone back. He and his raiders appeared almost as anxious over the old man’s welfare as Joseph’s loved ones.

  James was pinned down in the dirt by a large, sandaled foot planted in the middle of his back. Misery was written all over his face. “I didn’t mean for Joseph to get hurt.”

  Lex brushed aside the stray hairs hanging in her face. “It’s not your fault.” Though frustrated and irritated with her brother, he didn’t deserve the blame. Her eyes returned to Judas. “You’ve made your point.” She was amazed by her own calm. “Leave now, and I’ll try to convince Nathan not to kill you.”

  Judas lowered his arms. “We’ll go.” He smiled and her scalp and skin prickled from fear of what was coming next. “But we’re taking the girls.” He snapped his fingers and the raiders nearest Mary, Sapphira, and Elizabeth grabbed hold of them. The frightened girls wailed and looked to Lex and Rhoda for salvation.

  Alexandra leaped to her feet. “No! You can’t.” She moved towards the girls. A somber, long-faced raider blocked her way. The imposing man pressed the flat of his blade to her stomach.

  Ignoring her, Judas walked over to Joseph’s prone body. He laid his hand on Rhoda’s shoulder. “This was an accident. Tell Nathan I didn’t mean to hurt Joseph.”

  Rhoda glared up at the raider. “My Joseph won’t hold it against you. As for Nathan, he’s not quite as forgiving as his father.” She pointed a long, knobby finger at the rebel leader. “Judas Maccabee, be warned, if you take my Mary, Nathan will hunt you down like a dog.

  Judas’ face hardened. “He can try. But he will fail. I’m the Lord’s Anointed. The Lord is my refuge.”

  The other raiders shuffled in place. Judas motioned his men to move out. The girls’ cries became higher pitched.

  Alexandra pushed against the blade holding her back. There had to be a way to stop Judas. He was obsessed with Lydia.

  What if—? It might work.

  “Wait!” she yelled. “Leave the girls and take me. You like Lydia. You will like me, too.”

  Judas stopped and narrowed his eyes at her.

  She swallowed. “I promise you will like me as much as you do Lydia.” Lust flickered through Judas’ dark eyes.

  Bile rose in her throat. She forced herself to smile. “I promise to please you.” What else could she use to tempt him? Money, perhaps? It worked with most people. “Leave the girls and take me and James. My father would pay a great deal of money to get his only son back.”

  “Lex!” James squawked. “I told you I was sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt the old man. Why are you punishing me like this?” He squirmed under the foot holding him in place, causing his tunic to ride up and expose his skinny white legs.

  The raiders laughed and laughed.

  Judas hooted hardest of all. Gasping for breath, the rebel leader wiped his eyes dry. “This is too entertaining to pass up. Though it may prove troublesome, I’m going to take you two and the girls.”

  “What?” Lex asked, outraged. Hands clasped onto both her arms.

  “You heard me,” Judas said.

  He gave a shrill whistle and he and his men moved out, herding the women ahead of them. James’s tormentor slung the kicking and screaming boy over his shoulder. Cousin Elizabeth was taking matters well, but poor Mary and Sapphira were sobbing their eyes out and reaching their arms out to Rhoda. Timothy stood beside Rhoda comforting his mother. The distraught woman rocked on her knees. Her doleful keening was the piercing cry used to mourn the loss of a loved one. Alexandra wasn’t sure if her mother-in-law was grieving for the girls or for Joseph, who remained as motionless as a statue.

  Two raiders stayed behind to fill the water skins. It was all too easy to imagine the men running their swords through Rhoda, Joseph, and Timothy on their way out of the yard. Alexandra squeezed her eyes closed. Keep them safe, Lord. Please, please keep us all safe.

  Cresting the hill leading out of the valley, Alexandra turned her head around for one last look at the farm. Though it had been her home for only a few short months, it was dear to her. Undeterred by the sight of the half-built house and barren orchard, she thought it the most beautiful place on Earth. Would she ever set eyes on it again? Would she get to run through the fields again with Nathan? Or make love with Nathan under the trees?

  She stubbed her toe on a rock. Her ragged cry had nothing to do with her foot.

  They walked all that day and halfway through the night. Mary, Sapphira, Elizabeth, James, and Alexandra each stumbled and fell at some point. The raiders pushed them remorselessly on. A pucker bush poked into Alexandra’s ankle. She ignored it, wondering, once again, how much longer it would be before she could get off her aching feet. A short while later a scout returned. An excited buzz went up among the raiders. A dim glow appeared up ahead. The pace quickened. Head-high scrub gave way to a clearing and flaring light.

  Squinting against the sudden brightness, Alexandra saw a dozen or so men standing outside a cave entrance, hefting torches. A woman came out of the rock den. She hesitated, then moved forward.

  Lydia. It was Lydia.

  Her sister ran past Alexandra and into Judas the Zealot’s open arms.

  ***

  Nathan leaned over Royal’s neck and willed the horse to run faster. They’d stopped just once, at Kadar’s insistence, to water the horses. Nathan didn’t bother prodding his exhausted steed. The blond giant would just cut him off, as he had every time Nathan pushed too hard. The same questions raced through his mind. Did trouble await them? Was the family safe and well? Could Lex survive another encounter with Judas?

  The hillocks guarding the farm came into view. Praise the Lord God. Halfway up a knoll Nathan gave the halt signal. They pulled the horses to a stop and dismounted.

  Kadar flexed his neck and rolled his massive shoulders. “I wondered if you planned to ride in there like a horseman from hell.”

  “I’d love to.” Nathan stared up the hill. He could have had Lex in his arms by now. Pushing the tempting notion aside, he turned back to Kadar. “Even though it’s a good bet Judas and his men are long gone, it’d be foolish to charge in blind. We’ll leave the horses here and approach on foot. If you sense the least danger, spill blood fi
rst and ask questions later.”

  Kadar’s white teeth flashed with a wolfish grin. “Herod said you have a good head for battle.”

  “Battle?” Nathan snorted. “Judas isn’t a soldier. It will be more like a brawl.”

  Kadar shrugged. “It’s all the same to me.” He slapped Nathan on the back. “You take the point and I’ll watch the rear.”

  They hobbled the horses and headed out at a jog. Nathan moved quickly and silently, the palms of his hands sweaty from gripping and re-gripping his sword. He swept his eyes back and forth, alert for signs of trouble. His body hummed, ready to burst into action. Combat tactics played through his mind. Strike first. Strike hard. Antipater shouting, ‘Keep your mind on the enemy and keep your sword up, and you might just get to keep your ugly head on your shoulders.’

  And Nathan remembered why he loved soldiering—he was good at it. He made an adequate farmer, but he was ten times a better soldier. And today, with his family’s lives at stake, he was thankful this was so.

  Cresting the hill, Nathan and Kadar dropped to their bellies and crawled forward until the farm came into view. They hid behind a clump of weeds and studied the yard. Simeon Onias was seated outside the small tent reading from a scroll, while his servant, Goda, brought him food and drink. Timothy came out of the main tent and hurried toward the well. Nathan exhaled. Nothing looked amiss.

  Kadar rose to his knees. “I don’t see any sign of the rebels. Let’s move in.”

  They ran in a low crouch to the safety of the barn and stopped and listened and waited. It was too quiet. Where was everybody? Rhoda and the girls ought to be busy preparing dinner. They watched and waited some more. Bursting with impatience, Nathan tapped his fingers against his thigh. Finally Kadar gave the all clear sign and they stepped out into the open. Timothy spotted them and raced forward. Nathan got ready to catch the boisterous boy in his arms, but his brother crumpled into a sobbing ball at his feet.

  Nathan and Kadar exchanged grim looks. Nathan crouched down beside Timothy and patted the boy’s heaving shoulders. “What’s wrong? Tell me what happened.” Unable to get a coherent word out of the inconsolable boy, he scooped his brother up and walked toward Simeon Onias.