Jezebel by Eleanor De Jong

Author:Eleanor De Jong
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2011-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-Two

The Palace felt empty after Balazar and Esther returned to Tyre, and for several days Jezebel could hear only its echoing silence. Jehu had ridden back to Jerusalem the evening of his swordplay with Ahaziah, having tried once more over dinner to persuade Jezebel that war should be declared on Damascus. Their fleeting friendliness in the stableyard had been lost in his angry pleas; she was saddened but not surprised when he stormed away from the table, leaving Jezebel alone with her brother.

Ahab improved in health after the departure of the guests, buoyed by the affections of his daughter and grandchildren. Within a couple of weeks, Daniel determined that the King had recovered as much as he was going to. Ahab’s mouth still drooped a little and he couldn’t feel all the fingers in his left hand, but he was able to walk with a stick and had even attended a Council session, though he had let Jezebel manage proceedings.

‘But do you feel well enough to travel to Samaria?’ Jezebel said that same afternoon as they sat in his room. ‘There has been rain every evening for days and I don’t think you should camp out in the cold.’

‘Then we will travel all night,’ said Ahab. ‘It is the first Spring Council in Samaria in five days and I cannot allow people to believe I’m not fit to govern.’

‘Very well,’ said Jezebel. ‘Then I shall stay in bed all day and be waited on like a queen so that you may take all the glory of your return.’

Ahab kissed her hand. ‘You have managed the affairs of our people very well. It was clear in the Council that everyone trusts your judgement.’

‘I think they’re relieved not to be going to war, not least because we won’t raise a war tax.’

‘It costs the Palace far more than it costs any of the nobles—’

‘Please!’ shouted a voice beyond the door. ‘You must let me see the Queen!’

‘Who is that?’ asked Ahab.

‘I don’t recognise the voice.’ Jezebel went to the door and pulled back the curtain.

In the corridor two personal guards grasped a boy between them as he wrestled to free himself, his face grubby and tear-stained. Seeing Jezebel he lurched forward. ‘You must come now!’

‘Greet your Queen with the proper respect,’ barked one of the guards.

‘You have to come!’ His expression was terrified, but his eyes were huge and pleading.

‘Who are you?’ Jezebel asked.

‘I’m Ner, from the—’ he gulped, ‘from the estate of Naboth.’

‘Let him go,’ said Jezebel sharply. The boy shook himself free of the guard. ‘Why does Naboth not come himself?’

‘A mob has taken him.’

‘A mob?’

‘They came after lunch, the master was still on the verandah, they came from everywhere like ants.’

‘What is going on?’ Ahab appeared behind Jezebel in the doorway, leaning on his stick. The boy dropped to his knees.

‘She has to come, sir, she has to help me find Naboth. He was shouting for her as they took him away. The mistress sent me—’

‘Who?’ Ahab shook his head in bewilderment.

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