Joanna by Hamel Katrina D

Author:Hamel, Katrina D.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Long Walk Publishing
Published: 2021-10-18T00:00:00+00:00

Seventeen

“My lord?” A girl stood in the doorway, and Chuza lifted his chin as the servant continued, “Lord Antipas asks that you meet him at the stables.” Chuza thanked her and tossed his tablet on the scattered contents of his desk. He would tidy it later. Maybe. If he had time.

The stables of Sepphoris were in a separate building near the palace. As Chuza neared, he drew a deep breath of the rich sun-and-dust scent of horses. The smell ignited a primal urge in him for travel and adventure. Or, at least, a good, long ride.

Celer spotted him from the paddock and trotted over, black-tipped ears perked forward. Chuza met him at the stone fence, and the gelding nudged Chuza’s chest with his dark muzzle.

“Sorry, my friend, I didn’t bring any treats for you today,” Chuza said. He usually brought a handful of grain for his faithful companion. A gesture of friendship, but truth be told, a bit of chopped barley made his mount easier to catch. Chuza hadn’t chosen a name meaning “swift” for nothing. He scratched Celer along his jawbone while glancing around. The tetrarch was not in sight.

Patting Celer on the neck, Chuza went through the courtyard and entered the shadowy stable. He found Antipas overseeing the senior groom, who washed a pink, crescent-shaped wound on a stallion’s chest. The animal’s nostrils flared, and the velvety skin of his chest shivered, but he stood obediently under the groom’s careful ministrations.

“Kicked?” Chuza guessed, resting his elbows on the stall door.

“Yes.” Antipas glanced over and then gave a wink. “I’m afraid his new bride was nervous on her wedding night.”

“It’s not deep,” the groom said with a grunt, glancing up. “He will heal with hardly a scar.”

Chuza watched for a minute more, waiting for Antipas to speak. Perhaps this was all Antipas had summoned him for. Their mutual appreciation of a beautiful horse had formed the first bond of friendship between them all those years ago. In the beginning, he had been a poor, untrained boy, unworthy of holding the lead of one of Antipas’ horses. But when Antipas noted the gentleness and desire of his new slave, he arranged for Chuza to learn the craft of horsemanship on an aged mule named Pet.

As the groom smeared the wound with a herb paste, Antipas gave a satisfied nod and took Chuza’s arm. Antipas led his steward outside into the blazing, mid-summer sunshine.

“I long for a new adventure,” Antipas said as they strolled side by side around the paddock, admiring the grazing horses with their long tails swishing away flies. “I wish to see Rome.”

Chuza pursed his lips. A journey to Rome was expensive. Boat passage alone cost hundreds of denarii. Then there were inns, food, and the hundreds of little expenses required to keep the tetrarch in proper dignity.

Antipas eyed him. “I see you running figures in your head. But the political advantages will offset the expense. Pilate is bumbling his position. I need to be seen in Rome as the natural replacement when he undoubtedly fails.

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