The Fate of the Arrow by Shel Pais

Author:Shel Pais [Shel Pais]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: -
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2019-01-31T16:00:00+00:00

DAVID WALKED BRISKLY THROUGH NORTHAMPTON, wearing his helmet, and keeping his head down as much as possible to avoid being recognized. Townspeople were used to seeing men-at-arms at all times, so no one paid attention to him. As he entered West End, almost everyone he passed he knew, although they too minded their own business and did not care about this soldier. Finally, he arrived at his house. The door was unlocked and he slowly opened it. His father, brother, and sister all were startled to see a man-at-arms trying to enter their home. Mordecai started to yell at this stranger, until the soldier removed his helmet.

“David! It’s you!” They all ran up and hugged him. Then they looked incredulously at him, dressed in mail, carrying a sword, and wearing a crucifix, since he had forgotten to take it off.

“What’s happened to you?” his father asked. “Are you now a Christian?”

“No, Father, I am not a Christian. Let’s sit and I will tell you everything, but you must promise never to tell anyone. I could be imprisoned or executed if you do.” They promised in unison never to repeat to anyone what he was about to tell them.

The three of them sat spellbound as David shared his story. They knew about the three dead thieves, and Mordecai told David he was not surprised it had been him.

“Father, did you know about the bow and arrows?” David asked.

“I suspected as such, but I did not want to have you followed. Benjamin tried to get details from Avram, but he wouldn’t divulge anything except you were fine.”

“Avram is a good friend. I’d like to see him.”

“David,” Rachel began, “you said you have to live as a Christian, but you’re not a Christian. I don’t know what that means.”

David hugged his sister. “It means I am pretending to be a Christian. I’m still a Jew and will always be a Jew.”

“But how?” Benjamin asked.

Mordecai looked sternly at his oldest child. “You have eaten forbidden foods, have you not? You have broken the Sabbath, the High Holidays, and most likely many more of our laws as well. Your mother would be so ashamed, as I am.”

“Father, I meant no disrespect. I had no choice. When Baron Henry made his offer to me, I had to accept. It was the one chance to possibly become a champion of our people. I couldn’t come and tell you. You probably wouldn’t have let me go, and how could I explain to Baron Henry I lived in West End? Please, Father, don’t be angry with me.”

“I still don’t understand how you’ve pretended to be a Christian all this time without anyone becoming suspicious.”

“It hasn’t been that difficult. I’m very observant and able to learn quickly. I pick up small details and know how to talk to them, especially the men-at-arms. The hardest part was to remember I told them my name was Donald. I thought that sounded Christian.”

“So obviously, no one has seen what would give you away immediately.

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