The Warrior (The Herod Chronicles Book 1) by Wanda Ann Thomas

Author:Wanda Ann Thomas [Thomas, Wanda Ann]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2014-01-13T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

They’d been home from Syria for six weeks, and the hunt for the rebels was finally underway. Nathan was both relieved and apprehensive. He, Lex, Joseph, and Rhoda had spent countless hours discussing the best way to proceed. Their plan called for Nathan to help Herod see the wisdom in letting all of the rebels go except Judas.

Meanwhile, Joseph would try to contact Hezekiah, who had gone into hiding with his men, and convince him to put his sword away in favor of taking the rebel grievances to the Sanhedrin.

Everybody ought to be satisfied. The rebels could return home to their families. Herod could boast to his Roman overlords he had restored peace to the land. And Nathan could fulfill his promise to reunite Lydia with her family and see that Judas the Zealot was punished.

Leading Royal by the reins, Nathan walked beside Lex on the hard-packed path he’d trod more times than he could count. The family was accompanying him as far as the village of Rumah. They’d brought along some olive oil to trade for goods they were running short of. From there Nathan would go on to meet Herod and begin the search for Judas.

He turned and walked backward, checking to make sure his father and stepmother hadn’t fallen too far behind. The donkeys carrying Joseph and Rhoda continued to shuffle along at the same abysmally slow pace. Nathan smiled, watching his father gesture enthusiastically as he talked. The frail man looked healthier than he had in ages. And, miracle of miracles, Rhoda was in a rare, relaxed mood, laughing at whatever it was his father was saying.

Nathan heard Mary and Timothy yelling excitedly. He turned around and saw his brother and sister racing toward the gates of the walled village in the distance. They ran past the slave maiden, Sapphira, who was trying without success to hurry along the donkey she’d been assigned to lead.

Royal nickered and tossed his head. Nathan tightened his hold on the reins and pulled the gelding’s head down to his shoulder. The horse sniffed at his neck. “Good boy,” he said, rubbing the long, velvety nose.

“The poor dear,” Lex said, staring up ahead.

Nathan wasn’t sure if she was referring to Sapphira, who was anxious to get the village and spend time visiting with her family, or to the donkey plodding along under the load of two oversized jars filled with olive oil.

He touched his fingers to the back of Lex’s arm. “Do you mind if I go relieve Sapphira of her burden?” He was extra careful in his dealings with the slave maiden, not wanting to give Lex any cause for concern over the girl.

Lex’s brow furrowed briefly. “Ride Royal and I will catch up with you.”

He climbed atop the saddle, made a clicking noise, and the horse bounded forward. The blast of warm wind to his face was a mere tease. He pulled the horse to a stop next to Sapphira and held out his hand for the lead. “I will take the donkey the rest of the way.

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