Wings of the Wind by Connilyn Cossette

Author:Connilyn Cossette
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Biblical Fiction;Christian fiction;FIC042030;FIC042040;FIC026000
ISBN: 9781441231307
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2017-03-22T04:00:00+00:00

24

3 ELUL

1407 BC

CAMP AT ABIRAM

The high ridge on which this forest stood overlooked the entire Jordan valley to the northwest. The farther Tobiah and I trekked, and the higher the sun rose, the more clearly the emerald jewel of my homeland stretched out as far as the eye could see. The delicious smell of green surrounded us. I inhaled the freshness deep into my lungs, willing it to cleanse my soul.

The solitude of our hike this morning reminded me of long hours hunting by myself, the hours I had spent listening to the land, learning every blade of grass and every distinct birdsong, every whisper of the breeze and every clue to oncoming storms. But having my husband alongside me was so much better. Although I jested that his large feet would startle away all the prey, Tobiah’s light step still surprised me, even after over four months of daily hunts together. A man of his size who could steal through the forest was a rarity. Like spirits, we moved through the trees, alert for game.

As we passed through a thicket of blooming pink tamarisk trees, Tobiah lifted a hand, signaling me to still my body, an exercise I had mastered long ago.

With a slow movement, Tobiah pointed. A fox, red fur gleaming golden in the early-morning sunlight, hunched with her back toward us in the long grass, stalking some small animal. With patience, the vixen waited, not a muscle twitching, black-tipped ears flat. We stood close together beneath the shelter of the tamarisk, breathing slowly, nearly in tandem with the sharp-eyed predator crouched in the grass only five paces away.

With a graceful flash of red and white, the fox streaked forward and pounced on her prey. A soft squeak announced her victory over whatever rodent had tempted her this morning. As she jerked her head upward, her eyes sought us out in the shadows, undoubtedly having caught our scent in the breeze. With a flip of her red and white tail she bounded away, probably off to share the meal between her teeth with kits in a nearby den.

“Reminds me of another red-haired hunter I know,” said Tobiah.

“Well, that vixen’s hair is longer than mine.” I ruffled the finger-length curls at the back of my neck as we stepped out of the thicket. We had ended up on a high ridge that overlooked the entire valley. Green stretched in every direction, ending at the blue hills in the west.

He ran a hand over his thick beard as he surveyed the wide vista. “True. Perhaps we can find you some armor and catch up to the other men. No one would know the difference.”

“Are you saying I look like a man?” My eyes flared.

He folded his arms across his chest and surveyed me instead, his eyes traveling over me with a leisurely perusal that flashed heat through my limbs. “No, Alanah, you look nothing like a man.” He lifted a playful brow. “But you could fight better than a few I know.

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