Beasts of War: A Retelling of the Old English Judith by Sarah E Zilkowski

Author:Sarah E Zilkowski [Zilkowski, Sarah E]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Published: 2022-12-28T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

It wasn’t long before darkness settled, and when it did, Judith and Nerienda stepped out of the tent. The same two guards were on watch with orders to make sure the women stayed close to the tent, but when they saw Judith’s necklace, they allowed them to pass by without question.

With bonfires lit, torches burning, and small campfires scattered around the army camp, Judith carefully led Nerienda through the tents. While they were meandering, a few men made comments here and there, but for the most part, nobody bothered them. In the firelight, Judith’s necklace glistened with a regal radiance, and the men allowed them to pass by. All the men had heard word of Holofernes’s promise about making Judith his queen. They knew better than to stir up any trouble as everyone knew the feast was when the lord gifted his treasures to those who were in his favor.

Judith and Nerienda proceeded slowly since Nerienda was still supposed to be recovering from her injury. Judith had walked their path a few times, and she felt fairly comfortable with it, but once or twice she found herself lost among the sea of tents. However, she did not dare ask anyone for directions, as she didn’t want to raise suspicion.

Despite having to circle back a few times, they finally made their way to the corner tents that had been guarded by twelve thanes during the day. When they arrived, though, Judith noticed there were now only six men on watch. It seemed that with all the feast preparations underway and no fear of threat to the camp, a smaller number of guards was assigned to the post.

The thanes were sitting around a campfire, speaking to each other in excited tones. Judith could hear their whispers and knew they were discussing the feast. She carefully tucked her necklace under her dress and veil so that it didn’t shimmer in the firelight. Slowly, she and Nerienda crept around the tents and over to the area where her bird necklace had been dropped. Ducking into the shadows, they crouched down on the ground and began feeling around in the dirt. After several minutes of searching, both women began to grow anxious. The necklace was nowhere to be found. During the day, it must have been kicked around by the foot traffic. Despite the danger, they had to spread out.

It wasn’t until they reached the smallest tent that they finally found the little bird in the folds of the animal hides where the tent met the ground. Nerienda picked it up quietly, put it in her pocket, and whispered to the girl that it was time to return to their tent, but Judith didn’t want to leave just yet.

“Quick, Nerienda, come inside,” she whispered. “Let me show you all the beautiful treasure they have here.”

Judith pulled Nerienda into the tent before the old woman could object. As they slipped inside, Judith quickly grabbed the nearest torch and took it in with them.

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