Samson by Eric Wilson

Author:Eric Wilson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Charisma House
Published: 2017-11-16T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 31

BROTHERLY BONDS

Caves of Etam

I HAVE NO PLAN of attack. I have only my brother.

And for me that is enough.

Caleb and I rush from our parents’ mud-brick home, the same structure in which we grew and learned and played together, and we hide among the rocky clefts near Etam. As we build a fire in the mouth of a cave, I relate all that happened in Ashkelon and Timnah, and he is as furious as I am. He nods as I insist on revenge. What else is there?

My bride is now with my former friend, and Prince Rallah is behind it all.

I will not let it go unpunished.

“Are you ready for this?” Caleb asks. “It’s going to hurt.”

“I’m ready.”

He pulls a firebrand from the flames and presses it to the wound in my side. Its heat sears my skin, closing and sealing the gap. My teeth bite down on leather, the very leather pouch that holds the turquoise necklace once meant for my bride, and I scream.

Later, from the high lip of the cave, I spot a fox slinking through the dry riverbed below. It stops and looks at me, moves on, then stops and looks again. It seems to want my attention. A type of small jackal, these foxes are numerous between here and the coastline, overrunning orchards and vineyards. Many villagers consider them a pest, and Pyzor and I used to hunt them for their furs.

“Brother, I have an idea.”

“Oh no,” he says. “Your ideas always worry me.”

“What?” I feign ignorance. “Why would you say that?”

“Mother wasn’t too thrilled when she discovered where her chicken broth came from. She said you stole those birds from some poor old men.”

“Those poor old men love their vicious games. Mother is naive.”

“And that’s what we love about her.”

A lump forms in my throat, and I look again for the foxes below. I don’t want to talk about our mother any longer. I’ve caused her only heartache and disappointment. My brother is the one person who remains safe to me now. Between us are bonds that cannot be broken.

“Whether you like it or not,” I tell Caleb, “here’s my idea.”

He listens, then grins as I finish.

“What?” I ask.

“I like it.”

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