The Star Junior Novelization by Tracey West

Author:Tracey West
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon Spotlight

Chapter Thirteen

King Herod’s Plan

Back at King Herod’s palace, the wise men’s three camels had escaped from their stable. Now they were sneaking toward the palace. Deborah led the way, followed by Cyrus, and then Felix, who was dragging his feet.

“Come on, Felix!” Cyrus urged his friend.

“Shouldn’t we be sneaking out?” Felix asked. “Why are we sneaking in?”

“Because King Herod is up to something,” Deborah answered. “And we’re gonna find out what. Just gotta distract that guard.”

She kicked a rock into the throne room. Clang! The rock hit the guard’s helmet and he dropped, knocked out cold.

“Come on, hurry!” Deborah whispered.

The three camels quietly entered the throne room. King Herod was talking to his chamberlain and his scribes.

“Still no report from my hunter?” the King was asking. “Has he found the child?”

“No, sire,” the chamberlain replied. “But your scribes are ready to present their findings.”

King Herod grunted. “Finally, someone’s doing their job!”

“According to the prophecy, Your Majesty, the new King is to be born in Bethlehem,” one of the scribes said.

“And, that’s all?” the King asked. “To what family? Who are they? I am the only King of Judea. If you people can’t find this one child, then I’ll just have to kill them all!”

Deborah turned to Cyrus and Felix. “See? I told you!” she whispered.

“Shhh,” Cyrus warned.

“Shall we send soldiers to track him down?” the chamberlain asked.

“No,” King Herod replied, thoughtfully considering his plan. Then he spotted the three wise men walking past the palace.

“You three! Come!” he cried.

“It’s the wise men!” Deborah cried.

“Hide! Quickly!” Cyrus urged.

Caspar approached King Herod. “Any word of the new King?” the wise man asked.

“Yes. Look for him in Bethlehem,” the King replied. “You are free to go.”

Balthazar bowed his head. “Our humblest thanks, Your Majesty.”

“When you find him, send word to me,” King Herod instructed. Then he smiled strangely. “I dearly wish to know where he is, so that I may honor him . . . with a gift.”

He plucked a flower from an arrangement next to his throne. He sniffed it—and then crumpled it and tossed it onto the floor.

Cyrus eyed the broken flower. “You know, I think he might be up to something,” he guessed.

“I know what’s happening! He’s using the wise men to hunt down the new King!” Deborah realized.

“Yeah, and plus, did you see him crumple that flower?” Felix added in a loud voice.

“Be quiet!” Deborah hissed.

“We have to warn the new King,” Cyrus said.

“Pack your bags, boys,” Deborah told them. “Looks like we’re going to Bethlehem!”

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