Leaders from the tribes of Daniel and Uzzah pressed close for news as the mob flowed farther into the neighborhood. At first, this caused confusion among some of the prisoners, but when they witnessed Eli, Tavor, and the Danielite captain walking among the Gideonites, many of them realized something extraordinary had taken place.
By the time the crowd reached the fountain, over three hundred men, women, and children trailed behind in a long procession. Captain Amon waved Pekah and Eli onward, then turned away from the main group in order to take care of business with other soldiers.
It did not take but a moment of searching the area for Eli to spot Rachel, and he called out to her. The woman stood from her work of checking the bandages of a wounded Danielite soldier and pulled her straight auburn hair back into a knot behind her. Recognizing Eli, she ran to fall into his outstretched arms and burst into tears of relief. Eli cried openly as he patted her back and whispered words of encouragement.
Made uncomfortable by their emotional reunion, Pekah stepped back to give them privacy. When Eli released her, Pekah stood closer but did not speak.
“Are you well?” Eli said tenderly.
“I’m very tired,” Rachel said as she put her hands to her cheeks to stifle a yawn. “Because we have no bedding, it has been hard to sleep.” She let her hands fall, then briefly looked away. “And I’m hungry. The Gideonites have fed us, but the rations have been small.”
Pekah could see her hair was visibly soiled in parts, and there were minor tears in her brown, front-laced dress. She had pulled the dress up to mid-calf, girding it about her hips with a green sash. The hem of her garment was also riddled with snags and mud, and her bare feet showed signs of recent bleeding. Hints of deep sorrow softened her brown eyes. Although he was not responsible for her discomfort, the pitiful sight tugged at Pekah’s heart.
Seemingly anxious to share all her burdens, Rachel volunteered the events of the past week in quick succession. She explained that the Gideonite army attacked Saron just as she left the market, and all the goods and money she had obtained by the sale of the spring lambs were lost.
“Eli, Asah is dead.” Rachel sniffed.
Eli shook his head, horror in his eyes. “What happened?”
“Our caravan had just started along the road to Hasor when we were attacked. Asah told me to run, and he tried to fight off a soldier who saw me trying to escape. But it was too late. We were surrounded. I ran back to our cart to find Asah dead.” Tears welled in Rachel’s eyes.
Eli held her again, his eyes misty. Looking over Rachel’s shoulder at Pekah, he said, “Asah is my father’s steward. Since Father is the High Priest of Uzzah, Asah has always taken care of the family property. He is a good friend.”
Pekah acknowledged Eli with a nod. He could find no words of comfort, and he sighed, wishing he knew what to say.
Still holding his sister, Eli asked about her arrival in Ain. Rachel wiped her eyes and pulled away. She then told of their march from Saron, through the Geber Pass, and finally into the city of fountains. She explained that the new leather boots she had purchased at market had caused her feet to blister. To ease the pain, she had removed them and wrapped her feet in shreds of cloth. A lack of shoes caused them to bleed, but now that she had been in the camp for three days, her feet were starting to heal.
“Rachel,” Eli said softly, holding her by the shoulders, “I was very worried when I heard Saron had been attacked. When Jonathan and I discussed where you might be, we only suspected you might be in Ain. Thanks be to the Holy One that you are here, safe.”
Rachel’s eyes twinkled with delight at the mention of Jonathan’s name. Her face glowed with joy as she looked from right to left in the crowd, searching for her betrothed.
“He’s not in the city, my sister,” Eli said as he put his hand on her arm. “Before coming into Ain, Jonathan secreted himself in the hills-he awaits my return with news. Jonathan is not aware that General Jasher of Gideon has declared an end to the Gideonite aggressions, or that Jasher wishes to join Daniel and Uzzah in ending the conflict.”
Eli’s declaration startled her. “How can this be?” Rachel asked.
“This is Pekah…”
Pekah bowed at the introduction, his eyes holding hers as he did. Rachel politely nodded.
“He brought a message to the emperor-a message inspired by the Holy One. Manasseh rejected it. A great sign was given from the heavens, and General Jasher witnessed the demise of his leader. Jasher’s heart has been turned, and he has made an oath to join in the protection of Daniel and Uzzah. Our peoples have been freed!”
Tears flowed again down Rachel’s face, and Eli stepped closer to wipe them away. Eli kissed Rachel on the forehead, then held her close.
“How are your feet? Can you travel?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“I want to leave right away and go to Jonathan. Do you wish to come with me?”
Rachel put a hand on her mouth, then she looked away. “Where is he?” she whispered as she brushed hair from her eyes.
“I’ll take you to him.”
Her eyes bright, she pulled herself up and kissed Eli hard on the cheek. “Thank you for coming for me.”
“Jonathan made me.”
Her mouth fell open, then she punched Eli on the arm, making him laugh. “I need my boots!” Rachel said as she ran off to find them.
Pekah tugged at Eli’s sleeve.
“Hmm?”
“She… she’s beautiful,” Pekah stammered.
Eli grinned, with arms crossed. “Yes. Yes, she is.”
Chapter 15
Two days earlier, just after dusk the same night on which Pekah dreamed of his encounter with the emperor, Rezon’s army camped outside the city walls of Ramathaim. A rich, green aurora billowed near the southern horizon. Embers glowed bright in the campfire next to General Rezon’s tent, where four Gideonite guards stood at attention, one at each side of the lodging. The flickering of a torch within danced upon the thin canvas walls. In the cool, still air, Gideonite soldiers in the camp huddled in small groups around steaming pots of dinner, ignoring the watchman fires upon the high city walls behind them.
On their way to the general’s tent, three soldiers hastened past some troops who slurped on thin stew. Nearly tripping over each other as they went, the tallest of the three fumbled with the straps of his breastplate, while another held his sword and shield. Once they arrived at the general’s pavilion within a tight cluster of tents, the three men approached the guards and stated their business. One of the guards disappeared through the tent flaps and then returned, motioning them inside. They stooped through in single file and found themselves standing before the seated general.
Rezon looked up from a map spread over the table in front of him. He studied the three visitors through strands of sandy brown hair that had fallen out of a thin leather band about his head. He brushed his hair to the side as he stood, then stepped toward the men as two of them saluted him in unison, raising their hands high. The third soldier gawked at the general, staring at his unusual hair color. He did not salute.
Almost amused by the staring Gideonite, a smirk crossed Rezon’s lips. Embarrassed, the soldier’s gaze fell to the ground.
Rezon scratched the stubble on his unshaven face, and then said with indignation, “I’m sorry the color of my hair causes you such.. concern. My mother was a Danielite.” He returned to his seat and grabbed for a goblet. The soldier still did not look up. Rezon sipped a mouthful, swished the liquid around, and swallowed. He pointed at the soldier who had stared. “You are excused! As you leave, tell the guard at the entrance to see me at once.”
The man finally did salute as he left, his expression dejected. The posted guard appeared through the tent flaps, saluted, and waited for orders.