Following Amon, they made their way back to the plaza where they found a small contingent of men tending enough horses for everyone, including an extra mount to bring Jonathan back, and light provisions, should they be delayed in their return. Amon said his goodbyes and left for his tent.
“Would you like help?” Eli asked Rachel, holding the reins of her horse.
“I can manage.”
“But your feet…” Eli protested.
Pekah chuckled. “Better not argue with your sister,” he said.
“So true!”
They all paused as she mounted the horse side-saddle. Once she settled in, the men readied themselves. The Gideonite captain assigned to accompany the group did not say much, but motioned for them to follow. They went at a leisurely pace. This gave Pekah another chance to admire the fountains and balconies of Ain. Although beautiful in their own right, the cities of his homeland were significantly more plain-no fountains, and the buildings were typically made of large timbers. I would live here, he thought.
It did not take long for the group to navigate through the maze of streets, and they soon found themselves outside the city walls with the gates closed behind them. The escorting captain rode around the group to get a headcount. Once he was certain none had strayed, he gave the command to ride.
As they rode, a gentle breeze carrying the scent of farmland reminded Pekah of the abandoned farms, untended animals, and quiet homes he had seen previously. A milk cow grazing on an open hillside caught his attention. The sight of the loose animal reminded him that the families had not yet returned to their homes.
Soon they left the outskirts of the city, where they began the gradual ascent of the winding switchbacks. Pines and oaks were scattered along the road, but the trees did not obscure the view of the tops of the hills or the rocky outcroppings in the heights on the north side of the pass.
Pekah watched the area intently, hoping to catch a glimpse of their friend, but searched in vain. A hawk circled near the top of the rise, taking advantage of the late morning thermals, but nothing else moved in the area. The twin suns, warm and bright above them, felt good to him.
Conversation had been scarce during the short ride, but now that they neared the top of the switchbacks, they fell silent. The Gideonite soldiers who had provided the escort now motioned Pekah to direct their way. He led them off the road and across a dry stream bed, where they stopped near some trees at the base of the rock outcroppings. Pekah dismounted and tethered his horse. Eli joined him. Except for Rachel, the rest of the riders remained in their saddles. She jumped down from her perch. Her mouth open, she craned her neck, searching. Pekah cheerfully accepted the reins from her hand and tied her horse to a tree branch next to his own.
“We should look there,” Eli said, pointing farther up the hillside. “I think Jonathan would have chosen a more secluded spot above us for his refuge.”
Pekah thought about it and agreed. Rachel remained behind, but he followed Eli a short distance to a spot between two rock outcroppings, both as large as wagons. Pekah leaned into the slope to continue climbing. A few pebbles tumbled down from above them, causing both men to look for the source.
A familiar face appeared around one of the massive piles of stone. Jonathan appeared to be nervous, holding his bow defensively while he watched the company of Gideonites waiting a bow-shot away.
“Everything’s fine!” Pekah assured him.
Jonathan looked at Pekah, at Eli, then at Tavor among the soldiers. He seemed to relax. Then his eyes fell on Rachel.
Pekah turned his head to see Rachel stumbling up behind him, her eyes wet. Jonathan returned his arrow to his quiver and hurried down to her. Before she could embrace him, he fell to his knees, grabbed her hand, and held her palm to his cheek as he closed his own tear-filled eyes. She stooped to wipe his wet cheeks with her other hand, then tugged at his shirt sleeve until he stood.
Jonathan did, and with a gentle pull, he brought her close and held her. With her head nestled near his, the two of them whispered several things unheard by the rest of the party. There were nods from Rachel, and even a slight giggle. He held her for a few more moments and then released her, but kept her hand tightly in his own as if not willing to let it go.
Pekah and Eli stepped closer to the pair, both grinning.
“Glad to see you,” Eli said. “I can hardly wait to tell you what has happened.”
Jonathan surveyed the faces in the group below, taking extra time with those who were Gideonite. He motioned for Pekah to come closer, and then in a hushed tone asked, “Why are they here, if you’re not a prisoner?”
Speaking in a manner and volume intended to address the entire group, Pekah told Jonathan they had all come as an escort to find him, and General Jasher of Bezek had declared an end to the conflict.
“Jonathan, the Three Brothers are once again at peace!”
“Tell me how,” came Jonathan’s incredulous reply.
“I assure you, it’s true. Eli will tell you everything while we ride back to Ain. Shall we go?”
Jonathan nodded, then proceeded to escort Rachel to her mount, an arm around her shoulder. Falling to one knee and steadying her hand, he provided a step and lifted her gently to her seat. Rachel did not protest as she had with Eli. Her eyes bright, she beamed at him, and he kissed her hand before releasing it.
Taking his place on a steed provided by Tavor, he begged them for a drink. “My water skin ran dry this morning. I was too far from the river and didn’t want to leave my lookout.”
Eli handed him a water skin as the group began their descent on the winding road toward Ain. He asked about Jonathan’s previous night under the stars.
“I used young pine boughs to make my bed comfortable, but I didn’t sleep well. Too worried, I suppose.”
As they rode, Pekah frequently glanced over to watch Jonathan, noticing that he would often reach out to touch Rachel’s hand whenever their eyes met. He felt a twinge of jealousy as he witnessed their tender exchanges. He let out a sigh, masked by the clomping of horses’ hooves.
Pekah’s mind wandered back to the conversations being carried on between the riders. He found Eli relating the tale of their arrival in Ain on the day previous. Eli told of the reception they received and everything else leading up to the final scene with Manasseh, taking special care to describe the emperor’s violent and angry reaction when Pekah refused to hand over The Thorn. Eli stopped his narration and motioned for Pekah to finish the story.
Pekah kept his gaze upon the horse’s ears before him, self-conscious about his part in the tale. Choosing his words with care so as not to bring attention to himself, Pekah tried to describe the manifestation of power from above. “A fierce wind blew in the building. It was like being in a storm, but it wasn’t dark. A light entered the room as if from heaven. Jonathan, I could feel it.”
“You could feel the light?”
“Yes. It felt like fire, but it did not burn me. And it was stronger than the wind. The light flashed through The Thorn and hit Manasseh. He immediately died, and the building shook and fell apart.”
“I saw it!” Jonathan said, startled. He leaned forward in his saddle with an intense look on his face.
“You saw what?” Eli asked.
“The light! Early this morning, I sat watching the city. The ground shook, and I saw a flash of light. I worried that something terrible had happened.”
“That’s when we were talking to Manasseh!” Pekah said.
All three men fell silent, the significance of the event sinking in.
Now thoughtful, Pekah touched the leather bag hanging from his neck. Realizing that Jonathan had never asked for the scepter to be returned, he mentioned it, but Rachel had Jonathan’s attention. Apparently confused by the story, she asked more questions, which Jonathan and Eli answered. Pekah listened. By the time they were within sight of the city gates, Pekah forgot his desire to give the scepter back.