Pekah stood dumbfounded at the audacity of the man. Young and inexperienced as he was, he knew full well Manasseh had no right to the scepter, and had certainly never “asked” for it. His plan was to take it forcibly. Captain Sachar himself had proven that fact as he murdered the rightful owner of the relic.
“You are misinformed,” Pekah fumed.
The old man bristled at the accusation, and stepped closer to the podium where Pekah stood.
Searching for support, Pekah saw he was now flanked on the left by Jonathan and Tavor, and on the other side by the general. Jasher’s teeth showed, his smile wide. The general’s expression startled Pekah, and he almost didn’t hear the response of the old soldier.
“General Rezon is the emperor’s servant,” the Gideonite soldier continued. “I was with Rezon personally when he asked the old Danielite judge for the scepter. Manasseh sent us to request it, and we were denied.”
“It’s true!” yelled another soldier. “I was with Kalev on that day.”
Recognition lit up Jonathan’s face. He pulled on Pekah’s sleeve, and he stepped back so they could talk privately. The crowd murmured.
“Pekah,” Jonathan whispered. “I remember this particular soldier. He rode into Hasor as part of the escort with General Rezon, many months previous. Word came to my father that the Gideonite emperor had sent a small band north for some unexplained reason. I hid in the palace gardens and watched them as they approached my father, who was pruning and grafting trees. The Gideonite men did request the scepter, but not in a diplomatic manner. From my place of hiding, I had an arrow trained on the general’s chest. Rezon threatened my father, saying that if we did not comply, he would return with a greater force to take it.”
“General Rezon demanded that it be given to him?”
“Yes, but my father replied that the scepter was not his to give.”
Pekah thanked Jonathan and stepped back toward the noisy crowd, mulling over the new information. He was annoyed by the half-truths spoken by the stubborn Gideonite. An idea formed in his mind. He pulled the pouch from around his neck, having nearly forgotten it still hung there. Carefully loosening the drawstrings of the bag, he removed the purple cloth within. After unrolling the rod, he lifted it high. It glittered in the late afternoon suns.
“Kalev, is this the scepter you were seeking?”
Gasps and whispers floated above the crowd like hovering bees.
Pekah stood with his arm outstretched. He moved the glass rod back and forth, causing reflections to spill in every direction. With a wry smile, Pekah stared at Kalev.
“I seem to have accomplished the very thing you claim could not be done, and I did not even ask for it! This scepter was placed in my hands by Jonathan, Daniel’s heir. I shall never forget his words. He said, ‘I am giving this to you, in hopes that it may be an instrument in convincing Manasseh to end his aggression toward our peoples.’ Jonathan told me I was to use it in trade for prisoners, if need be.”
Pekah now glared at the old soldier. “As you can see, Daniel does not have the scepter. Gideon does.”
Murmurs became arguments, and Pekah wondered if they were sounds of surprise or disdain. He peered over to get the general’s reaction. Jasher glowed with pride, almost as if Pekah were his son. Embarrassed, Pekah looked at the ground. He lowered the rod and returned it to its protective cover. With some degree of regained composure, Pekah threw one last barb.
“Even though the Danielite next to me has not asked for it to be returned, I do not claim The Thorn to be mine. It is certainly not yours.”
With that bold statement, the crowd erupted, unintelligible yells coming from some areas and cheers from others.
Kalev was furious. He fiddled with the pommel of the sword at his side, his gaze fixed on Jonathan. Pekah did not flinch. General Jasher moved up to the edge of the platform with hands raised, challenging the crowd.
“You have now seen what I have seen. Daniel is no aggressor. The emperor deceived us all. It is our duty to end this conflict. Pekah has joined with Daniel and Uzzah, as have I. Will you also join me?”
This time, there were far more Gideonite soldiers raising their arms in token than there had been a few minutes before. Still, in addition to Kalev, there were several other soldiers who gathered into a tighter group, refusing to accept Jasher’s challenge. Defiant, they stood in the midst, some with weapons drawn.
One of them, a few years younger and taller than Kalev, spoke up. “We… we will not. We are men of Gideon. We will not make an alliance with Danielites.”
After all the explanation and testimony given, this refusal angered Jasher. He loomed tall and menacing as he approached the very edge of the wooden platform. Shocked that Jasher’s authority as General of the Host of Gideon was being defied, Pekah leaned in, hoping to catch every word.
“You may have desires within your hearts to refuse, but as your commanding officer, I am now giving you an order. Gideon will march with Uzzah and Daniel to stop Rezon’s attack on the northern cities. Yet I cannot have dissenters in our midst. Therefore, I am giving you a choice: either you will return to your homes in peace and renounce this war until the end of your days, or you will be found guilty of sedition. You will forfeit your lives.” He paused. “What say you?”
The men he challenged shrank back, searching their friends for one who would lead out. Not one would. Fingers twitching on the pommel of his sword, it seemed as if Kalev was going to defy Jasher again. He gripped the sword tightly and looked about. Very few men stood with him. He grumbled. Stepping forward, he thrust out his hand. Jasher’s gaze locked with Kalev’s. The old soldier made his oath to return home, and the others joined him in the pledge. This appeased Jasher, and he promised them safe passage out of the city.
At this juncture, Jonathan took a step forward, and with his arm raised, said, “I will follow Jasher. He will be my protector, to lead me into safe havens.” This allusion to Father Gideon, founder of the tribe, drew a very positive reaction from the crowd.
An unknown soldier from within the group below tossed a Gideonite breastplate onto the platform, where it landed squarely at Jonathan’s feet. He did not hesitate in the least, but retrieved the armor and strapped it on.
Cheers flew skyward as soldier after soldier raised his arm in their traditional greeting, welcoming the Danielite into their midst. Several shouted encouraging words, and a few even waved swords in the air. Others joined together and cried aloud, “Health and prosperity to the heir of Daniel!”
Pekah’s jaw tightened, attempting to fight back the tears now welling in his eyes as he saw his new friend proudly wearing the Black Raven of Gideon.
Chapter 17
Would you please join me in the general’s quarters? Our evening meal awaits-there is enough for all. General Jasher insists,” Amon said.
“Thank you.” Pekah immediately noticed his own hunger, his stomach growling.
“We would be honored,” Jonathan said.
Amon raised his voice and waved his hand to include Tavor and others standing nearby. “Please come, be filled, and rest before we depart for Saron in the morning.”
Once they were all seated around a group of mismatched tables in Jasher’s tent-a large reception area attached to the general’s sleeping quarters-Pekah breathed in the wonderful smells of the hot meal about to be served. He studied the guests around the table. Smiles were plentiful, and Rachel’s eyes exhibited pure delight, which Pekah surmised came from having both Jonathan and Eli safely there with her.
Content being among new friends, Pekah watched, intrigued by each of them. Eli teased Rachel, making her laugh. Jonathan leaned in close to whisper something that made her blush. Tavor had taken a seat next to Amon, and the two of them chatted amicably about various things pertaining to the events of the day.