He stepped out into a morning with scattered signs of a gray storm lingering in the valley. Low clouds threatened moisture, the air cool and somewhat damp. Traces of water from a quiet midnight rain remained on the ground in small pools.
The yawns and grunts of waking soldiers came from various tents around him. Jonathan could see faint traces of smoke rising from stone chimneys behind the Gideonite encampment. The pungent smell from the fires drifted in ribbons across the great plaza. Not far away, Jonathan could hear the sprays and gurgles of the central fountain of Ain. Turning his head, he could just make out the bulky shapes of three pedestals holding the bowl, and the round basin below where numerous lions guarded the water.
Jonathan pulled his cloak around himself as he shuffled toward the women’s tent. To his surprise, Rachel and Abigail were already awake and sitting outside in chairs, chatting gleefully-their hand gestures exaggerated, and both of them laughing like lifelong friends in the pre-dawn air. Seeing him approach, Rachel ran to greet him with a hug, then led him the rest of the way. Abigail rose from her seat too, and bowed slightly. Seeing the wife of General Jasher brought Jonathan’s dream back to him in a most vivid manner. He wondered again at the meaning of it.
“It gives me pleasure to again meet the heir of Daniel and to know that my new friend Rachel will truly be blessed by your union.”
Jonathan smiled and bowed back to her. “It gives me pleasure to make the acquaintance of the wife of a very brave and wise general of Gideon.”
Abigail thanked Jonathan for his kind words. With a hand on Rachel’s arm, she asked, “Would you both join me in Jasher’s tent? Even though it’s early, I am sure breakfast is ready. I know he wants to leave soon.”
“We would love to,” Rachel eagerly accepted.
Jonathan didn’t mind her speaking for him. He almost chuckled, thinking he had better get used to it.
She moved over to him, looping her arm in his as they followed Jasher’s wife to the officers’ hall.
They attempted to hurry through the meal, but before they could finish, the commotion of an army on the move already buzzed furiously around them. As they rose to leave the tent, Jasher greeted them at the door. They exited, and, once outside, could see the women’s tent had already been taken down. Abigail’s belongings were stacked in a couple of crates, ready to be loaded onto a wagon.
Jonathan noticed a sudden change in Rachel when she sighed and looked away. He gave her a concerned frown.
“I will be all right.”
“Are you sure?”
“I lost everything I purchased in Saron… but that’s not important. Remembering my capture made me think of Asah again. It makes me sick that I will have to tell Father about Asah’s death.” Rachel grabbed for his hand and held it tight, her brown eyes looking up into his.
“He was a very faithful steward. Uzziel will miss him greatly.”
“Yes, he will. Asah has been a lifelong friend to Father. The news will break his heart. How will I tell him?” Rachel’s lip quivered.
“I’ll go with you.”
Rachel squeezed his hand tighter.
Their conversation was interrupted as Jasher approached. He acknowledged Abigail with a brief touch of her arm. “Jonathan, I would like to march soon. Are you ready?”
“I am. We need to get to Ramathaim as soon as possible. I’m worried about Eli’s family-and for that matter, the entire city.”
“Agreed. I’ve arranged for mounts for you and all your companions. After you have gathered your contingent together, will you join me at the fountain?”
“I will.”
Shortly thereafter, the entire group assembled near the lion-guarded pool. The wagon loaded with items belonging to Jasher and Abigail caught Jonathan’s attention. It looked vaguely familiar. He motioned for Eli and Pekah to take a look. Eli grinned wide.
“Yes,” Eli said. “That’s the same cart.”
“I thought so! It looks as though your gift to the late emperor will get some proper use.”
Pekah laughed.
All around them in the central plaza, groups of tens and fifties made final preparations to leave, some with horses, some with wagons of supplies and weapons. Jonathan marveled at the sight. Never had he witnessed a mixing of the tribes-groups of fifties being comprised of tens of Gideonites and tens of Danielites, with occasional tens of Uzzahites scattered here and there. Before him, a sea of raven-emblazoned breastplates covering the green tunics of Gideon was accented by the humble browns and grays of Daniel, and garnished with the coarse whites and browns of Uzzah.
Above them, Azure and Aqua were hidden behind a tapestry of gray, causing the morning to be cool, yet slightly humid, as the mists of the previous night lifted from the damp cobblestones of the plaza. Jonathan peered heavenward, hoping to catch a glimpse of the blue suns, but could not make them out. Now three days since the Sabbath, the two sisters were surely as far apart as they could be.
His neck ached. He rubbed it, noticing his own fatigue. Aimlessly scanning the crowd, his gaze fell on Jasher, who whispered to his next in command. Amon nodded, and Jasher lifted his hands until all chatter died.
“I wish to make good time in our travel today, so we are going to leave at once. We will take five hundred. Others are still gathering, and will bring up the rear with the supply wagons. I have arranged for horses for our group, especially on account of the women who will be traveling with us.”
A particularly rotund Gideonite shouted from the back of the crowd, “Will the emperor’s chamber be loaded up and brought with us?” His deep voice rumbled across the plaza, and those who heard him turned to look at the platform. Jonathan could see the dark wood flooring, once part of the portable stateroom of the emperor, and right next to it, a pile of broken beams, splintered lumber, and other pieces of ruin.
Jasher hesitated, but then responded gravely, “No. We will leave it. Let the Danielites of Ain have it. Perhaps they wish to save it for a memorial, so their children will remember what happened here yesterday when a very brave man named Pekah came to visit the emperor of Gideon…” Jasher’s voice trailed off, and then with a tremor in his voice, he exclaimed, “And remember today, when Gideon rides with Daniel and Uzzah. May our peoples never war again!”
A cheer went up from the group. Jonathan felt Jasher’s humble words pour into his own heart, and he was thrilled by the joy and excitement shining in faces all around him. Many in the group shook hands in friendship, and a break in the clouds spilled light across the city.
Rachel squeezed Jonathan’s hand, but he hardly noticed she had done so at first. She tugged a little harder, finally getting his full attention. He turned to see tears of joy in her eyes, apparently also deeply touched by Jasher’s pronouncement. Grateful for her sensitivity, he pulled her close and felt her warmth.
Daniel. Uzzah. Gideon.
Jonathan soaked up every detail-the crowd, the fresh smell of the light fountain mist floating in the air, the blast of a horn as Jasher waved the troops out of the plaza, Rachel’s hand in his. Everything about the experience made his skin tingle.
“I will remember this forever, Rachel.”
“Which part will you remember most?”
“The tribes, all together. Our children will hear the story of this day until I’m too old to tell it, or they are too tired of hearing it.”
“You will be a wonderful father, Jonathan.” Rachel pulled him close and kissed him.
Chapter 19
The next day Jonathan awoke to the warm glow of both suns and heard the enthusiastic chirping of birds in the trees all around him. They had camped in the Geber Pass, their tents filling every level spot next to the road that hugged the Saron River, winding between craggy cliffs and sheer rock faces. Gurgling from the swift water echoed against the nearby rock walls on the east, while the clangs, scrapes, and voices typical to any breakfast scene for several hundred soldiers bounced through crevices and cracks on the west.