Malchus

by John C. Westervelt with Deanne Crimmel and Mary Kim Gray

Chapter 1

A Centurion’s Son

Malchus, a thirteen-year-old boy, looked up from the scrolls he had been studying. The late spring breeze coming off the Mediterranean entered through the open front door and exited through the window beside Malchus’ desk. The feel of the air stirring across his arm turned Malchus’ mind from his studies to the warm sand beside the water. He took a deep breath to savor the aroma of the bread baking in the kitchen. Tired and a bit restless, Malchus rolled up his scrolls and called out to his mother, “I think I’ll walk down to the beach for awhile.”

Brigitte moved from the kitchen to where her son had been studying, “When you relax on the sand, please don’t lose track of time. Your father is to return home later this afternoon, and he'll be anxious to see you.”

Malchus’ father Justin, a Roman Centurion, had been away from home for two weeks. Half of Justin's troops remained at headquarters in Barcino (present day Barcelona) on Spain's northeast coast while Justin had taken the remaining fifty to work with the Roman engineers on the aqueducts at Tarragona fifty-two miles away.

Justin had always insisted on several hours of study for Malchus each day. Understanding the importance of knowing the languages of those under Roman rule, the subjects included Greek and Hebrew in addition to Latin. Mathematics was also important because it was used in the record keeping of the Legions by the Quartermasters as well as in the work of the Roman engineers in the planning of roads and aqueducts.

Brigitte had been busy preparing food for Justin’s return. She was ready for a break. She placed the loaves of bread she had just made on the ledge of the window to cool, then lay down on the couch and closed her eyes. Her thoughts drifted back to when she first met Justin eighteen years ago. He was a young soldier then and had been sent to Vindonissa, Gaul (Windisch, Switzerland), which is located on the Aare River ten miles above its joining with the Rhine River. Vindonissa had been home to Brigitte's family for many generations. She recalled three years ago when Tiberius had sent a message to Justin saying, “You are being promoted to Centurion and are to take command of the century at Barcino, Spain.”

When the sun began to graze the back of the couch, Brigitte realized that it was late afternoon and Justin would soon be arriving. She opened her eyes, brushed her hair away from her face, then stood to her feet noting that Malchus had not yet returned. Slipping on her sandals, she headed out the doorway and down the path to the beach.

For Malchus time had stood still as he sat listening to the sound of the waves lapping upon the shore. In his hand were a variety of small shells he had gathered as he had walked along the sea’s shoreline. Malchus looked out again at the sea. It stretched before him as far as his eye could see. If only he could, he would like to travel to the other side. His thoughts were interrupted by the soft sound of approaching footsteps in the sand, “Malchus, have you lost track of time?”

“Oh, Mother, you startled me.”

The feeling in his hand reminded Malchus of the small shells he was holding. Lifting them up to his mother, he said, “I wonder what kinds of creatures used to live in these shells and who created them. You know Aaron, right?”

“Yes. At least, I think I do.”

“Well, he is the only one of my friends who is Jewish. The others are Roman or Spanish. Sometimes I like to talk with just Aaron. One time when we were talking, he told me that his god, Jehovah, created everything. Could that be true?”

“Aaron's god is different from the Roman deity Caesar. What Aaron says could be right. I hope you would never make fun of Aaron's beliefs.”

“Oh, I would never do that. He is my friend, and besides he is so convincing. But I would never tell our other friends what he told me because they already think Arron is a little different.”

Brigitte placed her arm around her son then gave him a quick squeeze. “I love you,” she said with a warm smile on her face, “and if there is a creating god to be found, I bet you will be the first among us to find him. Come, let’s start home.”

With that, she stood to her feet and brushed the sand off her wrap-around and moved toward the pathway. Malchus looked longingly one more time out across the sea, then turned to catch up with his mother.

When the house came in view, Malchus raced toward the door while Brigitte stopped in the garden to pick a few spring herbs for her cooking. By the time she reached the door, Malchus had already filled a cup with water from the well and was beginning to drink it.

“Would you mind setting the table, please?”

Malchus set the cup down and began to gather up the plates and bowls to be put on the table. While he did this, Brigitte busied herself finishing dinner. The stew had been slowly cooking. With the table ready, Malchus said, “I am going outside to watch for father.”

He hadn’t been standing on the porch long when he saw in the distance the legionnaires marching side by side in two columns down the cobblestone road. As they approached even closer, Malchus counted twenty-five men in each column and could see that leading them out front was his father. He was taller than most of his men and always stood erect.

When the soldiers reached the barracks, his father shouted some commands, and the men fell into rank. His father paced back and forth in front of the lines giving instructions. Then the lines broke, and the men began heading toward their barracks. Malchus’s father stepped into one of the buildings then reappeared without his gear but with a cloth sack in his hand.

Malchus called to his mother to let her know that Justin was headed this way then took off running down the path to greet his father. As he neared him, his father’s pace quickened, and he shouted out, “Malchus, how are you my son?”

Malchus responded, “Great! How about you, father?” and extended his hand.

Justin smiled, took Malchus’ hand, then pulled him close to give him a quick hug before saying, “Just fine.” Justin reached out and tousled Malchus’s blond hair, then together they turned toward the house.

Brigitte moved from the kitchen to the living area to look out the front doorway. Malchus and Justin had just about reached the walkway leading up to the house. When Justin looked up, his wife was already half way down the walkway headed straight toward him.

As his father handed him the cloth sack, Malchus knew what was coming next--a kiss and warm embrace between his mother and father. As far back as Malchus could remember, his father and mother had always been openly affectionate toward one another. The fact that he knew they loved one another always made him feel especially secure and content deep down inside.

As they turned to walk the rest of the way to the house, Malchus followed alongside wondering just exactly what was in the cloth sack that he had been handed. Once they reached the doorway, Justin motioned for Malchus and Brigitte to have a seat on the couch then gave permission to Malchus to open the sack.

As he was untying the leather thong around the top of the sack, Malchus could see two packages. One was wrapped with a blue cloth and the other with white. As he retrieved them, his father said, “The white one is for you and the blue one for your mother.”

In his excitement, Malchus began immediately to take the cover off his package. Brigitte held hers tenderly while watching her son. Inside the wrapping Malchus found an ivory piece about three inches long with metal showing on one side. Justin explained, “The metal folds out.”

As Malchus unfolded the metal piece, he could see it was a knife, not the kind used in battle but one for cutting rope or carving wood. Turning to his father, Malchus said, “Thank you.” Then looking up at his mother he asked, “What is yours?”

Smiling, Brigitte said, “You seemed in a hurry and I wanted to watch you open yours.” With this, Brigitte, after a glance at Justin, began to carefully unwrap her gift, which was larger than Malchus’. Inside she found a blue glass vase. With her eyes fixed on the vase she held it toward the light and slowly turned it. After a moment, tears began to flow.

Justin, asked, “Is something wrong.”

Oh no, I just never expected to have a blue glass vase. Holding the vase tightly in her left hand, she put her right hand behind Justin’s head and pressed her lips against his before saying, “Thank you.”

By now, everyone had begun to notice the aroma of the stew wafting through the living area. Justin, having eaten army rations for the past two weeks, was particularly anxious to have a home-cooked meal. Brigitte got up from the couch and headed for the kitchen to dish up the last item to be placed on the table--the hot stew. Once this was done, she called both Justin and Malchus over to the table. Justin sat at one end of the table and Brigitte at the other while Malchus took his seat in the middle. Justin cut open the fresh loaf of bread and served heaping portions of stew on each of their plates.

The conversation became quite animated. Brigitte talked about the seeds she had planted for herbs and flowers. She said, “I’ll keep my blue glass vase filled with flowers all summer.” Malchus told his father about the games with his friends using the new leather covered wool ball.

When they had finished eating, Justin complimented Brigitte on the meal then leaned back away from the table. Brigitte stood to clear the dishes away, but the solemn look that came over Justin’s face convinced her to sit down again. After a moment of silence, Justin glanced down at the table then looked up and said, “I wish this moment could last forever, however, I must tell you of news from Rome that will not be pleasing to you. Malchus, you may stay, for all our lives will be affected.”

Chapter 2

A Call From Rome

Justin looked at Malchus then faced Brigitte and took a deep breath before beginning, “Tiberius sent a messenger with orders for me to take my century to Rome to help put down a rebellion.”

“When must you leave?”

“The ship to carry my men and equipment will arrive in a few days.”

“Malchus and I will miss you so.”

“Brigitte, I would not make this next request if I did not have confidence in your strengths. Will you let me take Malchus along so he can spend a few days to see Rome then return home to Spain with the ship’s captain?”

Malchus held his silence. His heart pounded wildly with joy. Malchus did not need to say a word, because his mother knew full well how much this venture would mean to him.

Brigitte glanced over at Malchus then back to Justin and nodded saying, “I believe our son is man enough for such an adventure.”

Malchus, overcome with excitement, threw his clinched fists across his chest and began to jump up and down saying, “Yes, yes, yes.”

Brigitte, realizing more fully the impact of her words, began to well up with tears. Justin, understanding both her fear and her courage, stood and moved beside her. He took her hand, and she stood looking into his eyes. Justin drew her close. In his arms, the future seemed more secure for Brigitte, and her fear began to subside. “Justin,” she said softly, “do you really think everything will be all right?”

“All will be well, dear,” he said with a smile, “Malchus will be in good hands.”

She drew him even closer then laid her head on his chest. “It won’t be easy to let him go,” she thought to herself, “but Justin assures me he will be safe.”

Justin, knowing that this was the beginning of yet another separation, squeezed her close to himself then gently let her go. It wasn’t going to be easy, but he knew what he had to do.

Periodically throughout the day Malchus would look out to sea and watch the ships, longing and waiting for the day that he would be on board. Finally that day arrived. It was on the morning of the third day that the Seneca entered the harbor at Barcino. Sails were dropped and soon thereafter the anchor. Small boats, moving back and forth, carried men and equipment to the ship.

Brigitte helped Malchus select clothing for his trip. She had observed her husband over the years, so she knew how to cover a range of weather with a minimum of weight. When she finished, he had all that he needed wrapped together in one small bundle.

It wasn’t long after that when they headed for the waterfront. It was a windy day as the whole town gathered together at the harbor for the send off. As soon as the captain gave the sign to board the ship, Brigitte squeezed Malchus’ hand then looked him straight in the eyes and told him to stay close by his father. Then she held onto him so tightly that he thought she wasn’t going to let him go. When she did, she gave him a quick kiss, and her eyes filled up with tears because she knew it would be a long time before she would see him again.

Justin, knowing how hard is must be for Brigitte, took her into his arms and rocked back and forth with the rhythm of the waves and whispered into her ear that everything was going to be all right. Then after a kiss, he picked up his gear and stepped into the boat. Malchus excitedly followed at Justin’s heels.

Brigitte stood by the water’s edge as the crew loosened the ropes around the wooden posts and shoved off into the blue of the ocean. Justin’s men took up the oars to relieve the ship’s crew for the ride to the Seneca.

Once on the Seneca, Justin and Malchus helped the crew get the sails hoisted. It wasn’t long before a westerly breeze caught hold of the sails and began to pull the Seneca out into the Mediterranean.

Justin looked back and flashed a big smile while Malchus waved wildly. Before long, just the sails were visible to Brigitte. She turned to take the short walk home. The only sound was the crunch of her footsteps on the sandy ground and the wind rustling through the leaves of the nearby trees.

As Brigitte walked, she began to think how she could stay busy while her men were away and decided to work on weaving a cover for Malchus’ bed. So on her way, she stopped by Laura’s house where the family spun lots of wool.

“Good morning Laura, how are you?”

“I’m fine, but you must be sad to have your husband and son sailing to Rome.”

“Yes, but I was alone at times before Malchus was born when Justin was on a mission with the army.”

“Tell me about you and Justin before the Roman Legion sent you to Spain.”

“Justin visited regularly in my home in Vindonissa, Gaul. My mother thought he was just the kind of man I should marry, not only because of his good looks but because he was a man of integrity. Though young, I felt the same way.

“Three years passed, and Justin was promoted to sergeant. This meant he would leave the barracks for private quarters with room for a family. It was then that he proposed to me, and I said, ‘Yes.’ I had not really known what happiness was until I shared my life with this man. Of course I was lonely when he was out for weeks at a time on patrol, but even this loneliness ceased after our son Malchus was born a year later.”

“As I remember, Malchus was ten or eleven when you arrived in Barcino.”

“Yes, Malchus was ten when Justin was promoted to Centurion and sent here. It was a traumatic move because I had to leave my father, mother, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and many cousins behind in order to go forward with my husband. I can still remember the trip down the Rhone River in small flatbottom boats with all our belongings and then boarding a larger ship to cross the Mediterranean. Was I ever glad to touch land again once we reached Spain. I don’t think I was cut out to live the life of a sailor.

“But that’s enough about me. Show me your yarns because I think I’ll make a cover for Malchus’ bed to keep my hands busy while Justin and Malchus are away.”

“I think you are wise to stay busy while your men are gone. Let me show you the variety of colors I have in wool yarn.”

Brigitte looked over the wide range of colors and selected seven skeins of blues and greens that blended nicely together and that matched the colors in her furnishings. Gathering her purchases in her arms, Brigitte said good-bye and continued the lonely walk to an empty house.

If the unseasonable westerly should continue, the Seneca would sail between Corsica and Sardinia to reach Rome in a week. A change of wind could extend the trip another week. The Seneca had oars that could be manned in case of a calm.

The captain was a man about the age of Justin, and he had been at sea most of his life. He had a friendly face with a broad smile surrounded by leathery skin. Right away Malchus liked Lucius and felt comfortable asking him questions about life aboard a ship.

“How do you not get lost when out of sight of land?”

“I don’t always know where I am, but I know where I am going. I am sailing to the east by the angle of the sun by day and by Polaris at night. My plan is to intercept the island of Corsica or Sardinia.”

“Will you recognize the land?”

“Yes, I have sailed around both islands many times, so I shall know where I am.”

Malchus’ eyes almost lost focus as he gazed out on the blue waters as far as the eye could see. His mind eased into neutral as the only sound he could hear was that of the wind rustling the sails and the water breaking on the bow of the ship.

Lucius watched the boy’s face as it took on a countenance of relaxation that comes only from being at sea. With a smile he interrupted the dreamer with, “Would you like a turn at the wheel sometime?”

“Oh, I would like that very much.”

“We’ll begin tonight when all you must do is keep Polaris directly on the port side.” The captain could see the expression of relaxation on Malchus’s face change to one of excitement.

When the evening darkened and the stars came out, Malchus made his way to the wheelhouse to take up Lucius on his offer to let him steer the ship. Though the quartermaster most often served as helmsman, tonight Lucius was at the wheel. As Malchus approached, the captain asked, “Are you ready?”

“Oh, yes!”

“You turn the top of the wheel in the direction you want to turn. This moves the rudder. There is a delay between the time you turn the rudder and the ships motion. When you reach the course you want to steer, then move the rudder the other way for a short while to stop the rotation of the ship. All this you will learn by trying.”

“Sounds like steering is hard.”

“Not after you have had some experience. Tonight you want to sail due east, so you’ll want to keep Polaris centered on your port side.”

Lucius let Malchus take the wheel and after he could see that the boy had grasped his instructions, he said, “I’m going aft to check on the setting of the sails. You’ll do fine here.”

The captain’s eye regularly scanned the stars even while he was looking over his sails, so he could return to help Malchus if necessary. He knew that Malchus needed to be alone if his confidence in steering were to develop.

For nearly an hour Malchus steered the ship. As Polaris moved away from the center of the port side, he moved the wheel to bring it back. The cool night air and the joy of steering the ship combined to send tingles throughout his body. He thought, “Whoever created the earth, the sea, and the stars did a magnificent job.”

A week had passed when the Seneca reached the western shores of Corsica. The ship’s heading was shifted to south. Staying in sight of land, the route carried the crew through the Strait of Bonifacio between Corsica and Sardinia. From here Captain Lucius charted a course east-northeast. The anchoring berth for Rome was 160 miles ahead.

Chapter 3

Diverted to Jerusalem

Three days after passing Corsica, the Seneca dropped anchor at Ostia. Men and supplies were moved up the Tiber River twenty miles to Rome. Justin’s century was housed in the Basilica Julia in the center of Rome. The primary mission would be to protect Tiberius from the rebels. The legionaries had just taken up position in the Basilica when General Cornelius arrived. Justin called his men to formation. Cornelius walked back and forth looking over the troops before stopping in the center to speak in a loud, clear voice, “The rebellion has begun. One third of you, in rotation, are to remain on the grounds of Tiberius’ palace.”

While the men held rank, Justin talked in a low voice to Cornelius, “I have brought along my son Malchus to see the sights of Rome. How much time will he and Captain Lucius have before the Seneca returns to Spain?”

“Conditions have worsened, so I must divert the Seneca to Palestine to get more troops to protect our positions in Rome. Therefore Lucius and Malchus will need to leave immediately for the trip back down the river. Supplies are being loaded on the Seneca as we speak.”

When the general was finished instructing the soldiers, Justin called out for a salute. The men saluted in unison. General Cornelius returned the salute, turned, and departed the staging area.

Justin left a sergeant in charge and motioned Malchus aside. “Malchus, the Seneca is being diverted to Palestine before its return to Spain, and you’ll need to be aboard. You will be fourteen in a few days, and you are as much of a man as any of my soldiers. Remember well the lessons in survival that I have taught you. I have complete confidence that you can take care of yourself under any circumstances.”

Then in front of his men, Justin grasped his son in strong arms one last time then released him so he could gather his things to board the small boat for the return to the ship. As Malchus turned to leave, his father began to give the men their orders for the coming days. Malchus, hearing his father’s commanding voice, thought, “I am so proud of my father. I’ll make him proud of me.” Once he stepped past the last soldier, he turned around to take one last look at his father, and as he did, his father nodded as if to say, “Go forward. Everything is going to be all right.”

Though disappointed in not seeing Rome, Malchus held his head high as he returned with Lucius to the small boat that would retrace the twenty miles to the port at Ostia. They reached the Seneca as the sun was setting. Malchus was glad that Lucius had become such a good friend. He knew his mother would be worried wondering where he was, but he was confident he could care for himself. In fact, Malchus felt an excitement about the journey to the eastern edge of the Mediterranean.

At dawn the next day the Seneca set sail. Malchus was constantly at Lucius’ side as the captain charted the ship’s progress across the water. Both the student and the teacher were eager. In the chart house Lucius showed Malchus his planned route to Palestine. If they stayed on the southeasterly course, the Seneca would never be far out of the sight of land until reaching Sicily. After sailing between Italy and Sicily, the route was east-southeast on the open sea toward Crete, a distance of 500 miles. From Crete the easterly course continued to Cyprus, another 500 miles. Here the direction would change to the south-southeast for the port at Caesarea Maritima, 60 miles from Jerusalem.

The unseasonable west wind that had quickened the trip from Spain to Rome gave way to the more common etesian summer winds from the north. This meant regular tacking to make progress to the east. After passing Crete, Captain Lucius talked with Malchus while studying his charts, “Malchus, you can see that Cyprus is almost due east of Crete. Since these north winds are holding I plan a course change to the southeast.”

“That means you will be far from any land.”

“True, but we can stay on a starboard tack most of the way to Palestine. Too much to the south would bring us to Egypt. But I think we can hold a route almost directly to the Palestinian port of Caesarea. What do you think Malchus?”

“I would say--a good choice.”

Lucius mused, “I like the young man’s courage. Most of my sailors do not like to get so far from land.”

The north breeze held. Malchus observed that the Seneca was on a starboard tack most of the time. Every day at noon Lucius would measure the angle of the sun.

Malchus asked, “How do you use your measurements?”

“The shadow is longer in northern latitudes. A chart for each day of the year lists the latitudes for the angle of the sun.”

“So the latitude tells how you are doing on your planned course?”

“Exactly, and so far we are on course to make Caesarea.”

Three weeks after leaving Rome the ship’s lookout sounded, “Land Ahoy.” In unison the crew gave a cheer. Malchus joined Lucius on the forecastle where the captain was studying the shoreline and the outlines of a city.

“Do you recognize the city?”

“I’ll know for sure when we get a little closer, but I believe it is Gaza. If so we are about 75 miles south of Caesarea.”

The city was Gaza. The sailors manned the oars to speed the trip north. Malchus figured that the rowers were energetic because of the prospect of time ashore. Malchus had listened to a group of men talking about wine and women in Caesarea. Malchus remembered well his father’s teachings that a man is not to be with a woman until marriage and could hear Justin’s words, “Feeling good about life is more than feeling good for the moment.”

Despite the enthusiasm of the crew, it was well into the next afternoon when the Seneca approached Caesarea Maritima. After passing through the outer harbor protected by a massive sea-wall, the Seneca tied up to a dock in the rectangular inner harbor. Malchus asked Lucius, “When do we go ashore?”

“Soon I’ll let half the crew have an overnight. In the morning I’ll leave the first mate in charge of the ship, and I’ll take you on a tour of the city. I have been here many times.”

Malchus’ sleep was restless, so as soon as dawn broke, he arose to get ready for the day ahead. After a bite of breakfast, he joined Lucius on deck.

Lucius gave instructions to the first mate, then turned to Malchus, “Are you ready to see the sights?”

“Aye, aye, captain!”

Malchus walked stride for stride with Lucius along the dock past many ships that appeared to have come from all parts of the Roman Empire. Just beyond the last berth, Malchus could see a grand staircase leading up to an expansive stone structure. As he followed in the long climb, he asked, “What is that building?”

“Herod the Great built this temple for the worship of Augustus Caesar. Inside are gold statues of Augustus and the Roman goddess Roma.”

Leaving the temple area, Malchus and Lucius walked south beside a large arena. Malchus asked, “What is this called?”

“The hippodrome. It is used for horse and chariot races and for other games.”

The two sightseers walked south about a quarter of a mile where they reached a large stone building at the other end of the hippodrome. Malchus asked, “What is this?”

“It is a palace built by Herod.”

After going around the palace, Malchus and Lucius went southeast a short distance to view an open-air theater. A half circle stadium with stone seats overlooked a stage. Next, they turned north and walked along a colonnaded street. Even though this was Malchus’ first visit to Caesarea, he had his bearings from the location of the sun. He could see from their crossings that the east-west streets were parallel to each other and equally spaced.

As Malchus and Lucius approached the center of the city, the streets became more congested with people of every color and shade. Malchus could overhear conversations in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic. Up ahead, he could see a series of stone arches topped with more stone. Pointing, Malchus asked, “Is that an aqueduct?”

“Yes, the aqueduct brings water from Mount Carmel to the city for drinking and for the public bath. Mount Carmel is 1,700 feet higher than the city, so the water flows along the top of the aqueduct for fifteen miles by the force of gravity.”

Malchus’ searching eyes could see that the aqueduct used gothic arches to gain height with less stone. The openings let people and animals pass through. The wall, wide at the bottom, narrowed at the top where the cross section had been designed for the flow of water.

Malchus and Lucius turned east and continued their walk across the city. After crossing several streets, Malchus observed that parallel north-south streets intersected the east-west streets to form uniform rectangular blocks. The blocks were filled with close fitting houses. Malchus said, “There are so many houses. I wonder how many people live in Caesarea?”

“I have been told over 50,000.”

Malchus had been so excited about the sights of the Roman city that he had not thought about eating. When they passed a shop selling bread, Malchus said, “All of a sudden, I’m hungry. May we eat?”

Lucius answered, “We are near one of the city gates. Let’s walk outside and find a Jewish inn where we can enjoy a comfortable meal at a better price than in the city.”

Lucius led the way outside the gate to a small, but neat, building with a sign out front that marked it as an inn. Inside the innkeeper offered them a corner table and announced that today’s menu was mutton stew. The tired tourists agreed that sounded good. For two such weary travelers, any food would suffice. They leisurely ate stew and bread and drank wine. The food and drink, along with the good rest, revived Malchus and Lucius so they were ready for the walk back to the ship.

By this time, the sun was well out to sea. Malchus’ muscles could feel the effects of the all-day excursion and the long trek back. The sight of the Seneca looked good as the ship was beginning to feel like home.

Once on the deck, the first mate spoke to Lucius and Malchus. “The contingency of troops assigned to the Seneca is going to overfill our space, so the area commander has given us orders to leave all other passengers for passage on later ships.”

Malchus’ good feelings as he boarded the Seneca changed to feelings of fear, as he wondered, “What happens now?”

Chapter 4

Return Passage Interrupted

Lucius, sensing Malchus’ concern, said, “In the morning we shall walk the docks to look for a Spanish vessel to take you home.”

Malchus had a second night of restless sleep, but this time the excitement had yielded to apprehension. During the night he was awakened a few times by the sounds of equally restless sheep that had been loaded on a ship nearby. At dawn he arose and looked for Lucius.

He found Lucius checking his mooring lines. Lucius agreed to an early start, so they began the walk along the dock. Roman peace encouraged trade across the whole of the Mediterranean Sea. Ships had come from across the known world to this large man-made harbor. Goods flowed from here to Jerusalem, one of the trade centers of the area. After passing several dozen ships, one from Spain was found.

Lucius approached the man who appeared to be in charge, “I am Lucius, captain of the Seneca from Spain and Rome. May I speak to the captain?”

“Shalom, my name is Ahab. I am captain and a trader from Spain.”

Malchus, standing back a pace, observed Ahab. His eyes appeared close set and focused on Lucius’ chest rather than his face. One hand was stroking the fingers of the other, followed by a switch the other way. He appeared to be a strange fellow.

“My friend Malchus is looking for passage to Barcino, Spain. Are you going that way?”

“Yes, I shall put in there, but first Malchus would need to help me get my load of goods to Jerusalem. I have contracted for donkeys, carts, and drivers for the sixty mile trip.”

“We will talk it over, then let you know.”

After walking on a ways Malchus said, “I would like to go to Jerusalem. I have read about that ancient city.”

“That trip would be a good adventure, but I have concerns about Ahab. He looks the part of trader more than a sea captain. I should not judge, but I sense a scoundrel.”

“Is this not my best chance to see the city?”

“I have come to believe, as your father said, ‘you can take care of yourself.’ If you must see Jerusalem, then this may be your best opportunity.”

In the meantime dozens of carts had been assembled on the dock beside Ahab’s ship, and the crew was filling the carts with wool, linen, cork, and metals which looked to be tin, lead, copper and iron.

Malchus and Lucius walked around the carts and saw Ahab directing the crew from the deck. “Ahab,” Malchus called, “I would like to accept your offer. What is your charge for passage to Barcino, Spain?”

“Your cost would be ten denarii, payable in advance.”

Lucius interrupted, “Malchus will get his things from my ship and join you for your trip to Jerusalem. He will pay you the ten denarii when safely delivered to Barcino. You will want to remember that you are dealing with a Roman citizen.”

Ahab, in a not too gracious manner, accepted the offer.

Malchus went back to the Seneca with Lucius to gather up his bundle of belongings. Lucius disappeared into his cabin for a moment then came back with a leather pouch in his hand.

“Malchus,” he said, “inside the pouch are fifteen denarii. Ten are for Ahab, and the remaining five are for you. Watch that character closely and do not give him his denarii until you safely reach port in Barcino.”

Malchus listened carefully to Lucius’ advice then took the pouch, slipped the cord around his neck, and tucked the pouch in an inside pocket of his outer garment. Before he turned to step off of the ship onto the dock, he thanked Lucius for all his assistance.

Malchus now hurried down the dock to begin the trek to that famous city of Jerusalem. When he arrived at Ahab’s ship, the caravan drivers were completing the harnessing of the donkeys that would pull the dozen carts. Ahab showed Malchus where he would sleep on the voyage to Spain and suggested he leave his bundle of belongings so they would not get lost in Jerusalem. One of the young men asked Malchus to guide a donkey down the dock. The small caravan cleared the harbor area then moved through the streets and out a city gate on the east side of Caesarea.

On the road Malchus learned from the drivers that the route would be east across the Plain of Sharon to Sychem where they would rest overnight before continuing on to Jerusalem. The drivers said that there would be no night travel because Ahab didn’t trust the robbers after dark.

It seemed as if the donkeys almost knew the way as they stayed on the trail and pulled the carts behind them. Malchus was free to look at the countryside. Flocks of sheep grazed on the plain, while shepherds watched over them. Farmers worked the hillsides growing and harvesting grapes, figs, and olives on the land further east.

By day the road was filled with travelers from every walk of life. Traders from all over the Roman Empire were moving goods to Jerusalem. Malchus could overhear people speaking Latin, Greek, and several dialects of Hebrew. He guessed that some of the men must have been speaking Aramaic. Besides those on business, there were families traveling together. During daylight hours there was safety in numbers.

The sun was low in the west when Ahab’s little caravan reached Sychem. As a trade route juncture, the town had facilities for watering and feeding both donkeys and men. Ahab announced that they would spend the night here.

Malchus made himself a bed of hay from the supply bought for the donkeys. As soon as the stars came out, Malchus slept while enjoying dreams of what Jerusalem might bring. The next morning Ahab’s group joined other travelers on the road to the historical city.

Malchus observed the direction of the sun’s shadow as the day marched by just as Lucius had taught him. He could tell that the route was mostly south. By late afternoon the altitude increased as the men and donkeys labored in their walk. The afternoon sun on Malchus’ right flooded the great walls of Jerusalem. In many ways the view was what he expected from the descriptions he had read about the land of the Hebrews, except it was even more magnificent. At this hour the gate was open and people were streaming in and out of the city. Malchus now understood why it had taken so many years to build the wall.

The little caravan moved into Jerusalem to a trading area not far from the Temple. Ahab met with the local merchants and haggled over prices for the items he had brought to sell. Not long before the supper hour, all deals had been completed. Ahab paid the men that had furnished the donkeys and carts and they were soon on their way. For the first time since the meeting in Caesarea, Ahab spoke directly to Malchus, “Let’s walk east a ways to Bethany where the prices are better, and I’ll treat you to a meal.”

Malchus was surprised by this sudden generosity and agreed to join Ahab for supper. Maybe he had misjudged Ahab, and he wasn’t the scoundrel he had suspected after all. On the outskirts of Bethany, they approached an inn. A wooden relief carving above the door appeared to be a loaf of bread and a cup of wine. Malchus thought, “How inviting to a weary and hungry traveler.”

When they reached the door, Ahab rang the metal bell mounted on the doorpost. The innkeeper welcomed them in and offered them a table with a simple bench on either side. The innkeeper stood beside the table while Ahab and Malchus seated themselves, then he explained that he had prepared a stew with meat and vegetables and freshly baked bread.

Ahab responded, “That’s good. Bring us bread and wine so we can begin while you see that the stew is heated.” After the long journey, the food and wine tasted so good that Malchus finally felt like he could begin to relax. The two hungry travelers ate in silence. When Malchus had eaten his fill, he thanked Ahab for the meal. Ahab responded by thanking him for the help he had given with the donkeys and suggested that they complete their evening meal with a delicious old wine.

Malchus watched as Ahab pulled a wine holder from his bag and poured a cup for each. As Malchus drank, his mind rushed ahead to the sights he hoped to see tomorrow in Jerusalem. Looking across the table, he wondered why Ahab’s cup was still full. The long walk must have been tiring for suddenly Malchus felt very sleepy.

“Malchus, you look drowsy. Let’s go outside and get some fresh air.” Even though the darkness of night covered the countryside, the two men walked outside, closing the door behind them.

As morning arrived, the warm sun danced on the straw in the stable behind the inn until it reached the eyes of a sleeping Malchus. He awoke. The last thing he could remember was the wine. Instinctively he pressed his hand to his chest. Fear gripped him. His money was gone. He thought, “Ahab was a scoundrel just as Lucius and I had suspected. Why did I trust him for a drink of his wine?”

Next, Malchus felt the pocket low in the back of his garment and concluded, “At least I still have my ivory handled knife.” Malchus shook his head then brushed himself off so that he could go around to the front of the inn and talk with the innkeeper.

Malchus knocked on the door and right away it was opened by the innkeeper who invited him in and probed him with the question, “Where did you spend the night, and where is your friend?”

“I slept in your stable, and he’s apparently not my friend. He drugged me and took my money.”

“You know, I didn’t like the looks of your fellow traveler.”

Realizing he would not go to Spain with Ahab, Malchus asked, “Which road do I take to reach the center of Jerusalem?”

Walking out front, the innkeeper began to speak and point, “Take that road west to Jerusalem. The center of the city is two miles ahead. But first let me get you some bread and wine.”

Malchus ate, thanked the innkeeper for his kindness, and began the walk toward Jerusalem. His mind felt numb as he walked. He wished the road he was on led into Barcino, but it didn’t. All he had to hold onto now were the words of his father that were running through his mind, “I have complete confidence that you can take care of yourself under any circumstances.”

Chapter 5

Ruth - A Mother

On the road from Bethany, Malchus remembered that his mother had sewn a denarius into the hem of his garment. She had begun this practice when Malchus and Justin would go on camping trips in Gaul and Spain. Even though neither Malchus nor Justin felt it was necessary, she had continued doing it in case of an emergency. Malchus tore loose the threads and gripped the single denarius tightly in his hand. In the marketplace of Jerusalem, he would look for a moneychanger to get some Jewish coins.

Ruth, a Jewish woman of the household of Caiaphas, the high priest, arrived in the marketplace that same morning for her regular daily shopping for the large number of family, extended family, and slaves that filled Caiaphas's compound where she and her daughter Rachel lived. Ruth, a sister-in-law of Caiaphas, moved into the compound five years ago when her husband died.

Every day, except the Sabbath, Ruth walked this same route among the shops so that the heavier items of food could be purchased last, since she was the one who would have to carry the purchases back to the compound. The load of a Jewish woman was oftentimes the same as that of a Jewish man. The shopkeepers were glad to see Ruth because she made generous purchases, but more so because she was so cordial and seemed genuinely interested in them.

As Ruth reached her last stop, she could not help but overhear a conversation between a young man and a moneychanger. She could see that the fair, blue-eyed boy certainly was not a Hebrew. Ruth stood in awe as the youngster negotiated with the moneychanger to exchange his Roman denarius for Jewish leptons, speaking first in Greek, then in Hebrew.

When the moneychanger was about to cheat Malchus, Ruth interrupted and said to the moneychanger, “Don't you know from Solomon's teachings that God will judge you harshly if you cheat this boy?” Shamefully the moneychanger looked down and laid out an additional fifty leptons to go with the first fifty he had offered.

In gratitude Malchus approached Ruth, “Thank you for taking up for me. I am a stranger here in this land, and I am not yet familiar with your ways. May I carry your baskets for you?”

Ruth ordinarily would have refused such an offer, especially from a stranger and a gentile at that, but there was something about this boy that she liked, so she responded, “That would be helpful as I do have a half mile walk across the upper city to home. By the way, my name is Ruth. What’s yours?”

“My name is Malchus, and I’m from Spain.”

“If you are from Spain, how is it you know both Hebrew and Greek?”

“At my father's insistence, my mother, with the help of a few tutors, gave me instruction in language, math, and science since the time I was a small boy.”

“How did you get here?”

“I was on a trip with my father by ship to Rome and was to have returned after a few days back home to Spain. But in Rome, the ship was diverted to Palestine where I was put off to make room for Roman soldiers who were leaving for Rome to defend Emperor Tiberius.” Not wanting to reveal any more of his background, Malchus shifted the topic to Ruth. “Tell me about your family.”

“Well, I have one daughter, Rachel, who is about your age. My husband Reuben died when Rachel was nine, so we had to move in with one of my brother-in-laws. Rachel’s favorite was Uncle Seth because he was most like her father. Seth had chosen to work as a priest among the poor of Jerusalem, so he had no room for us. Her Uncle Caiaphas, as the high priest, lived in a compound with plenty of room, so that’s where we live.”

“Does Rachel look anything like you?”

With a smile Ruth replied, “Many say there is a distinct resemblance, but, as you would expect, she is much younger.”

“I believe then that she must be very beautiful.”

“Why, thank you Malchus.”

“What do you and your daughter do during the day?”

“My primary job is to buy the food and oversee the slaves in the kitchen, and, of course, my daughter assists me.”

“Are the slaves mistreated?”

“No, they are treated fairly, if they work hard. They have plenty to eat and a clean bed.”

“I need a place to stay and food to eat. Would there be work for me in Caiaphas's household?”

“As of late, Caiaphas has been searching for a yeoman. Maybe you would qualify, as the job requires both language and mathematical skills. A yeoman must negotiate with the traders who pass this way for the buying and selling of goods. You must understand that the gentile workers are slaves.”

“Do you mean they were carried off after a battle?”

“No, they are indentured. The gentile slave girls that work in the kitchen agree to work for a number of years for an advance payment that usually goes to their poor families. The girls don't mind because the quarters here are better than at their homes, and they know that in a prescribed number of years they are free to go.”

“Please take me to Caiaphas so I can inquire about the yeoman’s job.”

As they approached Caiaphas's compound, Malchus could tell from the main house and the numerous outbuildings and stable that there was room for at least fifty people as well as the necessary livestock to support such an enclave.

After dropping off the baskets at the kitchen on the back of the main house, they walked around to the front where Ruth asked permission of a guard to see her brother-in-law. She and Malchus were seated in the anteroom. Malchus began to scan the walls, ceiling, and floors. He wondered where the beautifully carved cedar could have come from and how a priest could afford such elegant furnishings.

Speaking softly, Malchus asked Ruth, “Are some of those going and coming from the inner room also priests?”

“Yes, you can tell by the length of the fringe on their robes.”

“What do the priest do?”

“Some are at the Temple accepting the people’s sacrifices while others are a part of the business of making sacrifices available.”

“Do the people bring sacrifices to appease their gods?”

Ruth turned her head to look into Malchus’ face, “Why do you ask so many questions? All of my husband’s brothers are priests, but I don’t have a good answer. My husband, Reuben, always said that Jehovah was a loving God.”

“My friend Aaron told me that Jehovah created everything in the world. Is that true?”

“I am not schooled as are our priests, but I believe the answer is yes.”

“Is your Jehovah just the God of the Jews?”

“Our priests would say yes. But Reuben questioned that tenet and many others.”

The guard approached Ruth and Malchus to say, “You may go in now.”

Malchus and Ruth followed the guard to the massive door. As the guard pulled open the door to the Great Hall, Malchus looked in and past Caiaphas to the walls covered with opulent furnishings. The tapestries and vases were the elegant kind brought from the East.

Ruth’s voice brought Malchus back to the meeting as she said, “This is Malchus who just arrived in Jerusalem looking for work. He is interested in the yeoman’s job and would like to talk with you about it.”

Caiaphas began, “You are a bit young for the responsibilities of a yeoman. What makes you think you can handle the job?”

“From a young age, I have had instructions in Latin, Hebrew, Greek, and mathematics and am quite well versed in them. I also have experience in trading goods in the market place as I have done so for a couple of years for my father and mother.”

Caiaphas asked a few more questions then said, “I shall give you a try. Ruth can show you to a room beside the stable. Haman and I will explain your duties tomorrow morning. You will be paid six hundred denarii in exchange for agreeing to be my slave yeoman for two years.”

It had been a long while since Ruth had had such a joyful feeling in her heart. She did not fully understand, but she felt a love for this boy as a mother might for a son. As the two walked toward the stables Ruth said, “I will show you your room.”

Malchus followed Ruth along the narrow path. As they passed the stables, he noticed the sleek cattle and sheep housed inside. Added onto the south wall of the stables were a group of small rooms. Since they were made of adobe, they could store the warmth of the sun during the day to moderate the chill of the nights. When Malchus looked inside, he realized how small the rooms were. Along one wall was a bed, a pile of straw covered with a mat. Next to it was a small table, and across from it on the wall were a few pegs for hanging clothes. There was room for little else.

Ruth’s voice interrupted his thoughts, “This will be your room, Malchus. Please feel free to make yourself at home. You will need some covers for your bed, but don’t you worry about that. I’ll get some for you.”

“Thanks.”

As Ruth turned to leave, Malchus asked, “Do you and Rachel live near here?”

“We aren’t too far away as we share a room off of the kitchen on the back of the main house. It is right next to the large room where all the women slaves stay. As you might guess, men are not allowed in that area of the house.”

“Does anyone else live in these adobe rooms?”

“Clement and Elmo live right next door to you.”

“Who are they?”

“They tend to the livestock and the grounds and are about your age, so you are not alone out here.”

“Do you think they could take me out this afternoon and show me around the city of Jerusalem?”

“Not today as I believe they are busy working the livestock to select some to be sold to the priests that make animals available for sacrifice. But don’t give up hope. I’ll come up with someone.” Ruth smiled somewhat mischievously then turned to go. “I’ll be right back.”

Chapter 6

Rachel - The Daughter

Malchus entered his room. He lifted the mat and fluffed the straw. “Not a bad bed,” he thought to himself. Walking back outside, Malchus turned to look past the stables to the back of the main house.

It was not long before Malchus could see Ruth returning. “The one with her must be Rachel,” he thought. Even though they were a stone’s throw away, Malchus could make out that Rachel had coal-black hair and an olive complexion. The loose purple garment she was wearing clung to her lithe body when the wind blew. She was indeed more beautiful than Malchus had expected even though he thought she would be pretty, since her mother was quite attractive.

Malchus busied himself with arranging the straw and mat as they came closer. Soon he heard footsteps outside his door. It was Ruth who spoke first, “Malchus, I have brought you a cloth cover and a sheepskin that you can use to cover up with at night as well as some of my husband’s clothes which I have saved for just such a need as this. I thought you could use a change of clothes. And as far as your request about seeing the city, I brought my daughter, Rachel. She is familiar with Jerusalem, and can show you around and answer most of your questions.”

Malchus looked at Rachel standing beside her mother. Her face was lit with the kind of a smile made with only the lips where one anticipates that the showing of the teeth can’t be far behind.

Seemingly oblivious to the exchange between Rachel and Malchus, Ruth went on, “Naturally, you will remember to be back before the evening meal because Rachel directs the slave girls in the distribution and serving of the food. I’ve packed some bread and figs for the two of you to snack on if you get hungry before then. Make sure you see all you want to see because once you become the yeoman you will have little free time. Oh, and one more thing, go out the back way into the crowd as Caiaphas would not approve of Rachel going with you. He follows the Jewish law by the letter and thinks of himself as her father. As far as he is concerned, she is still a little girl.”

With that said, Ruth turned to go back down the pathway that led to the kitchen.

“Malchus,” Rachel said, “let’s be on our way as the time for the evening meal will come quicker than you think.”

Malchus agreed and began to follow her as she headed off down an unfamiliar path.

“This path will lead us to the north wall. We can follow the long wall to the Sheep Gate before turning back to the Temple.”

They had walked a short distance when Rachel said, “Ahead on our left is the Palace of Herod. He is the Roman ruler of Judea. He built that palace by taxing the Jews, including the poor.”

Malchus nodded his head in order to acknowledge all that she had told him and continued to walk beside her on the path.

When they were almost in sight of the north wall, Rachel turned to Malchus and said, “My mother told me you had unending questions. So far you haven’t said a word. Don’t you like being with me?”

“Oh, that is not it at all. I like being with you very much. I talked with my mother all the time, but I have never really talked to a girl.”

“You do talk to boys, do you not?”

“Why, yes.”

“Well girls are people just like boys. You can ask me questions if you like.”

“My mind has been racing with questions since we began our walk, not about Jerusalem, but about you, your mother, and your father.”

“Maybe when we sit down to eat the bread and figs my mother packed, we can talk about my family. Of course, if I talk about my family then that means you will have to tell me about yours.

Malchus nodded in agreement, “Yes, of course.”

“Sheep Gate isn’t too far ahead. Once we reach there we can go across the temple grounds to the Court of Gentiles and find a place to sit down.”

“Oh, may I carry your bundle of food?”

“Well we are almost there now, but yes.”

Malchus could see the same mischievous smile that he had seen earlier from her mother. “Why do you and your mother tease me?”

“My mother does because she likes you. Now, come, enough of that nonsense.”

Malchus stayed close beside Rachel as she led the way into the temple area. This was different for Malchus, because among his fiends in Barcino, he was always leading. Rachel picked a path through the crowd on Solomon’s Porch in order to reach the Court of Gentiles. On the edge of the court Rachel said, “We can sit on this rock,” then plopped herself down and motioned for Malchus to sit as well.

“You must be tired from the long walk and from carrying the heavy bundle,” said Rachel.

“Are you teasing?”

Rachel merely smiled.

The bread and figs tasted good to Malchus. He could hardly believe that this day had begun in Bethany after being robbed during the night. He remembered the time he had questioned his mother about whether our lives just happen or if the outcome was meant to be. If the latter were true, Malchus wished for a god he could thank for this day.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Rachel’s voice, “Do you still want to know about my family?”

“Oh, yes, please. Why don’t you begin with your father.”

“Even though I was only nine years old when my father died, I remember him well. In some ways you remind me of him. You appear strong yet gentle. He was, as were his brothers, in the Jewish lineage to become a priest. By the time he became of age, he had concluded that the priesthood was more about politics than about worshipping Jehovah.”

“What would make your father reach that conclusion?”

“My father, as a youth, had worked with sheep herdsmen. He continued this work because he enjoyed the sheep and the outdoors. My father took me with him a few times into the lower hills to graze our sheep. He explained that when alone with the sheep, under the blue sky by day and the myriad of stars at night, was when he felt closest to Jehovah. The priestly apprentice jobs gave no such feelings.”

“Did your father tell you stories?”

“Yes, since he had read the scrolls in the synagogue, he liked to tell me about his favorite people--the prophets. He especially liked Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Amos because they told the people about a just God who would punish the wrongdoer. At the same time, he told me about David who compared God’s love for his people to that of a shepherd’s care for his sheep. David clearly describes a God who loves us.”

“Are you saying that your God is both just and loving?”

“Yes, I have thought a great deal about that and have concluded that a wise God would be both just and loving. I think of my own father and mother who loved me unconditionally still they would punish me when I did wrong.”

“How did your father die?”

“It was during the fall after an extended summer drought the year that I turned nine. My father had taken his sheep higher and higher into the hills and mountains, seeking green pastures and still waters. Then we had an early heavy snow. Normally a Jewish shepherd would not be so high in the mountains that he couldn’t easily get out. But with this snow, no one could get in or out of the highlands for two weeks. Knowing my father as I did, I have always thought he could have walked out if he had been willing to leave his sheep. But knowing what a good shepherd he was, I imagine he refused to desert his sheep.”

Rachel paused for a moment then glanced up at the sun, “You have let me talk too long, and you have told me nothing about yourself. The sun is getting lower in the sky, and we must hurry back.”

“After I learn my Yeoman job, I should have some time. We can get together and I promise to talk, even though you are a girl.”

“I would like that, but we must be careful not to let Caiaphas see us together.”

The narrow winding streets back to the compound were filled with people. The pace Rachel kept this time was brisk. Rachel went on ahead so that she could enter from the back by the kitchen entrance. Malchus walked through the courtyard in the front of the compound by himself. He stopped by the kitchen door where a slave girl served him a bowl of food. Malchus carried his bowl to the small table in his room. The quantity of the food was generous and the flavor good.

After the sun had set, the night air cooled. Malchus was glad his new friends had given him covers for his bed. When he lay down, the bed felt good. Tomorrow he would begin his new job and make his father proud.

Chapter 7

Clement and Elmo

Malchus was sleeping soundly when he was startled by someone shouting, “Good Morning” first in Hebrew, then in Latin. Malchus peered out from under his covers to see who it might be. Standing in the doorway were two young men about his age. One was tall and slender, and the other was short and stocky.

“Breakfast is ready,” said the tall one.

“You go ahead, and I’ll join you in a moment.”

As they walked on, Malchus thought he heard the shorter one blurt out, “Sleepy head,” then snicker.

Malchus passed it off as “nonsense,” as Rachel would say, then quickly got dressed for the day. He wondered if he might see Ruth or Rachel helping with the food, so he smoothed his hair back just in case. By the time he finished, he had to run to catch up with his neighbors as they were almost to the door of the kitchen.

“Wait up!” he yelled.

They stopped, turned around, and waited for him to catch up.

“It’s a good thing you hurried, or you might have missed breakfast,” said the short one.

“Well, I got up a little late today, but I’ll be up earlier tomorrow.”

“Come get in line,” said the taller one, “By the way, what is your name.”

“My name is Malchus. Which one of you is which?”

It was the taller one who responded first, “I am Clement, and this is Elmo.”

Elmo, acting a little silly, stood on his toes and looked up at Clement with a funny grin on his face and with his hands behind his back. “Which one do you think it is,” he said to Clement, “right or left?”

Clement motioned to Elmo’s right arm then Elmo said, “Wrong and handed him a blue bowl with his left hand. Then he pulled out a red bowl with his right arm and held it in front of him.

“Where is your bowl, Malchus?” Elmo chided.

Malchus, feeling a little embarrassed that he had left his bowl in his room, started to answer but was interrupted by a familiar voice. It was Rachel. “Malchus, there are plenty of extra bowls here in the kitchen. Don’t you worry. I’ll find you one. Elmo, hand me your bowl, so I can fill it.”

As Elmo handed his bowl to Rachel, he had the look of a little boy caught getting a honey cake from the kitchen jar.

“Clement, don’t you be shy too. I’ll fill your bowl if you’ll hand it to me, please.”

“Thank you,” she said confidently as she filled it and handed it back to him.

Then Rachel nodded to Malchus and said, “Just one minute. I’ll be back.” When she returned she was carrying a dark green bowl. She set the bowl down on the serving ledge then grasped the wooden spoon to fill Malchus’ bowl from the large cooking container. As she picked up the filled bowl to hand to him, Malchus noticed how small yet strong her hands were. “Girls are marvelous creations,” he thought to himself.

“Malchus, you are staring at your food.” she scolded. “Clement and Elmo can tell you that it is only proper to look the server in the eye and say, ‘thank you.’”

“Thank you, Rachel.”

“That’s better,” Rachel affirmed as she nodded her head in approval then turned to go into the kitchen.

“Malchus,” Clement directed, “you may join Elmo and me at our table in the tool shed. We built it ourselves.”

The table was close to the ground so all three could easily sit on the mats stationed around it while they ate. Malchus was anxious to find out more about his two new friends and asked them how long they had been working on the compound.

Clement spoke first, “Elmo and I began working at Caiaphas’s compound at the same time about a year ago. We work with the cattle and sheep and take care of the grounds.”

“You do good work if the condition of the livestock is an indication.”

“What about you? What will you be doing?” asked Clement.

“Caiaphas said he could use me for the yeoman job.”

“Hey, Clement,” Elmo exclaimed, “I think we have a smart one here.”

“I never thought of myself as particularly smart, but I did always try to follow my parent’s instructions. Now I suppose I’m glad because I’ll get to use all of those languages that required so much work. In any case I’ll have to learn much more as Caiaphas said I will be keeping the ledgers.”

“Then you will be working some with Haman.”

“Tell me about Haman.”

“He is the priest who is in charge of the ledger which lists all the trading activity.”

“Is Haman easy to get along with?”

Elmo injected, “I would say he is about as easy to get along with as a stubborn, old goat.”

Then Clement spoke up, “I’d say he is obnoxious.”

“I hope I’ll be able to get along with him.”

“Good luck,” they both said together then looked at each other, and Elmo grinned.

“How do you two happen to be slaves of Caiaphas?” Malchus inquired, as he changed the subject.

Clement continued as spokesman, “I signed on a freighter out of Catania, Sicily. Athens was a port of call. Elmo, as I, was looking for adventure, so he too came onboard at Athens as an apprentice seaman.”

“Did the freighter stop in Caesarea?”

Here Elmo decided to speak, “Yes, and after unloading freight, we decided our job was more about lifting and carrying than it was about sailing. Early one morning we left the ship to follow the caravans to Jerusalem. In Jerusalem the only work we could find was as indentured servants for Caiaphas.”

“How do you like your work?”

“Better than the freighter - except for Haman. He is such a grouch. We stay out of sight when he comes around.”

When the three young men had finished eating breakfast, they carried their bowls to the well by the stables to rinse them before putting the bowls on the table in their rooms. Malchus followed his two new friends to the stable where they began the morning clean up. As Malchus reached for some hay to hold for the calf that stood at the fence with beseeching eyes, he heard footsteps behind him.

“Are you Malchus, the new yeoman?” the guard asked.

“I am,” replied Malchus.

“Then follow me to the main house. Haman is ready to meet with you.”

Instead of entering into the large entryway in the front of the main house as he had with Ruth, they entered through a small entryway on the side of the house. They walked down a corridor, then came upon a wooden door with a hammered metal plate on it that read “Records.” The guard knocked twice. When he saw the door begin to swing open, he stood erect and said, “Yeoman Malchus is here to see you, sir.”

“Of course, guard. You’re dismissed,” answered the priest, sounding a little annoyed.

The guard, showing no emotion on his face, turned and left. As he did, the priest turned to walk toward one of the walls that was covered with pigeonhole shelving. The fringe on his robe seemed exceptionally long to Malchus, but he wasn’t sure what it meant. Malchus wondered, “What have I gotten myself into with this priest?”

Chapter 8

Yeoman for Caiaphas

Clearing his throat as he walked, the priest began, “My name is Haman, and I have been in charge of keeping the records stored in this room for the past twenty years. Recently, I was notified by Caiaphas that he wants me to turn the room over to a yeoman, so I can spend more time at our booths in the Temple.”

Having reached the shelf, Haman pulled a scroll from one of the pigeonholes and unrolled it on the stand-up table in the center of the room. “This scroll is a record of our cattle. You can see what our buying and selling prices have been. As you work with the records, you will find a scroll for sheep and another for wheat.”

“So there is a scroll for each of the farm products?”

“Yes, but that isn’t all. There is a scroll that lists all the people on the compound, both slave and free. There are records for the raw materials and for the sold linens. The high priest gets some money from that collected at the temple, but in order to maintain this household, we must make a profit in our buying and selling.”

“Where do you get the numbers to enter in the records?”

“As yeoman, you will be doing much of the buying and selling, so you will have the figures. Any others involved in our commerce will tell you. Do you have any questions?

“Not yet. Maybe once I look more closely at the records I’ll have a few.”

“I hope you understand that I am a bit reluctant to turn this responsibility over to a young gentile, but what do I know? Caiaphas is the high priest around here, and what he says goes. I just follow orders.”

“I understand your concern, but I don’t think there is as much to fear as you believe.”

“Time will tell, won’t it?”

“I’ll do my best, sir.”

“Well, let’s hope your best is good enough.”

“Yes, sir.”

Haman scrutinized Malchus for any flaws, then turned to place some of the scrolls back in their pigeonholes.

“Now you stay here and examine each scroll. That will get you familiar with the operation. In a few hours I’ll return to see how you are coming along.”

When the door closed behind Haman, Malchus unrolled one of the scrolls in front of him and began the slow, tedious task of reviewing it in Hebrew. After Malchus had read through about half of them, Haman returned to tell him that it was time for lunch.

“You can go out the same way you came in and walk around back for your food. Caiaphas has let me know that he would like to talk to you later this afternoon.”

Once outside Malchus breathed a little more freely. “Haman was sure uptight about my taking over the scrolls,” he thought to himself. As he rounded the corner of the main house, he saw Clement and Elmo in line at the kitchen door and hailed them.

Once he had gone through the line, he joined them in the tool shed. Their familiar faces made him feel at ease.

“So,” began Clement, “how is Caiaphas’s yeoman?”

“The yeoman is fine. It is Haman that I’m concerned about.”

“What did I tell you?” exclaimed Elmo. “He is some peculiar character.”

“Well, he certainly is skeptical about me handling the scrolls. I guess since he has been doing it for twenty years, it is hard for him to relinquish his duties.”

“I wonder why Caiaphas is getting rid of him?” Clement asked. “Maybe he suspects that Haman has been dipping into the pot himself at times.”

“Yeah, maybe that is why he spends so much time in that little room. He is probably trying to cover up his tracks in the records,” glimmered Elmo as if he thought he were a detective uncovering some important clue in an unsolved mystery.

“Now wait just one second here,” said Malchus calmly. “We have convicted and hung the poor guy before he has even been brought to trial. I’ve been through half of the records already, and I haven’t seen anything that looks like incriminating evidence.”

“Maybe it’s because you aren’t experienced enough,” chided Elmo.

“That has nothing to do with it. It doesn’t take experience to see if someone has scratched a figure out or not.”

“Let’s hope you aren’t being set up by Haman. He is quite a crafty fellow,” said Clement in a low voice, so no one outside the tool shed would hear him.

“Listen, I think you two are taking your suspicions about Haman a bit too far. He is an unusual fellow, but I think we need to give him the benefit of the doubt in this situation. Maybe he is just an exceptionally hard worker. In any case, I will be seeing Caiaphas this afternoon, and he will explain a little more to me about my new job.”

After finishing eating, Clement and Elmo returned to the stables and Malchus to the record room. Malchus went right to the scrolls and looked them over for any sign of figures that might have been changed, but found nothing that looked unusual. The afternoon was half gone when Malchus was interrupted by the guard who came to say that Caiaphas was ready to see him.

The grandeur of the Great Hall was more striking than Malchus remembered from his first visit. As he sat in the chair opposite Caiaphas’s desk, his eyes examined the finely woven hanging cloths and the gold canisters positioned along the walls.

Caiaphas began, “I have instructed Haman to show you the scrolls that record all business transactions for the compound. As yeoman you will keep these records. You will also be responsible for negotiating with the traders for goods of all kinds.”

“Do the traders all come to Jerusalem?”

“Most do, but several times a year you will go to Caesarea to buy and sell with traders who work from their ships tied up in the harbor. Clement and Elmo will go with you to help with the donkeys and carts. As a matter of fact, you should plan a trip to the port in the next few weeks.”

“What kinds of goods do we buy?”

“Just about anything that will turn a profit. Tomorrow I will have Haman take you to the marketplace here in Jerusalem to buy from the traders that have come to our city. He will also show you some of the booths in the Temple where we sell animals for sacrifice. We make a nice profit on the animals, especially on the doves for the poor. They have the highest markup. Now do you have any questions?”

“Will Clement and Elmo know that they are expected to go with me to Caesarea?”

“Those two slaves will be told that they report to you and that they are to do whatever you tell them. You will need to learn a little about the cattle and sheep so you can direct the buying, selling, and caring for the animals. Do you have any more questions?”

“None that I can think of at the moment.”

“Fine, then that is all I have to say. You are dismissed.”

Malchus returned to the record room and finished reviewing the scrolls before the evening meal, where he met again with Clement and Elmo in the tool shed. He held off telling them what Caiaphas had said, figuring that they would find out soon enough.

After the meal, they stopped at the stable to be sure that the livestock all had water. Malchus continued walking on to his room. The sun was setting on the hillside when he thought to himself, “Father would be proud if he knew of the responsibility I have. I’ll treat Clement and Elmo just as he treats his soldiers, so they will work for me out of respect rather than fear. Someone has to be the leader, and my father has trained me to be one. I’m looking forward to the challenge. I wonder if Ruth and Rachel have heard yet?”

The busy days as yeoman filled the week. Soon the month had come and gone. Malchus knew that it was past the time for him to make a trip to Caesarea, so in his mind he began the preparations. He would make it a point to talk to Clement and Elmo about the trip soon.

Chapter 9

A Buying Trip to Caesarea

Malchus, Clement, and Elmo had grown accustomed to a relaxed, fun time around the table in the shed as they shared while they ate. On this evening, Malchus decided he could no longer put off the trip to Caesarea, so he explained, “Tomorrow we shall prepare for a trading trip to Caesarea and depart the following day.”

Clement, who was anxious to get started on such an adventure, quickly inquired, “How many donkey carts shall I prepare?”

“Three,” Malchus responded, relieved to see Clement’s willingness to follow his leadership, “and be sure to select the strongest animals.”

“Elmo, you can fill wineskins and wrap bread for us. Oh, and don’t forget to package some grain for the donkeys.”

“Yes, sir, captain,” Elmo replied with a chuckle.

Malchus, who was preoccupied with the planning, seemed not to hear Elmo’s jesting. “Tell me, Clement,” Malchus said, “about the Jewish inn where you stayed on the outskirts of Caesarea.”

“Well, it was clean, secure, and more affordable than most of the other inns in the city.”

“Can we reach the inn in time to get a room on the second day out?”

Clement crossed his arms then lifted his right hand to stroke his chin as he thought, “If we leave at the first light of day, and spend some time riding the carts, we can make it to Sychem on the first day and reach the inn in Caesarea by late afternoon on the second day.”

Clement’s words assured Malchus that Sychem was the best route. So with that, Malchus stood to his feet and advised that everyone should get a good night’s sleep so they could get an early start on getting all of the preparations completed.

When dawn came, Clement prepared the carts and picked out the best three donkeys while Elmo wrapped the food for both the men and the donkeys. Since the men would be eating at the inn and in the city, Elmo’s preparation was for while on the road and for emergencies.

After Malchus passed by the stable to see how everything was going with Clement and Elmo, he went to Caiaphas’s office to make arrangements for taking three hundred denarii with them. At the noon meal, he sat down with Clement and Elmo and explained, “I plan to divide our money three ways. Each of us will wear a money pouch around our necks, hidden at all times under our outer garments. When the money I am carrying has been spent, we shall exchange pouches in the privacy of our room.”

Clement asked, “Are you afraid we might be robbed?”

“I have been robbed before, so I want to take every precaution to prevent it from happening again.”

By the time evening came, everything was set for the journey, and they were ready for a hefty meal. When they reached the kitchen doorway, the slave girl, who often handed out the food, was busy just inside the kitchen, and Rachel was standing in the doorway instead. It was always so refreshing to see Rachel, because her smile and quick wit could make a strenuous day suddenly seem pleasant.

They were the last ones in line, so they watched as she served the others first. When she finished filling Clement and Elmo’s bowls, the two of them moved quietly toward the shed. When Rachel got to Malchus’ bowl, he could tell that she was deliberately taking an extra long time to fill it.

Then she broke the silence with a question, “I hear you are going on a seven day journey to Caesarea. Is that true?”

“Yes, it’s true.”

“Are you taking Clement and Elmo with you?”

“Yes.”

“Good, because even though you are strong, it is best not to take such a long journey alone.”

“Rachel, I know what I’m doing. Trust me.”

“It isn’t that I don’t trust you, Malchus. It’s the people you may meet along the way that I don’t trust. Besides that, my mother would be devastated if anything were to happen to you.”

“Your mother?” queried Malchus.

“Yes, my mother and I would be devastated,” she said placing particular emphasis on the ‘I.’ “Now, here,” she exclaimed as she handed back his bowl to him, “take this and be on your way.”

As Malchus moved to catch up with Clement and Elmo, she called out to him, “Malchus?” The tone of her voice got his attention this time as it was much softer, “I’ll be looking forward to your return.”

Malchus, realizing that she wasn’t kidding with him this time, turned around and with all the confidence he could muster up in his voice he answered, “I’ll be back, Rachel. Don’t you worry about me.”

Night came quickly as did the morning. It was still dark when Malchus heard Clement and Elmo getting ready in their rooms. Malchus figured he had better get up as well. It wasn’t long before each moved outside to see if the others were ready. Clement and Elmo moved toward the stable to harness the donkeys while Malchus made a check of the supplies in the carts. Even in the dark, the animals were responsive to the hands that had tenderly cared for them over the months.

The eastern sky had just begun to lighten when the caravan of three young men, each leading a donkey pulling a cart started across the upper city to the Gennath Gate. Outside the gate, Malchus stayed out in front leading the donkey of the first cart, while Clement and Elmo now rode in the carts of the other two donkeys that trailed behind Malchus’ cart. The road turned east for a little ways before joining the road from the Sheep Gate, which leads generally north toward Sychem in the foothills thirty miles ahead.

As he walked, Malchus thought about Rachel. The words she had spoken the night before seemed to echo over and over in his mind, “I’ll be looking forward to your return. I’ll be looking forward to your return.” He wondered if she would look different to him after not having seen her for seven days. In his mind’s eye, he could still see Rachel’s dark eyes set in an olive complexion reaching out to him. Her smile, sometimes mischievous and at other times caring, haunted him.

When he reached the crest of the hill, he looked back over his shoulder. The silhouette of the city wall rested quietly against the orange and red sunrise on the horizon. The only sound was that of grass being pushed aside by the well oiled wheels turning on the carts behind him. Ahead of him was the dusty trail that led to Sychem and on to Caesarea. Clement and Elmo practiced whistling with two blades of grass while the donkeys lumbered along. About midday the son was hot, and the animals were thirsty, so they decided to rest awhile under a tree near one of the wells Clement had spotted on a previous trip.

After the donkeys had drunk their fill, Elmo stroked the ears of the donkey pulling his cart and looking longingly into the donkey’s eyes saying, “I’ll be looking forward to your return.”

Malchus suppressed a smile as he spoke, “Let’s get back on the trail so we can make Sychem while the sun is still up. Clement, you lead the way and I’ll ride in the cart for awhile.” As he rode along, Malchus studied the terrain to the east. These were the mountains of Judea and Samaria. He remembered well the mountains of Gaul, which were much more majestic than these. Still, the mountains of Palestine gave Malchus a reverent feeling, having studied the history of these people. The three-donkey caravan kept moving until a mid-afternoon break when Elmo was assigned to walk out front.

Many travelers were on this road, some on donkeys and others on foot. The sandaled feet were uniformly dusty. Despite the dust, the wraparound cloaks shone in blue, green, red, and purple. Malchus enjoyed looking at the faces of the travelers and wondering where they were from and where they were going.

As the sun was fully in the west, a town came into view up ahead. Malchus asked Clement, “Do you think that is Sychem?”

“Yes, that should be our stopping place for the night. We can find a proprietor who will have water and pens for our donkeys. On his grounds, we’ll be safe sleeping beside our carts.”

After a night under the stars, the three were up before sunrise and down the road a short distance when an orange sun rose from behind the hills. This day was about like the one before, as first Malchus then Clement and finally Elmo would lead his donkey.

At midday the road turned west. Just about the time that the small convoy arrived at the inn outside Caesarea, the sun was setting on the sea. The evening sunset was as beautiful as the sunrise of the last two mornings.

After they had secured the donkeys, Malchus moved toward the entrance of the inn. With the observant eye of a centurion’s son, he noticed six-pointed stars mounted above the door and above each of the windows on either side of the door. Malchus could see that these carved wooden decorations were larger than his stretched out hand. He wondered if there was any significance in the decorative touch. The thought was dismissed as he knocked on the door. Clement and Elmo stood behind.

Soon after the knock, the innkeeper came out saying, “May I help you?”

“Do you have room for the three of us?”

“You’re in luck as one of my travelers left after lunch. Come, bring your things inside.”

As the innkeeper walked down the hall toward a row of rooms, the keys on his belt jingled. Stopping at a room he juggled his keys before quickly finding the one for this room. As he turned back he said, “Two of you I recognize from a previous visit, but you are a new one to me,” he said as he squinted his eyes to look closely at Malchus.

“Well, I am new to this area, sir, and I only recently accepted an appointment as yeoman for Caiaphas, the high priest in Jerusalem.”

“I see,” said the innkeeper slightly surprised, “I’ve never been much involved with such things. Nevertheless,” he said with a smile, “you are welcome to stay here, and I hope you will find your stay most pleasant. You will find stables out back where you can bed down your donkeys. They should be quite safe out there as I have dogs that keep a good watch.”

After seeing that the donkeys had sufficient food and water and were secured for the night, the three sat down to a simple yet tasty meal. Safely in their room, sleep came quickly. None of the three could have imagined the turn of events, while calling on trading ships in the harbor during the next three days.

Chapter 10

A Cousin from Gaul

Malchus awoke to a sun peeking through the shutters that covered the window. He opened the shutters then turned and called out, “Let’s have some breakfast and prepare for the day’s trading.”

The three seated themselves at the dining table while the innkeeper brought a large bowl of steaming porridge from the kitchen. Figs and wine were on the table. Malchus had planned the three days of trading as if he were a quartermaster in a Roman century. As they ate, Malchus explained, “On our first day we shall stop at ships from Ethiopia for spices and ivory, from Sicily for fine woodwork, and from Arabia for incense, myrrh, ginger, and cinnamon.”

Clement asked, “How many carts shall we take?”

“Only one. On each day we shall buy what we can carry in one cart. On the second day we shall buy silk, honey, drugs, and perfume from the Greek traders, and silphium from Cyrenaica.”

“What is silphium?” Elmo asked as he wrinkled his nose.

“An herb with unique medicinal properties, which has been used by the Greeks for many years,” answered Malchus. Then without hesitation, he continued, “Finally, on the third day we shall visit ships from Egypt for paper, Spain for copper and cork, and Gaul for clothing, pottery, and cheese.”

That day the buying went according to plan, and the goods were purchased in time for the three to be back at the inn a couple of hours before dinner was served. The second day was a repeat of the first. The third day began as routinely as the other two. The three from Caiaphas’s compound purchased products from Egypt and Spain then moved on to their last stop, a ship carrying goods from Gaul.

As Malchus approached the captain, he glanced over at the members of the crew. A young man about his age looked familiar. He was muscular and tall. The seaman’s blue eyes and blond hair were the same as his.

Looking back at the captain, he said, “I am Malchus from Jerusalem. I would like to see your goods.”

After looking over the stock, Malchus selected some clothing, pottery, and cheese as planned. As Malchus was about to leave the ship, the seaman who looked familiar approached Malchus.

“My name is Hans. My home is in Vindonissa.”

Malchus grasped Han’s right hand and covered the clasp with his left. “Cousin, it has been nearly four years since I saw you last in Vindonissa. I never expected to see you here.”

“My surprise at seeing you is equally as great. I thought you were in Spain.”

“My family has lived in Spain since we left Gaul. Not long ago I left Spain with my father for Rome, but instead of returning to Spain as planned, my ship was diverted to Palestine where I found work as a yeoman in the compound of the high priest.”

“I can’t believe we are meeting at the east end of the Roman world.”

“And what brought you to Caesarea?”

“I was a seaman on the flat-bottom boats on the Rhine. One shipment was portaged from the Rhine to the Rhone River. Where the Rhone meets the Mediterranean, I helped move the goods from the flat-bottom boats to a freighter. The captain asked if I would like to sign on for a voyage to Caesarea, so here I am.”

“Why don’t you come out to the cart and meet my assistants, Clement and Elmo.”

As the four young men exchanged greetings, Malchus observed the sun moving out over the sea. “Hans, why don’t you come with us to our inn. We can have some supper and spend some time talking about family.”

Hans returned to the ship and soon came back with his pack of belongings. The four set off down the dock with Elmo leading the donkey, Clement walking beside the purchases, and Malchus and Hans following behind in excited conversation.

Once they arrived at the inn, the innkeeper served a delicious meal of mutton stew. The sun had set when the four young men moved down the hall to their room. The olive-oil lamp, offered by the innkeeper, cast a warm glow over the room where the four would later bed down on mats for the night.

Hans asked with a little hesitation in his voice, “Could I find work in Jerusalem? I would like to see that old city.”

“Yes, I think you could work with us at Caiaphas’s compound. However you must agree to become an indentured slave for two years.”

“Are those the terms to which you agreed?”

“Yes.”

“Then I could accept them too.”

“So you’ll stay here with us tonight, then travel with us tomorrow?”

“It looks that way.”

“That’s what I call a man of decision, don’t you?” Malchus said as he nodded to Clement and Elmo, who both nodded back.

“Now,” Malchus continued, “why don’t we all turn in and get some sleep, because we’ll have to get up well before daybreak to pack our carts. That way, we can reach Sychem while the sun is still up.”

The light of the moon filtered through the shutter as Malchus stirred on his mat. Soon all were asleep except for Malchus who was thinking back over the events of the day and wondering about his mother who was probably concerned about his whereabouts by now. In the morning he would leave a note with the innkeeper to give to the captain of the next ship going to Spain. With this problem resolved, Malchus drifted off to sleep.

The night had passed quickly, when Malchus heard the cock crowing and began stirring on his mat. Malchus shook Clement, Elmo, and Hans to let them know it was time to get up. While Clement and Elmo harnessed the donkeys, Malchus and Hans helped align the carts behind the animals.

As Malchus slipped back inside to leave a note to his mother on the desk, he could see that a light was on in the kitchen and could smell the aroma of porridge. When he poked his head around the doorway to the kitchen, the innkeeper was busy pouring the porridge into bowls.

Malchus, who knew how long a day the innkeeper had ahead of him, said, “You didn’t need to go to this trouble so early.”

“I am feeding you young men because I know it’s what your mothers would want for you,” insisted the innkeeper.

“I am glad to see you because I want to leave this note to my mother with you. Please give it to the next captain who stays here whose ship will make a stop in Barcino, Spain.” Then Malchus moved to the door and called the others to come inside.

After the others came in, the innkeeper spoke to all four, “My helper will stay with your carts while you eat a bowl of porridge and some figs and a cup of wine. You have a long day ahead of you.”

As Malchus finished his last spoonful of the warm porridge, he thanked the innkeeper for his help and for his kind hospitality over the past several evenings and bid him farewell.

As the young men departed, the innkeeper thought to himself, “The chances of the captain of a Spanish ship coming into my place are very remote, but I’ll leave the young man’s note on the desk, just in case.”

With the first sign of light, the caravan of three carts headed east. The dawn grew brighter and brighter until it was full day, and the road began to fill with travelers. Five hours had passed when the road turned south beside the foothills. Hans, since it was his first time in this country, asked questions along the way, “What is being grown on the trees in those groves on the hillsides?”

Since it was his third time to pass this way and he was feeling comfortable with the familiar landmarks, Malchus answered, “The nearest ones are olives. Those farther over are figs.”

Elmo, feeling a bit hungry for a snack, suggested that everyone help themselves to a few figs. Clement responded, “Not far ahead is a well. Let’s stop there for our snack while we water the donkeys.”

After the donkeys’ thirst was satisfied, Elmo passed around the figs. As they ate, Elmo told Hans about a girl named Rachel that he should meet at Caiaphas’s place. Clement, watching Malchus’ expression, said, “Elmo is teasing you, Hans, Rachel has already been spoken for.”

Hans turned to Clement and questioned, “What is this all about?”

Malchus interrupted to say, “Enough of this. It is time to get moving if we are to reach Sychem before sundown.”

After staying the night in Sychem, the three carts joined the other travelers at daybreak on the final leg to Jerusalem. While there was a sameness to the sound of the creaking of the loaded carts on the dusty road, the view to the east was unique. The sun rising over the hills painted a picture that was different from the days before.

As they closed the distance to Jerusalem, Malchus could see that the sun would set before they would arrive, but he figured they would reach home around dusk.

Chapter 11

Welcome Home

The sun had already set by the time the four travelers reached Caiaphas’s compound. Malchus, knowing how tired and hungry everyone was, headed straight to the stables so Elmo could feed and water the donkeys while the rest of them stored the goods. As the light of dusk disappeared, Malchus lit the olive-oil lamp and left the storage area to make a final check of the empty carts.

As he neared the carts, he could hear the rustling of straw as the footsteps of someone drew nearer and nearer. Malchus stood still to listen. With a few more steps, the visitors walked into the dim light of his lamp. Malchus’ heart leapt as he exclaimed, “Ruth! Rachel! I didn’t expect to see you out so late.”

“We thought you might be hungry,” replied Ruth as she glanced down at the large baskets filled with food that they were carrying.

Hans, not being shy, stepped forward and said, “Ladies, let me relieve you of your heavy burden,” and he handed one basket to Malchus while he held the other. “Now where to, Captain?” he asked as he smiled at Malchus. But this time Malchus, Clement, and Elmo replied at the same time, “The tool shed!”

So the tool shed it was, and they all turned and began to make their way down the dirt path toward the shed. Hans, perceiving Rachel’s quality and beauty, walked alongside her and introduced himself, “My name is Hans. What’s yours?”

“Rachel,” she said as she watched Malchus ahead of her busily talking to her mother, “So, what brings you here?”

“A ship, a donkey, and now you,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.

“So you’re one of those sailor boys,” she replied.

“I suppose you could put it that way, but I’m not much different than Malchus. As a matter of fact, he and I are cousins.”

“Really?” she said with a glimmer in her eye. “I would never have guessed it, because you seem as different as night is from day.”

“Well, don’t let my sunshine blind you,” he said with a slow smile.

“Don’t you worry. I can see perfectly on sunny days. Now would you care for some dinner?” she said rather curtly.

“Thank you, for the invitation. I think I will,” was his response as they entered the tool shed.

Ruth moved toward the low table in the shed and motioned for Malchus and Hans to set the baskets on it. Clement, seeing how dark it was, placed the lamp in the center of the table while Ruth began to unpack the baskets. Elmo, who felt half-starved by now, was already sitting cross-legged at the table when Ruth asked Hans where he was from. Of course, Hans obliged and entered into a friendly conversation with Ruth about his hometown in Gaul.

Malchus, who had been waiting for just the right moment, stepped back from the table to exchange a few words with Rachel. He began with a rather serious tone in his voice, “For the seven days we were gone, I thought about the last comment you made to me before we departed. It was almost as if I were listening to an echo repeating itself over and over in my mind.”

“If you think you were listening to an echo, you should have listened to my mother tell how she missed you every day.”

“Rachel, you’re one of the biggest teases I know,” he said with a bit of exasperation in his voice.

“I can’t help it. You’re fun to tease,” she said with a sideways glance.

Caught off guard by her winsomeness, Malchus cleared his throat and changed the subject, “Speaking of your mother, I must let her know how grateful I am for her feeding the four of us at this hour. I’ll be sure and thank her for making her daughter help as well.”

With that, Rachel held her middle finger with her thumb and flicked Malchus on the arm and commanded, “Sit down and eat before it’s all gone.”

The flirting sound of Rachel’s voice caught Ruth’s attention, and she looked up, “Rachel, I believe it’s time that you and I leave these young men alone to finish the food and wine we’ve brought in peace.”

Then she turned to Malchus, who was now seated at the table, “And Malchus, please see that these baskets are placed beside the kitchen door when you finish.”

Malchus nodded his head in the affirmative to let her know that it would be done. Rachel, who was looking over her mother’s right shoulder, imitated Malchus by nodding her head in the affirmative as well.

Malchus, knowing her teasing nature, wadded up one of the bread towels into a small ball and threw it at her. But instead of hitting her, it came undone and landed on the ground behind Hans.

“Trying to get my attention are you, Malchus?” inquired Hans.

Rachel, knowing she had had the last word, turned and left to follow her mother out the doorway of the tool shed. But before she stepped out of the door, Rachel looked straight at Malchus and flashed him a big smile.

As soon as the women were gone, Hans, who could eat and talk at the same time, spoke up, “What a beautiful girl. Did you see her smile at you, Malchus?”

“She wasn’t smiling at me. She was smiling at all of us.”

But the expression on the faces of the other three indicated they disagreed.

“Malchus, my dear cousin,” Hans said, “I think you need to look the facts square in the face. Rachel likes you. Now, do you like her?”

“Hans,” Malchus replied, “Rachel and I are friends of the heart. Nothing more and nothing less.”

“You can’t fool me, Malchus. I saw you take a big gulp and almost blush when she flashed that smile at you.”

“Well, maybe she does have a special place in my heart.”

“Special place!” Hans exclaimed. “If she had smiled at me like that, she’d have more than just a special place in my heart. She’d have my whole heart.”

“There is only one problem, dear cousin. She is Jewish, and I’m not.”

“So what. She is a girl, and you aren’t. What is the problem?”

“No, you don’t understand, Hans. Jewish women can only marry Jewish men.”

“Now that is a problem,” said Hans as he nodded his head.

Not wanting to be caught in the middle of a discussion between cousins about women, Clement and Elmo kept their eyes focused on their food and continued to eat slowly.

Soon everything got quiet as the four tired, young men concentrated on the food and wine. It was Malchus who finally said, “Let’s head to our rooms and get a good night’s sleep. Hans, your room is next to Elmo’s.”

On the way to the rooms, Clement and Elmo led the way with the olive-oil lamp, while Hans and Malchus followed behind with the baskets for returning to the kitchen.

Hans, full of questions, asked Malchus, “Does Caiaphas know you are a Roman citizen?”

“No, and I haven’t told him either. If I had brought it up, he may not have given me this job. Besides, even if I had told him, I have no way of proving I am a citizen. Knowing Caiaphas, he probably wouldn’t have believed me anyway, because I don’t look Roman.”

“Does anybody know you’re a Roman citizen?”

“Just Ruth and Rachel. I trust them. Of course, they now figure that you too must be a Roman citizen, because you’re my cousin. But I don’t think it would be wise to volunteer this information to Caiaphas. If he should ask, I would tell him. But, in the meantime, let’s keep it quiet.”

“This Caiaphas, the priest, tell me more about him.”

“Well, from what I have observed, he is more of a business man than a high priest. He has tables in the temple for changing money and sells a lot of animals and birds for sacrificing. As soon as I saw the furnishings of the Great Room I knew Caiaphas’s operation was financially successful.”

“Sounds like he is cheating the people.”

“You can think that, but you had better not be caught saying it or your job, if you get one, could be on the line. Now let’s get some sleep. In the morning you’ll meet the high priest himself.”

Clement and Elmo had already reached the doorway of their rooms when Malchus and Hans caught up. “Elmo, show Hans his room next to yours and make sure he has adequate straw for the bed as well as a cover. Oh, and Hans, after breakfast I’ll talk to Caiaphas about making you an indentured slave, so that you can work along with the three of us.”

Chapter 12

Successful Trader

The sun was streaming through the edges of the sheepskin that covered the door of Malchus’s room. Malchus knew he had overslept. The seven-day journey was more wearing than he had realized. Outside, Clement, Elmo, and Hans were moving slowly. Each punched the sheepskin on Malchus’s doorway as they lumbered by.

Breakfast wasn’t too exciting. Rachel was nowhere in sight. One of the slave girls who always assisted Rachel in the kitchen served the morning meal. She was nice, of course, but she wasn’t Rachel. Silently, the four sat around the table in the shed, eating the warm porridge that had been prepared.

Elmo was wiping his mouth with the back of his index finger when Malchus broke the silence, “I know everyone is tired this morning, but we have work to do. Clement, I’d like for you and Elmo to look over the stables and check each animal to be sure that those who tended the stock while we were gone properly cared for them.”

“Let’s go Elmo,” Clement said elbowing him gently in the side, “we’re in charge of the stable and are responsible for what happens, even though we’ve been gone.”

“Well, since I’m in charge, I guess we had better get going,” said Elmo. “The day is wasting.”

“So long, men,” Hans said smugly as he put his hands behind his head and reclined against the post behind him, “If you need any advice, you know where you can find me.”

“Hans,” Malchus said, speaking a little more firmly, “you can help me with all of our purchasing receipts. Caiaphas and Haman will want to go over them with us this morning.”

“Haman? Who is he?”

“He is the priest who formerly kept the records that are now my responsibility. He spends his time supplying goods for the tables in the temple and the nearby shops.”

“Can the Jewish priests read the Latin receipts?”

“Well, they know enough to deal with commerce. Eventually I will enter these transactions in the official record in Hebrew. In the meantime, we must find a way for you to learn some Hebrew.”

“Rachel could be my teacher.”

“I don’t think so. A young priest could be your teacher, but not Rachel!”

Hans and Malchus were still bantering back and forth when the guard appeared, telling Malchus that Caiaphas and Haman wanted to meet him in the storage area to inventory the purchases of the trip.

As soon as the guard left, Malchus quickly put the receipts on the table. “Hans, you put these in piles according to location, while I arrange each pile. Caiaphas doesn’t like to wait after he has summoned someone.” It wasn’t long before both Malchus and Hans were heading out the door with receipts in hand. “Not bad, Hans, I could use somebody like you around here. Now I just hope that Caiaphas agrees.”

As they neared the storage shed, they could hear Caiaphas and Haman talking inside. As they rounded the corner and entered the door, Caiaphas was the first to speak, “Did you have a successful trip?”

“Yes, we think so.”

“We? And who is this with you?”

“This is Hans. He was on the ship bringing goods from Gaul. He would like to become an indentured servant. I believe that he would be an asset to our group.”

“I see,” Caiaphas said as from habit he stroked his beard. “Now, show me your purchases.”

“Well, to begin with, we all need to move down toward the other end of the storage area as Hans has arranged the receipts in the order of the location of the goods.”

The rest of the morning was spent with Caiaphas, as he looked over the new merchandise, and Haman, as he busily audited all of the transactions. Malchus answered any questions that came up concerning the transactions, while Hans followed Caiaphas around commenting on the goods that they had purchased, “The silk and perfume will sell well in any shop. Besides, they can take a large markup. Women will buy the spices, especially the ginger and cinnamon from Arabia.”

Malchus was amazed that Hans could talk so easily to Caiaphas. Maybe he didn’t fully understand the status of the high priest.

Nonchalantly, Hans rattled on, “The women’s clothing from Gaul sells well in Rome. I think your customers will like it too.”

Even though Haman had remained somber throughout the review, Caiaphas had maintained a pleased expression on his face. When the inventory was complete, Caiaphas spoke to Haman, “These young men have made good purchases and should be commended. Make arrangements immediately to indenture Hans, then try using him in our women’s shop. Women will enjoy talking to him, and that is the first step in making a sale.” Caiaphas chuckled under his breath, then turned to a more practical matter, “The shop manager is fluent in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek and can teach Hans the Hebrew he will need.”

Haman was still busy making note of what Caiaphas had said when Caiaphas exited the storage area and began to walk toward the courtyard. Haman, a little embarrassed that he had been left behind, cleared his throat as if to sound businesslike then quickly gathered up the remaining receipts and left as well.

Malchus breathed deeply, completely filling his chest, and reached for the roof of the shed with the top of his head. Staccato thoughts flowed: “My father would be pleased. Clement and Elmo have responded to my leading. Hans is going to enliven the entire compound. It feels good to know that Rachel is always nearby.”

Chapter 13

The Secret Hideaway

Not many months had passed before all of the outside slaves were placed under Malchus’s supervision. Malchus had heard through Ruth that Caiaphas considered him a natural leader. Malchus knew his father would be proud of him.

Eventually the harvest season came, and everyone worked from dawn to dusk. After the crops had been gathered, the fields had to be tilled before the winter rains. Some of the grain was placed in storage bins next to the kitchen for use by the cooks. Other crops were stockpiled in the stable, since the animals depended on the men for their food in the winter.

Soon the short days lengthened into spring, and new crops were planted. Malchus was enjoying the company of his cousin from Gaul. Hans didn’t know a stranger and always seemed to be so happy. Malchus, on the other hand, was extremely busy and sometimes forgot to take out time for himself to enjoy life. Every now and then, he would think back on his growing up years and remember with longing the times that he used to spend alone on the Mediterranean beach.

Then one day as Malchus was checking the stone wall along the southwest corner of the compound for needed repairs, his attention was drawn to a lizard that was running along the ground, before it disappeared behind the twisted trunk of one of the olive trees. As Malchus moved closer to see where the lizard had gone, he discovered a secluded space on the far side of the trees where large flat rocks were embedded in the hillside. Each rock formed a step in a stairway that led down to the edge of the upper city. Further out was the valley of Hinnom. This was the kind of hideaway he had been longing for, one that gave him privacy and solitude.

As he sat down on one of the flat rocks, he could feel the warmth of the noonday sun rising up out of it, and a peace settled on him that he hadn’t felt since he had arrived in Jerusalem. When he leaned back on his elbows, his thoughts trailed back to Rome where he had said good-bye to his father. He wondered if his father was still stationed there, or if he had returned to Spain. If he was still in Rome, he hoped that his mother had not become too lonely without either of them with her.

In another year, his time as an indentured servant would be drawing to a close, and he could return to Spain. He wondered what his father and mother would think about his work in Judea and looked forward to seeing what their reaction would be. As he thought about it some more, he began to drift off, feeling a bit drowsy from the warmth of the sun. But just as his head was beginning to nod, he remembered that he must finish checking the stone wall along the boundary of the compound and that he still had some distance to traverse. So he roused himself from his complete relaxation, brushed the dust off the back of his tunic, then headed back to the wall with the thought, “I’ll come back to this place soon.”

Early that evening, shortly after dinner but before the sun set, Malchus found his way back to the grove of olive trees. Everything was just as he had left it. The rock looked inviting as its warmth from the day still radiated up from it. As he settled down to watch the sun sink into the hillside, his thoughts drifted back to Rachel. Her presence was always refreshing to him. After a hard day’s work, just the sight of her made him feel better. He hadn’t seen her this evening at dinner but hoped that she would be there to greet him at breakfast.

Maybe it was her smile or quick wit that seemed to continually intrigue him. Or maybe it was those coal black eyes and long black hair that fascinated him. Whatever it was, he certainly was attracted to her and wished sometimes that they could be more than just friends of the heart, maybe they could be … No! He shook his head.

To pursue a relationship with Rachel beyond friendship was futile. She was Jewish, and he was a Gentile. It simply wasn’t possible. Besides that, Caiaphas would never allow it. For the moment, Malchus wasn’t feeling too good. Maybe Justin was right when he said that feeling good about life was more than feeling good for the moment. This was one of those times that he would do well to remember his father’s advice.

Malchus wondered if he should try not to think about Rachel so much and concentrate more on his work. After all, at the end of the year his indentured service would be finished, and he would be returning to Spain anyway. Whatever investment he would make in developing his skill as a yeoman, he could take with him, but there would be no possibility of taking Rachel with him.

“Yes,” Malchus thought, “I shall return to this place again tomorrow and the next night and the night after that. It is good for me to have time to think things through a little more. I believe the time alone will help me to be more logical and keep me from letting my emotions control my actions.”

Return he did, evening after evening, to watch the sun set and to reflect. Yet inside, there was something inexplicable tugging at his heart, and no matter how hard he tried to convince himself otherwise, his feelings for Rachel wouldn’t go away.

Chapter 14

A Surprise Rendezvous

Hans had noticed that his cousin had become more and more melancholy and wondered if the time Malchus was spending alone was really all that good for him. In response to his uneasiness about his cousin, Hans came up with a plan that required Rachel’s help. One evening after dinner, he approached Rachel to enlist her support, “Rachel, I need to talk,” Hans said as though he had a secret to share. “See those trees over there in the southwest corner of the compound.”

“Yes, what about them?”

“That’s where Malchus disappears every evening after dinner.”

“Oh, so that must be why I haven’t been seeing him around the compound in the evenings anymore.”

“Well, Malchus is the type who needs time for contemplation, but I bet he would contemplate a whole lot better if you were by his side.”

“Hans, are you trying to play matchmaker?”

“No, Malchus has told me you are just a friend of the heart.”

Hans’ words seemed to repeat themselves over and over in Rachel’s mind over the next few days, “I bet he would contemplate a whole lot better if you were by his side; just a friend of the heart.” Some days later she mentioned to her mother about Malchus’s secret hideaway and asked if she could visit him some evening. Ruth, a little hesitant about the fact that Rachel was a Jew and Malchus a Gentile, cautioned her daughter, “Guard your heart. It would never be possible for the two of you to be anything more than friends of the heart.”

“Friends of the heart,” Rachel mulled, “that was exactly what Malchus had told Hans.” She liked the way it sounded and made a pronouncement to her mother, “Well, I think that I should join him then this evening.”

“Of course, you know how Caiaphas would feel about this if he ever found out,” her mother said rather strongly. “He thinks he must be a father to his brother’s daughter, and you know how strict he is about the law.” Then after a long pause, Ruth stopped her weaving and shook her head saying, “But I will have to admit that if your father were still alive, he would agreed you should go, as Malchus is such a fine young man. So go, but be sure to leave through the small door at the back of the quarters for the slave girls and, for goodness sake, stay behind the row of trees so that Caiaphas can’t see you!”

Rachel was already out the door before her mother had even finished the last sentence. Outdoors, the sun was touching the tops of the hills in the distance. As she neared the place where Malchus should be, she observed through the trees a trail of yellow and orange left by the sun. As she closed the distance, she could see the outline of Malchus leaning back on his elbows on a flat rock overlooking the valley.

Malchus heard footsteps in the grass and turned his head to see what or who might be coming. When he saw that it was Rachel, he quickly sat up, scrambling to stand to his feet. “Oh, Rachel, it’s you. I thought at first it was one of those brazen lizards that always seems to move into hiding when the sun goes down. What brings you out this way?”

“Oh, I was just out taking a stroll when I noticed the beautiful sunset. I thought maybe I could get a better view of it if I stepped behind the trees and looked out over the valley.”

“I must admit that it is quite beautiful tonight. As a matter of fact, there is plenty of room on this rock. If you would like to sit down and watch the sunset, please feel free.”

“Why thank you, Malchus. Maybe I will just sit down for a while and enjoy the view.”

Without another word, the two found their places on the flat rock, Rachel leaning against the thin trunk of a young fig tree and Malchus with one knee up and one knee down, leaning back on the palms of his hands.

It was Rachel who intruded on the silence first, “Did you know that I used to come here when I was younger?”

Malchus cocked his head to the right, a little surprised that others before him had been here too, “Really? Tell me about it.”

“Well, at the time, I needed to get away from the busy routine of daily life and clear my thoughts. I tried staying in my room at the compound, but it didn’t compare with being out in nature. It seemed that being outside always brought me closer to Jehovah. I felt that I could talk to Him more freely, and I sensed, in some strange way, that He could talk back to me through the whisper of the wind and the rustling of the leaves.”

“You know, I’ve felt the same thing on many occasions, but I didn’t know that what I was feeling was the presence of Jehovah. One time, however, the thought did occur to me that all that I see is a part of Jehovah’s creation. Your God is so dependable, Rachel. Every evening that I come, I notice that the sun sets, and the same stars fill the sky in predictable patterns. On camping trips my father taught me how to find the constellations. Did your father teach you anything about the stars?”

“Not that I can remember, but I was very young when he died.”

“It’s easy, Rachel. All you have to do is find your starting point. I always use the North Star as mine. Of course, it isn’t quite dark enough out yet to see it, but if you’ll look close on the horizon, you can at least see Venus starting to appear. It’s the first star you can see this time of the year.”

“Is that faint star the one?” Rachel asked as she pointed toward the horizon.

Malchus, scooting closer to Rachel, positioned himself just over her shoulder as she leaned forward to point her finger at the star to which she referred. “Yes, that’s it exactly!” he exclaimed. “You sure do have good eyes,” he said as he moved away from her shoulder.

“That’s what my father always said, except he put it a little differently. He said that I had eyes like an eagle and a nose like a shepherd dog. I guess it was his way of saying that I would make a good shepherdess someday. In any case, I always took it as a compliment.”

“Well, if it is any consolation, I have always found your flashing black eyes fascinating and your nose beautiful in its classical look.”

“Oh, Malchus, don’t be silly.”

“I’m not being silly. I’m being truthful.”

“Cross your heart and promise not to lie?”

“Cross my heart and promise not to lie.”

“Well, then, that settles that,” she said as she brushed an ant off of her hem and rose to her feet. “Now all I need to do is get these flashing black eyes and classical looking nose back to the compound before it’s too dark to see.”

“Oh, Rachel, I do wish you didn’t have to be going so soon. It seems as though you just sat down. Maybe you can come back again another evening?”

“When do you usually come here?”

“Whenever you see the sun set, I am here.”

“I’ll remember that.”

And with that, she turned and made her way between the olive trees. After taking a few steps, she glanced back over her shoulder as if to see if Malchus was still looking, and he was. With a slight smile, she turned back around and disappeared into the heavily-wooded grove where eventually only her footsteps on the grass could be heard.

Malchus turned back and looked out over the now-shadowed valley. Drawing his knees close to his chest, he wished that Rachel could have stayed long enough for the stars to come out, so that he could have shown her the constellations. “Maybe some day,” he thought to himself, “maybe some day.”

All the next day, Malchus felt like he was floating on a cloud. He had difficulty concentrating on the figures that Haman wanted him to recheck in the books. It was all he could do to add a simple column of numbers. He could hardly wait for the day to come to an end so that he could close the books, eat dinner, and find his way back to his secret hideaway. He hoped, of course, that Rachel would again be there. To his pleasant surprise, she was, evening after evening.

Summer came and went. The leaves fell off of the fig trees, and eventually, the cold winter months set in. The secret rendezvous grew fewer and fewer as the evenings turned cold. Malchus yearned for spring and the warmth of Rachel sitting next to him on the flat rock overlooking the valley.

Chapter 15

An Anniversary Celebration

Malchus had completed more than half of the second year of his indentured service to Caiaphas. Each week seemed busier than the last. Every three months, Malchus, Hans, Clement, and Elmo had made a trip to Caesarea to restock Caiaphas’ stores. The requirement to have animals and birds to sell in the temple added to Malchus’s busy schedule. Sometimes it seemed to Malchus that life went around in circles, like an ox grinding grain with no end in sight.

Soon, the daylight hours were nearly as long as the hours of darkness. The yellow crocuses were showing off their bright color for all the world to see. With spring on the way, Malchus was anxious to find his way back to his secret hideaway, hoping that Rachel would again come. So on this first warm day of the year, as the sun was about to set, he returned to the rock. He had barely seated himself when a voice from behind him whispered, “Shalom.”

Malchus, a little startled, turned to see Rachel peaking around an olive tree. “Shalom,” answered Malchus a little anxiously, “How did you know I was here?”

“Well, let’s just say that a little bird told me,” she said, as she moved toward him with a basket in her hand and a smile on her face.

“What’s the basket for?” he asked, hoping to hear that it held food.

“Well, I had to have something to carry the wine and cakes in.”

“Wine and cakes for what?”

“Our anniversary, silly.”

“Anniversary? What anniversary?”

“Don’t you remember that it was a year ago today that we met here in this secret hideaway for our first rendezvous?”

“Has it been a year already?”

“Yes, Malchus, it has.”

“Well, let’s celebrate then. Bring out the wine and the cakes!”

Rachel, pleased to hear how enthusiastic Malchus was about her surprise, spread out a small woolen cloth that her mother had woven to cover a portion of the flat rock. As she poured the wine into small clay goblets, she spoke more seriously, “Malchus, our times together make up some of my most precious memories. If only I could meet your parents, then I would feel like my understanding of who you are would be even more complete. You have described them so thoroughly that if they should appear, I believe I would recognize them immediately.”

Malchus, surprised at her mention of his parents, responded saying, “I wish that were possible, but it certainly doesn’t seem probable at this point in time. Speaking of mothers, what a joy it is to be around your mother. She is always so positive and uplifting. You are fortunate to have a mother such as she.”

“Yes, I tell Jehovah often how grateful I am.”

“Do you think He would listen if I told Him how much I enjoy spending my time with you?”

“I would imagine that Jehovah is big enough to hear you, too.”

“Good, then I will do so. By the way, the cakes are delicious and the wine too. Where did you get such a superb wine?”

“It was a special bottle that my mother had put aside to share with my father on their anniversary, but, as you know, he never returned.”

“This wine then is quite special and requires that a toast be made. I’ll go first.” Raising his goblet, he said, “I propose a toast to the most beautiful daughter of all the shepherds in the world. May her life be as sparkling and lively as her smile.”

The dull sound of the earthen clay sounded as they brought their goblets together. “And I also propose a toast,” said Rachel as she raised her goblet, “to the wisest and most courageous man I know. May he live long upon the face of the earth, and may his good name always follow him wherever he goes.”

With that, they united their goblets one more time. But this time, they threw back their heads so that they could drink the last drop from the goblet’s edge. As they came forward, Rachel laughed because they had both done the same thing at the same time.

Often before, as now, Malchus and Rachel had sat quietly together watching the sunset. Malchus reminisced about the times they had spent together and tried not to think about the future when they would both turn sixteen in a few months. Hopefully, Caiaphas wouldn’t insist that Rachel marry right away. She was too close to him now for Malchus to let her go so easily.

Malchus’ thoughts were interrupted by the cool hand of Rachel pressing against his cheek, “Where are you, Malchus? You seem to have drifted so far away.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. It’s just something I’ve been thinking about lately.”

“Is it something you can share with me?”

“Maybe when you turn sixteen I can tell you,” he said, hoping that she would have forgotten about it by then.

“Oh, don’t make me wait so long. I want to know what it is right now.”

“Patience, my dear Rachel, is a virtue,” he said as if he had a big secret to share.

“Well, if you won’t tell me, then I shall be going. Besides, it looks like it’s going to rain, so I had better make my way back to the compound before the clouds get any darker. As a matter of fact, maybe you had better think of leaving as well.”

“I had hoped that we could stay out a little longer this evening, but I understand that you must get back. Go quickly. The clouds are moving more swiftly now.”

As if to express her desire to linger, she again placed her hand against his cheek, then picked up the basket and disappeared into the grove of olive trees.

Not long after she left, it began to drizzle. The air was cool as it swept across the valley, but Malchus was warm with his thoughts about Rachel as he, too, made his way back to the compound. He would retire that night and hope for dreams of Rachel. On this night, however, there would be no dreams.

Chapter 16

The Night Mob

Malchus had just fallen asleep when he was aroused by a guard, “Get your lantern and plenty of oil. Caiaphas has given orders to the officer of the guard for us to go to the olive grove just across the Kidron Ravine.”

As soon as the guard left, Malchus hurriedly dressed, ran into the stable for a lantern, then checked the level of the oil before he lit it. As he rushed toward the courtyard of the compound, he could smell the burning oil coming out from his lamp as it trailed beside him.

When he reached the courtyard, he found a group of about fifty of Caiaphas’s officers and guards already gathered with several swords and numerous clubs. He also noticed a small group of the chief priests and religious leaders huddled together. While Malchus was standing there, he thought he heard a familiar sounding voice and turned just in time to see Hans talking with one of the soldiers in front of Caiaphas’s quarters. Malchus tried to get Han’s attention, but it was at the same time that the officer had motioned for his men to file out the gate. In the midst of the shuffle, Malchus lost sight of Hans altogether and figured that he must have fallen in toward the back of the group.

Whatever the case, Malchus decided that he would meet up with Hans later and moved instead to the front of the group in order to lead the way with the lantern, since he knew exactly where the olive grove was located. As Malchus made his way through Caiaphas’s men, he recognized most of them, at least by face, if not by name. He even recognized many of the chief priests and religious leaders as he had seen them often in the temple booths where animals were sold for sacrifices. The only one he hadn’t seen was one of the men walking with the chief priests.

This man didn’t appear to be one of the chief priests, and he didn’t look like any of the guards he knew. He was robed in a scarlet garment and wore simple leather sandals. He carried in his left hand a leather pouch, maybe for loose coins. Yet, as he walked, he talked quite confidently with the other religious leaders. He seemed to know them. Maybe he was a good friend or relative, but what would he have been doing out at this time of night? Not having any answers, Malchus quickly dismissed his thoughts and moved on.

The air was cool and crisp by the time they arrived at the ravine. Malchus led Caiaphas’s men up the side of the hill to the grove of olive trees. As they were approaching, Malchus noticed about a dozen men scattered throughout the grove. Some appeared to be resting on the flat rocks, while others were sitting and leaning against the trees with their eyes closed. One man, maybe the leader, attempted to rouse them from their state of slumber. Some seemed to be responding, while others were still a bit dazed as to what was going on.

As Caiaphas’s men drew closer, the man who was standing turned and asked abruptly, “For whom are you looking?”

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.

“I am He,” he said with authority.

As he said it, they all fell backwards to the ground. A bit embarrassed by the episode, the officer and his men struggled to stand back up on their feet. Then again the man asked, “For whom are you searching?”

And again they replied, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

This time, even more firmly, the leader of the dozen men said, “I told you I am he.”

Then the man in the scarlet robe, whom Malchus had noticed walking with the religious men, stepped out from among them, walked over to this man who called himself Jesus, and kissed him.

Before he had fully turned to walk back to the crowd, Jesus addressed him saying, “Judas, how can you do this--betray the Messiah with a kiss?”

Judas paused for a moment then stepped back into the crowd answering Him not a word. At that, the officer nodded his head, and three of the soldiers grabbed Jesus, pulling his arms behind him.

It was then that one of Jesus’ men, who had been a bit dazed earlier by sleep, sprang forward into action. He approached Malchus, who was holding the lantern in the front of Caiaphas’s men. He pulled out his sword and swung it at Malchus--narrowly missing his head. Suddenly, Malchus felt excruciating pain on the side of his head. He shifted the lantern to his other hand and pressed his hand to his right ear. Malchus could feel the warm flow of blood over his fingers and knew his ear had been severed. Tears began to well up in his eyes, but he did not want anyone to know that he had cried, so he tried to contain them.

Jesus turned to the man with the sword and said, “Peter, put your sword away. Should I not drink from the cup the Father has given me?” Next Jesus looked into Malchus’ eyes and placed his hand on the right side of Malchus’ head. Immediately Malchus could feel that the pain was gone. At the same time, he sensed a deep caring in the eyes of this stranger that comforted his mind as well as his body.

Next Jesus turned to the chief priests and the officer of the temple guards who headed up the mob and asked, “Am I a robber that you have come armed with swords and clubs to get me? Why didn’t you arrest me in the temple? I was there every day.”

Ignoring his words, the guards bound Jesus’ hands then pushed him forward. When the men with Jesus realized that they were outnumbered and that their leader had been successfully captured, they scattered in all directions.

This time, Malchus lingered toward the back of the returning group. He kept touching his right ear, still not believing what had happened. How could this man named Jesus be a criminal when he had shown such compassion toward him and healed his ear? No man he had ever met could have done this.

Malchus’ thoughts trailed back a few weeks to a conversation with Hans. Hans had told him about overhearing a Jewish woman, who had come into the shop beside the Temple, telling another woman about Jesus. The woman had said that Jesus was the Messiah for whom the Jews had been waiting. Wasn’t a Messiah supposed to be someone who could heal the sick, open blind eyes, and cast out demons? Malchus wondered what Rachel would think when he saw her next and would tell her that his ear had been cut off and then healed by Jesus.

Chapter 17

A Miracle Shared

As the mob filed through the gate, almost everyone in the compound was awakened by the noise of loud voices. It was still dark out, but it sounded to Rachel like some sort of celebration was going on. Curious to see what had happened, she quickly got dressed and ran outside. As she entered the courtyard, she yelled to a brawling young guard who was passing by, “What has happened?”

“Jesus, the one who claims to be the Messiah, has been captured,” he yelled back, “and Malchus’ ear has been cut off by a sword.”

The near darkness covered the anguish that flushed Rachel's face. In horror, she ran to the gate where the rest of the guards were entering to see if she could find out any more news of Malchus. But no one was paying any attention to her, as the man they had captured had his hands tied behind his back and was being shoved through the gate by the officer and his men. When she looked at him, she felt sorry for him because he looked like a decent sort of a person, and they were treating him like a criminal.

When she finally asked one of the guards on the edge of the turmoil what was going on, he said, “We've arrested Jesus. Now, move aside.” Rachel couldn't believe how rude some of the guards could be. Maybe their perceived importance of their job had gone to their heads. She was thankful Malchus never acted like that. After the guards finished passing by, the crowd began to thin out, but there was still no sign of Malchus.

While Rachel was peering over the wall to the right of the gate, one of Caiaphas's household servants closed the gate and told the guard standing nearby not to let anyone in who looked suspicious, since they were getting ready to bring the criminal named Jesus before Annas, Caiaphas's father-in-law. By this time, Rachel was beginning to get extremely anxious. Where was Malchus?

Just as she was getting up her courage to ask the guard by the gate about Malchus, a man with a kind voice approached her asking if she could possibly let in the man who was standing outside the gate. He introduced himself as one of Jesus’ disciples and said that he hoped that his friend could be present at the trial, if and when one was going to take place. Based on the kindness of the man asking, Rachel walked over to the guard and explained the situation and got permission to open up the gate.

The man outside the gate looked relieved to see that he would be allowed to enter and thanked Rachel when he came inside the gate. Rachel, curious about all that the other man had told her, asked him, “Are you one of Jesus’ disciples?”

“No,” he said defensively, “I am not!”

Rachel, realizing that she must have hit a sore spot, shrugged her shoulders. She continued to look out into the dark shadows hoping to see Malchus. It wasn't long before she spotted a light from a lantern in the distance. As the light drew nearer, she could see that it was Malchus. Quickly, she opened the gate and rushed out to meet him.

Pressing her warm body against his, which was now chilled by the night air, she moved her small hands to both sides of his head. She turned his head back and forth, then held it centered. With her eyes looking directly up into his, she said, “Malchus, you have both ears!”

“I know, I know,” he excitedly replied, “but a short time ago I didn't. One of Jesus' men had sliced off my right ear with his sword. You can't imagine the thoughts that were running through my head. I was so stunned. I just couldn't believe what had happened.”

“But, Malchus, I don't understand,” she said taking his right ear in both of her hands for further scrutiny.

“I don't really understand either, but this man that they call Jesus simply touched the place where my ear had been, and when he took his hand away, my ear was restored. I don't know if he healed it or some power inside of him healed it. All I know is that my ear was restored, and the pain is gone.”

“Oh, I'm so happy for you, Malchus,” she said as she gave him a quick hug. “Maybe you could come back with me to tell Mother. She has no idea what has happened tonight.”

“Unfortunately,” Malchus began, “I don't think now would be the best time. I really haven't been dismissed from my duty for the night as yet.”

“Mother will be disappointed, but I'm sure she will understand when I explain to her.”

“Maybe I will see her at breakfast in the morning,” answered Malchus. “Otherwise, let's just plan to meet at our hideaway at sunset, and I'll tell you more about what happened.” Rachel nodded in agreement. Malchus took her hand and squeezed it gently before joining the rest of the guards who were headed toward the courtyard to receive additional orders.

Greatly relieved, Rachel turned to walk back to her room, still feeling the tight squeeze of Malchus’ hand on hers. As she approached the living area where she and her mother stayed, she could see the shadow of her mother standing in the doorway. Rachel's pace quickened as she drew closer. Soon her mother was in clear view. “Mother, Malchus’ ear was cut off, but a miracle happened, and a man named Jesus was able to put it back on again.”

“Rachel,” her mother said as she walked through the doorway, “you are so excited. Why don't you sit down here on the bench and tell me all about it.”

As Rachel sat down, she began to recount the events as Malchus had described them. As she talked, she realized just how much she cared for this gentile. Her feelings for him were deeper than she had ever imagined. “Mother, if anything had happened to Malchus, I would have been devastated.”

Ruth, remembering for a moment the loss of her husband, said to Rachel that she too would have felt terrible if Malchus had been hurt. “As a matter of fact,” she said, “it is getting harder and harder for me to think of him as a gentile friend and not as a son.” After some more thought, she concluded rather resolutely, “The feelings of the heart don't always follow the strict Jewish law.”

Rachel, satisfied with her mother's reflection, pulled back the covers on her bed. The hour was late, and both knew that they had a busy day ahead. Ruth cupped her hand around the lamp and blew it out. Mother and daughter soon fell asleep with the assurance that Malchus had returned safely and that Jehovah was truly in charge of their destinies.

Chapter 18

Denial in the Courtyard

As Malchus walked across the courtyard, Jesus, still bound, was being transferred from Annas’ quarters to the Great Hall where Caiaphas was gathering the chief priests, elders, and scribes. Jesus’ eye looked red and swollen, as though he had been struck with a fist. Malchus decided to stay close by the door of the Great Hall to see what was to become of this one with such compassionate eyes who had miraculously healed him.

At the other end of the courtyard near the gate, Hans stood next to the fire with one of the women who worked with Rachel in the kitchen. He held his hands over the fire and rubbed them together to remove the chill of the night. One of the guards, who had been involved in the capture of Jesus in the garden, headed toward the fire, kicking at a rooster that had been disturbed by the night’s noise and confusion.

While still rubbing his hands together, Hans asked the approaching guard, “Did you see what happened back there in the garden?”

The guard, looking for someone with whom to talk to pass the time while Jesus appeared before the priests, drew closer to the group gathered around the fire, “You mean when they arrested Jesus?”

Hans, turning his head so the guard could better hear him, continued, “Well, that - and also when one of Jesus’ men drew his sword and sliced off a man’s ear.”

“Wasn’t that something?” the guard replied as he moved in next to Hans and began to rub his hands together over the fire. “I never expected that to happen,” he said shaking his head in disbelief.

“Neither did I,” answered Hans.

“I couldn’t see too well in the dark, but the one losing an ear looked like Caiaphas’s yeoman.”

“Yes, it was Malchus. Did you see who cut it off?”

“Come to think of it, he looked a lot like that man standing across from us on the other side of the fire,” the guard said, pointing with his chin.

“No, come on. You’re kidding.”

“No, I’m serious,” he said.

The servant girl sitting on the rock next to Hans decided to settle the issue once and for all. She spoke across the fire to the man standing on the other side, “Aren’t you one of Jesus’ disciples?”

Quickly the man answered, “Of course not!”

Smiling, the servant girl turned to Hans. “There you have it. You were right, and he was wrong,” she said pointing at Hans first and then the guard.

Nodding his head at the servant girl, the guard lowered his voice so only Hans could hear, “I think he’s lying.”

Surprised by this accusation, Hans answered more intently, “Are you serious?”

“Listen to his accent more closely,” the guard said, “Doesn’t he sound like a Galilean?”

Hans was silent for a moment, as he listened to the men across the fire talking to one another, “You know what? I do recognize that accent.”

“And what about the man sitting next to him?” asked the guard, “Doesn’t his accent sound the same?”

“It does. As a matter of fact, the more I look at that first man, the more I think you’re right. He was the one who cut off Malchus’s ear. I was toward the back of the group, but I could swear that the man who did it was wearing the same type of clothes as that man is.”

“You’re right,” exclaimed the guard, “the more I look at him the more I know he has to be one of his disciples. Why don’t you ask him this time? Maybe he’ll answer you truthfully.”

“Didn’t I see you out there in the olive grove with Jesus?” Hans asked across the fire.

“That’s it,” the man said as he kicked a rock into the fire. “I’m not going to answer any more questions,” and he began cursing and swearing like a soldier. When he came to the end of his rampage, he looked straight across the fire at Hans and the guard saying, “I don’t even know this fellow you are talking about!” Before he had even finished his sentence, the rooster that had been strutting around the courtyard crowed loudly. Suddenly, the man grew gravely silent, kicked another rock into the fire, and walked out of the courtyard. His friend, seeming to be faithful to him, followed after him with a concerned look on his face.

“I could have sworn that was the same man,” said Hans.

“Me, too,” said the guard.

“But I don’t think Jesus’ disciples would have cursed and sworn like that. Wasn’t he some sort of religious leader?”

“That was my understanding, but if his disciples act like that man just did, maybe he wasn’t such a great leader after all. Maybe that is what all of this stir is about.”

“I heard that they were trying to find some witnesses to testify against him.”

“Did they find any?”

“Probably so. Some people will do anything for a little money. Didn’t they ask you?” Hans questioned, as he looked at the servant girl.

“They did, but I just wouldn’t have felt right about it.”

“Good for you,” Hans said. “You did the right thing.”

Back at the other end of the courtyard, Malchus was still standing near the door of the Great Hall. Up until now, he couldn’t make out the muffled arguments from inside. Then, all of a sudden, the shouting became so loud that Malchus could hear clearly through the door the chant, “Death! Death! Death!”

Chapter 19

The Sound of Blood Money

Malchus had studied about the Jewish people as a boy in Spain, and he had learned much more while living in Jerusalem. He knew that any legal action by the Jews against Jesus would have to come before the Sanhedrin, and that this group of seventy-one men could not legally meet until the sun was up. He was not surprised therefore when the men of the high priest brought Jesus out of the Great Hall to walk the half-mile to the Gazith Hall in the Temple.

As soon as the band of guards and religious leaders moved out of the courtyard, Caiaphas approached Malchus and said, “I want you to go to the Temple area and watch over the goods in the booths. I am calling together the members of the Sanhedrin, which will include many of the priests working in our booths and shops. As you know with Passover, this will be a busy day for all of the shopkeepers.”

With these explicit instructions, a weary Malchus headed across the upper city toward the Temple. The sun had not quite reached the horizon. The morning air was crisp, and Malchus looked forward to the rising sun to warm his cold and fatigued body. When he reached the shops, the religious leaders were already gathering. The Sadducees and Pharisees, who were normally bickering amongst each other, were discussing together plans for the trial. Both groups agreed they should search out additional witnesses to testify against Jesus. Only a few shook their head to the side when a Pharisee suggested even false witnesses would do.

At about the first hour after sunrise, the man in the scarlet robe passed close by Malchus as he hurried into the sanctuary to hear the verdict. Malchus, being curious, followed a short distance behind to observe the man who had kissed Jesus in the olive grove. In a few moments, Malchus, standing near the open door, heard, “You have condemned an innocent man! I don’t want your silver,” followed by the sound of coins clattering across the sanctuary floor. As the one in scarlet came out, Malchus could see his face in contortions of anguish.

The religious leaders just inside the door argued, in voices loud enough for Malchus to hear, about what to do with the thirty pieces of silver before agreeing that they couldn’t return the blood money to the treasury. They finally agreed to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for strangers.

Many of the people were now following the crowd gathering behind Caiaphas’s men, who were forcing Jesus to walk out of the Temple area. Those in the crowd were yelling, “To Pilate! Crucify Him!”

Malchus was glad when the crowd was out of sight. He thought, “I’m grateful that Rachel and Ruth are shielded from such an awful sight. If all of this is in the name of religion, then I want no part of it.”

The shops began to fill with shoppers buying on this day before the Sabbath and the beginning of Passover. However, at the sixth hour (noon) an eerie darkness set in. The untimely darkness so disturbed the people that they roamed around like a herd of frightened sheep. The animals, too, were nervous. The darkness lasted for three hours.

Just before the ninth hour, Malchus issued orders to close the shops, since this was the time for the killing of the Passover lamb. As the last shop was secured, the ground began to shake. The Temple priests came running out exclaiming, “The veil of the Temple has been torn in two from the top to the bottom!” Malchus remained in the Temple area for another hour while all the shopkeepers were securing their goods.

The day’s happenings left Malchus in a quandary. He knew he must return to Caiaphas’s compound, but he felt a compulsion to walk by Golgatha first, for that is all that the people in the shops had been talking about. When he came close by the place of death, he could see three crosses. The crowd had dispersed except for a few stragglers. Malchus could see three women huddled near the center cross. He stopped and watched as the three stood with bowed heads touching their folded hands. In this first moment of quietness of the day, Malchus questioned, “What good could ever come from a cross?” When a small group of Roman soldiers arrived, the women moved on. The soldier who seemed to be in charge listened intently at the foot of each of the three crosses. He then issued orders to break the legs of the outside two men, but not of the man in the center.

Malchus turned back toward the city gate. The events of the night and of the day lay heavily on his mind. First, there was the disappointment in the religious leaders for treating Jesus so cruelly. Then the Romans had joined in the persecution as well. As he walked the streets toward Caiaphas’s compound, he wondered about man’s inhumanity toward man. He had always hoped for fair treatment for all people. Tired in mind and body, Malchus focused his thoughts on the serenity of his small room and the prospect of time with Rachel in their hideaway at sundown.

Chapter 20

An Unexpected Separation

Malchus, relieved to be back in his room and exhausted from the lack of sleep the previous night, looked forward to lying in his bed and relaxing awhile before dinner. These thoughts vanished when he heard a knock on his doorpost and a guard summoning him, “Caiaphas wants you to come immediately to the Great Hall.” Malchus splashed some water on his face from the cistern before going down the path.

Thinking that Caiaphas may have heard about the torn curtain in the Temple, he tried to review in his mind the exact circumstances that led up to the event. By the time he arrived at the Great Hall, the guard was waiting for him and ushered him through the massive door. Six men were standing beside Caiaphas. Malchus’ heart began to pound as Caiaphas rose to his feet. “Yeoman, Haman told me that he saw my niece Rachel in your arms last night. Is this true?”

“Yes, sir.”

“As you well know, I have studied Jewish law all of my life, and it is clearly written in the book of the law that a Jew can not marry a Gentile. It is going to cost me to lose you, but it would be worse for a man in my position to have his niece marry a Gentile such as you. What would people think?

“My hope, of course, is that you will leave peacefully with Captain Hiram and his sailors, for I am selling your incomplete time of service to him. Hiram will find a place a great distance away, where your yeoman services can be used by another. Now, for the sake of all involved, I hope that your leaving will be peaceful. If not, Hiram's sailors will have to restrain you. And if you should manage to return, then I will have to send Rachel to a place where you could never find her.”

Malchus, surging with anger, wanted to blurt out, “I'm a Roman citizen, and should your niece want to marry me, it would be my decision alone.” But because of his deep concern for Rachel, he held his tongue. With nothing more he could do, Malchus, feeling numb from head to toe, walked away with the captain and his men. Caiaphas motioned for one of his men to go with a sailor to gather Malchus’ belongings. In a short time, Malchus, Hiram, and his men were on the road to Emmaus, where they would spend the night before the final leg of the trip to Joppa to board ship.

In the meantime, Rachel had tried all day to put Malchus out of her mind, but she couldn't. All she could think about was seeing him last night. She had hoped maybe she would get a glimpse of him on the compound, but she assumed he was busy at the Temple with the Passover sacrifices. It had been an eerie day with near darkness from the sixth to the ninth hour. After the sun had finally returned, she could hardly wait for sunset so that she could hear first hand about Malchus’ encounter with Jesus.

Excitedly she finished her work in the kitchen after dinner and hurried the servant girls along so that they would finish up early. Then she ran to her room and put on her white tunic covered with the purple robe that she had worn for her first meeting with Malchus. Her hair, which usually fell over her shoulders, was loosely twirled in such a way that small pieces fell from the twirl gently framing her face. “This evening will be special,” she thought as she reached the flat rock just behind the grove of olive trees.

As she looked out over the valley, feathery colors of red and purple touched the horizon. She could hardly wait to see Malchus' face. His square jaw line always made him look so handsome and courageous.

As the reddened sun sank behind the hill, the sound of locusts seemed to get louder and louder, and she began to wonder what had happened and where Malchus was. “Why hadn't he come? He had always kept his promises before. Why would he break them now? Maybe he had been detained at the Temple. He wasn't at dinner. Had he forgotten? Maybe he was so tired that he fell asleep in his room. It had been an exhausting last few days.”

“Maybe,” she thought, “I should head back to the compound.” Then just when she was ready to get up, she heard footsteps approaching. Her heart quickened as her thoughts continued, “It must be Malchus. I’ve been all wrong. He probably had been detained. He hadn't forgotten or fallen asleep. He was true to his word.”

Anxious to see him, she turned her head in the direction of the sound of the approaching footsteps. But instead of Malchus, she saw her mother bent over with one arm crossing her chest as she neared. Instinctively, Rachel ran to meet her and put her arms around her. When her mother didn't speak, Rachel pulled back from her and began to search her eyes for any clue as to what could possibly be wrong, then began to gently shake her, “Mother, what is it? What has happened? Why are you sobbing so deeply?”

“Rachel,” Ruth finally managed to say, “Malchus has been taken away.”

“Taken away!” Rachel exclaimed, “Taken away to where?”

“That's the problem,” said Ruth. “No one seems to know.”

“Not Hans or Elmo or Clement? No one knows?”

“That's right, no one but Caiaphas knows.”

“Caiaphas? What does he have to do with it?”

“Everything. Apparently he heard that you and Malchus were seen together last night, and he is concerned that Malchus has plans.”

“Plans? Plans for what? Anyway, who does he think he is? My father? He doesn't know what's best for me. Besides that, he has no right to interfere in my life like this.”

“Now, Rachel,” Ruth said trying to calm her a bit, “Caiaphas has given us a roof over our head and provided us with food since your father died. He does take seriously the fact that he must assume your father's place according to Jewish law.”

“Mother, I'm tired of hearing about the Jewish law and what it says,” protested Rachel. “I want to see Malchus again. If I can't see him or be near him ever again, then why live?”

“Rachel!” Ruth exclaimed, a bit surprised at the depth of her daughter's feeling for Malchus. “I know how you must feel, but, regardless of what happens, we must hold on to life. It is all we really have.”

“I know mother, but it hurts too much. I loved Malchus with all of my heart, and now he is gone. I just don't know how I can go on without him. He had become such a part of my life.”

“And mine too,” added Ruth. “Come near me, child.”

With that, Rachel laid her head upon her mother's shoulder and began to sob, quietly at first then more deeply. Ruth, feeling her daughter's loss and remembering her own, quietly raised her face and voice to Jehovah making a desperate plea, “My God, why Malchus too? I just don't understand.”

Chapter 21

Exiled to Patmos

The blue Mediterranean had been calm, and the favorable sea breeze enabled the Tarsus to pass the island of Cyprus on the starboard side of the ship on the third day. Captain Hiram had named his ship Tarsus after its home port. Although the captain seemed rather rough at times, beneath his facade of toughness was a compassionate man.

Malchus, still sick from being torn from Rachel against his will, had hardly eaten since they had left port. It was Hiram who first tried to talk some sense into him, “Son, you must eat something more. I know how you feel, but not eating isn't going to solve anything. Besides, we will be arriving at the port of Patmos later this week, and you will need your strength to carry out the duties that will be assigned to you. Now eat some of these fish. They couldn't be any more fresh.” Hiram, in a kidding manner, lifted one of the fish and passed it under Malchus's nose.

Malchus still felt numb all over, but the captain spoke with a logic and humor that reminded him of his father. “What would Justin have done in this situation?” he thought as he stared down at the coiled rope laying next to him on the deck. “Maybe he would have been heartsick like me,” he thought to himself, “but, because he was a part of the Roman legion, he would have continued to carry on through any adversity. If he can do it, then so can I,” he said to himself as he lifted his head and gave the captain a nod in the affirmative for some of the fish.

After another five days had passed, the Tarsus headed in toward the island of Patmos. With eight days together with Malchus at sea, Hiram had become quite aware of Malchus’ inquisitive nature. As they approached the small island, Malchus wanted to know more, and Hiram kindly obliged, “This Roman island is 160 miles northeast of Crete and forty miles southwest of Ephesus. Its coast line is indented with many bays, and it’s about eight miles long and four miles wide.”

“What kind of people live on Patmos?”

“Many are ones expelled by the Roman governors all around the Mediterranean,” Hiram explained.

Looking a little puzzled, Malchus further inquired, “Then what is their livelihood?”

“Some are fishermen and others work in the vineyards. I have sailed here several times to deliver banished people. On one of my more recent visits, Flavius, the Roman governor, told me he needed a yeoman to manage the vineyards on the island. So I suppose that is where you will fit in.”

“Oh,” Malchus answered, a little disappointed that his future seemed to be so fixed.

Soon the anchor was dropped, and the sailors lowered the small boats in order to fill them with the cargo that needed to be delivered. Malchus joined Hiram on the first boat that was ready to leave the ship. Once they arrived at the dock, they secured the boat and began the eighth-of-a-mile hike from the dock to the governor’s house.

When they arrived at the gate, Hiram spoke to the guard, “I'm Hiram, captain of the Tarsus, and I would like to speak with the governor. He has welcomed me on previous occasions, so I suppose he will do the same today.”

As the guard turned to enter the house and let the governor know of their arrival, Hiram and Malchus stood silently at the gate, not yet certain that they would indeed receive an audience with the governor. It wasn't long after, however, that the guard summoned them to enter the courtyard and approach the doorway to the house. By the time they had reached the steps leading up to the porch, Flavius had reached the doorway and was dismissing his guard to return to the gate.

“Hiram, so good to see you,” Flavius said as he gestured for them to enter the large hallway covered with crimson and royal blue tapestries. “I certainly hope that you can fill me in on the news about the parts of the world where you have been, as I haven’t traveled much lately. We have been short-handed here, and it has been hard for me to get away.”

“Well,” Hiram said with a bit of a pause as they rounded the corner to enter Flavius's study, “since I have just come from Jerusalem, I'll begin there, but first, this is Malchus.” Flavius motioned for Hiram and Malchus to take a chair, then took a seat behind a large table. Hiram continued, “The Jews are fairly peaceful these days; however, I will say that the day we left an itinerant preacher had been crucified along with two criminals.”

“An itinerant preacher?” repeated Flavius. “What did he do? Get himself into trouble with old Caiaphas? Caiaphas isn't one of the most tolerant high priests we've ever had.”

“You can say that again,” added Hiram.

“And the rest of your travels?” inquired Flavius.

“Well, sir, from my point of view, there has been nothing that I have heard that seems newsworthy. How are things going for you here on Patmos?”

“I still have the same problem that I talked with you about last time. Individually my diverse workers are good, but collectively they aren't too efficient. I desperately need a yeoman to manage the whole operation.”

“I remembered your dilemma and spoke with Caiaphas about it when I was in Jerusalem.”

“What did he say?”

“Well, he thought about it for a moment then told me about his yeoman, Malchus, an indentured servant. Malchus has worked for Caiaphas for almost two years and has been quite successful in handling many of his affairs.”

“If he has been so successful, then why was Caiaphas so willing to let him go?”

“Well, as I understand it, the high priest thought that his fifteen-year-old niece was interested in the yeoman, so he felt that the best thing to do would be to separate them. As a result he sent Malchus here with me.”

“I see,” said Flavius as he rolled his pen between his fingers. “So this is the niece’s friend?” he asked pointing the end of his pen at Malchus.

“Yes, this is he.”

“Well, he doesn't look too devious. I suppose I could give him a try for a month or so. And if it doesn't work out, you can tell old Caiaphas that he will be hearing from me. Malchus, get some food and a good night’s rest, and we’ll talk about your new responsibilities tomorrow.”

To Malchus, the governor seemed more like a businessman than a governor, but he appeared to be a fair and just man who was apt at judging character, so Malchus didn't mind the thought of working for him. A deal was struck between Hiram and Flavius, and Malchus became the governor's yeoman. Hiram left the grounds, and another guard escorted Malchus to his living quarters.

The room was actually a little larger than the one he had at Caiaphas's compound, and the bed looked some better. Of course, the biggest difference was that Rachel wasn't here, and that made all the difference in the world. Nothing looked quite as good without her.

When he looked out the doorway of his room, Malchus could view the vineyards. The rows of green vines splotched with purple were contoured to the sides of hills so that all the rainfall was captured where the vines met the earth. It looked like the job would require long hours, since the vineyards were vast and the workers seemed to be few. He was hoping for long workdays so that he wouldn't have extra time to think about Rachel. He missed her so, and he knew that time and hard work were his only hope to anesthetize the pain and heal his broken heart.

Not feeling hungry, he ate very little dinner. Around sunset, he grew sleepy and threw himself across the straw-filled mattress trying to make sense of it all. Having no god of his own, he presumed to take his dilemma up with Rachel's God, the One she called Jehovah. “Jehovah,” he cried, “if you can hear me, please be near Rachel and comfort her. Help her in her times of need and help me get on with living. And please, heal my broken heart because it hurts so much.” With his last words trailing off, he fell asleep, not to be awakened until dawn.

Chapter 22

On the Streets of Jerusalem

Several months had passed since Malchus' forced departure. In an attempt to lift Rachel's downcast spirits, Ruth was talking with her about her sixteenth birthday, and they were making plans to have a grand celebration by inviting both friends and relatives to share in the festivities.

As they were talking about the party, someone knocked on the doorpost. Ruth got up to see who it could be and was surprised to see one of Caiaphas's guards standing stiffly at the door. “Ruth,” he said, “your presence is requested by the high priest. He would like for you to come immediately.”

Ruth, wondering what this could possibly be about, pulled a shawl off of the wooden peg by the doorway. Wrapping it around her shoulders, she told Rachel that she would soon return. As she passed the doorpost, she kissed the tips of her fingers and touched the mezuzah. Within the small container attached to the doorpost were parchments filled with special scriptures. As Ruth walked down the path she recited in her mind her favorite one, “Love your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Then she prayed, “God be with me as I stand before Caiaphas.”

As Ruth entered the small anteroom, Caiaphas stood up and cordially greeted her, offering her a chair. He seemed in an unexpectedly pleasant mood as he began, “How have you and Rachel been lately?”

Ruth, waiting to see what he was leading up to, answered slowly, “All things considered, Jehovah has been generous to us.”

“I'm glad to hear that,” he said most calmly.

Rising from his chair, he walked over to a long, but narrow, window and began to talk as he peered out over the compound, “Of course, you do understand that it is my bounden duty to act on my brother's behalf when it comes to Rachel's affairs.”

“Yes, I am aware of what the law says,” said Ruth firmly.

“Well, it has been brought to my attention of late that our dear Rachel will be turning sixteen and becoming a woman. Therefore, I believe that she should be properly wedded, and to that end, I have made a search for a man that I feel would be a suitable match for her. I have selected the son of a fellow Pharisee who has been quite prosperous in all that he has attempted. Of course, I expect you, as a good Jewish mother, to inform your daughter of the decision that has been made and to begin making preparations for the wedding scheduled to be held on her sixteenth birthday. Now, if there are no further questions, you are dismissed.”

“Dismissed!” Ruth exclaimed as she stood to her feet. “I will not yet be dismissed. You have said your piece, and now I will say mine. I don't know what your idea of a good Jewish mother is, but your idea and my idea definitely do not agree. First of all, I have absolutely no intention of leaving here and telling our dear Rachel that she must marry your friend's son. She has never even met him, and I don't even know his name!

“Besides that, Rachel cares for another, and I, as her good Jewish mother, will honor her feelings. Furthermore, I want it understood, my good Jewish brother-in-law, that I in no way approve of the way that you have gone about this matter and that under no circumstances will I make preparations for such a wedding. As far as I'm concerned, it would be sacrilege!” Then, in utter disgust, she headed toward the doorway.

Caiaphas, not willing to let a woman have the last word, raised his voice and said in a commanding but deliberate tone, “Rachel shall prepare for this marriage, or I will have her moved into the streets where she can fend for herself.”

Ruth, exasperated with his stubbornness, threw her head back and marched through the doorway without a backward glance. The guard, unsure whether or not he should restrain her, read in Caiaphas's glance that he was to let her go. Caiaphas, unruffled by her flurry of fury, simply placed one hand over his mouth and chin and watched Ruth out the window as she hurried back to her room on the compound.

Rachel, wondering what Caiaphas had wanted to talk with her mother about, paced back and forth in the room. After a little while, she heard her mother's footsteps quickly approaching. She moved toward the door to greet her, but before she could get there, her mother had already flung back the sheepskin covering the entranceway.

“Mother, what happened?” Rachel cried when she saw the angry flush on her mother's face. “What did Caiaphas say?”

“Pack up your belongings. We will be leaving this compound before sunrise.”

“What? What do you mean leaving this compound? This is our home. We can't leave here.”

“Oh, yes, we can. Now, get busy and gather up your things.”

“But, mother, I don't want to leave!”

“Listen, Caiaphas has selected a husband for you and is planning for you to be married on your sixteenth birthday.”

“What? I can't believe that! Who does he think he is? My father?”

“That is exactly who he thinks he is. Now, if you want to stay behind and marry one of his friend's sons, you can. Otherwise, start packing because we're leaving.”

“But, mother, what will become of us?”

“I don't know. All I know is that we can't stay here.”

“But where will we go?”

“We'll go where the Spirit of Jehovah leads us.”

“How can you be so sure that He will lead us?”

“I know He will lead us because I know that it isn't the plan of Jehovah for you to marry the son of one of those narrow-minded Pharisees. That plan is Caiaphas's alone.”

“Mother, how can you have such great faith in Jehovah?”

“Since your father's death, I have had to depend more and more upon Him. I have found that Jehovah has always given me faith in accordance with my need. He hasn't failed me yet. Now let’s start packing.”

“Yes, mother, I’ll begin.”

Chapter 23

Justin Goes Home

Two years had passed before order was restored in Rome. Justin, having completed his twenty years of military service, was granted retirement. He was given a five thousand denarius bonus for valiant action in stopping the charge of the rebels on Tiberius’ palace. The citation read, “Centurion Justin offered his life and the lives of his men to protect the life of Caesar Tiberius.” A ship now carried Justin back to Spain to be reunited with his wife and son.

He thought to himself, “Surely, despite the detour and delay, Malchus somehow found his way home.”

Back in Spain, Brigitte had kept herself busy with her weaving. She had finished the woolen cover for Malchus’ bed and had returned to Laura’s shop to buy more of the same blue and green yarns for a cover for the bed where she and Justin slept. As she would hold the cover against the bed to measure her slow progress, she would be reminded of how empty the bed had seemed these many months.

Outwardly she seemed cheerful to friends and neighbors, but inwardly she carried the burden of a wife and mother not knowing if her husband and son were indeed safe. Many a morning she would rise early and bow her knee to the God of the universe, Who knows all and created all. In His presence, she would pour out all that was in her. Sometimes she would go on for over an hour, and other times all she could do was cry. But whatever she did, she always had the assurance in her heart that He heard her and would someday answer her cry.

Every now and then, just when she wondered how she could make it through another day, a neighbor or a friend would stop by with an encouraging word or offer a kind act. Sometimes she would even be so fortunate as to get wind of the fact that Justin was alive and well and had met with no injury in the heat of battle. Unfortunately, she hadn’t heard a word from anyone about Malchus or his whereabouts.

Some days were better than others, but on her worst days, she would have to fight against the inner debilitating fear that Malchus was lost at sea or had met with some murderous fate along the way. He was her only child. God forbid that any harm such as this should come his way. And if it had, she didn’t know if she could bear it.

It was early in the morning when she knelt down this day to pray. The mist was still lifting off of the garden outside when she began, “God of the sun and moon and stars.” But before she had finished the address, she heard another voice behind her joining in. Wondering if the dear voice that she recognized was part of her imagination, she turned her head to behold Justin standing in the doorway right behind her in his military cloak.

“Oh, Justin, you’re back!” she exclaimed, almost in disbelief, “You made it safely!”

“I did at that,” he said with a smile on his face.

It had been so long since she had seen him that he looked taller than she had remembered, and the squareness of his jaw seemed more pronounced. Whatever it was about him certainly looked attractive and pulled her to him like a magnet. It felt so good to be in his arms again. Finally she could relax a little knowing that he was safe. But where was Malchus? What had become of him?

“Justin,” she said softly as he rocked her back and forth, “have you heard any news about Malchus?”

There was a long pause, then he said reluctantly, “No, my dear, I haven’t heard a word. I was hoping he would be here. All I know is that the ship on which he traveled was diverted to Palestine to pick up more soldiers for Rome. Other than that, I haven’t heard a thing.”

For two long years, Brigitte had held on to the hope that Justin knew where Malchus was and that he was safe. Now, all of the hope she had clung to vanished like the mist from the garden under the morning sun, and she feared that Malchus was dead. She could no longer hold back the tears.

Justin, understanding the kind of fear she felt, held her more closely and began to stroke her long blond hair. The wetness of her tears dampened his chest through his cloak, and all he could do was hold her and let her cry. After a few moments, Brigitte’s sobs began to subside, and she asked rather hesitantly, “Do you suppose we could go to Palestine and see if we can find him?”

“Of course we can,” he answered gently. “And since I’m now a retired centurion, I can draw whatever money we need from the governors in any of the Roman provinces along the Mediterranean. The money will be drawn out against our account, of course, but with my regular retirement pay plus a bonus, we should have enough that we shouldn’t have to be too concerned.”

“Do you think Palestine would be a good place to start?” Brigitte asked.

“I think so,” answered Justin, “as that was the place that General Cornelius sent the ship. Ever since the ship’s diversion, I have found myself praying to God asking Him to keep Malchus safe.”

“I have too,” said Brigitte as she looked up into her husband’s eyes for reassurance.

“Don’t worry, dear,” he said tenderly, “Everything is going to be all right.”

“Do you really think so, Justin?”

“I don’t just think so. I know so,” he said confidently.

Even though Brigitte knew that he couldn’t know any more than she did about the situation, it was good to hear the confidence in his voice and that all would someday be well.

“Justin, do you think it would help if we prayed together about this situation?”

“It certainly can’t do any harm. Come on. Let’s kneel down and pray.”

With that, Brigitte pulled her face away from Justin’s chest and brushed the matted hair back from her forehead. She then took her husband’s hand and kneeled down on the mat that covered the dirt floor. Justin kneeled down next to her. Drawing Brigitte’s hand close to his heart, he began, “God of the sun, moon and stars, hear our prayer on this early morning. Our son has been missing for two years, and we want to find him. Please help us in our journey and give us Your favor and Your direction. Thank You for bringing me home safely and help us to bring our son back safely as well.”

A bit relieved, Brigitte wiped her tears away and managed to put a smile on her face. Justin, sensing her hope, placed his hand under her chin and lifted her head saying, “The ship I arrived on is leaving tomorrow for a stop in Rome and then on to Caesarea. What do you say we plan to be aboard?”

“Oh, Justin,” Brigitte exclaimed, “that would be wonderful. I just hope that we will find him.”

“We only have to do our part, then we can trust God for the rest. If He has placed this in our heart, then it will most surely come to pass.”

The rest of the day was spent packing and making arrangements for the long trip so that they could leave early the next morning without delay.

Chapter 24

Searching in Caesarea

In spite of their concern for Malchus, Justin and Brigitte enjoyed their time on the sailing vessel, since they hadn’t had a month together with just the two of them for as long as either could remember. Despite occasional rough seas and Brigitte’s resulting bouts of seasickness, the trip seemed to go more quickly than they had expected, since they had so much to talk about and share. When the vessel arrived at Caesarea Maritima, Justin and Brigitte sensed that they were in the right place to find Malchus and hoped that they would at least be able to hear a word about his well being.

In the city, the two of them were welcomed by a centurion friend of Justin’s. Unfortunately, he was unable to recall anything about a Roman boy of Malchus’ description being in the city over the past two years. When he asked the Roman soldiers for any clues as to Malchus’ whereabouts, they too had no information to offer.

The centurion suggested, “If you want to stay awhile to search for your son, go across the city and out the east gate. You’ll find a comfortable inn at a fair price there. You’ll recognize it as the inn with a star over the door.

As Justin and Brigitte walked toward the inn, Justin thought, “This city could pass for a little Rome.” Brigitte, having been only in Gaul and Spain, was awestruck by the grandeur of the buildings and avenues. Outside the eastern gate, they came to an inn. Justin was sure this was the right one when he noticed skillfully carved six-pointed stars over the door and the windows on either side of it.

Justin knocked on the door, and a cheerful innkeeper invited them in. He seemed more than happy to check them into a room. For Brigitte, it felt good just to lie back on the straw-filled mattress and not feel the rocking of the ship. The following morning, Justin and Brigitte returned to the dock where they had left the ship the day before and asked each of the captains if they had seen anyone matching the description of Malchus. One after another, the captains said that they knew nothing of the boy and were not familiar with his whereabouts. Day after day Justin and Brigitte returned to the dock, but the response of the newly arrived captains was always the same.

After a week of arduous questioning, Justin began to wonder if they were taking the right approach. It seemed that they were getting nowhere. That evening at dinner Justin pondered aloud, “Knowing our son, if he were this close to Jerusalem, he might well have gone to that ancient city.”

“Then we must search that city too.”

As soon as they finished their dinner, Brigitte immediately returned to their room and began packing their belongings so that they could leave early in the morning for Jerusalem.

Justin talked with the innkeeper about their Jerusalem trip. The innkeeper explained, “You may make a deposit of forty denarii each for two donkeys. When you return, your money will be refunded except for one denarius a donkey for each day you are away.”

“What route do you recommend?”

“Over the last two years, four young men from Jerusalem who have stayed several days every three months with me preferred the route through Sychem. They said it is cooler, since it is closer to the mountains. No matter what route, you will need to stay overnight somewhere, and Sychem has good facilities for you and the animals.”

“If you can have the donkeys ready, we would like to leave first thing in the morning.”

Justin and Brigitte were awake early with excitement and a hope of finding Malchus in the great city. After several hours on the dusty trail, they stopped to water the donkeys. Brigitte, not accustomed to riding, decided to lead the donkey for awhile to rest the donkey and the parts of her body that were not used to the constant jolting. An hour’s walk made the donkey’s hard back look more inviting. The pattern of riding and walking continued throughout the first long day. A second grueling day followed the first.

An hour before sunset on the second day, they entered Jerusalem through the Sheep Gate near the Temple. Justin asked a Roman soldier stationed near the gate about a place to get room and board. The soldier replied, “If you will go east out of the city on the main road for two miles, you will come to a small town. While Jerusalem inns are always crowded, you can choose from several good ones in Bethany.”

Just as the sun was setting, Justin and Brigitte arrived on the outskirts of Bethany. Justin suggested that they stay in the first of the roadside inns, since it would be closer to Jerusalem for their daily journey into the city. Brigitte gladly agreed as the dust from the desert trail had filtered through her hair, and the sun had drained the last of the energy from her weary body.

As Justin approached the front of the inn, his trained eye focused on the relief carving of a loaf of bread and a cup of wine. Justin surmised from the detailed cutting that the work was that of an accomplished artisan. Justin rang the metal bell on the doorpost. In a moment the innkeeper greeted them.

Justin responded, “I am looking for a place for my wife and me to stay for a few days.”

“I have a comfortable room available. Let me help you with your belongings. You can put your donkeys in the stable in back while I help your wife to the room.”

Having secured the donkeys in the stable, Justin gave them food and then drew water from the well for the animals. When he returned the bucket to the well, a young woman about Malchus’ age was waiting to draw water to fill several pitchers. Justin’s eyes remained fixed on the girl for a moment, for she was unusually beautiful.

He walked the path to the front door of the inn. Inside, Brigitte motioned him to a table where she was seated. She said, “Our things are in our room and supper is ready to be served.” These were just the words that Justin hoped to hear. Though not something he would confess to his wife, he, too, was tired and hungry. The two weary travelers silently ate and soundly slept that night with dreams of Malchus.

Chapter 25

Searching in Jerusalem

As the sun rose, Justin and Brigitte were again on the road, but this time they felt an excitement as they walked into the city of Jerusalem. Her motherly intuition told Brigitte that they would find some hint of Malchus here. Of course, the first people of whom they inquired regarding Malchus’ whereabouts were the centurions, as Justin knew how trained they were in observation. Unfortunately, however, they were unable to recall a Roman boy of Malchus’ description and suggested that they check out the marketplace.

Justin and Brigitte followed this recommendation. When they reached the marketplace, they found a beehive of activity. Women were selling their wares and bickering over prices, trying to make the best sale possible. Fruits and vegetables of all kinds lined the walkways. Here and there musicians were gathered in groups playing melodies on their psalteries and pipes, hoping to receive some coins for their performance from those who passed by.

Justin looked over the size of the crowd as he would in assessing an opposing army and thought to himself that there must be a woman from every household in Jerusalem in this place. Now all they had to do was find one who was familiar with their son. Brigitte was hopeful that this would be the day that they would hear a word about Malchus. She began immediately to describe him to one of the leather vendors, but the vendor just shook his head, almost as if he didn’t understand, and continued fixing the leather thong on the sandal he was holding on the bench top.

Next Brigitte approached one of the women selling vegetables and fruit. After purchasing some grapes, Brigitte again described her son. The woman recalled seeing no one of that description in the marketplace. The woman then summoned some of her friends to see if they might have seen him, but no one seemed to know about him. Brigitte, however, was determined not to give up. Knowing that time was of the essence, she and Justin split up in the crowd. Justin questioned the vendors, while Brigitte began to approach the women who had come to the marketplace. In desperation, she went from one to the next describing her son, but no one had heard of him or knew of his whereabouts.

When the day came to a close and the vendors were packing up their wares, Brigitte, hoping Justin might have some good news, began to look around for him. As he approached her from a distance, she could tell by his gait that he too had heard nothing. Feeling like they had searched in every possible corner of the marketplace, they headed back to the inn for dinner and a night’s rest.

For the next five days they returned to Jerusalem, stopping people across the city to describe their son and ask if they had seen him. The next day was the Sabbath, which meant that all commerce would stop for a day. Brigitte remembered that Malchus’ friend Aaron always went to the synagogue on the evening of the beginning of the Sabbath. She reached for Justin’s hand across the dinner table and with beseeching eyes asked, “Can we find a synagogue and slip in the back and ask Aaron’s God for help in finding our son?”

When she looked at him in this way, the answer was always, “Yes.”

After dinner they found a synagogue and a seat in a back corner beside the women’s section. No one disturbed them as they bowed their heads. As they prepared to pray, they heard the priest speaking in Hebrew, “And from the scroll of Proverbs—‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.’”

Justin and Brigitte finished their prayers and returned to the inn and the privacy of their room. Justin took both of Brigitte’s hands in his and, looking into her eyes, said, “Tomorrow we must make a new plan, since we have not found Malchus in Jerusalem. But for this moment and for this night, let’s trust in the Lord.” Justin’s leadership in this matter calmed all of Brigitte’s fears and she slept soundly.

At breakfast Justin asked the pleasant woman who had been serving them all week if she had a daughter working in the kitchen. The one serving, who had always been so gracious, asked with a mischievous smile, “Why do you ask?”

“The day we arrived here searching for our son, I returned the bucket to the well to a young woman who looks just like you.”

The warm smile continued as the server said, “Yes, that was my daughter. She works in the kitchen. Would you like to meet her?”

“Yes, we would.”

The mother and daughter returned to the table, and before the mother could speak, the daughter squeezed her mother’s arm tightly. This beautiful young girl stood and stared at Brigitte and then at Justin before fixing her eyes once more upon Brigitte. By now her eyes were misty. What seemed like an eternity was truly only a minute or two. Breaking all the rules of servant and guest, the young woman sat down on the bench beside Brigitte. “You are Malchus’ mother!”

Brigitte took the girl into her arms and both of them began to cry.

Justin looked up at the mother who began to speak, “I am Ruth, and this is my daughter Rachel. Should you be Malchus’ parents, then we are already friends.”

After a while, Rachel dabbed her eyes with her apron and began to speak in a quivering voice, “Malchus was a close friend of mine until…” Her voice drifted off as she looked away.

“Until what,” Brigitte prodded, “until what?”

“Until they took him away.”

“Who took him away?”

“First of all, let me say that my mother and I have been living here at this inn for several months, but it hasn’t always been so. We previously lived in the compound of Caiaphas the high priest where Malchus was an indentured servant.”

Brigitte looked at Justin, then Justin inquired of Rachel, “What do you mean an indentured servant? Our son is a Roman citizen. He can’t be an indentured servant.”

“He was by his own choice, and he never revealed his citizenship to the priests. Unfortunately, he was taken to the island of Patmos not long ago, and his remaining indentured time was sold to the Roman governor there. I do not know this for sure since it was shared with me by one of Caiaphas’s slave girls. She was told this by one of the sailors on board the vessel that supposedly had transported Malchus to the island.”

Justin, still in disbelief about the idea of his son being an indentured servant, asked Rachel to describe the Malchus to whom she referred. A half-smile came over Rachel’s face as she recalled the Malchus she had known, “He was tall, blond, gentle, kind, a bit shy, but very conscientious.”

“Were there other distinguishing features?” Justin pressed. Rachel thought for a moment, “Well, he was the only servant who could speak three languages--Latin, Hebrew and Greek. The use of these languages and his skills with mathematics were what placed him in charge of all the outside servants. He did all the buying and selling and kept the records for the high priest. You should be very proud of the leadership of your son.”

Justin, now convinced that this young girl knew his son and that Malchus probably was on Patmos, began to estimate in his mind the time required to sail to the island. Speaking so that all could hear, he said, “At least a week would be required to reach the island from Caesarea. Brigitte, how soon can you be ready to go?”

Brigitte gave a warm hug first to Rachel, then to Ruth, as she thanked them for their help in her search for her son. Next, she moved quickly toward her room while telling Justin over her shoulder, “Just give me a few minutes.”

Justin turned to the mother and daughter who he believed were sent by their God and asked, “What may I do to express my gratitude?”

Rachel replied, “It’s enough for me just to meet you and to know that you will soon be reunited with your son. Have a safe journey, and may Jehovah God grant you His mercy in your search.” Then, without another word, she turned and moved quickly to the kitchen, and her mother began to clear the dishes off the table.

Justin settled the bill with the innkeeper and went to the stable to prepare the donkeys. As he was bringing the donkeys around front, he met Brigitte and the innkeeper bringing their belongings out the door. Saying farewell to their host for the week, they mounted the donkeys and with hopeful hearts moved down the road toward Jerusalem.

Chapter 26

Next Stop - Patmos

When Justin and Brigitte arrived at the port of Caesarea, they were able to arrange for passage to Patmos. On the third day the ship passed Cyprus on the starboard side. The weather continued pleasant across the eastern parts of the Mediterranean. After eight days and an uneventful passage, the ship anchored off of Patmos. Justin, Brigitte, the captain, and two seamen left the ship in a small boat for the landing. As they approached the island, Brigitte squeezed Justin’s hand in anticipation of the soon-coming reunion with their son. As they stepped out of the small boat onto the island, the captain pointed them in the direction of the governor’s house.

The greenery was lush on the island, and rows and rows of grapes covered the gently rolling hills. The pathway on which they walked was covered with coarse sand. Not far ahead, they could see carts full of grapes lumbering along a Roman road that appeared to be made of pebbles set in mortar. To the right, the main road was framed with small shops on either side. To the left, the road led to the governor’s house. As they neared the intersection of the path and the road, they noticed that the people from the shops were standing outside selling their wares--earthen pots, hand-woven baskets, leather sandals, and wine. An old man wearing only a loincloth and carrying a full wineskin held out a cup crying, “Come! Drink! Vintage wine from the vineyards. Come! Drink! Vintage wine from the vineyards.”

Although Justin wasn’t particularly thirsty for wine, he sensed the deep need of the elderly man and dropped enough coins in his bucket for a large cup. Taking the cup with both of his hands, Justin offered some to Brigitte, then put the cup to his own lips and drank.

As he handed the cup back to the man, Justin noticed a cart full of grapes being pulled by a donkey. When he looked more closely at the tousled blond hair of the young man holding the reins, he cried out, “Stop! I say, Stop!” Immediately, the young man pulled back on the reins and peered in the direction of the voice that had commanded him to stop.

Brigitte, not looking to the right or to the left, ran towards the cart. The young man quickly latched the reins to the cart, leaped off, and picked Brigitte up and swung her around.

“Oh, Malchus, my son, we have finally found you. It has been so long,” she said as her feet touched the ground.

“I know mother,” he replied, “it has been a long time. Too long for that matter!”

Justin, not wanting to interrupt Brigitte’s special moment, stood back a slight distance. He couldn’t understand why an occasion of so much joy should bring tears to Brigitte’s eyes. When Malchus noticed Justin, he cried out, “Father!”

Immediately, Justin moved forward with open arms to encircle Malchus. “My son,” he said as he kissed him on both of his cheeks, “it’s so good to see you again.”

“Father, I have much to tell you and Mother, but I must first tell the governor of your arrival. Come, board my cart, and we will ride together to his house.”

Brigitte, thrilled to again be reunited with her son, sat in between him and Justin on the cross board. The air that earlier had seemed rather still, now flowed freely around them. This was all she could ever ask for - just to be together again.

The governor’s house was up ahead. It was just as Brigitte might have imagined the house of a Roman governor would be--a large stucco mansion laced with vines, an imposing structure against the rolling hillside. Malchus stepped off of the cart and disappeared into the mansion. In a few moments, he returned with a wide grin on his face. A large man draped in a colorful cloak followed close behind him.

“Greetings, folks,” the large man boomed as he neared the cart. “Welcome to my paradise. My name is Flavius, and I’m the governor here. I’m insisting that this young man take the rest of the day off to spend with his parents. Do I hear any objections?” Justin and Brigitte looked at each other, then at Flavius and nodded their heads “no.”

“Well then,” he continued as he stretched out his hand to Justin, “it’s a deal. Now that everything is taken care of, if you folks will kindly excuse me…”

But before he could finish his sentence, Justin interrupted, “Sir, before you leave, my wife and I would like to thank you for taking care of our son and for seeing after his well being in our absence.”

“You thank me?” bellowed the governor, “I should be the one thanking you. This young man has helped me get the workers in my vineyard organized and motivated to get the job done. Really, if the truth were known, I should be thanking you.”

“It does mean a lot to my wife and me to know that he has been in good hands,” stated Justin. “I have been with a Roman legion for many years and have often had to be away. Unfortunately, my son found himself in quite a precarious position. We are glad, despite the circumstances, to hear that he has been an asset to you and your workers.”

“That he has been, and I hope for my sake will continue to be. Well, I guess that is a whole other matter that we’ll have to discuss at a later time. For now, I hope you folks enjoy your stay on the island, and please know that you are welcome anytime for however long you wish. Just let me know, and I will see to it that the proper accommodations are prepared. Now, if you will excuse me, I must be getting back inside as I have another guest waiting.”

As Justin said, “Thanks again,” the governor pressed Justin’s hand with both of his and nodded his head at Brigitte as if to say, “Good day.” Then he flung the colorful cloak over his shoulder and mounted the steps of his stucco mansion. As he walked into the entry hall, he blended in with the tapestries on the wall. As Flavius faded from sight, the reunited family turned their full attention to each other.

Chapter 27

The Reunion Goes On

Malchus, Justin, and Brigitte turned to walk back to the cart. “Well, now that you have met the man in charge,” Malchus said, “why don’t we retire to my house for a while.” It isn’t quite as large as this, but I have a place where we can sit down and visit. Everyone agreed, so they got in the cart and traversed the paved road lined with vineyards on either side filling the valleys and stretching part way up the hillsides. Clumps of red and purple were hanging from the rows of green.

After they had ridden a short distance, Justin turned to Malchus and asked, “So you oversee the workers on all of these vineyards?”

“Yes,” Malchus replied as he waved to one of the men picking grapes in a nearby row in the vineyard, “but, of course, I learned all I know from you, Father.” Then Malchus grinned one of his big grins and winked at his mother. Justin just chuckled as he roughly tousled Malchus’ hair.

They traveled a bit further, then Malchus pulled back on the reins and called out to the donkey, “Whoa, boy. We’re home now.” Then Malchus turned to Brigitte and asked, “Well, what do you think?”

Brigitte, still amazed that her son had done so well on his own, looked over the little stone cottage and nodded as if to give her approval, “It looks awfully nice to me.”

“Well, then,” Malchus replied, “let’s not waste any more time. You can look around outside while I put the donkey in his pen.”

Malchus was the first one off of the cart, and he held the donkey while Justin helped Brigitte down. After Malchus had given the donkey some water from the well, he called out, “Let’s all go inside.”

Standing in the yard, Justin’s eyes scanned the walls with stones closely fit together to minimize the amount of mortar. He estimated the length of the beam spanning the width of the roof and wondered if these timbers had to be imported.

Inside her son’s home, Brigitte could see a simple table with a bench on either side across from a raised hearth where an open fire could vent out of an opening in the roof that could be closed when the fire was out. In the far corner of the one room house was a bed, and across from that was a couch overlaid with a blue and green linen cloth. Brigitte smiled approvingly to herself as she realized that her son had chosen her colors. The bed covering she had labored over so long in his absence would blend in nicely.

During these moments of assessing their son’s home, Malchus had stirred the fire and added some dry branches that had been pruned from the grapevines. He hung the bronze kettle of soup, left from last night’s supper, over the fire. He set a jug of wine and a loaf of bread on the table.

By now Brigitte was by his side asking, “May I put the cups, bowls, and spoons on the table?”

Malchus smiled as he said, “When I was a boy, I set the table and you prepared the meal.”

After the three were seated, Brigitte was the first to begin asking questions. Soon they found themselves so excited to catch up that they were interrupting each other. They answered each other’s rapid-fire questions and asked them almost simultaneously. Time seemed so short, and they had so much to catch up on that they couldn’t be bothered with formalities.

A couple of hours had passed before they realized that the sun had set while they continued to sit at the table. “Why don’t we move to the back. You can sit on the couch, and I’ll sit across from you on the bed.”

Justin and Brigitte willingly obliged, while Malchus cleared the bowls from the table and lit an olive oil lamp that was on the hearth. Taking a seat across from his parents, he asked, “How did you two ever find out that I was here on this island?”

Brigitte began with the story of weeks of fruitless searching, then advanced quickly to the story of a Jewish maid who knew that Malchus was on Patmos. Malchus, looking at his father, asked, “What did she look like?”

Justin, not having noted too many details, shrugged his shoulders and said, “Just a Jewish girl.”

Brigitte surprised by his nondescript response, nudged him on the elbow as if to say, “Come on, how could you say, `Just a Jewish girl!’” Then she started in, “Actually, she was a beautiful Jewish girl. She had a warm smile and long, dark, silky hair. Her complexion was smooth, and her dark eyes sparkled.”

“What was she doing when you met her?”

“Oh, she worked in the kitchen at the inn where we stayed,” Brigitte replied.

“I didn’t know a girl working at an inn. Did she tell you her name?”

“Yes, she said her name was Rachel, and her mother’s name was Ruth.”

At the sound of Rachel’s name, Malchus’ eyes lit up and color rushed to his face. He looked heavenward as he prayed out loud, “Thank you Jehovah, Rachel’s God, for keeping her safe and leading my parents to her and Ruth.” His gratitude expressed, Malchus turned his gaze towards his mother. His eyes beseeched hers for more information regarding Rachel.

“Rachel did say she knew you, but as we hurried to find you, we didn’t ask many questions.”

“It has to be my Rachel,” concluded Malchus, “but what is she doing working in the kitchen at an inn?”

“We don’t know. We didn’t ask her. Why don’t you tell us more about her,” Brigitte prodded, “and how you met her.”

Malchus began to tell them the story. First of all, he told about meeting Ruth then about meeting her daughter, Rachel. He reminisced about Rachel’s teasing way and how she never really let on about her fondness towards him until she met him outside the gate of Caiaphas’s compound on that fateful night.

“This was the night that a group of Caiaphas’s men arrested a man named Jesus. I even got my ear cut off by one of Jesus’ men,” Malchus exclaimed, “but Jesus healed it almost immediately.”

Sensing Brigitte’s shock at the incident, Malchus pulled forward his ear and showed his mother that his ear was whole. “I know it’s hard to comprehend,” he continued, “but believe it or not, it really and truly happened.”

Then Malchus went on to tell about how Rachel had waited for his return at the gate after hearing about his ear and how she had abandoned all precaution to greet him when he arrived. “Of course, as fate would have it,” Malchus’ lowered his voice, “one of Caiaphas’s men saw us together and reported it to her uncle, and that was it. The next day I was on a ship to this place, and I’ve been here ever since.”

Not wanting to get too emotional about the whole situation, Malchus slapped his hands on his knees and stood to his feet to add a few more branches to the fire. Brigitte, feeling the intense disappointment of her son, interrupted the awkwardness of the silence, “Would you like for your father and me to return to Bethany and see if we can find this girl again?”

With a slight quiver in his voice, Malchus turned his face away from the fire, “You would be willing to do that?”

“If it is important to you, I think your father and I would be willing, wouldn’t we, Justin,” Brigitte prompted.

Taking her cue, Justin cleared his throat, “Of course, we would, son.”

Malchus, a bit more hopeful, looked both of them squarely in the eyes and instructed them saying, “If she is married, tell her that you found me well. But if not, bring her and her mother back with you to Patmos.” Then he added on a more tentative note, “Do you think you could do that for me?”

Both Justin and Brigitte nodded “yes” slowly, fervently hoping that Rachel hadn’t married, as they knew how difficult it would be to tell their son of such news.

Chapter 28

A Long Wait

After meeting Malchus’ parents, Flavius realized that his agreement of indentured servitude with Malchus was null and void, since Malchus was a Roman citizen. Flavius therefore offered Malchus the opportunity to stay on as his yeoman with a handsome salary. Malchus, after giving it some consideration, decided to accept the offer. Justin and Brigitte, realizing that their son had decided to stay on the island, discussed the possibility of joining him as well. This would be the first time in their married life that they could actually pick where they wanted to live, rather than receiving military orders.

While Justin and Flavius looked over some land for a site to build a home, Flavius’ wife, Claire, hosted a simple party for Brigitte to meet some of the women on the island. Flavius was more than accommodating in offering land as he had significant respect for Justin and considered him to be a worthy advisor to him and his staff in regard to military activity, trade, and the development of the island. Flavius even offered Justin the opportunity to become a member of his staff as time might allow.

Justin, after talking it over with Brigitte, thought this might be one way that he could utilize the expertise that he had gained over the years in the military and decided to make the move to the island. Since their home in Spain was a military home, all they needed to do was to return to Spain, pack up their belongings, and say good-bye to friends.

It would be a harder transition for Brigitte as she was more attached to her friends than Justin had been. Nevertheless, she trusted her husband’s judgment and went along with what he felt would be in their best interest for their future. Besides, she had been separated two years too many from her son and could hardly bear the thought of leaving him behind once again.

So Justin and Brigitte decided to make the move. But before leaving Patmos, they wanted to secure a piece of land so that they could build a proper home in which they could comfortably live out their remaining years.

One afternoon Justin showed Brigitte the various properties available. They agreed on a lot that sloped up one of the hillsides and overlooked the Mediterranean Sea. Here they felt that they would be sufficiently removed from the day-to-day work of those in the vineyards and the hustle and bustle of those in the town. This, they determined, would be a place that they could relax, have visitors, and enjoy life in general.

On the first day that Flavius and Justin had talked, Flavius had told Justin about Stacius, a volunteer harbormaster who kept track of ship arrivals and departures. Stacius had moved from Rome to Patmos many years ago and opened a shop that imported tools for those working in the vineyards and the gear used by fishermen. His shop was not far from the ships’ landing.

Each day Justin would walk down to Stacius’ shop to see if a ship was departing in the direction of Spain. A week had passed when Stacius greeted Justin with the news that a ship had just arrived that was scheduled to leave in two days for Rome and Spain.

Justin booked passage. On the day to leave, Justin and Brigitte arrived early at the landing with Malchus, who gave them a final reminder to find Rachel and Ruth on the way back. With a smile, Brigitte said, “How could we possibly forget?” Before the small boat left the ship to pick up passengers, Flavius and Claire arrived to wish their new friends a safe journey.

After watching the ship that carried his parents disappear over the horizon, Malchus returned to his work as overseer of the vineyards. It wasn’t quite the same as when his parents were there. Now his house seemed too quiet when he returned from the vineyards. Soon he found that his working days were getting even longer as he worked from sunup to sundown. He was glad to have his work, because then he didn’t have so much time to think about whether or not his parents would be able to locate Rachel and whether or not she was already betrothed or married to another.

In the midst of trying to live with all of the unknowns, Malchus found himself in the vineyards praying almost continually to Rachel’s God, Jehovah. He wanted so much for everything to work out the way that he had hoped in his heart, and even though he didn’t know her God, he thought that possibly her God would hear his desperate cry.

After two months had passed, Malchus began to take a daily walk down to Stacius’ shop to see what ships had arrived that day. Day after day, there was no ship from Caesarea to be found. How much longer would he have to wait? As far as Malchus was concerned, this period in his life was as close as he wanted to come to experiencing eternity on earth. Two more weeks had now passed, and, with the coming of fall, the nights had grown as long as the days.

At noon the next day as Malchus walked into Stacius’ shop, he could see a smile on Stacius’ face as he said, “A captain of a ship that just arrived from Cyprus said that a ship had arrived in Cyprus from Caesarea the day before he left Cyprus for Patmos. This ship was also headed for Patmos and was to leave a couple of days later.”

From the top of the hills in the vineyard, Malchus could look out over the sea to the east. As he directed the efforts of the workers attending the grapes, he kept looking over his shoulder at the blue-gray water hoping to spot a white sail.

On the third day, soon after the morning work began, Malchus could see a speck of white on the horizon. After quickly harnessing his donkey to the cart, Malchus leaped into his cart and hurried to the governor’s house to tell Flavius and Claire, “I am going to the landing to see if the ship on the horizon is the one for which I have been patiently waiting.”

With a warm smile, Claire asked, “Patiently?”

But Malchus was already running down the steps. At the landing he found Stacius gazing intently at the top of the sails, as they grew larger and larger. The weeks of watchful waiting had given Stacius and Malchus a chance to become good friends. Stacius said, “For all of our sakes, I hope this one is carrying your loved ones.”

As the two men stood together, the ship slowly glided across the waters, getting bigger and more distinguishable as it moved away from the horizon. Soon, Malchus could see the masts. Stacius seemed certain that this one was indeed from Palestine, but Malchus wouldn’t allow himself to be hopeful until he knew for sure that his father and mother were on board. It was difficult to squelch his most fervent hope that Rachel would be accompanying them.

As the ship approached the anchoring area, Malchus could make out four people waving from the forecastle, so he waved wildly back. Soon a small boat was lowered. Malchus could see that his parents and Rachel and Ruth were among the first passengers to disembark. Seeing Rachel was enough for Malchus to throw all caution to the wind as he tore off his cloak and sandals, leaving only his tunic and loincloth, and dove straight into the water.

Malchus, with heart pounding, swam swiftly toward the incoming boat. As he neared the side of the boat, he called out, “Rachel!”

“Malchus,” she said as she flung her arms around his neck nearly tipping over the boat. The seaman who was rowing smiled and motioned to Malchus to come on board.

The boat tilted again as Malchus pulled himself up over the side. “Son,” his father said as he reached out to help him into the boat, “we are so glad to see you.”

“And I to see you,” replied Malchus as he kissed his mother on both cheeks. “It has seemed so long since you left. For weeks I have come to the landing looking for your return, but not until today have I been rewarded. And what a reward!” he exclaimed as he took both of Rachel’s hands in his.

Rachel, in her usual teasing way, said, “Why, Malchus, were you afraid that I may have married?”

Malchus, knowing how close she was to the truth, felt his face flush with warmth and reached into the water, cupping his hand in such a way that he could splash some water on her.

“All right, you two,” Justin said, “is that any way to greet a long lost friend?”

Both Malchus and Rachel began to laugh. It felt so good to be together. “Hopefully,” Malchus thought to himself, “we will never have to be separated again.”

Malchus hadn’t noticed Ruth sitting quietly in the back of the boat, beside a Jewish man. When Malchus saw her, he moved to Ruth’s side and kissed both her cheeks, just as he had his mother’s. Ruth said, “Malchus, this is Rachel’s Uncle Seth.”

As Malchus looked into the face of Seth, he could see a friendly smile surrounded by a neatly trimmed beard. Seth took Malchus’ right hand in his and covered it with his left hand and said, “Shalom.” Malchus greeted Seth with “Shalom” before turning to Ruth to say, “Thanks for coming. I have missed you almost as much as your daughter. You helped me have a wonderful two years, and I didn’t even get to say good-bye. Thanks for taking good care of your little girl.”

Rachel piped up, “A little girl? Why, I’m a woman now and have had at least one offer of marriage.”

The seamen, who had rowed steadily while enjoying the banter between the young couple, pulled alongside the landing. Justin took the elbow, first of Ruth, then of Brigitte, to help them onto the wooden landing. Malchus bent down from the landing and took Rachel’s hand. As she stepped out of the boat, he said, “Welcome to Patmos.”

The seamen offloaded two large chests that Justin and Brigitte had brought from Spain and leather tote bags in which Ruth, Rachel, and Seth carried their possessions. Justin and Malchus loaded the cargo on the cart behind the donkey. Justin suggested that Malchus and Rachel ride the loaded cart while the other travelers walk to adjust their sea legs to the land. As soon as they were down the path a short distance, Malchus held the reins in his right hand and took Rachel’s hand in his left. As Malchus watched the path and the donkey, Rachel squeezed his hand with both of hers and stared quietly at this face that had so filled her mind for the past two years.

Chapter 29

Veranda Breezes

After the combined families arrived at Malchus’ cottage, everyone settled down on the veranda since it was more breezy than inside. The sun made beautiful patterns as it filtered through the leaves of the surrounding trees. Over lunch, Malchus asked Seth, “Tell me how you happened to accompany Ruth and Rachel to Patmos?”

“When I heard that Caiaphas had turned them out, I began a search for Ruth and Rachel. I was pleased when I found them comfortable in the inn, because as a priest to the poor of Jerusalem I had no place for them to live.”

Ruth interrupted, “When Justin and Brigitte returned and I told Seth we were going to Patmos, he insisted on accompanying us as is required by Jewish tradition.”

Seth continued, “I plan to find quarters at the synagogue and stay awhile to see how things work out for Ruth and Rachel before I return to my people in Jerusalem.”

Malchus said, “Seth, when you are ready, I’ll take you by Eli’s. He is one of my assistants and my good friend. Eli, his sister Sarah, and their parents are Jews who came from the grape country of Judea. Eli can take you to the synagogue. Rachel, you can go with us and meet Sarah, who is about your age. I think you’ll like her.

Malchus then turned to Ruth, “How did it happen that you left Caiaphas’s compound?”

“On Rachel’s sixteenth birthday, Caiaphas called me to his quarters to tell me that he had arranged for Rachel to marry the son of a Pharisee. I told him in no uncertain terms that I would honor Rachel’s feelings about her marriage choice. When he told me that he would put Rachel out on the street if she didn’t marry his friend’s son, I turned and walked out.”

Rachel interjected, “So, we packed our belongings and left just before sunrise the next morning. We walked across the city searching for a place to stay without success. I began to wonder if Mother’s strong faith was going to work this time as it had in the past. Just as I was questioning our decision, a kind woman in the marketplace suggested we try finding something in nearby Bethany.”

Leaning forward into the circle, Ruth said, “In Bethany I stopped to ask a young woman tending some flowers in her yard about a place to stay. She asked us to come inside and talk with her sister Martha. As soon as Martha heard our plight, she insisted that we stay with them until she could help us find something more permanent.”

Rachel interrupted excitedly, “You would all love Martha and Mary. They are so cordial and loving. In a few days Martha talked to the proprietor of the inn where Justin and Brigitte found us, and he gave us jobs and a room.”

Then Ruth looked at Justin to say, “Enough about us. On the ship you mentioned building a home on Patmos; tell us about your plans.”

Justin described in detail the location on the hillside overlooking the ocean and the layout of the structure that he envisioned. As everyone finished their lunch, the parents, tired from the trip, decided to take an afternoon nap. Malchus said, “Seth, if you would like, Rachel and I will take you by Eli’s.”

Eli’s family had just finished lunch. They warmly greeted the three visitors. After Malchus had explained who Seth was and of his plan to stay at the synagogue, Eli offered to take him there. Sarah and Rachel stood aside talking about things that girls talk about. After a few minutes, Malchus said, “We need to be going along now.”

Eli and Seth left for the synagogue. Malchus led Rachel into the vineyard, saying, “I want to show you the variety of grapes grown here.”

Rachel took Malchus’ hand and said, “I enjoyed talking with Sarah. I would like to be her friend.”

“Watching the two of you talking, I think Sarah would like to be your friend too.”

Let’s walk up the hillside where I’ll show you one type of grape, and later we’ll go down towards the sea to look at a different variety. You can see here how we terrace the slopes to capture every drop of rain that falls. We till the soil in the fall to be ready to absorb the winter rains. Then the land is left undisturbed during the warm dry months to keep the moisture sealed in the ground.

As they walked hand-in-hand, Malchus asked, “Did you have any trouble convincing your mother to bring you to Patmos?”

“No, she too cares a great deal for you. She said, ‘We can have a new beginning for our lives on the island close by the family of our dearest friend.’”

Rachel, wanting to hear more about what had happened with Malchus during his absence, asked, “What about you, Malchus? Tell me what happened to you while we were apart.”

“Well,” Malchus began, “where should I start?”

“Maybe you should start with the last day that I saw you,” suggested Rachel.

“That’s a good place,” Malchus said as he squeezed Rachel’s hand. “As you know, I went out to the Mount of Olives with the Roman guard to capture the so-called criminal, Jesus. I saw you at the gate, but I guess somebody else saw us too. So, whoever it was reported it to Caiaphas. Caiaphas had me work the busiest day of the year, the Day of Atonement, then at the end of the day, he dismissed me from my duties. He told me that Captain Hiram would find a place a great distance away, where my yeoman services could be used by another.

“I wanted to defend myself somehow, but I decided to leave peacefully, because I was afraid of what Caiaphas might do to you or your mother. When I arrived on Patmos, the ship’s captain convinced the governor to buy my unused indenture from Caiaphas and to assign me as a yeoman. I decided not to tell him about my Roman citizenship, because I was sure that no governor would believe that a fair-complected, blue-eyed boy was a Roman.

“Since I’ve arrived, I’ve been working hard. The grape crop has nearly doubled, and I have been working from daylight to dusk. I think my example has motivated the rest of the crew to work harder. At first, I thought the long hours were because I enjoyed the challenge, but in reality, I think that I was working so hard because I was trying not to think so much about you. I had really missed you, Rachel.”

“Really, Malchus?” chided Rachel with that mischievous smile on her face.

“Yes, really, Rachel,” he said with even more resoluteness. “Now,” he said with a more business-like tone in his voice, “tell me, whatever happened to Hans?”

“It was the day after Caiaphas sent you away that Hans asked to speak with me,” started Rachel. “When I saw him at the tool shed, he wasn’t his usual jovial self and had a concerned look on his face. It seems that the night that began in the olive grove just across the Kidron Ravine and continued with the harsh treatment of Jesus was quite upsetting to Hans. Besides that, when he found that you had mysteriously disappeared with no explanation, he decided that it was time that he gather his things and return to Gaul. He told me to tell you, Clement, and Elmo that he hoped he hadn’t let you down, but that he just couldn’t stick around.”

“I hope he made it home safely. As a matter of fact, I must admit that I had grown to care very much for Hans and his fun-loving ways.”

It was nearing dinnertime as they headed back to the cottage. Workers in the vineyard were packing their tools and heading home. They greeted Malchus as they passed Rachel and him on the road. When Malchus and Rachel arrived at his cottage, they found that Brigitte and Ruth had prepared a dinner that tasted as good as it looked and smelled. No one tarried after eating, because they still had to gather their belongings and head over to the guesthouse that the governor had prepared for Justin, Brigitte, Ruth, and Rachel. Flavius selected a guesthouse with several rooms so both families would have their privacy.

The coolness from the earth rose up from beneath their feet as they loaded, then unloaded, the belongings that they had brought along with them. There was a lot to unpack and get situated, but Brigitte was looking forward to it, as this would be the beginning of a whole new phase of her and Justin’s life together. Additionally, in the short time that she had come to know Rachel and Ruth, she had grown to love them as family.

The night settled slowly on the sleepy village as Malchus traveled back to his cottage alone. It had been a long but exciting day, and he was already looking forward to tomorrow, when he could again see Rachel and be able to spend some more time with her. He was now feeling an urgency to talk to Seth about his niece.

Chapter 30

Traditions

Before going to work in the vineyards the next morning, Malchus went by the synagogue to look for Seth. He asked a priest in the courtyard if Seth were around. The priest disappeared inside and soon returned with Seth.

“Good morning, Malchus.”

“Seth, I need to talk with you about your Jewish traditions surrounding marriage, for you must know that I care a great deal for Rachel.”

Seth smiled as he looked into the blue eyes of this handsome young man and said, “Yes, we should talk. Ruth has already shared with me her feelings and those of her daughter for you.”

“Is it your tradition that I ask you for the hand of Rachel in marriage?”

“Yes, Malchus, it is. But before we get to that subject, let’s talk about religion. Ruth has told me about your platonic friendship with Rachel for two years. So you understood that a Jew can’t marry a gentile. By the way, my feelings are the same as Ruth’s - that your friendship of the heart was a wholesome thing. I understand Caiaphas’s point of view, but Reuben and I were different than our brothers.”

“Can I become a Jew? I prayed to Jehovah to protect Rachel and Ruth after our forced separation. For two and a half months, I prayed daily to Rachel’s God as I worked in the vineyards, asking Him for a safe return of my parents and Rachel and Ruth.”

“Yes, those accepting the Jewish religion include many who are not Hebrew. They are known as proselytes. If you want to come by each day at this early hour before going to work in the vineyards, I can help you prepare for the ritual of acceptance of the faith of Abraham. Ruth has told me you are fluent in Hebrew. That will get us off to a good start. We can begin tomorrow morning.”

“I’ll be back tomorrow and for as many more tomorrows as it takes to become a Jew, so I can fully honor Rachel, if you and she should agree to the marriage.”

Malchus returned early each morning until the “tomorrows” filled a month. As Seth and Malchus met on one particular crisp fall morning, Seth said, “Malchus, you have been an excellent student. You are now fully prepared to become a proselyte in the Jewish faith. Bring your family with you to the synagogue this Friday night, and I’ll induct you into the fellowship of those believing in Jehovah.”

Justin, Brigitte, Ruth, Rachel, and Malchus arrived at the synagogue as the sun was setting. Seth was out front watching for them. He gave a very warm welcome to his favorite niece Rachel. Malchus was moved by the obvious affection Rachel had for her uncle. He wondered if this was how she had been with her father, as well. He felt a pang of sadness as he realized how very much Rachel must miss her father. After Seth and Rachel had finished their affectionate greeting, Seth turned his gaze upon Malchus. From the expression on Seth’s face it was evident that he was pleased with his new convert. The weeks together had convinced Seth that Malchus would be a loving husband to Rachel. He thought about his brother Reuben and how proud he would have been of the selection of Malchus as a husband for his daughter.

Seth ushered the party inside and offered them seats on a bench near the front. The synagogue was both the group of believers and the facility where they met. Those making up the synagogue on Patmos included both Hebrews and proselytes. They met together each week for worship and fellowship. Tonight the service would end with the acceptance of a gentile convert into the synagogue.

The formal service came to an end. Seth picked up a scroll and read, “And when foreigners hear of your great name and come from distant lands to worship you (for they shall hear of your great name and mighty miracles) and pray toward this Temple, hear them from heaven and answer their prayers. And all the nations of the earth will know and fear your name just as your own people Israel do (I King 8:41-43).”

Looking out at the rest of the synagogue, Seth explained, “Malchus has studied our scrolls and is fully qualified to become a proselyte and worship Jehovah with our synagogue.” Next Seth signaled Malchus to kneel. Seth bowed his head and prayed, “Jehovah, your servant Malchus has studied your Word and committed his life to You. Please help each of us in this synagogue to nurture Malchus as he grows in his faith.” Seth poured olive oil on Malchus’ head, placed his hands on his head, and said, “I welcome you, Malchus, into this fellowship of Abraham’s children.”

All of those present filed by to welcome Malchus into the synagogue. The women had prepared food and the men had brought wine made from the grapes of the Patmos vineyards. The celebration of one of Jehovah’s children committing his life to Him continued into the night.

The hour was late when Malchus lay down on his bed. His mind whirled around the events of the day and of recent weeks. He felt grateful that now he could call on Jehovah as his own God. He knew he was ready to ask Seth for Rachel’s hand in marriage. He remembered the tug of patience as he had waited through those evenings at the secret rendezvous in Jerusalem when he wanted Rachel, but knew he could not have her. Now, as a Jew, he could ask for her and intended to do just that. His mind finally succumbed to fatigue, and he slept.

With the first light of dawn, Malchus stirred. The thoughts that had been churning through his mind before he went to sleep filled his head once more. As soon as the sun was fully up, he was on the way to search out Seth to ask the question that he had suppressed for so long.

Seth, too, was an early riser. He had had breakfast and was now in the courtyard of the synagogue soaking up the warmth of the early sun. As he visualized his brother Reuben and his new friend Malchus, he thought how pleased each would have been with the other, if only Reuben had not died when he was trapped with his sheep on the mountain in the snow. Seth was startled first by footsteps, then by the voice of Malchus saying, “Shalom.”

“Well, good morning, Malchus.”

“Seth, now that I am a Jew, I want to ask you for the hand of Rachel in marriage. Let me plead my case.” Malchus rushed ahead, afraid that Seth might interrupt before he had a chance to fully explain his commitment to Rachel. “I promise to be a good husband and father to our children. I pledge to care for Ruth, just as for Rachel. As yeoman for the vineyard, I will have financial resources to care for my family. I promise to be faithful to Rachel for as long as we live. In the Jewish tradition, I am planning a personal gift for Rachel. If you and Rachel agree to my request, I shall build Rachel a house onto my father’s house as is your custom.”

“Malchus, I have come to know you as an honorable and industrious man. I also know of the love of Rachel and Ruth for you. Considering all these things, I accept your request for the hand of Rachel.”

“Seth, I’m grateful that you came to Patmos as a representative of the family. I would like for you to perform the wedding ceremony when that time arrives. What comes next in planning for a Jewish wedding?”

“Ruth and Rachel will have an engagement party, which, in the Jewish tradition, is at the expense of the bride’s family. Your family, in turn, will bear the cost of the wedding. I’ll talk to the mother and daughter and get back to you.”

Malchus turned and walked toward the vineyard, barely able to grasp that the moment for which he waited so long was finally upon him. The rest of the day passed quickly, as Malchus planned for his and Rachel’s future together. The workers could see something special in Malchus’ countenance. When they asked why he seemed so happy, Malchus responded with a smile, “Don’t you think it is a beautiful day?”

Chapter 31

The Engagement Party

“Malchus, it's time for the engagement party,” Seth said as he peered into Malchus’s doorway.

Hearing Seth’s voice, Malchus picked up the package he had set on the kitchen table and placed it under his arm as he headed towards the front door. “The cart is all ready for you and Ruth to take the food to the beach.”

“Wonderful, I knew I could count on you,” said Seth as he started toward the cart.

“Would you mind taking this package along with you as well?” asked Malchus. “I want it to be a part of my gift for Rachel.”

“Most certainly,” said Seth as he slipped it out from under Malchus’s arms. “Let me guess what's in here,” he said as he held it up to his ear giving it a slight shake.

“Even if you do, you had better swear not to tell a soul about it,” said Malchus with a half-threatening and half-teasing tone.

“I’ll secure it beneath the seat so that nobody else notices it,” said Seth as he unraveled a rope that had been coiled in the back of the cart. “I'll be on my way to pick up Ruth and the food now.” After securing the package, Seth mounted the cart and took the reigns in hand.

Anxious to be on his way as well, Malchus gathered a few last minute items, then made sure that the door was closed behind him before heading over to his parents’ place. When he arrived, they were all ready to go. In her basket, Brigitte had packed the six gold chalices that she had received as a wedding gift in Gaul, thinking that Malchus might like to use them on this special day. Together Malchus and his parents walked over to Rachel's house to see if she was ready. Seth and Ruth had already left, so it was Rachel who answered when Malchus knocked.

“Just a few more moments,” she called out from the back room. Malchus and his parents took a seat in the common area and talked about what a beautiful day it was. When Rachel came out, Malchus took a second glance because she looked like she never had before. Her black hair, no longer pulled back, was swept up on top of her head with loose tendrils falling gently forward and framing her face ever so beautifully. Rachel’s slender body moved gracefully beneath the smooth lines of her purple silk robe. Malchus recalled his first meeting with Rachel when they were both fourteen. On that day she had worn purple. He had thought then that there could be no one more beautiful. The sixteen-year-old standing before him now was fully a woman, and, yes, more beautiful than ever.

Malchus felt a tingling throughout his body as he walked toward the beach with his parents and Rachel. The cool fall breeze further enhanced the pleasure of this moment. While all four participated in the conversation, more words were spoken by Rachel and Brigitte.

By the time they reached the sand, Seth and Ruth had already spread the cloths and placed the baskets of food in the center of them. The smell of fresh bread and lamb permeated the air as everyone sat down to partake of the meal. Malchus broke off some of the bread and passed it around the table. The lamb was delicious and tasted even more tender than it looked.

Even though everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, Brigitte sensed that her son was a bit nervous. In an attempt to put everyone at ease, she told about the times when Malchus would go down to the beach at Barcino to spend time in thought. She asked, “Malchus, do you remember when you asked the questions about the handful of sea shells you had gathered?”

“Oh, mother, I was just a boy then.”

“That’s enough,” Brigitte thought to herself, “I’ll just let him be.” Rachel seemed not to be paying so much attention to the stories as she was to the white gladiola that Malchus had placed beside her plate. While she was twirling it beneath her nose between her index finger and thumb, Malchus motioned to Seth with his hand, and Seth, seeming to know what Malchus wanted him to do, stood up, went over to the cart and untied the package that he had secured beneath the seat. Seth then brought the package over to Malchus.

After Seth had sat down again next to Rachel, Malchus began, “Seth, as you know Rachel has been very close to my heart since the day that I met her. In the time that I have known her, I have only grown more and more fond of her. I realize, of course, that I’m not as rich as the son of Caiaphas's friend might have been, but I do believe that I have potential and that together Rachel and I could make a good life. So what I’m trying to say, Seth, is that I love your niece and would like for her to become my wife.”

Seth, realizing the importance of the moment, seized the opportunity to begin, “Malchus, you are a man that I greatly admire. You have taken what you have been given and caused it to multiply. This, to me, is the sign of a successful man. I know that all you put your hand to will most certainly prosper. Ever since I have known you, you have been telling me of your love for Rachel, and I am convinced that you are sincere. Your recent conversion to Judaism has spoken to my heart of your desire to be a husband to her.”

“Then, Seth,” said Malchus as his heart raced, “you will accept the covenant of my love for Rachel?”

“What exactly is it that you are promising?” asked Seth, hoping to draw out Malchus even further in the expression of his love for Rachel.

“First of all, I would pledge my love to her and her alone. I would promise to be the kind of husband that would make her proud to be around and the kind of father who would adore his children. I would promise to share with her all that I have and to make sure that she had a roof over her head and plenty of food to feed the household, as well as any strangers that may come to the door. I would also promise to care for and look after her family until the end of my days. I would pledge to stand with her for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health until death separates us.”

As he spoke, the gladiola that Rachel had been twirling slowly came to a standstill as Rachel was struck by the depth of his commitment to her. Malchus, sensing this was the time, reached into the package that Seth had brought over for him and pulled out a wineskin of vintage wine. Tilting the wineskin forward, he filled the golden chalices his mother had brought back from Spain.

Seth, believing all that Malchus had pledged to be true, reached out and lifted his chalice to the heavens. Ruth and Rachel, following his lead, lifted theirs as well. Then with a hearty, “So be it,” Seth accepted the conditions of the covenant that Malchus had put forth. Wanting to join in, Malchus, Justin and Brigitte tapped the chalices of the others, then they all drank. A lightness filled the air as they anticipated the happiness in life that Malchus and Rachel would experience together.

Seth, remembering the jingling he had heard in the package he had shaken earlier, cleared his throat, then in a low, more serious tone asked Malchus if he could require of him the answer to one more question. Somewhat apprehensive as to what Seth had in mind, Malchus answered with a reluctant, “Yes, go ahead.”

Then Seth proceeded, “Knowing that it's going to take you a good bit of time to prepare a place for the two of you to live, how is it that you intend to insure that Rachel will still be waiting by the time you finish?”

“It’s funny you should ask that question Seth, and, believe it or not, I did take that into consideration. That is why I have purchased this for her.” Malchus reached into the now opened package and pulled out a linen bag, which he handed to Seth, who handed it to Rachel.

Excited to find out exactly what was inside, Rachel loosened the drawstrings and pulled out a small, intricately carved wooden box. “It's so beautiful, Malchus,” she exclaimed as she ran her fingers over the top of the box.

“Open it up,” Malchus said, “and see what's inside.”

Wanting to extend the suspense, Rachel lifted the small wooden box up to her eye level so that she alone could look inside. Then she opened the box.

“Oh, Malchus, they're absolutely beautiful. How did you know that I love bangles? And gold ones at that!”

Malchus just smiled as she slipped the bangles over her petite wrist and admired them at arm's length. “They're truly lovely, Malchus, thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Rachel. Now, all that I want to know is - will you wait for me?”

“Of course, I will,” she said with a new warmth in her voice.

“Good,” said Malchus, “as I have already been granted permission by the governor to purchase a portion of land right next to my parents’ home. My intention is to build us a house onto my parents’ house, and my father has agreed.”

Seth, happy to see that Malchus was already making the proper provisions for Rachel, reached over and patted him on the back saying, “A good man you are, a good man.”

“But that isn't all,” exclaimed Malchus, “I plan to purchase a piece of land right next to ours for your mother to build a house as well.”

“Oh mother did you hear that? You will be able to live right next to us.”

Ruth, overwhelmed with the news, felt her eyes welling up with tears as things were turning out better than she could have ever imagined for both her and her daughter. All she could do was look up to heaven and say thank you to her God, Jehovah.

Chapter 32

A House Built Onto His Father’s House

Malchus, wanting to begin building his house right away, took some time off from his yeoman tasks to meet with his father and go over the plans. “Father,” Malchus said, “can we begin adding my house plans to the plans for your house?”

“Yes, I think we could begin right now.” Justin walked to his wooden chest and pulled out a piece of parchment and unrolled it onto the table. “The front of our house faces the east and will overlook the ocean in the distance. The room on the front is the living area, the one on the back is the bedroom, and in the middle is the kitchen.”

“How wide is your house?”

“My plan is for it to be ten feet wide so I can use readily available roof beams.”

“I see you have a door and window on the front and a door, a window, and an entrance to a wine cellar on the back of the house. The long walls that carry the load of the roof have no openings, isn't that right?”

“Yes, my plan is for the walls to be made of stone set with mortar to carry the weight of the roof.”

“That will really make solid walls. But what about the kitchen? Shouldn't there be a chimney for the cooking area?”

“Actually, I had planned for the chimney, but I haven’t added it to the drawing. The two houses could share a common chimney with two separate fireplaces, if you wish.”

“That is a good idea. What about the roof? What material were you considering using?” asked Malchus.

“The ten foot timbers spanning the roof will be cedar imported from Lebanon. Your Rachel will be pleased, because Lebanon cedar is a favorite of the people of Judea. The final covering of the roof will be imported clay tiles. Now how is it that you intend to add on a place for you and Rachel?”

“Your north wall would become the south wall of my house. My north wall would be of stone like yours to carry the load of the roof.”

Justin said, “It sounds like a good plan to me. How about drawing in the outline of your house on the parchment beside mine? That way we can begin to get started.”

And so, father and son began to redesign the plans to include the layout of both houses. Every minute detail was taken into consideration, such as where the fireplace in the kitchen would be located and where the tables, chairs, bed, and living room furniture would be arranged in each of the rooms. Eventually, the plans were completed, and Justin asked Flavius for the names of stonemasons and carpenters who could be hired to help with the construction.

A week later, the masons were ready to begin. A couple of expert masons had been located, and most of the stones that they needed for the walls had already been gathered together. It was Justin who first began to oversee the construction, as Malchus was in the process of training his assistant, Eli, to take over some of his yeoman responsibilities.

Justin directed that the center wall of the combined houses be completed first. Once it was in place, Malchus was ready to step in and begin overseeing the raising of the wall on the north side, while Justin continued with the construction of his house on the south side.

Slowly but surely the walls went up, stone by stone. The days grew shorter and the temperatures cooler as the men continued to work from sunrise until sunset. The days had begun to lengthen by the time the walls were finished, and it was time to put the roof in place. The masons collected their pay, and the carpenters arrived. Saws could be heard cutting the cedar beams in the early morning. Later, the carpenters were laying the long timbers between the walls. Next, the crossties were placed perpendicular to the beams at a spacing that was small enough to hold the tile.

By the time the carpenters finished the roof, spring had come, and the construction of the outside of the house was complete. Malchus began to get excited, knowing that the day that he could claim Rachel as his bride was fast approaching. Anxious to know exactly when that might be, he decided to broach the subject with his father. “Father, how many more weeks until the house will be ready?” he said rather calmly, trying to downplay his excitement.

Sensing his son's anticipation, Justin wisely answered, “You will know the time has come when I tell you the time has come.”

“But it seems to be taking so long, and we have already waited long enough,” replied Malchus. “I think the place is about ready!”

“Now, son, that is precisely the problem. You are so anxious to get on with this wedding that the most important of details could be overlooked or hastily completed. We haven't even begun to finish the inside of the house.”

A bit deflated, Malchus answered, “I suppose you're right, Father. I guess I'm getting a bit ahead of myself.”

“You just continue to work as you have been, thinking of your bride and preparing a place for her to live out her days that will make her feel special. Before you know it, the day will have arrived, and everything will be ready.”

“Can I let Rachel know that the time is getting closer, so that she can get her dowry together?”

“You could tell her that the time is near. That way, it will give her enough time to make whatever preparations are necessary to turn a house into a home.”

That very night, Malchus told Rachel that the day was near and that she should get ready. Upon hearing the news, Rachel gave Malchus a kiss on both cheeks, then ran into the other room to tell her mother. Immediately, the three of them sat down and began to make a list of all that would be needed between now and then. The list grew quickly, and Rachel became concerned about whether she would have enough in her dowry to cover all of the costs.

It was then that Ruth told her of the money she had kept hidden away all these years. Rachel’s father had set it aside especially for her wedding. Rachel, touched by the thought of her father’s love, rolled up the scroll on which they had been recording items and decided to call it a night. Rachel gave Ruth a kiss on both cheeks, and Ruth passed on the favor to Malchus, who then left to get a good night’s sleep.

The following weeks were full of activity as Rachel and Ruth visited the shops along the walkway near the pier where the small boats landed. Ships coming to Patmos from around the Mediterranean filled the shops with practical items such as kettles and pottery, as well as finely crafted furniture.

By this time, Malchus was ready to show Rachel the house. The floor tile had now been laid and the finishing touches around the windows, doors, and fireplace were complete. Excited to see where they would be living, Rachel agreed to close her eyes when Malchus turned the corner in the road at the bottom of the hillside that led up to their house. Once inside, she opened her eyes. She was more surprised than he had ever expected. She immediately fell in love with their new home and even twirled around a few times as he was giving her the first grand tour.

The very next day, Justin and Malchus began to move in the furnishings that Rachel had purchased. A beautiful blend of the Roman and Jewish cultures seemed to be emerging in the selections that she had made. Ruth and Rachel busied themselves arranging everything.

Just as Rachel and her mother were busy, so was Brigitte. Even though Brigitte already had most of what she needed to make her house feel like home, she did buy a few new items to add a touch of island flavor. In between her preparations, she pulled out the cover for Malchus’ bed that she had woven in Barcino when he was absent. She had put it away when it had been finished because the memory of Malchus would sometimes overwhelm her to the point that she could no longer look at it. Now all of those thoughts seemed like such a long time ago. Fortunately, things had turned out for the better, and instead of losing a son, she was now gaining a daughter. “Sometimes when given enough time,” she thought to herself, “life has a way of working itself out.”

Chapter 33

The Day and the Hour Come

“Malchus,” Justin said, as he carried some firewood into the kitchen, “I believe the day has arrived.”

Malchus’s heart began to race, “Do you mean that you think the house is ready?”

“Yes, I think the house is ready. Brigitte and I have already moved into our home and are pretty well settled. You have been patient and have been steadily working on making yours ready. Rachel has added all of her finishing touches to the inside. Now I believe it's time to move in.”

“Yes!” Malchus shouted as he lifted his arms into the air. “I knew the time was near. I just knew it was. I have even been telling Rachel to get ready because the time is short.”

“Do you think she took you seriously?” asked Justin.

“When it comes to marriage, yes, I think she has taken me very seriously,” replied Malchus.

Hearing parts of the conversation, Brigitte came out onto the veranda, “Time for what?”

“For Rachel and me to get married,” exclaimed Malchus.

“I agree,” said Brigitte. “I was just mentioning to Ruth the other day that I thought the time was near.”

“Have you and Father already purchased the wine for the wedding?” asked Malchus.

“Don't you worry about a thing, son,” assured Brigitte. “I've been working diligently ever since your father and I moved into our new home to make the proper preparations. As a matter of fact, Flavius and Claire have said that we can have the wedding celebration on the grounds of their mansion. It will be quite beautiful with the warm spring weather we have had.”

“When did they make us such an offer?” queried Malchus.

“On the evening of our house-warming party, Flavius pulled Justin aside and told him of the offer,” answered Brigitte.

“We held off in telling you about it because we wanted you to keep your focus on finishing up the house,” added Justin.

“I can hardly wait to see Rachel's face when she finds out. She will certainly be surprised,” exclaimed Malchus.

“Do you think Rachel will be ready?” asked Justin.

“If I know Rachel, she will be ready. I think she has had a sneaking suspicion that it couldn't be too much longer, since she could see that the house was nearly finished. She even commented one day when she and her mother were finishing hanging up the herbs over the fireplace that things looked almost ready. So when will everything be ready for the celebration?”

“It all depends on you now,” answered Justin. “The wine has been bought, and the place has been chosen. Flavius has enough servants that he could have the place ready to go in a day. Your mother has already picked out the decorations, and with your approval, the servants can get started putting them up.”

“I'm ready, father. How about tomorrow evening?”

“Brigitte, what do you think? Could you have things ready by then?”

“It will be a bit of a challenge, but I think if we get started right away, Claire and I, with the help of the servants, can manage to have the garden in order for the ceremony.”

“What about Rachel? Is her dress ready?” inquired Justin.

“I believe it is, but I'll stop by and talk to Ruth this afternoon just to make sure that all is in order and ready to go,” said Brigitte.

“Sounds like it's time, son. Now all you have to do is steal the bride away.”

“You talk as though that is the easy part. Rachel is pretty clever, and she may catch on,” responded Malchus.

“That is exactly what she is supposed to do,” answered Brigitte. “That way she will be ready to go when you arrive.”

“I see. I never thought of it quite that way,” said Malchus as though he was thinking out loud. “But if she knows, then it won't be a surprise.”

“All she'll know is that it is near, very near, but she won't actually know the day or the hour,” answered Brigitte.

“Oh, I get it,” said Malchus as though a light had just come on. “She will know and not know all at the same time.”

“That's right,” said his mother. “That's exactly right.”

Already onto the next thought, Malchus announced, “I'll be going now. I must head down to the vineyards to find Eli and insure that he will be ready for tomorrow night.”

Chapter 34

The Bridegroom Comes

When Malchus arrived in the vineyards, Eli was speaking with a vinedresser about the quantity of grapes that had been picked during the week. Malchus asked to speak with him when he finished, and Eli quickly completed his conversation, sensing that something important was on Malchus’s mind.

Once Eli heard that the wedding day was finally near, he wholeheartedly agreed to help Malchus steal Rachel away. Excited for Malchus, he put the shophar (ram’s horn) he had recently bought up to his lips and gave it a good sounding. A few of the men picking grapes stopped and looked up as they wondered what the occasion was.

Malchus, understanding Eli’s enthusiasm, proceeded to make arrangements to meet the next evening at the winery. He also asked him to bring along his shophar so that he could give it a good sounding at the right time.

Hurriedly, Malchus made his way back to his parent's new home to inform them of his plans. Brigitte excitedly made arrangements to go down to the shops with Claire to get the decorations for the garden. Justin prepared to run some last-minute errands, while Malchus spent the rest of the day making sure that everything in the new home was in perfect order.

The next evening just before the sun went down, Malchus headed over to the governor's stable to ask the stableman for the horse and carriage that the governor had so kindly arranged for him to use. The carriage was golden in color and reminded him of the sort of conveyance to be used by a king and queen. When he first rode in it, Malchus was a bit hesitant, but he soon grew accustomed to it and felt that it was actually quite a fine fit for the occasion. The ride over to the winery where Malchus had agreed to meet with Eli wasn't far. By the time Malchus arrived, Eli was already there waiting for him.

“I hope you know what you're doing,” said Eli.

“Of course, I do,” replied Malchus, “and when you find someone like Rachel, you'll know what you're doing, too.”

“Rachel must know that something is up because she asked my sister Sarah to come to her house and help her fix her hair.

They both laughed as they moved down the cobblestone street to Rachel's house. When they arrived, Rachel was just lighting the oil lamp on the sill of her bedroom window. She was dressed in a white robe and had small white flowers laced throughout her upswept hair. As she turned to speak to someone in the room, the light of the lamp fell on her face and made her skin appear to have a golden glow.

“Are you ready, Eli?” asked Malchus.

“Yes, I think I’m ready,” he answered.

“Then let her go.”

Eli started with a shout, “The bridegroom cometh.” Then he put the shophar to his lips and blew louder and harder than Malchus had ever heard before.

The front door opened. It was Ruth. “Malchus,” she said as her eyes searched in the direction from which the sound of the shophar had come, “I've been waiting for you. Come on in. Everyone here is ready.”

It was just the moment for which Malchus had been waiting. At Ruth’s invitation, he stepped into the common room, then through the doorway leading into the bedroom. Startled by the rustling sound, Rachel let out a screech, “Malchus, how did you get in here?”

“Never mind that,” he said as he lifted her into his arms, “I've come to steal you away to be my bride and my wife.” As he started to carry her out of the room, she kicked and screamed a little bit, then beat on his chest, but he was stronger than all of her resistance and won out. Out the front door he went with Rachel’s good friend Sarah close behind and Eli blowing the shophar.

Neighbors’ lamps were lit, and people came to their doorways to see exactly what all of the commotion was about. Malchus felt stronger than he ever had before and found it easy to carry Rachel even though she continued to struggle. Soon they reached the carriage. Up went Rachel into the carriage, and then came Malchus joined by Sarah and Eli. All were laughing as they noisily wound through the streets leading up to the governor's mansion.

As they approached the front entrance, the carriage stopped. At the top of the stairs Claire and Flavius stood beckoning them.

“Come this way, Malchus,” said Flavius, “your mother and father are awaiting your arrival.”

“Follow me,” said Claire as she took Rachel and Sarah by the arms. “We have a place ready for you to freshen up while the guests are getting seated.”

“Thank you so much,” said Rachel.

“Step right in here,” said Claire as she pointed to a room just off of the hall leading to the garden. “I must check on the guests as I rather believe that the whole island has shown up!”

“What a beautiful room,” said Rachel as she twirled around.

“You're the beautiful one,” said Sarah. “Now all you need are a few more flowers in your hair.”

As Sarah was securing a flower in Rachel's hair, Ruth arrived. After giving Rachel a kiss on both cheeks, she stepped back to admire her daughter. “What happened to my little girl?” she inquired, “Why, she is all grown up. It seems like just yesterday that I carried you in my arms. Now I must let you go.”

“Oh, Mother, it won't be so bad,” said Rachel as she fastened another flower in place.

“That's easy for you to say,” said Ruth as she tucked a wisp of Rachel's hair just above her ear, “I'm going to miss you.”

“I'm going to miss you, too, Mother,” said Rachel as she reached out to give her mother a hug.

“It's time,” prompted Claire. “Are you ready?”

“As ready as I'll ever be,” replied Rachel.

The guests were all seated in the garden. Torches lit the path leading down to the huppah (a canopy under which a Jewish wedding is performed) where Seth was standing holding the Holy Scroll. Malchus and his parents stood patiently in front of Seth as Ruth and Rachel took their places.

“Now that we have all gathered together,” started Seth, “let us witness the joining together of this man and this woman in holy marriage in the sight of God and of man.”

As Seth spoke, it seemed as though time nearly stood still for Malchus. He had waited so long for this moment, and now it was here. Rachel would be his bride, and he would be her husband. How beautiful it was that God would allow such a union to occur on this earth. How fortunate he was to have Rachel at his side for the rest of his days.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Seth's voice asking, “Do you, Rachel, daughter of Ruth, take Malchus, son of Justin and Brigitte, to be your husband?”

Rachel looked down at the flower she was holding then looked at Malchus and then at Seth and calmly said, “I do.”

Then Seth turned to Malchus and asked him, “Do you, Malchus, son of Justin and Brigitte, take Rachel, daughter of Ruth, to be your wife?”

Without hesitation, Malchus answered with a firm, “I do.”

Next, they turned to face those who had gathered to witness their commitment. Justin and Brigitte were the first to step forward with their gift for the couple. On top of a folded bedcover were two golden chalices and a blue glass vase. Malchus lifted up the chalices for all to see. Rachel lowered her head and clutched the vase to her chest. Next, Rachel handed the vase to Malchus and unfolded the bedcover. As Rachel studied the wool yarn, she counted seven shades of blending blues and green. She wondered, “How did Brigitte know that blue, green, and purple are my favorite colors?”

“Thank you,” said Rachel as she reached out to give both Brigitte and Justin a hug and a kiss.

Next, Ruth placed on the bride and groom a golden necklace with a pendant of the Star of David. Malchus, knowing the sacrifice she had made to purchase them, hugged her and thanked her for the lovely gifts. After she stepped down, Flavius and Claire came, giving Malchus and Rachel two lamb figurines carved from ivory. Then came Sarah and the rest of the guests - each with something of significance for the newly wedded couple.

When Malchus and Rachel stepped out from under the huppah, the guests all clapped, and the music began. There was the usual kicking up of heels and dances to folk music with people circling like wheels within wheels. There was plenty of food for everyone, and the jars of wine never ran dry. Malchus and Rachel, empowered by the flame of their love, danced and visited with their guests on into the night.

Soon enough, the flames of the torches grew dim. Malchus, taking a cue from his father, swept up his young bride and carried her up the pathway to the carriage where Eli and Sarah awaited. Once inside the carriage, they waved good-bye to their guests and made their way down the cobblestone entryway.

Rachel laid her head on Malchus’s shoulder as they rode towards the hillside. The moon, now fully unveiled, shone high in the sky, and the steady sound of the wheels against the cobblestone drew them closer and closer to their new home.

When they reached the front door, Eli pulled back on the reins, and the carriage came to a slow stop. Malchus was the first to step down from the carriage, and then he offered his hand to Rachel who gracefully accepted. As soon as her feet hit the ground, Malchus caught her up into his arms and carried her across the threshold of their home. As he glanced back to look at Eli, he could hear the hoofs of the horses traveling back down the hillside. The wedding chamber had been made ready, and the door closed behind the new husband and wife.

Chapter 35

The Wedding Supper

The late night activities didn’t delay the dawn. Malchus was awakened by the chirping of birds outside the window. He crawled out of bed and stood for a moment with his eyes fixed on Rachel. She was curled into the fetal position. Her hair was disheveled. Her breathing was shallow. He thought, “This normally spirited woman looks more like an innocent child. She is beautiful to me in a whole new way.” Malchus suppressed a desire to take her into his arms and instead tiptoed out of the bedroom into the kitchen to build a fire in the fireplace. The smell of burning wood lingered in the air as he warmed up some porridge over the open fire. A simple breakfast would taste good after all of the rich food they had eaten at the celebration last night.

When he had finished cooking the porridge, he took it off of the fire and poured a bowl for his breakfast. The solitude of breakfast was not so bad because Malchus knew that Rachel was sleeping in the next room. Electing to let her sleep, he went outside to see what his parents were doing.

At the door, Brigitte said, “Come in and have a cup of tea. Your father has gone down to the shops to pick up some things for this evening’s wedding supper.” Malchus visited for awhile, but it wasn't quite the same. He was still their son, but now he felt a little more like a visitor than he had before.

Malchus kept his visit short and soon went back to his house to check on Rachel. When he opened the door, Rachel was up and dressed, eating her porridge at the kitchen table. “Malchus, where did you disappear to? I was beginning to wonder if last night was only a dream!”

“What? Only a dream! It better not have been. You are now my wife in real life,” replied Malchus.

“Good, I wouldn't have it any other way, even though you can be a little impudent, like coming into my bedroom and carrying me away.”

“Impudent! Why I'm a dignified yeoman who is employed by one of the most prestigious governors in all of the isles.”

“Well, Mr. Dignified, might I ask you a question?” inquired Rachel smugly.

“I suppose,” answered Malchus.

“Should I plan on giving your mother a bouquet of flowers and your father a bottle of vintage wine when we go over to their house this evening for the wedding supper?”

“I think it is a most dignified gift, don't you?”

“Well, it does represent us in a way,” commented Rachel, “the flowers, me, and the wine, you.”

“Let's go with it then,” said Malchus, affirming her observation.

“Okay, let's do it,” said Rachel, in agreement with her husband.

So that afternoon, Rachel picked some flowers and arranged them into a beautiful bouquet, and Malchus went into town to find some wine that had been bottled on the very first day that he had begun as a yeoman on the island. That evening, they went next door to Justin and Brigitte’s new home, as did the other guests. Rachel gave the flowers and wine to Brigitte and Justin and received from them two more lovely golden chalices to commemorate the day.

The next evening was similar, but this time the supper continued at the place where Ruth was staying while awaiting the building of her home. Malchus and Rachel brought flowers and wine for the hostess while Ruth gave each of them a golden bracelet.

For four more nights they gathered for a continuation of the wedding supper. Seth held the next celebration, then Eli was host, followed by Sarah's party, and then finally Malchus’s associate who had arranged for the huppah for the wedding ceremony entertained at his house. Each supper was a gala affair, and each night got friendlier than the one before as Malchus and Rachel had the opportunity to talk and to mingle and to get to know each guest even better.

When the last night arrived and the gifts had been exchanged, Justin raised his cup to give a toast to the bride and bridegroom. “May Malchus and Rachel live long on this earth, and may the vines around their table be fruitful and multiply.”

“So be it,” said Malchus as he clicked his cup together with Rachel's.

“So be it,” said Rachel as she smiled back at Malchus.

Chapter 36

A Growing Family

Malchus and Rachel and their parents remained on Patmos. Seth returned to Jerusalem to continue his work with the poor. Malchus oversaw the building of Ruth’s house not long after the wedding. Two years passed, and Rachel gave birth to Daniel. Two more years came and went, and Deborah was born.

As a young girl, Deborah learned crafts from her two grandmothers, Ruth and Brigitte. The crafts spanned the cultures of the Hebrews and the land of Gaul. Justin took young Daniel fishing every week.

One day as Justin and Daniel, now thirteen, were preparing for a day’s fishing, Malchus called Justin aside for a question. “Father, the ivory-handled, folding knife you gave me when I was thirteen has been my most prized possession. When I entered Jerusalem all alone, the knife and one denarius were all I had. The knife has served me well all these years. How would you feel if I gave the knife to Daniel? Should he choose fishing as his life work, he will need it more than I do.”

Justin smiled proudly as he responded, “I would like that very much. A useful tool passed on to the next generation would most certainly please me.”

Walking back down to the boat where Daniel was arranging the net, Malchus reached inside his cloak, pulled out the knife, and said, “Daniel, I want you to have my knife that your grandfather gave me when I was your age.”

“Father, you will be lost without your knife.”

“My son, a time comes when it’s right to pass possessions and responsibilities to the next generation.”

Daniel looked over at his grandfather and observed an approving smile, then he reached for the knife. Grasping the knife tightly in his hand, he encircled his father with long, strong arms as an expression of his gratitude.

Malchus continued to oversee the vineyard. Each year the branches that bore no fruit were cut off and used for the fire. The branches that did bear fruit were pruned to bear more fruit. Blossoms turned to grapes. The sun ripened the fruit. After the harvest it was once again time to prune.

Harvest followed harvest and in time, Daniel and Deborah both married and had families of their own. Rachel knew no greater pleasure than her grandchildren. Ruth, Justin, and Brigitte were equally enamored with their great-grandchildren. As the seasons for the grapes flowed by year after year, so the grandchildren grew, just as a new sprout on the vine eventually becomes a strong branch. The grandchildren were young adults when in a span of three years Justin, then Brigitte, and finally Ruth died.

Several weeks before Daniel’s forty-eighth birthday, an old fisherman arrived on Patmos who had been exiled by the Roman Emperor Domitian. When Daniel met this fisherman named John, he was drawn to the old man by his winsome spirit. After learning that John had been so hurried from his home that he had to leave all of his possessions, including his fishing gear, behind, Daniel decided to make John his fishing partner in order to help him get established.

Daniel visited the shops on the waterfront looking for a knife for his new friend. He found a folding knife very much like his own, except the side coverings were red instead of ivory. While a good knife, it was rougher on the outside and didn’t have as fine an edge on the blade as the old one that his grandfather had bought in Spain. Still, Daniel felt good about his plan to give the knife he had purchased to John.

The next day the morning sun still touched the horizon when Daniel walked toward the boat. He could see John leaning over the net arranging the folds and looking for loose ties. Daniel stopped for a moment to reflect on the gnarled fingers that had worked the fishing nets for so many years. Daniel had learned that John, now well into his eighties, had been fishing since he was a boy living beside the Sea of Galilee.

Feeling that the time was right, Daniel reached inside his cloak for his gift. The silent moment continued as Daniel stood, still touching first the red and then the ivory knife. Then he pulled out the ivory one, for he sensed that his new friend John deserved the very best. Daniel moved closer and said, “John, I want to give you this knife.”

“But Daniel, what will you use for cutting cord for the net?”

“Oh, I bought a new knife yesterday.”

John, seeming to understand Daniel’s need to give him his knife and the sacrifice it entailed, smiled warmly and accepted Daniel’s gift.

On Daniel’s forty-eighth birthday, Rachel invited all the family to dinner. After the celebrating was over, the children were excused to play, and the adults remained seated around the table on the veranda. Daniel began, “Let me tell you about my older friend John whom I selected for a fishing partner. John, recently exiled to Patmos, is the best fisherman on the island. He is writing each evening to the friends he left behind. While fishing, he sometimes seems to be talking to himself.

“While we were working the fishing net today, I asked, ‘What is on your mind?’ John seems comfortable with me, so he shared, ‘I am talking through the stories of Jesus to be sure the details which I recall are correct.’ I asked him to tell me about his friend, Jesus. This wise, old John responded, ‘I will tell you the stories I am writing.’ I’m not sure if it is John himself, or if it is the heartwarming stories he tells, that makes me feel such joy in being his friend.”

Deborah, who had been intently listening, suggested that Daniel invite John over to her house for dinner sometime. Everyone agreed that they would like to meet him.

“Jesus” was a common name among the people in the Mediterranean world; still, when Daniel mentioned the name “Jesus,” Malchus was reminded of the Jesus who healed his severed ear on his last night in Jerusalem over half a century ago.

“Malchus,” said Rachel rather thoughtfully, “do you remember Mother telling you about Mary and Martha? These godly women took us into their home until Martha found us a job at the inn. Martha was a wonderful cook. Mary and I loved to sit and talk. The sisters’ cheerfulness belied their recent tragedy.”

Malchus asked, “What tragedy was this?”

“Their friend Jesus had been cruelly crucified, but that was not the end of the story. During the few days we were there, a continuous stream of guests dropped by. They came to worship Jesus. Martha invited us to sit with the others as they shared their love. I could feel the love that filled the room even in Jesus’ absence.”

Malchus questioned, “I would think that Martha and Mary would be completely devastated. How could they have taken you in?”

“I think it had to do with Jesus and his teachings. They said that he taught, ‘Forgive those who persecute you.’ He told his followers he had gone to heaven to prepare a place for them for eternity. Martha and Mary believed they would be with Jesus in heaven someday.”

“Interesting,” mused Malchus as he thought to himself. “What manner of man could this Jesus possibly have been? Maybe John will have some answers.”

Chapter 37

Daniel’s Fishing Partner

The entire family gathered on Deborah’s veranda to meet Daniel’s friend, John. With a guest at the table, what would have been a normal supper became a festivity. The delicious food Deborah had prepared put everyone at ease. After all had eaten their fill, the women cleared the bowls and cups and excused the children before returning to their seats around the table.

Deborah was the family member who had become friends with nearly everyone on the island over the years, as she loved to cook and invite people over for dinner. Rachel observed the excitement on the face of Deborah as John told of his life before Patmos. As soon as John finished one story, Deborah would say, “Please tell us another.”

Both Daniel and Malchus were quiet as John spoke. Daniel was simply content to share his friend with those around the table, but Malchus was deep in thought, wondering if he should mention the experience he had had that night in the olive grove with the man that they called Jesus. Other than the brief mentioning of the event to Rachel and his parents, Malchus had not talked about his experience the night that Jesus healed his ear. He still felt the shared love with Jesus. He thought others might doubt, and he didn’t want others to question what was so precious to him.

Tonight, however, seemed different, so Malchus decided to tell his story about the night the mob arrested Jesus in the olive grove. As Malchus began to speak, all fell silent. Those around the table listened eagerly to the excitement and drama of that night so long ago. At the point in the story when the warm blood flowed from Malchus’s ear and Malchus confessed his tears of pain, those around the table couldn't help but wince as if in pain themselves. Then when he told them of the miraculous healing he had experienced at the hands of Jesus, he could sense their awe at what is generally thought impossible.

John had listened quietly to Malchus’ account. It was Deborah who thought she could see in John's expression, while not a smile, a sense of joy in the uplift of the weathered wrinkles between his eye and temple. When Malchus had finished, John spoke, “Was the man with the sword named Peter?”

Leaning intently toward John, Malchus said, “Yes, that is what Jesus called him, but how could you know?”

“Because I, too, was there,” answered John.

A hush came over the group as they waited to hear what else he had to say, “That same Jesus who healed your ear is the same Jesus I've been telling Daniel about.”

Malchus continued, “Throughout my life I have been searching for a god. Ever since I was a boy in Spain, I have had a longing to know the one who created all of life. I knew there had to be a god. I just didn’t know who he was. I have prayed in my time of need to Rachel's god, Jehovah. I became a proselyte in the Jewish faith where I have learned about Jehovah. Daniel has told me that your Jesus is the Son of Jehovah. Is that true?”

“Yes, for three years I walked with Jesus. His actions and his teaching proved that to me. Those who believe in Jesus will spend eternity with Him in heaven.”

“Can your Jesus be my Lord?” asked Malchus.

“Yes, He can.”

“What must I do?”

“Just confess your sins and believe in Him with your whole heart,” answered John.

And so it was that Malchus and Rachel and all of their family confessed their sins and believed in Jesus. On the veranda, the sharing and loving continued throughout the night. At the first sign of light, John suggested that they be baptized; so they all went down to the nearby ocean inlet and were baptized one by one. By the time they had finished, the dawn had grown brighter and brighter, and it became full day with an orange sun in the distance rising up out of the ocean.

As his eyes surveyed his Maker's sunrise, and as he thought about the events of the previous evening, Malchus declared, “The strength and joy of Jesus’ love are for me and all of my family.”

John said, “My writings about Jesus include the story about Peter cutting off the ear of the servant of the high priest and about Jesus healing his ear. My writings will now be more complete, for I shall add the name ‘Malchus’ to the story. The name ‘Malchus’ will be read by generations yet unborn.” (John 18:10)

The End

Author’s note: I am grateful to those who stayed with Malchus through thirty-seven issues of the Tidings. The New Testament writers gave two verses to Malchus as his ear was severed by Peter and healed by Jesus. However, Malchus had a complete life just like you. I used my imagination to tell the rest of Malchus’ story.

As you read this historical novel, you lived for a few moments among Roman and Jewish people in all walks of life from the time of Jesus until the last days of the Apostle John. The romance of Malchus and Rachel was woven into this history. In the beginning they were fourteen-year-olds, and at the end they were grandparents. As I concluded my novel, I realized that Malchus is the man I wish I were, and Rachel is a composite of the women I have known and loved. I hope their lives have ministered to you in some way.

Table of Contents

Title Page

A Centurion’s Son

A Call From Rome

Diverted to Jerusalem

Return Passage Interrupted

Ruth - A Mother

Rachel - The Daughter

Clement and Elmo

Yeoman for Caiaphas

A Buying Trip to Caesarea

A Cousin from Gaul

Welcome Home

Successful Trader

The Secret Hideaway

A Surprise Rendezvous

An Anniversary Celebration

The Night Mob

A Miracle Shared

Denial in the Courtyard

The Sound of Blood Money

An Unexpected Separation

Exiled to Patmos

On the Streets of Jerusalem

Justin Goes Home

Searching in Caesarea

Searching in Jerusalem

Next Stop - Patmos

The Reunion Goes On

A Long Wait

Veranda Breezes

Traditions

The Engagement Party

A House Built Onto His Father’s House

The Day and the Hour Come

The Bridegroom Comes

The Wedding Supper

A Growing Family

Daniel’s Fishing Partner

The End