Daughters of Jared, page 18
He kissed my forehead. “You must be strong. Tell your sister you’ve served her long enough. It’s time you had some happiness as well. Akish is finished inspecting the west border and will be away for another two days making the circuit. That is how I dared to slip across the border.”
I nodded. I literally had to pull myself away from him.
When I arrived at the palace after going back to retrieve my purchases, I was sure my sister thought my rose-colored cheeks came from the excitement of shopping in the market.
That evening, I held Shez a little tighter and a little closer. I paid attention to his every expression, every sound, and leaned in frequently to kiss his soft cheek.
Ash watched me with arched brows. “You act as if you’ve been away for weeks.”
I have in my heart. “He’s so easy to miss,” I said, planting a firm kiss on his forehead. His skin felt hot. I placed a hand on his face. “Does he feel warm to you?” I asked my sister.
She put down the embroidery she was working on and touched Shez’s cheek. “Yes,” she said, fear in her voice.
“Perhaps he’s overdressed.” But even as I said it, I knew it wasn’t so. He wore only a linen sheath.
His eyes seemed brighter than normal.
“Call Sara,” Ash said in a sharp voice. Although the woman spent most of her time in the cooking room, she was the one servant Ash trusted completely.
I fled the room, my heart pounding as I dashed along the corridors. I found Sara waving a palm fan over a tray of steaming maize cakes.
“It’s Shez. He’s ill,” I said.
Sara halted midmotion then grabbed a satchel that hung on the wall. After ordering a servant girl to fetch the healer, she hurried after me.
We reached Ash’s room in time to see her strip off every bit of clothing from her son.
“What’s wrong with him?” Ash burst out the moment she saw Sara.
Without hesitation, Sara scooped up Shez. She pressed her palm against his neck then peered into his eyes. “How much has he eaten today?”
Ash looked at me, but I had been gone part of the afternoon. “He’s eaten very little, actually. Some days are like that, so I didn’t worry.”
Sara nodded then handed the baby back to Ash. She took out a swatch of linen from her satchel and gave it to me. “Soak this in water, and we’ll wrap him in it. He won’t like it.”
I followed her instructions as she took out some dried orange leaves and broke them over a small bowl. She blended honey into the leaves, creating a thick paste. “Hold him steady,” she instructed Ash.
Shez’s fever broke in the early hours of the morning. I had never felt so much relief and had never known so much fear. Shez was a helpless baby, and he couldn’t tell us what was wrong. He relied wholly on the adults in his life. It was a humbling experience. I could think of little else that might be worse than to lose my dear nephew.
Sara, Ash, and I gathered around Shez and watched him sleep. The steady rise of his chest seemed to be a miracle. The peace on his face was a blessing to us all. His body had cooled; he’d stopped fidgeting and whining.
Ash smiled at him, tears running down her face. Tears flooded my eyes as well but for a different reason from my sister’s.
This afternoon when I went to the grove to meet Levi, I would have to bid him farewell. I couldn’t leave behind a helpless child and my sister, who depended so much on me. The Lord would want me to be selfless and protect my family. I had to see that my nephew grew into a strong man and a righteous leader. I had to continue to teach my sister the truth until she would listen; if she’d but worship the true Lord, blessings would come into her life.
And most of all, I had to protect them all from the king.
My presence meant their legacy.
11 YEARS LATER
I STAND AT THE COPPER METAL, gazing at my appearance. By some standards, I am a young woman, perhaps still eligible for marriage. By other standards, I am well past my zenith.
I have aged well. I have seen much sorrow, but childbirth has not touched my body. It is still firm, my waist narrow, my arms and legs strong.
My hair remains dark, thick, and full. I pull it back from my oval face and twist it into a bun at the nape of my neck. Today is my nephew’s twelfth birth date. Today Shez will be ordained as crown prince of the land. If something happens to his father, Shez will have complete power to rule the kingdom. No one expects a boy of twelve to rule, but the ceremony makes the event possible.
Ash has four children now. Three boys and a daughter. She has sworn off birthing any more children, but she might change her mind yet. I smile as playful shouts and screams came from the garden. Sara watches them, as always, her ever-steady gaze taking in every mishap, every deed.
I smooth my tunic and touch the necklace that lies against my throat. The thin gold chain holds a gold ring set with turquoise stones—the ring Levi gave to me on the last day I saw him. I often think of him when I am alone. For that reason, I keep busy and surround myself with my nephews and niece.
The time has arrived to gather the children, inspect their clothing, then escort them into the throne room. An aunt has many duties. But first, I clasp my hands together and pray to the Lord, my God, and ask a blessing upon Levi and the life he leads, that he will be ever safe and protected. I pray for my sister and her young family. And finally, I pray for myself, that I might continue to endure and be a messenger for Him.
I blink back tears and pull on my robe. I’ve long since dismissed a personal servant, though my sister continually tries to change my mind. “You’re the queen’s sister. You deserve every bit of care,” Ash often says to me.
But I always turn the offer down.
As I exit my room, Malia passes me in the hall. “Good afternoon, Naiva,” she calls out in a cheerful voice. Her petite body is a force of energy, and it’s no wonder Lib fell in love with her the moment he met her. They were married last month.
I sweep through the corridors, my luxurious robe trailing behind me. It’s heavy with beading and much more elaborate than my everyday wear. As I enter the garden, I pause for just a moment to watch the children play. Nothing delights me more than to watch their carefree movements as they run through the garden. Even Shez is among them. My heart warms as he spins around his little sister Isabel.
Sara rises to her feet when she sees me and claps her hands together. “Gather together, children.”
Shez spots me and hurries over. He places a dutiful kiss on my cheek, and I smile up at him. “Happy birth date,” I say. He is just taller than me now, which always astounds me. How can my dear nephew, whom I used to cradle in my arms, almost be a man?
His gold-brown curls tumble about his face, and a light sheen of perspiration dots his nose. I am so proud of him I could nearly burst. There is incredible light and promise in those dark eyes of his. We’ve spent many mornings together discussing the things of the Lord. When he takes the throne, I am certain he will lead the people in righteousness and build synagogues throughout the land where we can worship the true God.
“Auntie,” Shez says, still calling me by the nickname he used as a child. “Will you paint the events of tonight?”
“Of course,” I say. Over the years, I’ve created paintings of the important events the royal family has participated in.
“Thank you,” Shez replies. He bounds away and scoops up Isabel, making her squeal.
“No more of that,” Sara says, but her tone is far from scolding. “Tonight you’ll become a man, not a boy who teases his sister.”
Shez laughs, and I can’t help but smile. “No matter how old I am,” he says, “I’ll always tease her.” To prove his point, he lifts her high in the air, making her scream with mixed delight and horror.
I suppress a laugh as Sara tugs Isabel back to the ground. “Follow your aunt into the great hall. The guests are assembled and waiting.”
With a bit of scrimmaging, Shez is at my side and the other three trailing behind as we enter the palace.
A lump forms in my throat as we walk into the great hall. It seems as if hundreds of the court elite have gathered. They’ve all gathered here for Shez—the boy I am so proud of. King Akish and Queen Asherah rise as I lead in Shez. They both smile at their son, and it’s as if they’ve been the perfect example of a loving family.
Shez, in all his grand youth, walks straight and tall toward his parents. I break off with the other siblings about halfway across the room, where we take our appropriate places.
The high priest of the Sun Temple, dressed in his best finery, stands to the right of the king. Isabel grasps my hand, craning her neck to see her brother receive a wide collar made out of silver. The king wears one of gold. I usher her in front of me so she has a good view.
Shez kneels before the high priest and bows his head, and the priest fits the silver collar. Then he leads us all in a chant, praising the sun god and honoring the king and queen. My mouth forms the words, but no sound escapes my lips. My heart is praising the true Lord for the blessing of seeing Shez grow into a man.
When the official ceremony ends, the people file into the banquet room. The tables have been laid with a grand display of food and drink—the best selections of meat, seasoned fish, steamed mushrooms, bean paste spread on tortillas, and endless wine.
Shez finds me in the crowd and shows me the heavy silver collar.
“Auntie,” he says. “I can now officially rule over you.”
I laugh at the joke between us. He unclasps it and holds it out.
“Don’t let your father see you do this,” I say.
He shrugs, not concerned in the least. He knows, as I do, his father is not around enough to pay much attention to children’s antics. Perhaps that will change now.
The weight of the collar surprises me, and I realize it reflects the weight of his growing responsibility. I hand it back over. “You must put it on before your father notices.”
Shez sighs good-naturedly and reclasps the collar around his neck.
Before we can say anything else, I’m quickly replaced by well-wishers. The banquet room has never seen such a crowd. Ash had to order extra platters for all of the invited guests.
The kingdom has celebrated Shez’s birth from the very beginning, as the first son of the king and queen. His disposition and playfulness endears everyone to him. As I watch him accept the well-wishes, I think of the many nights I’ve spent on my knees praying that Akish will not influence his son for evil, that Shez will remain untouched by his father and untouched by the diabolical court life.
As I move away from my nephew toward my place at the banquet table, I catch the gaze of Akish. I quickly look away. He has changed much. Although he has ignored me for the most part over the years, my heart hammers in anxiety if we are ever too close. His visits to his wife are now purely for producing heirs—the only other time they spend together is when decorum calls for it. He employs a full harem now, thankfully on another property separate from the palace.
Ash gave up a long time ago on being the only woman in his life. She may be his queen, but whatever love had been between them has long since faded. She refuses to allow him concubines or other wives, but she cannot control his harlotry.
I sit between two women who are frequently at court. They’re young and flirtatious with the men, making me feel even more ancient. And lonely. I eat lightly, not feeling hungry. Seeing my nephew enter the first stage of manhood and accept his role as crown prince of the land fills my heart until tears rise up. I know, though my sacrifices have been great, I’ve had a hand in creating who he is now.
Shez stands and gives a speech to an awe-filled room. Next to him, his parents look pleased. For a moment, I think Akish has tears in his eyes. He is looking at his son with renewed interest. Perhaps he is wondering, as I am, where all the years have gone.
As I pick at my food, I become absorbed in my own thoughts. It suddenly seems more and more possible that perhaps one day my duty here will be finished. Shez will become a strong leader, no longer in need of his aunt’s guidance. He will stand up to his father in defense of truth. Our kingdom will change. Souls will be saved. And the Lord will reign supreme.
And then—it catches my breath just to think of it—and then I will travel to seek out Levi. I hope to find him still waiting for me. If not, I’ll be pleased to meet his wife and children. I’ll be honored to tell him how his love kept me hopeful all these years, knowing that true love is possible and that the Lord always watches over us and blesses us.
My thoughts blend together in a soft hum, and peace settles over me, confirming once again that I’ve made the right choice in staying with my sister’s family. New hope enters my heart as I realize true love may yet fill my life.
MY FAITH SUSTAINS ME THROUGH the small things and most definitely through the deepest sorrows and disappointments. Which is why, when my sister enters my room the morning following Shez’s ordination, I am the calm one in the face of her panic.
“He’s taken him!”
I sit up, alert at once. “Who?”
“Akish.” The name is like poison on her lips. “He’s taken Shez.”
A dozen possibilities run through my mind, some more unpleasant than others—from hunting wild beasts to introducing Shez to the harem.
“Where?” I ask, hiding my annoyance at my sister’s ever-present theatrics, though I love her as she is.
“To the west prison.” She wrings her hands together, and tears drip down her cheeks. “In the borderland.”
The west prison is near the west border. It’s often used to house our enemies and is the site of torturing to warn anyone against making border crossings without permission.
I can see how Ash might be upset that Shez has been taken there to be shown the less-desirous methods of protecting the kingdom. But he’s a young man now; both of us need to allow him to grow up. If Shez is to be king some day, he’ll need to be strict in his punishments.
“We’ve sheltered him long enough, Ash.” It pains me to say it, but I know it to be true. I want to protect him from everything, but if he is to be king, he must know how his father runs the kingdom.
Ash grips my hands, and I’m surprised at her intensity. “Shez isn’t going there to visit. Akish has convicted him of stealing. Shez is the newest prisoner.”
The warmth drains from my body, replaced by cold disbelief. “Are you sure?” I can’t think—can’t believe a father would truly do this. Maybe it’s some part of an initiation, disturbing as it is.
Ash breaks into a sob, and I grasp her arms. “Tell me what happened!”
“Last night—” She begins then stops, emotion taking hold. “Last night Akish saw Shez in a new light. Not as a father sees a son and feels pride at all his accomplishments, but as a man sees another man—as a threat.”
I cover my mouth with my hand, the shock intensifying. No prisoner has ever left the borderland alive.
“Akish accused Shez of being a traitor and of trying to steal the kingdom,” she continues.
“How can a twelve-year-old boy be a traitor?”
Ash’s voice grows quiet. “By accepting the role as crown prince. Akish said it was an outright show of defiance and rebelliousness. He claims Shez will now vie for his throne.”
“That’s madness,” I say. “The ordination of the heir to the throne has happened throughout the history of our people.”
“I know,” Ash says, tears streaking her cheeks again. “But no one dares to question the king. I thought it would be different this morning and that the wine would wear off and Akish would forget his resolution. But before dawn, Akish signed the official law. Any boy or man who accepts the emblems of crown prince is in direct defiance of the current king.”
I rise from the bed and pace the room. The glittering sun streaming in through my windows casts an ethereal glow about my room, making this news seem even more implausible.
“Shez could give back the silver collar,” I say, mostly to myself.
Ash is on her feet. “I thought of that as well. I pleaded with Akish this morning. Begged him on my hands and knees.”
The horror of the moment settles into my breast. “And Shez? What did he do?” I whisper.
“He didn’t shed a tear. He didn’t even complain.” Her breath catches. “I think he was in shock. He never looked at me as they tied his hands behind his back and led him out.” She sinks to the floor.
I cross to her and wrap my arms around her. “We’ll get him back. This has been the most terrible mistake. The people can’t put up with this—not even from their king. If we can’t make Akish understand, we’ll rescue Shez ourselves.”
My sister shakes her head. “Akish will kill anyone who tries to free him.” She leans against me, and her sobs shudder through her body.
If I am to rescue Shez, no one can know about it, not even his mother.
Ash and I are banned from court. I’m not exactly surprised that I am, but Ash is the rightful queen. To ban her from her own people only further proves the king’s foolishness. I wonder if the Lord would condemn me to hell if I killed my brother-in-law. I wonder how the Lord can let such a vile man walk the earth. If He has all power, can He not strike down a mere human?
I pray morning, night, and every hour in between for Shez. I don’t sleep, and I know Ash doesn’t sleep. She insists on the children all staying in her room and keeping them close at all times in case her husband decides to turn on one of them.
The servants walk the halls in absolute silence. Everyone fears for their lives. If the king could throw his own son in prison—a twelve-year-old boy at that—nothing will stop him from making a new law to suit any action.
I plan to visit Shez, to see if a rescue is possible. I must also return before my absence is noticed.
The only person I can confide in is Lib. Yet even he is shaken by the king’s actions. Even he’s afraid this time. He agrees to travel with me, but we must leave and return in the same night. The journey will be fast and the danger high.
