The Advisers’ Plan

Tanzi picked up a basket from a table near the door. The slave and Beth left the temple and climbed the stairs outside.

A heavy scent filled the air on the temple roof. It reminded Beth of a candle shop.

Anatu and the king’s two advisers were standing near a great stone altar. They were whispering. The men were each holding a small clay jar.

A low wall surrounded the rooftop. There were a few beautiful stone benches here and there. Carvings of the sun, moon, and stars were on everything. Other strange symbols were carved on the ground.

Along one wall Beth saw dozens of wood cages. White doves cooed from inside their small homes.

The advisers paid her no attention at all. They kept on talking in low voices. Beth overheard words like “New law.” “Worship only the king.” “Trap.”

Anatu suddenly looked up. She scowled at Beth and Tanzi.

The priestess said, “Tanzi, prepare the incense on the holy altar.”

Tanzi bowed. He motioned to Beth to come with him.

“Those men are two of King Darius’s top advisers,” Tanzi whispered. “They are Persian, like the king. The taller one is Frava. The other is Katav. Show them respect or they’ll have you killed.”

Beth gulped.

Tanzi put a hand under her chin. He looked her in the eyes. “It is very important to obey Anatu,” he said. “Do whatever she says. It is your sacred duty.”

Beth nodded. Her golden horns slid back and forth on her head.

Tanzi led Beth toward the altar. The heavy smell grew stronger.

Beth saw small pots on the altar. They had shavings of red bark in them. The bark was mixed with oil.

Tanzi added more bark and oil from the basket.

Frava and Katav were moving toward the altar with Anatu. They still carried their clay jars.

Beth could now hear their hushed voices more clearly. Frava said, “If our plan works, he will be executed. Our power will increase.”

“Your plan is clever,” Anatu said. “The king’s own law will be used against his favorite adviser.”

Then Frava and Katav laughed. They sounded mean.

Beth shivered.

“Let us get on with the ceremony of blessing,” Katav said. “We need to return to King Darius’s court. We’ll present the new law to him today.”

Anatu said, “Of course. Let us offer our gifts to Adad.”

The priestess stood before the altar. She raised her palms to the sky. The men did the same thing.

“O Adad,” Anatu prayed, “Lord of prophecy who lives in the shining heavens. Accept our incense. We lift up our hands. May justice crown our request.”

Anatu stopped praying. She turned to Beth. “We will offer a blood sacrifice to Adad,” the priestess said. “Girl, go bring me a dove.”

“I can’t do this,” Beth said. “I can’t worship a false god.”

Anatu raised an eyebrow. The priestess said, “Did I just hear you say ‘false god’?”

Beth reached for the headdress on her head. She pulled out the hairpins.

“I not only can’t do this,” Beth said, “but I won’t. I’m not a child of Adad.” She took off the headdress and threw it on the ground. It made a loud clanging sound.

“Be careful what you say, girl,” Tanzi said. Worry filled his voice. He was wringing his hands.

“I won’t bring you a dove. You’ll just kill it,” Beth said. “And I won’t pray to any god except the one true God.”

Anatu’s face showed mock interest. “And who is this one true God?” she asked. “You’re risking your life for Him.”

“He’s the God of the Jews,” Beth said.

Anatu looked bored. She glanced at her dress and brushed off a small piece of dirt. “The Jews are a scraggly bunch. They’re captives now. That shows their God is weak. He can’t protect them.”

Frava and Katav exchanged glances.

“We’ve heard of the Jewish God.” Katav said. “He is the one our enemy worships. But we don’t fear Him.”

“Then this girl is our enemy too,” Anatu said. “She deserves death.”

Beth felt her heart sink to her stomach. She opened her mouth to say something. But her mouth was too dry.

Tanzi raised a hand to Anatu. “O priestess,” he said, “I beg permission to speak.”

A sudden warm wind swept across the rooftop. It filled Beth with hope.

Anatu’s long hair danced in the breeze. She didn’t say anything. She seemed to be in a trance. She stood still with her arms lifted high.

Tanzi went on talking. “I was alive when three men named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were living,” he said. “Forty years ago King Nebuchadnezzar tried to burn them alive. But their God performed a miracle to save them.”

Frava said, “Enough, old man. We didn’t come here for a history lesson. We came here for the favor of Adad. We want his blessing on our plan.”

Katav poured the contents of his jar on the altar.

The altar glowed with orange-and-black flames. The flames burned off thick, gray smoke.

Frava said, “Priestess, continue with the prayers. We have offered sesame oil.”

“No,” Anatu said. “I’ve received a message from Adad.” She lowered her arms. “He said that the God of the Jews is powerful. Do not bring harm to His followers.”

Katav laughed. “I don’t need Adad’s help. Or the help of any god.” He looked at Frava. “Let’s go to the royal court. The king will sign the decree today. By noon tomorrow, our enemy will be dead.”

Frava pointed a finger at Anatu. He said, “You’ll regret listening to this girl.” He threw his jar on the ground. It crashed and broke into pieces. The oil seeped into the stone floor. “We’ll send the tower guards to arrest her.”

The men walked down the stairs and disappeared from view.

Beth stood in stunned silence.

“Leave at once, girl,” Anatu said. “If Katav and Frava find you in Babylon, they’ll arrest you, or worse.”

Beth said, “Thank you, but I —”

Tanzi cut her off. “Go before she changes her mind.”

Beth turned and hurried down the stairs.