Asher asked around to find where Rina lived. The only information he gathered was where her father worked. He made the trek to the vineyards. The immaculate farms were a testament to Hadwin’s leadership.
Ordinary laborers do not yield these kinds of results. Maybe he would buy the vineyards. His family owned several others farther north. It could be a good business decision.
He walked the paths around the field where workers were building and repairing trellises for the new plants. The fresh air filled his lungs. What a welcomed change from the city where the smell of people lingered. His freshly oiled black hair twisted in the breeze, which felt cooler since his visit the day before. He loved the winemaking business.
In truth, it wasn’t the business he loved so much as the wine. His position allowed him to taste wines from all over the world. His newest taste for the fermented drink came from the newly acquired Roman territory, Germania, called mead. It was made from fermented grain and honey. Asher sought to bring this drink to Israel’s children by introducing it to the Levites, who could leverage it against the people. The Levite priesthood made their influence substantial.
Mead was stronger than wines of the day and would fit well with the Hebrews’ bitter pallet. He could build the fermentation bins right next to the wine presses and pay some of the workers an allotment of mead in addition to their wages. The addition of honey and wild yeast made it more intoxicating. As soon as the public took notice, the region would be rich with the beverage.
With a little imagination, Galilee could be a cultural center of the region, he thought. The area could use the creature comforts of Rome. He could marry a local and take other mistresses as well. This would endear him to the people and let him make a name for his family, which his father would be proud of. In that sense, Rina was a perfect match.
He was attracted to her beauty, and he would also have the Hebrews eating out of his hand. Asher was half-Roman, half-Hebrew. His father married a Roman, which was a mark of shame on his extended family. However, the favor he carried with the Romans was more than worth the slight, yielding trade agreements that would have been impossible otherwise.
This day, he walked among the workers, inquiring who owned the vineyard. Since his father had been sent to the leper colony outside of Jerusalem, it was up to Asher to keep his family name alive. The task felt like a heavy burden.
“You there! Do you know who owns this vineyard?” he asked a man carrying a basket of nails.
“Yes, sir. His name is Eber from the tribe of Judah.”
“Where might I find this Eber?”
“He lives in Tiberias near the springs. He doesn’t like visitors. He’s a good master, though. We are well paid for our work.”
“How then would you suggest that I contact this man?”
“He goes to the market every first day after the Sabbath. If you ask people, they will point him out to you.”
“Thank you, sir.”
The man nodded back and went about his work. Asher mounted his horse and rode into Tiberias straight away. Business cannot wait. Along the way, he decided to stop by Rina’s house. The day was waxing hot, and she might provide him with some refreshment. He rode hard down the road to her home. Rina was thrashing wheat to make bread.
“Hello. I wasn’t expecting to see you today.”
“Surely you know I’ve been asking about you.”
“Yes, I heard,” she said.
“I was wondering if we could get some water and talk for a while.”
“That would be disgraceful. I just met you, and there are no family members around.”
“Then you can serve me as your guest.”
“I suppose that would be alright.”
Asher dismounted his horse and followed her into the house. Rina pulled the animal skins off the windows and left the door open.
“You know, you are much too daring.”
“You said that before.”
“I know, and I mean it,” she replied honestly.
“Rina, my intentions are true.”
“Yes, but I wouldn’t know that, would I?”
“I’m a man who knows what he wants. I admire true beauty, and I have traveled extensively to find it. Let me just say I have never witnessed a woman as beautiful as you.”
“This is why I say you are too daring.”
Asher moved toward her.
“That’s far enough.” Her voice was less than convincing as he pulled her close and kissed her. He felt her relax in his arms, then, as suddenly as the kiss started, she pulled away.
“Don’t do this. Not now. It’s forbidden.”
“Alright. I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”
“Don’t be sorry either. Just slow down. I have a lot to consider before allowing myself to be swept away.”
Asher nodded, slowly left the house, and mounted his horse. He smiled at her before galloping off. It was a game he had played many times before, but only when he traveled outside of Israel. It was too dangerous to do so without intentions to marry her. The Sanhedrin would have the poor girl stoned, and he could be fined.
No, Rina would do. She was poor enough to bridge the gap of public opinion, and she was Hebrew, which would make the Sanhedrin happy. The Romans could care less who he picked. His Roman citizenship through his mother ensured good relations there. All in all, Rina would be the prize of his new business venture.
His horse’s hooves fell syncopated and steady against the ground. In his travels to the Orient, he had heard of a concept called Zen, a kind of mindfulness that comes from thinking nothing while sensing everything. The rhythm of horse and rider always pulled him into such a state. Riding was one of the great pleasures of life. The steed was magnificent and brought admiration wherever he went. Asher decided to make the horse open fully down the lonely, dusty road. The beginnings of a clopping echo resonated through the hills. By the time he made it to Eber’s house, the horse was gasping so hard Asher thought he might collapse. He chuckled to himself as he dismounted. The door was made of cedarwood and bronze, which was as imposing as Eber’s reputation.
After shaking the dust from his sandals, he proceeded to the door. Before he was able to reach it, a voice boomed, “Who goes there?”
“My name is Asher, and I’m a Hebrew. I am here to inquire about a price for the vineyards just west of town.”
“They’re not for sale. Go away.”
“Isn’t that for your master to decide?”
“Aren’t you being a little rude?”
“Depends. If I buy the vineyard next to it for a fair price, your master loses a deal because of you.”
“Wait here.” The door closed with a creak. Moments later, the door opened again. This time the servant was accompanied by an older man, short of stature and bald.
“My servant tells me you’re interested in buying a vineyard. You are wasting your time.”
“Once you know what I offer for the vineyard, you might reconsider.”
“Well then, come in, and let’s hear this amazing offer.”
The dichotomy of the house’s exterior and interior was striking. The interior was decorated with relics from all over the known world. Asher recognized Indian art as well as African tapestries. One thing was missing—Roman art. This man was most likely a Zealot sympathizer, and maybe Asher could play to his political leanings.
“I have some tea from Asia. Would you like some?”
“Yes, thank you. I haven’t tasted the beverage since my travels to the Orient.”
“So you are well-traveled. What keeps you in Tiberias?”
“Several things. I want to settle down and make a life that is my own.”
“I take it you come from a wealthy family.”
“Yes, my father was a Jewish prince.”
“That’s interesting. I don’t know too many Jewish princes who have any wealth left since the Romans tax them so heavily.”
“There are always ways to hide one’s wealth. Especially if one does not claim it all at once.”
Eber furrowed his bushy eyebrows. “So, I take it you are not exuberant about the Roman occupation.”
“I’m an opportunist. If I can thrive in this environment, I will. If I can make money from them, then that’s what I will do. I have contacts and have built many relationships with the Romans. However, I am not in favor of what they have done to our people.”
“Spoken like someone whose wisdom is twice that of your age.”
“My father was killed trying to fight with the Zealots. They never knew who he was, or I would be imprisoned. My mother is Roman. Since my father was Hebrew, I felt this would be a great place to start.” Asher felt the lie leave his lips. He reveled in his ability to shape the winds of his fortune. “Where does your allegiance lie?”
“With ambition. I think the Romans are filthy swine. They are unfit for anything except to feed the ocean. I know one must be careful when talking around here. The walls can have ears. But you are safe here.”
Asher measured his words. He didn’t want to be too bold, but he knew if he could find common ground, the vineyard would be his in no time.
“I hate them too, but my life gives me no quarter for such hatred. I simply cannot afford to hate them, at least for now. Your secret is safe with me.”
“It’s no secret. Let the Romans come for me.”
“You are foolish if you think they won’t.”
“I don’t need a lecture. Let’s get down to business,” Eber said.
“How much are you willing to pay for the vineyard and winepresses?”
“Three thousand gold talents.”
“The price is five thousand.”
“It’s not worth five thousand,” Asher responded.
“You said you had a great offer, and yet you come up short. The price is five thousand.”
“I will pay you four thousand and not a drachma more.”
“You insult me with such an offer. The lowest I will take is four thousand five hundred talents.”
“Done. I will have one of my servants bring the money tonight under the cover of darkness.”
“Just meet me tomorrow with the money. We’ll let the workers know they will be working for you from now on. Please treat them fairly, as I have.”
“You have my word. Tomorrow, sunup.”
Eber nodded. “My servant will show you to the door.”
“It was a pleasure.”