“Rina!” Ezekiel helped her up. Together, they stood in the rain, their eyes locked in a gaze he had only dreamed about until now. But anger soon replaced shock in her beautiful eyes.
“I don’t need your help!” Her response stung him. “How dare you come back now!”
“I’m happy to see you too.”
“I’m sorry, but you have to leave.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m unclean!”
“You know that never bothered me.”
“Well, it bothers me!”
“So, you would leave me out in the rain?” Ezekiel noticed she wouldn’t meet his eyes. “I’ll stay on one side of the room, and you can stay on the other. I just want to talk.”
“We have nothing to talk about.”
“It seems like we have a lot to talk about.”
“Look, I cannot hear another word about you not forgiving me, or how I was wrong for agreeing to marry Asher. I know—if I hadn’t, my father would still be here!”
“I never said those things. If anything, this never would have happened if I hadn’t punched Asher that night.”
“You’re right. It is your fault! If you had just minded your own business, none of this would have happened!”
“If it concerns you, then it’s my business. All I ever wanted was to build a life for you! How do I get repaid? By watching you run off with that Roman! Even as your friend, I’ve always just wanted the best for you!”
“I don’t need rescuing! I am not helpless!”
“Clearly! You know, maybe you’re right. I should leave.” Turning from her, he stormed off, completely drenched.
Since staying at Elyam’s was not an option, Ezekiel powered through the rain to the outskirts of Jerusalem. He managed to find the tree where his donkey was still tethered, happily munching on damp hay. Fortunately, the rain had abated by now. Setting his sword against the tree, he turned to hang his clothes on a branch when he sensed someone behind him.
Spinning around, he met a hooded figure, who pointed the blade of his own sword at him.
“I can tell you’re a fisherman and not a warrior.” The man said in a familiar voice. Pulling back the hood, the man revealed himself.
“Hadwin? I thought you died! Abigail said you lived, but I didn’t believe her.” Ezekiel stepped into a hug, which seemed to take Hadwin by surprise.
“Well, I’m very much alive. I am curious, though. What were you speaking about with my daughter just now?”
“You were watching us?”
Hadwin nodded. “I’ve been living in the shadows for some time now. I came here hoping to spot Rina, and I did. I saw her in the street earlier today, but she doesn’t know it was me. I followed her back to the house where you two were.”
“It’s Elyam’s house. My mother is staying there, along with Ester and Rina. I came to visit, but everyone was away.”
“Except for Rina.”
“Yes. Except for her.”
“Well, never leave your sword out of sight, my boy! That’s how you get killed.”
Ezekiel grinned sheepishly.
“Do you have any food?”
“A little. But it might be spoiled now from the rain.”
“Do you think we can build a fire? I’m freezing.”
“I think all the wood’s wet too. However—” A thought came to him. He pulled a small flask of oil from his satchel. “Can I have my sword back?”
“Yes, here you go.”
Ezekiel took a branch from the ground and used the sword to shave off the outer bark, exposing the dry heartwood fibers. He soaked some in oil and encased them with the remaining dry fibers. Placing them on a rock, he grabbed two stones and began striking them over the pile. With several strikes, the beginnings of an ember emerged, but it diminished as soon as it appeared.
A few more strikes, and Ezekiel gently blew on the pile. The pile burst into flames, allowing the men to add larger pieces of wood. It wasn’t long before they had a raging fire. The success lifted their spirits. Both men laid on their backs, watching the embers rise to the heavens.
“Rina will be glad to know you’re alive,” Ezekiel said to break the silence.
“You can’t tell her.”
He knew why. “What do you want me to say?”
“Nothing. Talk about me as if I’m dead.”
“Then why seek me out? Why let me know you’re alive?”
“I figured someone needs to know, and I trust you.”
“Why? I’m the son of a thief, after all.”
“You’re no more a thief than I’m a murderer. You’re not responsible for the sins of your father.”
“Not according to the Sanhedrin.” Ezekiel looked into the fire, which was burning hotter now. His eyes became misty, and even in the dim firelight it was difficult to hide. “Abigail has a dagger my father stole. I need to get it back to spare his life. The only way she’ll sell it to me is if you go to her. She believes you’re alive.”
“How could she know that?”
“I don’t know. Maybe she visited your tomb. Are you willing to meet with her?”
“She’ll kill me for sure.”
“I have a plan.”
“No. I cannot risk losing my life for a thief. No offense.”
“I thought you said I wasn’t a thief.”
“You’re not, but your father is. If he’s still alive.”
“Like I said, I have a plan.”
“No!”
“Then what kind of life do you hope to have? Your family already thinks you’re dead, so if she kills you, so what? You know Elyam and I will take care of Rina and Ester. But if this works and you live, then you’ll have come back from the grave in their eyes. You have the chance to be a family again. Who knows, you might even get your own vineyard out of it.”
Ezekiel could see Hadwin pondering the idea.
“All of your life, you’ve been a fighter. When I was little, I looked at you and wished you were my father. You were wise, loving, and you took care of your family. You deserve to see them again, and not as a fugitive.”
The firelight bounced off a tear that ran down Hadwin’s cheek. “Can I give you my answer in the morning?”
“Of course.”
After a moment of silence, conversation picked back up again. But it wasn’t long before both fell asleep to the sound of crackling flames.