Hadwin’s ears throbbed, but the pain of the piercing was nothing compared to the hopelessness he felt in his soul. The law was not on his side. He had no rights. All he could do was serve a conniving woman who would sooner see him killed than allow him to see his family. He spent the nights in chains and the mornings in plain sight of her most trusted guards. Escape was out of the question.
Each night he prayed that God would avenge him and set him free to be with his family. He remembered the teachings of the synagogue on Joseph. Hadwin hoped this was a test from God, but he feared it was just an unfortunate circumstance.
When the command came through the guards that Abigail wanted an audience with her new slave, it took the ranks by surprise. Most of the servants and slaves were there only to serve Abigail and her mother. They did not receive an audience.
The ornate furnishings of the hall reminded Hadwin of the Temple in Jerusalem. He walked with the men to a place where Abigail was reclining.
“Leave us,” she told the servants.
Hadwin could see a tear forming in the corner of her eye.
“I hope you understand, I had to save face with the servants. One moment of weakness, and they will turn on me.”
“Spoken like a true Roman,” said Hadwin.
“Only half. My mother had a lover who was a Samaritan. Asher was my half-brother.”
“Well, what do you want with a Hebrew? Now that I am a bondslave, you own me.”
“I will set you free if you can gain me an audience with Yeshua. I met him once, and I must get to know him.”
“That is what this is about? Last I heard he was headed to Jerusalem.”
“You must know him. He doesn’t get called out in the middle of the night to heal someone he doesn’t know.”
“The truth of the matter is . . .” Hadwin thought for a second. “I do know him, but I haven’t seen him in some time.”
“Then tell me, how do I get an audience with him?”
“Set me free for three days. I can get close to him. Then I will bring him back to you.”
“Do you believe me to be simple? Am I stupid? You would be gone in a moment, and I would have to expend enormous energy hunting you down. I will accompany you to Judea. Then you will have no choice but to follow the commands I give. The servants will shear your hair, so there will be no question about the fact you are a bondslave.”
“You enjoy torturing people, don’t you?”
“That’s enough!” said Abigail. “You will do as I say. If you want to live.”
“What if I said I don’t?”
“Guards!” Two men came into the room. Abigail waited for a moment. Then, as if a fire ignited, she brightened up. “Kill him!”
The men drew their swords.
“Wait! I didn’t say I want to die . . . I said what if.”
“Hold it.” Abigail motioned for the men to stop. “I know this is your first day, so I will be kind. You do not have a say. You will speak when spoken to. You will not lash out in any way if you want to live long enough to see your wretched family again.”
“I understand.”
Abigail motioned to her guard. He took the pummel of his sword and slammed it into Hadwin’s back, sending him sprawling to the floor.
“Speak when you are spoken to!” she said. “Take him back to his quarters. Make sure he can travel tomorrow.”
The men threw him into his makeshift dungeon and put him back in his chains. Hadwin remained motionless until the men left. Then, under the cover of darkness, he smiled. There was a hidden promise that he would see his family again.