Remnant of the Fall Page 5

  Enan smiled and wondered where he was going with this conversation. “Yes, Father, but I have a feeling you’re going to remind me, anyway.”

  Joel sat back in the bench and gazed above Enan’s head as he thought. Enan was certain he was about to begin a story. His stories were the same now as when Enan was a child—full of detail and colorful descriptions. Joel had always made it seem as if he was in the story. And with this one, he was.

  His father shook his head and lit his pipe. “I want you to remember.”

  Enan folded his arms over his chest and thought back to that day…

  ****

  After the spring rains, the land burst with the first hints of orange poppies, and the rolling hills were covered with greening oaks and olive groves. This meant it was soon time for the town festival, a time of food and drink, dancing, and games of all sorts for the young and old alike.

  From sunup to sundown, the villagers danced, sang, ate, and drank to their hearts’ content. The celebration was harmless fun and drew the little village close together. Tents speckled the huge field just outside Zayin, occupied by families resting, eating, talking, or just taking in the day’s events. The sounds of laughter, boisterous talk, animals, and the clink of silver coins from tradespeople filled the air. Textile, spices, and trinkets were sold along with the bartering of food and livestock among the local farmers.

  Enan had always looked forward to it, but that year, the archery competition that had started the day before the festival had been extended due to the stiff competition. Enan gave a disapproving sigh when Levi informed him the competition would have to wait until the day after the festival.

  “This is an important day to this village. It always has been, and we hope it always will be.” Levi placed his fists on his squared hips.

  Having the utmost respect for Levi, Enan held his tongue and nodded as he walked away. Enan had learned that a sharp tongue got him into more trouble with his commander than not hitting his mark.

  Enan had just finished a hearty lunch when they started the races. Not knowing the schedule of events, Enan wished he had waited until after the races were over to fill his belly.

  The participants lined up together at the starting line, a tall black horse of fifteen hands at the end, and two bays next. Tirzah’s brother Phillip urged his palomino forward with five other horses alongside him, including Enan and Legend. The steeds stomped their hooves on the dirt and pranced in place until everyone was in line.

  They shot off together at the sound of the cowbell. Legend got off to a good start, pulling ahead with a dozen other horses. Such a large group caused a number of accidents even among the experienced riders, including Enan.

  The trouble began when they headed into the first turn. The horse to the left of Enan was caught off-balance and tumbled sideways into Legend, causing him to stumble and smash back into the first horse. Both horses veered off to the left. Legend tried to regain his balance but fell into his competitor, and both horses and riders went down. They were a bit dusty and egos bruised, but no one was hurt, so they got up and watched the finish of the race.

  Philip was taking the last stretch at a full-blown run to the finish. The crowd cheered as he crossed the line and waited for the others to cross. Philip’s face was flushed with pride as he asked if there were any other takers who thought they could beat him.

  It was then that Tirzah rode up, her blue tunic tucked up around her legs and long dark hair pulled back into a long braid. She gave Phillip a teasing grin as she turned Burma around on the starting line. Many laughed, and others cheered as Philip rode up next to her.

  Philip was not amused. He knew how well Tirzah could ride, and the speed Burma possessed. Although his gelding was of fair breeding, Bluma’s conformation was exactly what a horse needed to win a race.

  At the nearby village of Ayin, they often placed wages on horse races to pass the time and to see whose horse had the greatest speed. Philip had taken Bluma to these races and come home with the winnings, but Tirzah visited such wrath upon him that Bluma had never had a chance to prove herself again until this day.

  After giving his horse a short rest, Philip lined up beside Tirzah. He glared at Tirzah to try and distract her, but she kept her eyes forward and took off at the bell.

  Just after the start, Tirzah tucked Bluma in behind Philip’s horse. They ran a brisk pace around the first turn. She leaned into the curve and had seized the lead in a few strides. Philip’s horse accelerated to stay with her. Bluma blazed down the stretch at a tremendous clip, strides ahead.

  Tirzah glimpsed back to see Philip inching his way up. That was just incentive for her to ask Bluma for all she had.

  Bluma answered as if there were a fire burning behind her. She took off like lightning, finishing far ahead of Philip. The people cheered as Bluma loped past them. They ran to Tirzah, congratulating her and petting Bluma.

  That was the first impression Enan had of Tirzah. The other young men laughed as Enan showed his admiration for her.

  “Is this the first time you have noticed her?” They asked him, chuckling.

  ****

  Enan lifted his head and stared into the wise, worn eyes of his father.

  “What do those memories tell you?” He waited for Enan to have a moment to let it all sink in. At last, Joel offered the advice Enan needed. “Be silent, and listen.” His father sat back, folded his arms and for a third time, waited. “To your Heavenly Father.”

  Looking to the ground Enan stopped all thoughts, all but one.

  Chapter Eight

  Maximus sat watching his Felicia pluck a grape and hold it to her mouth as she spoke to Anthony. He knew his stare would irritate her but could not help himself. She attracted him as no other. Angered that neither she nor Anthony glanced his way, he stood and walked to them, not wanting to bother with a slave where she was concerned.

  Anthony noticed as Felicia watched the approach of Maximus and rose to stand at attention.

  “I need to see you in the consultant’s room.” Maximus addressed Anthony but kept his eyes on Felicia. She pushed the grape into her mouth, which undid him. He balled his hands into fists as Anthony bowed and walked by him. “Must you be so obvious, dear one?” Her averted eyes maddened him. He grabbed her by the arm and curled his lip as he glared at her. “Do you shame me now, even in the public’s eye?”

  She stared at his hand, and he loosened his grip. “I’m sorry. I do not mean to disgrace you.” She stared at him with large dark eyes too much like his. Everyone spoke of the resemblance between the two. When he looked at her, he saw what he wanted himself to be—confident and well admired. Maybe that was why he loved her so.

  He dropped his hand. “You are forgiven.” He would always forgive her, no matter how much she avoided him or gave her attentions to another. He stared at her longer than he should, waiting for a response he would never receive.

  Felicia stared at Anthony.

  Still at attention, Anthony looked straight ahead and followed as Maximus walked through the garden and entered the consultant’s room.

  Maximus stopped, and Anthony shut the doors. Not certain what to ask of the assistant commander, Maximus took his time walking to the head of the table to sit. Following his lead, Anthony took a seat at the end of the table.

  Finally, Maximus spoke. “How many spies have actually seen Josiah?”

  “Quite a number, from what I have been told.” Anthony’s brows peaked in question. “I do believe Marcus has reliable information.”

  “And a legion will surely be enough to take three small villages,” Maximus said.

  Anthony’s lips turned down into a frown, and he hesitated in answering. “I do not wish to speak above myself.”

  “You have my permission to do so.” Maximus sat back and put a finger to his chin while waiting an answer.

  Anthony looked downward as he collected his thoughts. “The villagers will put up a hearty fight against us. They have trained their men from
boyhood to be able to handle a sword and bow. There may also be reinforcements if word gets out in time.”

  Maximus scoffed. “How can you compare our army to theirs?”

  “They have more to fight for. Their families will be at their backs as they come to fight. There is reason for the numbers Marcus requests.”

  Frustrated with his obvious loyalty to Marcus, Maximus raised his voice. “So, you feel sure of this decision?”

  Anthony straightened his back, and his gaze steadied as he answered. “Yes, I am very confident we will succeed and come home victorious.” Realizing he could not sway Anthony, he probed into the subject he wanted information on most. “Felicia.”

  Maximus watched as Anthony’s eyes jerked upward. “You are forbidden to speak with her.” Anthony averted his eyes and pursed his lips.

  “Yes, lord.”

  Maximus felt satisfaction with the latter part of the conversation, sensing Anthony’s irritation with his order. Anthony’s unwillingness to give any more information than necessary concerning the military decisions was insulting.

  He dismissed the soldier with a backhanded wave.

  He stood and started for the door then stopped near Maximus. “My lord?”

  Maximus raised his head in Anthony’s direction and nodded.

  “If Felicia speaks to me, may I explain?”

  Smiling to himself, Maximus took no thought to answer. “No, you may not.”

  Anthony’s anger remained subtle. “Yes, my lord.” He turned and left the room.

  Maximus stayed in the consultant’s room long after Anthony left. A thought briefly crossed his mind that he was not being told all that was to happen, but he pushed it away.

  Maximus was irritated with Marcus’s decision on attacking the villages by the hills. It would mean more casualties, but then what were soldiers for? They lived their lives to die, and they were his to do with as he saw fit.

  He had felt the number of men he’d allowed was generous, but Marcus did not seem satisfied. Anthony spoke as if even more men would be needed to complete the task.

  Marcus was controlled by the moon. His emotions were unpredictable, and lately, seemed more so. Maximus was tiring of it. He would speak to Marcus before he left for battle.

  Marcus had not mentioned Maximus going. Was this an effort to keep him from discrediting himself, or did he not want Maximus present? If only he had the strength to go, his men would honor him. But what if he failed?

  The questions consumed him, filling him with self-doubt and making him indecisive. He put his hands to his head, taking deep breaths over and over until the thoughts quieted in his mind.

  He could not take the chance of attending the battle. With or without him, tomorrow his army would deploy to sack the small villages, and if all went well, bring Josiah to his knees. Satisfied with his resolution, he went to take pleasure in the dancer who had been waiting for him.

  Chapter Nine

  Enan felt relieved as Tirzah threw him a smiling glance. She was all his for an entire afternoon. He should spend more time with her parents, to prove he was an honorable choice for their daughter, so Andrew and Martha agreed to join them for a day at the market. Enan appreciated that they were kind enough to keep their distance, while remaining close enough for respectability.

  Enan glanced over at Tirzah and into her sky-blue eyes.

  “Why do you look at me that way?” She held his gaze as she kept in step with him.

  “Can I pinch you?” His grin broadened as he reached out two fingers toward her.

  She pulled away and slapped his fingers. “No. Why would you be so foolish?”

  He shook his hand as if it pained him. “To see if you’re real.”

  She laughed and watched his fingers closely as he pinched the air again. “I can assure you that I am, without being pinched.”

  She smoothed her dark hair, giving him a coquettish smile, but then tensed and looked around for her parents, relaxing when she saw them intrigued with their shopping. The two couples enjoyed the colorful merchandise as they walked through the market place.

  The homes there were made with rectangular, stone bricks with small, white pillars in front holding up awnings. Merchants conducted their business in the front of the home and held residence in the back.

  The rumble of wooden wheels became louder as the couple neared the inner part of the village. The street sellers had set up on the sides of the main road, offering their goods and delicacies. Music played, and people frolicked through the street and nearby grassland.

  Tirzah bought a basket of bread, olives, cheese, and wine, but while he’d been in training, Enan had missed the couscous made in the village and paid for three servings of the steam-cooked wheat bran.

  She looked at the terra cotta bowl filled to the brim. “Do they starve you in training?”

  He held the bowl under his nose and inhaled, holding his eyes closed. “No, but they don’t make this. Gruel is the standard.” He held the bowl out to her. “I might even share a little for a kiss. I don’t get any of those either while I’m away.”

  The merchant selling couscous gave them a censuring look, and Tirzah blushed.

  They walked through the main dirt road and stopped to view the fruit. The grapes, figs, and pomegranates were tempting, giving off an aroma that awakened Tirzah’s taste buds. She couldn’t help but stare at the vast array displayed at a number of the tables.

  Enan smiled and asked an overly-eager merchant, “Figs, please.” The merchant scrambled a few together and placed them in a bowl.

  Tirzah’s eyes lit at the sight of them. “My favorite.”

  Enan delighted at the sparkle in her eyes as she reached for one and bit off the end. “Yes, I know,” he replied with a chuckle.

  They found a place to spread out a blanket, pulled the food from the basket to eat their noon meal. Her parents were still at the market, so they enjoyed their time together as they waited.

  The weather of Zayin was usually hot in the summer, and humid only in the winter, which made for a pleasant spring. This day was one of the most enjoyable in months. Daffodils were budding and birds flew, chirping their songs overhead. Removing her shawl, Tirzah sat down and rested on the soft cotton. Enan sat next to her, and they watched the white clouds slowly moving across the sky. Enan leaned close to her and watched the clouds’ reflections in her entrancing eyes.

  “I missed you, beloved.”

  She lowered her eyes to meet his. “And I missed you.”

  He moved to kiss her, but stopped himself, and then pulled away, raking his fingers through his dark brown locks. He let out a breath through his lips to calm his heart and cool his heated body. He’d only had his dreams of her over the past few weeks. To be with her filled his body with life.

  Tirzah’s eyes lit, as she saw his desire. “Tell me about your days away and about how much you missed me.”

  He mused at her need for his comforting words and at her interest in his time away. “We wake at dawn. Eat, perform drills. Eat our noon meal, perform drills. Eat our dinner, sleep and when the sun rises, we repeat the same routine over again each new day.”

  She laughed and poked his ribs. “You don’t tell stories like your father.”

  “There is no doubt of that.” He laughed but then his laughter stilled, and he looked up to gaze at the clouds again, afraid to meet her gaze as he told her, “I thought of you each time I saw the sun rise and set, at every meal and even in my dreams.”

  She moved her hands back to prop herself up. “And who did you think about during the day and afternoon?”

  He chuckled, having expected a sentimental comment from her in return. With a straight face, he replied. “Legend. After all, I’m on his back all day long.”

  She shifted and gazed into his eyes. “You have the most beautiful brown eyes, my love.”

  He returned her gaze, seeing his reflection in her shining, bright eyes. He noticed how wide his eyes were and how his lips parted, showin
g his need for her. His expression was that of a love-sick pup. Leaving her again would be the hardest thing he would ever do.

  ****

  Entering the kitchen after the family had left Enan at the crossroads, Tirzah walked past her mother without seeing her. Martha glanced up from the table where she stood kneading some bread dough and watched her daughter. Tirzah poured a cup of water for herself and turned to gaze out the small window above the table. Only then did she see Martha. She gave a start.

  “I didn’t see you there, Mother.” Her smile was contagious.

  “I don’t believe you noticed anything when you first walked through the door,” Martha teased. “You must enjoy Enan’s company very much.”

  Tirzah’s face brightened. “Enan and I had the most wonderful time together, Mother.” She walked to the table and sat next to Martha. “Thank you for allowing him to come with us today.”

  Martha wiped her hands and looked at her child’s smiling eyes and cheerful face. “What is it about this one that makes you act so?”

  Tirzah felt euphoric as she spoke of him. “Oh, there are many reasons.” Tirzah stared past her mother with unfocused eyes, a grin still plastered on her face.

  “Give me one.” Martha laid the cloth on the table and waited for her daughter’s reply.

  Tirzah sighed and put her palm under her chin. “He is loving and considerate. He makes me laugh,” she said with a chuckle. “And he is so handsome.”

  Martha nodded. “Yes, but many young men are the same.”

  Tirzah shook her head. “No, Enan is different. He is honorable and makes me happy as no other ever has.”

  Martha’s brows arched. “Yes, and his honor will secure his place in battle.”

  Tirzah cast her gaze downward and let out a sigh to keep the tears at bay. She realized she had said the same questioning words to Enan just a couple of days ago.

  “And with that honor comes respect. I would not be with a man who would dismiss his duty.” She stood to leave.