Page 28 of The Guardian's Promise

“At first she wouldn’t listen to me, but we heard the screams and then horses as the soldiers came after us. I could not leave her there. I had to protect her.”

He cringed at the story. He could only imagine the horror Joash and Mira had felt at the sounds. She must be worried about her family, and in his relief at finding them safe, he’d forgotten to give her word. “You did well, Joash. You have much courage for one so young.”

He’d have to wait until she returned to give her news of her family.

“Ari?”

“Yes, Joash?”

“You once said that most men were afraid of what lurks in the water.”

The corner of his lip curved upward. “Yes, I did.” He recalled the very moment he’d told him of the myths believed by men. The boy had been more interested in pictures of such creatures than feared by the possibility of their existence. Of course, he’d only told the boy the stories in order to reassure him that the cave was a place of safety.

“A soldier was here,” Joash said as if he were talking about lacing his sandals.

Ari rose to his feet. “Here?”

“Yes. He stood right there.” Joash pointed to a spot on the ledge.

“When?” The air caught in Ari’s lungs.

“Not long after we came here. He stood there staring at us. Mira grabbed your sword and swung it at him. He left and hasn’t returned.”

* * *

Afraid to release the air filling her lungs, Mira allowed it to ease out of her nostrils as she looked for a nook to hide.

Lord, hide Your servants from our enemies.

“I’ve searched the crags and nothing,” the Philistine spoke with frustration to his comrades.

“The boy is not a rumor. One of the servants told me of the child’s arrival when he was a babe. A royal nurse brought him to that village.” Another soldier crossed his arms over his chest. “I want him found. I want him killed.”

Fear for Joash raced down her back.

“And the girl?”

Mira blinked. Her heart raced frantically.

“I want her brought to me. Unharmed.”

She inhaled sharply. A hand covered her mouth and before she knew what was happening she was pulled beneath the surface. She fought against the arm banded around her waist, clawed at the hand clasped over her mouth.

She twisted and turned in her assailant’s arms. Water stung her eyes, open wide with fear. Before it all began they surfaced. Mira blinked her eyes to clear the water. Her exhausted body sighed in relief at the sight of Ari, but her mind wanted to rail at him for scaring her. However, his hand remained tight against her lips.

“Shh,” he whispered near her ear. “Come, very quickly and do not make a sound.”

She nodded and followed close behind up the steps and into the cave. She stood there, her wet tunic clinging to her as it dripped on the floor and watched as Ari made hand gestures to Joash. She watched in silent shock as Joash carried out Ari’s bidding. Ari shoved foodstuff into sacks, and then shoved it into her arms. He lifted one of her feet and tied a sandal to it, then the other.

Her thoughts were in turmoil. Guilt assailed her. Because of her anger, because of her selfish desire to thwart Ari, she had endangered Joash.

She tried to read Ari’s brisk movements, the darkening of his cheeks and the fierce tick in his clenching jaw. Did he blame her? It was his right.

He shoved his sword into its sheath and tied it to his belt. How would they leave? There were many of them and only one Ari.

Oh, Lord, forgive me!

Mira wanted to ask Ari where they were going. But Ari seemed hesitant to speak, which left her question unasked.

Unanswered.

Chapter Thirteen

The self-control that had earned him his position as Joash’s personal guard was threatening to fray. It should have been obvious when he told her she had no choice but to stay with him that it was dangerous for her to leave. He didn’t think she’d disregard his warning. Not in this.

The high color in Mira’s cheeks and her downcast eyes as he tied her sandals onto her feet proved she’d realized the consequences of her actions. She would not try another escape.

He laid his short swords onto the crumpled mat and rolled it tight before tying it with a cord. He’d no doubt they’d need all the weapons they could carry. He never thought another man would enter the water out of fear of what lurked in the depths. But one had. A Philistine mercenary if the bronze helm and armor was any indication. It would not be long before the handful of soldiers returned, if the mercenary could convince the Hebrews to enter the water.

If he learned anything from his days as Commander of Temple Guard, once a Philistine decided on a course, there was nothing to sway him. If Athaliah had hired the ruthless mercenaries to fight alongside her warriors she no doubt believed Joash lived.

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