Page 40 of The Guardian's Promise

“How long do you intend to stay at Manna?” Jesse asked.

He looked at his brother, his conversation with Mira fresh in his mind. The uncertainty that his family would betray God and Judah sparked anew with his brother’s question. Even though he trusted his brothers completely, it wouldn’t hurt to keep his plans as vague as possible. “That depends.”

“On?”

Ari took another sip in an effort to stall. He really needed to confide in someone and he’d been closer to Jesse than any of his brothers. “I am not sure.”

“What do you mean?”

Lowering his voice, Ari replied, “Those men, the ones we killed, how do you think they knew where to find us?”

Jesse took a few moments before he answered. “You think they had help?”

“I don’t see how else they could have maneuvered the paths.”

Jesse blew out a low whistle. “What you suggest, Ari...but who?”

“That is the question, is it not?”

Jesse tilted his chin and looked Ari in the eye. “Do you think it is one of us?”

Ari hesitated. He knew his scrutiny hadn’t caused Jesse’s air of discomfort. Jesse had always been diligent in his service to the Lord. “It is not one of our brothers. I do not like to think it is one of our cousins, yet, whoever it is has intricate knowledge of the passageways.”

“You are correct.” Jesse pursed his lips.

“There is something else that has been bothering me.”

“What is that, brother?” Jesse refilled his cup.

“There had been a Philistine warrior with those men near the pool.”

“That is not unusual. Athaliah has kept many of the mercenaries.”

“But that is not all, brother. He was there. In the cave, he saw Joash and Mira and...” Ari rubbed his jaw. “Mira thought to go back home. I found her in the pool. The mercenary saw her. I have no doubt. Yet he did not alert his companions and he was not with the men we killed.”

“Hmm, that is an odd occurrence.” Jesse leaned his head against the wall. His elbows rested on his knees, fingers tented. “I did not wish to alarm you any further.” He sighed and looked Ari in the eye. “After the attack, I scouted the tunnels. There were three more dead just beyond the bend toward Seth’s.”

Ari was not surprised. “Did you take care of them?”

“Someone had done it already. Their throats were slit. Not one of them looked like a Philistine.”

“We’ll have to keep vigilant and question this mercenary when we find him.” Ari sat his cup near the fire.

“Would you like me to go to the spring?”

“No. I need you here. I need someone I can trust to see Joash to Jerusalem should anything happen to me.”

“So be it, brother.” He patted Ari’s shoulder. “I’ll take the first watch. There could be more waiting in the wings.”

“I do not think so, brother. You’ve checked, remember? Just the same, there will be no sleep for me tonight.”

“Then there will be none for me, either. I will make my bed near the western door.”

Ari nodded his thanks and then leaned his head against the wall. It was a shame Mira could not play her lyre. Her music would help soothe his troubles. But then her fingers strumming over each string with such passion would set his heart to longing.

He stared up at the dome ceiling and traced each crevice with his gaze. Had King David lain in this exact spot? Had he looked at the cracks to keep his mind from wandering to temptation? But why was Mira a temptation? Because her father had offered her to him, and the more time he spent in her presence the more he realized how much he wanted to accept the troth. Of course, Ari would insist her feelings be taken into consideration before finalizing the contracts.

She had allowed him to kiss her, something she wouldn’t do unless her heart was in the matter. She would agree to be his wife. So why could he not kiss her whenever he pleased?

Because she is not your wife, yet.

That could be easily rectified. He had the contract tucked in his bag. All he needed to do was add his signature next to Mira’s father’s.

You must focus on seeing Joash safely on the throne. And that was the core of the matter. If he married Mira, he’d be sneaking off to woo his wife with kisses, and wouldn’t be able to keep an eye on Joash.

“What is wrong with you?” Jesse asked.

Ari blinked his eyes a few times and then looked at his brother. “What do you mean?”

“You look troubled.” Jesse sat up, his gaze holding Ari’s. “It’s Mira,” he whispered as if he’d been given a great secret.

“Yes.” Ari paused. “Not another word. Not until this is all done.”

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