Page 65 of The Guardian's Promise

Ishiah turned a sharp corner and pressed her against a plastered building. He heaved deep breaths, hers matching his.

“I think we lost him,” he huffed as he tugged on her hand and pulled her farther away from the street they had been on. The ground beneath her feet was no longer cobbled but smooth and soft.

After a few twists and turns he placed his hand on her head. “Duck, Sh’mira.”

She did so, and the smell of baking bread made her mouth water, making her forget she had been near abducted.

“Where are we?” she asked.

“Do not worry yourself, child,” Ishiah said. “You are safe here.”

“My son,” a woman’s voice called. “I did not think to be blessed with your presence so soon.” Mira blinked as the firebrands lighting the room tried to break through the dark spots dancing in her vision. She heard the smack of a kiss and couldn’t help but smile at the greeting between Ishiah and his mother.

“Hello, Mother.” He pulled Mira close. “May I introduce Sh’mira to you? She is the daughter of Ariel’s master.”

Mira flinched at the reminder of how hard Ari had worked for her father. All the while he should have been taken care of by her father and his family.

“I see,” the woman clucked. “What a beautiful girl she is.”

Heat rose in her cheeks.

“And very courageous,” Ishiah added.

Mira opened her mouth to argue but he squeezed her hand. “Mira, this is my mother, Sara, Ari’s grandmother.”

“My pleasure,” She bowed her head.

Papery fingers held her chin as the woman placed a kiss on her brow. “Come, come sit by the fire while I mix up a salve.”

“A salve?” Mira asked.

“Yes, my child, you’ve burns on your face,” Sara replied as she moved away, and Ishiah led her to a stool. He helped her to sit. Mira brought her fingers to her cheeks.

“All will be well, you will see.” Ishiah offered comfort. Fool as she was, she believed him even as she felt the tender flesh around her eyes. Had she been so focused on protecting Joash that she hadn’t realized how close the flames had been? At least her skin was only tender to the touch and did not blister, which would have surely left scars, ones that would not have been as easy to hide.

* * *

Ari had searched the temple for the high priest, but was met with more destruction. Some of the smaller pillars had been demolished, pottery broken. All of the lampstands had been removed. The ten bronze basins and the laver were gone from the outer court. Even the bronze pillars at the entrance of the temple had been stripped.

The desolation filled Ari’s heart with sorrow, yet the hand held in his was a reminder there was hope for Judah once Joash was crowned king.

He led Joash out of the temple courtyard and into the streets. Ari gasped at the revelry taking place. He knew his beloved city had been turned into a den of wickedness but he never quite imagined anything this terrible. He knelt beside Joash. “Keep your eyes to the ground as we make our way, and do not let go of my hand.”

Ari rose to his full height at the child’s agreement. He tried keeping to the shadows and away from large groups of people lest they get caught up in a mob.

After several long minutes, Ari and Joash stood in the center of the priest’s courtyard surrounding his home. They were greeted by several men Ari recognized from his days of service as temple guard. Without a word, a servant stepped forward and then led them into Jehoiada’s private chamber. He released a sigh of relief at the sight of the high priest leaning on a staff in the center of his room as if he were expecting them. Jehoiada’s aging eyes fell to Joash. “This is he?” His eyes glittered with joy.

Ari nodded, and Jehoiada lifted his hand, waving to someone hidden behind a curtain. It took all of Ari’s strength of will not to push the child behind him, but when Jehoiada’s wife stepped within sight, Ari relaxed.

He squeezed Joash’s hand. “This is Jehoiada, your high priest, and his wife, Jehosheba, your aunt. She rescued you along with Tama.” He hadn’t told the child of his kingship as he grew up, but he and Tama had told him about his survival. The boy needed to know who his greatest enemies were.

Jehosheba fell to her knees with her arms stretched out. Joash looked to Ari for reassurance. Ari nodded. She hugged the child to her and kissed his cheeks as she cried.

“You may take him,” Jehoiada told her.

Ari watched with a mixture of sadness and relief as the boy was no longer under his protection. Joash turned back and bowed his head to Ari, and Ari did like in return. The boy and his aunt disappeared.

His look must have held some concern, for Jehoiada addressed the issue of Joash’s safety. “He is well guarded.”

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