Chapter 12

The next morning dawned brilliantly bright but chilly. The two-month season called winter in Northern Galilee was at hand, a dreary period of searching winds and cold rains when the people were more comfortable indoors. This might be the last day of autumn.

With Lysias’ gracious co-operation, Fara had overcome Voldi’s reluctance to spend the night at the palace. The steward had been given to understand that Voldi was from Petra; and, as a student of the classics, had wanted to see the famous library. Seeing that the personable young man had been directed there by no less a prominent citizen than David, no further explanations of Voldi’s visit seemed necessary. Anyone from Petra was welcome to the Tetrarch’s hospitality. The beautiful, highly bred Darik had been properly stabled, groomed, admired.

After an early breakfast, Fara and Voldi had repaired to the library for a further discussion of their dilemma. It was soon made clear that the girl was adamant in her decision not to return to Arabia. She wasn’t going to ruin Voldi’s life and bring endless humiliation upon herself by being his wife and the mother of his children. No, she conceded, it was no fault of hers that her veins bore alien blood, but it was a misfortune that need not be bequeathed to others still unborn. In short, Fara had made up her mind and it was useless to argue with her.

‘Let me give you a little more time to think it over, dear,’ pleaded Voldi; and when Fara had pointed out that there was no suitable place for him to lodge, either in Tiberias, Capernaum, or Bethsaida, he said, ‘I shall ride back to Caesarea and tarry for a few weeks. Then may I return—and see you again?’

She tried to convince him that this would only be salting their wounds, that they would both be better off if he rode away to occupy himself with other interests; but, after his earnest entreaty to be allowed to come back in the spring-time, she consented. Voldi saw that she was glad to have made this concession, and kissed her. Fara shook her head demurely, but shared the kiss, after murmuring helplessly that it wasn’t fair to either of them. Voldi’s failure to debate this point was an admission that she was right about that; but, drawing her closer into his arms, he kissed her again and again. ‘I shouldn’t let you do this,’ she whispered; but she did. At length, reluctantly tugging herself loose from his embrace, she walked to the open window, Voldi slowly following. He put his arm around her gently.

‘Let us get out into the sunshine,’ she said. ‘We will take a walk.’ Her eyes lighted with a happy thought. ‘We will visit Hannah!’

Voldi frowned thoughtfully, wondering whether it was discreet to add this emphasis to Fara’s Arabian origin. Hannah might inadvertently say something to a neighbour that would expose Fara to the community’s inquisitive conjectures. How does this Jewish girl happen, they would say, to be visited by a friend from Arabia? He voiced his anxiety.

‘Hannah will not talk,’ said Fara. ‘My secret will be as safe with her as it is with David; and you have told me that you trust him fully.’

‘It is different with the Sadducee,’ said Voldi. ‘He knows who you are—and why you are here. Your friend Hannah is in the dark about you. If you trust her at all, you had better confide everything.’

‘If I promise to do that, will you come?’