Chapter 28

Less than two hours after the return of Peter and Fara to her home, Rennah’s letter, accompanied by the bag of gold coins, arrived. Shortly afterward Voldi came. His face was serious. He had stopped at the royal encampment and old Kedar had told him everything. The three of them studied the letter. Peter’s only comment was, ‘God will not be mocked!’

‘It is obvious,’ said Voldi, ‘that the Queen made this up. However, her advice should be taken. Peter is in danger not because he is a Jew but because he miraculously restored the Prince after Arabia was assured that he had been disqualified from acceding to the throne.’

‘You are right, Voldi,’ agreed Fara. ‘And I shall go with him. It is quite impossible for me to remain here any longer.’

So it was decided that Peter and Fara should start early the next morning for Gaza and take passage on a ship. It was now at the height of the season for grain shipments to Rome and they might be lucky enough to sail without much delay on some craft that called at Piraeus, the port of Athens. Voldi impulsively resolved to go too.

‘In his present mood,’ explained Voldi, ‘the Prince will not object to my absence.’

All through the night, preparations went forward for departure in the morning. Voldi rode to the royal encampment and confided their intentions to Kedar, who took it upon himself to organize a pack-train to carry Fara’s and Ione’s belongings to the port. Assured that the Queen had commanded them to clear out, Kedar felt himself on safe ground to give his full aid to their departure.

In the grey light that announced the coming dawn, the caravan started down the tortuous trail toward the Valley of Aisne. In two hours they had left the snow behind them and the men were taking off their leather jackets. Peter preferred to walk—and he walked alone, his grey head bent in serious meditation. He had made a mistake, it seemed. He had wanted to do a great favour to a foe, but his good intentions had only widened the breach and fanned the smouldering fire of hatred.

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