Chapter 6

There came now a score or more of camel-borne men and women, most of them in their twenties and thirties; household servants, no doubt. The majority of them were handsome. They were evidently in a carnival mood, exchanging banter that made them laugh. Whatever might be said of the Tetrarch, it was plain that his retainers were well cared for and had no quarrel with their employment.

Trailing the camels, at a considerable distance, came a long pack-train laden with baggage.

Losing interest now, Esther was about to turn away when there was a sudden stir among her neighbours. A brilliantly uniformed cavalryman, leading his horse, had paused beside her. The people, with amazement and apprehension in their stares, drew hastily aside to make room.

‘Your name, please,’ demanded the soldier, crisply but respectfully.

Esther’s knees trembled. She felt sick and weak. Before she was able to stammer a reply, a hand was laid gently on her arm.

‘I will answer for this young woman,’ said David, calmly. ‘She is a member of my family. Who wants to know her name, Centurion?’

‘His Highness, sir!’ retorted the soldier. ‘And who are you?’

‘I am David—of the House of Zadok. You may bear my compliments to His Highness and assure him that this young woman is not in need of his solicitude.’

The Sadducee had spoken with such haughty self-confidence that the Roman seemed at a loss for an appropriate response.

‘Well!’ he barked. ‘We will see about that! You will wait here until I return!’ Mounting his horse, he galloped forward. The crowd stood stunned, silent, gaping at Esther.

‘Come,’ said David, quietly. ‘There is nothing more to see. We will go home.’

‘But—the man!’ whispered Esther. ‘Are we not to wait?’

‘He will not return.’ David laid a protecting hand on her shoulder and gently propelled her through the bewildered pack.

Hannah was pale with fright when they rejoined her. David smiled reassuringly as he walked between them.