As Sure as the Dawn(174)

“I do, but I don’t see any answers coming on the horizon.”

Looking toward the woods where Atretes had gone, Theophi- lus became pensive. “Give thanks for what’s happening.” He knew worse was coming. He could feel the darkness gathering force around them. “Tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character. Proven character brings hope.” He looked at her. “Hope never disappoints, beloved, because the love of God is being poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit. And it will be that love, the love of God, that turns these people to Christ.”

“Two, maybe more,” she said with a smile.

He felt a bond with her that had grown stronger over the past few months. He had watched her grow in Christ. She said she wasn’t strong, but she was stronger than she realized, and the Lord would give her even more strength when the time came to stand. She thought she had no influence, that nothing was changing, that God wasn’t working. What other reason had Satan for attacking her from all sides?

Theophilus ran his hand lightly over her hair. He loved her, maybe a little too much.

“Put on your armor, beloved. The battle is coming.”

“What should I do to help Atretes?”

“Give him time.”





45


Spring came early, bringing with it an exuberance and trembling excitement that swept the Chatti. Hunting was good and feasting lasted far into the night. The younger warriors stripped off every scrap of clothing and danced over the swords and frameas while the men and women laughed and shouted encouragement.

Rolf left the bachelor’s longhouse and built a grubenhaus of his own. When he disappeared without a word, some of the warriors went looking for his body, but found no trace of him.

A fortnight passed and Rolf appeared, a Hermunduri girl with him. Her hands were bound in front of her, another loop of rope around her neck. Rolf held it firmly in his hand.

“What’s she look like under all that dirt?” Rud laughed.

The men surrounded Rolf and his captive and began teasing him with ribald remarks.

“I’ll give you a horse for her,” Reudi said, grinning as he looked the girl over from head to foot. “She may be dirty, but she has a nice shape.”

Rizpah stood just outside the longhouse, filled with pity for the girl.

Anomia watched as well, gloating over the fruition of her plan. Rolf had glimpsed the girl during the battle with the Hermunduri the spring before, and Anomia had encouraged him to go back and get her. She hoped her father or brothers would come after her. An attack would serve to rouse the winter-lethargic Chatti into fighting spirit again.

“I’ll give you two horses!” an older man called out.

Rizpah’s anger grew as she listened to the men taunting the poor girl and bidding over her like they would an animal.

Rolf, normally able to take ribbing, was thunderous. “She’s not for sale!”

The girl uttered a frightened cry and swung around as one of the warriors took liberties. Rolf knocked the man back, to the loud guffaws of the others.

“Don’t be selfish. Share her!”

“Touch her again, Buri, and I’ll cut your hand off.”

The warrior barked out a laugh. “She looks as dark as Atretes’ woman.” He caught the front of her tunic and ripped it. “But she’s white under the dirty rags.”

Rolf lunged at him.

Gasping at the violence of the fight, Rizpah wished Atretes were there to stop the fracas, but he was hunting with Theophilus. Freyja was in the sacred woods gathering herbs, and Anomia, who could have done something to stop it, stood in her doorway, laughing and deriving obvious pleasure from seeing the men pounding one another.

Buri went down amidst shouts and more laughter.

The Hermunduri girl was crying hysterically and slapping at another warrior who sought to fondle her. Rolf made swift work of Buri and turned on him.

Rizpah shifted Caleb and set him on his feet. Kneeling before him, she gripped his shoulders. “Stay right here and don’t move.” He nodded. “Pray for Mama,” she said and kissed him. He nodded again. She left him in the doorway of the longhouse and walked quickly down the street toward the jostling men who were shouting challenges. She was affronted by their crude laughter.

Reaching the back of the crowd, she pushed her way between the men until she faced Rolf. The young warrior’s face was red and streaming sweat. He was shocked to see her.

“Enough of this,” she said. She stepped by him and untied the rope binding the girl’s wrists together.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Rolf said, breathing heavily from the fight with Buri and Eudo.

“Exactly what it looks like I’m doing.” She untied the rope around the girl’s neck and let it drop into the dust at his feet.