As Sure as the Dawn(37)

Gallus gave her a pitying look and opened the gate.

Atretes held out a pouch to Rizpah. “Take it,” he commanded. She obeyed, grimacing as she did so. The leather was dripping wet and slimy. It was the same pouch she’d flung at him the first day they met. Apparently it had remained in the fountain pool until today; it was heavy with gold coins.

“Consider it payment for services rendered.”

She saw his intent. Nodding, she turned away and went out the gate. She hurried down the road, bundling Caleb closer to protect him from the cold wind blowing in from the east, where winter was coming.

As she passed by the terebinth tree, she saw several men sitting and talking in the shadows. They appeared to have no interest in her. Reaching the bend in the road, she glanced back surreptitiously.

One was following.





7


Despite all her attempts to lose the man following her, Rizpah sensed he was still somewhere close by when she reached John’s house. Exhausted, she knocked at the door. Cleopas opened it and gave an exclamation of delighted welcome.

“John was called out earlier, but he should return soon,” he said, bringing her inside. “Sit. You look tired.”

“I am,” she said, sinking down gratefully on a couch near a brazier. The warmth was welcome after the long walk in the cold wind. “I’ve come from Atretes.”

“There’s trouble?”

“Great trouble,” she said, loosening the shawl and lowering Caleb and the pouch of gold coins to the couch beside her. She shivered.

Cleopas moved the brazier closer to her. “Caleb looks well,” he said, smiling down at him. “And much heavier than the last time I saw him.”

“He’s twice what he was when John placed him in my arms,” she said thankfully, though she had felt every ounce of him and the additional weight of the gold coins during the long walk into the city. Smiling, she let Caleb grasp her fingers and try to pull himself up.

Cleopas put his hand on her shoulder. “I’ll bring you some wine and something to eat.”

She thanked him and returned her attention to the baby. “Now, beloved, you’re no longer bound. Wiggle all you want,” she said, tickling his stomach. Gurgling happily, he kicked his legs. He grasped his foot and stuck it in his mouth, gumming his toes while grinning up at her. She patted his bottom and rose.

Going to the window, she peered out cautiously. The man who had followed her was standing in the night shadows beside a building just down the street, watching the house. She drew back, a hand against her heart.

Trembling, she went back and sat down beside Caleb again.

Cleopas returned. “Can I do anything to help?”

“I may be bringing trouble to John,” she said as he set the tray down on the table before her. “A man followed me. I tried to lose him on the way, but he’s like a barnacle on the hull of a ship. You can see him. He’s wearing black robes and he’s standing just down the street. Perhaps I should leave now before—”

“And go where?”

“I don’t know, but the man behind the trouble is powerful and connected to the arenas.” Fear rose inside her at the thought of repercussions to John and other friends if they stood in Sertes’ way. “I didn’t think . . .”

Cleopas poured wine into a small copper-lined clay cup and handed it to her. “It’s very late. Drink. Eat.”

His calm assurance set her mind at ease. He was unafraid. God was in command, not Sertes. Not even the emperor of the whole Roman Empire had the power of the Lord. She smiled up at Cleopas. “I’ve missed you and John and all the others.”

“As we’ve missed you.”

The sound of the front door opening startled her. Wine spilled over her hand, and she set the cup down. So much for her calmness! Cleopas put his hand out in a comforting gesture and rose. “It’s John or one of the brethren,” he said and went out to the antechamber. She heard voices and recognized that of the apostle.

“Thank God,” she said, rising and going to him as he entered the room. She threw her arms around him, tears burning her eyes. He held her tenderly, as a father might. When she finally withdrew, John took her hands and gave her a holy kiss. He was dismayed by her tears.

She gave him a watery smile. “It’s so good to see you, John.”

“And you,” he said.

Caleb gave a squeal from the couch and Rizpah jumped. John gave her a comforting touch and stepped past her. Laughing, he picked up the baby. “Look who comes to see us, Cleopas!” he said, grinning into Caleb’s face. Caleb kicked his legs like a little frog, delighted to be the center of attention again. John held him close and ran a finger under Caleb’s chin, gaining another chuckle.