Warm afternoons and cool nights helped Tallis, and his troops relieve much of the stress they’d experienced during the previous three weeks. With more free time available, Abigail asked her husband to help her, and their mothers feed the hungry, distribute clothing, and try to find adequate shelter for those living in Hammath. How could he say no to his wife? The Triplicarious spend his days walking the streets, meeting his neighbors, and trying to make new friends. Several people mentioned how much they appreciated the job he and his soldiers did to protect their village. Listening to the locals’ praises made him feel proud and increased his confidence.
When Tallis spoke with his fellow citizens, he explained how he and his men needed their help maintaining a safe community. There may come a time when everyone living in Hammath would need to work together to defeat a common enemy. Thirty-four soldiers couldn’t protect a village of 200 people twenty-four hours a day forever. His troops get tired, like everyone else. As Tallis walked, he thanked God for the rest and asked for continued peace. He also told Abigail he would help her when time permitted.
As night fell, Tallis and Gad met outside the tower while Gad’s Conturbenium began their rounds. “Continue the same strategies you’ve used the past few nights. I understand our friends returned late last night and spied on us for a few hours. I need them to think we go home at midnight. Make sure your men hide in the shadows and remain alert.”
“I don’t follow your reasoning, Tallis, but my soldiers will follow your command. I hope you aren’t inviting trouble in the future.”
“Let me worry what the future holds. We will hold those attempting to free our prisoners responsible for their actions. I want to create the illusion they can wait until our troops go home for the night. This may encourage them to enter Hammath and try to free their friends without detection or confrontation.”
“I hope your plan works, sir.”
“We’ll be ready for them, but I don’t think our enemy is bold enough to venture into town tonight. Walk with me, Gad. I want to make sure my soldiers understand my expectations.”
“I told them how to perform their duties before they went on patrol.”
“A gentle reminder won’t hurt anyone. Also, I wanted to say how pleased I am with the job you and your Conturbenium are doing since you arrived. I appreciate your enthusiasm and support.”
“You are a hard fellow to find, Tallis. I’ve been looking all over for you. Why do you keep hiding from me?”
“Addai, my friend. How are you? I’m not hiding. I’ve been helping my wife and our mothers at the synagogue. I’m trying to serve those less fortunate than my family.”
“Most days I can count on you to visit me.” Addai stepped closer and whispered. “Today, I have some information to share with you regarding our friend, Dan.”
Tallis smiled at the old man. “How is Dan getting along these days, Addai?”
“The young man is always on the move. In and out of town, back and forth. I can’t figure out what he’s up to.”
“Doesn’t the lad take time to sleep?”
“I don’t think so. I stay up late, and Dan keeps a close eye on the building where you hold his friends. Do you think he’s planning their rescue?”
“I’m not sure.”
“I never thought the tower was the safest place to keep prisoners while their friends spied on every move our soldiers make. What if they figure out your troops quit patrolling Hammath at midnight?”
“They do? I’m glad you pointed this out to me. My Decanuses and I will discuss the effectiveness of our patrols during our next meeting. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.”
“Would a rescue attempt surprise you, Tallis? Keeping your captives locked inside the building by the well makes it easier for Dan’s friends to enter Hammath and walk to the center of town. Do you have soldiers guarding your prisoners? I’ve never seen any men patrolling outside the place.” Tallis smiled at the old man as two began heading toward Addai’s house. “Would you enemies rush in and knock the door down, free their friends, and disappear before your troops could respond?” Addai shook his finger at the soldier. “What would happen if your Centurion found out your captives escaped or their pals rescued them? I don’t think he’d be a happy man.”
Tallis looked surprised then grinned. “It wouldn’t be good. I could lose my job, and my wife and I would need to move in with you.”
“You’re a funny man, but you can move in with me anytime. We can starve together.”
Addai unlocked and opened the door when they arrived his dwelling. As Tallis followed the old man inside, he reached down and pulled his money pouch from his belt. “Let me give you some more dinars, while I can still afford to pay you. I appreciate your help, friend. Rest assured we will do our best to protect our captives and keep Hammath safe.”
At sunrise, Tallis met with Priam and Bazak. “There are some people I need to meet this morning, so you two will supervise the troops in my absence. I plan to return before the sixth hour. Make sure you also protect our prisoners while I’m away.”
The trip to and from Tiberias would take Tallis away from his responsibilities in Hammath and tire him out. As he walked, he asked himself why he bothered visiting the fortress and asking for more soldiers. Kaleb gets tired of listening to my repeated requests. Tallis decided to wait a few more days before bringing the subject up again.
The Triplicarious found the streets less populated than usual, before remembering today the tax collectors would be in the marketplace. Tallis changed directions and took a side road several blocks west of the main road to avoid the crowds and detection. As he turned a corner, a familiar face appeared in the distance. A few steps later, the friend waved. “What are you doing up so early this morning, Paroh?”
“I woke up and couldn’t fall back to sleep. Last night I dreamed this would be a good day for me to visit Kaleb, so I am on my way to the fortress. He told me I could speak with him in another week or two. So, here I am. I hope he will find a job for me though I can’t run or lift heavy weight due to my injuries. I served the Tetrarch well, Tallis. My family and I deserve better than this. I could work less than a full day if the Centurion let me.” Paroh’s voice began to crack. “Anything’s better than watching my wife and son starve to death.”
“It sounds like you have doubts because you haven’t regained all your strength back.”
“I can do light jobs and deliver messages.”
“You have many skills the army needs, Paroh. I trust Kaleb will find something you can handle, but let me ask you a question. Can you spare a few minutes to talk with me?”
“Why not. Nobody’s expecting to see me anyway.”
“Good. We need to move to a more secluded place.” Paroh wiped his eyes with the back of his hand as the two turned up a narrow alleyway near the fort.
“I hoped we would meet today, Tallis. I have something to share with you. Yesterday I went out for my morning stroll, and I spotted your Commander chatting with Acaph and Mered. In fact, they stood on this exact street but closer to my house. I couldn’t hear what they said as I walked by them, though Nikolaos said “hello” and asked how I was getting along. Anyway, I did hear him mention, something concerning more weapons were ready for delivery to Zamir, and to your deserters.”
Tallis stared wide-eyed at his friend. “More weapons?”
“That’s all I heard him say. I wish I had more to tell you, but I had to get out of there, and they stopped talking in my presence.”
Tallis took a quick short breath as his eyes opened wide, and his chin dropped. “So Nikolaos is stealing weapons from Herod and providing them to Zamir. How long he’s been doing this?” Tallis turned and took two quick steps before retracing his steps. “Could these be the same weapons my brother makes? Is Zosimos conspiring with my enemies? Well done, Paroh. … Let’s walk. I want to pay you this morning, but if people keep seeing us together, they’ll wonder why we keep meeting. … Here, these dinars should tide you over for
a few more days.”
Paroh thanked his friend and began to walk away, stopping a few paces later, and turning around. “Remember the other day, Tallis? You asked me to find out where Mered and Acaph live. By chance, I saw them late yesterday afternoon, four blocks from my house. Not too far from the well. If you start at the well, travel four streets west then turn left. They live in the third house on the right side of the road. Make sure you count the buildings with care because each one is gray in color.”
“Does the house have a courtyard or only one room?”
“Their place is small like mine and the others in my part of town. So they won’t have an interior courtyard, but you can’t tell from the street. My guess would be no.”
“Thanks, again for your help this morning, Paroh. Is there anything else you want to share with me?”
“Nothing I remember. If I hear or see anything important, I’ll look for you at the well or near the blacksmith’s shop. Should I need to, I will walk to Hammath and find you.”
“I’m not sure how long it will be before I return to Tiberias, but it won’t be too many days. Good luck when you meet with Kaleb.”
Before Tallis reached the well, he heard someone singing. Seconds later, Dodi came into view as she strolled along the street. The young woman stood out since she traveled alone rather than accompanying the other women walking to fill their water jugs. Dodi had informed Tallis of her family and financial situation. She was alone in the world. The Triplicarious was glad he could help her, though the pay wasn’t much, and the job wouldn’t last forever. If he picked up his pace, he would catch up with her before she got too close to the blacksmith’s shop. I hope she sees me. If I run, people will wonder what I’m up to. I hope my uniform will let people know I mean no harm to anyone.
“Dodi. … Dodi.” She didn’t respond. Tallis walked faster. “Dodi.” She stopped, looked around, and smiled.
“Good morning.”
“I hope you are well. Tell me what you’ve learned since our last meeting.”
“We met yesterday, Tallis.”
“A lot can happen in a short time.”
“I spoke to a mutual acquaintance after we last met, but your name never came up.”
“I suppose this is good news. “Which friend did you meet?”
Dodi grinned. “A young man. He’s a few years older than I am, but he remembered me though we hadn’t seen each other for several years. I carried my jug with me and planned to draw water from the well when he appeared and spoke to me. I never thought a man would talk to a woman in public.”
“You still haven’t told me his name. Why are you teasing me?”
“Everybody needs to laugh once in a while, Tallis. You can’t always be so serious. Anyway, his name is Zamir, and he doesn’t realize we know each other.”
Tallis stood wide-eyed, surprised upon hearing the name. “He doesn’t need to find out either. Did the two of you discuss anything I can use?”
“We discussed growing up, and our fathers’ deaths. Zamir isn’t married, but he is a rich man. He said he lives in a walled estate south of Magdala. I asked what he did for a living, and Zamir told me he organizes people. I didn’t understand what he meant, but he said his goal was to work with others to reduce their taxes. He also mentioned he owns several businesses. He’s upset because Herod taxes everything he owns. He has another goal, Tallis. Zamir wants to help Herod leave Palestine, along with the Romans. Then he invited me to visit him at his estate, but the more he talked I realized he wanted to hire me as a maid. How arrogant can a man be? … Don’t answer that, Tallis.”
“Some people don’t have feelings. I hope you don’t visit him. Zamir might use you as his slave rather than a maid. I trust your goals are nobler than his. Is there anything else?”
“Nothing I can think of. If I remember anything else, I’ll let you know when we meet again.”
Tallis handed Dodi six dinars. “Take these. I may not see you for a few days, so I’m paying you in advance.”
Three Decanuses arrived at their Triplicarious’ home as the sun began to set. To lighten the mood, Tallis had asked Abigail to provide some fruit for the men to enjoy during the meeting. The four leaders needed to create a plan to protect for Hammath when the need arose.
“I realize I ordered each of you to attend this meeting, but I want to thank each of you for your enthusiasm regarding our discussion topic. Please understand, I want you to take part in our discussion, but prepare yourselves to defend any position you take. This evening we need to focus on the problem without attacking each other so we can create the best plan possible. Our goal is to protect our community and prisoners.” Tallis glanced at each man as he spoke, making sure his subordinates paid close attention to his comments. “Bazak, please share your thoughts with us.”
The Decanus smiled. “Tonight, we face two different issues. First, we need to develop a plan to defend Hammath from any attack coming from the lake. I doubt our enemies try to enter our village through the gates.” Everyone nodded.
“What’s your second point?”
“My next thought focuses on our prisoners, Tallis. Housing them in their current location makes it difficult for us to keep them safe if anyone attempts to rescue them. A small group of men could slip into Hammath by wading around the end of the wall, and with our current patrol patterns, we wouldn’t see them until they were right upon us. The attackers could overpower our soldiers guarding the tower.”
Priam and Gad chuckled.
“We moved the prisoners to a new location near the well while you slept today.”
Bazak blushed. “Sorry, sir. I didn’t know.”
“Let’s take a moment and analyze Bazak’s comment concerning the ease with which our enemies could slip into town and free their friends.” Tallis leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table, and let his mind wander. His Decanuses did the same.
“Gad, what do you think of Bazak’s comments?”
“I agree with my colleague. We must prepare ourselves for another attack, and we need more troops. It is my belief the next assault will come from the lake. I also worry we can’t protect the prisoners in their location by the well.”
After listening to all three Decanuses, it became evident to Tallis, everyone had similar concerns. They agreed the next attack would come from the water, they can’t protect their captives at their current location, more soldiers would help, and the enemy will attack during the night. Tallis was ready to compliment everyone for sharing when Priam spoke up.
“I don’t understand why you had us move the prisoners from the tower to their current location.”
Tallis smiled and glanced at each soldier. “Over the last few days, as I patrolled Hammath, I’ve met several men who expressed an interest in helping us in case of an attack. I would like to use these volunteers to block our streets so we can trap anyone attempting to rescue our prisoners. I want to create an advantageous situation for us when our enemies freeze and realize we have them surrounded and contemplate their next move.” His colleagues stared at him in disbelief. “Once they figure out we have them trapped, they’ll have to make a choice. Fight or surrender. A bunch of untrained, inexperienced young fellows won’t stand a chance against our skilled troops if they choose to fight.”
Bazak replied first. “I like the idea of using some of our neighbors to help us, but I worry for their safety. What if we arm them with clubs? Then they could defend themselves if the insurgents turn on them rather than fight us.”
“I agree. We couldn’t protect the prisoners at the tower so I had you move the captives to the center of the village, knowing we can’t keep them safe at the new location either. By relocating Deron and Label, I’m forcing their friends to change plans. At the building near the well, our attackers must move away from the shore. This makes their retreat more difficult, and they can come at us from different directions. But, we can use our volunteers to cut off their retreat routes, and once the enemy nears the well, w
e can counter attack from different directions also.” A hush fell over the room as the Decanuses stared at their superior before the smiles broke out. “I also want to share with you what Kaleb told me regarding more troops. There won’t be any available for another six to eight weeks, if then, and a new training session has begun. So we need to get by with what we have.” The smiles faded as fast as they appeared.
Tired of sitting, Tallis stood. “Let me elaborate on our moving the prisoners to the building next to the well. You may not realize, one of our prisoners’ friends keeps an eye on every movement. I know this fellow reports everything back to his comrades in Tiberias. You don’t need to ask how I learned this information.”
“Do you mean, Dan? The prisoners told us they’d left his house before we caught them running to meet their friends in the boat.”
“Nice work, Gad. You remembered. I’m impressed. Dan makes regular trips to Tiberias. He keeps his friends up to date on our captives, and I’m convinced they’re planning to try and rescue them soon. We’ll be ready.”
Once again the room fell silent. Even Gad, who loves to talk, couldn’t think of anything to say. “Any thoughts? Say something.”
Bazak spoke first. “Tallis, we all wanted the same results, but you added so much depth to our understanding of our current situation. How do you figure Dan and his friends will fall into our trap? We know where they have Benson tucked away so why don’t they approach us with an offer to trade him for their friends?”
“They might, but what if we act first and free Benson before they begin to negotiate with us? What would they do then?”
“Do you think they’d get so upset they might forget their friends, Tallis?” The Triplicarious turned at stared at Priam.
“What if they captured you? Should I cease our efforts to secure your release?”
Priam lowered his eyes. “I hope not.”
“I would hope not too. This is why we can’t let our guard down. Do we all agree with what we’ve discussed tonight?”
“We should use your plans, Tallis,” Gad said. “You’ve put a lot more thought into this operation than the three of us. You made it clear why you wanted my troops to disappear from view during the night. I hope the spies went home and told their friends we still end our patrols at midnight. You’re a smart man, sir, and I’m glad you’re on our side.” Tallis smiled at the compliment.
“We want them to think nothing’s changed since they destroyed our marketplace.” Tallis sat back down on his stool, trying to relax. “Thank you for the compliment, Gad. And yes, I fret over our situation day and night. I miss Kush and Masa. At least we know who murdered our colleagues, and my goal is to make sure their killers get the punishment they deserve. It hurts me to realize I let my fellow citizens down when those same men damaged our marketplace, and I want Benson back where he belongs, not locked up in some room under the constant threat of physical harm or death. This is why I keep hounding Kaleb for more troops. We need help, and it honors and surprises me our neighbors want to step forward and assist us. If we continue to build relationships with the citizens of Hammath, we can defeat any enemy coming against us. I trust you carry this same belief with you as I do.”
Chapter 24