Watch Your Back

Hilarion knew his brother would be furious with him for not showing up to work the previous day. Yes, he’d promised to arrive on time and to never miss another day, but Zamir needed him to deliver one last message, and then he invited him to join those heading to Hammath. How could Hilarion say no to a friend? Zosimos would never understand his logic, but everyone knows Herod isn’t a Jew. The man comes from Idumea. He’s a foreigner, like the Romans, an occupier. Who gave the Tetrarch the right to tell God’s chosen people what to do, and tax the citizens so he can build beautiful cities like Tiberias or Caesarea. How can loyal Jews allow Herod to get away with such atrocities? Hilarion decided he would rather die than live under tyranny.

  “Good morning, Zosimos,” Hilarion said with a grin on his face. “I’m ready to begin a new day.”

  “What do you mean? A new day? I told you two days ago, you cannot miss any more work, and I said you needed to arrive on time. What happened to you yesterday? You didn’t show up at all. I had to work late into the night to complete the job I assigned to you, and today, well, you’re late again.”

  Hilarion shrugged his shoulders. “I’m sorry, brother. I remember making the promise to you, but something came up, and Zamir wanted me to deliver an important message for him. I couldn’t tell him no.”

  “Zamir, Zamir. Does Zamir pay you for your services? Zosimos threw his hands in the air and walked toward Hilarion.

  “Of course not. I do it for our cause.”

  “You and your stupid causes. You lack responsibility.” Zosimos said, shaking a finger in his brother’s face. “Your issues make me laugh. Wild dreams are all they are.”

  “You’re yelling at me, brother.”

  “Yes, I am, but no one living in Palestine can overthrow Herod or the Romans. This won’t happen. Not in my lifetime or yours. Only a fool would think this way, but I’m too busy to deal with you at the moment.” Zosimos glared at Hilarion, turned and began to stoke the furnace.

  “I said I was sorry. How can I make this up to you? I don’t work for Zamir anymore, and I will never speak with him again. Promise.”

  “Your apology comes too late, Hilarion. I gave you one last chance two days ago, and you failed to heed my counsel. Besides, you don’t keep your word.”

  Tears welled up in Hilarion’s eyes. “Give me another chance, Zosimos. I won’t disappoint you again. Please. I beg you. I need the job.”

  “Brother, you are a fool. Tallis visited the shop yesterday morning. He wanted to talk with both of us, but you didn’t show up for work.”

  Hilarion’s head snapped back. “What did Tallis want this time?”

  “He came to discuss the weapons we made in my shop going to Zamir to arm his men. Your friends, brother.” Hilarion’s eyes popped open, surprised by what Zosimos shared. “Tallis works with people who saw you with Acaph and Mered. He told me you saw one of the knives we made in Zamir’s possession, and you never bothered to tell me or inform the authorities. This is the second time you knew a crime took place and didn’t report it. … Why is your face turning red?”

  “Herod is my enemy. Why would I tell him?”

  Zosimos struck the workbench with his fist. “So you don’t deny what I said. Herod may think I’m a traitor since the weapons given to Zamir came from my shop. I’m the man with the contract with the Army, but thanks to you and Nikolaos, they ended up in enemy hands. How do I explain this to Herod’s soldiers when they come looking for me?”

  Hilarion screamed at his brother. “Tallis didn’t tell you the truth. Everything he said was a lie.”

  “Tallis told me one of his friends overheard you talking with Zamir yesterday morning regarding the attack on Hammath, last night, to free your friends held captive. … What’s the matter, Hilarion, your face is losing color? Are you ill? Sick to your stomach? Why aren’t you looking at me? One of our brother’s prisoners ran with you the night Ian and Ranan killed two of his soldiers. You were with them. I’m not sure what time or the day Zamir planned to attack Hammath, but Tallis thought it might occur last night.”

  Hilarion stumbled to the nearest stool, trying to catch his breath, and sat down. “I don’t remember when the attack would occur.”

  “Quit lying to me, brother.” Zosimos slammed a hammer down on his workbench. Hilarion jumped. “You were delivering a message concerning the attack on Hammath to your colleagues, yesterday morning, and that’s why you didn’t show up for work. So if this isn’t the message you shared, what information did you tell your friends? Who in the world did you talk with yesterday? Why are you still lying to me, brother?”

  Hilarion couldn’t focus. His mind went blank. How did someone overhear his conversation with Zamir? The streets were empty. Did Tallis use a spy who managed to eavesdrop on our conversation? Did somebody set me up? Zamir would never do such a thing. Tallis must know everything, and he managed to put the pieces together. So Herod knows. What am I going to do?

  “Is something the matter, Hilarion? Is your guilt overwhelming your soul? What is going to happen to you? You can’t remain in Tiberias. Herod and his men will hunt you down like a dog, and he might kill Ya-el and me too. Why? Because you wanted to believe in some wild dream.”

  “You had the same dream too, Zosimos. You told me so many times. Nobody enjoys paying high taxes or the way Herod treats the Jews living in their own land, and all of a sudden you want to distance yourself from everything, pretending you’re an innocent man.”

  “Dreaming and acting are two different things, Hilarion. So now what? Will you turn me in as they slit your throat? How can I cover for you while you continue to lie to me?”

  “I thought we were in this together, Zosimos.”

  “I’ve heard enough from you, brother. I’m through arguing. You can’t work for me anymore. I must fire you. Where you go and what you do, I don’t want to know, but living in Tiberias is no longer an option for you. If you stay here, someone will recognize you and tell Herod. Then his soldiers will hunt you down. Run, Hilarion. Run far away, and you can’t take Efa with you, or tell anyone where you go. I may never see you again, but I will miss you and so will your family. So will Tallis, and our mother’s heart will break. Please, go. Disappear. Go home. Gather your belongings. Whatever you can carry, and leave. Escape before Herod, or our brother comes looking for you.”

  Hilarion felt the tears running down his face. “What went wrong, Zosimos? I need to find Zamir. He said he would help me when I needed him. He might decide to hide at his estate in Magdala. No one would find either one of us there.”

  “You talk like a crazy man. Tallis knows Zamir is the brains behind this scheme. Don’t you think the army will scourer Galilee looking for you? Our brother knows Zamir owns an estate in Magdala, and he’s familiar with Zamir’s plans too. He learned who his associates are and where they live. Will you survive by running to your friends? Zamir might be in custody right now. You might run into a trap if you do manage to find him.”

  “Herod will never catch Zamir. He’s too smart for the Tetrarch.”

  “Don’t be a fool Hilarion. Leave now. While you can. Grab your clothes and what money you have. Leave Tiberias. Don’t go anywhere people might recognize you. Family and friends can’t protect you, and neither can I. Please, don’t tell me where you plan to hide so I can tell the authorities, I don’t know where you went. Go, brother. I will miss you, and in a few days, I’ll tell our mother you are gone.” Zosimos grabbed and hugged his brother. “Run, Hilarion. Now.”

  “I don’t know where to go, Zosimos, but I understand why we ran into a trap last night. Dan and I managed to escape. Goodbye, brother.”

  With tears in his eyes, Zosimos watched his brother dash up the hill toward the well.

  Tallis left the fortress, leading two Conturbeniums to a house located in the northwestern part of Tiberias and knocked. Seconds later, a sleepy-eyed Paroh opened the door. “I need you to lead us to the place where Mered and Acaph live. Hurry. We don’t have much time.”

  “I??
?m surprised to see you this early. What’s going on? Did Zamir and his men attempt to rescue their friends during the night?”

  “Come on, Paroh. We need to move fast. We can talk along the way.”

  Paroh grabbed his old tunic, placing the garment around his shoulders, before stepping outside. “Those two live a few streets from my house. It won’t take us long to get there.”

  Paroh led the way as they headed to the nearest intersection and turned left. “Forty men attacked us last night, and our plan worked to perfection. Five of their men died during the battle, and one suffered serious injuries. This morning a fortress guard killed the lad after we escorted our assailants to Herod before sunrise.”

  “Did any of your soldiers die?”

  “None of our troops received injuries. We captured thirty-four men plus the two we had in custody. Those who tried to fight us died and the others surrendered once they realized we had them surrounded. I didn’t bother to count how many others died while fighting our soldiers and the fishermen on the lake, as they tried to escape to Tiberias.”

  “Shush, Tallis. Wait here.”

  The Triplicarious raised his hand, and everyone came to a halt while Paroh continued on to the next intersection and peeked around the corner. Tallis followed his friend and stood behind him. “Is the street clear?”

  Paroh turned and whispered. “No. Acaph and Mered are loading boxes on a small pushcart. If they see or hear us, they’ll run.”

  Tallis stepped forward. “Let me look.”

  “They live in the third house on the west side.”

  “I can’t tell what’s in the boxes, can you?”

  “They’re too far away.”

  Paroh and Tallis backed away from the corner and returned to the location where the soldiers waited. “Let me think. I don’t want Mered and Acaph to escape.”

  “Sounds can echo down the streets when they’re deserted, Tallis. Tell your soldiers to keep the noise down.” The Triplicarious looked over his shoulder and placed an index finger over his lips before directing his attention back to Paroh.

  “You know this neighborhood better than I do. Where can these two run if we approached their location from both ends of this block?”

  “I suppose they may run back inside their house, but your troops won’t have any trouble smashing through the door. They can’t escape unless they have access to a roof, but they don’t have a courtyard. If they can get on the roof might be able to jump to the street behind their house. If they don’t break a leg, they could run for their lives.”

  “What if we wait and follow them? They may lead us to Zamir if those boxes contain weapons.”

  “Why does Zamir need arms now? Does Nikolaos have other clients he’s working with?”

  “I don’t know, Paroh. When we catch the Commander, I’ll ask.”

  Tallis turned to Priam, giving him directions to lead his Conturbenium to the corner one block south of their current location. “Both Conturbeniums will charge Acaph and Mered when I blow my horn. My goal is to take those two alive. I want to question them before delivering them to Herod.”

  It took a couple of minutes for Priam to lead his soldiers to their new position. Tallis peeked around the corner but didn’t see his Decanus looking his way. He noticed Mered and Acaph had managed to put all the boxes on the cart. We can’t wait much longer.

  Mered walked to his house and closed the door. Tallis reached for his horn when he saw Priam wave his hand. Acaph began to push the cart as Mered walked along side. The sound of a horn sent a shriek through the neighborhood. Gad and his men rushed the deserters from the north as Priam’s Conturbenium did the same from the south. Acaph released the handles. The cart toppled, spilling the boxes and their contents on the cobblestones. Habib tackled Mered as he turned toward his front door. Acaph tripped over the cart as he tried to follow his friend, but Gad knocked him to the ground with a blow from his club.

  “Shackle their ankles and help them sit up. Mered, Acaph, how nice to see you again.”

  Acaph’s spit missed as Tallis ducked. Mered remained silent. “Where are you taking the weapons?” Neither man spoke. Tallis glanced at Habib and nodded. Acaph’s head snapped forward as Habib’s fist made contact with the deserter’s jaw. His right eye started to swell. “I’ll ask one more time, Acaph. Where are you taking the weapons?”

  Acaph remained silent. Tallis pointed to Lior and then at Mered. Lior wrapped his arm around Mered’s neck and contracted his arm muscles. Tallis watched the other deserter’s face turn a bright crimson.

  “Don’t kill him. Let go of him,” Acaph said.

  “Answer my question or your friend dies.”

  Lior increased the pressure on Mered’s neck, and Acaph yelled. “Nikolaos ordered us to transport these weapons to Zamir.”

  Tallis nodded, and Lior released his grip. “Why didn’t you deliver them yesterday?”

  “This is a different shipment.”

  “Where are you supposed to meet Zamir?”

  “He spent the night at a friend’s house not too far from the well. We can show you.”

  Tallis glanced at each man. “Keep them here, Lior. I’ll return soon.”

  The Triplicarious turned and walked back to the corner where Paroh stood waiting. “Acaph told me he and Mered planned to deliver these weapons to Zamir. He said Zamir is staying with a friend somewhere close to the well. Do you know the location of the friend’s house?”

  “Zamir’s friend is, Hilarion. You know where he lives, Tallis. Do you still want me to take you there?”

  “No, it won’t be necessary, but let me ask a question, Paroh. Should I have Acaph and Mered push their cart to Hilarion's residence? Would Zamir and my brother see us coming and step outside?”

  “They might if Zamir is expecting you, but if they saw you with their friends, I don’t know what would happen.”

  “I want you to come with me, Paroh. We need to check out the various ways Zamir and my brother could escape if they see us coming.”

  The two men walked to the well. Tallis studied the area once they arrived. Hilarion’s house backed up to another narrow street, making it possible for someone to climb to the roof and escape to the street below, or scale the basalt wall down to the road. The Triplicarious decided to station four soldiers behind the house. The remaining troops would approach the residence from two directions like they did when capturing Mered and Acaph. “Paroh, I want you to go back to your home. If anything goes wrong, and either man escapes, I don’t want them to see you with me and retaliate against you or your family. I’ll meet with you after we complete our mission. Thank you for your help. You’re a good friend.”

  Tallis returned to his soldiers and ordered his former deserters to reload the cargo while his men stood guard to prevent an escape attempt. It pleased him to see Mered had recovered from his recent breathing problems. Once the boxes were in place, Tallis instructed Gad to secure Mered’s hands behind his back.

  After explaining the situation and expectations to his Decanuses, Tallis laid out the plan. “Acaph will push the cart. I’ll walk with Mered on the side of the cart away from my brother’s house.”

  Two soldiers from each Conturbenium moved into position on the street behind Hilarion’s home to make sure Zamir and anyone with him wouldn’t escape. “I want Zamir alive so I can question him before we take him to Herod.”

  Tallis knew Zamir wanted to drive Herod and the Romans from power. One way or another, the lad had managed to make a friend inside the Tetrarch’s government, and he was expecting another delivery of weapons to help advance his cause. Still, the young man remained a mystery to the Triplicarious.

  With everyone in place, Tallis walked to the cart. “Time to go, Acaph,” but the man refused to budge.

  “You expect us to help you catch our friend? I don’t turn on my colleagues.”

  “Too late. You turned against your fellow soldiers, Acaph, but assisting us this morning may save your life if I can convi
nce Herod you helped us capture Zamir since he’s the one leading the plot to overthrow the Tetrarch.”

  “He’s not the leader. Zamir is nothing more than a puppet with too much money at his disposal.”

  “Then tell me. Who’s pulling the strings? You.”

  Acaph smiled. “Not me.”

  “How would describe your role then? Are you a traitor doomed for death?”

  “What do you want from me, Tallis?”

  “Your leader’s name.”

  “Nikolaos is our leader, but you’ll never find him. After his escape, the Commander moved to another location where his friends and family can protect him.”

  “You’re telling me Nikolaos is hiding near Nazareth?” Acaph grinned. “Thank you. It’s time to move out. I want you to push the cart to the house where you’re supposed to meet Zamir. Mered will walk next to me. There will be no talking until it’s time for you to call your friend to join us. Like I said before, I’m willing to give Herod a good report if you do your part. What’s your answer?”

  “Neither option helps my friend or our cause.”

  “You can help us, or my men will escort you to Herod this instant.”

  Acaph glanced at Mered then back at Tallis. “What if we run?”

  “Where? You have shackles on your ankles. You won’t get far before I kill you.”

  A wry smile crept over Acaph’s face, but he didn’t respond.

  “Tallis,” Mered said. “I will help you.”

  The Triplicarious turned toward the other deserter. “What do you say, Acaph? Will you join your friend or would you enjoy a personal audience with the Tetrarch?”

  Acaph scowled. “I’d love to push this cart for you, Tallis.”

  “Wise decision. Make sure you follow my instructions.”

  Acaph grabbed the handles and pushed the cart toward their destination. The cart stopped when they reached the street where Zamir waited for his delivery. Tallis checked to see if his Decanuses and their troops were in position. Gad and Priam signaled their readiness. Acaph began to push again. Fifty feet from their destination, one of the wheels started to squeak. The noise intensified with each rotation. Zamir stepped from the dwelling, and Tallis ducked behind the cart, trying to hide as the group came to a stop in front of the house.

  “Acaph, you and Mered are late.”

  “We loaded the cart, and I began to push, but I lost control and spilled everything, Zamir. I apologize for our tardiness.”

  “You’re so clumsy.”

  The sound of footsteps, coming from both directions, filled the air. Zamir glanced right and saw eleven soldiers closing in on him. He hesitated as his eyes bulged before he reacted and retreated toward the house. Two steps later, Priam slammed the traitor to the cobblestones, and Zamir’s escape attempt came to an end. One soldier bound the lad’s hands behind his back while a second trooper shackled his ankles. Zamir screamed. “Acaph, you betrayed me.”

  Tallis ordered Zamir to stop talking.

  “You can’t make—”

  Iban drove his fist into the young man’s cheek causing the captive’s head to strike the wall of the house behind him.

  “Tobin, get some water and put a cloth over his wound to control the bleeding. We need Zamir to recover enough to answer my questions. I want to hear his story before he spills his guts to the Tetrarch.”

  Hilarion ran past the well and hustled up the hill, following the advice Zosimos gave him to leave town. How did Tallis discover Zamir and I were friends? I’ve got to get home and get a few things. The only thing Zamir wanted was for Herod removed from power and the Romans returning home. Better yet, the Messiah would come and complete the task for them. What a glorious day, but right now, Hilarion wanted to get home and see his friend and let him know, Tallis knew their plans.

  Hilarion turned a corner and headed up the next street to his house. Acaph, Mered, and Zamir sat against the wall of his house as Tallis appeared to interrogate them. Hilarion froze for a split second then turned around and ran back the way he’d come. At the moment, nobody stood between him and freedom.

  “Hey, you. … Stop.”

  Hilarion glanced over his shoulder without breaking stride. A soldier pointed at him and yelled again. “You, stop.” Hilarion broke into a sprint. For the next several seconds, his were the only footsteps he heard. I can outrun any soldier wearing armor and carrying a shield. Tallis had told him how cumbersome it was to lug their gear and run. Reaching the north gate, Hilarion left the city, heading north toward Magdala. A mile later, the highway forked, and he decided to turn left and head up into the hills of Lower Galilee. Taking another look over his shoulder, the lad realized no one had bothered to chase him, and he slowed his pace for the long trek away from trouble.

  One of the soldiers approached his Triplicarious. “Tallis, didn’t I see your brother running away after I ordered him to stop?”

  “I don’t know, Iban. I was interrogating our prisoners. Which brother did you see?”

  “It was your baby brother. I didn’t get close enough to get a good look at him.”

  “I can’t concern myself with Hilarion at the moment. We need to get these men back to the fortress. I’ll deal with him later.”

  Chapter 29