Seventh Dimension - The King - Book 2, A Young Adult Fantasy Read online

  In my mind, I saw Judd and Scylla conferring. Scylla wanted to talk with me.

  CHAPTER 25 BETROTHAL

  Scylla shut the door and pointed. “Sit here.” Her breath reeked of alcohol—her usual condition when Brutus’s absences were prolonged. Despite my dislike for her, I pitied the woman.

  She crossed her arms and hovered over me. “Shale will be sixteen in a few weeks.”

  “I know. She told me.”

  Twisting her hair with her fingers, she spoke with a slur. “You know she is to be betrothed to Judd.”

  I raised my eyebrows. “Oh, I didn’t know,” I lied. I only knew from eavesdropping on the private conversations of Judd and Scylla, but I didn’t have to tell her that. “Does Shale know this?” I inquired.

  Scylla’s face paled. “I assume her mother informed her. After all, isn’t that why she returned—to honor the contract?”

  I shrugged. “She never mentioned it to me.”

  Scylla turned her head and frowned. That’s odd she never mentioned it to you. I was under the impression that she and Judd were already making plans for the betrothal.”

  “Who told you that?” I asked.

  “Why, of course, Judd did.” Scylla turned up her nose. “I don’t talk to Shale, she’s too disrespectful.”

  I leaned in towards Scylla. “Tell me more about the contract.”

  Scylla crossed her arms. “The contract was written shortly after Shale’s birth. When Shale’s mother ran off, Judd’s family assumed the contract was broken. They never expected her to honor the agreement.”

  “I’m familiar with that part of the story,” I said impatiently. “I want to know what the contract says.”

  Scylla laughed. “I’m getting there, my friend.” She picked up her wine glass and sipped.

  “When Shale returned, Judd struggled. He was in love with another young woman and had no plans to marry Shale. After a while, though, he realized it would be a disgrace not to marry her.”

  I listened as Scylla explained the details, although her resuscitation of the facts conflicted with what I knew. Judd and Shale were not making any plans to get married—I knew that for sure.

  Scylla sat on the bed and looked up at the ceiling. “Judd realizes now he loves Shale, and she is coming of age.”

  My mind wandered. Judd was not in love with Shale. He only wanted the dowry that came with her—no doubt sizeable. Maybe there wasn’t any contract at all—perhaps there was a deal between Judd and Scylla and Scylla would get a kickback if Judd married her. I’d have given anything to see the contract.

  I perceived Scylla’s thoughts before she spoke. She wanted to work this to her advantage. She had one thing on her mind.

  She glided behind the chair. She stroked my head, leaned over, and whispered in my ear, “Do you love Shale?”

  “I don’t know,” I lied.

  She slid back around to the front. Her perfume was intoxicating.

  “She is a beautiful girl.”

  “Yes, she is,” I agreed.

  Scylla leaned forward and spoke in a smooth voice. “I can make you happy. No one would know but you and me.”

  I shook my head. “No, Scylla.”

  She persisted. “Brutus is never here. You can stay and help with Nathan. The signs are in the heavens it is to be.”

  I stopped her from saying more. “Scylla, I respect Brutus too much. You are his wife. Shale will have to decide for herself what she wants. I will respect the contract that was made between the families—many years ago—if there really is a contract.”

  Scylla looked away disheartened.

  I continued. “I have done nothing to bring disgrace to her or the family. If the contract is broken, let it not be because of me.”

  Scylla’s eyes burned.

  Nothing is so bitter as unfulfilled desire.

  I stood to leave.

  “Wait,” Scylla said. She touched my shoulder gently. “I can give you more money for your education. You will be without a job. I can make you very happy.”

  I shook my head. “You can make me happy by never slapping Nathan again.”

  She backed away from me. “That was the only time it happened.”

  I approached the door. “Let me say goodbye to him and I’ll be on my way.”

  “Liar! You do love her,” she screamed. Scylla threw her drink in my direction. It hit the wall and shattered on the floor.

  “Bad aim.” I slammed the door behind me.

  No sooner had I left than I realized Judd had been listening.

  “I’ll be sure and send you an invitation to the wedding,” he sneered.

  I ignored him in disgust.

  I walked outside and found Nathan and Mari together in the portico.

  I was thankful I wouldn’t have to go through the announcement twice. I’d make it simple and addressed both of them, “I’m heading back to Doctor Luke’s.”

  Mari’s smile left and Nathan’s eyes widened. I leaned over and hugged Nathan. “You’ve been a good student. I’ve taught you how to write and you can write out your requests for Mari. She’ll be here for you as before.”

  Mari’s countenance fell. “This has to do with Judd, doesn’t it?”

  I studied the stones on the portico. I had never noticed they alternated between brown and yellow. “Yes, the betrothal to Shale. The only way Shale will grow to love him is if I leave.”

  Mari shook her head. “Shale will never love Judd. She loves you. A woman can see these things. Her eyes are for you, Daniel.”

  “Honor is more important than love.”

  “But there is a catch.”

  I didn’t know about any catches. “What? And how do you know?”

  “I’ve seen the contract.”

  “So there really is a contract? I’d give anything to see it.”

  “It’s hidden away. I saw it before it was relevant several months ago. For some reason, Scylla had left it out on the table. The next day it was gone.” Mari sighed. “It was very one-sided and unfair to the girl, but her mother was desperate for money. That was the first time I knew Brutus even had a daughter.”

  I shook my head. “Did they pay off her mother or something?”

  Mari leaned forward in the chair and whispered. “I don’t know the details but there was something scandalous that happened. Brutus acquiesced to keep his good name. I overhead Scylla and Brutus arguing shortly after I saw the contract. Brutus said he never thought Shale’s mother would honor the contact—that it was just to get money out of him.”

  I soaked in Mari’s words, trying to understand.

  Mari added. “Something must have happened for Shale’s mother to send her daughter back here.”

  I thought about Shale’s family background, her mother remarrying, that Shale didn’t get along with her stepfather—maybe her mother and stepfather just didn’t want her around anymore.

  Mari sighed. “Women just don’t have any rights when it comes to these things.”

  I pondered Mari’s eyes, so full of compassion for Shale. “Maybe someday women will have more rights,” I offered.

  Mari looked away deep in thought. “Daniel, I’ve longed to tell you many things—but I’ve been afraid. I need this job. I will try to find that contract. You will come back?”

  I nodded.

  “And Shale—are you going to say goodbye to her?”

  “No. I don’t like goodbyes. She’ll find out soon enough.”

  Mari offered, “Let me fix you some food to take. It’s a long way to Dothan and you’ll get hungry.”

  I agreed. While she prepared a snack, I went to my quarters to get my moneybag. I hoped Judd treated the animals well—for Shale’s sake.

  I stopped by the cave one last time. After pouring out extra feed and embracing Much-Afraid and Cherios, I returned to the portico. Mari was waiting.

  She handed me a bag of figs and nuts and fresh bread she had just baked. “Daniel, night will soon be here. Are you sure you don’t wa
nt to wait and leave in the morning?”

  “I’ll be fine,” I reassured her.

  “Make me a promise.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Let Theophilus know you arrived safely when you return to Doctor Luke.”

  Her request surprised me. Why would I announce my dismissal to the person who had recommended me for the job? How would I explain that Scylla accused me of being involved with an employee’s betrothed bride?

  I could read her mind to find out why this was so important to her, but I didn’t have the energy. I was too depressed and distracted by other things.

  My heart longed to see Shale one more time, but I was afraid I would become too emotional. I’d focus on Mari’s strange request when I returned to visit Dr. Luke.

  I left with her statement ringing in my ears. “I’ve longed to tell you many things. I will find that contract. Promise me you will return.”

  CHAPTER 26 THE HEALING

  I plodded down the road reminiscing about what could have been. All I had were my earnings and memories that would fade with time.

  I wanted to get back to 2015. I should have asked that old woman if she could send me back, but I hadn’t seen her in almost a year. I still felt guilt over the one ability she had restored to me. Was it so awful, when I had used it for good?

  After all, Shale would soon be married to a man she hated and I’d be forgotten.

  I pressed ahead, checking again to make sure I had my money. The shekels would be very valuable when I returned home.

  I came upon a large house where a crowd was gathered. Women’s wails pierced the air. Many of the visitors and mourners had spilled out into the yard.

  A group of Jewish men approached from the south. One of them appeared to be the homeowner, a rich man, perhaps an official from the synagogue because of his clothing. The others following him looked like day laborers or fishermen.

  The front door stood ajar and people were entering and leaving. I sneaked into the house unnoticed. Weeping women clutched each other around the room. Shock and disbelief covered their faces and their sadness resonated with my crushed spirit.

  For the first time since arriving in Galilee, I felt Jewish blood coursing through my veins. What it meant to suffer as a Jew was never far from my conscience—even though I had taken a more liberal path.

  A minute later, the men stormed through the door. One of them exclaimed, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child isn’t dead, she’s asleep.”

  The crowd jeered. Someone mocked, “Who is this man who says she isn’t dead?” Other voices taunted him. The crowd had gone amok.

  I studied the man who said the young girl was sleeping. He seemed like an ordinary man, not striking in stature or looks. Who was he?

  When I tried to intercept his thoughts, something pierced me. I clutched my temple and keeled over. After a few seconds, my head stopped hurting. I leaned over to someone sitting next to me and asked, “Who is that man?”

  “Yeshua of Nazareth and his disciples, Peter, James, and John.”

  The rabbi Shale wanted to meet—such a small request when she meant so much to me. Why didn’t I take her to him?

  He appeared to be a harmless charlatan, perhaps deluded—except I couldn’t explain what had happened. Did he know I was trying to read his mind?

  Three of the men who arrived with Yeshua were directing people. The crowd dispersed and the chaos subsided. I studied the rabbi as I walked towards the foyer. Suddenly his eyes met mine. Did he know I was watching him?

  Someone tapped me on the shoulder. “Please go outside.”

  I nodded. I’d wait outside with the others.

  An hour passed. All was quiet when the door opened. Yeshua and his followers stepped outside. The rabbi addressed the crowd, “Say nothing about this to anyone.”

  They took off and disappeared down the road. I went back inside and was surprised to see the young girl eating. Her mother and father and others were rejoicing, calling it a miracle. Everyone was amazed.

  Could I believe that she was really raised from the dead? Shock and confusion rattled me. He couldn’t have raised her from the dead—could he? That was impossible, even in 2015. The whole event had to have been set up. The girl was sleeping. Maybe the official’s term in office was up. This would generate great publicity for his reelection campaign.

  I left the house troubled. I’d have a long night to think about it on the way to Jacob’s Inn.

  CHAPTER 27 NIGHT

  I was warned never to travel alone at night. Even the main roads were dark and oftentimes unsafe. Perhaps walking through the forest would be better. I might even be able to shave a few hours off my travel time.

  I left the road and followed a narrow footpath down the mountain. I came to another rough-hewn trail. After a short ways on this trail, two well-used footpaths led in opposite directions.

  I saw recent animal tracks but did not know what kind of animal had made them. Thick stands of fig, dwarf oak, and hawthorn covered the area. The trail started uphill and then descended, which made for easy travel to the lower valley. The air was humid and fresh at the lower elevation. A small stream percolated nearby and the water murmured down the rocks. Two small waterfalls glimmered in the full moon. A wooden sign with an arrow pointed straight ahead—Robbers Creek.

  I had heard of this place—tales of robberies of unsuspecting tourists and murders of wealthy businessmen—but I didn’t know the location. I thought it was folklore.

  Many stories had been written about strange occurrences in the area. I didn’t want to be here. Why had I left the road? The area was soaked in splotches of darkness.

  I shuddered. I could spend the night and not let my mind run wild or I could keep traveling and risk whatever monsters crouched in wait—wolves and coyotes were as much a threat as muggers.

  I was too tired to keep traveling. I was even too tired to backtrack, which was the wisest thing to do, and climb back up the mountain. The whisperings of the water nearby would help me sleep. I could even swim in the morning.

  I made a makeshift bed in the small meadow on the middle ridge. Having some elevation would help me to see any approaching animals. I lay on a bed of leaves, hiding my moneybag underneath me. It couldn’t be that much further to Dothan. When light returned, I’d get my bearings.

  Even through the tree canopy, the stars burst out in the night sky. The sounds of crickets and the cooing of doves and loons reminded me of days when I was young, the camping trips we took.

  Despite my uneasiness, I drifted off. In a dream, fire surrounded me. The flames shot into the air and made a circle, trapping me. My feet were cemented in stone. Smoke filled my lungs and I couldn’t wake up.

  A creature danced around the fire, but I couldn’t see the face. I wasn’t sure if it was a man or a woman. The creature turned towards me. The yellowish rotting teeth revealed the dancer’s identity. She wore the same clothes she had worn before. The shadows from the fire gave her a hellish appearance.

  I awoke with a start. I sat up, checking to make sure I hadn’t been robbed. I rubbed my eyes, but the smoke burned. Several feet away a campfire blazed. The old woman sat cross-legged in front of the fire, stoking it with a pitchfork. I waited for my eyes to adjust. I tasted sour stomach contents and swallowed. I wished I had water.

  The strange creature was singing a minor key dirge and laughing. Her eyes found me, and she pointed at me with her bony finger. “Come to me,” she spoke to my mind.

  I shook my head.

  “You love campfires. When you were little, you told creepy stories by the fire as you roasted marshmallows. Come join me. The air is cold. Come warm your hands.”

  I wanted to run away, but I couldn’t. Or I was too afraid to move. Maybe she was a demon.

  I recalled a conversation with Shale. She saw a dark creature that she called an underling. I cringed. I’d forgotten what Shale told me—until now.

  Had I made a pact with the devil? I should kill
her. No one would know. I could claim self-defense if anyone ever connected me with her. I could snatch the pitchfork and stab her with it. No one would miss her—especially me.

  “Why would you want to kill me?”

  Fear seized me. She knew what I was thinking. How dare she—but had she not given me that power? She spoke in a smooth snake-like voice. “Sit with me by the fire.”

  Who was she? Only a spiritual being could perform magic. She was not an angel.

  “Come to me, Daniel. You weren’t afraid of me before. Why are you now? Come join me. I have something special to give you.”

  She stoked the fire with the pitchfork and the fire shot up. Flames swirled around her. How could she not be burned?

  “No,” I yelled. “Go away. Leave me alone.” I shivered.

  She laughed. “Why do you want to get rid of me, Daniel? I’ve made your life so much easier than it would have been. That’s why I haven’t been around. I didn’t need to worry about you going to the dark side. You should thank me.”

  What did she mean? What did Shale tell me? The woman had sabotaged my thoughts and I couldn’t think straight. Why would she show up now?

  The demon was cooking fish. My stomach growled.

  She stood and started walking towards me with the pitchfork in her left hand.

  “Go away,” I demanded. “I want nothing to do with you.”

  “By whose authority do you think you can order me around?” The creature smirked.

  “By the power of the living God.” In an instant, the bag woman was gone.

  I had no idea where the words originated. I hadn’t spoken them, but if I didn’t, who did?

  She had to be a demon. I looked behind her and the fire was out, as if someone had doused it with water.

  I clasped my bag and climbed back up the trail. I didn’t care how steep the mountain was. I ran as fast as my tired legs could get me off the cursed ground.

  That strangely familiar odor reached me as I gulped in the cold night air—the smell of rotten eggs. Every time the woman appeared, the smell was present. Once I reached the desolate, dark road, I hightailed it all night to Dothan and reached the outskirts of the town at dawn. When I saw the sign for the leper colony, I knew I was home. I never thought seeing the sign would bring me such comfort.