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

  “I can speak! I can speak! Hear me.” Nathan took hold of my cloak and yanked on it. “Daniel, can you hear me?”

  I laughed. “Yes, Nathan, I can hear you.”

  He went over and bowed before the king once more. “Thank you, my Lord.”

  The rabbi said to him, “When you leave, don’t tell anyone what I’ve done.”

  The crowds stared in amazement. Many shook their heads.

  Shale ran over and hugged Nathan, tears in her eyes.

  She faced the rabbi. “Thank you for healing my brother.”

  Yeshua smiled.

  Others asked, “Who is this man that does such miracles? Where does he come from?”

  “He comes from Nazareth,” a woman replied.

  “Nazareth—can anything good come from there?”

  Division mounted among the crowds. I wasn’t the only one with unanswered questions.

  Unexpectedly, Yeshua looked at me.

  I glanced away. His eyes were all knowing, making me feel uncomfortable. I forced myself to look back at him—and meet his gaze.

  “Thank you,” I said in my mind, “for healing Nathan.”

  The rabbi’s eyes looked beyond my uncertainty. I suddenly realized he was looking at me like he knew me—really knew me. Not even like my own family. Was he clairvoyant? And why did I feel so emotional? There was either something totally real about this man or this was an incredible case of mass hypnosis. I didn’t know which.

  All I knew was this was more than about reading minds. He could read mine like he’d been doing it for years. Surely he was more than a man, more than a teacher, more than a healer, and more than a rabbi. Who was he?

  Some Jews still waited for the Messiah. Others identified Yeshua as the Messiah. Could the Jews have been wrong for the last two thousand years? My skepticism wouldn’t let me go that far.

  I would search the Hebrew Scriptures to see if they said anything about this man named Yeshua. There must be prophecies about a coming Messiah. I wanted to know more. I knew Yeshua was mentioned in the Christian Bible in 2015, but I knew nothing about him appearing in the Torah or Tanakh—then or now.

  My musings turned to Nathan. He walked among the crowds sharing his healing. Some wanted to touch him. Others wanted to hear every word he uttered.

  I overheard one man commenting, “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

  Some doubted. “I bet he could talk all along,” another man said. “Someone who has never talked couldn’t talk as well as he can.”

  I saw myself in him, refusing to believe because it was too hard to believe in miracles.

  A short while later, the rabbi fetched a small boat and paddled a short distance away from the shoreline. The crowd became quiet as Yeshua began to teach. When had I heard a rabbi speak with such passion and authority? His calm presence was reassuring. I sat by Shale and listened, my curiosity piqued.

  Yeshua told a story. “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while people were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, then went away.

  “When the wheat sprouted and formed heads of grain, the weeds also appeared.

  “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?’

  “He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’

  “The servants asked him, ‘Then do you want us to go and pull them up?’

  “But he said, ‘No, because if you pull up the weeds, you might uproot some of the wheat at the same time. Let them both grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers to collect the weeds first and tie them in bundles to be burned, but to gather the wheat into my barn.’”

  Murmurings reached me through the crowds. I overheard some of his disciples discussing the point of the story. I glanced at Shale—did she understand more than I did? I didn’t think the story was really meant to be about a farmer dealing with weeds.

  The rabbi was different from my preconceived notions—he seemed more Jewish than Gentile and surely the Sanhedrin wouldn’t be upset about such simplistic stories as these—there must be more. Besides, I had just witnessed Nathan’s healing. Perhaps I had the wrong impression about this rabbi.

  Regardless, my curious was piqued. I would have to search the Tanakh and learn what the Hebrew Scriptures said. Brutus had many scrolls I could examine to find out more. What were the Messianic predictions? I was ashamed to admit that I didn’t know.

  After a while, I realized we needed to return home. I tracked down Nathan and Shale in a small group of Gentiles who were searching for answers to Nathan’s healing and wrapped my arm around Nathan. “We need to head back.”

  We’d almost made it back up the hill when Shale stopped to speak to someone. I waited, but time was passing.

  “Shale, come on,” I called to her. She waved back. I gave Baruch some fresh water and oats.

  Nathan asked me, “When do you think my father will be back in town?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know, but we need to send word to him about your miraculous healing.”

  “What do your writings say about Yeshua?” Nathan asked.

  “The rabbi?”

  “Yes.” The boy’s eyes were wide.

  “I don’t know. Maybe I should find out.”

  “Being Jewish, you must be curious.”

  I smiled and gave Baruch some water. “Yes, I am.”

  At last, we were traveling back home. Shale was quiet.

  “Are you okay?” I asked.

  “Yes,” she replied.

  I glanced at her face. She looked exhausted. Her eyes were half-closed.

  “He’s the king above all kings,” she stated dreamily.

  “You think so?”

  Shale became defensive. “And you don’t?”

  That wasn’t what I meant. “I don’t know what to think.”

  We headed down the road not saying anything else.

  Soon we had a visitor. Worldly Crow landed on a palm tree as we passed by. I heard Shale saying, “He didn’t learn, Worldly Crow.”

  “What’s that?” I asked.

  “Oh, nothing. Worldly Crow called the healer a magician.”

  I grinned. “That’s a thought.”

  Shale asked Nathan. “What’s the first thing you’re going to say to Scylla when we return?”

  “I’m not going to say anything,” he whispered.

  “What? Tell me you are kidding. You’re healed and you’re not going to share with others what the king did for you?”

  Now it sounded like a brother and sister going at it. While I didn’t like the cross words, the sibling rivalry seemed refreshing.

  “Didn’t he tell me not to tell anyone?”

  Shale rolled her eyes. “I don’t think that’s what he meant, Nathan.”

  “What did he mean when he told me not to tell anyone?”

  Shale shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe don’t tell people until they are ready to listen.”

  “I want my father to hear me first.”

  Shale was indignant. “You mean, we brought you all the way out here and you aren’t even going to speak to Scylla?”

  Shale’s anger probably had more to do with her dislike of Scylla than wanting to get even with her.

  “Besides,” Nathan continued, “I want Daniel to remain with us and not leave. That won’t happen if Scylla knows I can talk.”

  Nathan needed a man-to-man talk. His impairment had made him self-centered—a form of self-preservation. He would have to learn the world didn’t revolve around him.

  I spoke as gently as I could to avoid hurting his feelings. “Nathan, you can’t manipulate people. I go where I want. No one controls me, not even you.”

  Worldly Crow squawked from a tree.

  Shale responded, “What do you know about anything, Worldly Crow? Go away. Let me be.”

  For once, I didn’t envy her ability to talk to anim
als.

  CHAPTER 31 COMPLICATIONS

  We returned in the late afternoon. I was anxious to get away, but as we approached, Shale begged me to put Baruch in the cave.

  “If you’ll take Baruch, I’ll sneak Nathan in the house through the portico.”

  “It’s late, Shale. Suppose Scylla sees me?”

  “We can make up something.”

  “We?” I repeated. “I’m not even supposed to be here.”

  “I’ll prevent her from walking outside until you’re gone.”

  Shale was tired and clingy, though I had to admire her. I didn’t think I could have stayed awake that long. I suspected the real reason she asked me to take Baruch was because she didn’t want me to leave.

  If Nathan spoke, he could impress Scylla and then what could she say? Perhaps it made sense. Change is hard, even when it’s good. Given time, I was sure Nathan would overcome his fear and stand up to Scylla as a man. She had mistreated him for years.

  I stopped short of the gate under the palm trees, where Baruch preferred. Nathan climbed down from the donkey first.

  “I couldn’t believe all the signs I could read,” he said, for the third or fourth time.

  I grinned. “You’re a good student.”

  He shook his head. “No, you’re a gifted teacher.”

  Shale dismounted from her donkey and clasped my arm. “Thank you, Daniel, for coming.”

  I hugged her. The next time I saw her, she might be married.

  “Wait here and let me put Baruch in the back.”

  “No, it’s okay.” She yawned and rubbed her head. “I want to go with you.”

  Much-Afraid, wagging her tail, ran up to Shale.

  “See, I told you, we wouldn’t be gone long,” she said.

  Cherios hopped out of the cave and found us.

  Shale laughed. “Both of you go back inside the cave. I need to say goodbye to Daniel.”

  The animals obeyed Shale and the moment had come that I needed to leave. I was glad we had a few moments alone after such a dramatic day.

  Shale wrapped her arms around me in a warm embrace and I clasped her tightly. I desperately longed to kiss her but knew that I shouldn’t.

  “Someday we’ll be back in our own time period together—I just know it,” Shale stated.

  I hugged her tighter. “I hope you are right.”

  After a moment, Shale stepped back and gently brushed her finger down my chest. Her eyes appeared watery. “Can I ask you something kind of personal?”

  “What’s that?”

  Shale bit her lip. “Do you have a girlfriend?”

  “You mean back home in 2015?”

  Shale nodded.

  I laughed. “No, I don’t.”

  Shale relaxed at that revelation. She bit her lip again. “Do you feel that I’m too young for you?”

  I shook my head and said tenderly, “No.”

  She leaned against me and whispered, “If you get back before I do, will you look for me? I mean, can we at least be friends on Facebook, or something like that?”

  I pulled her close. “I’d want to be more than just Facebook friends. I know it seems impossible now but there is a lot we don’t understand—especially about the betrothal and how that might affect the future from which we come.”

  Shale nodded. “I know.”

  “We’ll just have to wait and see,” I reassured her. “But I really care about you.”

  “Thanks for coming with us today and making this happen.”

  “I’m glad you convinced me, Shale. We did a good thing.”

  Shale glanced towards the cave. “I guess I better let you get back to Doctor Luke.”

  We held hands for the first time as we crossed the veranda in the portico where we met up with Nathan. Suddenly Scylla appeared and her mouth dropped. Her gaze went from me to Nathan to Shale and then back to me. We let go of each other, putting some distance between us. I then realized Judd had been watching us all along—hiding.

  “This isn’t going to be good,” Nathan said.

  I touched Nathan on the arm. “Let me take you inside.”

  He nodded.

  Nathan caused me the greatest concern. Shale could deal with Scylla. Bullying by others had made her strong and her new faith would temper her compulsiveness.

  Someday she would make Judd a fine wife. I hoped she understood that honor was more important than love. I’d tear up the contract and throw it in the fire if I could.

  I shut the door behind us. “Give me a moment outside with Scylla and Shale. It’s unfair to Shale. I have as much to do with this as she does. I’ll say goodbye before I leave. Do you understand?”

  Nathan nodded.

  Once outside, steam from Scylla’s fiery temper covered the portico—nothing like the wrath of an angry woman. Still I pitied Scylla because she was so disturbed, treating Shale as her own whipping bag.

  “Lock her up in her private quarters,” Scylla demanded.

  Judd didn’t move.

  “Now,” Scylla insisted.

  I heard a door slam. Nathan stood behind me. “Wait.”

  Did he change his mind?

  Scylla covered her mouth in shock. “You— you can talk.”

  “Yes.”

  Nathan looked as if he’d grown two inches taller. “You’re a greedy, jealous woman and the worst example of a stepmother who ever lived. You don’t care about me or Shale.”

  Scylla glared. “That’s not true.”

  “Be quiet,” Nathan demanded.

  Worldly Crow sat in a nearby tree, squawking.

  Nathan continued. “Do you know what it’s like to be mute?”

  I didn’t remember ever seeing Scylla speechless.

  Nathan turned towards me. “You’ve been my friend for the last two years. I love you, Daniel.”

  I whispered back so no one else could hear, “I love you, too, Nathan.”

  “But how can you deny what the king did for me?”

  I shook my head. “I’m not denying what he did. He performs amazing miracles, is a gifted teacher, and the most impressive rabbi I have ever met, but to call him the Messiah—what proof is there of that?”

  Nathan shook his head in my direction, as if discouraged at my response, but then turned his attention to Judd. “You’re wicked.”

  I cringed. Must he be so honest?

  “Who made you the man of the house?” crooned Scylla.

  Nathan ignored her question. “I want my father to come home.”

  Scylla stomped her foot in defiance. “No.”

  “Why not?” Nathan asked. “So you can continue to torture and control the rest of us?”

  This was becoming too personal. Now I worried if Judd would lie for Scylla. She could put me in jail for life. I needed to teach Nathan some social etiquette, what not to say, before he dug too many graves.

  “I’ll leave. This is a family matter,” I said.

  “No,” Shale pleaded. “If you care anything about me—”

  Desperation covered her face. I didn’t know what to do.

  The sky darkened.

  I acquiesced. “Maybe Shale is right.”

  “We don’t need you anymore, Daniel,” Scylla retorted.

  Nathan spoke up. “Even though I can talk, I don’t want Daniel to leave.”

  “He’s no longer needed unless you want to waste your inheritance,” Scylla fumed.

  “Mine or yours?” Nathan asked.

  Scylla glared.

  Nathan continued. “You’ve made my father weak, belittled him. You married him for his money.”

  “No, I didn’t,” insisted Scylla. “It was foretold in the stars.”

  Ignoring her retort, Nathan took a couple steps closer. “You’ve lied repeatedly. What Judd said to you isn’t what you told Shale.”

  “So the truth comes out,” Shale scoffed.

  Judd stepped back. I reached over and touched Nathan’s shoulder.

  Scylla turned from Nathan and leaned i
nto Judd. “I told you to take Shale to her room. Lock her up. I’ll speak to you later.”

  Then she focused on Nathan. “You might not be mute but you’re still dumb. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  What an insult to Nathan. Now I was angry. Did she really think Nathan was dumb?

  Judd shoved Shale from behind. I wanted to punch him in the stomach. Shale had earned my respect. No matter what happened, she would survive. I had to figure out a way to get us both back to the twenty-first century before she married Judd.

  The door slammed behind them and Nathan and I were alone with Scylla.

  “We wanted to help Nathan,” I said. “Now that he’s healed, he can live a normal life. Like the rest of us. Maybe he’s too blunt, but with time, he’ll learn more self-control.”

  “I want to see my father,” Nathan said. “Can you take me to him?”

  Scylla shook her head. “That rabbi has stirred things up so much I don’t know that it’s safe to travel.” Scylla sighed. “We don’t need Daniel anymore to help you.”

  Her eyes turned to me and I felt uncomfortable.

  I chose my words carefully. “You know, I could take Nathan to his father.”

  Nathan jumped at the opportunity. “Could you?”

  Scylla hesitated.

  How could Scylla justify keeping him here? I wasn’t going to meet Scylla’s romantic needs, and who knew when Brutus would return. As long as Mari was here—I wasn’t willing to leave without Mari staying.

  Scylla nodded. “I’ll be back in a minute.” She went into the house.

  Nathan smiled.

  Maybe God did care. Where would I find Brutus?

  CHAPTER 32 CAESAREA

  “Get packed before Scylla changes her mind,” I urged Nathan. “One change of clothes is enough.”

  Nathan bolted towards the door and quipped, “I never thought I’d be able to speak. The king must be a man of God.”

  I nodded.

  He disappeared in the house and Mari caught my eye through the window. I waved for her to come outside.

  She hesitated before cracking the door.

  “Come here—hurry,” I whispered.

  Mari eased the door shut and smiled. “I heard Nathan speak for the first time.”

  She wrapped her arms around me joyfully. “I always believed the rabbi could heal him.”