The Prescience Page 20

  I glared. “I know that’s what you have in mind. To race against him and give the money to Justinian to reimburse him for the hardships you’ve caused him.”

  Daniel’s eyes narrowed. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were reading my mind.”

  I threw up my hands. “I’m not stupid, Daniel. I know you better than you think.”

  An awkward silence followed. We knew better than to have an outright argument in front of our hosts, particularly Theophilus. I already regretted what we’d said. But I was so terrified at the prospect of Daniel racing I couldn’t hold back my fear.

  Daniel seemed oblivious. “It will be a surprise to everyone—especially to Tariq. Otherwise, he could manipulate the Romans into arresting me.”

  “I don’t like it, Daniel,” I repeated.

  Theophilus cut in, diffusing the tension. “Daniel, I could talk to Justinian on your behalf, but I have no idea what his reaction would be.”

  That wasn’t what I wanted him to say. I wanted him to tell Daniel to forget this outrageous idea.

  Daniel leaned over the table and narrowed his gaze on me. “When I raced before, Cynisca said Tariq’s team put curse tablets in our stall. The ventriloquist followed me everywhere. She threatened Cynisca.”

  Daniel sat back and his eyes flitted about the room. “Caesarea is a godless place, a hangout for those who dabble in the occult. I don’t want to give Tariq’s team foreknowledge. I can show up for the race and surprise him. He won’t be prepared to race me mentally, and he won’t have had time to reach any of his contacts.

  “I win the race, give Cynisca’s father the winnings, and I confront Tariq. If I lose, he’d probably use whatever means at his disposal to get the scroll. Maybe I’d give it to him to encourage him to tell me what he knows.”

  I knew I wasn’t going to win this argument, however crazy it was. “If you talk to Justinian, you have to take me with you.”

  “What about Shira?” Daniel asked.

  I stopped to think. “I’d have to make arrangements to leave her here.”

  Mari jumped into the conversation. “I could take care of Shira while Shale goes with you, Daniel.”

  I turned to Mari? “Could you?”

  “Yes, I would be glad to.”

  “I know Shira would love to spend more time with Baruch and Lowly.”

  “No problem.” Mari smiled, glancing at Judd. “Someday she’ll have a little cousin.”

  Daniel said to no one in particular, “I wonder if Cynisca could help me, if I contacted her, to talk to her father.”

  Theophilus interjected. “Daniel, as I said, I’m good friends with Justinian. Since I’m familiar with the situation, perhaps I could put in a good word for you and make arrangements.”

  “Would you do that?”

  Theophilus smiled. “Of course.”

  Soon the servants came to clear the table and Theophilus stood. “Your rooms have been made ready. I have an early morning tomorrow, so I must get some sleep. I’ll visit Justinian as soon as possible and tell you what he says.”

  Daniel tipped his head. “Thank you for your hospitality.”

  Theophilus walked to the doorway. “You’re most welcome. Good night.”

  Judd and Mari left the room discussing wedding plans. I grabbed Daniel’s hand and led him to an area out of everyone’s hearing. I knew we had said far too much at the dinner table.

  “This is a terrible idea, Daniel. After the confrontation with the Romans, I know how dangerous this is. Why risk fate? Why do this insane thing?”

  Daniel dropped my hand and turned his back to me. “Why make this harder, Shale. I can’t leave Caesarea and go back to Dothan without making things right. And I need to find out what Tariq knows.”

  I put my hand on his arm. I could feel his muscles tensing up. “You can go to the coliseum and meet Tariq. Give him the scroll. Who cares about it now? Even Jesus didn’t want it.”

  Daniel’s eyes bore into me. “It’s more than that. It’s about my father. It’s about the financial losses Justinian has suffered. If we go back to our time and the world has been deceived by a godless religion, how are you going to feel?”

  I countered Daniel’s argument. “You can offer the scroll to Tariq for information about your father. You don’t have to race him.”

  Silence filled the air between us.

  I crossed my arms. “Daniel, are you sure you don’t want revenge? To beat him in a race and knock him off his pedestal?”

  Daniel glared at me. “How do you know that my anger isn’t righteous? I saved Nidal’s life.”

  “Well, even Nidal said Tariq was evil.”

  Daniel clasped his hands. “If Theophilus is able to set up the meeting, then let’s take that as a sign from God that this is his will.”

  I sighed. “Okay.”

  Daniel led out a deep breath. “Now let’s get some sleep.”

  I lifted my face hoping he would kiss me, but then a servant entered. I quickly pulled away. I didn’t want prying eyes to see.

  “Good night, Daniel. See you in the morning.”

  I left the room without looking back. I wasn’t sure I could sleep.

  CHAPTER 51

  THE NEXT DAY gloomy skies reflected my growing fear. Raindrops painted an even grimmer picture. I walked into the dining room as Mari placed a bowl of fruits and grains in front of Shira. I kissed her on the forehead.

  My princess showed me another white-colored stone she had found that resembled the wooden bird Dr. Luke had given her. She imitated the bird. “Tweet-tweet.”

  I sat beside her. “What did she say?”

  “She said she’s hungry.”

  I smiled. “Now you have two birds. They can be friends.”

  Shira reached into her bag and pulled out her other stone bird and set them beside each other. “I wish I had the one Doctor Luke gave me.”

  I grabbed some figs and olives from the table. “Can I tell you a story?”

  Shira’s brown eyes focused on me. “Yes.”

  I took a couple of bites. “When I went to the garden the first time, I walked along a trail that went through a thick forest. After a while, we came to a small pond of crystal blue water. Golden rocks covered the bottom. I climbed onto a flat rock and dipped in my hands. My whole body tingled, as if the pond had magical qualities. While I lay there, a small blue bird landed on my shoulder and whispered to my heart, ‘You are a daughter of the King.’ Then she flew away. Even though I never saw her again, I never forgot what she said to me.”

  Shira turned over one of the stone birds. “Am I a daughter of the King, too?”

  “Of course.”

  I lifted Shira’s dark brown hair away from her face. “Sometimes God puts people or animals in our lives for only a short time, like the dove. Once they have carried out God’s will, God uses them somewhere else.”

  Shira stroked the stone bird’s head. “How come we didn’t see the pond when we were at the garden?”

  “We didn’t have time to go down that trail.”

  “You don’t think my dove will come back?”

  “He’s probably feeding the beggars.”

  Shira’s eyes lit up. “Maybe the beggars need him more than I do.”

  “Just think how God used you to set the dove free.”

  That brought a smile to Shira’s face.

  Mari placed a tray of tea and crackers on the table and sat across from us. “Daniel is at the stable with Judd. They are making some adjustments with the new animals.”

  We were still chitchatting when someone entered the front door. Mari got up to see who it was.

  Theophilus’ voice reached my ears. “Are Daniel and Shale here?”

  “Shale is in the dining room. Come join us at the table.”

  “Where’s Daniel?”

  “He and Judd are cleaning up the stable.”

  “Save me some fruit. I want to talk to Daniel first, and then I’ll be back.”

  I he
ard the door shut and Mari returned. “Maybe he has some news about Justinian.”

  My stomach soured. I had hoped we wouldn’t hear anything for a couple of days. However, I knew wishful thinking would only postpone the inevitable.

  A few minutes later, Daniel and Theophilus entered through the back door. I could hear them dipping their feet in the water bowl. The rain must have brought mud to the back yard. Soon they joined us in the dining room. As Theophilus sat at the table, Daniel motioned for me to follow him into a different room.

  Once we were alone, Daniel spoke in a soft voice. “Theophilus inquired of Justinian about making a visit. He said the magistrate seemed surprised I was in town, but welcomed the opportunity to see me. Theophilus said Justinian will be at the training facility later today. He encouraged me to stop by. Do you want to come with me if Mari takes care of Shira?”

  I hadn’t anticipated things would happen so fast. “Today?”

  “Yes.”

  “I want to come, but I didn’t know it would be this soon.”

  Daniel lifted my face to his. “How about that kiss we didn’t have last night?”

  I closed my eyes as Daniel touched my lips. For a moment, my worries were forgotten. I opened my eyes and smiled.

  Daniel asked again. “Do you want to come with me?”

  I nodded. “Of course I want to come. Do you know where the training facility is?”

  Daniel chuckled. “I better know where it is. I spent several months there.”

  “Do you think Justinian would mind if I come?”

  “If he does, you can wait outside. It’s a beautiful facility, and I imagine Dominus and Cynisca will be there.”

  “The part I don’t like is you racing. You already told me how dangerous it is. You almost died.”

  Daniel took my hand reassuringly in his. “Nothing is decided.”

  I looked for any sign of hesitation. “Suppose this backfires and he wants to keep you. How much more time do you owe him?”

  Daniel cocked his head. “I’d have to think about it—three or four months.”

  “You promise me just one race?”

  “One race.”

  “Suppose he won’t agree to one race?”

  “Let’s take it one step at a time. You are assuming the worst.”

  I acquiesced. “Let me see if Mari can take care of Shira.”

  CHAPTER 52

  A MISTY RAIN fell making the rocky road sludgy. “The training facility is on the south side of town, so we’ll pass through the heart of the city. It’s quite beautiful,” Daniel said.

  Even with the rain? I doubted it.

  Daniel squeezed my hand. “You’ll also have an opportunity to see the harbor.”

  As we traveled along the main thoroughfare and entered Caesarea from the north, the coastal metropolis looked deserted.

  We had passed through the city gates and walked a short distance when Daniel pointed. “Your father lives in that cluster of dwellings along with most of the government officials. Even Pontius Pilate—at least the last time I was here.”

  “Are we going to pay my father a visit?”

  “If we have time, depends on how long this takes.”

  I didn’t want to see my father today. I was already concerned about Daniel. I could only deal with one problem at a time.

  As we strolled through the town, the light misty rain fell harder, giving me goosebumps. “We should have brought something to cover us.”

  The fountains, fed by aqueducts, were overflowing from the rain. On a warm summer day, I imagined their beauty enchanting tourists like me. If things were different, I would have longed to see the city—enjoyed watching the seagulls nosedive for fish, admired the sun’s rays dazzling the rippling blue waters of the Mediterranean, esteemed the skilled fishermen as they hauled in their daily catch, and felt the vibrant pulse of the city. I could imagine merchants selling their local wares and shops brimming with international delicacies, but not today. Not as long as I was worried.

  As we walked, Daniel pointed to another structure. “There’s Caesar’s temple.”

  The temple stood atop a citadel towering over the Mediterranean. An impressive statue of Caesar filled the courtyard. Surrounding the statue were dozens of smaller ones that represented a pantheon of Roman gods.

  A short distance from the temple was a palace, nestled in a rocky outcropping. It overlooked the beautiful seaport where ships were in the harbor because of the inclement weather.

  Several water fountains decorated the cloister. An elaborate swimming pool took up most of the back facing the sea. Flowers lined the walkway that bordered the gardens.

  Daniel reached for my hand. “Most of the city’s residents, if they aren’t officials with the Roman government, are merchants and fishermen, or people from other places that have taken up residence here. It’s like a seaside resort.”

  Now I understood why government officials made this their home. It was a stunning resort town, more Roman than Jewish.

  Once we reached the southern edge of the city, the most imposing building in Caesarea came into view—the hippodrome. Daniel pointed. “That’s where I raced chariots.”

  I tried to imagine what this place would look like on race day. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t. I didn’t want to know. I didn’t want to imagine, and I didn’t want to be here.

  Daniel interrupted my musings. “The singers, dancers, and performers who entertain the racing patrons enter through those doors. Families come from miles to see the parade. If you come, you’ll experience that.”

  I took a deep breath as my stomach churned. I was still hoping it wouldn’t happen. I couldn’t even think about the possibility my betrothed would race. Too many charioteers died racing.

  “How much further do we have to go?”

  “Not much. It seems further because you don’t know where we’re going and the weather is bad.”

  We approached some beggars.

  I glanced at Daniel. “Do you have any money?”

  He shook his head. “Not really. I have some loose change from Nepal and one of the coins left Doctor Luke gave me.”

  “Why don’t you throw them in the man’s bucket?”

  Daniel dug around in his bag and threw the money into a beggar’s cup.

  The man thanked him.

  When other beggars heard the coin clanging, one cried out extending his cup. “Please, have mercy on the poor man. Here, here.”

  We passed several. I dropped my last coin into an empty hand leaving the rest disappointed. There were so many we couldn’t help them all.

  “We’re getting close,” Daniel said. “A little further down this road is the Equi Palmati Stables.”

  Fortunately, the rain had stopped.

  We came to a quaint cobblestone street away from the riffraff of the city.

  “This used to be a dirt road,” Daniel said.

  We followed the road until it came to an open field. A few horses were out to pasture.

  Daniel directed me. “This way.”

  I pointed to a short circular track to the right. “Did you race here also?”

  Daniel shook his head. “That’s a practice field for training.”

  We passed some buildings, but no one seemed to be around—at least outside.

  Daniel pointed to a door. “Let’s go in there.”

  I caught Daniel on the arm. “Wait.”

  Daniel stopped. I could see impatience written on his face. I knew there was no way I could change his mind. I tried a different tact. “If you can make things right with Justinian short of racing, will you promise me you will do that?”

  Daniel nodded.

  “I can’t tell you how scared I am imagining you behind a chariot. Tariq would like nothing more than to humiliate you. Even kill you.” I shook my head as desperation set in. “It’s so dangerous. Please promise me.”

  Daniel nodded again. “I promise.” He opened a heavy door and motioned for me to enter first.
The barn-like structure housed multiple stalls. A short man advanced in age was grooming a horse. Recognition crossed his face when he saw Daniel. My betrothed greeted the man warmly.

  The groomer smiled. “I had no idea you were coming today. Is Justinian expecting you?”

  Daniel placed his hand on the friend’s shoulder. “Yes, a mutual acquaintance made the arrangements. Meet Shale, my betrothed. Shale, this is Dominus, the head trainer.”

  Dominus raised his eyebrow.

  Daniel crossed his arms. “Dominus and Cynisca are in charge of Justinian’s racing team.”

  I reached out and shook the man’s hand, recognizing his name from previous conversations.

  We exchanged a few pleasantries, and Daniel glanced around the barn. “Is Cynisca here?”

  Dominus’ eyes swept through the stable. “She may be with her father. I’ll go check. Wait here.”

  Daniel tipped his head. “Thank you.”

  We waited quietly, not saying anything until Dominus returned. Accompanying him was an attractive young woman, a few years older than me, maybe twenty-one or twenty-two. Her physique would have made me envious if I were inclined that way. She was dressed in farm-type clothing with her hair pulled back in a ponytail.

  Her eyes flitted to Daniel, to me, and then back to Daniel. She smiled as she walked over to us. “Daniel, I can’t believe you’re here, and this must be Shale.”

  After a brief hug, Daniel made the introductions again.

  Cynisca eyed me curiously. After some small talk, she said, “My father told me you were coming, but I didn’t believe him.”

  “I hope I caught him on a good day.”

  A shadow crossed Cynisca’s face. “We haven’t won a single race since you left. No one can beat Tariq. His brother quit racing, but Tariq races on. I’m not sure what my father will do if doesn’t win soon.”

  “If you take me to him, I have a business proposition.”

  “Do you want to race again?” Cynisca asked.

  “We’ll see.”

  “So you don’t want to clue me in, huh?” Cynisca chuckled. “Very well.”

  I wasn’t sure if I should follow Daniel or not, but Dominus put up his hand. “Wait here. Cynisca will be back in a moment. Justinian will only want to talk to Daniel.”