The Barbarian (The Herod Chronicles Book 2) Read online

  Hama blew out a long breath. "Our families go way back. I grew up around his sons. Spent my youth bumped and bruised trying to keep up with Herod, who was five years older."

  "Your beard fooled me. You're only thirty?"

  "My father was a physician. He started tutoring me when I was ten. Antipater used to haul me in front of his friends, tell them I was a child prodigy and ask me to prove it by reciting the names of rare diseases and exotic cures." Hama smiled fondly. "He wouldn't hear of hiring any other physician after my father's death."

  Kadar nodded. "Antipater is loyal."

  "I hear you are once again serving as his bodyguard."

  "For a short time." Kadar pointed across the table. "Antipater asked me to escort Malichus throughout Jerusalem to help him collect Rome's taxes."

  Malichus stared down his pompous nose. "Talk of taxes at the dinner table is crude."

  "Crude barbarian," Lazarz mocked, his grating voice loud enough to carry to outer Gaul.

  Kadar wanted to beat Lazarz into the ground. Never comfortable at formal banquets, Kadar didn't appreciate having this loud jackass call attention to him.

  "I'm the commander of Hycranus's army," Malichus whined. "I should be seated at the head table."

  "You deserve a seat of prominence," Lazarz declared. "Where men like these..." the one-eyed man waved his mug, sloshing wine over Hama and Kadar, "...will grovel at your feet."

  Kadar reached across the table and grabbed a handful of tunic.

  Lazarz pounded on Kadar's arm. "Take your filthy hands off me!"

  A guttural groan lanced through general chatter. All eyes went to the head table, to Antipater laying on his side, writhing violently. Screams and panicked shouts followed.

  Kadar released Lazarz, jumped to his feet, and sprinted to Antipater.

  "Is he sick?" Kadar asked, kneeling down next to Antipater.

  "He was fine a moment ago," a shaken John Hycranus said.

  Kadar laid his hand on Antipater's rigid shoulder. "Are you in pain?" The ashen-faced man stopped jerking, his eyes rolled up in his head, and he went limp. Kadar had seen death too many times to mistake the signs.

  Hama stepped through the circle of onlookers and crouched down next to Kadar.

  Sick at heart, Kadar sat back on his heels. "He's beyond help."

  Hama nodded. "Poisoned."

  "Poison." The word spread like wildfire through the chamber.

  "Did you see anyone acting suspiciously?" Hama asked.

  Kadar glanced around, searching for the skittish red-haired boy who had dropped the tray. "Antipater had plenty of enemies."

  Hama exhaled heavily. "Cypros and his sons will take the news hard. The oldest three are nearby. Do you know where Herod is?"

  Kadar wouldn't want to be anywhere nearby when Herod learned his father had been murdered. "Syria, I think."

  Hama crouched down beside Kadar, and spoke in his ear. "With Antipater dead, Jerusalem is quickly going to become a very dangerous place. If you have somewhere else to go, I'd be heading there."

  Kadar's thoughts went to Lydia. "Thanks for the warning," he said, but he wasn't about to leave the city.

  Saad hobbled up. His face crumpled. "Master Antipater was a good man. He didn't complain when I began to slow down. What will become of me now?"

  Everyone associated with the governor of Judea would be asking the same question and scrambling to align with potential successors.

  Malichus and Lazarz came and stood beside High Priest Hycranus.

  "This is abominable," Malichus cried. "We must mourn him properly. A large funeral, with no expenses spared."

  "I'll command the army to go into mourning," Lazarz added, with a barely-concealed smile.

  Wary of Malichus already, the tearful performance only increased Kadar's suspicion that Malichus and Lazarz had a hand in murdering Antipater.

  "Jerusalem has lost a gem of a man," Hycranus said. "I cannot imagine how I will replace him."

  Malichus wiped his tears away. "My assistance is yours to command."

  Anger boiled up in Kadar, the same fury he would have felt over the murder of a fellow Northman. He'd do all in his power to punish Antipater's murderers, beginning with beating a confession out of Lazarz.

  Kadar climbed to his feet. "Where did Lazarz go?"

  The others shrugged. Kadar searched the hall, but the one-eyed man had disappeared.

  CHAPTER 10

  Two Days Later

  Lydia laid a balsam compress across the crown of her brother's head. Though a bit leery over the noisy crowd of protesters outside Antipater's home, she had insisted on being here as usual. James needed family by his side.

  Cousin Nehonya wasn't pleased with her. He feared Antipater's death would embolden those who hated the Idumeans. Lydia had listened politely, then informed her cousin she needed to attend to James and would be sure to return to his home before dark.

  She tucked a blanket around James. Full of empathy for Antipater's widow and children, and concern for her brother, her mind also continued to go in circles over Kadar's offer to help her steal her son away from Judas's family if need be.

  Someone knocked at the door. "I'll wager it's Kadar!" Bryn crowed from her seat by the open window, "I was sure the handsome rascal wouldn't be able to stay away from you."

  Lydia's heart skipped a beat. "You are making too much of the matter. When I learned Kadar was alive, I needed to see him. I saw him and I thanked him and apologized for all he suffered on my account. It was nothing more than that."

  Bryn hurried to the door. "I hope you're not angry with Kadar for patting my backside. He was just playing."

  "Of course not." Lydia readily dismissed the crass way Kadar had behaved, suspecting he'd done it on purpose. She knew he was aware of it, too—the invisible cord pulling them toward each other, present from the first moment they'd breathed the same air. "Kadar must be incredibly busy," Lydia insisted even while she hoped, in her heart of hearts, it was Kadar standing on the other side of the door.

  James moaned.

  Lydia forced her eyes back to her brother. Encouraged by this sign of life, she dabbed his hot brow with the wet cloth. "James, wake up," she cooed. "Wake up."

  "How is he?" a familiar voice asked.

  Lydia gasped and swiveled around. "Alexandra?"

  Her sister rushed toward her and Lydia leapt to her feet. They met in the middle of the room, and hugged, holding tight. Lydia didn't want to let go. It had been six long years since she'd laid eyes on her beloved sister.

  Alexandra stepped back, her dove gray eyes sweeping over Lydia. "How are you, dear?"

  Lydia laughed and hugged Alexandra again. "I'm well. And...I'm so happy you are here." Lydia missed having her sister mother her.

  Thick, dark curls held in place by a bright blue scarf, Alexandra glowed with beauty and contentment. "I hope Uncle Jacob and Aunt Sarah were good to you, dear?"

  Bryn clucked her disgust. "They could have done better by my kitten."

  "It was trying at times," Lydia admitted. Sorrow and loneliness wrapped around her like creeping vines threatening to suck her back into the abyss of despair those years represented. Lydia squeezed her sister's fingers and swung their arms back and forth. "Do you remember the songs we made up when we were girls? I’ve missed hearing your lovely voice."

  The lines of concern etching Alexandra's brow smoothed. "You are the one who made up the fun songs and games and stories."

  Lydia hummed a note. Alexandra grinned, and they swayed from side to side while they sang their favorite song. When they came to the chorus, they exchanged wide smiles, and shouted, "Goliath of Gath!" Laughing they collapsed into each other's arms.

  Alexandra kissed Lydia's cheek. "I'm so glad to see you haven't lost your gift of joy."

  "Your young cousins could sing that silly song for hours," Brynhild tutted.

  It was silly, but playfulness suited Lydia better than sullenness. Two years old when her mother died, they had b
een raised by a father who treated his daughters with either indifference or hostility. Alexandra had been both a mother and sister to Lydia and James, worrying over them like a hen over her chicks. Lydia had done what she could to add a bit of sunshine to the cold, beautifully appointed home they'd been trapped in for countless days and weeks at a time.

  Lydia crossed to Bryn, looped her arm around the sturdy woman's elbow, and drew her forward. "Alexandra, this is Brynhild. She fusses over me as much as you ever did."

  Bryn made a face.

  Lydia squeezed the slave woman's arm. "You will love Alexandra. Everybody does."

  Alexandra graced Bryn with a warm smile. "Brynhild, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. Lydia always spoke glowingly of you in her letters."

  Bryn snorted. "Sounds like a waste of costly paper, if you ask me."

  Lydia and Alexandra laughed.

  James stirred. They rushed to his side and knelt beside his raised platform. Lydia removed the compress from her brother's head and set it in a bowl. "This is a good sign. Physician Hama said the sooner James wakes, the more hope there is for a full recovery."

  Alexandra patted James's hand. "James, dear, can you hear me?" He moaned.

  "Wake up, James," Lydia coaxed.

  Nothing.

  "He fell down some stairs?" Alexandra asked.

  Lydia nodded. "I hardly had any time with him before the accident." She brushed his hair off his brow. "Have you and James resolved your differences with Father?"

  Alexandra sighed. "I've tried. But father won't speak to me."

  Lydia sat back on her heels and steered the conversation back to more pleasant subjects. "Tell me about your children."

  Alexandra smiled wide. "The boys are five and three. Baby Anna is one. They are wonderful. And excited to meet you."

  Lydia grew light-headed. "Is my son here? Did Judith make the trip to Jerusalem?"

  Alexandra put her arm around Lydia’s shoulders. "Yes, they traveled with us. We arrived late yesterday. Would you like to come visit our camp now?"

  Finally, finally, the moment she had dreamed about had arrived—she would soon hold her precious babe in her arms. Lydia clapped. "Oh, that sounds lovely. But..." She bit her lip and looked toward her brother. "I hate to leave James."

  Alexandra patted her hand. "He won't be alone. Nathan has gone to ask Elizabeth to come sit with him."

  "Elizabeth doesn't like James," Lydia said. So far, Elizabeth had made polite inquiries about James's progress, but she hadn't offered to come sit with Lydia.

  ***

  Elizabeth arrived a short while later, and Lydia gave the care of her brother over to her cousin and Bryn, then left with Alexandra and Nathan. Anticipating the walk down the winding road to the Mount of Olives, she recalled her and Alexandra's excitement over the annual feasts, when festival pilgrims poured into Jerusalem. Despite the confusion and crowds, Father's mood always improved. Sometimes he went so far as to smile or buy them honeyed nuts.

  They hurried out of the house. The mob celebrating news of Antipater's death had doubled in size since morning. Triple the number of guards now stood watch outside of Antipater's palatial home.

  Nathan stopped to have a word with the head guardsman.

  Lydia surveyed the boisterous throng and spotted a lumbering, bushy-bearded man called Bear. He'd been one of Judas's raiders. A bitter taste filled her mouth at the memory of dank caves and smoldering campfires.

  "They continue to hate Antipater," Lydia murmured. Judas the Zealot's voice still rang inside her head on occasion. No king but the Lord. Judas the Zealot had preached impassioned messages calling for the overthrow of Judea's corrupt rulers. Lydia quickly learned it was in her best interest to disavow Antipater and High Priest Hycranus, at least until Nathan and Kadar rescued her from the outlaw band, killed Judas, and put an end to the small rebellion.

  Revitalized by Antipater's death, his critics and enemies were crawling out of hiding now.

  Lydia welcomed the touch of Alexandra's arm around her waist. "Don't be afraid, dear. Nathan and I are here to watch over you. We won't let anyone harm you."

  Lydia forced her shoulders back. "I'm not afraid." But her stomach sickened at the memory of her captivity. She'd started out resisting Judas when he pushed himself on her, but he'd whip her with a strap until she gave in and kissed him and called him husband. Then Judas had abducted Alexandra. And Alexandra had witnessed Lydia go willingly into Judas's arms. Lydia's face heated and she squeezed her eyes shut, imagining her sister’s disgust and disappointment.

  "Are you sure you want to go to our camp?" Alexandra asked. "You may come across other men you have no wish to behold."

  Lydia wanted to believe the past couldn't hurt her anymore, but jolts of panic shot through her. The thought of facing Judas the Zealot's brothers and kin made her want to run in the opposite direction. She shook off her dread and distaste. "I must go. My baby is there." To ease her sister's worries, she smiled and turned the conversation. "How is your new olive grove coming along?"

  Alexandra's eyes lit. "The trees are almost mature. If the Lord wills, we should produce double the fruit and oil to sell either this year or the next."

  Nathan rejoined them. Alexandra moved closer to him. "Lydia was asking about the orchard."

  Nathan ran his hand down Alexandra's arm. "We have a small army of people working for us. But Lex keeps the farm running smoothly, making sure everyone is fed and clothed, and tending the sick and injured. I'm convinced she could command an army." Ruggedly handsome, Nathan was also a man very much in love with his wife.

  He gave every evidence of being as good a man, husband, and father as her sister's letters portrayed, but seeing Nathan vividly reminded her of her bleakest hours, and of seeing Nathan run his sword through Judas the Zealot. Her numb desolation afterwards. Her baby being torn from her arms. Lydia fisted her hands in the folds of her tunic.

  Nathan turned to her. "I'm sorry for your husband's death."

  She ducked her head. Consumed with worries over her brother's welfare and the coming reunion with her son, she'd hardly given Uncle Jacob or Aunt Sarah a thought. She would write to the girls tonight, and make up a lighthearted story about her journey to Jerusalem and describe to them the beauty and wonder of the Temple. "Uncle's death was a difficult time," she told Nathan. "Aunt Sarah and the girls were devastated."

  "No king but the Lord!" the protesters chanted louder.

  A cold sweat dampened Lydia's palms and forehead.

  Alexandra's brow wrinkled with concern. "I promised Rhoda we wouldn't be gone long."

  "Don't take Rhoda's grumbling too seriously," Nathan said. "My stepmother has a good heart hiding behind her sharp tongue."

  Alexandra clasped her husband's hand. "Did you buy the honeyed nuts?"

  Nathan smiled. "I wouldn't dare go back to the camp without them." He led them away from the noisy protestors and down a shaded path. Kadar came barreling around the corner of Antipater's over-sized home, almost colliding with them.

  "Job's bones," Nathan exclaimed. "I can't believe my eyes. Kadar?"

  "Praise heaven," Alexandra said, then she turned to Lydia. "Do you remember Kadar, dear?"

  Two heads taller than Nathan, Kadar's golden-blond hair shone like an extra sun in the sky. Skin prickling, Lydia nodded.

  She half expected him to ignore her, or to turn around and go the other way, but his intense blue eyes locked with hers. "What's troubling you?"

  "Nothing's troubling me," Lydia said making her voice cheerful, aware of Alexandra and Nathan's raised brows.

  Kadar crossed his arms and waited.

  "I'm fine. Truly."

  "Don't try to fool me, woman. Now, tell me what's got you worried"

  There it was again—a shared, intimate knowledge of each other—one that ought to take years to form. She hugged arms, remembering the comfort she'd experienced when he carried her out of the bandit's camp. "I'm on my way to see my baby."

  He moved close
r to her and his eyes softened. "Are you? The boy will take to you, straight off."

  "I hope you're right." She swayed toward him.

  Kadar brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "He will like you just fine, woman."

  The tension knotting her stomach eased. "Thank you," she whispered.

  Nathan stepped between them and drew Kadar away from her. "Where have you been hiding all these years, my friend?" A tone of rebuke underscored the genial words. "What brings you back to Judea?"

  Kadar shot her an apologetic look.

  As always, his presence calmed and soothed. She flapped her hand, assuring him there was no reason for concern.

  Shoulders relaxing, Kadar nodded a greeting at Nathan and Alexandra. "It's good to see you. How are you?"

  Nathan patted the fat coin pouch tied to his belt. "We are healthy and happy. What have you been up to?"

  Kadar shrugged. "I was in the desert doing a little of this and that. As to why I'm here..." He exhaled a weary breath and scrubbed his face. "I came to settle some old business, then I plan to leave this region for good."

  A lump grew in Lydia's throat at hearing Kadar brush away what he suffered these last six years as easily as sweeping crumbs from a table. Or maybe the discomfort had to do with the idea he would go away and she'd never see him again.

  A loud chant erupted from the crowd celebrating Antipater's murder. "Death to foreigners! Death to foreigners!" they yelled at the guardsmen.

  A mix of Idumeans and mercenaries, the guardsmen clutched their sword handles and shuffled nervously.

  Lydia flinched, seeing the raider named Bear and some others aiming angry looks at Kadar.

  Kadar's light blue eyes iced over. "You'll be safer out of my company." He turned to leave.

  Nathan put his hand on Kadar's arm. "Would you mind walking back with us to our campsite?"

  Kadar frowned. "Are you looking for trouble?"

  "No, I'm looking for the use of your sword." Nathan grinned, but it was forced. "Mine's tucked away in my tent." He stared in the direction of the agitated throng. "Antipater used his fierce reputation and a large army to maintain peace in the land for the last fifteen years, but it hasn't been a happy peace. Matters might turn ugly very quickly." Nathan looked back at Kadar. "I'd like an able man at my side if trouble breaks out."