Without even a glance at the children, Cedric beckoned his wife to follow him a few steps away.
Tayletha stared at him with astonishment mixed with anger. 'Here we have been gone all day and all night and he doesn't even look at us!' She yanked her brother's hand.
"Come, Stephanos, we will find our own way back, from here. We'll just go where Abba came from."
"Tayletha, stay!" Cedric grabbed her shoulder, his grip tightening. His young daughter glowered but didn't dare try to move away.
"Tayletha, my child, we are in grave danger. Did you see anyone following you?"
"Following? US? Why no! I mean, I don't think so! Why?"
"I didn't like him," Stephanos piped up. "I don't like that, that fosser." He stood in front of his father, and looked up, way up into his piercing black eyes.
"Fosser? What fosser?"
"That one we meet near the entrance when you lead me to the door," Lydda reminded him.
Cedric clapped his hand against his forehead. "Him? How thoughtless of me! I was so preoccupied with the children being missing that I didn't take note of his features." He glanced at Stephanos then lowered his voice. "Did you recognize who it was?"
Lydda looked pale and distressed. "Yes. Yes, now that I'm thinking about it, I do. Oh, Cedric how did he get in here?"
"Who are you talking about?" Tayletha demanded.
Lydda's sigh sounded shaky. "That workman: I should have noticed; his clothes were too clean- not worn out and sandy, he was, he was--"
"Who!" Tayletha whirled on her mother, eyes wide.
"Rabbi Solomon's newest servant."
"I should have guessed. I should have. I saw him yesterday---But how did he get in here, and why?"
"Was he following you?" Lydda demanded, "When you took so long yesterday, was it because the rabbi's servant was following you?"
Tayletha shook her head. "We were trying to dodge the rabbi's daughter, Elizabet--And suddenly darkness fell- I was too distraught to notice it coming-"
"But did they follow you back to the catacombs?"
"No, I mean I don't think so."
Lydda reached down and wrapped her arms around Stephanos. "Someone informed the rabbi that you were out and about; someone let the servant in disguised as a fosser. Someone wants to know exactly where we live."
Stephanos shook Pateras' arm, "He tried to tell Imma to go a different way."
" He did! But why? Deo gratias, (Thanks be to God,) you didn't".
Tayletha stepped closer to them and spoke in a low voice. "We never thought that someone might be following us. We were talking so much we couldn't have heard shuffling footsteps."
Stephanos clutched the front of his father's robe to get his attention. "He did snuffle along behind us! I sawed him!"
"Snuffle?"
"I looked back and he was snuffling! But when I sawed him he stopped."
"Oh, you mean shuffle!"
But no one smiled.
"He might be behind us still! He might be listening to us. Right now!"
Immediately Cedric blew out all the candles. "Follow me." His voice seemed strangely eerie.
Tayletha clapped her hand over her mouth to stifle a scream. How the inky darkness terrified her. She groped for her Mother's arm and found it wrapped around her little brother. She groped for her father's arm and he placed it reassuring on her shoulder then took her by the hand and led her quite a few steps before entering into a yawning tunnel. Tayletha felt like she was going to be swallowed up by the absence of light.
Stephanos whimpered and Lydda quickly hushed him. Tayletha felt her father's arms go around her and her mother with Stephanos in the middle. It was supposed to be reassuring but it wasn't. Not enough, at least. Every time she moved her father's fingers tightened on her arm. I will trust and not be afraid, I will trust and not be afraid, I will trust--The words rapidly flew through Tayletha's mind but didn't lodge long enough to release her from fear.
After what seemed like a half an hour but was probably less than five minutes, they stiffened at the sound of low voices. Oh, my, someone had stopped near the mouth of the passageway.
"I'm sorry, Rabbi, but I seem to have lost track of them."
"Well, we've been walking fast enough. We should have caught up to them by now!"
"I smudged out part of the map, so they probably got lost."
"Aye, that would be it."
Tayletha hardly dared to breathe and she waiting for them to continue speaking.
"If they're lost they could easily wander throughout the catacombs forever."
"No one will necessarily even find their corpses!" Tayletha's fists tightened. What that a chuckle she heard?
Stephanos sniffled. The men had been walking away, but they stopped.
"I think I heard something."
They were quiet. The quiet lengthened. "It must have been my imagination."
"I'm not about to sniff out every sound in this immense cavern. Our candles would burn down to nothing if we tried. Well, let's be going. There's bigger fish to fry." The rabbi's laugh was nasty. "Did you catch? Fish?"
Tayletha's throat seemed to squeeze shut. How does he know that's the symbol of the Christianus? And who let them in? Who? Who is against us? Will we ever find out?
After Cedric was sure they were completely out of hearing distance, he commenced to return.
"We will go back the way I came," he announced gravely. "It is only fifty steps. I counted."
"But Abba! Which way? What if we're all turned around and get lost----forever."
"Tayletha," her mother's voice was soft and gentle. "Tayletha, darling, we will not get lost. Forever. Even if we take the wrong route we will not be lost. Eventually we would end up safe. In the Father's arms."
"But Imma!" She didn't want to die in such a terrible way.
"We won't get lost, "Cedric's deep voice interrupted. "I made sure to constantly face the direction I came from. Come. Let us be going; but quietly. They might be still listening. "
Solid as a rock, that's my Pateras. For a brief moment Tayletha's fears once again ebbed away.
It was scary having to sneak back without any light, but there was no alternative since Cedric had extinguished them all. Pateras was positive they didn't have far to go and Lydda trusted him completely not to take a wrong turn, so Tayletha tried to have faith also but it wasn't so easy. After what felt like a long while, but wasn't really, they heard sounds once again, but this time it was friendly, familiar voices.
" Behold! Isn't that Mitera and Pateras coming our way?"
"I believe it is-- and look! The lost ones have been found! But why don't they have any lights?"
The voices were getting clearer and Tayletha soon recognized the forms and faces of her brother Silas with his shorter wife, trying to keep up with his long strides.
They hugged briefly but the men seemed far more intent on conversing than welcoming the youngsters' home.
When they reached their own cavern, Lydda dropped wearily on to a hand woven mat.
"I feared I would never see you again." The anguish that darkened her mother's eyes made Tayletha flinch. She reached out to touch her younger brother, but then her hand dropped.
"We were separated, Stephanos and I."
Lydda looked horrified. "You and Stephanos: what happened?" She struggled to her feet and in one movement swooped the little boy in her arms, covering his locks with kisses.
"We were hiding beneath a hedge. I fell asleep. A guard saw me." Tayletha stifled a yawn. "He dragged me out but didn't see Stephanos."
"Oh my dear child! Oh my precious tinoki! What happened to you? What happened to Stephanos?"
"A beggar boy took care of me," Stephanos snuggled closer to his mother and wrapped his arms around her.
Lydda once more pressed kisses on her little boys' hair, but her eyes were on Tayletha.
"And you? What happened to you, my dear tinoki?"
"I was dragged away. To the--" Then Tayletha changed her mind. No use frightening her mother excessively. "Another beggar boy rescued me."
"Such a strange story. We must repay those poor boys. Somehow."
"I did. With the bread."
Cedric had remained outside conversing with his eldest son but now he stooped to enter. His eyes roved caressing from one child to the other.
"Deo gratias (Thanks be to God,) you're safe!"
"Yea, laus Deo," (praise God), Lydda murmured, leaning her cheek against Stephanos' head. She stroked the hair off his cool, yet damp forehead.
Cedric's face sobered. "We are not out of danger. The enemy is getting bolder about sniffing out our burrows."
"You have not heard the half. These children went through terrible trials."
Tayletha cut Stephanos a knowing look but he was fast asleep.
Cedric nodded. "I feared as much. Rabbi Solomon is behind much of it. His father was a young man at the time of the Crucifixion--"
.
"Which crucifixion, Pateras?" Tayletha asked.
"Our Lord and Saviour's. He- Solomon's father- dwells in Jerusalem. His hatred has increased over the years, and likewise has ben-Solomon's. They want to get rid of all followers of the Way; with or without the Romans help."
"As do many others," Lydda added sadly. "Oh, if only they knew how much Jehovah loves them, then they would not feel that way!"
Cedric nodded. "Silas was informed that spies have been detected, disguised as workmen near various entrances. How they got in we know not."
Tayletha and her mother cast each other worried glances.
Meanwhile Silas had ducked in through the arched doorway with his wife close behind.
Cedric lifted his young son from his wife's arms, which awakened him.
"Lydda, do you have enough supper for guests?"
Tayletha glanced from one adult to the next then back again. They were here just last night for supper. Why are they coming so soon, again?
Cedric went over to a basin of water and washed his hands, then encouraged Stephanos to do likewise.
"The hounds are closing in on us. They have been getting bolder since someone is leading them into our sanctuary."
Lydda nodded soberly, before looking at Rachel. "Of course you may stay. I will add a little water to the soup and reheat it. It will suffice." She knelt down beside the brazier and used an earthen pitcher to pour water into the potage.
Rachel noticed there was no bread. "I will get a loaf from our dwelling."
Cedric watched his wife with loving eyes.. Her graying hair was coming undone and had fallen limply across her shoulders. What a sweet, gentle wife, his expression seemed to say. I need to share with her what we men have been discussing at length lately. Someone needs to start a pilgrimage to safety in the Alps and I have volunteered to help since I have had much experience with rough country in my youth.
He studied her tired, lined face. Does she know what we might be in for? Would she be up to the rigours of fleeing? His look sobered, It will be most difficult, and especially for those who are blazing the trail.
As they waited for the soup to heat, Cedric's thoughts went back to why they were hiding in the catacombs in the first place. He had been a well-known government official, that all came to a sudden halt. Cedric was never one to keep his thoughts to himself, and when he wholeheartedly embraced Christianity, he had shared the gospel story with anyone and everyone who seemed half way inclined to listen. The news wormed its way into the ears of those with sinister minds and cruel hearts. The results could have been disastrous but a friend with the right connections made sure he was whisked away into hiding. His family was quickly secreted into the catacombs soon after.
A smile softened the corners of Cedric's mouth while he watched his daughter quickly arranging pottery dishes around the low table. She was so much like him in many ways. He knew her mother often wished she wasn't quite so bold and impetuous, but Cedric was secretly relieved. They lived in dangerous times, and he expected that Tayletha would fare at least a little better because she had plenty of spunk and stamina, although he was concerned about her extreme phobia of the dark. Maybe facing the darkness and unknown night after night while traveling will actually help her to come to grips with her fears.
Cedric's brow furrowed when he thought of his daughter-in-law Rachel. In her delicate condition would she be able to handle an extensive journey?
His thoughts were interrupted with his wife sweetly asking if he would say the blessing.(Banoah)
While they were crouching around the table and the others quietly discussed various methods of leaving the city without being caught, Tayletha took in the simple table with its homey fare, the brightly painted pottery which she herself had decorated and the candle resting in curved out niches in the earthen walls around her. Eagerness made her lively, almost black, eyes sparkle, her body unconsciously lean forward.
"Oh I wish we could go tomorrow, she exclaimed, interrupting the sober discussion,. "This 'dungeon' has been home far too long. It's so crowded and dark, too damp to be healthy. Let's take the things we love best and start a new life!"
Cedric smiled at his impulsive daughter but Tayletha noticed how quickly the friendly glance was replaced with furrows of care.
She stared blankly at the concerned faces around her. Where do they want to go that is safe? Rome rules the entire known world!" She bit into an olive. I'd love to go to Galilee where Jesus dwelt, but even there, there has been much suffering. It has been ravished by war!
The conversation continued to ebb and flow soberly around her, but Tayletha was lost in thought.
When Silas rose to leave, he helped Rachel up.
Tayletha gave them a cross look. Why does Rachel get to be happily married yet there is no young man for me? If we go out into the wilderness, what are my own chances of ever being a kalah, (bride)? We may end up surrounded by dreadful, scary barbarians and I would have to be unmarried for the rest of my life.
Tayletha felt tears forming on her eyelashes, she had never been the weepy type so brushed them fiercely away. She hated to think of the real reason she could remain a madel. It was too painful to recall. So many of the strong, healthy, youth Christianus had already been sent to fight against wild beasts or worse yet, crucified.
Then her expressive face reflected a new emotion. Will we actually dare to escape? Will Rachel be up to coming with us? They were expecting their first child. Will it be too difficult for her to travel in her condition? At sixteen, Rachel was about a year older than Tayletha. In order to dowse the depressing thoughts, Tayletha whisked up the soup bowls and started cleansing them.
Lydda and Cedric visited quietly while their daughter tidied up. Stephanos had crawled on to his father's lap and was dreamily listening to his strong, reassuring heartbeat. The tender look on her father's face as he stroked Stephanos' hair off his forehead made Tayletha feel secure. I want so much to get a man as kind-hearted as Abba someday, but my chances are nothing if we go who-knows-where!
She lifted a fresh chiton out of the trunk and stepped into the dark tunnel to change. Pateras removed Stephanos' street clothes and slipped a fresh, loose flowing garment over his head. He covered Stephanos on his pallet then turned to his young daughter.
"It did not appear as if you were listening very carefully while we supped," he began, "So I will explain our plans now." "Silas will continue working for your great Thios, (Uncle) Aaron until Friday and then he will help us prepare for the journey."
"Abba?"
"Yea, kori, (daughter)."
"Will Silas and Rachel come with us?"
"If it is the Lord's will, they'll come-." He looked sober.
Tayletha removed her favourite blanket from the pile.
"Where will we go?" Her dark eyes danced with excitement as she flicked the blanket gaily and did a little twirl so that it would swirl around her.
"We are not exactly sure, yet," Cedric replied. Tayletha let the blanket sag as she stared at him. "What, no destination? "
He didn't seem to hear her.
"I wish Thios, (uncle) Aaron's were coming to." They both turned to look at Lydda and saw the sadness in her tired, gentle eyes. Priscilla was Lydda's mother's sister, her only living aunt. Uncle Aaron's had been like parents to Tayletha's mother ever since her own departed this life.
"I wish they were followers of the Way," he responded.
"So many dear people will vanish from my life forever. Forever," Lydda whispered and covered her face with her hands. Her voice trembled as she whispered almost inaudibly, "Oh Lord bless their going in and coming out!"
Tayletha reached to comfort her mother but Cedric got there first. As Tayletha pretended to be busy smoothing out her blanket on her own narrow pallet, she saw Abba cradle her mother's wet cheeks between his broad hands. Lydda took a deep shuddering breath and smiled at Cedric.
He selected a scroll from the trunk, and they listened quietly while he read a comforting portion of scripture, and after thoughtfully expounding on it, led in prayer.
When Abba went around blowing out candles, Tayletha reached for one. He handed it to her, knowing she would probably want to write in her scroll after two such memorable days. Cedric was glad he had allowed Silas, a trained scribe, to teach her to read and write. Tayletha unrolled the parchment to the place she had last written. She dipped her split reed into the ink, and proceeded to record her thoughts.
"I have lived through such exciting days," she began "By all appearances more exciting days are before us..." Several minutes later she rerolled the scroll, carefully sliding it into the leather case Silas had artfully fashioned for her parchments.
Lydda had been waiting patiently until she was done writing; now she knelt before her with an open container of olive oil.
"Let me put some of this soothing oil on your feet before you sleep, I suppose your sandal strap broke in this ordeal?"
Tayletha nodded. "I had to throw them both away because they were restraining me. I never knew how tender footed I was until today!
"We will need to order another pair made for you before we leave. In the mean time use your Sabbath shoes when you go out." She hesitated then added, "If you go out."
Tayletha closed her eyes as her mother rubbed the olive oil into her bruised and aching feet.
"Thank you, Imma," she murmured softly. She opened her eyes as her mother rose to return the container to the trunk. "I am glad you added rosemary to that bottle of oil. It makes it feel so refreshing."
Tayletha had expected to go to sleep quickly, but it did not happen. She listened to the quiet drone of her parents' voices, and could tell they were talking about the children's' terrifying ordeal. She was still awake long after the gentle sounds of sleepers stirred the dank air. For some reason, instead of dwelling on their recent escape, her thoughts swept back with awful clarity to when they had first entered the sub -terrestrial city. It must have been because Abba had snuffed out the candles when they were still deep in that black tunnel, and now her stomach knotted. What if tons of earth would come crashing down on us while we are sleeping? We would be buried alive! We would never be found! How many millions of times have I worried about that already? Tayletha hugged her blanket close even while staring wide eyed into the night. I must stop thinking about this! Why am I so scared of the dark? In the daylight I can be nervy enough! Her thoughts jerked back memories from her earliest childhood. Hair raising tales of gods and demons told by the neighbourhood tramp had been a fascinating, though terrifying part of those tender years.
After moving to the catacombs, her parents had oft times left a lamp burning for her until it went out on its own. Even then Tayletha had known it was a great waste of oil, and was grateful, but it hadn't really helped. The spooky shadows, the strange, dank atmosphere, and the chilling silence had so often snatched her from a fitful sleep laced with nightmares. She often berated herself for being so fearful. What would the other girls think if they knew this about me? She thought of what her Imma had told her. It's your Achilles heel. That phrase had something to do with Greek mythology and a person's greatest weakness. Do either of my best friends, the twins, Damascena and Lavendula have an Achilles heel?
Cedric had occasionally permitted Tayletha to go on errands just so she could be in the bright sunshine that she loved and craved so much. That is why she and Stephanos had been on the streets the day before.
Tayletha sighed. Thinking of being "out and about" made her more awake than ever. She recalled how they had run into Elizabet, Rabbi Solomon's daughter. Elizabet had confronted them with all sorts of questions, the most inane being "Why haven't you been at synagogue for such a long time?"
As if they really cared. As proselytes they had never been accepted by the more conservative members of the Jewish community. The mean-spirited girl had turned to her hand maid, Becca, and told her to go get her master. Elizabet had spoken in a low voice to her slave, but Tayletha knew if she was sending for her father it wouldn't bode well for them. Her eyes darted this way and that searching for a way of escape. While Elizabet was stooping to whisper in Becca's ear, Tayletha snatched Stephano's hand cutting through a crowd of people.
By the time Elizabet started yelling at her, Tayletha was half a block away, and since the disinterested bystanders probably though they were just a couple of girls quarreling, nobody gave chase. Tayletha would have turned back and headed for home sooner, but she spotted the rabbi's servant the same instant he saw her so kept seeking for places to hide.
But slipping stealthily down strange streets and dodging behind milling crowds had caused them to becoming bewilderingly turned around in their directions.
Tayletha tucked the blanket closely around her chilly back. And now, partly, if not almost completely because of their mishap, her parents had decided to flee the city. She knew the first and major concern was how to escape without capture. It was unspoken knowledge there would be no mercy if they were foiled in their attempts. Would they crucify us? Laud Deo, praise God, they rarely treated women that horribly although they had in Jerusalem, but there are other methods of torture! Was it enough that their father was a Roman? Would that free them all from the horrible, horrible death by crucifixion, at least?
Tayletha clutched the blanket. Stop thinking such foolish thoughts! Think about living, not dying! Thinking about escaping! We will flee to the mountains if need be! The mountains! Tayletha sat up. Could that be where we are headed: the rugged, nearly impenetrable Italian mountains?
"Tayletha are you not able to sleep?" Lydda's soft voice penetrated the stale night air.
She lay back down. "I will try to now." While reciting the Shepherd's Psalm slower and yet more slowly Tayletha eventually felt her loving Saviour's Shekinah, glorious Presence, and was able to fall into a peaceful sleep...until the nightmares came.
Tayletha stared at him with astonishment mixed with anger. 'Here we have been gone all day and all night and he doesn't even look at us!' She yanked her brother's hand.
"Come, Stephanos, we will find our own way back, from here. We'll just go where Abba came from."
"Tayletha, stay!" Cedric grabbed her shoulder, his grip tightening. His young daughter glowered but didn't dare try to move away.
"Tayletha, my child, we are in grave danger. Did you see anyone following you?"
"Following? US? Why no! I mean, I don't think so! Why?"
"I didn't like him," Stephanos piped up. "I don't like that, that fosser." He stood in front of his father, and looked up, way up into his piercing black eyes.
"Fosser? What fosser?"
"That one we meet near the entrance when you lead me to the door," Lydda reminded him.
Cedric clapped his hand against his forehead. "Him? How thoughtless of me! I was so preoccupied with the children being missing that I didn't take note of his features." He glanced at Stephanos then lowered his voice. "Did you recognize who it was?"
Lydda looked pale and distressed. "Yes. Yes, now that I'm thinking about it, I do. Oh, Cedric how did he get in here?"
"Who are you talking about?" Tayletha demanded.
Lydda's sigh sounded shaky. "That workman: I should have noticed; his clothes were too clean- not worn out and sandy, he was, he was--"
"Who!" Tayletha whirled on her mother, eyes wide.
"Rabbi Solomon's newest servant."
"I should have guessed. I should have. I saw him yesterday---But how did he get in here, and why?"
"Was he following you?" Lydda demanded, "When you took so long yesterday, was it because the rabbi's servant was following you?"
Tayletha shook her head. "We were trying to dodge the rabbi's daughter, Elizabet--And suddenly darkness fell- I was too distraught to notice it coming-"
"But did they follow you back to the catacombs?"
"No, I mean I don't think so."
Lydda reached down and wrapped her arms around Stephanos. "Someone informed the rabbi that you were out and about; someone let the servant in disguised as a fosser. Someone wants to know exactly where we live."
Stephanos shook Pateras' arm, "He tried to tell Imma to go a different way."
" He did! But why? Deo gratias, (Thanks be to God,) you didn't".
Tayletha stepped closer to them and spoke in a low voice. "We never thought that someone might be following us. We were talking so much we couldn't have heard shuffling footsteps."
Stephanos clutched the front of his father's robe to get his attention. "He did snuffle along behind us! I sawed him!"
"Snuffle?"
"I looked back and he was snuffling! But when I sawed him he stopped."
"Oh, you mean shuffle!"
But no one smiled.
"He might be behind us still! He might be listening to us. Right now!"
Immediately Cedric blew out all the candles. "Follow me." His voice seemed strangely eerie.
Tayletha clapped her hand over her mouth to stifle a scream. How the inky darkness terrified her. She groped for her Mother's arm and found it wrapped around her little brother. She groped for her father's arm and he placed it reassuring on her shoulder then took her by the hand and led her quite a few steps before entering into a yawning tunnel. Tayletha felt like she was going to be swallowed up by the absence of light.
Stephanos whimpered and Lydda quickly hushed him. Tayletha felt her father's arms go around her and her mother with Stephanos in the middle. It was supposed to be reassuring but it wasn't. Not enough, at least. Every time she moved her father's fingers tightened on her arm. I will trust and not be afraid, I will trust and not be afraid, I will trust--The words rapidly flew through Tayletha's mind but didn't lodge long enough to release her from fear.
After what seemed like a half an hour but was probably less than five minutes, they stiffened at the sound of low voices. Oh, my, someone had stopped near the mouth of the passageway.
"I'm sorry, Rabbi, but I seem to have lost track of them."
"Well, we've been walking fast enough. We should have caught up to them by now!"
"I smudged out part of the map, so they probably got lost."
"Aye, that would be it."
Tayletha hardly dared to breathe and she waiting for them to continue speaking.
"If they're lost they could easily wander throughout the catacombs forever."
"No one will necessarily even find their corpses!" Tayletha's fists tightened. What that a chuckle she heard?
Stephanos sniffled. The men had been walking away, but they stopped.
"I think I heard something."
They were quiet. The quiet lengthened. "It must have been my imagination."
"I'm not about to sniff out every sound in this immense cavern. Our candles would burn down to nothing if we tried. Well, let's be going. There's bigger fish to fry." The rabbi's laugh was nasty. "Did you catch? Fish?"
Tayletha's throat seemed to squeeze shut. How does he know that's the symbol of the Christianus? And who let them in? Who? Who is against us? Will we ever find out?
After Cedric was sure they were completely out of hearing distance, he commenced to return.
"We will go back the way I came," he announced gravely. "It is only fifty steps. I counted."
"But Abba! Which way? What if we're all turned around and get lost----forever."
"Tayletha," her mother's voice was soft and gentle. "Tayletha, darling, we will not get lost. Forever. Even if we take the wrong route we will not be lost. Eventually we would end up safe. In the Father's arms."
"But Imma!" She didn't want to die in such a terrible way.
"We won't get lost, "Cedric's deep voice interrupted. "I made sure to constantly face the direction I came from. Come. Let us be going; but quietly. They might be still listening. "
Solid as a rock, that's my Pateras. For a brief moment Tayletha's fears once again ebbed away.
It was scary having to sneak back without any light, but there was no alternative since Cedric had extinguished them all. Pateras was positive they didn't have far to go and Lydda trusted him completely not to take a wrong turn, so Tayletha tried to have faith also but it wasn't so easy. After what felt like a long while, but wasn't really, they heard sounds once again, but this time it was friendly, familiar voices.
" Behold! Isn't that Mitera and Pateras coming our way?"
"I believe it is-- and look! The lost ones have been found! But why don't they have any lights?"
The voices were getting clearer and Tayletha soon recognized the forms and faces of her brother Silas with his shorter wife, trying to keep up with his long strides.
They hugged briefly but the men seemed far more intent on conversing than welcoming the youngsters' home.
When they reached their own cavern, Lydda dropped wearily on to a hand woven mat.
"I feared I would never see you again." The anguish that darkened her mother's eyes made Tayletha flinch. She reached out to touch her younger brother, but then her hand dropped.
"We were separated, Stephanos and I."
Lydda looked horrified. "You and Stephanos: what happened?" She struggled to her feet and in one movement swooped the little boy in her arms, covering his locks with kisses.
"We were hiding beneath a hedge. I fell asleep. A guard saw me." Tayletha stifled a yawn. "He dragged me out but didn't see Stephanos."
"Oh my dear child! Oh my precious tinoki! What happened to you? What happened to Stephanos?"
"A beggar boy took care of me," Stephanos snuggled closer to his mother and wrapped his arms around her.
Lydda once more pressed kisses on her little boys' hair, but her eyes were on Tayletha.
"And you? What happened to you, my dear tinoki?"
"I was dragged away. To the--" Then Tayletha changed her mind. No use frightening her mother excessively. "Another beggar boy rescued me."
"Such a strange story. We must repay those poor boys. Somehow."
"I did. With the bread."
Cedric had remained outside conversing with his eldest son but now he stooped to enter. His eyes roved caressing from one child to the other.
"Deo gratias (Thanks be to God,) you're safe!"
"Yea, laus Deo," (praise God), Lydda murmured, leaning her cheek against Stephanos' head. She stroked the hair off his cool, yet damp forehead.
Cedric's face sobered. "We are not out of danger. The enemy is getting bolder about sniffing out our burrows."
"You have not heard the half. These children went through terrible trials."
Tayletha cut Stephanos a knowing look but he was fast asleep.
Cedric nodded. "I feared as much. Rabbi Solomon is behind much of it. His father was a young man at the time of the Crucifixion--"
.
"Which crucifixion, Pateras?" Tayletha asked.
"Our Lord and Saviour's. He- Solomon's father- dwells in Jerusalem. His hatred has increased over the years, and likewise has ben-Solomon's. They want to get rid of all followers of the Way; with or without the Romans help."
"As do many others," Lydda added sadly. "Oh, if only they knew how much Jehovah loves them, then they would not feel that way!"
Cedric nodded. "Silas was informed that spies have been detected, disguised as workmen near various entrances. How they got in we know not."
Tayletha and her mother cast each other worried glances.
Meanwhile Silas had ducked in through the arched doorway with his wife close behind.
Cedric lifted his young son from his wife's arms, which awakened him.
"Lydda, do you have enough supper for guests?"
Tayletha glanced from one adult to the next then back again. They were here just last night for supper. Why are they coming so soon, again?
Cedric went over to a basin of water and washed his hands, then encouraged Stephanos to do likewise.
"The hounds are closing in on us. They have been getting bolder since someone is leading them into our sanctuary."
Lydda nodded soberly, before looking at Rachel. "Of course you may stay. I will add a little water to the soup and reheat it. It will suffice." She knelt down beside the brazier and used an earthen pitcher to pour water into the potage.
Rachel noticed there was no bread. "I will get a loaf from our dwelling."
Cedric watched his wife with loving eyes.. Her graying hair was coming undone and had fallen limply across her shoulders. What a sweet, gentle wife, his expression seemed to say. I need to share with her what we men have been discussing at length lately. Someone needs to start a pilgrimage to safety in the Alps and I have volunteered to help since I have had much experience with rough country in my youth.
He studied her tired, lined face. Does she know what we might be in for? Would she be up to the rigours of fleeing? His look sobered, It will be most difficult, and especially for those who are blazing the trail.
As they waited for the soup to heat, Cedric's thoughts went back to why they were hiding in the catacombs in the first place. He had been a well-known government official, that all came to a sudden halt. Cedric was never one to keep his thoughts to himself, and when he wholeheartedly embraced Christianity, he had shared the gospel story with anyone and everyone who seemed half way inclined to listen. The news wormed its way into the ears of those with sinister minds and cruel hearts. The results could have been disastrous but a friend with the right connections made sure he was whisked away into hiding. His family was quickly secreted into the catacombs soon after.
A smile softened the corners of Cedric's mouth while he watched his daughter quickly arranging pottery dishes around the low table. She was so much like him in many ways. He knew her mother often wished she wasn't quite so bold and impetuous, but Cedric was secretly relieved. They lived in dangerous times, and he expected that Tayletha would fare at least a little better because she had plenty of spunk and stamina, although he was concerned about her extreme phobia of the dark. Maybe facing the darkness and unknown night after night while traveling will actually help her to come to grips with her fears.
Cedric's brow furrowed when he thought of his daughter-in-law Rachel. In her delicate condition would she be able to handle an extensive journey?
His thoughts were interrupted with his wife sweetly asking if he would say the blessing.(Banoah)
While they were crouching around the table and the others quietly discussed various methods of leaving the city without being caught, Tayletha took in the simple table with its homey fare, the brightly painted pottery which she herself had decorated and the candle resting in curved out niches in the earthen walls around her. Eagerness made her lively, almost black, eyes sparkle, her body unconsciously lean forward.
"Oh I wish we could go tomorrow, she exclaimed, interrupting the sober discussion,. "This 'dungeon' has been home far too long. It's so crowded and dark, too damp to be healthy. Let's take the things we love best and start a new life!"
Cedric smiled at his impulsive daughter but Tayletha noticed how quickly the friendly glance was replaced with furrows of care.
She stared blankly at the concerned faces around her. Where do they want to go that is safe? Rome rules the entire known world!" She bit into an olive. I'd love to go to Galilee where Jesus dwelt, but even there, there has been much suffering. It has been ravished by war!
The conversation continued to ebb and flow soberly around her, but Tayletha was lost in thought.
When Silas rose to leave, he helped Rachel up.
Tayletha gave them a cross look. Why does Rachel get to be happily married yet there is no young man for me? If we go out into the wilderness, what are my own chances of ever being a kalah, (bride)? We may end up surrounded by dreadful, scary barbarians and I would have to be unmarried for the rest of my life.
Tayletha felt tears forming on her eyelashes, she had never been the weepy type so brushed them fiercely away. She hated to think of the real reason she could remain a madel. It was too painful to recall. So many of the strong, healthy, youth Christianus had already been sent to fight against wild beasts or worse yet, crucified.
Then her expressive face reflected a new emotion. Will we actually dare to escape? Will Rachel be up to coming with us? They were expecting their first child. Will it be too difficult for her to travel in her condition? At sixteen, Rachel was about a year older than Tayletha. In order to dowse the depressing thoughts, Tayletha whisked up the soup bowls and started cleansing them.
Lydda and Cedric visited quietly while their daughter tidied up. Stephanos had crawled on to his father's lap and was dreamily listening to his strong, reassuring heartbeat. The tender look on her father's face as he stroked Stephanos' hair off his forehead made Tayletha feel secure. I want so much to get a man as kind-hearted as Abba someday, but my chances are nothing if we go who-knows-where!
She lifted a fresh chiton out of the trunk and stepped into the dark tunnel to change. Pateras removed Stephanos' street clothes and slipped a fresh, loose flowing garment over his head. He covered Stephanos on his pallet then turned to his young daughter.
"It did not appear as if you were listening very carefully while we supped," he began, "So I will explain our plans now." "Silas will continue working for your great Thios, (Uncle) Aaron until Friday and then he will help us prepare for the journey."
"Abba?"
"Yea, kori, (daughter)."
"Will Silas and Rachel come with us?"
"If it is the Lord's will, they'll come-." He looked sober.
Tayletha removed her favourite blanket from the pile.
"Where will we go?" Her dark eyes danced with excitement as she flicked the blanket gaily and did a little twirl so that it would swirl around her.
"We are not exactly sure, yet," Cedric replied. Tayletha let the blanket sag as she stared at him. "What, no destination? "
He didn't seem to hear her.
"I wish Thios, (uncle) Aaron's were coming to." They both turned to look at Lydda and saw the sadness in her tired, gentle eyes. Priscilla was Lydda's mother's sister, her only living aunt. Uncle Aaron's had been like parents to Tayletha's mother ever since her own departed this life.
"I wish they were followers of the Way," he responded.
"So many dear people will vanish from my life forever. Forever," Lydda whispered and covered her face with her hands. Her voice trembled as she whispered almost inaudibly, "Oh Lord bless their going in and coming out!"
Tayletha reached to comfort her mother but Cedric got there first. As Tayletha pretended to be busy smoothing out her blanket on her own narrow pallet, she saw Abba cradle her mother's wet cheeks between his broad hands. Lydda took a deep shuddering breath and smiled at Cedric.
He selected a scroll from the trunk, and they listened quietly while he read a comforting portion of scripture, and after thoughtfully expounding on it, led in prayer.
When Abba went around blowing out candles, Tayletha reached for one. He handed it to her, knowing she would probably want to write in her scroll after two such memorable days. Cedric was glad he had allowed Silas, a trained scribe, to teach her to read and write. Tayletha unrolled the parchment to the place she had last written. She dipped her split reed into the ink, and proceeded to record her thoughts.
"I have lived through such exciting days," she began "By all appearances more exciting days are before us..." Several minutes later she rerolled the scroll, carefully sliding it into the leather case Silas had artfully fashioned for her parchments.
Lydda had been waiting patiently until she was done writing; now she knelt before her with an open container of olive oil.
"Let me put some of this soothing oil on your feet before you sleep, I suppose your sandal strap broke in this ordeal?"
Tayletha nodded. "I had to throw them both away because they were restraining me. I never knew how tender footed I was until today!
"We will need to order another pair made for you before we leave. In the mean time use your Sabbath shoes when you go out." She hesitated then added, "If you go out."
Tayletha closed her eyes as her mother rubbed the olive oil into her bruised and aching feet.
"Thank you, Imma," she murmured softly. She opened her eyes as her mother rose to return the container to the trunk. "I am glad you added rosemary to that bottle of oil. It makes it feel so refreshing."
Tayletha had expected to go to sleep quickly, but it did not happen. She listened to the quiet drone of her parents' voices, and could tell they were talking about the children's' terrifying ordeal. She was still awake long after the gentle sounds of sleepers stirred the dank air. For some reason, instead of dwelling on their recent escape, her thoughts swept back with awful clarity to when they had first entered the sub -terrestrial city. It must have been because Abba had snuffed out the candles when they were still deep in that black tunnel, and now her stomach knotted. What if tons of earth would come crashing down on us while we are sleeping? We would be buried alive! We would never be found! How many millions of times have I worried about that already? Tayletha hugged her blanket close even while staring wide eyed into the night. I must stop thinking about this! Why am I so scared of the dark? In the daylight I can be nervy enough! Her thoughts jerked back memories from her earliest childhood. Hair raising tales of gods and demons told by the neighbourhood tramp had been a fascinating, though terrifying part of those tender years.
After moving to the catacombs, her parents had oft times left a lamp burning for her until it went out on its own. Even then Tayletha had known it was a great waste of oil, and was grateful, but it hadn't really helped. The spooky shadows, the strange, dank atmosphere, and the chilling silence had so often snatched her from a fitful sleep laced with nightmares. She often berated herself for being so fearful. What would the other girls think if they knew this about me? She thought of what her Imma had told her. It's your Achilles heel. That phrase had something to do with Greek mythology and a person's greatest weakness. Do either of my best friends, the twins, Damascena and Lavendula have an Achilles heel?
Cedric had occasionally permitted Tayletha to go on errands just so she could be in the bright sunshine that she loved and craved so much. That is why she and Stephanos had been on the streets the day before.
Tayletha sighed. Thinking of being "out and about" made her more awake than ever. She recalled how they had run into Elizabet, Rabbi Solomon's daughter. Elizabet had confronted them with all sorts of questions, the most inane being "Why haven't you been at synagogue for such a long time?"
As if they really cared. As proselytes they had never been accepted by the more conservative members of the Jewish community. The mean-spirited girl had turned to her hand maid, Becca, and told her to go get her master. Elizabet had spoken in a low voice to her slave, but Tayletha knew if she was sending for her father it wouldn't bode well for them. Her eyes darted this way and that searching for a way of escape. While Elizabet was stooping to whisper in Becca's ear, Tayletha snatched Stephano's hand cutting through a crowd of people.
By the time Elizabet started yelling at her, Tayletha was half a block away, and since the disinterested bystanders probably though they were just a couple of girls quarreling, nobody gave chase. Tayletha would have turned back and headed for home sooner, but she spotted the rabbi's servant the same instant he saw her so kept seeking for places to hide.
But slipping stealthily down strange streets and dodging behind milling crowds had caused them to becoming bewilderingly turned around in their directions.
Tayletha tucked the blanket closely around her chilly back. And now, partly, if not almost completely because of their mishap, her parents had decided to flee the city. She knew the first and major concern was how to escape without capture. It was unspoken knowledge there would be no mercy if they were foiled in their attempts. Would they crucify us? Laud Deo, praise God, they rarely treated women that horribly although they had in Jerusalem, but there are other methods of torture! Was it enough that their father was a Roman? Would that free them all from the horrible, horrible death by crucifixion, at least?
Tayletha clutched the blanket. Stop thinking such foolish thoughts! Think about living, not dying! Thinking about escaping! We will flee to the mountains if need be! The mountains! Tayletha sat up. Could that be where we are headed: the rugged, nearly impenetrable Italian mountains?
"Tayletha are you not able to sleep?" Lydda's soft voice penetrated the stale night air.
She lay back down. "I will try to now." While reciting the Shepherd's Psalm slower and yet more slowly Tayletha eventually felt her loving Saviour's Shekinah, glorious Presence, and was able to fall into a peaceful sleep...until the nightmares came.
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