The Bronze Bow - Elizabeth George Speare [78]
Daniel stood looking at his friend, his mind troubled. "School in Jerusalem?" he asked soberly. "Isn't that what you always wanted?"
Joel did not quite meet his eye. "I used to," he admitted. "That was before we started the band."
"Don't you still want it?"
"I want to work for the Victory. I've vowed to. If you can't have me—if it isn't safe—then I'll go to the mountain."
"Rosh is no longer our leader," said Daniel.
Joel hesitated, then said very earnestly. "You must not break with Rosh because of me."
"It would have happened anyway," Daniel answered. "I've had a lot of time to think these past days. Somehow we've been going in the wrong direction. The things we've been doing for Rosh weren't what we planned when we started the band. Attacking people on the road, especially our own people, isn't going to bring the day any closer. We haven't weakened Rome at all. We've only weakened ourselves instead. We have lost Nathan and Samson. We almost lost you."
Joel was silent a moment. "A new leader will come," he said. "We must go on making ready."
"Yes," said Daniel. Hearing Joel say it had given him back the hope he had almost lost. Now he was able to say the thing he knew he must say. "But until he comes, Joel, you must go on studying. That's what you are suited for. When the day comes, we're going to need more than farmers and laborers. We'll need the priests and the scribes too, and you can win them over because you understand them."
Joel had never been able to hide his thoughts. Now he could not conceal the hope that sprang into his eyes. "That's what Thacia said," he admitted. "Are you sure you mean this, Daniel?"
"I'm sure."
"What will the others think?"
"They have chosen me leader."
Joel thought for a moment. "I'd like to do it for Father's sake too," he admitted finally. "He's a good man, Daniel. You can't know how good he is, because you've only seen his narrow side. I know that I have hurt him. He wanted to be proud of me. A son who died for Israel—even a Zealot—he could be proud of that. But that day on the road—with the chains on—I knew that I had left him nothing, nothing at all to be proud of. Now you—you and Samson and Nathan—have given me another chance. I'll never forget that. I'll do my best to make up for it."
"Can you get back safely tonight?"
"I think so. But there are some things I must say first. For one thing, I brought a gift from Thacia to Leah. She won't be able to come here alone. Right now she's forbidden to leave the house at all."
"Leah will be grateful," Daniel managed, trying to hide his dismay.
Joel hesitated. "Do you think Leah would let me give it to her myself?" he asked.
"You can try," Daniel answered doubtfully. "She has seen you often through the door."
He opened the door to the house. Leah, sitting in the lamplight, raised her golden head. "Joel has brought you a gift from Thacia," he said. He waited. Behind him Joel stood quietly in the doorway. Leah seemed to shrink into a tight mold of fear. He could see her quiver, but she did not move, only watched with terrified blue eyes.
"Thacia sent her greetings," Joel spoke very gently. "She asks you not to forget her, and she will come to see you as soon as she can." He reached out and softly laid a packet on the chest near the door. Then he backed into the shop and Daniel followed him.
"You realize," Daniel said with wonder, "that you're the only person who has been inside that door, ever, except for your sister?"
"Thacia told me to try. Leah is very lovely, Daniel. I wish—Thacia sent you a message too, by the way."
Daniel felt his cheeks grow hot.
"Four days from today is the Day of Atonement. First the fast, of course, and then the service at the synagogue. Why—I never thought—I'll see it at the Temple in Jerusalem! I can't believe it! But I'll miss the festival here in Capernaum.