The Gospel of Ariel: Volume II

XXII

When I was peaceful, Theophilus, as he tried in vain to rest, thought of all the girls and young women he had saved from a terrible fate long ago, the night Hanna was missing. She had failed to return from grazing the flocks, and Samara went in search of her. Her search took her to the tavern, a wolf's den, and she called out,

"Hanna, Hanna, Hanna!"

Theophilus knew her voice and demanded of her,

"Samara? By God, dear woman, what are you doing here?!

"I could ask you the same, " said she.

"Nevermind that," he answered. "Go home."

But she responded,

"Not without Hanna. She was grazing the goats and was taken. I'll not rest till I find her. I must go."

"Like Hell, you will. Stay with me."

Yosefina, whom Theophilus and Sampson had lately come upon, answered Samara,

"I know Hanna. Your father was Heli. She was taken to the brothel where I came from. Her mother was a prostitute."

"Yes, child," said Samara, "Thank you!'

Theophilus said to them,

"I will bring her in time, dear ones. Do not worry. First, child, I must tend to you. Understand that to save your life, you will never bear children. Samara, bring me the best wine you can find. Child, again, you must trust me, and you must be strong. Lie still. you will be alright."

Yosefina cried out,

"I cannot leave the others."

"Shhhh, child," said Sampson softly. You are fevered still and have endured much. Rest, motek."

"I speak the truth," the girl insisted, "You have saved me, but what of the others?"

"Be still," said Theophilus, "How many are you?"

"Well over fifty, some regulars, some traveling. Most do not have family. Some have children, and some are near death. Some are younger than I. Please, help them-"

"I will, my dear," he assured her, " No more now. Samara, when you have done what I have asked, you must go and bring Yosef and Isotheon to me, and Andromeda with them. Not a word of this,"

"Yes," she answered.

"Nanne!" called a worried voice from without. Samara knew her firstborn.

"Yeshua?"

"Yes, nanne. What are you doing here? You must come home. This is a dangerous place, and it is nearly dark."

Before Samara could answer, Theophilus interjected,

"Young master, we have found Hanna. All will be well, but I need you. Either keep watch with me over this child or go and bring the men of your household and my older daughter to me. She must know she is safe, and she must not yet know what we will do."

"Stay here, Nanne," said Yeshua.

"Be quick, yeldi," answered she, "God is with you."

"And you, dear one," said he

And so he went. When he had brought his father and Samara's husband and Andromeda, Theophilus said to my father,

"Yosef, my friend, you must ask for every Jewish girl. Isotheon, you for every one of us and every Roman. Leave the foreigners, those near death, and those with children to me. Follow my lead. You will say all the girls are for the two of us, and for men we know, to be sold at great profit."