Ruth: Reimagined

Chalom

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Chalom
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Behind the deep blue curtains of the banquet's main hall were women who hadn't made an appearance yet at the banquet. Spread across the marble floor, they changed into blood red dresses, with highlights of gold. They adorned their body with jewelry and sprayed scented bottles around the atmosphere.

A few of them laid on the ground, stretching their bodies, in impossible positions, chanting softly to themselves, hoping the performance went well.

Ruth and Barak passed the main hall, pretending to be perusing around. She squeezed her father's arm a little tighter when she noticed a guard dressed in royal attire walking towards them.

"Breathe." Barak said, under his breath.

The guard was a tall, burly man, and when he spoke, his moabitish accent was thick, rolling off his tongue through the tremor of his base."Where are you two off to? This place is forbidden."

"Is it?" Barak played the fool, looking around at the only part of the banquet that was quiet. Ruth's eyes flicked to the blue curtains, her heart rising, thumping against her chest.

"Leave." The guard said, his eyes hard in warning.

"We're looking for the bathrooms." Barak said, still looking every which way, even though there was not much to see besides the glaringly obvious blue curtains.

"They are not here." The guard answered, terse.

"Where are they? Forgive me, but we've been looking all over-"

" I don't know where, Sir, but they're not here. Turn around, or I'll have to use force."

"What's going on out here?!" Another guard called, making his way towards them.

"Commander," the guard bowed, "he does not want to go on his way. He might be one of those spies, sent to-"

"You, fool." The commander's eyes were wide, his jaw hardened. "Don't you realize who it is you're talking to? He is in the nobility, fourth in rank, under the king."

A shuddered breath escaped the first guard, his courage diminishing, as he turned, bowing down to his knees, his body visibly shaking. He clasped his hands together and dared not meet Barak's eyes.

"Forgive me, Sir Barak. I did not know it was you."

Barak watched the whole thing, as even the commander bowed before him, and it was all sort of peculiar. Since the incident, he was hidden away, covered in shame, so much so that he even let his ranking in the nobility slip his mind.

What was all the authority in Moab if he couldn't make his daughter happy.

"King Eglon makes sure we keep the women heavily guarded." The man continued.

Barak took in the information, but it was nothing that hadn't crossed his mind.

"Stand." He ordered, and they both stood.

"I need you to do me a favor." Barak spoke, meeting both the guard's eyes, with a calm expression.

They both nodded, awaiting his words.