Herod had organised a bill of divorce for Doris, his present wife, immediately after his previous visit to Mariamne. However, up to this point he had not presented her with this document for the simple reason he was dreading her reaction upon receiving the document and realising the implications of how it would change her life and that of her son.
Herod knew her low station in society, the very reason he quoted for divorcing her, would make her react most violently. He could just imagine the screaming and shouting and breaking of valuable objects that would ensue. What he feared most was the bodily harm she would inflict on his own person and the possible destruction of his plans and sketches of all his building projects.
When he arrived home, after his last visit with Mariamne, the news of the impending Parthian siege was softened by the fact that it gave Herod a long awaited solution to the divorce problem. Before making any arrangements to leave for Masada, he would execute the plan, concerning Doris and Antipater, which had formed in his mind this very day.
He approached Doris with feigned worry and concern.
"My dear wife, I have just heard the most distressing news. That scoundrel, Antigonus, has fled to the Parthian king and persuaded him with words and gifts to raise an army to besiege Jerusalem. Upon surrender, he means to seek revenge for my part in his forced departure by killing me and my family and laying waste my house and belongings. I am fleeing to Rome to seek Marc Anthony's support but I dare not leave you or Antipater here alone. As my family you will be tortured or worse. I beseech you therefore, make haste, pack what you deem important and valuable. Pick two trusted servants to accompany you and have them take food with for the journey. Go somewhere safe, I suggest Samaria. You have friends there. I will send two of my personal guards with you. They can return when you are delivered safely to your destination. This is sudden, but the best course of action. Go now and prepare to leave in the morning."
So convincing was Herod's concern and the fact that Doris herself had heard rumours similar to her husband's tale of distress that she totally believed him and made haste the arrangements to depart.
Herod having asked two of his guard to accompany Doris, rolled up the divorce document and tucked it in a leather satchel. He gave the satchel to the soldiers with strict instructions that they give the contents to his wife only when they had delivered her to her destination and at the last minute before they were ready to return.
It took a day and a half before Doris and Antipater were on their way. When they were eventually on their way, Herod breathed a sigh of relieve. Now he could openly prepare for his journey to Masada and liase with Alexandra and Mariamne so that they could depart together.
When they reached Masada, time flew. There was so much to do. The servants had their hands full, trying to make the living quarters comfortable for the two families. Herod spent most of his time giving orders to his archetects and builders. The slaves, doing the hard work, moving the huge stone blocks moaned because they were now made to work at double the pace they were used to, before Herod arrived.
Herod's best time of the day was just as the sun was setting. He and Mariamne would sit side by side watching the sun go down. Sometimes they would discuss the future or how much more work it would take to finish the building of the fortress. Most times they would sit in silence, enjoying each other's company.
On one such evening, Mariamne noticed Herod was unusually agitated. She asked, "What's wrong?"
He took her hand in his and answered.
"I am torn in two."
"How so?"
"These have been wonderful weeks here with you. I know the accommodation is a bit crude, something your mother reminds me of constantly. But I must go and search for support. It irks me to think that Antigonus sits in luxury while we live like rock rabbits."
"How long will you be away?" Mariamne asked.
I don't know. If I don't find support locally, I will have to find my way to Italy, and then to Rome."
"I will miss you"
"Not as much as I you."
"I will pray for your safe return."
"Kiss me now, for this will be our last embrace. I leave early tomorrow morning.
