So a couple of weeks ago I introduced the dragons, both good and bad. And you have already met Chana, the protagonist. It is time to meet the human antagonists. These two men are the main antagonists alongside Tatsu and Dryas.
When they were several miles out of Sychar, Acanthus called for a halt. He dumped Chana off his horse before dismounting himself. Her abdomen ached where it had repeatedly bounced off the pommel as they galloped through the dusty streets of Samaria on their way to Capernaum in Galilee. Dust collected and tears stained the once pristine white betrothal veil as she lay on the ground sobbing and holding it to her cheek. She wanted to go home. Tears streamed down her face. Her shoulders heaved. She wanted Imma. She wanted Isaac or even Abel. She would accept being betrothed to Abel, if only she could go home.
She looked at Acanthus scars littered his arms and legs and compared to Nonus’s skin as of yet untouched by the rages of battles. Their faces both held similar scowls and hard eyes. As Nonus dismounted the realization hit her like the stone that crushed Abba’s hand; she would never see her family again.
“Nonus, bring that rope and tie her. We don’t need any trouble while we travel,” Acanthus said.Acanthus kicked her and the rough leather of his caliga scraped her skin, and the iron hobnails dug into her hip and left a fine cut. She scooted away from him as Nonus took a rope from his horse. Trying to stand and run her headcover fell to her shoulders as Acanthus grabbed her from behind. She tucked the betrothal veil, Imma had given her inside her tunic before anyone could steal it from her.Chana struggled against his grip.
Nonus walked toward her, with a lascivious look in his eye. She screamed and tried to run, but Acanthus’s hold on her hair only tightened as he pulled it out by its roots. Tears fell from her eyes as Nonus got nose to nose with her.
She inhaled his disgusting breath. “Aren’t you pretty, for a Samaritan?”
Acanthus smacked him on the back of the head. “Just tie her up so we can get moving.”
Chana stepped away in an effort to get out of the man’s reach and backed into Acanthus. The powerful muscles in his chest pressed on her back, and the metal studs of his pteruges dug into her lower back and hips. Nonus grabbed her hands and tied them together before handing the rope to Acanthus.
“All right. Let’s move out. I want to reach Capernaum before dark,” Acanthus said. He mounted his horse, lifted Chana, laid her in front of him like a rag doll, kicked his horse, and trotted down the road.Several hours later, close to dusk, they arrived in Capernaum. Chana’s body ached all over, from bouncing on the horse. Acanthus offered no relief during the long and dusty journey from Sychar to Capernaum.
Acanthus rode through the streets of the village; Jews scurried into their small homes resembling the one in which Chana’s family lived. As they neared the center of town, the houses became larger than what Chana was used to seeing. They stopped in front of one of the biggest houses. A few servants ran out. One took the rope from Acanthus so he could dismount, and another took his horse.
“Majordom, where are my wife and daughter?” Acanthus said to the tall, dark-skinned servant standing at the gate to the house.
“They have retired for the night, but I sent one of the slaves to summon them to the courtyard,” the Majordom answered.
Acanthus walked into the courtyard. Rooms and stables surrounded the courtyard. The back section of the enclosure was two stories high. The servant dragged Chana into the center of the courtyard and pushed her to her knees on the pavers.
Two people walked out of the doorway from the two-story part of the house: a woman and a girl around Chana’s age.“What do you want Pater? I was in the middle of my beauty sleep,” the girl said.
Acanthus walked over to where she stood and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. “Fabia, my pet, I have something that will make up for that.” He tugged on the rope and pulled Chana towards Fabia. “I’ve brought you a new slave.”
“But she is disgusting and dirty. How could you bring me something that is so grotesque?” Fabia said.
“I’m sure you can find some use for her. If not, send her to the stable. She can care for my horse,” Acanthus said as he untied the ropes, binding Chana’s hands.
“Valeria, take her and clean her. She can’t serve me looking like that.” Fabia turned and stormed to the stairs.
The slave, Valeria, led Chana to the other side of the courtyard, to the kitchen, while Acanthus and the woman followed Fabia.
“Who were those other people?” Chana asked as Valeria showed her where to wash herself.
The slave handed her a rag. “Stay out of their way and you will have no trouble. Be especially cautious of Master Nonus.”
“Why?” Chana heard steps in the courtyard and turned to see Nonus and Acanthus following Fabia up the stairs. Nonus turned and smirked at her.
Valeria took her hand. “Let me help you.” Chana shook, as she stumbled to a basin of water to clean the road dust off.
She finished washing. Tears streamed from her eyes as she replaced her veil and asked with a quivering voice, “What did you mean? What will he do?”
“Master Nonus, he likes the slave girls too much. The last girl died after he paid attention to her.”
“Died how?” She stumbled as they walked toward the slave quarters. Another man with the power to kill her. A sense of doom pervaded her being.
Valeria kneeled beside her. “No one challenges the master’s son, for fear of punishment. Just stay away from him.”
Chana nodded as Valeria led her to the kitchen to get some food and then to a common room where the female slaves slept.“This is where you will sleep. Here is a clean tunic for tomorrow. You can wash yours tomorrow evening after your chores are done for the day. Cook expects us up early to serve breakfast, so get some sleep.”
Valeria left her to get settled. Chana sat on the cot. “HaShem, where are you? Help me!”
A soft voice whispered to her. He is with you always and will be your strength in the upcoming trials. Never lose faith that HaShem hears your prayers.
Chana dried her tears and glanced around the room. There was no one else there, so where did that voice come from.
I am a messenger from HaShem, for He has great plans for you. But first you will go through a time of trial; Fires to strengthen and test you. He sent me to tell you not to lose hope.
How can HaShem expect me to be hopeful when I am a slave to this cruel Roman. Where is this strength He promises and why do I have to wait for these great plans?
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