Then she looked past the tent and out into the dark desert, to see a red glow on the horizon: Babylon. A city that never slept.
Ulrika was filled with an ominous feeling. The back of her neck prickled. The sort of sensation one experienced just before a lightning storm, or a dust storm that had its unseen beginnings in faraway deserts where mythical jinni were said to stir up the wind to torment humankind.
Where was Sebastianus? He should have returned by now. He had left that morning for an urgent meeting with the High Priest and now he was overdue.
They had spent the past days trying to convince people to go away from this place. Instead, more had come. The crowd grew so large that Sebastianus had given Primo orders to set up a small camp and arrange for a manned guard around the perimeter.
There had been no miracles since the little girl was cured of paralysis. But that one demonstration of the magical properties of this place had been enough to generate and sustain faith. This time, there was no pushing, no protesting. Miriam and her family, Timonides, and Primo's men saw to the orderly conduct of visitors at what everyone was calling "Judah's shrine."
But they could not stay any longer. It was time for everyone to leave.
Ulrika looked out at the dark desert and felt gooseflesh rise on her arms. Something was out there, coming this way ...
THE RIDER GALLOPED ACROSS the desert at breakneck speed, moonlight guiding his way, his cloak flying behind him as his steed kicked up clouds of sand. Sebastianus had used his powerful and influential connections, plus generous monetary donations, to keep the priests of Marduk placated. But it had come to an end. He had to warn Ulrika and the others.
They were out of time. The temple guards were coming.
AS SHE WAITED ANXIOUSLY for sign of Sebastianus, Ulrika looked at the quiet, faithful mob, regretful that she had given them this sacred place, only to have brought them into danger.
Was it Judah who had cured the little girl? Ulrika knew that, in the vast world, there were many different beliefs, and miracles were possible.
As the desert wind blew against her face, it reminded her of another desert, another wind—on the shore of the Sea of Salt. And suddenly she was remembering the place where Rachel and Almah had found her—on a grave. Ulrika had thought Rachel had buried her husband in sacred ground. But now, as people prayed to Venerable Judah, Ulrika wondered if it had been the other way around. Had Jacob made that ground sacred?
Remembering, too, that Jacob and Judah had been "brothers" under their master in Galilee, Ulrika wondered now if Jacob was also a Venerable One.
IN PRIMO'S TENT, THE secretary was packing his writing equipment and saying, "I will see that your letter is delivered safely to the house of Ambassador Publius first thing in the morning." After reading the dictation back to Primo, making corrections, and then copying it out again more neatly, the secretary had rolled it up, dripped wax onto it, and allowed Primo to seal the scroll with his ring.
"A job well done," Primo said, but as he reached into his money pouch for coins, he heard horse's hooves approaching at a gallop. Looking out, he saw Sebastianus flying into the camp.
"Wait," he said to the Babylonian. "There might be more."
SEBASTIANUS JUMPED DOWN FROM his horse and ran to Ulrika. "I was unable to confer with the High Priest," he said breathlessly. "He would not see me. I went to the governor, but it is beyond his control. Ulrika, not even my friend Hasheem, the powerful money-changer, could help. I have given orders to my slaves to prepare the caravan to move out. They will be ready to depart at dawn."
He looked at the frightened crowd—mothers with infants, men with useless legs, the blind and the sick—and then he lowered his voice. "The High Priest is on his way here. I was told he is bringing guards. Ulrika, I believe I can talk reasonably to the man, but we must not have a panic. If we get these people to remain peaceful and orderly, and to show no disrespect to the priests and to Marduk, I believe they will allow us to return to the city unmolested."
"Sebastianus," Ulrika said, placing a hand on his arm. "I must go to Judea."
He stared at her. "Judea! Why?"
"I believe Rachel's husband is a Venerable One and that I am meant to go there and protect him as I did Rabbi Judah. But also, Rachel saved my life, and she was one of my teachers. I owe her a great debt."
Sebastianus thought about it. "Rome has sent more legions to Judea. The unrest among the Jewish rebels grows."
"Jacob is too precious to let fall into the hands of the Romans, who were his enemies. I must go to Judea and get him and Rachel to safety."
"Where would that be?"
"I do not know, but he must be remembered as Judah is remembered. I shall do it differently. I will not be so irresponsible with Jacob. I will give it a great deal of thought."
Primo came up. "Master, is everything all right?"
Sebastianus turned to his steward. "The High Priest is coming with an armed escort. I want no provocation. We will settle this peacefully. All they want is for these people to disperse and return to the city. That is exactly what we will do. Tomorrow, I want you to see that all my goods and people get safely to Rome. I am putting you in charge of the caravan."
Primo's ugly face twisted in a scowl. "Where will you be, master?"
"I am going to Judea with Ulrika."
"Master! To leave the caravan?" The old soldier was nearly speechless with shock. Truly his master was under a witch's spell.
"You have your orders."
"Let me accompany you to Judea," Primo said, thinking quickly. What had he just overheard the girl say? They were going to rescue something precious? And two Jews named Rachel and Jacob? An act of treason without a doubt! Suddenly Primo was gripped with an intense desire to defend his master against Caesar's retribution. Even if it meant committing treason himself.
"You will need protection, master. Revolution is fomenting in the province of Judea, and the Roman army has increased its presence there. It will behoove you to have a veteran of the legions in your party, and I am not without connections still."
"I need a man I can trust to accompany the caravan."
Timonides stepped forward and said, "I will take the caravan to Rome, master. It is the least I can do for the pain and grief I have caused you."
Sebastianus thought for a moment, then said, "Very well. We must make haste now, for the High Priest will soon be here. Primo, ready your soldiers. There will be no fight, but we must be prepared. Timonides, as soon as this business is done, I want you to take my horse and ride to the caravan. See to the final preparations for departure. We have no time to lose."
Ulrika went to Miriam and said, "Men are coming from the temple of Marduk, but do not be afraid. Sebastianus will have a few words with the High Priest and then we have to send all these people home."
She paused to look into Miriam's plump face, no longer filled with despair but at peace. "I do not presume, honored mother, to tell you how to conduct your faith. But when I sent you here, I did not foresee the consequences of my actions. In the privacy of your home, spread word about Venerable Judah to friends and family, and always remember him, for that is what he asked of me."