Bloodlines

By Al Green

Bloodlines is a historical novel set during the last thirty-seven years BCE. (Before the Christian era) It begins with Herod’s victorious siege of the Temple in Jerusalem and the capture and execution of the last Hasmonean king.
It brings to life Herod’s preoccupation with construction, his many wives, the court intrigue surrounding him, and the paranoia that he develops after an assassination attempt.You can almost smell the sea, and feel the bitter rain as it stings the faces of the combatants as the Battle of Actium rages between Octavian and Mark Antony.The victorious Octavian, now called Augustus’ and his general Agrippa hold unprecedented power and scheme to retain it. A tender love affair between Tiberius, Augustus’’ step son, and his wife Vipsania, Agrippa’s daughter, is ripped apart by the death of Agrippa. Augustus insists that Tiberius divorce, and marry his father-in-law’s unfaithful widow Julia, causing an irreparable rift between the Imperator and his adopted son and heir.
Maryam, the unknown daughter of the deposed King Antigonus, is raised secretly outside Jerusalem by a Temple priest named Zechariah. She falls in love with her childhood friend, Alphaeus but is ripped apart from him when her identity is discovered by Antipater, a son of Herod, who kidnaps her, impregnates her, and claims her as his bride. This is the first novel of The Tarsean Trinity series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Al Green
• Release date: Dec 24, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311559791

Al Green

Alaskan author Al Green is a well known Northwest Jazz and Blues musician who has delighted his audiences with his unique style and abilities. Known mainly for his work on Trumpet and Saxophone. His professional affiliations include the American Federation of Musicians local 650 which represents the State of Alaska. He has been honored to serve as president of that organization for the past eight years..An avid historian and genealogist, Mr. Green has traced his own lineage to many interesting and well known personages throughout history, supplying him with a wealth of characters for future creative endeavors.His first effort at writing was his family history documenting the life stories of many of these ancestors. (now at eighteen volumes consisting of thousands of pages). This huge project gave him the confidence and desire to tackle the novel format.“Writing an original story that is tied to a specific chronological set of historical events is rather like improvising a jazz solo over specific chord changes. Within that framework you can go anywhere your imagination takes you.”"The intent of my books is to engage my reader’s emotions while providing fodder for thoughtful discussion."

Book preview

Chapter One 750 AUC (4 BCE)

Jericho 4 BCE

A lone woman sat shivering in the stygian blackness of her tiny cell, the sound of her breathing the only clue to her existence. Fresh straw on the floor of her prison could not conceal the foul odors of urine and feces lurking beneath. A sudden sensation in her side focused her tortured mind on it's source. She reached down and lovingly stroked her bulging abdomen, caressing the unborn child inside.

I'm sorry little one. It doesn't look like we've got much of a future.

The baby kicked again and she shook her head sadly. It doesn't matter how fast you move your little feet, I'm afraid neither one of us can outrun our fate.

King Herod's Nubian guards had burst into her palace on the coast a few weeks earlier and arrested her while her husband was in Rome conferring with Caesar. 'Not that he'd care about me' she thought to herself. 'He only desired my bloodline. He would care about you though,' she comforted her unborn child as she kept rubbing her stomach.

She had been escorted to Jericho the day before in order to be held close to the ailing king. Her last official act as a princess of Judea had been to free her handmaiden at the gates to her prison. She hoped that the girl would be able to fend for herself all alone and friendless in Jericho. At least she's free, said the woman to herself.

The baby gave her another kick and the woman began to cry softly.

My darling she sniffled, I wish you could experience the beauty of the world outside. The colors are so beautiful, the smells are fragrant. There are good people in the world, people like your great aunt and uncle. They would love you so much, she moaned.

How miserable my life has become little one she sobbed in despair. It seems that I've come full circle. You see, my own parents died at the hands of Herod when I was just about your age. My mother survived just long enough to give birth. I wonder if I'll share her fate. She paused and silence enveloped them once again.

I once freely roamed the hills of Judea at will, the sun warming my face and the wind exciting my hair. What will happen to you? she mused. The baby kicked again bringing her back to the present.

This will never do, she said wiping her tears from her eyes. I should be comforting you my darling, not crying bitter tears. I've always found consolation in the Psalms. Shall we offer one to the Father? she asked rhetorically. She wiped the tears from her eyes and cleared her throat with a cough. Then, softly she began to sing.

"My heart is pained, and my strength fails me

My friends are unaware of my plight as are my kinsmen.

My enemies are lively and they are strong;

and they hate me wrongly and are multiplied

They have sought after my life and ensnared me.

Hear me lest they shall overcome me,

and steal the life of the gentle soul awaiting all your

gifts.

Forsake me not O' Lord, and do not stray from my side.

Make haste to help me, O Lord

and this child which I carry inside my womb."

As she sang the room began to be illuminated. The hairs on the back of her neck started to stand up and her voice trailed off. She noticed she could now make out the cedar door barring her escape.

Is this an answer to my prayer? she wondered aloud, her voice trembling. Are we about to be miraculously freed by the creator?

She looked up and saw the disappointing explanation. Daylight was beginning to stream through a narrow slit in the wall high above her.

Well my love, it looks like we've lived to see another morning at least, she said softly.

A sound coming from the direction of the door caught her attention. At first there was just a scratching sound which she took to be rats. Then she saw the door swing open, it's hinges creaking loudly in the otherwise silent dungeon. Light from a torch momentarily blinded her, keeping her from identifying it's carrier. When her eyes adjusted she saw he was one of Herod's guards.

She was surprised when the man furtively closed the door behind him. His dark beard hid his features, but she was certain she'd never seen him before.

Dread filled her heart as she took the stranger's actions to be menacing.

Who are you and what do you want? she demanded loudly hoping to attract the attention of another guard. I am the wife of the crown prince, you would be wise not to lay your hands upon me.

Keep your voice down princess, whispered the man. My name is Ayal and I'm a friend. I've brought you a message.

A message? she asked. Who would know to send me a message here?

Alphaeus, answered the man.

She gasped involuntarily Alphaeus...How?

Jerusalem 37BCE (thirty three years earlier)

Angry smoke billowed from the tower adjacent to the Great Temple in Jerusalem as golden flames shot from its windows and roof. The fire’s light created macabre shadows which danced across the Temple courtyard below. Burning embers from the inferno drifted slowly down in the windless sky like fiery snowflakes against the moonless night.

King Antigonus looked up at the conflagration and grimly shook his head. Until an hour ago that citadel, called the Baris, had been his command post. The highest point in the city, it had allowed his Jewish forces to repel the Roman attackers. However, once the north wall had been breached there was no longer hope. When the Baris doors were about to be broken in by the attacking Romans, he had evacuated his men through a secret tunnel to the adjoining Temple. He then set fire to its floors to keep the Romans from using it to rain arrows on the inner court of the Temple below. He already had burned the two porticoes by the outer court as they fell into the hands of the invaders the day before.

The Romans had stopped chasing his army around Galilee two months earlier and marched on Jerusalem. This had forced him to race to defend the city against Rome’s renowned siege warfare, abandoning his successful guerilla action against them in the countryside. ‘Politics,’ thought the somber king as he turned and strode back into the Temple. ‘I am defeated to protect a stone building. Even so, If I had another week I’d have escaped with my entire army.’

He was taking a gamble now, but it was one that just might succeed. As long as he had the treasury safely away he had some leverage with Marc Antony, who controlled the eastern provinces of Rome’s empire. Antony was a fearless soldier and brilliant tactician. He was also corruptible and frequently indulged in too much wine. When he wasn’t spending his fortune on excessive entertainments, he was greedily seeking to add to his material wealth.

Antigonus stopped before his wife, who had been waiting for him.

Maryam my darling let me hold you one last time before you go. He reached out and pulled his obviously pregnant wife into his strong arms. I should have gotten you safely away long ago.

Hush husband, you had no choice, she reminded him. There was no way you could have pried me from your side. I am conflicted about leaving even now, although I know I must.

Smiling at his wife Antigonus continued: This night is terrible, but thankfully it is dark. Everything’s going to be alright. You will see. We have gotten most of the Royal Treasure of Judea safely away to Jericho and Hyrcanea these past months, along with as much of our army as we could spare. The rest of the treasure is leaving with you tonight.

You will be responsible to move it all to the fortress of Hyrcanea as I’m sure that Jericho will be the next object of Herod’s attention. It will be much easier to defend a siege against a fortress filled with soldiers than a city filled with non-combatants with hungry stomachs. I have stocked enough rations in Hyrancia to last the defenders for years. You can hold out there until I return or send for a ransom.

In the meantime, I will surrender and be taken to Mark Antony. We can use our treasure as leverage. Antony is greedy and lazy. He would much rather accept a ransom and tribute agreement than fight a siege, he tried to reassure her. I have the only true claim to the throne, the only one that the people will accept. He has to know that. If I swear my allegiance to Rome against Parthia and I offer a sizable bribe I think I can influence him in our favor. Herod must be about broke from the cost of carrying on this fight.

In the meantime, you will have my real treasure. You will give birth to our son. Through him even if I die, the rightful royal line will continue. He is the next hope for Jewish freedom.

He placed his hand on her round belly and gently caressed it. Pulling back he smiled into his wife’s glistening eyes.

If my plan works we will still have a free Judea, and our holiest relics will not fall again into foreign hands. If not, at least the Temple itself will be spared a bloodbath.

This should not be happening, he continued. You should be being spoiled by midwives, fed grapes by your servants, ordering your husband around like a field slave. Instead you are about to go on a dangerous ride into the night, possibly into a Roman ambush.

Would you expect any less from your Queen Matityahu? she replied looking up into his eyes and calling him by his given name. You are the one in certain danger. Why don’t you just come with us?

You know why my love. My surrender is the distraction that will allow you to escape. It is the only way to buy you and our unborn child some time to get away, sighed Antigonus.

Yo-ezar, the commander of his personal guard, walked up to them apologetically. It is time your highnesses. There is no moon and you can see the torches have all moved away from our escape route as the enemy streams into the city through the north gate and the breaches in the first and second walls. The soldiers’ lust for looting is working in our favor, but we must start quickly to use as much of the darkness as we can to put distance between ourselves and Jerusalem before our absence is discovered.

Antigonus and Maryam embraced one last time. Then looking deeply into each others eyes, bid a silent farewell. The expressions said all that needed to be said. Maryam took the reins of her mount and followed Yo-ezar down a ramp leading from the Holy of Holies into the darkness. The tunnel led to a hidden exit in the valley below. Waiting for her there was a small force of picked men and her sister in law Sarah. Antigonus watched long after she had disappeared in the shadows and he could no longer hear the dull thud of the cloth covered hoofs on the tunnel floor.

Farewell my love, farewell, he whispered to himself. He then turned and strode towards his waiting men. These were men who had followed him through many victories and now this catastrophic defeat. All the citizen farmers that had rallied to his side had been allowed to leave. In this last group were the most dedicated lovers not only of himself, but of Jerusalem and God.

Antigonus walked slowly by them trying to make eye contact with each man as he passed. When he reached the end of the building he stopped and exhaled audibly. He then signaled for the massive Temple doors to be opened. When the door was sufficiently ajar, Antigonus marched into the courtyard accompanied by his generals. Some carried torches. They gathered outside the Temple doors and looked out at the legions massed before them, standing in formation between siege engines ready to send stone and fire hurling against the Temple walls. The legionary stared back in the flickering firelight. Antigonus slowly drew his sword from its scabbard and dropped it to the ground. His generals followed suit, one at a time. Each ring of a sword hitting the stones bringing a loud roar of approval from the troops massed against them.

He then strode, followed by his generals, toward the Roman commander. Sosius, the Roman Governor of Syria and Cilisia, was sitting astride his war horse, Herod mounted by his side.

Sosius, I surrender myself and my generals to Rome and to Marc Antony. I ask nothing for myself except an audience with your Dux, the great general Antony. If it pleases you, I ask that you spare those who served under me for their crime is only that they honored their sacred pledge to God and king. As a soldier you must understand that.

Shifting his gaze to Herod his eyes hardened as he continued.

Do not let them further desecrate the Temple of our God Idumean, he said with a defiant tone as he pointed to the rubble where the war machines of the Romans had already battered and burned its stout walls. It is Holy and its violation would be an abomination in the eyes of God and the people you now seek to govern. This rubble will be your legacy. If you destroy it further, there will be no peace in your reign.

He then raised his eyes to the sky and raised his arms and wailed.

My God I have sinned and brought ruin to your chosen people. I have let the heathen back into our midst and not been able to expel him. Forgive me my inadequacy in our time of tribulation.

That will be enough Antigone, mocked Sosius calling him by the name of Sophocles' tearful heroine, the daughter of Oedipus and his mother Jocasta. There is no one here interested in anything you have to say. Save your pleas for Marc Antony, he deserves a good laugh.

He nodded to a squad of soldiers to his left and they came up and roughly pushed Antigonus and his men to their knees.

You have had your say Antigonus, but it is the people of Rome who now speak. You have revolted and sided with the hated Parthians to whom you sent the rightful king Hyrcanus, after cutting off his ears. Since you maimed him and made him unfit to rule, Rome has chosen a new king for Judea. He is Herod, son of Antipater the Idumean. You have slain his brothers, Phasel and Joseph in your rebellion. It is expected that you were also behind the poisoning of his father Antipater. I should let Herod slay you all right now, but I will give Dux Antony that pleasure. Your remaining soldiers will be conscripted into service of the Republic or put to death. It will be their choice. Your generals will share your fate, whatever lord Antony declares that to be.

Bind them and take them away he commanded and their hands were tied. Then a long pole was brought up and they were attached to it like slaves to the market.

Get up growled the officer in charge of the squad, kicking one of Antoninus’ generals.

The captives looked to their king for instruction. When he started to lift the pole to his shoulder and stand, they too start to move. They were led from the Temple area to the Roman encampment outside the city.

As Antigonus was led away, the common soldiers started to flow out of the Temple and into the court of the Gentiles, each casting his arms onto the growing pile and stepping off to the side.

Once they had all finished Sosius called out to them.

Form into lines ten men deep and select among yourselves from each group of ten a leader. Have that leader take his place first in line.

The defeated Jews organized themselves according to Sosius’ instructions. Some of the captives argued with each other for the right to be leader of one of the lines. Finally they settled down in straight lines.

Leaders of each line take five paces forward and turn toward your column. shouted Sosius.

The soldiers quietly followed his instructions, their faces reflecting the light of the torchlight around them.

Sosius nodded to his right and a line of legionary moved up behind the men standing facing the main body of captives. Sosius nodded again and the soldiers impaled the men in front of them on their spears.

Those men represent the folly of the leaders that brought you to this crossroads. Any who wish to continue to follow these leaders may now step forward and join them in death. Any of you who choose Mark Antony and Rome may join the service of King Herod by simply staying in line. The choice is yours.

Some of the captives looked longingly at the weapons piled across the courtyard, but not a man broke ranks. There was no chance against the archers manning the walls, nor from the well armed troops lined in formation, their dripping spears protruding from behind their shields.

Smart choice shouted Sosius as he looked around.

Turning to Herod he continued I just did you a favor. I decimated Antigonus’ army, you get to be a hero and save the rest. May they always hate me and love you, for I will be back in Rome soon. You get to stay in this unhappy land. What do you plan to do with all these men Herod?

I think I will send them to my copper mines in Idumea, laughed Herod.

Chuckling along with Herod, Sosius continued, Now if you will have your men escort them from the Temple area, you and I should take a look at what booty we’ve won today. The Temple holds quite a treasure I’ve been told.

Herod gave the command to have his Judean, Samaritan, and Idumean troops escort the captives from the Temple area and out to the sheep pool outside the walls. Once the court of the Gentiles was empty except for two cohorts of Rome’s victorious Legions, Herod and Sosius dismounted and walked toward the Temple. They were accompanied by several dozen Legionnaires, some of whom were moving in advance to make sure there was no danger for their general lurking inside. As they crossed Court of the Women in the darkness, Herod noticed the strong smell of horse dung. ‘That’s odd’, he thought to himself.

So this is the Court of the Women, I wonder where they all are…Waiting for us inside I suppose, said Sosius to an increasingly perplexed Herod.

Women are not allowed beyond this point, Herod answered. Horses should not have been allowed in this area either. What was Antigonus thinking? Where did the horses go? Jews are expressly forbidden to eat horse. There was no reason to bring them into the Temple when they fell back as cavalry could not be used inside so small a space.

The interlopers walked up the stairs and entered the main room. The spacious room was lit with torches. The space was completely empty except for piles of horse dung and a few blankets. Herod ran to the back of the room and pulled the curtain back that hung before the Kodesh Hakodashim, the most sacred part of the Temple. Inside he saw nothing but a huge stone slab, three fingers thick that probably had covered the large ramp leading down into the darkness below the temple.

No, shouted Herod in rage. Quickly bring the torches, we’ve been tricked. The wealth of the nation has just slipped through our fingers.

Sosius grabbed his shoulder and held him back. It’s dark now. I’ll send some men through to see where it comes out and we’ll follow them from there tomorrow. Don’t worry, they will not get away from us. We have captured Antigonus and most of his army. Besides, there may be a trap awaiting anyone who foolishly enters that passageway. In the mean time we can interrogate Antigonus and perhaps he will tell us where the treasure is going.

A few miles east of Jerusalem

Once through the tunnel, the fugitives walked their horses for the first couple of miles. After they safely passed the Roman lines they stopped to take the cloth covering off the horses hoofs which had been used to quiet the sound.

Yo-ezar walked up to Queen Maryam and her sister-in-law Sarah. It is time for us to separate. I’ll have my archers take up positions in the hills above both sides of the road. This is a perfect place to set up an ambush. The hills are too steep for the Roman cavalry to attack, and I’m sure whoever follows us will be mounted. They will be in for a very unpleasant surprise when they catch us, he chuckled. He motioned to his lieutenant and bowmen scrambled up the hillside. May God speed you to Jericho my Queen. My group can only hold off a small force for a short time, but that’s probably all they will send at first. Most of the legions will be preoccupied with looting and rape. That should buy us a few days before the legions move out. Once the legions are committed we will have to fall back to Hyrancia ourselves following the route you are taking my Princess, he said turning to Sarah.

In your hands is the last of the Temple treasure. You must get it safely to Hyrancia, but remember, you are my treasure. The two had been married by Antigonus a few days earlier. They clasped hands and looked into each other’s misting eyes.

The Queen looked aside and clearing her throat with a cough, spoke. I’ll leave you two to say your goodbyes. I need to ride to Jericho and start moving the royal treasure that’s there to Hyrancia before the Romans besiege it. She pulled her sister-in-law from her husband’s embrace. May the lord of us all watch over you this night my sister, she said kissing Sarah on the cheek.

Looking at Yo-ezar she added, And may the lord of hosts guide your arrows into the Idumean pretender, and then lead you safely back into the arms of your bride.

Yo-ezar snapped to attention and nodded I’ll do my best my Queen, and may God ride with you this night.

With that Queen Maryam turned and walked to her horse where she was helped into her saddle. Wars and pregnancy were not meant to happen simultaneously, she joked breathlessly as she turned her horse and road off into the night, her bodyguard following closely.

Sarah looked back into her husbands’ eyes. You’d best hurry back to me or I may forget I’m married, she chuckled, and then burst into tears.

Yo-ezar pulled her into his arms. Don’t worry my dear I’ll be right behind you, he said, comforting his sobbing wife. We will bloody the Romans nose when they get here and then fade away and swiftly follow. Just leave our horses about a mile down the road. When we are done here we’ll catch up.

Sarah looked into her husbands’ eyes and smiled. Giving him a final squeeze she mounted her horse and signaled the pack train to start moving forward along with Yo-ezar's horses and the balance of the refugee force. Glancing back at Yo-ezar she smiled and gave him a wave. His eyes followed her until she was lost in the darkness. He then turned and started to climb up the steep hillside.

Jerusalem

Late the next morning in Jerusalem, a Decurion was escorted into an audience with Herod and Sosius. Sweat and road dust still streaked the officer's swarthy face and a bloody cloth was wrapped around his thigh. He marched up to Sosius trying to hide his limp and saluted.

Syagrius, the Primus Pilus announced him to his Legate. "This is the Decurion whose thurma was sent after the fugitives. He has returned with his report."

"Thank you centurion, Sosius responded to Syagrius, dismissing him with his hand. Turning his attention to the cavalry officer in front of him he asked Judging from the look of you, you found the fugitives. What news do you bring us?"

The cavalryman looked down at his sandaled feet for a second, took a deep breath and then looked his commander in the eyes and began his report.

At first light we followed the renegades' trail to the road to Jericho. From their tracks they had heavily laden pack animals so they would have to move slowly, especially during the night. We felt we were probably very close to them. Shortly afterwards we were attacked from the hillside. Their archers rained arrows down on us from both sides of the road, killing several horses and wounding four of our men. The hillsides were too steep for our mounts, and the enemy outnumbered us. We had no choice but to fall back and report to you.

Herod's face turned red as he exploded. You had them! You had them and let them go! If you had charged they would have had to run and abandon the treasure you fool!

Sir, responded the Decurion, Their position was strategically better than ours as they held the superior ground, had superior numbers. Their weaponry was suited for the advantage they held. We really could do no more. If we had reached them on the open road we might have been able to route them and secure the treasure, but in the situation as it unfolded we were in no position to threaten them.

Herod started to retort, but Sosius restrained his arm and giving Herod a correcting look spoke to the wounded soldier. "Thank you for your report Decurion. Your information is most helpful. Turning to Herod he continued, We now know where the treasure is going. It is going to Jericho." Turning back to the Decurion he added, Have an extra ration of wine given to your men and have my personal physician look at your leg. I’d hate to lose a wise field commander. With that he dismissed the soldier and turned his attention to Herod.

What would you suggest we do now King Herod? Sosius asked.

We go after them of course, sputtered Herod.

We could do that, but we may be playing into the Rebels hands. They know that once they are trapped in a city our powerful Roman military machine will crush their defenses. Out on the roads and in columns the Legions are vulnerable to ambushes like the one that just happened. I wonder if Antigonus surrendered just to allow a significant portion of his army to escape and counterattack once we follow the tantalizing trail of treasure. If so his plan failed. Our first priority is to get Antigonus to Antioch and Antony for sentencing. We know there is a force of guerilla fighters between us and the fugitives. How large their numbers are we don’t know. Let’s send some of your Syrian mounted archers along with a cohort of Roman cavalry after them, at a safe distance, and see where they go. They will have to dig in somewhere and that is where we will meet them and claim our prize.

You can’t just let them go! shouted Herod.

I don’t plan to let anyone go, I assure you. We will go to Mark Antony in Antioch with our prisoner. I will leave ample troops here in Jerusalem and I have a little surprise for you. Elements of the fourth legion are already on the way from Damascus. They should be nearing Betheramptha to the east of Jericho. They have orders to encircle Jericho and cut off any exit towards Parthea. If the fugitives are laden with treasure they will have to seek protection in the city and we will have them. When I get back from Antioch I’ll join the siege with the main body. Our birds have not flown, they merely changed cages.

The road to Jericho

Queen Maryam rode through the night. At first going was slow. A soldier walked ahead of her leading her horse as well as his as they tried to stay on the road in the dark. With the coming of dawn they all mounted and the speed was increased. By the afternoon Maryam, in her pregnant condition, was becoming more and more uncomfortable. Riding astride like a man was not my best idea, she thought to herself. The roman style saddle with its four pommels chafed the skin under her robes. The baby too was uncomfortable for he had been kicking her swollen belly relentlessly for hours. They were almost to Jericho and it would be dangerous to stop and rest. The whole Roman army could be fast on their heels. No, she thought, they must race on. Once safely behind Jericho’s walls she could bathe and get some much needed sleep. It had been days since she really rested. Her thoughts strayed to her husband. Would he be alright? Herod would like to kill him outright, but the Roman general would make sure Antigonus was delivered to Antony alive. That was one thing you could count on with Romans, nobody wanted to be responsible for major decisions. What worried her was what Antony would do. Hyrcanus II had his ears cut off by the Parthean's so he could not be brought back as high priest by the Romans. His disfigurement precluded that. Her husband may have to accept Herod having a role like his father Antipater had under Hyrcanus, she thought. It might all come down to promising the Romans a large tribute of gold to save the throne for her husband. The Romans were not really foolish enough to think that the Judeans would submit to an Idumian king. The puppet Herod was simply not an option for high priest as he was not a Hebrew. Her husband had carried both titles, king and high priest.

Suddenly the walls of Jericho came into view, the midday sun reflecting off their mighty surface. Relief and smiles broke out on the sweat and dust caked faces of the weary travelers, followed by hearty back slaps and cheers. Then one of the soldiers cried, Look beyond the city. What do you make of that cloud? All eyes rose to see what he was talking about. From their position on the hilltop they could see the road beyond Jericho. What they saw chilled them. A large cloud of dust could be seen far down the road to the east of Jericho. The only explanation would be that a large group of something was approaching rapidly from the east. Legions from Damascus thought Maryam.

Quickly, she shouted we must ride like the wind. It will be a race to the walls and I don’t intend to come in second. With that she turned her horse and started to ride down the road towards their haven. The rest of the company followed swiftly after her, the leaders passing by her to form a vanguard if needed.

They reached the gates well before the legions reached the city, the queen ordering them closed behind them. Still mounted, she shouted her commands to her men and the startled garrison of the city. Man the walls. Send riders to all the other gates to make sure they too are closed. Prepare for an imminent attack. This I command in the name of the king.

Aristobulus, the young commander of the garrison ran out into the road waving his arms, trying to regain some control of his streets. I demand to know what all the bedlam is about. What is going on? Who is this woman raising such a commotion?

He recognized the Queen and stopped in his tracks. My Queen, what is it? What is happening? Is your husband with you?"

Maryam turned her horse and looked into the concerned face of her husbands’ handsome nephew. Aristobulus, thank God. We are about to be attacked from the east by force of Roman infantry. We must secure the gates and man the walls. Jerusalem has fallen, the Temple has fallen. We must not allow Jericho to fall.

At that moment a guard mounting the walls knocked an earthen jar from the wall which broke at the feet of the Queens’ horse causing the nervous animal to rear up. The Queen was thrown from her perch on the saddle and into the cobblestone street below. She landed on her side with a thud, as her horse ran free down the street and around a corner.

Aristobulus ran to his Queens side. Queen Maryam, are you alright? She looked up at him and groaned, her eyes slowly closing as she sank into darkness.

Chapter Two 717 AUC (37 BCE)

Jericho

The queen was carried into a room on the first floor of the gate tower. A table was cleared and covered with robes. Her broken body was carefully placed upon it. A midwife came hastily into the room followed by Elizabeth, a maternal cousin of Maryam’s. Arisobulus and the other men left the room while the women administered to the stricken queen.

Finally, Elizabeth held up a newborn baby, covered in blood, the umbilical still attached to its mother, who was moaning in pain before her. Tell me cousin, is it a son? the Queen asked breathlessly, trying vainly to raise her head from her makeshift bed. Antigonus must have an heir.

The baby let out its first sound, more of a squeak than a cry. Maryam smiled for a second in spite of the pain she still felt in her leg and insides. Give me my little prince, she cooed before being torn back to the reality of her agony. Oh, she cried, the pain is getting worse!

The midwife, still busy between the queen’s legs commanded; Hush! Right now my queen I need you to focus all your strength and push so we can expel the afterbirth. Now push, push, you must push. My queen, you must help me. Push!

The queen tried vainly to obey the command, but she just did not have the strength. The fall from the horse had broken her water and her right leg. Other internal organs were obviously damaged in the fall. The birth itself was an ordeal and she had lost an awful lot of blood. Gasping for breath she slowly reached out towards her child with her right arm, her eyes focused lovingly on it. Suddenly her arm fell to her side and a sickening gurgle escaped her throat. At first Elizabeth did not realize she was dead, as Maryam’s eyes remained staring at her child. The first clue was the wailing of the midwife who rose and ran from the room. Elizabeth gently laid the baby in the queen’s arms. Here is your child my beloved cousin, not a son, but a beautiful daughter, she said. After severing the umbilical cord, she looked into her cousins dead eyes. I promise no harm will come to her my sweet Maryam. Tears streamed down her face now as the realization of the queen’s death set in.

Aristobulus strode into the room. Is what the midwife said true? he asked. Has the queen passed? Did she leave Antigonus without a male heir?

The distraught Elizabeth choked back her sobs and nodded. Aristobulus moved to the queen’s side and looked down at her and her tiny offspring. Then wordlessly he turned and walked out of the room.

Elizabeth started to cleanse the baby, dipping a cloth into a pan of water on a nearby table and gently stroking the blood from the orphan. She then motioned to a wet nurse who had been standing discretely out of the way to come and take the young princess.

Aristobulus in the meantime walked to his office and poured himself a cup of wine. ‘I’m in a fine spot’ he thought. 'The king has been captured, the Queen is dead, my city is being surrounded by a Roman army, and if that wasn’t bad enough I have a new born princess I’m sworn to protect'. A fine mess you’ve gotten me into uncle. He said out loud referring to Antigonus. Parthia will not be coming to our aid. They have their own problems. There is no hope that I can hold Jericho against a determined Roman siege. The Romans are just too good at it. He quit talking as his mind raced on. ‘As for the princess’ he thought, ‘I have as much claim to the throne as her, and for that matter, I have the best claim of anyone to become High Priest. The Romans might have named Herod king, but they can’t install him as High Priest as Antigonus had been.' Aristobulus absentmindedly rubbed his beard with his right hand. ‘As an Idumean, Herod cannot hope to be a high priest. Only actual Jews of certain bloodline can hold that honor.' As he was thinking he reached over and pulled a papyrus and an ink pot and a reed from a shelf. He sat silently for a few moments as he to arrange his thoughts before he started to write. After rereading what he had written a few times he grunted in satisfaction, rolled the papyrus and sealed it with his seal ring and wax. He strode to his door and called out to the captain of the guard. This must go to Herod in Jerusalem immediately. It is for his eyes only. Do you understand?

Enoch, the captain of the guard, nodded in understanding, his face grim. As Aristobulus passed the scroll to Enoch he lowered his voice. Be discrete, I don’t want word of my sending this to get out. I want you to know that if this succeeds it just might save all our lives.

With that he clasped Enoch’s arm in farewell and then the soldier backed away, snapping his right arm to his chest in salute.

I’ll handle this personally sir, he promised before striding off towards the stables.

The Roman camp outside Jerusalem

Herod was sitting on a couch resting on a raised dais in his command tent just outside Jerusalem when his guards announced the arrival of a messenger from Jericho. He motioned for Enoch to be brought forward to him. What word do you bring me? he asked the dust covered envoy.

A message from Aristobulus the commander of the garrison at Jericho, replied the messenger holding the papyrus toward the waiting potentate.

A ransom offer for Antigonus no doubt, Herod said to himself in a curious tone. He was secretly pleased that the messenger had come to him and not Marc Anthony. He expected that Antigonus had something like that planned considering Anthony’s reputation for coveting money and power. At least now he would know what financial arrangements Antigonus had to offer. He motioned for a guard to take the scroll from Enoch and bring it to him. He looked at the wax seal which was unbroken. Casually he broke the seal and opened the scroll. His demeanor changed as he read the scroll from calculated boredom to intense concentration. Smiling, he slowly rolled the scroll back up.

The next morning Herod left Jerusalem accompanied by his Idumean troops and some Syrian archers he had under his pay. Sosius was perplexed. He had been certain that Herod would not let Antigonus out of his sight, much less let him talk to Mark Antony without him being there, but here was his message telling Sosius to go on ahead to Antioch with the prisoners while he remained in the south inspecting the siege work at Jericho. 

Sosius believed that Antigonus hoped to persuade Anthony to spare him and return the kingdom to his watch. 'Not very realistic', thought Soisus, but without Herod's presence it was possible he supposed. 'What in the world would influence Herod to leave his prize unattended at this moment?' he wondered. The question was really of no consequence to Sosius, but it did nag the back of his mind. He did not want anything to ruin his chances of going home to Italy soon. Hopefully, this success would be his ticket back to Rome. The heat and dust of the east with its barren hills did not appeal to him at all. He longed for the green hills of the Tiber River valley.

He also found it hard to tolerate the somber and taciturn Jews of Jerusalem who wore their religion like a cloak. If he had to be around Jews, he preferred the ones in Rome or even Alexandria as they were much more gregarious and worldly. At any rate he would take the prisoner to Anthony and accept any reward his sovereign would offer him. 

Jericho

The baby girl was perfect. She had a round little face, and you could already see the dimples forming in her infant cheeks. The hair covering her head was a light brown. Elizabeth called her little cousin Maryam after her mother. Until the king returned and said otherwise she felt free to use that name. It was a good name and honored a fearless defender of the Jewish homeland. She had not let the princess out of her sight, only giving her up to the wet nurse at feeding time. As the baby’s closest available female relative she felt it was her duty and privilege to take her into her home. She was actually her first cousin once removed. Her husband Zechariah enjoyed watching his young wife care for the infant princess. He had made a good choice. Elizabeth would be a wonderful mother for the many children he envisioned fathering with her.

Zechariah himself was a priest. He was a close friend of Aristobulus, the young priest in charge of the defense of the city. Zechariah had been asked by his friend to supervise the reinforcement of a section of the north wall before the Queen's fatal arrival some seven days earlier. Since her accident, Aristobulus had seemed less and less focused on the progressing siege. Perhaps he was just distracted with grief over his aunt's death. He knew Aristobulus was very fond of his aunt Maryam, and the uncertainty of his uncle Antigonus’ fate must also be wearing him down.

Elizabeth looked up at her husband standing by her side. She stood and offered him the baby to hold. She shook her head no when he tried to beg out of it so he reached out and clumsily took the baby, holding her out as if to examine her.

That’s not how you hold a baby, Elizabeth scolded in jest. Cradle her in your arm and support her neck in the crook of your elbow.

After adjusting his hold he looked down at the infant and could not resist pressing his lips against her forehead in a gentle little kiss. He noticed the baby smell coming off her dark hair as he pulled back. They have a unique scent, these little baby heads. Makes you eager to make one of your own, he winked.

Elizabeth blushed as she took the baby back. I better not let you hold her then if she’s going to be giving you any ideas. You are not close to ready to be a father, she laughed. She loved her husband deeply. He was smart, good looking, and his average height was just tall enough for her, as he was just slightly taller than her. ‘It’s good to look up to your man, as long as he's not too high,’ she thought smiling. Her husband had a reputation for good works, his knowledge of the sacred texts was unparalleled, and as he was a Temple priest they would never lack for food or comfort. ‘Yes Zechariah is a good catch. Our matchmaker earned her reward. He will be a great father,’ she thought.

At that moment Aristobulus entered their room carrying a small bundle in his arms.

Boker Tov said Zechariah in greeting.

Aristobulus did not answer. Instead he looked around the room.

Are we alone? he asked.

Yes the midwife left to prepare a meal for her husband. We've been watching the baby," answered Zechariah.

Good, said Aristobulus. I need you to take the princess and hide her. I've brought a replacement.

He opened the blanket he was carrying and they saw it contained a lifeless infant.

Quickly, we must exchange blankets. Elizabeth, you will need to take the princess to your home. If anyone asks say it's an orphan.

Zechariah, I'm convening a meeting of the city Sanhedrin. I will need your support.

When is the meeting? asked Zechariah.

Now, answered Aristobulus.

Zechariah brushed the back of his finger gently across the cheek of the baby sleeping contentedly in his wife’s arms. Winking at his wife he turned and followed Aristobulus from the room.

Once he reached the meeting room he found it a hive of lively and loud discussion. There were no smiling faces, and tempers were obviously on edge. In ages past, the fabled walls of Jericho had proved impenetrable to invaders, protecting the inhabitants from harm. In this age, against Roman siege techniques, even these venerable bastions of salvation would not hold for long. The queen was dead, and there had been no news from the king since his surrender. The Romans were slowly building their siege weapons and erecting a wall around the city to entrap its inhabitants.

When Aristobulus walked into the room. All eyes looked to him for leadership and comfort. He strode to the center of the room and held up his arms as if to quiet his already suddenly silent audience.

All of you are aware of the Roman army massed at our door. I know your morale is low after hearing of Jerusalem’s fall and the Temple's partial destruction. The death of our queen has laid us all low. I wish I had better news to tell you. My heart is heavy. I have been in contact with Herod and the Roman forces surrounding our fair city. I have more grave news; King Antigonus has been executed by order of Mark Antony.

Murmurs, accented intermittently by wails of grief arouse from the assembly. Some wept, for Antigonus had been extremely popular with his subjects and the other priests. Others held their heads in their hands and moaned.

Aristobulus waited until the chamber again became quiet. As I stated, I have been in negotiations with Herod. He has made an offer of terms for our surrender. It is a generous one considering our situation. He wants us meet with him before the gates of the city where he will hear our oaths of allegiance to him and Rome. We must allow the Romans to build and occupy a fort in the hills close to the city. We must allow some of his men into the city to oversee our administration and collect taxes. In return he will not occupy the city with a large force nor let the Romans pillage it. In addition we can keep our rights and privileges. He has offered to make me the High Priest while he reigns as king.

At this point some of the priests became angry. You sell us out to become High Priest, one man shouted.

Another yelled, Stone him!

Listen, hear me out first and then you can do whatever you feel is right. What I am trying to do is buy time. We need time for us to heal from these recent blows, time to see where things shake out politically. We need time to regroup our own forces. We need time to plan our next steps. Right now we are trapped in the city. The sabbatical year is almost up. We will be without that extra manpower it has provided. When the Romans breach our walls, and breach them they will, we will have no freedom, power, nor life itself. Without this treaty our wives and daughters will be raped and slaughtered, and our sons sold into slavery.

Most of the Temple treasure is safe with the king’s sister Sarah at the fortress of Hyrancia. If that fortress falls, as High Priest I would then control the treasure. As Temple priests you would then guard it. That is insurance. If my uncle were alive and free, I would fight 'til my last drop of blood. This is different, we must bend like a reed in the current, adapting to changes. If we can’t bend to reality, then we will surely face extinction.

What of the young princess? asked one of the assembly.

It is my sad duty to inform you that the child too has passed away. That leaves Princess Sarah in Hyrancia as the last holdout. If we agree upon this plan, many of you can slip away and join her to mount a counter offensive.

I will have to travel to Antioch with Herod to have Anthony confirm me as High Priest. That is not a journey I’m looking forward to. This is simply the only solution I can think of to allow us to keep some control over our destinies. The secular government will become Roman once again, but we will retain power in the Temple, and keep it within the hereditary line of Levi.

Please, if any of you have a better option, offer it. I’m willing to listen.

Aristobulus looked around the room. He waited while the assembled priests looked down or around to see if someone would speak.

Speaking of money, the royal treasure is still in Jericho is it not? What will happen to it? asked Jonas, one of the younger men in the room.

Herod will doubtlessly claim it as king. I would suggest that we hide a portion of it before we surrender, but most of it we will have to turn over. That is the price of freedom, Aristobulus grimly asserted. We are defeated, whether it’s today or next month, we are defeated. I’ve given you my advice. Let us deliberate and come to a decision.

You are buying the High Priesthood with Judea’s treasure said a man in the back of the room, at no cost to yourself. Some of the other priests raised their voices in agreement and mounting anger.

"I assure you I am paying a dear personal price. I have not mentioned that as security for this peace, my sister princess Mariamne is to be