Betrayed Trust: Lost Children of the Prophet, #6

By Angelique Conger

Kindness …

Deceit …

Terror.

All Erzi wants is to live with her family in peace. But after a fire destroys much of ancient Nod, she discovers peace is elusive.

She shelters many of the newly homeless …

Only to find no good deed goes unpunished …

Especially when others want you harmed.

One of those she brings to her home is associated with a secret organization, that hates her family. When he tries to kidnap her, it causes a war between them.

Facing defeat, will her family overcome …

Or will she be enslaved?

If you like a family saga with a biblical historical flair that keeps you wondering, you'll love Betrayed Trust, fifth in the Lost Children of the Prophet series.

Get it now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Southwest of Zion Publishing
• Release date: Mar 19, 2024
• ISBN: 9781946550194

Angelique Conger

Angelique Conger worked as a teacher in the years her children were growing. Writing about the earliest days of our earth, those days between the Garden of Eden and Noah’s flood, helps in her efforts to change the world. Many would consider her books Christian focused, and they are because they focus on events in the Bible. She writes of a people’s beliefs in Jehovah. However, though she’s read in much of the Bible and searched for more about these stories, there isn’t much there. Her imagination fills in the missing information, which is most of it. Angelique lives in Southern Nevada with her husband, turtles, and Lovebird. Her favorite times are visiting children and grandchildren. She loves mail and is happy to respond to your questions. Happy reading.

Book preview

Moving Day

Erzi stared out across the courtyard of Casa Alegre, searching for Peter. He had left to check on a problem at the racetrack early that morning, promising to return early to help. Still no Peter. She hoped he’d return before all the new furnishings were moved into their new home.

When she left the home of her papa, Nat, called Green Haven, she had lived in Peter’s parent’s home. She stared across the courtyard at the main house. A breeze blew up her dress. She shivered, though the sun shone brightly on this hot day.

She had not expected to leave the home of her husband’s father while he lived. This home she and her family were moving into had been built for Kimnor and Marcella, Crites’ oldest son. It had stood empty over the past five years, since he attacked his and Peter’s brother, David, at the end of a battle. David had been the better fighter.

Marcella blamed everyone but Kimnor for his death. She stayed in the house for only a few weeks after his death, spending much of that time with her father, Leddicus, the governor of Nod. One day, she packed her personal possessions and her sons into a wagon and rode out of their lives.

Erzi shook her head at the thought. Marcella’s life of ease and comfort would have dictated that she would ride out of Crites and Ziva’s lives in the finest carriage her father could buy. But, no. She left them in a common wagon, like the one used by farmers and traders. No one in the family could comprehend her actions.

Erzi, newly a part of the family at the time of the death, thought little of this woman’s departure. She had been enough of a sore spot for Ziva and Crites that they had built Kimnor a home away from theirs. Since Marcella left, Erzi had heard stories of her, none of them nice.

Peter, where are you? she murmured, glancing back toward the gate. You said you’d be back early to help.

No Peter showed himself. She saw a smudge of smoke in the direction of the racetrack. Her heart skipped a beat.

Come back to me, Peter, she whispered.

Her thoughts returned to the house. She wondered that Crites and Ziva would allow Peter and her to move with their son, Teomner, across the courtyard into the big empty home. Had they done something wrong? She had scoured her memories of her time with the family since her marriage to David, searching for something, any small thing that would have caused her to be moved out of the main home into this house across the courtyard.

The main house had the feel of a full cup, filled to the brim and threatening to flow over. Five more children had been born in the years since Tanya. They filled the children’s rooms. The two oldest, Middoni and Gila, had taken over two of the apartments vacated by the sisters.

Crites and Ziva spoke of their love for family and children, welcoming David and Daphne’s four children and discouraging their purchase of another home. Daphne had suggested that they had enough coins for a home of their own and were willing to spend them. Crites and Ziva refused to hear of it, saying they wanted to have their family close.

Now, however, servants and members of the Red Guard carried new furnishings into the house past Erzi. She couldn’t decide how she felt about moving into another house. Excitement filled her, along with nervousness, frustration, fear, and anxious uncertainty. All those emotions swirled through her, along with a few more she couldn’t quite name. She hoped no one would ask how she felt. She had no clear answer.

A guardsman walked by and tipped his head in her direction. She smiled and told him to place the settee in the master apartment sitting room.

Once more, she glanced at the gate, hoping to see Peter and his men enter the safety of Casa Alegre. The gate stayed tightly closed. The smudge of smoke in the distance grew. Her stomach turned.

Things had happened quickly over the last week. Erzi still wondered if her head would spin off. Was it only two weeks ago that Peter suggested they move into the house across the courtyard with their son?

The place is empty. Even though your papa built it strong and safe, if it isn’t lived in, it will fall apart. I think it should be us who move in, he had said.

What will your parents think? They won’t even hear talk of David and Daphne moving out.

This is not their decision. It is ours. We need a home.

But we have a home here, Erzi had argued.

I don’t know why, but we need a home of our own. Father didn’t like the idea when I first spoke with him about it, but he came around when I told him we would move across the courtyard or find another home away from Casa Alegre. What do you think?

I had not thought of it. I wish you had talked to me before talking to your father. They had mused about it before, though it seemed impossible. I have never thought seriously about it. Why?

I don’t know for sure. It feels right. You need to be able to use the things your mama taught you. You said you wanted to have the freedoms of your mama and mine. You don’t have those freedoms here. I want our children to know we are their parents. If we live in that house over there, our children can still race across the courtyard to see their grandparents. Peter shrugged. It just feels right.

They had knelt and prayed about it together. Though it felt right there on her knees in the safety of her apartment, today she didn’t know about the rightness of it. She had the responsibility for her home and servants. She sighed. It had become easy to allow Ziva to do all the work while she sat back with little to do, as she had in her parents’ home. She passed her time weaving, not because the family needed the fabrics and rugs but because she needed a craft to occupy her mind and her hands.

Another guardsman nodded to her, carrying more furnishings into the home. She glanced up at the sky, hoping the smudge of smoke would be gone. It was bigger. She shivered. Peter, be safe and come home.

Liana had trained her to be responsible for a home, insisting Erzi participate in the daily decisions and actions required by the mistress of the home. When she married Peter, she thought she’d use those skills. Now, she felt they had moldered within her. Had those skills turned to dust and blown away? She hoped not, for now she had called on those forgotten skills and training to employ a cook, a few servants, and a steward. More were needed, but enough had been hired to take care of the basics. She hoped those skills her mother taught her would return quickly.

Like her mother so many years ago, who had cleaned the home she grew up in, Erzi had gone through this house to see if anything left behind by Marcella could be used. Most could not. Mice and vermin had moved in. Some grains left in tightly closed jars were left untouched. The furniture, wall hangings, rugs, and beds were chewed on and destroyed.

The idols of Balg, some chewed on, others untouched, were among the first to be carried out. She had wanted to burn them, along with the other vermin-infested furnishings, but some servants had raised their eyebrows at the thought. She had them put into storage ‘for later,’ knowing they would only be retrieved for social occasions when they were needed to prove they were not followers of the true God, Jehovah.

Servants had gone through the building, exterminating the vermin and removing everything ruined. They were all burned in an open space near the garden. She and Peter had gone to the market to purchase new furnishings. Some had been delivered. Others would arrive in the next days. The house would not be filled with furnishings as Marcella had stuffed in it. Erzi preferred a minimal look. Besides, they needed to save their few coins.

Three guardsmen crossed the courtyard. Two carried her big weaving loom between them. The third carried the stool she sat on to do her weaving. She opened the door for them, then led them up the stairs to the apartment she and Peter would use. She led them through to a room off the sitting room. Big windows would give her all the light she would need to see. As the guardsmen set up the loom, Erzi stared out the window at the growing clouds of smoke. Peter, what is keeping you? Are you safe?

Back at the front of the house, Erzi watched more black smoke rise above the city. Daphne crossed the courtyard carrying a tall plant. When she climbed the stairs to stand next to Erzi, she asked, What is it taking your attention?

Erzi pointed at the smoke billowing above the city, Smoke.

Oh, no. What is burning?

I don’t know. But I fear for Peter.

Is he gone? At Erzi’s nod, Daphne continued, You have reason to fear. Until we know, however, I brought you some life for your new home. Greenery makes a home happier.

It does. Thank you. Erzi hugged her sister.

She glanced at the gate once more, then led Daphne into the house where she set the plant in the sitting room before showing her the rest of the house.

After a span of exploring and sharing, Daphne pulled Erzi into a hug. I envy you all this. I hoped for a home to run. Maybe not as big as this, but I wanted to be mistress of my home. It seems I will live in Ziva’s home the rest of my life.

Erzi returned the hug. That will end sooner than you expect.

Do you know something I don’t?

Erzi stepped back to see a tear in her sister’s eye. No. Just a feeling. A thought placed in my mind.

Daphne’s smile came slowly. I hope you are right. I love Ziva and she treats me well, but I’d like this. She waved her arms around. Not this house, but a home of my own.

Erzi watched Daphne cross the courtyard, then stared again toward the billowing smoke. The cloud had grown.

Peter had not returned when Erzi dismissed Teomner’s nurse for her dinner. She sat with her son while he ate, then tucked the four-year-old boy into his new bed.

Where is Papa? Teomner whined.

I don’t know, son. I’ll have him come give you a hug when he gets here. I promise. Until then, go to sleep.

Will you stay close, Mama? he asked.

Of course, I will. Sleep well. Papa will come see you as soon as he returns. I will be close, and Asha is in the other room if you need her.

Erzi sat in their small sitting room, listening for Teomner. Later, when she peeked into the room, he snored softly.

She walked down the stairs and onto the porch. She didn’t have to search the darkening sky for signs of fire. It still glowed across the city. Ziva and Crites walked out into the courtyard, staring into the sky over the city. Erzi joined them.

Erzi waved her hand, pointing toward the smoke. I have been watching the smoke all day. It started as a smudge. Now look. It engulfs much of the sky. I fear for Peter. He promised to return this morning.

Peter is not here? Ziva asked.

He left this morning. He had business to do at the racetrack. He has not yet returned. I fear he is caught up fighting that. Erzi pointed to the smoke in the sky once more.

Gone all day? That is not like Peter, especially when he promised to be here for you today. Crites’ gaze focused above the gate. Not like him at all. Did he take a guard with him?

He took the men who usually go with him to the racetrack. He knows it isn’t safe to travel there alone. He only takes five men, though.

Five won’t have been enough to face that. Crites turned on his heel and strode to the Red Guard office.

Will he call out the guard? Erzi asked.

I don’t know. If the wind blows the fire in our direction, we will need every one of them to fight it. Where is Peter?

I wish I knew.

Crites returned to the women and suggested they move to the chairs on the front porch of the main house. Some of the guard will be forming out here. You will not want to be here.

Ziva nodded and took Erzi by the elbow. Come with me.

Erzi glanced back at her new house, wishing the chairs Peter had purchased for their porch had arrived. She didn’t want to be that far from Teomner. Nor, she didn’t want Ziva to sit on the floor.

Can we sit on my steps? I want to be close to Teomner. Or are they too hard for you? Erzi pulled Ziva toward her home.

Of course. I would have wanted to be near my little ones. They are big enough now to stay in bed. The steps are fine. Ziva changed directions and walked with Erzi to her wide front porch and sat on the top step. I don’t remember if Marcella had chairs on this porch. Sad. It is perfect for sitting here to watch the sunset.

Men poured from the military barracks and houses. David pounded down the steps from the main house and across to join the others. Daphne and Adrienne followed him out and stood watching from the other porch. After a time, Gila crossed the courtyard and joined the other women.

The guard leaders shouted terse orders, indistinct to the women on the porch. A hundred men peeled off from the mass and raced into the stables. Soon, they had their horses saddled and ready to go, with covers for their eyes to protect them from the smoke.

Three wagons were drawn into the courtyard by big donkeys. Guardsmen, not assigned to rush away, lugged huge jugs of water and set them into the backs of the wagons. The drivers tied them down so they wouldn’t bounce out.

Within half a span, the wagons and guardsmen assigned to ride with them raced out the gate. A company of men marched out the gate with shovels and other digging tools. Others marched toward the wall closest to the smoke. The sound of hacking and digging filled the evening air.

Another company of guardsmen gathered together more of the huge jars and placed them around the compound near the walls and buildings. These, too, were filled with water in readiness for a battle with the fire.

Should I bring Teomner and my servants to your house? It would be one less building for the men to protect? Erzi asked.

Ziva shrugged. Wait to see if the fire comes this far. Your servants may be needed to help fight it if it comes.

Erzi glanced back at her house. If it comes this far.

Daphne and Adrienne picked their way through the mass of men and came to sit with Erzi and Ziva. The women sat together, in turns watching the men and staring at the red and orange fire visible under the billowing smoke. Erzi offered a silent prayer.

Our men need help, Erzi said. Come inside with me. We can offer prayers to Jehovah.

Ziva stood with Erzi. That is a great idea. Our men need all the assistance they can get.

Inside the house, Erzi led them to the big sitting room, where she had placed the plant Daphne had gifted her. The five women knelt on the soft rug Erzi had woven and laid between the chairs. They took turns offering pleas to Jehovah that he protect their men in this time of danger. Erzi begged Jehovah to bring Peter home safely.

After their prayers, a servant brought them tall glasses of lime juice, sweetened with a bit of honey. Erzi, Ziva, Gila, Daphne, and Adrienne took their drinks back onto the porch and sat on the steps, watching the men, hoping Peter would enter the gate.

A small squad of men raced through the gate on their horses after nearly a span had passed.

Where do they go? Adrienne asked.

I suspect they go to spy out how far the fire has spread, Ziva said, giving the girl a hug.

What will they do with the information? Daphne asked.

Decide if their assistance is needed more at the fire’s battlefront, or if they should stay here to protect Casa Alegre. Ziva coughed in the thickening smoke.

I guess we should prepare our servants for a battle. If they have families and homes outside, they will want to go protect them, Erzi said.

And we need something to protect us from the smoke. Perhaps cloths tied around our mouths? Gila said.

We will need protection, and our servants will want to see to their own homes. Ziva stood and strode between the men in the courtyard toward her home, with Gila tagging behind.

I will be back if you would like to wait, Erzi said to Daphne and Adrienne.

They nodded. Erzi hurried toward the kitchen and the servant’s quarters.

She found all the servants except Asha in a tight group in the kitchen. Their voices a buzz of noise. She made her way around the crowd to stand near the cooking fire.

Bringing her fingers to her lips, she whistled loudly. The servants turned toward the noise and her, awe and surprise filling their faces.

"Parts of the city are on fire. My mate, Peter, has not returned from his morning business across the city. I fear he has been caught in it. You may have families and homes in danger. Of course, you fear for them. Of course, you want to go help protect them.

"Please go and ensure that your families and homes are safe. If your families need a safe place to stay, bring them back here. For now, we have men to fight the fires. If the fire comes into our compound, we will be happy for your assistance, but only if your homes are safe, or if it is not safe for you to be there.

Go now. Take care of your families and homes. Return when it is safe.

The soft buzzing of voices became a shout of thanks. Soon, all but the cook had left the kitchen and the house.

Do you not have a home and family outside the walls of Casa Alegre, Sil? Erzi asked.

No, mistress. Your home is my home. Your family is my family. I will stay and help protect you.

And your mate—?

Is Asha. She cares for your child. We will stay here.

Are you certain? Go to her. Be sure she is happy with your decision.

We spoke earlier today. We already decided. Go do what you must. We will watch over your home and child.

Fire

Erzi brought thin towels to tie around their faces and sat with Daphne and Adrienne, watching the servants of Casa Alegre, from both houses rush from the back of the homes toward the gate. Few carried personal possessions, other than a pocket across their shoulder. Crites spoke to the guard, who opened the gate wide enough for the servants to pour through. They separated, some turning to the right, most turned left, toward the fire and their homes.

Erzi breathed a prayer of protection for them. If their homes were in the path of the fire, they would need all the help they could get.

She dragged chairs from inside to the porch so they would have places to sit. Adrienne joined her, helping to drag enough for all to sit, plus extras for their men. Daphne, Erzi, and Adrienne pulled their chairs close to the edge of the porch and sat on them.

Ziva returned and slid into one of the empty chairs. I hope they are able to protect their homes and families.

Erzi nodded. She, too, hoped for their safety.

Where is Gila? Adrienne asked.

She is in the nursery with her younger brothers, keeping them out of the way. They were determined to race down the stairs to help the guard. If Gila had not stayed, Bram and Efrom would be under the feet of the guardsmen. At least Ysabel is still sleeping.

The small group of spies returned and met with Crites and Leo, the commander of the Red Guard. The women watched, hoping someone would come tell them what happened outside their walls.

A company of men rode out the gate. Not half a span later, a man returned, leading all their horses. He tied them to the pole set outside the barracks for that purpose.

Crites strode past Erzi’s home, and Ziva called out, Can you spare some time for your women?

He nodded and changed direction. He climbed the stairs to the porch. He stood in front of the women. What would you like to know?

Where is the fire? Do we have to plan to help protect our homes and our children? Ziva asked.

For now, the fire is contained on the other side of the Po, though it burns high and could leap the river. Some buildings near the river are on fire. As far as we can tell, the fire started in the market. Those buildings have much that burns.

Has anyone found Peter? Erzi caught her lower lip in her teeth.

Not yet. They may be fighting the fire on the other side. It may have traveled as far as the racetrack or the armory. Peter and his men would want to protect them. He would want to free the horses, rather than allow them to burn. He is a smart man. He will stay safe if he can.

A tear leaked from Erzi’s eye. It is the ‘if he can’ that worries me.

Jehovah will guide him, Ziva