Shiri by D.S. Read Free Book Online Page A

Lord himself, Ba’al . It was Ba’al that had taken the governor’s head, Ba’al that had sent the Gyptos reeling ... or at least that’s what folk said. She went to her knees before him, head down, eyes fixed on the ground.
    The King’s gaze found Simeon. “Who gave you leave to abandon your post?”
    “No one, Sire, I took my own counsel, and that of the girl.”
    “That she gives better counsel than Asher I don’t doubt.” He glanced at her again but did not bid her speak. “What news then?”
    “The girl would tell it best, Sire.”
    Jacobaam turned his attention to her and grunted impatiently. “To your feet, child, or would you have me speak to the back of your head?”
    Shiri rose but did not meet his eyes. She attempted to say something but her mouth went dry.
    “Speak then; where do you hail from?”
    “Y …Yaham”
    “Yaham?” he pondered the name for a moment, “Yaham of the mountains? Village of the well?”
    She nodded, surprised that he had heard of it. He smiled as if remembering something, or someone. He raised her chin, as if he was curious or looking for something in her features, “Yaham of Esau?”
    Shiri’s eyes widened. Father. She managed to nod . The King was grinning broadly now, “His Lady served me well upon a time. Tell me does he keep her sharp still?”
    Finally Shiri met his gaze, “Esau is dead and Lady lies in the dust where she fell. The Gyptos they … they killed him, they killed them all.”
    The King drew back. His smile vanished. Suddenly he spoke more aggressively, “How came you here?”
    “Aruna … I … they left by Aruna and I…”
    The coals ignited. He grabbed her by the shoulders, lifting her clear off her feet and raising her until their eyes were on a level . He shook her almost violently. “Speak quickly! Quickly I say!”
    “I … I … all the hosts o f P... Pharaoh went before me I…” she inhaled, she would not play the fool before this gathering. “I outpaced them, but not by much. They’ll make Jezreel before the sun makes noon. They may have reached the plain already.”
    He loosed his grip on her and spun round, “ARUNA! He comes at me from Aruna! Sweet Ba’al almighty! Why didn’t I see it?”
    He tore away from her, shouting at a man she had not noticed before, “Ready the army! Call in the outriders!”
    The man seemed taken aback, “But, Sire, Pharaoh is days away at least, and he must come from the Pass of Gilboa ... you can’t believe-”
    “Now damn you, NOW!”
    Suddenly horns were blaring and all was confusion. Shiri was buffeted one way and then the next. She felt Simeon grab her and push her through the mob. She found herself running after the King, he was astride his chariot already. He turned when he saw her and paused. Their eyes met, “Would that I had a hundred men to match the daughter of Esau.” He said before donning a helm of bronze with twisted ram’s horns about its flanks, “Keep her safe, Simeon. If you fail in all else do not fail in that.”
    There was a crack of whip that made Shiri jump, and suddenly the King’s chariot was tearing through the shattered gates of Megiddo and down towards the plains below. He thundered through his camp and as he did men rose cheering.
    Shiri ran to mount the walls of the city. She reached the battlements in time to see the giant host slowly forming up and moving south. Fifty chariots were charging ahead. She recognised the King’s giant form in the lead vehicle. Banners were raised, drums beating, trumpets blaring and the whole plain seemed suddenly alive to the sound of ten thousand voices chanting, “Jacobaam! Jacobaam!” she watched in awe as they pumped fearsome looking weapons in the air above their heads. They are mighty, they can win! At some hidden signal the whole host broke into an impatient jog. For the first time in days Shiri allowed herself to hope, allowed herself the briefest flicker of a smile. Now the Gyptos will pay for Yaham.
     
    Jacobaam