Bethlehem's Brothers

“Run downhill toward the shoreline,” he whispered. “Hide there until you hear my voice.” Esther began running and Nathan drew his knife. The soldiers were not prepared to fight in such cramped quarters. Their swords were too long and their shields too bulky, As the first soldier exited the hut in the back. Nathan cut his throat and pulled him on out. The second soldier was still sprawled on his back under the net. Nathan looked down at him, and with some pity stepped on his sword and slit his throat too. Nathan ran down the hill calling Esther’s name as loudly as he dared. As he approached the shoreline, she responded from behind a large rock. Nathan grabbed her hand and led her to a ravine nearby. They huddled there for what seemed like an eternity, afraid to breathe, In about ten-minutes. the boat with Jonah, Enoch and Samuel quietly sailed to a small inlet near the ravine. They let down their nets and began holding the net while wading toward the shore, the usual way of fishing the ravine, Then Nathan told Esther, “You must enter the water and wade to the men. They will lift you into the boat and we will be off, Now go!” Without hesitation, Esther ran into the shallow water and into the arms of Jonah. He lifted her up quickly, turned and practically dumped her into the boat. Then as Nathan ran toward the boat, Samuel and Jonah threw the nets into the boat, and dove over the side into the boat too, “Under the nets, Esther,” Nathan ordered. Then they opened the sail as Nathan boarded the boat and drifted south across the lake far from shore. Esther remained low, shivering inside the boat while Nathan and his crew appeared to he simple fishermen going about their business and drifting south.