Danger on a Silent Night Read online

  That had to be Patrick, Beth thought. She leaped to her feet. “I must find him!” she said.

  “No!” Judith said sharply. “Brutus suspects you already. We can’t let him find you walking around the palace alone. He might say you are a traitor and put you to death.”

  “Then what should I do?” Beth cried.

  “Stay with me until everyone has gone to bed,” she said. “Then we’ll find a way out of the palace. Maybe your cousin is still with the men from the East. If he is, we should find their caravan easily.”

  The evening passed slowly. Beth found it painfully boring. She plucked on the lyre while Judith practiced songs on her flute.

  Clang! Clang!

  “That’s the king’s bell,” Judith said. “We must go back to the throne room.” She grabbed her flutes and hurried down the hall. Beth followed behind her with the lyre.

  This time King Herod was on his throne, and Brutus paced in front of him. But the throne room was filled with different men.

  A group of men in plain robes stood in front of the throne. Most of them had dark hair and thick beards. One older man had a bushy beard. He was dressed in a light-brown robe. He held a large scroll in his arms. He looked nervous as he watched the king.

  Judith suddenly stopped and gasped.

  “What’s wrong?” Beth whispered to her.

  “That’s Uncle Simeon!” Judith whispered back.

  Simeon looked in their direction. He gave Judith a worried smile.

  Brutus stepped between Judith and her uncle. “Yes,” he said. “We’ve sent for your uncle.”

  “Why, sir?” Judith asked in a whisper.

  “Because he is one of the best Jewish scholars in the city,” Brutus said. “The king has need of his knowledge.” Then he waved his hand past the other men. “The king has need of all his scribes and experts.”

  All of the men except Simeon bowed and nodded. They muttered thanks for the honor to be there.

  “Then how may I serve you?” Judith asked.

  Beth noticed that Judith’s eyes remained locked on her uncle.

  “Your uncle is fearful,” Brutus said. “The king believes your music will soothe him. It will help him think clearly while we discuss our business.”

  Judith looked at her flutes. She seemed unsure of what to do.

  “Maybe if you play the lyre,” Beth suggested. She handed the older girl the stringed instrument.

  Judith’s hands were shaking. “I’ll try.”

  “Do better than try,” Brutus said.

  Judith sat on a large cushion near the throne. Beth sat at her feet. Judith began to play a gentle song on the lyre.

  Music filled the room.

  King Herod turned to Brutus. “Well?” asked the king. “Tell me about this infant King who dares to take my throne!”

  Brutus’s nose twitched. He turned to Simeon. “The Jews always have prophecies about everything. Surely there is one about a newborn King.”

  The dark-haired men gathered together and whispered among themselves.

  Simeon raised his head. He said in a weak but clear voice, “The Roman emperor has appointed Herod king of the Jews.”

  Herod suddenly snorted. Beth thought it must be a laugh.

  “He is avoiding my question,” Herod said to Brutus. Then he shouted, “Tell me what you know, old man. Where will this so-called King be born?”

  The room fell silent. Nobody spoke.

  Brutus scowled and reached for his belt. He tossed a small bag on the floor.

  Clink!

  It sounded to Beth as if there were a lot of coins in the bag.

  One of the scribes eyed the small treasure. He looked at the other scribes and then at the floor. He broke the silence by saying, “The prophet Micah has foretold the birth of a King. He wrote he would be born in Bethlehem of Judea.”

  The scribe went to Simeon. He took the scroll and unrolled it. The scribe searched through the scroll.

  Then he began to read: “For this it is what the prophet has written:

  ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

  are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

  for out of you will come a ruler

  who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’ ”

  The scribe rolled up the scroll. He picked up the bag of coins from the floor. Beth watched him tuck it somewhere in his robes. Then he shoved the scroll back at Simeon.

  King Herod rubbed his hands together. He whispered something to Brutus.

  “Is that all?” Brutus asked the men.

  They stood silent again.

  Brutus clapped his hands. “Then go away!” he cried. “Leave at once!”

  The scribes shuffled out like a row of penguins.

  Brutus moved near the king. The two men talked to each other in low voices.

  Judith and Beth stood and gathered the instruments.

  “Follow me,” Judith said. Beth obeyed.

  Judith didn’t go to their normal door. Instead, she headed in the direction of her uncle. He was the last scribe to leave.

  Simeon leaned close to Judith as they walked past him. “Meet me in the courtyard,” he whispered.

  Patrick struggled against whoever had grabbed him. Then a voice whispered in his ear, “Be still. It’s me!”

  The hands let go, and Patrick turned to face Apellus. “What are you doing here?” Patrick asked. He gasped, still frightened.

  “I wasn’t going to leave you alone,” the young man said. “I intend to help you find your cousin.”

  “It’s risky,” Patrick said. “I hoped to sneak through the throne room somehow.”

  “We’ll figure it out together,” Apellus said.

  “But what if we’re caught?” asked Patrick.

  “We’re too clever for that,” Apellus said with a smile.

  Just then, the two turned around. For the second time, Patrick gasped.

  Two Roman guards were pointing their spears at the boys’ chests. “You’re not as clever as you think,” one of the guards said.

  The Lion of Judah

  Judith led Beth back to her room. “There is a servants’ passageway. It’s on the other side of the throne room,” she said. “We’ll sneak you out that way.”

  Judith opened a small chest and began throwing clothes on the floor.

  “What are you looking for?” Beth asked.

  “A cloak for you to wear,” she said. “You can’t go outside dressed the way you are now.” She held up a brown robe with a hood. She handed it to Beth.

  Beth put it on. It was a little large, but a belt drew it close around her.

  Judith looked her over. “Good,” she said.

  “Then where will I go?” Beth asked. She knew nothing about the palace or the city. And she wasn’t sure she could find the baby Jesus.

  “Follow the star,” Judith said simply.

  Beth was worried it wouldn’t be that easy. How would she follow a star to the exact place?

  “There’s a hall that circles behind the throne room,” Judith said. Then she stopped. “You’re going to see the newborn King,” she added.

  Beth nodded.

  “It is only right that you must take Him a gift,” Judith said.

  Beth said, “I think I must have one . . .” She searched her pockets and clothes carefully. Certainly Mr. Whittaker had put something in her costume. He always did. But this time there was nothing. I wonder if he forgot? she thought.

  Judith hurried to a small cupboard. The girl grabbed something and returned to Beth. “Give this to Him,” she said. “It’s a small toy lion I made for my nephew. I’ll make him another one.”

  Beth took the toy. It was made out of rough fabric. She squeezed it. It felt as if it was stuffed with straw.

  “A lion from Judith,” Beth said. The phrase sounded familiar. Then she remembered and said, “The Lion of Judah.”

  Judith smiled. “Yes, the Lion of Judah is our promised King of Israel. He’s been cal
led ‘the Lion of Judah’ in our prophecies,” she said.

  Beth looked at the stuffed lion again. She felt a sense of wonder about all the prophecies. And she was there to watch them happen!

  Judith handed Beth a leather pouch. “Put the lion in this,” she said.

  Beth slid the lion inside. Then she tucked the pouch in her belt.

  “Now hurry!” Judith said. “I’ll lead you out!”

  Herod’s Lies

  The two girls crept from Judith’s room. They headed toward the throne room. They entered the servants’ passageway. It was dark, and Beth had to feel her way along the wall.

  They finally reached a door. “Is this it?” Beth asked.

  “Not this one,” Judith whispered. “That door leads to the throne room. Keep going.”

  But as they passed the door, Beth heard voices. One of them was very familiar to her.

  Patrick!

  “I hear my cousin,” she whispered to Judith.

  “In the throne room?” Judith asked. She sounded worried. “But he left with the others.”

  “Something’s wrong. He might be in trouble,” Beth said. “Is there a way to sneak in to see?”

  Judith groaned. “We could slip in through this door. Let’s just hope no one sees us. The throne faces the other way. And there’s a large statue we could hide behind.”

  “Let’s try,” Beth said.

  They crept quietly into the room. Herod was on his throne talking to someone. Beth couldn’t see who it was. The throne blocked her view.

  “Why were you sneaking around the palace?” the king asked.

  A voice Beth didn’t recognize said, “My Lord King Herod, we were lost—”

  “Don’t lie to me,” Herod said angrily. “You left with the other wise men after they refused my hospitality.”

  “We meant no disrespect,” the voice said.

  “I don’t care what you meant. You came back,” Herod said. “Why?”

  “Honorable King—” the voice began again.

  “Quiet!” Herod shouted. “I want to hear from the pale boy. He looks frightened enough to tell the truth. Speak!”

  “I will tell you the truth,” the boy said.

  Beth gasped. It was Patrick’s voice. How could she let him know she was there too?

  “Then tell me the truth,” Herod said.

  “I’m not looking for a new King,” Patrick said. “I’m looking for my cousin.”

  “Your cousin?” King Herod asked.

  “Yes, sir,” Patrick said. “I saw her earlier. She’s a servant.”

  “Interesting,” the king said. Then he was mysteriously silent.

  Beth nudged Judith. “I have to be where I can see what’s going on,” she whispered.

  “You’ll be caught,” Judith whispered back.

  Beth pointed to another statue. “I can see from behind there,” she said.

  Beth pressed herself against the wall and edged toward the other statue. No one seemed to notice her.

  She hid behind the statue and peeked out. She could see Patrick standing in front of the throne. Next to him was a young man dressed in colorful clothes.

  “I’m a reasonable man,” Herod suddenly said. “I might be able to help you find your cousin. I might also free you to follow that star. Isn’t that what you both want?”

  “Yes, sir,” Patrick said.

  “King Herod,” the young man said.

  Herod interrupted him. “You’re a bold fellow to speak so freely to the king,” he said. “What is your name?”

  “Apellus, the son of Datis. My father is the leader of the wise men you spoke with,” Apellus said.

  Herod leaned forward. “Your father is the leader? Even better. Tell me, when did you first see the star?”

  “My father discovered it nearly six months ago. He found it while he was studying the constellations,” Apellus said. “It has taken us that long to travel here.”

  “And of course you came directly to me,” Herod said. It didn’t sound to Beth as if he believed it.

  “It was only right to honor the king in Jerusalem,” Apellus said. “This is the holy city of the Jews.”

  “You came to find the next King,” Herod said. “But He isn’t here. Our prophecies have declared that His birth will be in another place. Do you know where?”

  Apellus frowned. “No. Our desire was to follow the star to wherever it led.”

  “The star will take you to the City of David,” Herod said.

  Suddenly Patrick said, “Bethlehem!”

  “Yes,” Herod said. “The scribes told me that. You know our prophecies?”

  Patrick shrugged and said, “A little.”

  Beth grew worried by this conversation. How much were they going to tell King Herod? If they said too much, he might find Jesus.

  “Bethlehem?” Apellus asked. Then he turned to Patrick. “You know where the Child is?”

  “Well, I don’t have an exact address,” Patrick said.

  “This is what I’ll do for you,” Herod said. “I’ll search for your cousin. I’ll even allow you both to rejoin your caravan. But only if you report back to me. I must know where the Child can be found in Bethlehem.”

  Patrick and Apellus looked at each other. Beth could see from Patrick’s expression that he didn’t believe Herod.

  Suddenly Herod added, “I want to worship Him too. Would you deny me that?”

  Apellus bowed. “We’ll most gladly obey you,” he said.

  “Then go to Bethlehem,” the king said. “I’ll find your cousin and send her to you. Does she have a name?”

  “Beth,” Patrick said.

  Herod chuckled. “Like Bethlehem. How wonderful.”

  Patrick and Apellus bowed. Then they turned and walked to the waiting guards. Together they left.

  Beth was about to sneak back to Judith when a door creaked. She froze where she stood. Brutus entered from a side door and approached the king.

  “Well, Brutus?” the king asked.

  “You handled that perfectly.” Brutus said, sneering. “They’ll lead us to the Child.”

  “What about the cousin? Have you found her?” the king asked.

  “I sent guards to search the palace,” Brutus said.

  Beth was chilled to hear them talking about her.

  “What should I do with her when we find her?” Brutus asked.

  “Kill her,” King Herod said.

  “As you wish,” Brutus said. He bowed and walked out.

  The king stretched and then stepped down from the throne.

  Beth could no longer see him. She pressed herself against the back of the statue.

  Herod’s footsteps paused.

  Is he looking at me? Beth wondered. She didn’t breathe.

  Then the king grunted and shuffled out a side door.

  Beth raced over to Judith. The poor girl looked ill. “Are you all right?” Beth asked.

  “I’ve heard things I should not have heard,” Judith said. Her eyes were wide, and her face was pale.

  Beth put her hands on Judith’s shoulders. She looked her friend squarely in the eyes. “I have to catch up with Patrick,” she said firmly. “We have to get to Jesus before King Herod does.”

  Judith nodded. “This way,” she said.

  The Secret Meeting

  Judith led Beth to a stone bench in a far corner. The courtyard was like a small forest. There were lush potted plants, trees, and thick bushes everywhere. The bronze sculpture fountain in the courtyard bubbled with sparkling water. Beth couldn’t believe people in Bible times made it work.

  The girls sat down. A moment later, Simeon appeared. He had been hiding behind a large statue of a bird.

  Judith leaped up and hugged her uncle. Then she introduced him to Beth.

  Simeon seemed nervous as he looked around. “I’m sorry, but there is no time for long greetings,” he said.

  “What’s wrong?” Judith asked.

  “I have seen the Child they’re looki
ng for,” Simeon said. “I even held Him in my arms.”

  Beth put a hand to her mouth.

  “His name is Jesus,” Simeon said. “He is the Messiah, the Savior of our people. He is our hope for salvation.”

  “You knew that from holding a baby?” Judith asked.

  “I’ve waited my entire life to see Him,” Simeon said. Then his brow creased with worry. “King Herod will kill the Child if he finds Him.”

  Beth reached out and gently laid her hand on Simeon’s arm. “But Herod won’t find Him. God will protect Jesus.”

  Simeon looked at her with surprise. “How can you know such a thing?” he asked.

  “I know the story,” Beth said. “Those wise men will follow the star. It will take them to the house of Joseph and Mary.”

  Simeon shook his head. “I don’t know how you know the names of His parents,” the old man said. “But if you’re speaking the truth, you’re in great danger. Herod would hurt you to find out what you know.”

  Beth put a hand to her mouth.

  “Judith, you must get this girl away from the palace,” Simeon said. “I’d take her with me, but that will attract the eyes of the guards. I came in alone.”

  “I’ll find another way out,” Judith said.

  “I must go,” Simeon said. He pulled Judith close for a hug.

  “Good-bye, Uncle,” she said.

  “Good-bye,” Simeon said. He let go of Judith and bowed to Beth. Then he slowly shuffled away.

  “Now I’m even more afraid,” Beth said.

  “As long as Herod doesn’t know—” Judith began to say.

  Beth saw someone move in the shadows behind Judith. There was a rustling sound behind some potted trees. Judith turned to look. Whoever it was had gone.

  “Brutus,” Judith whispered.

  “Did he hear us?” Beth asked in dismay.

  “I don’t know,” Judith said. “But we must get you out of here.”

  “What about Patrick?” Beth asked.

  “Do you want to risk the life of our Messiah to find your cousin?” Judith asked. She took Beth by the hand. “You must leave now. Go to the Child’s house and warn them.”