Unashamed (5 page)

His mockery stung, but she swallowed her pride and answered plainly. “Because I have wisdom beyond my years, young man, wisdom I can share with you if you’re wise enough to listen.” She kept her tone teasingly seductive, for they were close enough to the gate that one of the guards might take note of the conversation. “I know what you want.”

“Oh, do you?”

Save her from self-righteous, callow youth! “Every man needs to eat and rest.” If he turned away again, she would throw a jug at him. “And a few come for intelligent conversation.” She noted the sudden tension in his body. Just to be sure he understood her, she smiled. “The Jordan is high this time of year, isn’t it?” She raised her brows and said nothing more.

Perhaps she had gone too far, for never had she seen a fiercer look.

“We are tired and hungry,” he conceded.

“You will be glad you tarried with me.”

“How do we find you?”

“I’ll meet you inside the gate and show you the way.” She blew them a kiss for the sake of the guard who had taken a sudden interest. She was shaking with excitement as she stepped down off the stool and yanked the cord holding the curtain back. Raking her fingers through her hair, she braided it quickly before hurrying out.

Rahab raced down the steps and around the corner. It was the hottest time of day. Few people were on the walkway that ran along the inside of the city wall. Many had worked during the morning hours and were now resting. When she entered the gate, she saw that Cabul had noticed the men. Slowing her pace, she sauntered closer, leaning against the cold stone. “Cabul!”

He turned and grinned, then left his post and came to her. “What brings you out so late in the day, my beauty?”

“You, of course.” She kept her tone light and teasing.

He laughed. “More likely a wealthy merchant or an emissary from the Philistines.”

She raised her brows and gave him a shrewd look. “One never knows.”

Chuckling softly, he took her hand. His eyes narrowed. “You’re shaking.”

“Too much wine last night.” She moved closer, toying with the hilt of his sword while looking past him. The two men were entering the gate.

“You weren’t drinking with me,” Cabul said and tipped her chin. “What do you say I come up after I get off duty and we’ll get drunk together?”

“I think I’ll forgo wine for a few days.”

“Then we could—”

She slapped his arm playfully. No one was challenging the two strangers. Several city elders were arguing among themselves, and the soldier who’d taken Cabul’s post seemed more interested in them than in two young Amorites dusty from travel.

“Did you come down here just to tease me?”

“Never.” She raised her head again, gazing into Cabul’s eyes. “You know I think you’re the most handsome fellow in the king’s service.” And he was arrogant enough to believe her.

Cabul grinned and started to say something when two elders started shouting angrily at one another. Glancing back, he spotted the two strangers. When the taller young man looked her way, Cabul frowned. “Amorite soldiers? I never thought you’d stoop that low.”

She shrugged. “Who knows? They may have news that will be of interest to the king.”

Troubled, he looked at them again. “These are dangerous times, Rahab. They could be spies.”

Her pulse rocked. “Do you think so?”

“Their hair is too short.”

“Maybe they’ve taken some kind of vow.” She touched his arm and smiled up at him. “I must say I’m touched you’re so concerned for my welfare, but let me conduct my own business. The king wouldn’t appreciate your interference in my affairs. If they
are
spies, he’ll want to know about it.”

“Are you about the king’s interests, Rahab?”

She glared at him purposely. “What do you think?”

“Be careful, then. Israelites show no mercy, even to women and children.” His dark eyes were filled with fear, but not on her behalf. “I’ll tell the king.”

“Wait a while. You don’t want them to leave before we can find out why they’ve come.” She knew him well enough to sense his tension. He was silent for a moment, undoubtedly calculating what would please the king most. She planted a suggestion. “Give me time with them, Cabul. They’ll be easier to take if I fill them with good wine.”

“You may be right.”

“Of course I’m right.” She toyed with his tunic. “Besides, I know the king better than you.” She looked up at him through her lashes. “These men could bring me a fat pouch of gold, and if you allow me more than an hour with them, I’ll give a portion to you.”

His jaw clenched and unclenched. She knew his greed warred with his sense of duty. Would his desire for money outweigh his fear of failing to report immediately to the king? “I’ll give you as much time as I can,” he concluded.

When Cabul walked away, she looked at the two men trying so hard to appear inconspicuous among the bustling Jerichoans bargaining in the gate. She motioned to them. Perhaps they hesitated now because they’d seen her speaking with Cabul and thought she was setting a trap.

Cabul was watching them. He glanced at her and jerked his chin. Go on, he was saying. Take advantage of the opportunity. She could imagine what he was thinking. Better she risk her life than he risk his. So be it!

Smiling boldly, she strolled over to the two men. “Welcome to Jericho.”

Ω
     
Ω
     
Ω

Salmon followed the woman along the walkway. He’d thought her disturbingly beautiful even from a distance, but close up, she took his breath away. He hadn’t expected to face any kind of temptation on this mission, but he was having a hard time keeping his eyes off her hips and his mind on his business. How old was she? Thirty? Thirty-five? Her body didn’t show it, but her eyes did.

She opened a door and entered quickly, standing just inside and beckoning them impatiently.

Salmon entered first, Ephraim following.

“Look at this place,” Ephraim muttered under his breath as he stood, gaping, in the middle of the room. Salmon glanced around at the carpets, cushions in all colors, and red curtains held back by thick crimson cords. He tried not to look at the bed that dominated the room. The air held the fragrance of incense and cinnamon. He looked around. Evidently her profession paid well.

Closing the door behind them, the woman threw off her shawl. “I’ve got to hide you!”

“What are you talking about, woman?”

“Don’t pretend ignorance. You’re Israelite spies. If it wasn’t written all over you before, it is now.” She went for the ladder against the back wall.

Ephraim looked at Salmon. “What do we do?”

Salmon stared at her. “How did you know?”

She rolled her eyes and shook her head. “You mean aside from the way you studied the walls and battlements?” She dragged the ladder across the room. “There’s a bloodstain on your tunic. I imagine the man who wore it before you died in it.”

Salmon blocked her way. For one brief instant, he considered killing her so he could complete his mission. She lifted her head and straightened, her brown eyes clear and intelligent. “The soldier you saw speaking to me? He knows who you are.”

“You told him?”

“He guessed.” She grew impatient. “You came for information, didn’t you? It would be better if you lived long enough to get it.” She thrust the ladder at him and pointed at the hatch door to the roof. “Hurry! What’re you waiting for? The king’s executioner?”

Ephraim protested. “The roof is the first place the soldiers will look!”

“They won’t have to look if you’re still standing in the middle of the room!”

Ephraim looked around. “There must be a better place!”

“Fine.” The woman put her hands on her hips. “If you don’t like the roof, how about my bed?”

Horrified, Ephraim went up the ladder.

Her expression became pained as she watched Ephraim’s hasty retreat. “I thought he’d feel that way.” She looked at Salmon. He thought she had the most beautiful dark brown eyes he’d ever seen. No wonder Joshua and Caleb had given so many warnings about foreign women. “Now, how about you?” she said, her mouth tipped ruefully.

Salmon put his foot on the bottom rung, then looked at her again. “What’s your name?”

“Rahab, but we haven’t time to talk now.
Move!
”

She followed him up the ladder. Pushing him, she gestured to Ephraim. “Lie down over there, and I’ll cover you both with the bundles of flax.”

Salmon did as she instructed and watched her as she worked with quick efficiency, stacking the bundles carefully over them. Finishing the task, she leaned down and whispered, “I’m sorry I’m unable to make you more comfortable, but please be still until I return.” She hurried back to the ladder, pulling the hatch over the opening as she went down.

“We’re putting our lives into the hands of a harlot!” Ephraim said in a hoarse whisper.

“Have you got any better ideas?”

“I wish we had our swords!”

“It’s a good thing we didn’t, or we’d be in the hands of that guard at the gate who spoke with Rahab.”

“Rahab? You asked her name?”

“It seemed appropriate under the circumstances.”

“What makes her important?” Ephraim said. “You know what she is.” His tone dripped with contempt.

“Keep your voice down!”

“Should we huddle under these bundles of flax like cowards? Better if we kill her now and get about our business.”

Salmon caught hold of Ephraim before he could throw the bundles off. “Better if we finish what we were sent to do! Or have you forgotten the mission Joshua assigned us: get into the city, get information, get out! He didn’t say to shed any blood.” He released his friend. “Who better to know the pulse of Jericho than a whore who’s broken bread with the king?”

“I’d rather die by the sword than be caught hiding behind a woman’s skirts.”

“We’re not hiding behind her skirts,” Salmon said with some amusement. “We’re hiding under her bundles of flax.”

“How can you laugh? We have only her word about the king. Why should we trust the word of a harlot?”

“Didn’t you look at her?”

“Not as closely as you did.”

“She’s beautiful enough to attract a king’s attention.”

“Perhaps, but did you see how familiar that guard was with her? She’s probably broken bread with every man in the city and hundreds who’ve come to trade, besides.”

“Then she’ll know the pulse of the city.”

“And probably have every disease known to man.”

“Be quiet! We’re where God has placed us.” Salmon wondered why his friend’s words had roused such anger in him. Rahab was probably everything Ephraim said she was. So why this strong desire to defend her? And why was he trusting her with their lives?

He let out his breath, forcing himself to relax. “We’d better rest while we can. I have the feeling, one way or another, we won’t be inside these walls for long.”

Ω
     
Ω
     
Ω

Rahab knew the king’s men would come soon. The moment she departed the gate with the two Israelites, Cabul would have run to his commander to give a report on the two strangers who’d entered the city.

She descended the ladder, grasped it, and swung it down.

“Rahab! Open up!”

Pulse jumping, she ran her hands over her face to wipe away any perspiration. Patting her hair and straightening her dress, she went quickly to the door and opened it wide, pretending relief at the sight of the men standing outside. “I wish you’d come sooner, Cabul.”

Flushed and tense, Cabul remained where he was standing. Other soldiers were behind him, armed and ready for a fight. She could see the fear in their eyes, a fear that matched her own, though for different reasons. If Cabul conducted himself properly, he would enter her house and make a complete search, including the roof. And if he found the spies, she was a dead woman.

“The king’s orders are that you bring out the men who have come into your house. They are spies sent here to discover the best way to attack us.” His gaze darted past her. “Produce them.”

“The men were here earlier, but I didn’t know where they were from. They left the city at dusk, as the city gates were about to close, and I don’t know where they went. If you hurry, you can probably catch up with them.”

“Where did they go?”

“I don’t know,” she repeated. Cabul would have more to face now than two spies. He would have to answer to a frightened, angry king for failing to take them into custody. “Quick! Go after them. You still have time to overtake them if you hurry!”

He didn’t question her. Why should he suspect her of treason when she had proven herself loyal to the king so many times? Hadn’t she made a prosperous living gleaning information from strangers so that she could report to the king and receive a reward? Her word was enough to send him on his way. Turning on his heel, Cabul shouted orders and headed straight for the gate.

Rahab stepped out of her house and watched them depart in the deepening twilight. As soon as they rounded the corner, she went back into her house, closed the door, locked it, and ran to her window. Her palms were sweating, her heart pounding wildly. By now, Cabul and the others were at the gate. She could hear him shouting for the guards on duty to open it so they could pursue the spies. If Cabul paused long enough to speak with the men on duty, he might learn that the men fitting the strangers’ description had not left the city.

She breathed easier when she saw Cabul appear outside the wall. The others followed him as they hurried away from the city. They were heading east for the Jordan, running now, spears in their hands, certain they could overtake the spies before they crossed the river. And the gate was closed behind them.

Rahab shut her eyes and smiled. She waited several more minutes to be sure Cabul and the others were far enough away. Then she gathered a jug of wine, bread, and a basket of dates and pomegranates and dragged out the ladder to set it up once more.