(1 of 1. Originally posted on December 15, 2023 for the prompt “Christmas Song.”)
Jacob’s desperation doubled when he saw their destination. “No, please. Take me to my father, he will give you twice what those slavers will.”
The guard shook him, rattling his teeth. “My cousin works for your father. I know about him, and I know about you. Runaway. Thief. Your father will thank me for getting rid of you. Sparing him embarrassment.”
Jacob went limp, letting himself be dragged across the rough paving stones toward a fate worse than death. Sold to desert nomads. They would take him across the salt waste and sell him to foreigners.
A white dove, searching for crumbs around a food stall, cocked its head at him and flew away.
I wish I were a dove.
Too soon, they arrived at the line of camels.
One of the traders broke off his packing and ran over, bowing. “Whatever you wish, my good sir, I shall provide it. Only make it known to me quickly. As you can see, we are preparing to leave.”
“I am selling this boy. Whatever you offer, I’ll take.”
The gleam in the trader’s eye contradicted his expression of mock dismay. “Oh my. He is a pale, scrawny one…”
Their dickering lasted only ten minutes. Objectively, their lightning-fast deal proved how little the guard cared. But every minute felt like a lifetime. Jacob sat on the ground, staring at the ground. If he tried to run now, and got caught, they would break his legs. In the end, the merchant paid thirty silver for him. The price of a newborn lamb. Less than a fourth the price of a healthy man.
Jacob didn’t notice his brother until he arrived, out of breath, and stood in front of the trader.
“I will buy this boy. Name your price.”
“Excellent choice, sir,” the trader bowed. “He is young. Quite valuable. You can work him a long time. How much can you offer me?”
Jacob’s brother pointed back toward two sacks of vegetables dropped on the road. “I just spent my coins at market. But I can run back to father, and he will give whatever price you ask.”
“I am sorry, good sir. I would love to give you a deal, but as you can see, our caravan is leaving. I cannot wait. I will bring you another boy when we return next year.” The trader opened a pair of shackles and stepped toward Jacob.
“Take me instead.”
“Joshua, no!” Jacob’s body went numb with shock.
The trader’s face twitched, a clear sign of overwhelming surprise. He didn’t waste a moment snapping the shackles over Joshua’s wrists. “Deal!”
As he was led away, Joshua shouted back to Jacob. “Run home!”
Jacob sprinted all the way. He collapsed within sight of the house, chest heaving.
Rapid footsteps approached. His father knelt over him. “Jacob? Dove told me you were taken. She sent Joshua to help. What happened?”
Jacob explained between gasping breaths. As he talked, his heart and his breathing slowed.
A silver-haired woman in a white dress arrived as he finished the story. She exchanged a look with Jacob’s father, and hurried away toward the barn.
“Can you stand?”
Jacob nodded.
“Good. I must pack. Go put a saddle on Dove, and meet me back here.”
“A saddle!?”
“Yes,” his father laid a hand on his shoulder. “We need more water than I can carry. She will do what she must. Hurry.”
Jacob obeyed, moving in a trance.
“I’m sorry, Dove,” he whispered as he tightened the saddle around Dove’s pure white belly.
She brushed his cheek with her velvet nose. Her gentle touch made him feel better and worse at the same time.
He walked with her to meet father, then stood and watched until they disappeared in the distance. He sat in the dirt, watching, for three days and three nights. Servants brought him bread, water, and a blanket. He accepted enough to get by, but never broke his vigil.
As dawn broke the next day, his bleary eyes spotted someone approaching. Dove, still in horse form, walked next to his father. His brother rode in her saddle.
Jacob fell on his face as they came near. “I am sorry, father. This is my fault. I will accept whatever punishment you demand. I will leave forever, if that is what…”
“Bring medicine! Joshua was wounded and left for dead in the desert.” His father ignored Jacob’s apology, shouting instructions to the servants who ran out to meet them. He paused long enough to lift Jacob from the dirt. “Draw up two baths, and two sets of fresh clothes. Prepare a feast. I will celebrate with ALL my children tonight!”
