The Bronze Bow

By spring, Daniel is impatient with Rosh’s waiting. Daniel hopes to see Joel again, as the two are drawn to each other by a common dream. Daniel proposes a plan to give Joel another chance, and Rosh grants him permission to travel to Capernaum. There, Daniel starts to search for Joel, taking in the colors, scents, and sounds of the bustling city. He finds a cluster of fishermen circled around Jesus, who is smiling and greeting the men by name. Although Jesus’s bodily strength is no match for the sturdy fishermen, an impression of strength emanates from “an extraordinary vitality that seemed to pulse in the very air around him [...] Daniel felt a spark leap up in his own body […] the same spark reflected in the eyes of the men and women who jostled him” (57). Jesus responds to questions about the kingdom of heaven, explaining it through metaphors. When Roman soldiers join the crowd, Jesus and his audience take no notice of them. Daniel is appalled that they pay no attention to the Romans.

The sight of large estates on the way to Joel’s home makes Daniel anxious. Inside, Daniel catches sight of Malthace, who looks at him with dismay, but Joel is overjoyed. In his room, Joel asks about Rosh, Samson, and their whereabouts. At the sound of a chiming gong, Joel insists they head down to eat. Joel’s father, Hezron, is displeased with Daniel’s coat—an unlawful article of clothing for a commoner when in the home of a Pharisee. The silver pitchers, tiny napkins, hovering slaves, and prolonged hand washing are too Roman-like for Daniel. Daniel eats like Samson, realizing too late that the others have not yet touched their food. Hezron frowns when Daniel shares that his father, Jamin, was the chief overseer of the vineyards in Ketzah. Hezron recalls that he was a good yet rash man and that it was a very tragic affair.

Joel offers to take Daniel around Capernaum, sharing that the Romans mind their own business and are sometimes friendly, and boasts about the Roman synagogue and gymnasium. Forgetting all caution and politeness, Daniel protests with disgust. Hezron sternly requests that Daniel respect the safety of those who offer him hospitality. Daniel cannot endure when his people are prisoners in their own land and continues raging about the Roman presence. Hezron replies quietly that they have not forgotten—though patriotism is important, they must first have patience.

Hezron points out that Daniel has been listening to the Zealots, who “stir up foolhardy young men […] to fill their ranks” (66). When Daniel defends their bravery and honor, Hezron calls the Zealots a reckless swarm of “buzzing mosquitos to be silenced and forgotten” (66) and says Israel’s greatest strength is the Law given to Moses. Finally, Hezron asks Daniel to leave in peace and never return, praying he sees the truth before his rash tongue betrays him. When the door shuts behind Daniel, his rage turns inward. He failed Rosh and lost not only a new recruit, but also the chance at having a friend for the first time in his life. 

Daniel heads towards the mountain. He stops to drink water from a well when a Roman soldier demands water for his horse. When the Roman asks for water for himself, Daniel raises the same bowl the horse drank from. The Roman angrily kicks the bowl, after which Daniel proceeds to throw the bowl and its contents on the Roman’s face. Daniel runs, and a spear hits his ribs. Daniel flees through an alleyway. As his wound bleeds profusely, running becomes difficult. He wonders where he could go and what man would hide a stranger knowing what it might mean to his family. He heads towards the Hezron estate, certain that Joel will take him in.

Daniel doesn’t remember how he reached the door or covered the bloodstains. He sees Malthace, who tells him to leave quickly as Joel and his father are at the synagogue. She pleads with Daniel that if her father finds him, he will lose his patience. Nothing is more important than Joel’s studies, and if he cared about Joel he would leave him alone. Joel can become a famous rabbi someday and won’t risk his future for a band of outlaws. For a moment Daniel realizes that he will only bring danger for Joel. As he turns towards the door, he plunges into blackness.

When Daniel’s consciousness returns, Malthace has brought Daniel to the storage room, where she brings him wine and medicine. Malthace asks Daniel why he didn’t tell her that he was hurt; Joel would never have forgiven her if anything happened to him. After some time, Joel arrives with the news that the Romans are searching all over town for him. As Malthace feeds Daniel some gruel, Daniel apologizes for putting their home in danger. Joel tells him they will never think of searching their home. Worried that the slaves might discover them in the storage room, Joel and Malthace carry Daniel to a passage between two walls.

Joel apologizes for how things went wrong at dinner, explaining that his father isn’t like that. Hezron suspects how Joel feels about the Romans and fears that he will join the Zealots. Daniel admits that he talked like a fool, and Joel responds that he wishes he had his courage. Joel reassures Daniel—even if his father finds Daniel, he won’t give him away but will start asking questions about Amalek and the mountain. Malthace and Joel promise to come visit him whenever they can. As the candlelight dies down and the footsteps recede, Daniel imagines he hears his mother whisper goodnight.