Yonaton snorted. “He’s a prophet, don’t be a fool. But if you can convince Master Uriel, I’ll work on Shimon. Twice he’s told me how I impressed him at the battle. I think he’ll listen to me.”
Yonaton’s willingness to deal with Shimon lightened my breathing. “So you think it’s better to bring him along?”
“Shimon’s not stupid—he won’t fight unless he has to. And if we have to fight, there’s no one I’d rather have on my side.”
The full heat of the day was just starting to subside when we saw the great carob tree blocking the cave. Ovadia warned us to enter the cave only after dark, so we tethered Balaam by a spring a short distance away and waited.
The first thing I noticed as night fell were flames backlighting the tree. Had Uriel bowed to Shimon’s recklessness?
I approached the cave first, lurking in the bushes while I spied out the situation. There was no sign of the prophet or Shimon. The blaze illuminated the cave, casting an eerie glow behind the carob’s dancing leaves. A charred cooking pot lay at its edge. From my hiding place, I inspected the cave for any signs of a struggle.
Stones crunched under footsteps, and I snapped my eyes to the path. By the fire’s orange glow, I saw Yonaton stepping toward the cave—but he wasn’t alone. A shadow broke away from the darkness and rose behind him. I let out a strangled cry at the sound of metal hissing against a leather sheath. A sword rose behind Yonaton.
The arm froze and then dropped. “You have returned.” Shimon sheathed his weapon as he eased into the firelight. His scars twisted in a tight smile.
A second figure slipped from the darkness into the cave. “You succeeded.” There was no question in Uriel’s voice.
I stepped out from my hiding place. “Yes, Master.”
“Where are we to go?”
“The cave of Dotan, Master.”
Uriel nodded solemnly. “A choice with wisdom. How many are already assembled there?”
“Thirty.”
“There will be more.”
“Dotan?” Shimon said, digging his heels into the rocky soil. “That’s north of Shomron. Did Ovadia say how we’re to get there?”
I swallowed. “Yes.”
Yonaton stepped toward the entrance. “We shouldn’t leave Balaam where he could draw attention. I’ll retrieve him.”
Uriel waved his hand in answer. “Balaam is fine where he is. It was wise to approach on foot.” His eyes grew narrow. “Now the plan.”
I’d rehearsed my speech at least ten times in my head on the ride back from Shomron—but the words evaporated in my master’s presence.
Uriel fixed me with a piercing stare. “Are we to join the pilgrims returning from Beit El?”
My chest froze, anticipating the prophet’s angry protest. “Ovadia says it’s the best way. Hopefully, no one will—”
Uriel cut me off. “Very well. So we will do.”
My breath seeped out in relief. That part at least was easier than I feared.
Shimon’s hand grew white on the hilt of his sword. “We will be considered among those who bowed to the Calf!”
Uriel shook his head. “I will walk hooded and cloaked. You may do the same. No one will know us. If any do, the faithful judge the prophets with favor. They will understand we are seeking the cover of the crowd. But even if they do believe we bowed, it is worth the risk. As Lev said, it is the best way.”
“I agree, Master Uriel, that we must reach Dotan,” Shimon said, “but perhaps you should seek vision before you decide how. The Holy One may grant us guidance whether this path is really the—”
“It is not the time for vision.”
“But why not? Couldn’t—”
“I never use prophecy to question my heart. This is true now more than ever. We are being carried by a powerful stream of events—ascending now could make me deaf to the voice of my own heart.”
“Which is what?”
“We were told to seek Ovadia—we must heed his advice. Traveling with those returning from Beit El is the safest way to get to Dotan.”
Yonaton sighed in my ear, but Uriel wasn’t done. “The only difficulty is the delay. It is essential we get to Dotan quickly. Even now they may be forming plans to resist Izevel. They will need our guidance.”
I sucked in my breath again.
The sound drew Uriel’s attention. “Is there more, Lev?”
There was no need for Uriel to know the next part until we reached Dotan, but Yonaton was right—he’d know if I was hiding anything. “They are not seeking guidance, Master.”
“Then the resistance has already begun? All the more so, they will need leadership.”
“No, Master, they seek no leader.”
“No leader? What then?”
