Hasor
A bsolutely not!” Rachel declared. “I will not be left in Hasor to wonder what has happened to my brother or my betrothed! I’ve had that uncomfortable experience once already this week, and I don’t care to have another!”
Both Eli and Tavor flinched. Jonathan wanted to argue the point, but the smoldering flame in Rachel’s brown eyes made him think better of it.
Once the men had been silenced, Rachel said, “Besides, I want to be near the battle this time. I can help the wounded. I can encourage them.”
Jonathan relented. There was no way he could deny her, and he knew Eli couldn’t force her. “Rachel-thank you. The men will be grateful for your service.”
Her face still red, Rachel searched his eyes. “Good!” She mounted her steed, her look smug.
“Move out!” Amon gave the command above the crowd.
Jasher tromped up to the men and took Jonathan privately aside.
“I want you and your companions to ride with me near the banners of the tribes, if that’s acceptable.”
“It’s an honor,” Jonathan said as he tightened his Gideonite breastplate.
Once again, Jonathan’s ears filled with the rumble of hooves, a dust cloud rising above the riders. With the beautiful weather they were having, it seemed more like a family outing than a march to battle, but those false perceptions faded as the day dragged on. Several places along the Hasor road still exhibited signs of recent battles. Fresh gravesites reminded them all of the seriousness of their quest.
Late in the evening, the walled village of Hasor came into view. Jonathan pulled the reins back when Jasher signaled the advance units to halt. Far in the distance, just north of the village and outside its walls, loomed an exposed camp of Gideonites. Campfires there already burned, smoke drifting high into the air.
Jonathan retrieved his spyglass to get a better view of the enemy. Jasher did the same. Jonathan admired the general’s spyglass-ends of polished brass, cylinders of beautiful cherry wood, three telescoping sections-then lifted his own two-section scope, placing the sight to his eye.
The enemy camp was small, its soldiers easy to count. Jonathan estimated the band to be about forty men, none of whom paid any attention to the road from Saron. Finished counting, he reached to give Pekah the spyglass so he could look. Pekah scanned the camp briefly, then handed the scope back.
Jasher cleared his throat. In a low voice to his captains, he said, “ Thus it begins…”