SAUL AND THE ASTROLOGERS CHAPTER FOURTEEN - Page 1

SAUL'S MOTHER GREETED him when he arrived home. "Well done, Son, you have kept your promise to be home in time for the evening meal." Saul sensed there was something troubling her. She kept glancing toward the balcony, where Saul's Aunt Hulda stood studying the streets below.
"It's Hasham," his mother said. "He left early this morning, and has not returned. For the past hour, Hulda has not said a word. She has remained on the balcony, looking up the street that would take him to the road leading to the desert."

Hearing Saul and his mother talking, Hulda turned and said, "Hasham said he would be home early this afternoon. I cannot imagine what is keeping him. I am reluctant to place food on the table until he arrives."

"I thought he was only going to the city on business," remarked Esther. "That is what he said, didn't he?"

"Yes," said Hulda softly. "But I know my brother. The business would require no more than an hour of his time."

"Hulda," Esther said, "you are holding back something. What is it?"

Realizing she could not conceal the facts any longer, Hulda said, almost apologetically, "I may as well tell you. Hasham went to see your brother."

"Our brother?" Esther whispered, the color draining from her face. "Hadiah was killed twelve years ago!"

"Oh, Esther, Hadiah was not killed. Both Hasham and I owe you and Benjamin an apology. But Hadiah insisted that he be considered dead. He considers himself so. Oh, do forgive us. I never agreed with this shameful charade."

"But why? Why?!"

"It was his wish, not ours , believe me. You see, his face was so disfigured. A Roman sword left him barely alive in that raid twelve years ago. He felt to live with such hideous features was equal to death, if not worse, and he asked to be left alone."

Esther knew of the tragic slaughter of his household by Herod's soldiers, but had been told that he had died with them. "How could he do this? It would never matter to me how disfigured he might be! Of course, Hadiah was handsome, but he was so much more than that!"

"True, Esther, but when he lost the children he lost his will to live."

"That makes some sense, at least--but what about us?! Doesn't he care for those who love him?"

"He cares for very little. He moved to the desert with an old servant and has seemed satisfied to remain there with his books, waiting to die. I think we all thought he would have died by now, of a broken heart, if nothing else."

Saul felt as if he had been slapped hard against the head. He had just heard the old soldier Vulso talk of children--now this, the loss of Hadiah's entire family, including children.

Suddenly from the balcony where she had been watching anxiously, Hulda cried, "He's coming! I see Hasham!"

Esther hurried to the door and opened it, but Hasham brushed by her almost rudely and went straight to his room without speaking. It was so unlike him. As she and Hulda looked at one another with inquiring eyes, he appeared again, looking strangely guilty.

"Hasham, I have told her. We cannot hide the truth about Hadiah. I knew where you had gone. All these years we have allow ed Esther and Benjamin, and others, to believe he died, fighting to save his children."

Hasham took a chair and sat in brooding silence. Hulda and Esther waited for him to find his voice. Saul had overheard enough comments between his mother and aunt, and did not impose his curiosity into a family tragedy that had been long kept secret. Finally Hasham broke the silence. "Hadiah is not well. I can see he is failing. I asked if he wouldn't break his self imposed vow and perhaps join us here tomorrow evening."

"And . . ?" Hulda and Esther asked in unison.

"At first he refused, saying all the same old things. 'Thank you, Hasham. You are kind but I prefer to die the way I have lived since--' But I felt he was more tender, knowing that Esther and Benjamin were here, so I pressed him and said I would send a carriage for him tomorrow afternoon. I promised he would be only among family here, and he could return the following day." Hasham looked up and choked on tears. "He agreed to come!"

Esther shrieked like a little girl and hugged Hulda. No one could eat the meal that sat growing cold on the table. No one except Saul, who found his appetite rather quickly. The tragedy had never been his to carry. He had known nothing until now. As he ate, his mind raced with questions about his mysterious and unknown Uncle Hadiah.