The Bronze Bow

Rosh assigns Joel the task of gathering information about the attendees of a banquet. The half-Jew appointed to rule over them, Herod Antipas, is entertaining a special legation from Rome, and the richest men in Capernaum will attend. Joel is the only one who can get the information. Daniel struggles with envy as he, Joel, and Malthace excitedly complete each other’s sentences. They decide that Joel will sell fish to the kitchen servants at the party. Daniel feels an unexpected misgiving and tells Joel that Rosh has no right to order him—Joel has a family and a future to think about. Malthace suggests that she dress up as Joel as they often did as children. That way, she can walk out of the city with Daniel and no one will suspect him. Malthace has wanted to visit Leah for days, so they head there. As Joel and Malthace relish in their conspiracy, Daniel’s doubts subside

The next morning, Joel is dressed as a barefoot fisherman, and Malthace is dressed as Joel. Malthace hopes to avoid Jesus, who she knows will disapprove of her lie. Malthace suggests that Jesus might mean the kingdom will come without fighting—maybe the Romans could understand that God sees into their hearts and loves them.