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DIMAS MADE A COVENANT TO PAY HIS DEBT FOR HIS KNIFE

• 

For these bandits, killing every day is nothing, just like drinking one shot glass of wine, even if they know that their lives are in danger. These are the people who don’t have a good upbringing, their deceitful clans that most grew up in prison, and some relatives sentenced to die; these people are used to this kind of life. For them, this is their excitement in life; this is where they find their high. They idolized and gave respect to bold, daring and fearless; this gives them the power to their domain.

As for Dimas, this unbearded young man that may say “still has milk on his lips,” with his bright sparkling eyes, that gives a genuine stare, simple and honest is an indication of his youthful innocence. His gentle smile with no malice is just as pure, candid and sincere that can be easily trusted. His inexperienced in life, with a pure heart and soul, is his charm to these bandits. He doesn’t even feel the fear of being threatened that these are the most dangerous gangs in front of him. The risk of being endangered, the sharpened machete of these bandits that they carry, can kill him in no time.

These accursed bandits, these terrors that fear no one, but feared by most, especially by the Samarian farmers, are boastful, and the only one who can attack them and can defeat them is the one that holds a strong mind, bold, daring and fearless in heart. But these bandits are taken aback and thrown off guard by their weak mind; Dimas’s affection captured them. Their admiration for this daring young man in front of them is quite a challenge from their most feared and dangerous reputation. Their criminal and hardened hearts were captured by this young man’s high spirited bravery, he is talented and witty; they noticed his extraordinary ability to manipulate the situation.

—“No one touches him!” Shouts by one of the bandits. He had a white beard, an elegant look, and a strong body built, and by him wearing expensive clothing, he was recognized as the leader.

The leader observed Dimas in a while and asked a question; “Who are you?”

—“I am one of you!” Dimas replied. “I am new to this rewarding lifestyle. Your gangs are very well known to this work; I want to learn your moves and strategies, and I beg you to train me of your expertise to your secret knowledge.” The bandits then looked at each other, and they all laughed aloud.

—“You guys are laughing.” Dimas said, followed by his own laughter. “I am happy too because this is a sign that I am welcome, and we are now friends. Therefore, as a friend, I asked in advance if it can happen to lend me twenty ounces of Romanian silver.”

Everyone was silent, no one moved for awhile, it was an alarming circumstance.

—“You all must be overwhelmed at me, and I understood that.” Dimas continued, but he noticed that no one responded.

—“I am new to this group, my shocking and unexpected request to lend me money is a startling statement, but I could’ve told you first and foremost the warranted facts of what is behind this surprising disdain.” Dimas explained.

Everyone was shocked and surprised by this young man’s boldness and straight forward action. Some stand-up, to put the incident to a stop. But the leader made a sign and give the signal to all calm down and listen first.

—“For the sake of our ferocious God who has dominion to all of us, I beg you to sit down first and stop staring at me like I am an amazing person.” Dimas exclaimed.

Dimas relates his story in a few words of what had happened to him, from his father’s death in Jerusalem and the events that followed. After narrating his story, it was silent. Everyone was quiet, speechless. It is all halted, no one could break the silence in the air. Then the leader broke the stillness in the air, and the only words that came out from his mouth:

—“No one touches this brave guest!” In a compassionate voice.

Then he slapped his right knee and with an open hand, he pulled his long round pouch made of animal skin hanging from his waist, and grab a handful of silver coins, a drachma, as the hand could grasp and hand it to Dimas, and in a trembling voice, the leader said:

—“There is the money, and pay your debt.”

—“Thank you, old man!” Dimas said in a loud and excited voice.

—“Dimas will show you that you did not plant into a dried land.” Dimas exclaimed, giving his assurance to the leader.

—“My name is Abaddon.” The leader introduced himself to Dimas. “I am a Samaritan, but don’t forget; just as quick as I trust a person, is just as quick that I kill you.” The leader threatened him.

—“I will not forget! And if you let me go, four days from now before the full moon and from here to Jerusalem is three miles walk.” Dimas responds in excitement.

—“May the grace of God and may his peace be with you through all your journey.” The leader gave his blessings to Dimas; then he called one of the bandits and said:

—“Uries, escort this young man to the secret road underground through the Romanian crossroads.” The leader commanded.

—“Are we going to blindfold him?” Uries asked the leader.

Abaddon observed Dimas meticulously; he calculates him, trying to feel the young man’s worth of trust. Dimas stared back to Abaddon with confidence and audacity; the calm and dignified appearance that Dimas gave the leader gives him the conviction that he is a truthful person. Abbadon, confident and assured at what he saw from Dimas, then turned to his member and said:

—“I am convinced of him; and I trust his entire words, don’t blindfold him but take him to the long road.”

Uries, then walked to the squared entrance on the floor, lifted the cover and then descended, followed by Dimas.

• 

They were walking underground for half an hour; it was dark, the air is heavy, and the cold air underground is gently creeping into their skin, the soft cool breeze that gently touches their skin cools down their body temperature. The smell of saltpeter (Potassium Nitrate) in the air keeps them from breathing a little harder.

—“In Jacob’s name!” Dimas shouted. —“If you don’t guide me by the hand, I will lose my head from these protruded rocks, that looks like it’s ready to plunge on my head.”

—“Reach me and don’t be afraid to follow me, we are walking into a delicate underground road, but don’t worry, because the headspace is so high, even Goliath can have his battle array here and still survive, for it has too much headspace.” After Uries said this, he handed the tip of his shawl to Dimas, and Dimas grabbed it by the hand.

Once in a while, this venturing young man feels the light touch of cold air coming from the cracks between the rocks, a passageway for fresh air from the cave’s thick atmosphere.

—“Those big cracks from between those rocks, are they used for breathing?” Dimas asked.

—“Those are other passageways.” Uries responded. —“If ever Herod’s soldiers found out our hiding place, they still have a hard time to find us and catch us, because of those different passages.

Dimas is learning a lot from these group; he found out and understood that these groups are very intelligent and accustomed to this kind of work. It gladdens him. For his lifestyle is similar to them and not far from what they do. This assured him that he is secured associating with this group.

At last, the bandit came to an abrupt halt and said:

—“We are here! Help me lift this heavy rock.” Uries said.

Dimas obeyed. He was amazed when he saw that it was an opening. Dimas came out first from that big crack, and he saw that the bright moon is transmitting it’s string silver light and spreads all over the vast bare land from where he stands. He looked around and carefully scrutinized the vicinity and the surrounding area.

—“I can’t see the castle.” Dimas said, kind of lost.

—“We are at the opposite side of the mountain.” Uries responded. —“But don’t worry about it, since we are tired and sleepy, we have to go!”

—“Let’s go!” Dimas said and started to walk.

• 

They started to descend from that steep mountain, coming down like two goats stumbling down to those rocky hills to reach the secure flat land. The moonlight gives the night a bright light, and the slight breeze of warm air could barely touches each leaf from it’s branches.

—“You know how to read stars, for you guys are taught into it; your group is skilled for this, what time do you think it is now?” Dimas asked.

Uries held his head up and carefully watched the sky and observed the stars. Then Uries answered:

—“It is still early, the night is new, and you probably be in Bethel before the cock crows. When you get there, keep on walking towards the east; there you’ll see a creek that will take you through Jordan’s coasts. Then turn to south until you reach Jericho; from Jericho to Jerusalem, you see hordes of stores followed by barter traders; you won’t get lost. Aside from that, the Roman road they called will take you to the Holy City, but I have some recommendations for you, the road made by the Romans is not safe for us; but instead, take the street where the wolves are; humans do not use those streets. Believe me Dimas, it is a thousand times better for you to walk alone in the field than to walk with people in Cesar’s roads.” Uries strictly advised Dimas.

—“Thank you! I will follow your advise.” Dimas assured Uries.

—“May peace be with you, and we come to a point where we have to part ways. Take this road, and this will take you to Bethel. The moonlight is bright, and the night is clear, there’s no danger in Samaria if I want a good sleep, not like in Herod’s palace.” Uries hinted Dimas.

—“But before we part ways, I would like to ask you for something.” Dimas said.

—“What is it?” Uries replied.

—“Upon my return to the castle, what entryway should I use?” Dimas asked.

—“Through the same rampart, just like we did a while ago, and if we’re not there, wait for us.” Uries replied.

—“Good! I’ll see you in a few days.” Dimas answered.

—“May God Jehovah be with you, and may you fulfill your wish.” Uries waved goodbye to Dimas.

—“I wish you the same.” Dimas humbly responded.

Then they part ways. Dimas went on his way, he traced the small street going to Bethel, and Uries went headways to that steep rocky mountain back to his dwelling place. He was whispering to himself:

—“This young man will have a good fortune; he is arrogant, it’s true, but I will bet my sword made of Damascus and part of my loots for a year that everyone wishes the same, that he may obtain a good fortune, and may he have a safe return.”

Dimas is on his way, and he start to feel the silver coins in his pocket in a pouch that the bandit leader lends to him, and he said to himself:

—“My very first high risk for a good chance is quite successful, and for this money, I won’t lose my honor, and if ever I have the opportunity to seek my father’s corpse, I may be able to give him a decent burial that he deserves for his memory. I should hurry-up, for there’s a saying: Pay your debt and you live on the rest.”

to be continued…………………………………………….