Miriam replied quietly. ‘Bannus claims to be the one who is continuing the work of Jehoshua. He had a large following amongst our people. They would place great value on the contents of the casket.’

‘Treasure?’

Miriam shrugged. ‘A kind of treasure. Now it’s in the hands of Bannus and he will want to use it to claim that he is the rightful successor to my son.’

‘What’s in the casket?’ Macro asked Symeon.

‘I don’t know,’ Symeon replied.’Only Miriam knows.’

Macro turned back to her. ‘Well?’

She shook her head and Macro sighed impatiently.’So don’t tell me … Anyway, Bannus has the casket, he has a hostage and he has a head start on us. Do you know which way he went?’

‘Yes.’ Miriam looked up and cuffed her tears away.’He said to tell Symeon to find him in Petra.’

‘Petra?’ Cato was confused. ‘Why Petra? And why tell us where he is going?’

‘He wants to speak to Symeon. Somewhere he can talk in safety.’

‘Makes some sense,’ Symeon conceded.’Petra’s neutral even if these friends of mine are not. They’ve been an enemy of Judaea in the past, but now they’re concerned that Rome has her eye on Nabataea. Bannus is counting on their king’s mistrust of Rome. Bannus thinks he’ll be safe there.’

‘How long ago did they leave?’ Macro interrupted. ‘Miriam?’

‘Just before noon.’

‘It’s what, two days’ ride to Petra?’

Symeon nodded. ‘Two days, or quicker if you force the pace.’

‘Could we catch up with him?’

Symeon shrugged. ‘We could try.’

‘Then let’s get moving - we’ve wasted enough time here.’ Macro saw the hurt in Symeon’s expression as he comforted Miriam and was aware of Cato’s disapproving frown. He turned to Miriam and tried to sound reasonable and reassuring. ‘Listen, Miriam, the sooner we set off after them, the better chance we have of getting your grandson back for you, and that casket.’

Miriam suddenly grabbed his hand and looked into Macro’s eyes with an intense expression. ‘Swear to me that you will bring Yusef back to me! Swear it!’

‘What?’ Macro looked angry and tried to pull his hand back, but the woman gripped him with surprising strength. ‘Look, I can’t swear it. But I’ll do my best.’

‘Swear it!’ she insisted. ‘As Yahweh is your witness.’

‘I don’t know about any Yahweh,’ Macro replied uneasily. ‘But if you want me to swear by Jupiter and Fortuna, I will, if it helps you.’

‘By your gods then,’ she assented. ‘Swear to return Yusef to me.’

‘I swear I will do my best,’ Macro compromised, then turned to Cato and Symeon. ‘Now let’s get going.’