He let go a little laugh. “They say they are grateful for what they have been given and wish only to help spread the goodness of what they have received. They do not wish to serve. Nor to kneel.” He lifted his hands in a gesture of defeat. “I was unable to persuade them otherwise.”

Before Ruth could respond, the pounding of a runner’s feet shattered the dark. The three fell back as a young man burst upon them. He tried to speak but was overcome with exertion.

Sensing that the man meant no harm, Jesus laid a hand on his shoulder, waiting for him to catch his breath.

Panting, the young man looked up. “You are the healer? The one with green eyes?”

Jesus and Ruth exchanged a glance.

“Yes,” he said.

“Then please,” he continued, struggling to slow his breath. “We are but poor farmers. Our village has been raided. Many were badly injured. Can you help us?”

Ruth stepped forward. “Where is your village?” she asked.

The young man pointed to the southeast. “Back in that direction, not far,” he said.

Ruth’s dimples drilled deep. “But that is where we came from,” she said.

The messenger nodded quickly. “It is my fault. I did not know that you traveled at night. And lost track of you.”

Jesus looked in the direction of the young man’s village, then back at Ruth. When he did, Ruth could see that he had made his decision, and she had not the strength to dissuade him.

When Jesus saw her relent, he turned to the young man. “Take us there,” he said.

When they arrived at the messenger’s village, they saw no one about. It appeared as if the people had abandoned their humble mud dwellings. Then they noticed smoke rising from the chimney of the largest hut.

“They have gathered the wounded in there,” the young man told them. When he led them inside, they found several men laid out on mats, bleeding from knife wounds to their faces, arms, and torsos. A group of women whispered among the men, changing dressings and offering water.

The messenger turned to Jesus. “They tried to protect us, but the bandits had weapons.”

One of the men on the floor began to tremble. Ruth took Jesus by the elbow. “We must slow the bleeding, or they will perish,” she whispered.

Jesus turned to Tabitha. “Gather all the spare linen you can,” he said.

Tabitha nodded and ran off.

Ruth and Jesus then knelt to mix the necessary poultices.

Grateful for the help, the village women did all they could to assist.

When they were finished dressing the men’s wounds, Ruth turned to Jesus. “All should survive, but for this one. Of him I am not yet certain,” she said, pointing to the man who had begun to tremble.