Free Daughter of Deliverance by Gilbert Morris Page B

he had been depressed. Caleb’s words had seared him, bringing him a sense of shame he had never known before. That had been three days ago, and he had behaved himself marvelously well since then. He knew it would take more than three days, however, to convince Caleb and Ardon, and even Ariel, that he was sorry for his misdeed.
    Slowing down, he walked past the outlying tents, speaking occasionally to those who greeted him. He was a popular young fellow, well liked for his good singing voice and for his cheerful disposition. The soldiers had less respect for him, however, for although he was a competent enough archer, he did not give himself to the discipline that was required to make a tough warrior.
    Weaving a serpentine path between the tents, he came up behind Caleb’s tent, but hearing voices, he stopped before stepping around to the front. He recognized them as Ariel and her suitor, young Zuriel. He hesitated, then peered around the corner of the tent. The pair of them, he saw, were facing each other, and evidently Zuriel was upset. Othniel saw that Ariel was tormenting the young man, as she usually did. He had discovered long ago that she was very good at such things, and he himself had often been the target of her caustic tongue. Zuriel was pleading with her.
    â€œI don’t know why you won’t become my wife right away, Ariel. I’d be a good husband to you.”
    â€œWould you really, Zuriel? What would you do to be so good?”
    Othniel grinned at the question, knowing that Zuriel would have no answer for it, and he was right.
    â€œWhy, I’d see to it that you had plenty of food, clothes to wear …” Zuriel bogged down, unable to add to the list.
    â€œBut I have all those things now, Zuriel.”
    Once again Othniel grinned. Don’t try to match wits with her. You don’t have the mind for it, Zuriel .
    The argument went on for some time, and Othniel was not surprised that Zuriel got the worst of it. As he pleaded more and more pathetically, Ariel took mercy on him and sent him away. “I don’t want to talk about it now. I’ll talk later,” she said with a shrug of her shoulders.
    Othniel watched the young man as he trudged away, his shoulders stooped and his head down. Stepping out from behind the tent, he approached silently, leaned forward, and whispered, “You’re going to lose your man if you treat him like that.”
    Startled, Ariel leaped to one side and whirled about. “Don’t sneak up on me like that!”
    Ignoring her anger, Othniel held up the small deer he was carrying. “I brought you a present.”
    â€œWell, why don’t you dress it out before you bring it to me?”
    Othniel liked fire in a woman, but sometimes he thought Ariel had a bit too much. “I’m sorry, Queen Ariel. I didn’t realize I was doing something wrong.”
    â€œYou didn’t bring it to me. You brought it to my father. You’re trying to make up to him for making such a fool out of yourself.”
    Ariel was too close to the truth for comfort. Othniel shook his head and changed the subject back again to Zuriel. “You don’t need Zuriel for a husband,” he said.
    â€œWhat do you know about it?”
    â€œHe’s not romantic, and you are.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?”
    â€œYou know what I’m talking about. You want a fellow who will do daring deeds and will sing love songs for you and tell you how beautiful you are. Zuriel will tell you how many sheep he has, but he’ll never do those things.”
    â€œAnd you would, I suppose?”
    â€œOh, most definitely. As a matter of fact, I’ll do it right now.” He dropped the deer, fell on his knees, and spread his hands out. He sang a comical love song he had invented a short time before. As he got up, he saw that she was laughing.
    â€œYou’re a fool,” she said.
    â€œOh yes, but a romantic fool. You need