Rufus
Dust drifted in little eddies along the path outside the village. Warm rocks to the side of the trail made good breeding places for small birds. Chirps could be heard coming from the concealed nests. Rufus kicked the dust with his bare feet sending it in a shower over the dog ahead of him. The dog shook his shaggy coat and sneezed.
“What’s the matter Geezer, don’t you like dust?” Rufus sent another spray over his back. The dog gave one look over his shoulder before setting off at a running pace. Rufus laughed, holding his sides, before he gave chase to the dog. Bare feet and thick paws pounded the dirt in unison. They arrived in the village, panting from their run.
Maria looked up from the vegetables she was peeling while sitting in the doorway of their hut. “Rufus, what are you panting about?” She shook the short knife she was using at him. “Your father’s been looking for you. You’re late with the sheep again.”
Rufus didn’t bother to answer her as he turned down the pathway beside their hut. He could see his father in the field struggling with a sheep who was protesting vigorously. As he drew closer, the wailing intensified.
“Father what’s wrong?” Rufus ran the last distance throwing himself down over the sheep to keep her still. The ewe thrashed beneath him until he grasped her head and talked softly.
“She’s having trouble with the lamb. It just won’t come.” Proctor continued to probe in the depths of the sheep. “I can feel a hoof. That’s a good thing. Hold her steady while I pull it out.”
The heat of the day sizzled as man and boy sweated over the ewe until a fuzzy little head and body appeared. The mother gave a welcoming blat to her baby then began the thrashing process all over again. Father and son grabbed her and held her still.
“Well I’ll be. I think there’s another one coming.” Proctor straightened, wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, and leaned over the sheep again. Quickly this time a second little lamb was born. The ewe gathered them close and began to lick their faces. Father and son moved away.
“I never get over the sight of a new lamb.” Proctor stood back adjusting his robe which was covered with dirt and grass. “Let’s go, son. We need to clean up.”
Rufus lowered the bent bucket into the village well pulling up the cold water. He handed the first bucket to his father who scrubbed himself clean before joining his wife in the doorway. Rufus then lifted a second one for himself which he poured over his head. As the cold water slid down his body, he shivered with delight. He dried himself with a piece of cloth his mother had given him turning to watch the children playing a game in the dirt. Smudged faces grinned and shrill voices filled the air.
These were the sounds of home. “The village, my whole world.” Rufus looked out over the dirty lane, across the fields, and up the sides of the mountains. “I know it’s beautiful, but I long to see what’s beyond those mountains.” With his eyes shaded by his hands he tried to imagine walking up and over them. “What would I see?” He turned away shaking his head slowly. He ran his fingers through his dark curls which were drying in the intense sunlight, rubbing vigorously to get out the last of the dampness.
When he turned again, he could see someone walking along the path toward the village.
“Father, come quickly, there’s someone on the path.” Rufus jumped up and down to see farther.
“What’s all the noise about?” Proctor emerged from the shade of the hut into the sunshine. He too shaded his eyes from the brightness.
“Someone’s coming. Look.” Rufus pointed toward the path, excitement filling his voice.
“It’s probably one of the shepherd boys coming in early.” Proctor waved his hand at Rufus and turned to re-enter the hut.
“No, it’s not a villager. Look at his clothes.” He grabbed his father’s arm, bringing him back where he could see the path. “Even from here you can tell his robe is purple. No one here has a purple robe.”
“You’re right son.” Proctor scratched his head as he stared at the stranger approaching. “Now who would be coming here? No one ever does.”
“Hail friends.” The stranger raised his hand as he approached the two.
“Hail to you. What brings you to our village?” Proctor inclined his head to the stranger.
“I think I took the wrong path once I left the last village.” He pointed back down the path as he lowered his pack to the dirt with a sigh. He leaned heavily on his stout stick.
“Then you must stay the night. Some from the village may know the way you seek.” Proctor led him to the entrance of his hut where Maria stirred the pot over the fire. They sat around the fire where others soon gathered.
The stranger introduced himself as Lucius. Introductions were made all around the circle of villagers as they ate. Ragged homespun robes mingled with the fine purple. Dusty bare feet made room for leather sandals that graced manicured feet. But the wide eyes of the villagers stared without guise as the stranger in their midst shared their fire and simple fare.
The women and children disappeared into the huts soon after the meal and the men settled around the fire, some on logs, others sitting on the ground. Without the blazing of the day sun, the fire spread its warmth around the circle. Flames shot into the night sky with bursts of ash clinging to their tails.
Rufus sat near the fire listening to the men talk. He drew up his knees, circling them with his arms, and rested his chin. As he listened, his eyes glowed bright from the fire. The cooling evening air made no impression on him as his mind was roaming the paths of the forbidden world as Lucius talked of events happening outside the village. Tales were told of another life and of other places.
One by one the men left the fire to return to their huts. Morning came early for these mountain people. Rufus hung back, hoping to talk to the stranger. He sat watching as the smoldering fire sent streamers of smoke rising into the night sky. An occasional flare leapt from the glowing logs. Rufus loved the snap of the fire as the wood was consumed. Dreams could be made while watching the sway of the flames.
“I’ve been observing you all evening.” Lucius stood before him, hands on his hips. Rufus looked up into the eyes of the man before him.
“I think you may be the person I’ve been looking for.” Rufus’s mouth fell open and he blinked twice. “I . . . I . . .” He jumped to his feet brushing the dust from his tunic. Wide eyes stared at Lucius.
“Would you be interested in traveling with me as my servant?” Lucius raised his eyebrows as he inclined his head toward Rufus.
In the sudden silence, night birds called to each other, branches creaked in the evening breeze. The light from the fire seemed to dance in the stranger’s eyes and throw grotesque shadows on the huts behind him. Rufus dug his toes in the soft earth, eyes on the ground. His mind swirled with bright visions and dark fear. At last he looked up.
“I’d really like that.” Rufus grinned at him as he wrapped his robe around him. “I’ve always wanted to see what’s beyond our hills.”
“What will your parents say?” Lucius leaned over and spoke softly. His eyes held Rufus’s.
“I don’t think they’d let me.” He glanced down again watching his toes describe circles in the dust. When he once again met Lucius’s eyes, his were clear. “But please, I want to go.” Rufus joined his hands in front of him as he waited the answer.
“Then, we’d better not tell them.” Lucius nodded his head while placing his hand on Rufus’s shoulder. “We’ll need to leave well before dawn. Can you be ready?”
“Oh yes, I’ll pack my bag and join you by the fire once my parents are asleep.” Rufus jumped over a log and ran toward his hut. His heart was bursting with excitement.
“I’m going to see the world.” The thought kept dancing round and round in his head as he ducked to enter the hut. It was very quiet inside. His mother and siblings would have been asleep long ago and his father usually fell asleep quickly as a shepherd’s day started early.
Rufus had few belongings, but these he carefully tucked in his shepherd’s pouch. He slipped from the hut as the moon was just appearing over the horizon. The soft silvery shaft illuminated the front entrance in stark outline. He had a moment of regret but quickly swallowed the feeling. This chance was all that he had ever dreamed.
The night was eerie with a soft glow from the dying fire and the moonlight etching the trees with silver. Lucius appeared to be sleeping when Rufus settled down beside him.
“Welcome Rufus, I’m glad you didn’t change your mind.” His voice coming out of the darkness added to the mystery of the night. Rufus spread his blanket beside him and was soon asleep on the rough ground. He awakened when Lucius gently shook his shoulder and indicated it was time to leave. They hoisted their packs and without a sound, left the sleeping village behind. Rufus never looked back once they passed the well on the outskirts.
They traveled a good distance before the sun rose gloriously in the east. Rufus had never seen a more beautiful sight as streaks of gold streamed across the sky. He stopped to stare and absorb the morning of his first day away from his former life; he wasn’t afraid, just curious and excited with anticipation.
“What are you thinking, Rufus?” Lucius leaned on his walking stick and smiled at him.
“Just trying to see everything at once.” Green slopes gentled away from the path into deep valleys which abruptly thrust long arms into the sky. He turned in a complete circle, arms stretched wide before he moved toward Lucius, adjusting the pouch slung over his back to a more comfortable position. “And, I was thinking how hungry I am.” He rubbed his stomach and grinned.
“Then it must be time to eat.” They broke their fast overlooking a sunny valley with a gurgling brook close by.
The villagers, too, were watching the morning sky as they began their daily chores. In Rufus’s home, Proctor had left the hut several minutes before Maria awakened. She rose, being as quiet as possible to let the children sleep longer. One by one they joined her as she pounded the grain heads and boiled them in water over the fire that was still spreading its heat before the hut. She stirred the mixture as steam escaped into the quiet morning air.
“Where’s Rufus?” Mother pointed her wooden spoon at the last one to arrive.
“He’s not here. Maybe he left with father.” The child stretched and yawned, dropping to the ground beside his brother. The two nudged each other with sharp elbows and grinned.
“You’re probably right. Stop your foolishness and use some of that water in the basin and get yourself awake.” She turned to face the others. “All of you.” They scampered away to do her bidding.
The meal was ready by the time Proctor had completed his early morning work with the animals. Maria carried the pot carefully from the fire. Proctor entered the hut and greeted his family.
Maria looked behind him, her brows drawn together. “Why isn’t Rufus with you? Is he still with the animals?” She put the pot down on a low stool.
“Rufus? Isn’t he here?” Proctor looked from one to the other as he washed his hands and then splashed his face with the water left in the basin. Mother handed him a rough cloth which he used to scour his face dry.
“Maybe he went with Jonus.” Maria shrugged her shoulders as she broke the bread she had baked earlier.
“That’s likely it.” Proctor nodded his head, his lips in a thin line. “He’s done that before. Jonus doesn’t like leading the goats up the mountain by himself.”
“He’s done it several times before.” Maria was smiling now as she ladled thick porridge into the wooden bowls Proctor had carved.
It wasn’t until night that the family realized he was missing.
“I’ll check with the others. Maybe someone knows where he is.” Proctor rubbed a hand over his graying beard, lines of worry etched on his forehead. “This is not like him.”
“You ask the men and I’ll check with the women.” Maria wiped her hands and set aside the basin she was using to prepare the meal. The two left the hut moving quickly.
“No, I haven’t seen him since last night. Didn’t he stay at the fire after we left?”
“No, he didn’t go with me. I asked him, but he said he couldn’t go today.”
“Not since last night.”
“Maybe he wandered off for the day and will be back soon.”
The two heard the same reply everywhere. No one had seen Rufus. Proctor approached the last hut where his uncle sat outside on his stool.
“Have you seen Rufus today?”
“Rufus? Today?” Uncle squinted his eyes up at Proctor. “Can’t you find him?”
Proctor related all the replies to his uncle. His uncle scratched his head, nodding it slowly.
“He’s gone off with that stranger, that’s my guess.” He pursed his lips while still nodding his head.
Proctor gasped as his eyes widened. “I never thought of that.”
“You can’t trust strangers, my boy.” He shook his finger at Proctor, still shaking his head.
The villagers were gathered by the well discussing the disappearance when Proctor joined them. He mentioned the stranger and many agreed with his uncle.
“Did anyone see Lucius leave this morning?” Proctor scanned the group, his face drawn in a frown.
The answers were all the same. Many just shrugged their shoulders. No one had seen him leave.
Proctor’s brother, Minna, stood beside him, one arm draped around his shoulders. “There’s nothing we can do before first light. If he’s with the stranger, they’ll be stopped for the night as well.” He looked into the face of each man while squeezing Proctor’s shoulder. “Those who can, meet us here just before daybreak.
When Proctor crawled out of bed in the still dark hours of the morning, his wife stirred by his side. By the time the men were gathered to begin the search, Maria was seen hurrying in their direction.
“Wait.” She waved her arms as she ran towards them. Proctor drew his brows together as she approached. Her hair was flying in the morning breeze without benefit of her usual scarf. She stopped beside Proctor, cheeks flushed and panting.
“I’ve had a dream.” She gasped while pushing her hair back from her face. “Rufus will be fine.” All eyes were on her. Proctor leaned over, mouth open, and stared at her.
“No one is to look for him.” Maria glanced at Proctor, tilting her head.
The men stared at her wide-eyed.
“He’s fine. There’s no need to look for him.” Her arms were folded over her robe and there were tears in her eyes.
The men looked to Proctor. He shook his head as though to clear his thoughts, looked at his wife again, then slowly nodded. “Let’s do what she says. She’s had these dreams before and they’ve all been true.” He bowed his head and his shoulders slumped. “We’ll just have to trust her. Thank you, men.” He swallowed hard, sighed deeply then turned to follow Maria back to their hut.
Rufus and Lucius stopped at small inns along the way for food and rest. The days were weary yet wonderful for the boy who had never been outside his village. He reveled in the sights he saw. A high rushing waterfall caught his attention as the water tumbled down the steep mountain side. Words were impossible with the roar of the water plunging out of sight to the valley floor below.
In the inns strange talk intrigued his ears as foreign dialects abounded.
“What are they saying, Lucius?” He leaned toward Lucius with his hand covering his mouth. He couldn’t help staring.
“You’re hearing a dialect common to the area. It’s one I don’t speak, but can usually follow the meaning. They’re talking about the price their sheep may get at market.” Lucius smiled at Rufus and gently punched his shoulder. “You’ll be hearing many more tongues before we reach out destination.
The closer they came to Ephesus, the more travelers there were on the road. Tunics in reds, purples, and rich blue intermingled with white. Rufus began to feel shabby in his homespun until beggars began to meet them from the city gates. A time of contrasts as rich and poor merged together, shepherds and merchants rubbed shoulders, servants and masters walked side by side, a feast for the eyes and Rufus took it all in.
The gates of the city loomed in the distance. Flocks of sheep destined for the marketplace, butted and shoved each other as they tried to enter the gate together. A group of tall men on horseback parted the sheep with bleating and tumbling.
Lucius and a wide-eyed Rufus entered the city gates just ahead of a camel caravan which had caught up with them on the road. The dusty beasts plodded behind them, no doubt anxious to be relieved of their burdens. Inside the gate the sights and sounds of the city were overwhelming for Rufus. The marketplace teemed with people buying and selling or just passing through. Strange smells assailed their nostrils as animals and people vied for space. Food was cooking over fires and offered for sale. Rufus absorbed what he could while he waited for Lucius to carry out some business transactions before proceeding to his home.
They left the busy marketplace and entered a quieter section of the city. Here the homes were large and secluded. Lucius stopped before a gated courtyard where a large white house could be seen through the gate. After life in a mountain hut, this home seemed massive.
Rufus was handed over to the chief household servant for training. He was to be the personal servant to Lucius. The duties were light as Lucius was not a demanding master. Rufus learned quickly and soon became an expert in the ways of his master.
Life in Ephesus settled into a pleasant pattern. Rufus learned quickly and was happy to serve Lucius whom he had grown to love like a father. He put his own family out of his mind while he learned all he could about Ephesus. The marketplace always held the greatest fascination for him, as well as visiting the businesses with Lucius. The plan was that Rufus would learn the business and work with Lucius.
Unfortunately, a catastrophic downturn in Lucius’s business led to the loss of his home and property. The servants were left without home or work. Lucius tried to find other places for them but his personal problems were so severe he was hampered in his desire. Rufus found himself alone in a big, unfamiliar city.
“What’s in store for me now?” He stood in the street outside his recent home and contemplated his immediate future.
· Dear Reader: you will meet the adult Rufus in Antipas: Martyr. Life continued for him in a very interesting and unique way.
