"Rise, Bani, son of Reuben."
He stood face to face with Artazerxes himself. Shrewd eyse studied him. A thnk beard, curled and rolled, covered most of the King's chest. Instead of a crown, he wore his cidaris, a tiara, widening towards the top. His robe was candys purple in hue, of Median origin, with precious stones woven into the fabric. Two Guardsmen, each armed with an axe, hovered nearby, never taking their eyes off Bani.
He stood face to face with Artaxerxes himself. Shrewd eyes studied him. A thick beard, curled and rolled, covered most of the King's chest. Instead of a crown, he wore his
"You have grown, Bani. You will be a fine man," Artaxerxes said.
"I hope so, Your Majesty."
"A fine soldier."
"If it please Your Majesty."
"And will that not please you?"
"To serve Your Majesty will please me."
The royal eyes twinkled. Aside he said, "The boy is already a courtier. He will do well at the Apadana."
"I pray that will be so, Your Majesty," said another voice.
Bani's heart leaped. Nehemiah had spoken. Then, he was not a prisoner!
"Your uncle offers you as hostage, Bani. Do you agree to it?"
"Hostage!" Bani was startled. What did it mean?
Thirteen-year-old Bani, though born in Jerusalem, has lived from infancy with his uncle in beautiful Susa, the city of the Persian King Artaxerxes. Now, his Uncle Nehemiah wants to leave his position of high honor as Cupbearer to the King and return to Jerusalem, a city in ruins and beset by every kind of trouble! Nehemiah's request of the king, permission to return to help his own people, could so easily be misconstrued in an empire riddled with political intrigue. Bani is given an unexpected part to play, the outcome of which is to forever change his life.
Told through the eyes of Nehemiah's nephew Bani, this novel dramatizes a turning-point of history, in 445 B. C., when—through confrontation and daring risks—Judaism was re-established in the Promised Land, and purified for her unfolding mission.
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