Harvest - 02 - Harvest of Gold Read online

  Praise for Harvest of Gold

  Harvest of Gold is a great story. But it is more than that. The people come alive on the pages and in their pain and struggle you will see yourself.

  —CHRIS FABRY, award-winning author and radio personality

  Harvest of Gold is a compelling historical novel whose characters will dwell in your thoughts long after you close the book. Author Tessa Afshar has done a wonderful job with this story set in the days of Nehemiah, giving us a glimpse of what might have been. I could see ancient Jerusalem and Persia through her descriptions, and am richer in my knowledge of those times for having read this book. Don’t miss it!

  —JILL EILEEN SMITH, bestselling author of the Wives of King David series

  Engaging. Inspiring. Heart-stopping and heartrending. Harvest of Gold takes readers on a journey from ancient Persia to the broken-down walls of Jerusalem, rebuilding our hope as Nehemiah’s story is woven through a complex plot with multi-layered characters we love and hate and then love some more. A fabulous historical novel that sent me straight back to God’s Word!

  —MESU ANDREWS, award-winning author (winner of the ECPA Christian Book Award for New Author of the Year, 2012)

  Praise for Harvest of Rubies

  Sarah is a Jew in ancient Persia, cousin of Nehemiah, and the daughter of the scribe Simeon, whose attention she wins only when she proves to possess literary abilities of her own. In this latest by Afshar (Pearl in the Sand), the Bible’s ancient Near Eastern context is the setting for an engaging story of pluck, friendship, and faith. Sarah becomes a professional scribe and wins the affections of the queen only to find herself bound to marry a man she doesn’t know and forced to give up the job she loves. When she botches her wedding and is abandoned to a rural estate, it would seem that all is lost. But Sarah finds wisdom and strength in the texts and traditions of her people, and knits together an unconventional community of support. Afshar’s story challenges misconceptions about harem life and the roles of ancient women while introducing readers to a lovable heroine whose good heart wins out over bumbling ways to prove a boon to others, too.

  —WENDY LAWTON, agent, Books and Such, Publishers Weekly, 5/14/12

  In Harvest of Rubies, gifted author Tessa Afshar transports us to an ancient time where we find a heroine who feels like a contemporary friend. A scribe in the court of Persia, Sarah struggles with placing her value in what she does instead of who she is in God. Her faith journey strengthened mine and will inspire yours.

  —LAUREN YARGER, National Book Critics Circle

  I loved your book Harvest of Rubies! … Sarah is a wonderful character—always herself no matter what the situation. I loved the way she always said exactly what she thought. And Darius is terrific too—readers will adore him. A wonderful story with a totally captivating heroine. Readers won’t be able to tear themselves away.

  —JOAN WOLF, author

  © 2013 by

  TESSA AFSHAR

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Scripture references are from Psalm 16:10–11; Psalm 139:13; Psalm 127:1; Psalm 23:6; Judges 6:15; Nehemiah 6:2–3; 6:6–7; Deuteronomy 6:4–5; 14–15; 7:7–10; 30:6.

  Some Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

  Some Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189, U.S.A. All rights reserved.

  Published in association with the Books & Such Literary Agency, 52 Mission Circle, Suite 122, PMB 170, Santa Rosa, CA 94509-5370.

  Edited by Pam Pugh

  Interior design: Ragont Design

  Author photo: Christine Richenburg

  Cover design: Brand Navigation, LLC

  Cover images: Fotolia #44539542 / 43222776 / 13517409 / 3964088

  Shutterstock #43641661 / 93812500

  iStock #18200424

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Afshar, Tessa.

  Harvest of gold / Tessa Afshar.

  pages cm

  ISBN 978-0-8024-0559-3

  1. Marriage--Fiction. 2. Jewish families--Fiction. I. Title.

  PS3601.F47H37 2013

  813’.6--dc23

  2013002306

  ISBN: 978-0-8024-0559-3

  We hope you enjoy this book from River North Fiction by Moody Publishers. Our goal is to provide high-quality, thought provoking books and products that connect truth to your real needs and challenges. For more information on other books and products written and produced from a biblical perspective, go to www.moodypublishers.com or write to:

  River North Fiction

  Imprint of Moody Publishers

  820 N. LaSalle Boulevard

  Chicago, IL 60610

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  Printed in the United States of America

  For my brother:

  Thank you for your loyalty, generosity,

  and unwavering belief in me.

  Contents

  Part 1: The Assault

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Part 2: The Unraveling

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Part 3: The Restoration

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Author’s Notes

  Discussion Questions

  Acknowledgments

  587–586 BC

  Judah is captured by Babylon, and the Temple is destroyed.

  559–530 BC

  Cyrus the Great establishes the largest empire the world has ever known and founds the Achaemenid dynasty. In 538 Cyrus sets Israel free from its Babylonian captivity as foretold by Isaiah (44:24–45:5). He donates money from his own treasury toward the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.

  530–522 BC

  Cambyses, Cyrus’s eldest son, conquers Egypt. His reign is briefly followed by his younger brother, Bardia, who dies shortly thereafter under strange circumstances.

  521–486 BC

  Darius the Great expands the Persian Empire so that at its height it encompasses approximately eight million miles of territory. Next to Cyrus, he is the most admired Achaemenid king. He is probably not the king referred to in the book of Daniel 6:1–28, since Daniel would be quite old at this time.

  486–465 BC

  Xerxes takes over his father’s great dynasty. He is best known for his notorious attack on Greece and for choosing a simple Jewish girl named Esther as his queen. The date of this event is not known. For details, see the book of Esther.

  465–424 BC

  Artaxerxes is known as a benevolent king who replaces several harsh laws with more humane rulings. He send
s his cupbearer, Nehemiah, back to Jerusalem in 445 in order to rebuild its ruined walls.

  334 BC

  Alexander the Great conquers Persia.

  Approx. 33 AD

  Jesus of Nazareth is crucified.

  CHARACTERS in order of appearance or mention

  Sarah—former scribe to the queen; wife of Darius

  Darius Pasargadae—Persian aristocrat; Sarah’s husband

  Pari—handmaiden to Sarah

  Damaspia—queen of Persia

  Artaxerxes—king of Persia

  Nehemiah—cupbearer to the king; relative of Sarah

  Arta and Meres—members of Darius’s personal guard

  Niq, Nassir—Babylonian brothers

  Megabyzus—Persian general

  Mardonius—member of the Immortals

  Lysander—friend of Darius

  Hanani—brother of Nehemiah

  Pyrus—nephew of Megabyzus and a provincial governor

  Zikir—high-ranking official from Damascus

  Roxanna—daughter of a Persian aristocrat and woman of many talents

  Sanballat the Horonite—leader of Samaria who opposes Nehemiah

  Tobiah—Ammonite leader who opposes Nehemiah

  Zenobia—daughter of Zikir

  THE TWENTIETH YEAR OF KING ARTAXERXES’ REIGN*

  WINTER, PERSEPOLIS

  Sarah’s head snapped up as the door to her chamber burst open with uncharacteristic force. Her friend and handmaiden, Pari, rushed in, tunic askew, strands of usually pristine brown hair hanging around her face in a haphazard tangle.

  “The baby’s here!” she said, her voice high as she waved a long arm for emphasis.

  Sarah jumped to her feet. “And Apama? How is she?” Apama, the wife of the second assistant gardener, had gone into labor with her first baby three days ago. The baby had proven reluctant to come. By the end of the second day everyone had started to fear the worst.

  Pari’s lips flattened into a straight line. “Bardia says she is too weak. They allowed me a glimpse of her before I came over. She’s whiter than a bowl of yogurt, and lies shaking in spite of the fire burning in the brazier next to her pallet.”

  A shiver ran through Sarah. Bardia, the head gardener and practically a member of Darius’s family, was not in the habit of careless pronouncements. “That doesn’t sound encouraging. Perhaps we can do something to help.”

  She strode to the bank of shelves built into a niche in one corner of her bedchamber. Neat piles of soft sheets, wool blankets, and cotton-filled quilts stacked on top of each other. Sarah chose an exquisite linen quilt made of various shades of blue and green fabric, embroidered with silver thread. “This should help keep her warm.”

  Pari’s eyebrows climbed toward her hairline. “Didn’t the queen give you that coverlet?”

  “She has stunning taste, hasn’t she?”

  “Indeed, my lady. More to the point, won’t she mind your giving away the gift she chose for you with her own stunning taste?”

  “Not if she doesn’t find out,” Sarah said, unable to keep the smile from her voice. “Besides, having suffered through a difficult birth herself, she is likely to approve. We should send a few things for the baby as well. Is it a boy or a girl?”

  Pari slapped a hand over her mouth. “In all the excitement, I forgot to ask. I only know it is healthy.”

  Sarah tucked a loose curl behind her ear. “That’s the important thing. I saw some linens in the storehouse that should suit a new baby. Let’s fetch them.” She and Pari paid a brief visit to the storehouse and retrieved a few appropriate articles for the newborn.

  “His lordship has already sent over a lamb,” Pari said as they walked back to Sarah’s apartments. “He had instructed Bardia to bring it over as soon as Apama gave birth.”

  Sarah was not surprised by Darius’s thoughtfulness. Children were highly cherished by the Persians. The whole household rejoiced at the birth of a baby, even one belonging to a lesser servant.

  She frowned at the thought of Darius. It had been five long days since he had sent for her. His lack of interest ate at her with a sharpness that robbed her of sleep at night and of rest during the day. Was he losing interest in her already? The thought made her want to weep.

  She had not always been desperate for his company. When her marriage had first been arranged by the queen, it had felt like a blight that ruined her life. She had chosen neither her husband nor the state of matrimony.

  Everyone assumed that a simple Jewish girl should be overjoyed at the prospect of marrying the king’s cousin. But at the time Sarah had wanted nothing more than to continue serving as the queen’s senior scribe, the only woman in the empire to have ever been honored with such a post. The first four months of her marriage had been a nightmare of mutual resentment. But in time, she and Darius had learned to accept each other and settled into a happy companionship. She gave a wry twist of her mouth as she sat on a purple linen couch. Her feelings for Darius were far more complex than companionship.

  The problem was that she loved him.

  She loved him.

  Much good it did her, for he did not return her feelings. She knew he cared for her. He had set his concubines free, and settled them in their own independent establishments, and made Sarah the only woman in his life. By his own admission, he enjoyed her company and admired her. But he never confessed love for her.

  Her puppy, Anousya, tired of being ignored, interrupted her reverie by jumping up and putting his head on her lap, gazing at her with adoring eyes. At six months, he was already large, and beginning to develop the massive structure that had marked his cousin Caspian, Darius’s favorite dog. Sarah still missed Caspian, who had been the most astounding dog she had ever met.

  She leaned over and caressed Anousya behind his ears, drawing comfort from the warmth of his solid body. He gave her a puppy smile full of pleasure.

  He had been a present from Darius. Her mouth softened as she remembered the night she had named him. Her first suggestion that they call him Silk—because he was so soft—had met with undisguised disapproval.

  “Silk!” Darius had exclaimed, sounding offended. “He’s not a little girl’s toy dog. He is from a noble bloodline, worthy of kings and princes.”

  Sarah had smoothed the lines of her flowing skirt over her thigh. “How about Honey? He is so sweet; that would be a perfect name.”

  Darius’s dark brows lowered with displeasure.

  “You don’t like Honey either?” She pretended to pout. “You said I could name him anything I liked.”

  “Ah. I did say that. I beg your pardon. Honey … Honey, it is.” He spoke the name as if he was chewing on a mouthful of salted sour cherries.

  “Thank you, my lord! How perfect. I can imagine it vividly. Having a house full of your mighty friends, and you calling out in front of them: Here, Honey. Fetch, Honey. They will be delighted by such a spectacle.”

  “Wench.” The grooves in his cheeks deepened. “I’d be looking at you the whole time I said it. Here, Honey,” he said, patting his lap.

  She burst into laughter and threw herself into his arms.

  “I have a better idea. What if we call him Anousya?” She suggested the name, knowing that her husband would approve of the allusion to the king’s elite royal guard, better known as the Immortals.

  “Now that’s a fitting name,” he said. “He shall be a warrior dog.”

  She poked him in the side where she knew him to be ticklish. “He shall be a companion dog,” she said, reminding him of the original meaning of the Persian word.

  Sarah sighed. She could not understand her husband. Sometimes, it seemed to her, he battled his own heart, wanting her with half and rejecting her with the other. Then again, he had never gone five whole days without sending for her, not since they had committed to living as true husband and wife.

  “Apama and her husband will be thrilled with your gifts, my lady,” Pari said, interrupting Sarah’s thoughts. She lifted her arms
, now piled with the linens they had fetched from the storehouse sitting precariously on top of the queen’s coverlet. “Would you like to come with me as I deliver them?”

  “I think not. They always seem flustered when I visit, though I do my best to put them at ease. What they need is peace and quiet. You take those with my compliments. And I will pray for Apama.”

  Pari wasn’t absent for long. She returned, carrying a tray loaded with food. “Shushan has sent you thick herb soup with wheat noodles and hot bread from the ovens,” she said as she set the table.

  “She read my mind!” Sarah exclaimed as the fragrance of mint and fried onions filled her room. “I’ve been craving one of her hearty soups all day.” Sarah bent over the bowl and inhaled the complex aroma of herbs and spices with pleasure. Darius’s one-eyed, skinny cook could transform simple vegetables and meat into an unforgettable feast for the senses.

  “Bardia says Apama shows improvement. She smiled when I covered her with your quilt. She is too weak to speak, but her eyes filled with tears when I told her the coverlet had once belonged to the queen. Her husband more than made up for her silence. He bid me to thank you and his lordship so many times that I had to escape while he was midsentence. He’ll probably fall at your feet or something equally embarrassing when next he sees you.” She lifted the tray on which she had carried the food and turned as if to leave before coming to a sudden halt. “I almost forgot. A messenger just arrived from Susa. He has a missive from Her Majesty for you.”

  Damaspia, the queen of Persia, was kind enough to consider Sarah a friend—a privilege that sometimes exacted a terrible price, as Sarah well knew. The queen had entered into the habit of writing Sarah, sharing the latest news since she and Darius had moved to his lavish estate near Persepolis six months ago, while the rest of the court resided in Susa for the winter months.