Demetrius' Story, Step 9

 Step 9

Demetrius watched Alter as the older shepherd led the flock across the Judean hills. Alter was one of those ageless men. His face lined by a long life out-of-doors. His hair gray and a little thinning on top. His beard full and like his hair the color of salt and, what was that strange and rare spice from Cathay, pepper. Despite the years, Alter seemed never to tire and was possessed of great reserves of strength. Demetrius remembered once when he had moved a boulder of surprising size to free a lamb that had somehow managed to wedge its leg in a small cleft near the bottom of the boulder. Though he moved with the easy stride of someone used to walking and standing for hours on end, Alter could move quickly when the moment required. Alters bright brown eyes twinkled as he often laughed, something that puzzled Demetrius. He knew that Alter carried a great wound in his heart; something very dark had happened long ago, something Alter never spoke of. But occasionally when he was alone, Alter stared off past the horizon with a haunted look that spoke of deep pain. And that was not all.

Alter treated everyone, even Enosh their master, with the same quiet gentleness that he lavished on the sheep. Enosh was a self-centered, bitter, and mercurial man, given to capricious acts of cruelty. Despite this, Alter served him well, as if he were a gracious and kind man. Demetrius just did not understand. Most slaves did just enough to avoid the lash, but not Alter. He served Enosh as if he were the best owner you could find. That did not mean that Alter did not possess anger. Demetrius remembered one day in particular. Alter was lost in one of his reveries.  Alone with his musings, Alter did not hear Enosh come up behind him. Enosh accosted him and getting no response struck him on the back. Alter wheeled around, brown eyes flaring with fury, and swept Enosh off his feet with a blindingly fast swing of his staff. Alter stood there a moment with staff raised, quivering with rage. Demetrius thought he would kill Enosh, not that Demetrius would have raised a hand to stop him. But, bringing himself under control, Alter lowered his shepherd’s staff and extended a hand to help Enosh up. A frightened Enosh took the proffered hand and scrambled to his feet. He gave Alter a severe tongue-lashing, but after that kept his distance from the older slave. Demetrius often remembered that and wondered. Today was one of those days. He watched the curious slave carefully, gently guide the sheep to fresh grazing.