"He may have been a Jew once before, but he’s one of ours now. Aren’t you, Jorin?"

Shimshon shivered as his captives stared down at him.

“You know something, boy? You remind me of someone… I’m almost certain I’ve seen your face around here before.”

“Yes, yes!” one of the other men shouted. “I’ve seen him before, too! His face was plastered all over the kingdom. He’s wanted for escaping from the castle, isn’t he?”

“Ooooh, yes…. That’s right. Well, what a wonderful stroke of good fortune tonight has turned out to be. Fell right into our laps, eh? We’re going to truss you up and take you back to where you belong, the palace prison. You’ll return to your gloomy cell, and as for us? We’ll be rewarded and go on our merry way, much, much wealthier than before.”

“I’m innocent,” Shimshon said quietly. “I’ve done nothing wrong. Sending me back is sealing my fate. I beg of you to believe what I’m telling you. I’m an innocent person, lost and very far from home. It’s true I escaped the prison, but only because I was wrongfully being held.”

“I believe the boy,” Jorin said. “Let him go.”

“Quiet, Jorin. Why are you always butting into things that don’t involve you?”

“This does involve me. I joined this clan to take up arms against invaders and those who disturb the peace. Not to persecute innocent children.”

“Jewish blood, eh?” One of the leered at Jorin, sticking his long, crooked face close to Jorin’s. “You’ve always been a soft one. Can’t stomach nothing, can ya? Well, listen close, because I’ll only say this once. You belong to our clan s’long as you can stick with us, and honor the decisions made by the majority. You’re a good fighter, Jorin, but irreplaceable you are not. If your Jewish sensibilities don’t allow you to make the hard decisions when they come your way, then maybe you’d best be leaving now… while you still can.”

“Is that a threat?”

“With us or against us. Which is it going to be?”

“Y-you’re a Jew?” Shimshon looked up at Jorin.