The narrator introduces the protagonist, 18-year-old Daniel bar Jamin, as “unmistakably a Galilean […] the sun-browned skin, the brilliant dark eyes that could light with fierce patriotism and blacken with swift anger” (1). The Galileans are a proud, violent, and restless race that is unreconciled that Palestine has been conquered by the Roman Empire. Daniel is standing atop a mountain, waiting for two figures to appear. Despite trying to forget Ketzah, his village, he is bent on following them. Daniel recognizes the two as Joel bar Hezron, who attended Daniel’s synagogue school, and his twin sister, Malthace. Daniel watches Joel and Malthace point out landmarks. Unable to help himself, he edges slowly towards them when they spot him.

Joel remembers that Daniel was the apprentice who ran away from the blacksmith Amalek, reassuring him that everyone knew how Amalek treated his boys. Daniel asks about his grandmother and sister, Leah. Malthace reports that she sees his grandmother at the well and that there is a little girl who never leaves the house. Daniel then asks Joel to inform Simon, an older apprentice of Amalek, of his whereabouts.