The Walls of Arad

by Carole Towriss

  “What do you mean?”

  “Do you remember what I said when we buried my sister?”

  “Not really. All I remember from that day is pain.”

  “It was a song Yahweh gave me.” Moses halted again, closed his eyes and lifted his face to the sky.

  Yahweh, you have been our dwelling place

  throughout all generations.

  Before the mountains were born

  or you brought forth the whole world,

  from everlasting to everlasting you are El Shaddai.

  You turn people back to dust, saying,

  ‘Return to dust, you mortals.’

  A thousand years in Your sight

  are like a day that has just gone by,

  or like a watch in the night.

  His face was almost radiant as he sang to Yahweh. She’d heard Miriam sing often. Aaron sang the High Priest’s prayers. She’d never heard Moses. But his voice, although soft, was clear and beautiful.

  He turned his gaze back to her, his bright eyes sparkling. He raised one finger. “It is Yahweh himself who must be our home. He has been our dwelling place since before there was time, and will be forever. People, no matter how much they love us, will come and go from our lives, but Yahweh remains faithful forever.”

  Arisha choked back a sob. “Then why does He give us people, only to take them away?”

  Moses chuckled. “You ask the hard questions, don’t you? He has a plan, and it does not always make sense to us. He gives us people to love, to be loved, and we do not always know how long we will have them in our lives. But He, He will always be there.”

  They walked in silence for several moments, the sand crunching beneath their sandals the only sound.

  She stopped again. “Would you like to eat with us tonight? I remember you ate with Miriam and Aaron every week. I know it’s not the same, but …”

  Moses’s bright eyes smiled. “I’d be delighted, daughter.”

  She touched the rip in his cloak with her fingers. “Maybe I can fix this for you.” She giggled. “I’ve been learning.”

  Moses laughed with her. “Then I’d be happy to let you try. I’ll see you tonight.” He turned back toward camp and she almost skipped ahead. Her heart warmed, for the first time in far too many days.

  Perhaps it had begun to heal.

  Zadok was shocked when Arisha told him she’d invited Moses to join them for the evening meal. Shocked but happy.

  The meal had been delightful, with Moses telling them many stories about Aaron and Miriam. Most they had heard, but some he said he had never shared. It was obviously a healing time for him. Afterwards, the women had retired to Imma’s tent and Joshua joined them for tea. The full moon shone brightly overhead, and a warm breeze blew through camp. It was a perfect night to sit around the fire, and it had been a very long time since Zadok had joined the others.

  “So, now that Edom has refused us permission to travel their land, what do we do?” Jacob accepted a cup from Abba.

  “Well, there are only two way to cross the Arabah.” Moses took two cups and handed one to Joshua.

  “The Arabah?” Zadok sipped his tea, the minty fragrance filling the air around him.

  “The Arabah is a huge divide, a desolate and deep valley that runs from the Sea of Salt almost directly east of us, to the gulf in the south.” Joshua’s hand pointed east, and swept from north to south. “It is controlled by Edom.”

  “But we didn’t cross it on our way to Bozrah.” Jacob’s brows furrowed.

  Joshua grinned. “We didn’t go far enough. Their land extends west beyond the Arabah.” He drew in the sand with a long finger. “So the only way over it is to go through their land, and walk at the base of the Salt Sea where it is nearly flat, or travel all the way to the south end, near the sea, then turn back north, on the east side of Edom’s territory.”

  “That sounds like it would add a great deal of time to our trip.” Abba frowned.

  Moses nodded. “Perhaps as much as two Sabbaths.”

  Zadok shook his head. More travel. Arisha would not be happy. “When do we leave?”

  “The Shloshim are over the Sabbath after next. I think we’ll wait for another Sabbath, maybe two, to give everyone time to readjust, pack up, fatten the animals, and then we’ll head south.”

  The group was quiet as they contemplated this news. By the next full moon, they would be on their way to Canaan.

  “I think I shall retire. The meal was delightful. Thank you all, very much. Zadok, walk with me.” Moses pulled himself up with his ever-present staff.

  “All right.” Zadok set his cup in the sand, and hurried to catch up to the old man.

  “I spoke to your Arisha this afternoon.”

  “I know.” They stepped between Joshua’s and Abba’s tents.

  “She is stronger than you know. And far stronger than she realizes.”

  “She is?”

  Moses laughed. “Yes, she is. Miriam was right, she needed you. She still does. But she has strength hidden deep inside. She needs to know that. She needs to know you know that.”

  What was he supposed to say? “All right. But why?”

  He laughed again as he opened the ties on his tent. “I have no idea. I just know you both need to be aware of this. Yahweh has told me nothing else.”

  “That’s no help at all.”

  “It will be.” And he disappeared inside, still chuckling.

  What an exasperating conversation. Why would Arisha need to be strong? And why would he need to know that? Another one of Moses’s famous puzzles.

  Just what he needed.

  Twenty

  BY THE LIGHT OF A tiny oil lamp, Danel sat cross-legged on the cold floor and stared at the marks on the inside of the small cedar table’s leg. He counted them again. No matter how many times he counted them, it added to the same number. He carefully scratched one more stroke next to the others. The line was getting so long he would soon have trouble hiding it.

  He stumbled to the bed pushed into the corner against the far wall, collapsing onto it. He’d been in this room for twenty-four days. Twenty-four days since he’d held Yasha, or heard his granddaughter’s giggle, or tossed his youngest grandson in the air. How long was Keret going to keep him here?

  He should be thankful he was not in a prison cell. Especially in the one deep underground, where they’d held and beaten Kamose to within an inch of his life almost forty years ago.

  This room wasn’t terrible. An old storage room, it was wide enough for him to lie down. And with the lamp, bed, table and chair Aqhat had managed to get him it was almost comfortable. Almost. Ishat and Sisa sent him food that probably tasted better than the king’s.

  But it was getting harder and harder to remain grateful. He had little appetite. His clothes draped him like a tent. He slept fitfully. Night and day blended together in this windowless room. Only the noise of busy servants roaming the hallway outside gave him a hint of whether it was morning, afternoon or dead of night.

  He stared at the dark wooden beams stretched across the ceiling, tried to remember Yasha’s laugh. The sweet sound hovered on the fringes of his consciousness, but it was never quite clear. He could see her face, but he was losing her voice.

  And he was losing hope.

  Yahweh, why have you left me here, alone?

  But had Yahweh really left him? Israel was in Egypt for over four hundred years. At some point, they must certainly have felt like Yahweh had left them. But He delivered them in a way no one could have imagined.

  Perhaps He could do the same for Danel.

  He just had to hang on.

  1stday of Elul

  Arisha sat up on her sleeping mat and frowned as Zadok slipped on his sandals in the dusky light of early morning. “Do you really have to go?”

  “Arisha, look around you.”

  She glanced around the tent and raised a brow.

  He laughed. “Well, not right now. I mean around the new campsite. There is n
o water, no grass. The sheep will die.”

  Sighing, she rested her chin on her drawn-up knees. She’d become used to having him around during the days of mourning. Now that they were over … “When will you be back?”

  “As soon as I find water and ample grass. They’ve eaten all there is around here. They’ve been in this one spot for thirty days and the grass does not reappear every morning like it did at the oasis.”

  “Hurry back?”

  He shrugged into his cloak, then stretched out his arm, pulling her up when she grasped it. “I will.”

  She watched him tie his bag to his belt. “Who’s going?”

  “All of us—Micah, Ruben, Jonah, everyone. And some new men, too. I’m not sure what kind of animals are out there, so I want as many of us as I can have.”

  Fear wrapped around her middle like a viper. “Animals?”

  Zadok grinned. “Don’t worry. They won’t go after us when there are fat sheep around.” Placing his hand behind her neck he kissed her soundly. “I love you.”

  She thought for a moment about saying it back … but she couldn’t. Not yet, but she could show him. She nuzzled his neck. “Are you sure you have to leave right now? I mean, the sun is barely up. I haven’t even collected our manna.”

  He moved her face until his mouth met hers, and buried his hands into her thick hair. Her arms slipped under his and around his back as her lips caressed his.

  “No, do not tempt me.” He pulled away, laughing. “The boys will already be waiting with the sheep.”

  Arisha grinned. “How do you know they won’t be late as well?”

  “Because Reuben and Jonah slept with the sheep, and none of them are even married, let alone to you.”

  She batted her lashes at him.

  “Very funny. Keep it up and we’ll starve in Canaan.”

  “Starve? Why?”

  “Because I will never leave this tent and all our sheep will die.”

  Arisha burst into laughter.

  “You laugh now …”

  She threw a cushion at him and he ducked out of the tent.

  He peeked back in for just a moment. “You missed.” His laughter faded as he walked away.

  Zadok wandered a half day farther north before finding enough grass and water for his flock. The lambs were growing every day and needed more and more food. Eight new men accompanied them this time. He wouldn’t need them all every night, but this was a good time to begin training them.

  While his men set to work on a new fold, Zadok ambled among the sheep munching on the scrub grass near the still water. Neshika rubbed his shins and he gathered the yearling in his arms. “Is this place all right for you?” She nuzzled his chin. He quickly checked her ears, her jaw, her eyes. One tiny scratch behind her right ear. Zadok knelt, placing the animal between his knees, and reached for his horn of oil. Tipping the end onto his extended finger, he dribbled out a few drops of the healing fluid, then rubbed it on the scratch. She grunted her appreciation, and he rose to let her go.

  He started as a pair of arms slid around his waist from behind him, turning to see Arisha smiling up at him.

  “What are you doing out here?”

  “I decided to come with you.”

  “Good. I was missing you already.” He laughed softly and handed her a horn of oil.

  “What’s this?”

  “You can help me check the sheep.”

  “Check them? For what?”

  “Cuts, scrapes, flies. Just watch me. You’ll figure it out.”

  They checked the other sheep, soothing scratches and cuts, reassuring the more skittish among them, and keeping an eye out for predators. They were far enough from the mountain to avoid any leopards or hyenas, unless they were exceptionally bold or hungry.

  Zadok studied the horizon again. The setting sun sprinkled bits of pink and crimson on the northern mountains, and threw a large swath of deep purple on Mt. Hor. “Let’s get the sheep in the fold before it’s too dark.”

  He called to his flock and stepped through the gate of the newly built enclosure. While Micah counted the animals, Zadok inspected the brush wall a final time, making sure each bush was tightly entwined with the next one, twigs woven together in an unbreakable bond.

  “Zadok?” Micah called from the gate.

  Zadok straightened and surveyed his flock. “One’s missing.”

  “Yes. I don’t know which—”

  “It’s Leah. Again. I’ll go.”

  “No, let me get her.” Outside the gate, Arisha pointed toward the spring. “She’s probably still under that acacia tree.” She headed for the water, and Zadok pushed the last bush into the opening, leaving the others inside. Micah and Jonah would be in charge tonight, showing the new men how to settle the sheep for the night, what to watch for, and how to protect them should any wild animals approach. Zadok walked around the fold, checking its stability as he went. At one point, he grabbed another bush and twisted it into the structure. On his knees, arms elbow deep into the bushes, he heard Arisha approach and glanced quickly over his shoulder into the setting sun to see a figure, but no ewe.

  “What took so long?” Zadok squinted into the waning light. “And where’s Leah? Wasn’t she there? Do we need to help you look for her?”

  “It’s me, Reuben.”

  Zadok pulled his arms free and stood, glancing over Reuben’s shoulder. “She should be back by now.” He brushed the dried leaves from his arms and bent to retrieve his staff. “Come with me. Let’s go find them.”

  He tried to ignore the apprehension building in his gut as he reached the spring. Leah lay contentedly chewing her cud.

  No Arisha.

  The acacia tree had not been that far from where they’d been standing. She couldn’t have gotten lost. Where could she be?

  Near the water, something flittered. Zadok stepped to the edge of the spring. The breeze blew whatever it was a few strides further from him. He chased it, picked it up. His heart skipped a beat.

  Arisha’s headcloth.

  And on the edge, a small spot of bright red.

  It hurt to breathe. Where were they taking her? Why? A thousand questions raced through her mind, but no answers followed.

  The uniformed man clutched her arm far harder than necessary as he dragged her along. Stumbling, pain.

  They reached a copse of trees and came to a halt. In moments more men followed, dragging Micah and Jonah and the other shepherds into view. Melech, Natan, Rafael … five others. The soldiers shoved the young men toward her.

  An older man, obviously the patrol captain, whistled, and they huddled nearby, keeping their voices low.

  If they found out she was a Canaanite, she may as well let them kill her right now. She would probably be killed as soon as they reached the city, but as long as she was alive, there was always a chance. A chance of escape. Rescue. Something. She wiped the blood from her jaw where the soldier had held a knife to her throat as he’d grabbed her from behind. The cut wasn’t at all deep; he’d only wanted to silence her. It had worked.

  She studied the warriors. They were from Arad, of that she was certain. She recognized their uniforms, the symbols on their leather chestplates. Long knives, both sides polished to a razor sharp edge, rested on their right hips, daggers on their left. Their leader also carried a spear.

  Jonah put his hands in the air and shouted. “What do you want?”

  The captain stormed back toward them and leaned in, his face close to Jonah’s. “Quiet!”

  Jonah backed up. “If we are on your land, we’ll move. We didn’t know. I’m sorry!” He glanced over his shoulder at Arisha and Jonah, then turned back to his attacker.

  “I said shut up!” The captain returned to his men, his voice louder now. He wasn’t happy with their actions, but now that they’d captured the Israelites there was nothing he could do. He couldn’t just release them. He knew they’d run right back to camp and let everyone know Canaanite soldiers were around. He could kill them right he
re, but he’d be left with bodies to carry or bury. His only choice was to take all of them with him. He sent his men to find water to fill their skins.

  What now? Zadok would come for her, surely. He would go back to camp and tell everyone they were missing. But he would have no idea where they’d gone. But they’d search for them. Wouldn’t they? Even just for eleven of them? Ten shepherds and a woman?

  Oh, Yahweh, help me now. I can’t go back. It’s too dangerous.

  Dizziness swept over Arisha. She sucked in a deep breath and tried to remember the words Moses had shared with her the other day.

  “It is Yahweh himself who must be our home. He has been our dwelling place since before there was time, and will be forever.”

  Yahweh was her home, her dwelling place. He would take care of her.

  Now all she had to do was remember that, whatever happened next.

  Zadok stared at his demolished fold and unprotected sheep. Micah, Jonah, all the new men had disappeared as well as Arisha.

  He sucked in a deep breath and tried to slow his raging heartbeat. The images going through his mind…

  “Reuben, I’m going back to camp. Can you…?” He drew his hand down his face. He couldn’t concentrate. What was he going to say?

  Reuben squeezed Zadok’s shoulder. “I’ll repair the fold and stay here. You go. Figure out how we get them back.”

  The waxing moon gave barely enough light for him to see where he placed his feet as he raced back. He sprinted though camp until he reached his parents’ tent, gasping for breath. Only Imma sat outside. “Something happened.”

  She turned her face slightly to call over her shoulder, never taking her gaze from her son. “Ahmose!”

  Abba exited the tent, his usual bright smile absent. Imma’s tone must have alerted him.

  How did he say this? Deliver news this bad? “Something happened at the fold.” The words tumbled out.

  Abba gestured to the fire. “Would you like to sit?”

  Zadok shook his head, looked away. He felt his chest tighten as he recounted the events that had happened … how long ago? It felt like a lifetime. “Someone took them away. Arisha, Micah and Jonah. All of them.” He felt entirely … empty. Bereft. Helpless.