“You turn it often enough,” Karmot replied. “And the wheat now in the field will be ready for harvest soon. Just after the next change of the moon, I think.”
“I hope so.” She pressed her lips together. “We should be able to get an excellent price for both crops.” Then what? Certainly she needed a slave girl. Afterward, more silver bracelets, and someday an additional field. Karmot would find suitable husbands for Sanda, and eventually Masula also. Her family must surely recognize her business skills when they obtained slaves and hirelings to do the daily drudgery.
Karmot no longer needed to wait at the city gate to direct lodgers to the inn, because people from the sunrise side of the river found their own way to Rahab’s door. The constant flow of lodgers allowed Karmot to serve as the doorkeeper, freeing Yassib to go to the fields. Rahab did not need her brother’s help with the labor as much as his ability to keep an eye on the rebellious Kemil.
Yes, she thought, our time of hard labor is almost over. Another two years like this one and she looked forward to financial independence. How fortunate her family lived on this side of the Jordan, she thought. Apparently King Og lacked the wisdom to build his walls as strong as those of Jericho. It was just as well the King of Bashan was a fool. The refugees who continued to pass through were good for business.
“Good afternoon,” a smooth, deep voice said. “Do you have room for two travelers?”
“Certainly,” Karmot answered. “Provided you are prepared to pay a half shekel each.”
“Agreed,” the deep-voiced man answered. He was taller than the other traveler by half a head, well-built, and very pleasant to look upon.
Without rising, Karmot nodded toward Rahab. “My daughter will make you comfortable. What brings you to Jericho?”
“We came from Egypt.” The shorter man’s accent was as peculiar as his companion’s.
Rahab turned to the courtyard. “This way, please.” Perhaps these guests planned to enjoy the pleasure of her company later. It was not every day two handsome young men were among the inn’s occupants.
“May we have something to eat now?” the tall one with the deep voice asked.
“Of course,” Rahab replied. Travelers often arrived at the inn hungry. “Rest yourselves while I make some fresh bread.” Since little Karmotil had been fussy for the past two days, it was likely Bilda was tending to him. Rahab decided to bake flatbread for the two men rather than go and find her mother. After stoking the fire that always smoldered in the outdoor oven she began to knead grain and oil together.
Normally, travelers retreated to the shady area of the courtyard while their food was prepared. These men lingered near where Rahab squatted. They seemed to be interested as she flattened balls of dough for baking.
“Do you have many other guests?” the shorter man asked.
“Yes. It is a rare day when we do not fill most of our rooms.” Rahab imagined she felt the eyes of the men on her back as she slid the flatbread into the oven to bake. Their clothing was ordinary, but their speech was unusual. She struggled with the feeling something was strangely out of place.
“He meant today,” the tall man with the deep voice said, “not generally. Are there many other guests at your inn right now?”
Are these men up to no good? While attempting to believe there was no cause for alarm, Rahab considered whether she might need to defend herself. Was the baking paddle enough to frighten the men away? Or was it better to snatch her knife from the holster over her shoulder and scream for Karmot? These men looked healthy and strong enough to overpower her and her father. Yet they did not strike her as violent, merely unusual.
Pulling the perfectly browned bread from the oven, Rahab put on a bright smile. “Oh, I am sorry. Were you speaking to me?” She turned the fresh bread onto the stone table. “Smells delicious, does it not?” she asked. “With my good wine and ghee made just this morning, you will be refreshed from your journey.”
“Thank you, mira.”
The travelers looked similar enough to other Egyptians who passed through Jericho occasionally. Was it their slightly different manner of speaking? Perhaps they were not from Alexandria but some more remote area of the land of the pharaohs. Regardless of where they came from, they were foreigners. Therefore, the king’s men would make it their business to evaluate whether or not the visitors had legitimate business in the city. Because of the Hebrews, the king’s men were especially interested in anyone who passed through the city gate these days.
Rahab decided to bide her time and keep the strangers occupied until the soldiers came to question them. She was confident in her ability to kindle her male guests’ interest. “You have traveled many days from your wives and families,” she said as she served wine. “No doubt you miss them.”
The tall man continued to eat, while the shorter turned his face toward her.
“My inn offers you nourishment and lodging,” Rahab continued. She stretched her arms and trailed the fingertips of her right hand slowly along her left forearm. “There are times when a man needs more than food and shelter.”
The men’s reactions were not in accordance with Rahab’s expectations. The tall, quiet one seemed amused, while the shorter man wore a look of surprise. Tossing her hair, Rahab slowly licked her lips. At this point, most men began to negotiate a price for her services or—more rarely—gave her a reluctant refusal. These fellows did neither. Why were they so slow? Do they know nothing of how to conduct business?
Rahab went to stand behind the men. The taller one continued to eat and drink, as if unaware of her presence. She leaned over the shorter man to rearrange the food on the stone table. As she did so, she rested a hand lightly on the man’s shoulder. He jumped away, as if her touch burned his body. “You are a harlot!” he exclaimed. The tall man stifled a laugh.
“Yes, I am,” Rahab replied, drawing her hand away. “What do you expect at an inn?”
“I expect decency and honor in all things,” the shorter man said. “But then, I suppose I forget what kind of pagans—”
The tall man held up a hand, and his companion fell silent. Rahab was accustomed to men too poor to afford her services, but the reactions of these two puzzled her. One seemed completely indifferent, while the other made her feel unclean. The truth flew into her mind with such force it escaped from her mouth. “You are Hebrews.”
“Yes, we are,” the tall man said, much to Rahab’s surprise.
They were such beautiful young men. What a pity for them to be impaled in the public place. “Do you not know the king’s men keep track of foreigners in Jericho, because of all the trouble across the river? If you hurry, you may be able to escape.”
The shorter man quickly pushed his food away, stood up, and shook out his clothing. The taller one turned and faced Rahab. “Will you hide us?” he asked.
“I could be executed for helping you. And my whole family along with me.” Looking into his eyes made her heart beat faster. Yet his face would no longer be handsome after a beating from the soldiers’ rods.
The tall man spoke gently. “Help us and you will live when we take this city.”
“Take Jericho? You cannot,” she whispered. “Our walls…”
“Your walls are nothing to the Lord. We will conquer this city and all others who stand in our way, just as we have overcome the Amorites.” His manner conveyed absolute confidence. “Our lives in exchange for yours. Yes or no?”
Rahab never understood exactly why she believed the Hebrews would prevail. Yet in that moment, she knew it was true. Jericho will fall before the powerful God of the Hebrews! So many thoughts swirled in her head. She remembered the morning when she broke away from her father’s household to find her own way in the world. Others called her actions foolish, but in the end her family benefitted from her boldness. Was this another such opportunity? If so, she must again act with speed and courage. She might scream for Karmot, and turn these men over to the King of Jericho—or trust her unexplainable feeling the Go
d of the Hebrews was both real and all-powerful. Were the stories she heard all her life about His parting of the Red Sea actually true? Whichever way she chose, there was no turning back.
Once she made her decision, calmness fell over Rahab like a warm cloak. “Yes. We have an agreement. Pour the water from that large crock on the ground,” she told the men. “It will take both of you to lift it. Then go quickly up those stairs,” she pointed to the central staircase. “On the roof you will see many bundles of drying flax. Hide among them and wait. Show yourselves to no one until I come to you. Hasten.”
The men replaced the empty water crock in its resting place as Rahab went to the reception room. “Oh, Father,” she said to Karmot. “We are completely out of water. When our guests finish eating, I will not have a drop to offer them to clean the dust of the road from their feet.” She searched Karmot’s face for any hint of suspicion. “I could go to the well myself, but only by refusing my services to the travelers. Would you mind fetching a pouch or two of water? Later, I will go and get more.”
Karmot hardly looked up. “I do not understand why you and your mother cannot keep better track of your supplies,” he grumbled.
“Yes, it was careless of me to let us run out of water,” she said. “I will try never to let it happen again.”
Sighing heavily, Karmot took a water pouch hanging on the peg nearest the exit. “Oh, all right,” he said. “As long as I am going I may as well take some silver and shop for a few fresh vegetables. Too many vendors are afraid to venture outside the gates to harvest crops because they think a Hebrew lurks behind every rock and tree. Fools, if you ask me.”
“Yes, Father. You are right. People are unnecessarily frightened.” Rahab gave him half a shekel of silver, although she suspected it would end up gambled instead of spent on food. As soon as Karmot cleared the door, she slammed the securing beam across it and ran to the roof, not stopping to clean up from the Hebrew travelers’ meal.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
While she caught her breath, Rahab scanned the rooftop for the Hebrews. Seeing no sign of the two men, she said, “I am alone. Where are you?”
She jumped at the rustle of flax near her feet. “My father has gone to fetch water,” she said. “He will be away from the inn for some time. Eventually the king’s men will come by on patrol. If you do not escape before they arrive, you will be trapped inside the city when the gates are closed at sundown.”
The taller traveler dusted straw from his tunic. “Does someone watch the entrance to your inn constantly?”
“No,” Rahab answered. “One of the king’s informants lives around the corner, over there.” She gestured to her right. “If you go in the other direction, you may avoid discovery.” She paused. “I must warn you, there is a good chance someone will detain you before you reach the city gate. Your victories on the other side of the river have everyone in Jericho worried about foreigners.”
“Are guards posted around the city walls in the evening?” the tall one asked.
“Soldiers walk around the top of the city wall regularly throughout the night,” she replied. “I know of no other patrols. No one stands outside the walls.”
“Then why not go out the window after dark?” He nodded toward where Jericho’s city wall butted up against the back of the inn.
Rahab considered the suggestion. “If you wait until just after the soldiers pass by, I doubt anyone will see you. But you cannot survive a jump from this height without broken bones.”
“We know how to climb down, as long as we have something to hold onto.”
She thought for a moment. “I have a strong rope, the one we used to lift the flax onto the roof from the street.” As she talked, Rahab went to the alcove window. “This one,” she said, holding up the end of the scarlet cord Rohat gave her.
The men inspected the rope. “This is more than thick enough to hold our weight,” the shorter man said.
“And this interesting device keeps it secure on this end,” the taller man observed, touching the winch Karmot built for the harvest. Turning to Rahab, the man said, “I am Salmon. I give you my word we will spare you when we take Jericho, in return for your assistance. You and all of your family.” He nodded to his companion. “Benjamin here is your witness. You and everyone to be saved must be inside this inn when our day of victory comes. I cannot dispatch men to hunt for you in the confusion of battle. Do you understand and agree?”
“Yes,” Rahab said. “I do. But when will all of this happen?”
“No one knows yet,” Salmon said. “But rest assured, it will be soon. Meanwhile, keep everyone close to you here.”
Even from the rooftop, Rahab heard someone pounding at the inn’s entryway. “Soldiers!” she said. “I must go.” As she ran to the steps, she looked over a shoulder and said, “Hide!”
As she removed the locking beam, Rahab painted a smile onto her face. “Good afternoon,” she greeted the soldiers. “Forgive my slowness,” she said, “I was cleaning pots and did not hear you at first.”
“Good afternoon, mira.” The leader of the familiar king’s men said. “We have a report of foreign guests at your inn. We will speak with them”
“Oh, yes. Two young Egyptians.” She reminded herself to smile again. “They said they wanted to spend the night. But after they ate well, they said they were refreshed and decided to press on further. May I offer you some wine?”
“Not today, thank you,” the soldier said. “Two young men you say? They may be the ones we are searching for. How long have they been gone?”
Rahab paused as if thinking, cocking her head and pointing her eyes toward the ceiling. “Not long. Just after my father went to fetch water. That direction.” She pointed left, toward the city gate. “If you hurry you may be able to catch up with them.”
“Good. We will pursue them.” The leader motioned to his men, then turned back to Rahab. “Some other day we will return to sample your wine. And perhaps even more.” He grinned and winked.
Rahab smiled and cast her eyes downward. “Any day you find convenient, sir,” she forced herself to say. She watched the soldiers round the corner away from the inn. Then she quickly closed the door and thrust the locking beam into place. She sank to the floor, weak with relief, grateful the king’s men seemed to believe her hastily fabricated lies.
Taking a deep breath, Rahab went into the courtyard. Soon, her mother joined her, rubbing her eyes. “We have guests,” Bilda observed. “I wanted Karmotil to take a nap, but we both ended up asleep.”
“It is good you slept,” Rahab said. “You and the baby both need rest. Yes, we had guests. Egyptians. They asked to spend the night, but changed their minds and left after they ate.”
“Um,” Bilda said, clearing the last remains of the Hebrews’ meal from the stone table.
When Karmot returned, he emptied his pot of water into the big crock sitting near the outdoor oven. “Try to keep better account from now on,” he admonished Bilda. “I cannot trot off to get water for you all the time.”
As usual, Bilda said nothing in response to Karmot. He stomped back to the receiving room, while she peered into the water crock. After sticking an arm inside the crock, she shook her head. “I was certain we had plenty,” Bilda said. “We will need more for the evening.”
“I will go,” Rahab said. She did not want to leave the inn with the Hebrew spies hiding on the rooftop, but she dared not ask her father to make a second trip to the well. “Those Egyptians used too much water cleaning their filthy feet.”
The arrival of new guests occupied Karmot’s attention as Rahab took two large water pouches from the wall. Still, her father managed to toss the words “about time” in her direction as she exited the inn. She walked along without consciousness of the distance. She went over the events of the afternoon, with the full awareness her life was altered. For the first time, she accepted the reality of the forthcoming military attack on Jericho. No doubt a long siege was in store, bringing shortages of f
ood and water. Did the Hebrews not observe the solid construction of this city’s walls? Yet Salmon and Benjamin seemed so sure of victory.
She resolved not to concern herself with coming events. Rather, she must concentrate on concealing her—what was the right word? Yes, it was treason. If anyone discovered she helped the Hebrews, she and her family faced a horrible death. When the city fell, what reason did Salmon have to keep his word? How would an invading army be able to locate a handful of people to be spared, out of the thousands living in Jericho? Every shred of logic within her warned against trusting the Hebrews. Yet, something deep within her rejected all those arguments, choosing instead to trust the promise of the foreign spies.
“You dawdle while people cut in front of us,” an old woman said angrily. “Do you wish to draw water or not?”
“Forgive me, mira,” Rahab said, hurrying to fill her pouches.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
“I thought we would never get home,” Sanda sputtered at the evening meal. “The king’s men were checking every person going out of the city gate. They had no consideration for the people trying to get inside.”
“What were they looking for?” asked a dark-eyed woman from one of the traveling families.
“Two men,” Sanda said.
“Yes,” Masula added, “spies.”
“No!” the matriarch of a traveling group said. “Hebrews perhaps?”
“I doubt it,” Sanda said. “My father says they will never be foolish enough to come to this side of the river. Anyway, the river is flooding now. No one can cross it before the next new moon, even if they want to.”
“You must not underestimate those people,” the dark-eyed woman said. “King Og did, and look what happened to him. I have heard it said the Hebrews have only one god, but he is exceptionally strong.”
As Rahab listened to the conversation, she noticed Bilda staring at her. Does Mother know what I have done? No, she slept all afternoon. Still, Bilda was meticulous about supplies. Did she doubt Rahab’s flimsy explanation for the sudden emptiness of the water vessel?
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