Journey to the Well: A Novel

by Diana Wallis Taylor

  Shiva clapped him on the shoulder. “He will send word. Your mother worries?”

  Caleb nodded. “She looks for him often. She says she had a bad feeling when he left, that something terrible was going to happen. Now, she tries not to show how concerned she is, but it is hard for her.”

  Shiva thought a moment. There was gossip in the marketplace among the merchants that no one had seen Ahmal’s caravan. Many thought he had run into bandits or a band of marauders. One can speculate, but it was strange that there had been no word at all. They returned to their work, the older man glancing at the younger from time to time. He liked the boy as he had liked the father. It was not the boy’s fault that his mother carried the curse of the “evil eye.” Surely the merchant Ahmal had paid dearly for marrying her.

  When Ahmal had been gone almost a year, a group of merchants came to the house led by Shema. Eliab spoke with them briefly and came to Marah.

  “I do not wish to disturb you, mistress, but there is a group of men who insist on seeing you. They say it is a matter of business and they will not be put off.”

  She went out to the courtyard and faced them with dignity.

  “What can I do for you?”

  Shema stepped forward. “Have you had word from your husband as to when he will return?”

  Marah shook her head. “I look for word every day. At least I have not received word that he is wounded . . . or dead. I trust he shall return soon.”

  “We do not wish to trouble you, but we cannot wait any longer. We have businesses to run and goods to pay for. Ahmal owes us money. He has always paid his debts, but he is not here,” Shema said, shrugging his shoulders. The other merchants nodded their heads vigorously in agreement.

  Marah felt alarm begin in her belly. “What would you have me do?”

  “Surely your husband has set aside money . . . for necessary things in his absence?”

  “How much does he owe you?” she asked calmly.

  Shema handed her a scroll. She studied the figures for a moment and then spoke to Shema again. “Wait here, please.” She turned and went to Ahmal’s chambers. He had showed her where he kept his money box, just in case, and she had been touched that he had trusted her with this information. She had never touched the box, yet now, with trembling fingers, she pulled it from its hiding place and opened it.

  “May I help you, mistress?” It was Eliab. “It is all right. I have known of the box for a long time. The master has trusted me also with this information.” He smiled at her and took the box gently. He studied the scroll and then took a few coins from the box. “This should settle the debt, mistress.” He put the box back in its hiding place, handed her the coins, and accompanied her back to the merchants. Marah had come to trust Eliab as Ahmal trusted him, so with dignity she held out her hand and gave the coins to Shema.

  When they had gone, she turned to Eliab. “Thank you, Eliab, I . . . I’m afraid that I could not . . .”

  “Could not read the scroll, mistress?” His eyes were kind and there was no hint of disapproval in his face. “I suspected as much the way you studied it.” He shrugged. “I was a scribe in Iconium.”

  “Oh Eliab, I am worried. Where is Ahmal? Are there others who will come seeking to be paid? What are we to do?”

  “Do not fear, mistress. I shall be at your side, for I have promised the master to care for you in his absence.”

  Marah laid a hand on his arm. “Eliab . . . thank you. That is a comfort to me.”

  When Eliab left, Marah sat down to consider the situation. Surely Ahmal would return before the coins were gone.

  He did not. Marah began quietly selling things in the house, sending Eliab to the marketplace to carefully and unobtrusively bargain away Ahmal’s treasures. As over two years passed without word, the once affluent house looked barren.

  Elon had left them all at last. Demas found him laboring for breath one morning and had called her. As she and Caleb knelt by his bed, he had tried to say a few last words, but the effort was too great for him. He had touched her hand briefly and had reached out to Caleb, gripping his hand. Caleb held the old man’s hand tightly until it went limp and Elon was gone.

  Caleb took his grandfather’s death hard. He disappeared for almost a full day, and later Marah found out he had gone to walk the hills and give vent to his grief. They missed Elon’s wit and wisdom in the household, and Marah felt as though Jesse were farther away from her than ever. Only Caleb, in a look, a gesture, the way he smiled, brought back her memories. She was thankful she at least had Caleb.

  Little by little, Ahmal’s wealth dwindled as Marah and Eliab settled debts and paid for merchandise that Ahmal had taken on his caravan to trade. One of the creditors had eyed Demas.

  “I could use a strong young man in my shop,” he mused, stroking his beard.

  “Demas is needed here,” she had replied quietly.

  The man’s eyes narrowed as he looked at her. “Surely a woman such as you is lonely. Your husband has been gone a long time, has he not? I could offer comfort in a more practical way, to settle the debt.” He moved closer and Marah stepped back.

  “It is best that you go now,” she said sharply and Eliab firmly showed the merchant to the gate.

  Caleb, finally realizing that he must help, had begun to share coins from his earnings. He worked in Shiva’s shop as much as he could, but this time it was not for his own pleasure. There was no time to carve small animals. He built tables and chairs and made tools for the men who worked the fields.

  Marah sensed that Caleb was restless and worried about Ahmal. She caught looks passing between Caleb and Demas and found them whispering together more than once. When she questioned Caleb, he gave vague answers. He began to be obsessed with the idea that if he could only go, he could find Ahmal.

  “Mother, I know I could find him. I could at least find out what happened to him so we know. We cannot go on living like this forever. Don’t you want to know?”

  “Caleb! You must not speak foolishly. You are only a boy. You cannot go running off after Ahmal. We will have word from him in some way soon.”

  He paced the floor. “You have been saying that for almost two years. When will we hear? When everything in the house is gone?” he spat angrily.

  She reacted as though he had slapped her and stepped back, her hand to her mouth. Caleb was instantly contrite. He never wanted to hurt her.

  “Mother, I am almost seventeen. I am a man. I could ask questions, find out answers.”

  “And be captured by slave traders . . . or killed by bandits? Caleb, what would I do without you? I have lost your father and grandfather. Would you have me lose you also?”

  Caleb did not answer, but by the set of his jaw, she knew the matter wasn’t settled.

  He looked at her a long moment, kissed her cheek, and quietly went to his quarters. Soon Marah heard the sound of the little flute that Jesse had made years ago. Caleb played on it when he was unhappy or thinking. At least the argument was over . . . until the next time.

  Marah went up to the roof of the house and walked along the parapet. There, in the darkness, she poured out her heart to her God.

  In the morning Eliab came to her. He looked older than his years and his face was stricken.

  “Mistress, I fear young master Caleb is gone.”

  With a cry she ran past Eliab to Caleb’s quarters. He had taken clothes and his few personal possessions. His leather bag was gone. Lying on his pallet was the little flute. He knew what it meant to her and left it behind. She picked it up and clutched it to her heart.

  “Oh Caleb, how could you go alone on such a journey? How could you leave me alone like this?” She turned to Eliab who had followed her. “Where is Demas? He might have some idea which direction he has gone. Call Demas at once.”

  Eliab shook his head sadly. “I fear he has gone with the young master. His things are missing from his room also.”

  Marah took a deep breath and gathered her strength, then pu
t a hand on Eliab’s arm. There was no need for words. Mistress and servant looked at one another with a bond of sorrow. They would have to make the best of the situation and pray for Caleb and Demas as well as Ahmal.

  The weeks went by and finally there was a word from Caleb by way of a merchant. He had followed Ahmal’s trail as far as Antioch. He and Demas were all right. He sent his love. At her urgent questions, the merchant patiently stated that Caleb and his servant appeared to be in good health. She thanked him for his trouble and he went on his way.

  The last creditor came to the house reluctantly. He knew of their circumstances and was not a greedy man, but he had a family to support and he had been put off too many times.

  “I must be paid. Have you nothing you can give me?”

  Sadly she shook her head. What else did she have that was not absolutely needed for food? The man appeared to think a moment and then reluctantly looked at Eliab who was standing nearby.

  “He is old for a servant, but I can use the help. I will take him and call the debt. If your husband returns, he can redeem his servant, but until then, he will work for me for the debt.”

  Marah was stricken. She wanted to cry out . . . No, he is all I have left. I will be completely alone. She turned to Eliab and there were tears in his eyes.

  “It is all right, mistress. Master Ahmal will return soon. This is the last debt.” He left the room and returned in a few moments with his small bag of belongings.

  Eliab followed the merchant out of the house, and Marah stood silently watching them as they went through the gate and turned down the street. A scream rose in her throat and she put her fist to her mouth to stifle it. Dropping to her knees in the middle of the room, she wrapped her arms around herself and began to rock back and forth with silent tears. Not knowing how long she had been there, she finally rose unsteadily to her feet and looked around her. Walking slowly through the silent house, she bolted the doors. In her mind she seemed to hear the echo of Caleb’s laughter and Demas’s voice as they talked. She heard Eliab’s kind voice as he spoke of Ahmal, and saw him going about his duties. It was as if the ghosts of her family were there with her. She looked out a small window and could see one star shining brightly. She watched it a long time.

  PART VII

  Reuben

  44

  As they rode into the city, Reuben’s eyes took in the sights around him. He delighted in the sounds and smells of new surroundings. One never knew what possibilities could emerge. He turned to the man on the horse behind him. “Ah, Tema, we at last come to Shechem. An interesting town, is it not?”

  The other man looked about, his nose wrinkling. His master made comments to him, but seldom wished his opinion. His small, rheumy eyes darted here and there. At least no one knew them here. They barely made it out of the last city after his master had found the wife of a prosperous merchant to his liking. He hunched his thin shoulders, and the frown that seemed a permanent part of his face deepened. He merely nodded.

  Reuben eyed his servant, his dark eyes twinkling. He threw back his head and laughed. “Ah, you can rest easily, Tema. We come only to call on my dear half brother, Ahmal. As his guests, we can refresh ourselves. No doubt, he can be persuaded to . . . how shall I say it . . . send us on our way with our pockets less empty?”

  Tema perked up a bit. “He does well, master?”

  “Very well. I hear he has a large caravan of his own. It is a good thing that our travels have brought us to Shechem where he dwells. Our resources are nearly at an end. Come, Tema, let us inquire as to where my dear half brother Ahmal can be found.”

  They lodged their horses at an inn and began to walk through the town. Reuben’s eyes followed a woman passing through the marketplace. He smiled, his teeth white against the tan of the desert. She lowered her eyes and ignored him, continuing on toward the village well. Reuben watched her walk gracefully with the water jug on her shoulder. She moved with purpose and dignity. A merchant’s wife no doubt, from her confidence. He observed with interest as she approached the village well. An argument seemed to ensue with one of the other women who murmured something and quickly moved away from the well. He caught the words “evil eye” as the women left her standing alone. This was interesting. Who was she? He turned to the merchant at the nearest stall.

  “Who is the woman who stands there at the well?”

  “It is the wife of the caravan master Ahmal. It is said she has the evil eye.” The merchant looked her way apprehensively.

  Reuben was fascinated. “How is that?”

  “She has had five husbands, my friend, all dead or gone. Her last was a prosperous merchant until he married her.”

  “Was?” Reuben stroked his beard thoughtfully. Tema rolled his eyes. He could sense trouble.

  “He left on a caravan almost three years ago and hasn’t been heard from since. She does not know if he is alive or dead.” The merchant beckoned Reuben closer and he leaned down. “I would think that by now he is dead . . . as with all the others!” He shook his head.

  “So she is alone? She has servants?”

  “All gone or sold for the merchant’s debts. She had a son, but he has gone also. He took one of the young servant boys with him. Word is that he went to seek his father’s whereabouts. She heard news once concerning him, but no more.” The merchant suddenly stepped back, eyeing Reuben. “Do you know of the merchant, Ahmal?”

  Reuben looked properly dejected. “Alas, I am his brother. My servant and I have traveled a great distance to see him. This is most distressing news.” He looked furtively around him as if someone could overhear them. “My, ah . . . brother’s wife, she remains . . . alone?” He shrugged and left the unspoken question hanging in the air.

  The merchant nodded with understanding and also replied in a conspiratorial way. “She spurns the men, though there is a wager as to who will entice her to his bed.”

  “How then does she live?”

  “She once sold wool yarn to the merchant Dathan, but her sheep are gone. Debts, you know. It is said she has friends here in Shechem who help her from time to time.”

  Reuben stepped back and drew himself up. “I had come hoping I would see my long-lost brother. It grieves me to hear this news. I will call on her. Perhaps there is something I can do to be of assistance. I can at least give his wife . . . his widow, my gravest sympathy. Thank you, my friend, for your assistance.”

  “Be warned. You must be careful or you may suffer the fate of your brother.” The merchant nodded his head solemnly.

  After inquiring as to the whereabouts of the house of Ahmal, Reuben approached it thoughtfully. The appearance of the courtyard was neat, but Reuben could see that what had at one time been a fine house was in need of repair. As he and Tema entered the courtyard, the woman he had seen in the village came out of the house. She was wary but stood quietly and watched their approach.

  “You are the wife of Ahmal?”

  “I am.” She waited, watching them warily.

  “I am Reuben, Ahmal’s brother. My servant Tema and I have traveled a long way to see him.”

  Her mouth opened in surprise. Ahmal had never mentioned a brother. Pushing aside the thoughts, she spoke quietly. “I am sorry. Your brother is not here. He is away on a journey.”

  As Reuben studied her face more closely, he was struck by her beauty. She was a handsome woman still. Her hair was magnificent. This was indeed an interesting situation, yet somehow he sensed that this was no ordinary woman. He needed to move carefully.

  “A thousand pardons for coming upon you at such a time. My brother and I have not seen each other in many years. You can imagine my sadness at hearing that he is not here and that there is no word of him. How long has he been gone?” He moved closer, keeping an attitude of sympathy and concern.

  She sighed heavily. No doubt these men had heard all about Ahmal in the marketplace. “Three years.” She looked off into the distance and then seemed to remember her duties of hospitality.

&nbs
p; “Please, enter our humble home. I can offer only simple refreshments, such as they are, but you are welcome.” She stepped aside and beckoned for them to enter.

  Reuben glanced at Tema and raised his eyebrows. Tema shrugged slightly and followed him into the house.

  Marah felt somewhat embarrassed. What had once been a comfortable home with artifacts from Ahmal’s travels now possessed only the barest essentials. The house was clean and orderly, she saw to that, but she could not entertain her husband’s brother in the manner that he had obviously expected. She glanced cautiously at him as he looked around the once lavish room. He was as tall as Jesse with dark eyes under bushy brows. His beard was as black as the night. He carried himself as a prince and his body was lean and trim. Somewhere within her a small sense of alarm grew. There was something about him that told her to be on her guard. She was bound by the laws of her land to treat him as a guest with all courtesy, to offer him her hospitality. He was her husband’s brother; why then did she feel fearful? She found herself hoping they would not stay the full three days.

  Reuben smiled at her. “You have had a difficult time, Marah.” His gaze was disconcerting.

  “Let me show you to your rooms. Forgive me that they are not as they should be.”

  She showed Reuben to Ahmal’s quarters. At least there was a bed, some rugs, a small table, and an oil lamp. “Your servant can take the room below. It is the room of Ahmal’s former steward, Eliab.”

  “And where is Eliab?” Reuben was finding the circumstances more to his liking every moment.

  “He works for a merchant in Shechem. He was taken to pay a debt.” Somehow she felt the need to add, “He comes to the house often, to see if I am all right.”

  “I see.” Reuben stroked his beard thoughtfully. “Go, Tema, find the quarters she has indicated for you.” He turned toward Marah.

  She felt somewhat uncomfortable in his presence. “You must be hungry after your long journey. Let me prepare refreshment for you. I won’t be long.” She left the room quickly and went to see what she had on hand. There was little. She hurried out to the gate and saw a boy passing by.