The Gate of Heaven

by Gilbert, Morris

  Shechem was not a large place, but it was very old. It was composed of a ring wall of unmortared blocks of stone, which enclosed two cities—one in the southwest and one in the northwest. The upper one in the northwest stood on an artificial mound and consisted almost entirely of the palace of King Hamor and a massive temple dedicated to Baal.

  These two structures were the first things that met Dinah’s eyes as they entered a valley and approached the gate. Dinah studied the inhabitants of the lower city and was disappointed to see it was hardly more than a village. The inhabitants seemed dull and slow-moving, but she hoped for better things inside the palace.

  As they passed through a bazaar, the peddlers called out their wares, begging them to stop and bargain, but Dinah paid them no heed. She was looking at the gate, which was highly ornamented with carved wood and had heavy brass hinges and handles.

  The gates opened, and they were met by no less than Prince Shechem himself, who had evidently been informed of their coming. As soon as the wagon stopped, he ran to hold up his hands. Smiling, he helped her to the ground and said, “Our palace is honored by your presence, mistress. Come, and I will show you to your quarters myself.”

  “Thank you, Your Highness.”

  “This is your companion?”

  “Yes.”

  Shechem nodded toward Tersa, and then his eyes fell on Demetrius. He stood still for a moment, and since he was turned away, Dinah did not see the hatred that flashed in his eyes. His eyes locked with those of Demetrius, who also stood still, not bowing but resting his hand on the hilt of his sword. For a moment the two men glared at each other, but when Shechem turned back to Dinah, his expression became pleasant again. “Come. You must be tired after your long journey.”

  “Oh, not at all! I’m anxious to see the palace.”

  “Then you shall.” He waved his hand to his servants and ordered, “See that the attendants of the princess are cared for.”

  “Princess? I’m not a princess,” Dinah said, laughing. “I’m only the daughter of Israel.”

  Shechem turned toward Dinah, admiring her. “You’re beautiful enough to be a princess, and who can say what time will bring us?”

  Shechem escorted Dinah into the palace, and she was impressed with the furnishings. He showed her to her quarters and said, “When you have refreshed yourself, inform my servant, and I will show you the rest of the palace.”

  “Thank you, Prince.”

  Dinah went inside the quarters and found them to be far more ornate than she could have imagined. There was a bed that was so soft she could not imagine what it was made of—feathers of some sort, she suspected. The walls were covered with paintings, and some of the statues had precious stones for their eyes. The servants of Shechem provided her with enough water for a bath, so she washed away the grime of the travel, and then she put on fresh clothes. She had brought a new robe of a pale rose color, which had cost a great deal. Finally, when she was ready, she informed the servant, and ten minutes later Shechem arrived. “Come along. We will see the palace, and then you will have an audience with my father and his first wife. Then there will be a feast in your honor and much entertainment. I am sure you will find it pleasing.”

  “I know I will,” Dinah said, smiling. She was tremendously excited, and for the next two hours she accompanied the prince as he showed her the magnificent features of the palace, which included many fountains. She did not know what powered them but somehow they bubbled up, some high into the air. There were artificial waterfalls too, so inside the palace one was never far from the sibilant sound of the rushing of water.

  The audience with the king was flattering to Dinah. He introduced her to his first wife, Marza, a quiet but attractive woman with sharp black eyes. She was gracious to Dinah, asking her many questions about her life and her family.

  The meal was overwhelming. It consisted of pots of thick porridge prepared with sesame oil, warm cakes of barley flour, radishes, cucumbers, sprouts of cabbage palm, and several cuts of roasted meat, including lamb, beef, and chicken. For drink there was goat’s milk and wine.

  The room itself was ornate and luxurious. Two large earthenware chests on the outer walls of the room held copper basins, milk vessels, and goblets. The family sat on a low leather-covered dais. Dinah sat with her legs curled under herself, while the king had a backless chair gaily painted with gorgeous colors and a footstool to match. There were cow’s-horn spoons for the porridge and knives for cutting the meat.

  The meal went on for a long time, it seemed, and Dinah, who was not accustomed to much wine, felt herself reeling. She finally laughed and said, “No more wine! I’m not used to it.”

  “Oh, this is very mild,” Shechem insisted. “See how clear it is? Almost like water.”

  Indeed, the wine he insisted she take was almost like grape juice—or so it seemed.

  After the meal, Shechem described the entertainment that was to come at the celebration the following day. “We have acrobats from the Far East and jugglers. There will be demonstrations of swordplay by our finest warriors. Dancers, singers, musicians of all kinds. I’m sure you will enjoy it.”

  By this time Dinah was finding it difficult to concentrate. She was relieved, finally, when the king said, “Shechem, you are not thoughtful. Can’t you see our guest is tired from her long journey?”

  “My most abject pardon, princess,” Shechem said. “Come. I will show you to your quarters.”

  Dinah said her good-byes to the king and the queen, hoping she was following the rules of protocol, but as she walked back, she found her legs not quite steady.

  Shechem said, “Pardon me. You’re very weary. We kept you too long at the meal.”

  “Not at all. It was wonderful.”

  When they got to the door of the quarters, Shechem opened the door and led Dinah inside. As soon as they were inside, however, he put his arms around her and began telling her how lovely she was.

  Dinah was confused. She tried to resist, but Shechem was kissing her lips and neck, and his hands were roving over her in a way that shocked her.

  “Please, Prince Shechem, this is not proper!” She put her hands out and tried to get away. It proved to be quite a struggle, and she grew angry. “Your Highness, I must ask you to leave.” Her tongue was thick, making it difficult to speak, and she realized that the wine had some sort of drug in it. She began to shake with fear as she saw the blazing passion in his eyes. Desperately, she cried out, “Tersa—Tersa!”

  The maid appeared at once, as if she had been waiting nearby. The prince immediately dropped his arms.

  “I am not well, Tersa, and must lie down,” she said, trying to control her speech. “Please see the prince out. Good night, Your Highness.”

  Shechem’s face was flushed and anger flashed from his eyes, but he recovered quickly. “Of course. Forgive me, Princess. I will see you in the morning. Sleep well.”

  “Are you ill, mistress?” Tersa said. She had heard some of what had gone on, and her face was set. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

  “No. I just had too much wine, I’m afraid. I must lie down.”

  Tersa helped her change into a sleeping robe, and Dinah fell into the bed. Her head was swimming, and for a time, it seemed the whole room was swirling around. She began to grow quite ill, and finally she rolled out of bed and threw up.

  Tersa held her head, washed her face, and then put her back into bed. “You’re not used to these rich wines, mistress,” she whispered. “Sleep now.”

  Dinah felt better, but she was disappointed. I didn’t think he would be like that, she thought wearily, but I suppose princes are used to getting what they want.

  Sleep would not come, and Dinah realized she had made a mistake. I shouldn’t have come here without some of my family, she thought. I really shouldn’t have come at all. She had been warned of Shechem’s ways with women, but she had not thought he would try to force himself on her. As she lay there, she felt a gush of relief. If Tersa hadn’t
been here, he would have forced me. This is a bad place. As she finally began to fall asleep from exhaustion and the effects of the drugged wine, she told herself, “Demetrius was right. We’ll leave this place tomorrow.”

  Tersa sat straight up. She had been sleeping on the floor beside her mistress, but she was a light sleeper. Coming to her feet, she glanced at Dinah, who was sound asleep. The sound came again, and she went to the door. “Who is it?” she whispered.

  “A messenger from the king.”

  Tersa hesitated but suddenly the door opened—there was no lock on the inside—and she saw a burly man standing there. “What message is—?”

  Tersa had no time to say more for the burly guard grabbed her, wrapping her up in his arms and clamping his hands over her mouth. She struggled, but she was like a child against his strength. She was picked up bodily and carried out, but as she went, she saw Prince Shechem waiting. He gave her not a glance, but she saw his eyes were burning. As Tersa was carried away, trying but unable to scream, she knew that Dinah was trapped and there was no hope for her!

  Dinah came out of her drugged sleep quickly. Someone was touching her, mauling her, and she awoke to find the prince in bed beside her. He was pulling at her, and when he saw her eyes open, he laughed. “Well, you play hard to get, Princess. But you’re a woman and I’m a man, and we must have each other.”

  Dinah uttered a cry. “Tersa!”

  “She won’t be harmed, but we don’t need her to interrupt again.”

  Dinah had led a sheltered life but not so completely that she didn’t know exactly what Shechem had on his mind. Terror filled her, and she lunged away from him, rolling out on the other side of the bed, but he was after her in a moment. He grabbed her and began tearing at her clothes.

  “Let me alone, you beast!” she screamed. “Tersa! Help me!”

  “Come, now. You’re a little bit shy, but I like fresh women. Have you ever known a man?”

  Dinah made up her mind that he would not have her willingly. He was larger and stronger than she, but she would never give in. She reached out and ran her fingernails down one side of the prince’s face. She saw the blood come and heard his wild curse, and then his fist began to rain on her face. She protected herself as well as she could, but there was only one end. She fought like a wild animal, but finally the blows had their effect, and blackness closed over her.

  Demetrius sat up at once. He was camped outside the palace grounds with the other guards. In the darkness he saw a form coming to the door, and he grasped his sword. “Who is it?” he demanded.

  “It’s me, Tersa.”

  “Tersa, what are you doing here?” Demetrius came to his feet, and the other guards began to stir.

  “It’s the mistress…she’s been hurt!” Tersa cried, and Demetrius saw by the light of the single candle that tears were streaming down her face. “We’ve got to get away from here.”

  Demetrius demanded, “What’s happened?”

  “She’s been raped and beaten! I couldn’t help it, Demetrius! They came and took me away, and then I saw the prince going into her room. They just released me a few minutes ago at dawn. As soon as I saw her, I ran to get your help.”

  Shaking Amasa, Demetrius said, “Wake up!”

  Amasa rolled over and came to his feet. He was a huge man, towering over Demetrius. “What’s wrong?” he growled.

  “It’s Dinah. She’s been attacked by the prince.”

  Amasa stiffened and began to curse. He glanced over at the others, who were still sleeping, and said, “Tascar, Moack, wake up!”

  “Take me to where she is, Tersa,” Demetrius demanded.

  “We’ll go with you,” Amasa growled. “Maybe take a few heads off.”

  “No, you wait here and get the wagon ready. We’ll be back very soon,” Demetrius said.

  Tersa turned and ran back toward the palace, with Demetrius right by her side. There were no guards along the passageway, and Tersa stepped back at the door to Dinah’s room. “She’s in there,” she whispered.

  Demetrius entered the room and stopped dead still. Dinah was lying on the bed facedown, absolutely still. Demetrius moved to her side and turned her over. Her face was bruised and swollen, her lips cut, and there were bruises all over her body.

  Anger came in waves of white-hot rage, but Demetrius knew there was no time to give in to it. He had to keep his wits about him. “Tersa,” he called. “Come. Let’s get her dressed. We’re leaving this place.”

  Ten minutes later Demetrius stepped outside the palace carrying Dinah and followed by Tersa. The wagon was drawn up with Amasa and the other two guards standing waiting.

  Dinah was whimpering; one of her eyes was swollen shut and the other was a mere slit. Demetrius heard her whisper something and leaned forward but could not make it out. Gently, he said, “You’re all right now. I’ve got you.”

  “Demetrius?”

  “Yes?”

  “Take…take me home, Demetrius!”

  Demetrius lifted her up and set her gently in the back of the wagon. “Tersa, you ride with her. I’ll drive.”

  Demetrius turned, but before he could get into the wagon, Amasa called out a warning. “Demetrius, they’re coming!”

  Demetrius whirled to see a group of white-clad guards boiling out of an entryway. At their head was Prince Shechem, who was screaming, “Cut them down! Cut them down!”

  A grim and fierce pleasure came to Demetrius then. He called, “Amasa, are you ready?”

  Amasa laughed. He had a huge sword in his hand, but it looked small against his bulk. “A little blood is what I need.” He stepped forward, and when the first of the wave reached them, he sheared the man’s head off with one blow.

  Demetrius threw himself into the fray, and he and his three companions hewed and hacked. He tried to get to Shechem, but the prince remained back, shouting, “Kill them! Kill them all!”

  The battle did not last long. After three more of the guards lay bleeding and writhing like cut worms, the rest retreated.

  “Come, Prince Shechem, let’s you and I have a bout!” Demetrius shouted, but the prince turned and disappeared inside the portal, followed by his guards.

  “Come. Let’s get out of this place,” Demetrius growled. He leaped up into the seat of the wagon and grabbed the reins, and the animals moved forward at once.

  Dinah awakened to pain such as she had never known. She seemed to hurt all over and could barely see. Reaching up to touch her face, she found her hair stiff with blood.

  “Don’t try to move, mistress.”

  “Tersa, is that you?”

  “Yes.” Dinah felt the soft touch on her head. She was being held almost like a child, and she clung to Tersa and began to weep.

  “Don’t cry. It’s all right. It’s all over.”

  Dinah clung to Tersa, her body shaking with sobs. “No, it won’t ever be over…!”

  Levi and Simeon were beside themselves with fury when the entourage arrived back at camp, the guards limping behind it. Seeing the bloodied and swollen face of their sister as Demetrius lifted her out of the wagon and carried her toward the tent, both of them seemed to go insane. They were shaking, their faces pale with rage. Levi began screaming, “We’ll kill him! We’ll kill the king! We’ll kill all their servants!”

  Simeon was even worse. He and Levi had always been the most violent of Jacob’s sons, and now they ran around trying to gather together a party of men to go attack the king.

  Reuben, pale and shaken by what had happened, grabbed them by the arms. “It’s no time for that. We’ve got to see that our sister is all right.”

  “All right? She’ll never be all right! She’s been ruined by that monster of a prince. I’ll kill him! See if I don’t!” Levi shouted.

  Jacob heard his sons shouting, but he quickly pushed past them into the tent and fell on his knees beside Dinah. He was crushed at the sight of her and began to weep when she turned away from him, crying, “Don’t touch me, Father. I’m unclea
n.”

  Jacob whispered, “Don’t be foolish, child.” He pulled her over and took her in his arms. She clung to him, and weeping came like a storm. He held her and looked up to see Demetrius still standing there. He saw the grim rage in the eyes of the tall young man and knew he would get the full story later. Now, however, all he could think of was his daughter. He held her as she wept, and he wept too, inwardly calling out, O God, why did you allow this to happen?

  Chapter 32

  King Hamor was furious with Shechem. As soon as he had discovered what had happened during the night, he stormed into Shechem’s House of Delight and jerked his son out of bed by the hair. He ignored the women who scattered like frightened chickens. “You idiot! You crazy imbecile!” the king raged. “All you had to do was wait and we would eventually have had the girl and all of her father’s possessions.”

  Shechem’s face grew pale. He had never seen his father in such a rage. He tried to speak, but his father merely slapped his cheeks and cursed him. So he sat there and waited until his father seemed to get a grip on himself. Clearing his throat, the prince said, “I was wrong, but it’s not too late.”

  “Not too late? That’s what you think! Don’t you know how violent these people are? They still tell the story about how this man’s grandfather took a few hundred men and defeated a whole army, and this man Israel is of the same blood.”

  “But they’ll listen if I ask her to marry me.”

  Hamor stared at his son. Bitterness marred his face and soured his expression. “You’d better hope so,” he said, “or you’ll wake up one night with your throat cut from ear to ear.” He paced back and forth and said, “I’ll have to talk with the father. I’ll have to crawl on my hands and knees—figuratively speaking, of course.”

  “Yes, the girl really is a sweet little morsel—”

  “Shut your foul mouth before I shut it for you!” Hamor shouted. “You’ve put me in a bad position. Now I’ve got to get us out of it!”

  Jacob stared unblinkingly at the king. He had risen, and the king, who had come with only four men, had bowed before him, saying, “A terrible thing, my brother, but we must talk.”