Fruit and bread lay on the mat near the cook fire. How thoughtful. Kotharat left it for me. I wash up and go to the food. A young man still dressed in his night wrap comes into the courtyard and walks toward the washbasin. It is hard to turn away from his striking face. I try not to lose my footing and sit with haste but not with grace.
“Peace be with you.” His deep voice resounds in my body. “My name is Resheph,” He washes the dirt from his hands, turns, and raises dark eyebrows. His glimpse is one of approval. No man ever did that before. I want to run yet want to stay in this moment forever. He grins, turns around, and disappears.
The resemblance to his sister and Abba confirms he is a member of the family. No one mentioned a son, but a second male spoke during the argument last night. Besides, walking around anywhere else half-dressed would not be tolerated.
Resheph reappears a few moments later and indicates his night wrap. He bends forward and motions with his arm to apologize for his state of undress. The short wrap starts to part. I force my eyes away. Girls at home said men wear nothing under their night clothes.
“So, you are Elisha. I assumed you were still asleep.” He sits close by. “Welcome to our home. I am sorry for not being here to greet you.”
“Do not be concerned.” His man’s smell is strong and makes me uneasy. He is comfortable and will not move. Polite or not, I shift away. He moves closer. I grab the basin of food, stare at it, and put it back on the mat. Politeness demands I speak. “Pleased to meet you.”
The curls on his chest wind around like my hair. I want to touch them and find out if they will bounce back up after I press them down. The muscles moving underneath his chest have a strange appeal.
I fasten my attention on the bread and fruit. “I am sorry. The food was here when I came out. Is this for you?”
“No,” he laughs, “my mother left it for you. We ate long ago.”
My mouth is dry, but if I get up, he will see my clumsiness. He moves his head and waves of dark hair fall onto his temples and drip with water or perspiration. I want to run my hands through and put the strands back where they belong. Instead, I eat.
“Ima suggested we go for a short walk so you will know where things are in the city. Are you strong enough?”
The ‘yes’ I want to yell is trapped in my throat. I clear it and make my voice sweet, “Yes, my lord, I can walk quite far.”
“My chores will be completed in a short while and we will leave.”
I manage a nod before he turns to go. One sight of his rippling back and any discomfort vanishes. This house is now a far more inviting place, and my imagination soars like a bird. He is the reason I am here. I found my mate.
As I shove the food into my mouth the picture of us living here with our five beautiful children forms in my head. I clean the used basins and run to my sleep space. His mother gave me salve for my burnt skin. I spread it over my body and hurry back to the main room.
He returns with combed hair and a shining face. He wears the same kind of tunic as Nikkal, almost reaching the ground and wider on the bottom. His is made of a finer flax and the neck is embroidered with many colors. There is one I do not recognize. It brightens his eyes.
“What is the name of this hue?”
“It is called purple and made from sea snails. The two threads were a gift from my parents for my excellent studying. They are quite dear.”
They are rich, and he is smart. “Where shall we go?” My cheeks are burning. I lower my head. He will never want me, my parents are poor.
“Do you not wish to visit the city?”
“Why my lord, of course I do. Are there many places to see?” Except for purple, the same colors as in the neck of his garment curve through the rope at his waist. I sneak another peek at his pleasing face and run my hands through my mess of hair to make myself presentable.
“We take pride in a few things.”
“That would be nice.” Do I seem too anxious?
He grabs my hand. “You had better get your cap and shawl.”
“Oh, I forgot.”
When I return, he takes my arm. “May I be your guide?”
I pull away and step around him. He rolls his eyes and joins me, his smile self-assured. He is aware of how handsome he is. Resheph ushers me out of the courtyard and onto the lane.
“We will go first to the center of town,” he points to the right. “Please keep up with me.” I hurry to be by his side. “The most important place to see is where you will collect the water each morning.” He gestures to the right again.
“Me? No one asked.” That is what the walk is about.
With eyebrows raised, his sideways gaze expresses his annoyance. “I have many other responsibilities. If you do not want to be of assistance, you can find another place to live. Are you not willing to serve?” He crosses his arms and waits.
They want me to stay. That makes me feel different. I now have responsibilities and duties and can help this family. “Oh, of course. I did not mean . . . your family has been more than kind and generous. I will fulfill any obligations expected of me.”
“My ima will be pleased. You are a fine young woman.”
My heart soars. As I hoped, this family will become mine. But he said serve, not help. I will not think about that.
We walk along and what I notice first is that the houses are on both sides of the lane. They are all the same but larger than the ones near the entrance to the city. Their color is somewhere between yellow and white and are not as lopsided as those near that breach. Between every two houses there are alley ways but they are narrow. Where do the children run and play? I am confused by the oversized jugs on each side of the route. “What are those?” I point to the containers.
“They are called cisterns and preserve the rainwater.”
I hesitate to question him. “I am bewildered. The containers are along the lane.” Resheph nods. “Then why do we make for the center of town?”
“That water is collected for emergencies during the season of dry and thirsting.”
Now he is sure I am dull. “The people at home could make use of those.” My voice sounds too cheerful.
We move on, and I realize we passed just a few people on the lane. The men must be at work, and I wonder what they do with no fields to care for. Resheph mentions the family names for many of the homes we pass. “Are you acquainted with those people?”
“Yes, we are familiar.”
“Does the closeness of the households in a city make people friendlier?”
“In a way. There are always those who choose to argue. Is it not the same in your village?”
“We have those who are agreeable, some who argue, and those who accuse. Before my birth, the tribe were wanderers. They decided to band together and live on the land with the animals.” What else can I say? “With few provisions my journey required me to walk as fast as I could. The few stops I made were when I feared starvation or becoming a tasty morsel.” Words escape. I say too much but give no answer to his question.
“That is quite a story but let me continue the outing. To a large extent, we are merchants.” He turns toward me. “There is no room to tend animals.” The tone is one of teaching a child. “People come from the surrounding areas to our market and bring their wares and beasts. We barter with each other for what is needed.”
“You are describing the marketplace I saw upon my arrival.”
“Correct. Here we are. This is the spring I told you about. Its name is Gihon, which means ‘gushing forth.’”
“Gushing forth?”
“It does not flow but spurts and is the one source of water except for streams which may not be healthy.” The teacher is back.
An oval basin is carved into the limestone and the liquid flows in from a hole on one side. “This is very different from at home. This basin is large and fine in appearance.”
“Again you do not recognize that the liquid is provided for a whole city.”
I did not co
nsider the number of people and made a fool of myself. The liquid and its vessel gleam in the sunlight. Filled more than half-way it is inviting. A goblet is laying on the side. I pick it up, dip it in, tilt my head back and pour it into my mouth. “It is delicious, but not cold like at home.”
“The collecting pool spurts bit by bit and is exposed to the hot sun.” He acts like he is my father. “Women come here to fill their jugs, take a swallow, and gather for a talk.”
“But there are so few people now.”
“They come before sunrise and again before sunset.”
The breadth of the vicinity is larger than our entire place for gathering. “Where I come from there is a tiny campfire ground where meetings are held with the Council of Elders.” My eyes water.
“What is wrong?”
“Nothing.” It would be wonderful if he put comforting arms around me, but different from Nathan.
“You are sad.”
“It was a memory.”
“Do you miss your family?” He brushes against my arm.
“Of course.” Tears burn my eyes.
“Being away from home must be difficult. Yes?”
Is he trying to make me cry? My heart hurts and my insides insist I move on, move away. “Where shall we go now?” I sound dull, not how I want.
“I will show you where Melchizedek lives. He is a king, high priest, and chief. Do you know of him?”
His ima asked me the same question. This is his reason for bringing me here. “Someone told me of his wisdom and kindness.”
“He is honored with a visit from Abram, who is on the way south from Harran. They have been chattering for the last three full moons.”
I want to throw my arms out and turn in circles. “Did you meet him? Abram?” It is happening the way Sandalphon told me. “Is he handsome? What color are his eyes?”
“Perhaps you will be lucky and have a chance to find out.”
“That is mean. Can you not tell me?” Resheph remains silent. “Is he nice?”
“You speak like a child.”
He will not ruin my joy. “Are you an old man?” My words escape again. “Sorry. I am excited. Abram came to Shechem and my family went to visit the altar he built near an oak tree. I was too young to join them but they told me stories.” Stop talking. Resheph is silent. What can I ask? “Uh. How did the two men meet?”
“Abram assembled many men for a night raid and they rescued his nephew, Lot, from our forces. Melchizedek went to the battleground to assure Abram he was not angry for the slaying of his relative. After that, he invited Abram to meet at his house.”
And I walked from my home to be with him. “This story is new to me.” My insides turn cold. I am so dense. He said our forces. Resheph’s family is Canaanite and I did not suspect.
“He ordered a great banquet and blessed Abram and the God who delivered the enemy into his hands.”
I was not listening. “That is lovely.” Canaanite. My parents would be outraged if they found out how much I like him. I need to chew on my hair but not in front of him.
Resheph stops walking. “This is the house where he lives and teaches.”
The dwelling I stand in front of appears the same as every other house we passed. “As king and high priest, should he not be living in grander quarters?”
“He chooses not to. He wants to be near the people.”
My eyes do not move from the building. A troublesome idea makes me shiver. “Why did you bring me here?” Kotharat told him of our talk.
“To show you the important places.” His demeanor says, how could you think otherwise? “Let me introduce you.” He grasps my hand and does not take his eyes from me. “Your hair gleams so in the light.”
A tingling sensation sends a stirring through my body and for a moment takes away any sureness I might enjoy. “Oh, no.” I wrench my fingers away. “Not now.”
“Why not? If not now, then when?” A peculiar smile plays around his mouth.
Up to this moment the single male who touched me was Abba. I hugged Nathan, but he is my brother. “It is too soon and I am not ready.”
“What will change? The morrow will be no different.”
His all-knowing posture is back. “I cannot.”
Those big eyebrows raise again. He shrugs and makes a face as if I am a nuisance. “You are sure of what you want.” He turns and starts for the path.
His rudeness makes me ill at ease. Did I spoil his efforts? That must be why he walked away. “Wait. Perhaps. Give me time to think.”
He walks back and stares at me. Does he have no understanding of my nervousness at meeting such an important person? He outranks our chief of council. And this meeting can change my life. I wait until I am sure some quiet found its way to me. “I am ready.”
I stand next to him, unable to say another word, more frightened and excited than any other time in my life. He knocks on the door-post, and my throat dries. A young gentleman dressed in a tan tunic greets Resheph. They move away. I am not able to listen. What is Resheph saying about me? The young man comes back.
“Welcome, Elisha, I am Yadid.” He opens the gate. The two men stand aside allowing me to enter first. “Thank you.” I stand there as if frozen. In the dimness the one thing that can be made out is a sleeping space at the rear. The skin to hide it is pulled to one side. A huge person stands near the drape.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Melchizedek turns toward me and opens his arms wide before I can bow in respect. “Come here, my child.” A quick glance says no one else came in. “Yes, you. Come so I may greet you.”
My walk is unsteady. What makes me uncomfortable is his examining me. My legs wobble as I stand in front of him. He must be the tallest man in Palestine, and his presence overpowers the almost bare room. His importance alone would tower over our chief. His authority frightens me yet the dusky black of his eyes are lit with kindness.
“There is no reason for unease. I am a man like any other.” He puts his hands on my shoulders and I fluster at the power of his touch. A second male touched me and I dare not object. “Welcome. When Resheph came to class, he mentioned you suffered a demanding trip and showed much courage.”
How dare he? “I had no idea he spoke to you. I am not courageous.” Now I understand, this was Resheph’s task.
Melchizedek appears older than Abba and his chin is stronger. The wrinkles on his face remain soft . Only the crinkles near his temples show the years of study needed to become wise.
“You tremble, but there is no cause to fear me. How did you come here?” He sits on his bench. The gray of his hair is mixed with white and sticks out. It is as messy as mine. The tall hat with green and yellow stripes tries to control it.
“Thank you for your kindness, my lord.” I relate the trials of the trip and leave out nothing.
“You are not one to boast. I enjoy that. What made you leave your village?”
Do I speak another untruth? I will make less of this. “I was forced to.”
He watches me. “Yes?”
“I made the chief angry.”
“Why do you hesitate? Do you have a problem?”
A problem. His face is relaxed. I must answer. “I was less than truthful. Sandalphon said it was because no one in the village wanted me, and not one man chose me for a wife.” Sorry for the lie, Sandalphon. I bite my lip and study the king’s face. Will he discharge me?
He nods. “An unusual group of students meets here. More than a few were made to leave their homes. You did say Sandalphon sent you.”
“You are familiar with him?”
“Not myself,” he beams, “but through some of my old students. Like you, he guided them here. But that was a long while ago. His reason for bringing you to me is promising. Do you not agree?”
“That could be, I guess. But I do not understand. I am not gifted or witty, and I don’t consider myself worthy of this honor.”
“That is my task. Permit me to be the judge.” I glower at the floor. �
��Do not be self-conscious. If you are correct, the evidence will soon show. Sandalphon has never been wrong.”
“Never? Is that so?”
“I do not lie.”
My hand hides my lips. “I did not . . . I am so embarrassed.”
“I understand. You are still tired. Come back with Resheph after you give yourself enough rest and we can begin the teaching.”
I fill with joy and pray to all the Gods to help me learn but dare not look at him. “I will do as you say.”
“Yes, you will,” are his parting words.
The family needed the king’s approval. We walk no more than three steps from the house. “My lord, may I ask what he meant by the last remark?”
“It is his way of saying there is much work to be done, and you are expected to do it without questioning the objective. The reasons are not always apparent. In time, you will learn to trust him.”
“Thank you.” He will teach, not Abram. Can he help with my trouble? I want to go home.
“You made a perilous journey for a woman alone.” I do not know what to say. “You are brave and agreeable in appearance.”
He said words I want to hear. “Thank you, Resheph,” I stammer. This is the second time he spoke well of me. Does he care for me? So soon?
After a delicious evening meal, I clean up and store everything where it belongs. The family watches me. I must look tired. They urge me to go to my mat. The outing did leave me more worn out than I expected.
The sun, the walk, the meeting with Melchizedek, and the odd yet delightful feelings about Resheph mingle together and keep me from sleeping. I turn from side to side on my mat until the sleep cover twists around me. Resheph is like Nathan, someone I can depend on. At last I am settled in and ready to sleep when the family’s discussion creeps into my ears.
Mountain of Full Moons Page 8
