Journey to the Well: A Novel (33 page)
Read Journey to the Well: A Novel Online
Authors: Diana Wallis Taylor
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.
“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.
“Do you know the home of Hannah and Simon, past the street of the carpenters?”
He thought for a moment and then nodded warily. Marah remembered that Hannah told her the children thought she was a sorceress.
“I have guests, the brother of my husband. Tell Hannah. Will you do that for me?”
“What will I receive if I do this?” His voice was sullen.
“She will reward you, I promise. Will you go?”
With a shrug, he nodded again and began walking quickly toward Hannah’s street. Marah looked at the bread she had baked that morning. One loaf was enough to last her a day or two, but two hungry men? She hoped Hannah would understand her message and need.
Reuben strolled into the cooking area. As he glanced around, she indicated her meager supplies.
“I fear I have little on hand, but I have sent for more provisions. I will have a meal for you shortly.”
She answered Reuben’s casual questions, filling him in on what had happened since Ahmal had left on his journey. In her heart she was praying silently that God would send Hannah quickly.
To her immense relief, within a short time Hannah came hurrying in the courtyard, a basket on her arm. She was puffing from the exertion. “Marah, I received word that the brother of your husband has come to the house?”
With relief Marah reached for the basket. “Oh Hannah,” she whispered, “thank you for coming. I knew you would know why I sent for you. I didn’t have anything to serve them.”
Simon and their young son, Jacob, came in the gate. Jacob moved more slowly than most little boys. He had one foot that was twisted slightly. It seemed to turn in more as he grew older. Simon rolled his eyes. “Such a woman, my wife, she must run like the wind and leave the two of us behind. We could not keep up.”
Reuben, who had been inspecting the empty animal pens, now turned toward them.
Simon and his wife looked expectantly at Reuben.
“Simon, Hannah, this is Reuben, brother of my husband. My lord, these are my good friends Simon and Hannah. This is their son, Jacob.”
Reuben smiled charmingly and nodded to them both. “It is truly God’s gift when one is enriched with such friends.” He ignored Jacob.
Tema came out of the house and Reuben nodded to him casually. “My servant, Tema.”
Tema stood sullenly, eyeing the visitors.
“May I inquire as to whether there is a meal in your basket, Hannah? We have come a great distance.” Reuben’s tone was teasing and the women laughed self-consciously.
Reuben engaged Simon in conversation as the women put the bread and cheese on the table along with some figs and dates. Hannah had also brought some dried fish and a small goatskin bag of wine. She brought vegetables, but since there was no time to prepare them, it would give Marah some things for the next meal. With the fresh bread Marah had baked that morning, it would be enough.
Tema took his food outside and sat in the courtyard. There had only been a faint nod and gesture from Reuben, but Tema seemed to understand his master well and knew when he was being dismissed for the moment.
“You have traveled far, Reuben?” Simon went about his quiet and unobtrusive way of gathering information.
“Actually we have traveled from Ephesus . . . this journey.” Marah had the feeling that Reuben knew what Simon was about, but she listened intently. She also wanted to know more about this strange brother who had appeared. Perhaps, she thought, feeling hopeful, he might know how to find Ahmal.
“Your home is then in Ephesus? That is indeed a long way from Shechem.”
“Ah, I have not called any city my home in a long time. It has been my pleasure to travel to many countries and cities.” Reuben gestured magnanimously. “You might say that the world is my home.”
Simon nodded thoughtfully. “How is it then that you and Ahmal are brothers? Were you born in Shechem?”
Reuben regarded Simon for a moment, considering the question. “We share the same father but, it appears, not the same mother. My father was a merchant as is Ahmal. He traveled a great deal. Ahmal’s mother lived here in Shechem. My mother was from Smyrna.” He did not appear to mind giving Simon the information. Anticipating Simon’s next question, Reuben offered, “My father told me before he died that I had a half brother living in Shechem. I heard word of him in my travels from other caravan masters. Finally, I decided to seek him out and make myself known to him.”
“It is a sad thing that you have come so far and still are unable to meet.”
Reuben stroked his beard thoughtfully. “You say there has been no word of Ahmal from the time he left, three years ago?”
“That is true and very strange. It is as if the earth opened and swallowed up his caravan. Not even the other caravan masters have any news of him.”
“And the son? There is no word from him either?”
“None. Yet we have not given up hope. We pray that one day word will come and Caleb will return also.”
“That is all one can do, my friend. His wife is an exceptional woman to have borne such a loss.”
“We have known her since her childhood. She has suffered much, but she is as the tree, blown against by the sands of the desert. She bends but does not fall.”
Reuben nodded and then skillfully turned the conversation to Simon. In a short time he knew all he needed to know about Marah’s friends. They were not rich, but lived carefully on the fruit of their fields, the wool from their sheep, and the weaving that Hannah made and sold in the marketplace.
Jacob had been taken outside with his mother and Marah. While Reuben had not said as much, they sensed that he was not overly fond of children. Jacob watched the chickens scratch in the courtyard and now occupied himself with inspecting the progress of a small lizard on the wall of the courtyard. The women talked quietly with an eye on Tema.
“What will you do now?” Hannah was concerned as usual.
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