No Woman So Fair (23 page)

Beoni was a tall slave girl, no more than eighteen. She had dark hair with a reddish tinge and peculiar green eyes. She was well formed and had a golden cast to her skin. “You were hurt in the fight.”

“Yes, I remember.” Eliezer tried to sit up, but again Beoni put her hand on his chest and held him down. “You lie right there until I change this bandage.”

Looking down at his side, Eliezer watched as she removed the cloth. His side had been sewn together. He had patched enough sheep and goats to recognize the stitching, and he shook his head. “That was a pretty close call for me.”

“You nearly died,” Beoni said, nodding. Her eyes grew gentle then. “We've all been worried about you.”

“How long have I been here? I don't remember anything.”

“Just a day. It was painful putting the stitches in, so Sarai gave you some strong drink to kill the pain.”

“Ahh, yes, I am beginning to remember. It tasted awful!”

Beoni laughed. “You must be thirsty. Here…” She reached for a tumbler, filled it with water from a leather bottle, and helped him sit up. Her arm was around him for support, and he was comforted by her soft form pressing against him. He guzzled the water and said thankfully, “That's the best drink I ever had in my life.”

“You'd better lie down again.”

“No, I want to sit up.”

Despite her protests, he pulled himself to a sitting position. He swayed dizzily, and she knelt beside him and held him, her arm behind him.

“It looks like a good place,” Eliezer said, looking out toward the river.

“It is. There's lots of grass, and everyone had a bath in the river.”

Eliezer turned to her and saw her glowing skin. “That must have been a relief to wash off all that dust.”

“Sarai and I gave you a bath last night.”

Eliezer's eyes flew open. “Both of you?”

“Yes.” Beoni gave him a shy smile.

“Nobody's given me a bath since I was a baby.”

“Well, you needed it.”

At that moment Sarai and Abram entered the tent and knelt down on either side of him. Beoni moved back to allow Sarai to take her place. “So, you've decided to live,” Abram said with relief in his voice.

“I think so, but it's a good thing you came when you did.”

“We'll be more careful from now on. We'll first send out a group of scouts who are well armed.”

“You think there are more like that bunch?”

“Yes. There are always men like that.”

“How do you feel?” Sarai said softly, stroking his cheek. “I was so worried about you, Eliezer.”

“Why, I'm all right. Who sewed up my side?”

“I did it myself,” Abram said, grinning. “I'm a better seamstress than my wife.”

“I couldn't stand to do it,” Sarai admitted.

“You had a pretty good nurse,” Abram went on. “Even gave you a bath, I understand.” He winked at Beoni, who turned her head away, her cheeks flushing pink.

“I've just been finding that out,” Eliezer said, grinning at the young woman. “I think I'll let her spoil me for a day or two.”

“At least that long,” Abram said. “We've got to stay here a week and let the herds fatten up and soak up as much water as they can.”

“Are we really in Canaan?” Sarai asked.

“We really are, and we're here to stay.”

****

Eliezer moved about stiffly, but his wound was healing well. They had stayed even longer than a week beside the river, where the grass was so plentiful. Abram had a new light in his eyes and a new spring in his step, and at night he would tell those who gathered around him stories he had heard from his grandfather about the old days, even about the first man, Adam, and his wife, Eve. He felt compelled to plant these stories firmly in the minds of his hearers and to help them memorize, as he had, the names of his ancestors all the way back to Noah.

Abram and Sarai noticed that the young woman Beoni seemed quite smitten with Eliezer, but now that he was getting better, he paid little attention to her. They discussed this during one of their walks together along the river.

“When I was his age I wouldn't let a good-looking woman like that get away,” Abram griped.

“Don't give me that,” Sarai scoffed. “You didn't know any more about women at Eliezer's age than he does.”

Abram wrinkled his brow at Sarai. Like most men, he didn't like to be reminded of his past inexperience in that area, and in his own mind he had revised his own personal history to be more to his liking. His wife occasionally enjoyed reminding him of the truth, but not wanting to embarrass her husband just now, she changed the subject.

“What peoples have lived in Canaan? I know almost nothing about this place.”

Abram shrugged. “Neither do I. I've tried to pick up what I can—which is little enough.”

“If the Eternal One says you will own it all, I think we should know as much as possible.”

“Do you believe that…that all this will belong to us?”

“If God says so, then yes, I do.”

Abram stopped and turned to face Sarai. “You have such great faith.”

“I believe what you tell me, Abram.”

“You're a good wife!” Abram suddenly leaned forward and kissed her. “And better looking than ever!”

“Never mind that.” Sarai pulled away in feigned protest. “What's that thing over there, that little hill?”

“It was built by people who lived here long ago. I think they're ancient tombs.”

“I wonder about people like that,” Sarai murmured. “They were once as full of life as we are, but now they've gone back to the earth.”

“I think they're still alive.” Abram had thought long on this matter, and now he said simply, “I don't think we're here just for this life. I believe one day I'll see Noah and Adam.” He smiled at her, then shrugged his broad shoulders. “I can't prove it, but I don't think that the Eternal One made us just to let us disappear forever.”

Abram waved his arm at the lush landscape before them. “All sorts of people have lived in this place, Sarai. I can see why they would want to come here—to conquer this land. Why, before the time of Noah and the great flood this land must have been filled with farmers and shepherds like us!”

Sarai cast her eyes over the hills and sighed. “It's a good land, husband.”

“Yes, but it needs more water. Except for the land along the rivers, everything is dry.” The thought troubled Abram, and he shook his head. “Everything is in the hands of our God. He hasn't brought us to this place for nothing.”

The two continued their walk along the river, from time to time casting their eyes south and wondering what lay ahead of them.

“So that's Damascus,” Abram murmured. He stood at the front of the caravan on a hill overlooking the city, with Sarai on his right hand and Eliezer on his left. “I hear it's quite a place.”

Eliezer nodded in agreement and replied, “Damascus donkeys are the best in the world. I think we need to buy some and start breeding them.”

Sarai laughed and put her hand on the young man's arm. “You are the strangest young man I've ever seen!”

“Strange? What's strange about me?”

“Thinking about donkeys!”

“Well, what should I be thinking about, mistress?” Eliezer smiled. “That's my business, to look after the livestock of the master.”

“A young man like you should be thinking about having some fun. Some dancing and music. Even a little wine.”

“That's right,” Abram agreed, nodding. “You're getting to be an old man.” He looked at his young steward with obvious affection. “We'll bed down the herds out here where there's plenty of grass and water. Then we're going into Damascus! And all of us are going to have a good time.”

“I think we deserve it,” Sarai said. “It's been a hard journey.” Their stay in Canaan had not lasted very long. The drought that was affecting the entire region had dried up the rivers and parched the grazing lands of Canaan. Therefore, they had headed northeast toward Damascus, where traders had told them there was still water and green grass.

Now Sarai looked down on the bustling city from their observation point and said, “I've heard so much about Damascus.”

Eliezer grinned at her. “Have you heard that it's called the ‘City of Wild Asses'? Not a very romantic name, is it, mistress?”

“You made that up!”

“I did not!”

“He's right, Sarai,” Abram said, smiling. “I've often heard it called that.”

“I would refuse to live in a place with an awful name like that!” Sarai sputtered.

“You won't have to live here for long,” Abram said. “Just until the rains come again to Canaan. It's a good place to rest awhile.”

****

Damascus was an active place—a city where caravans bound west and south for Canaan and Egypt were outfitted. Situated on a fertile plain, the city was a welcome relief after the dried-out plains that Abram's party had been enduring. The city was surrounded by flowering fields, rushing streams, and beautifully tended farms. It was also an exciting center of trade, where one could pick up news from almost anyplace.

As Abram, Sarai, and Eliezer threaded their way through the city, Sarai took in the large open squares and the dark, narrow streets. She eyed the crowds of people, who reflected a variety of races, representing dozens of tribes and nations. The streets were packed, and she found herself jostled by the crowd, dazed by the babble of languages that rose on the air.

“Look, those are Egyptians,” Abram whispered, nodding toward a group of dark-skinned people.

“They look haughty,” Sarai commented. “I don't think I'd like to live with them.”

“They
are
proud.” Abram nodded. “After all, they rule most of the world.”

Sarai watched a group of bearded Armenian caravaneers bargaining with Phoenician traders for dyes and spices, and Hittite merchants calling out the virtue of their wares.

“I've never seen so many donkeys,” Eliezer said. “There must be a thousand of them.”

Abram had also noted the beasts, which were heavy shouldered and colored a dark brown. “They're sturdy-looking creatures,” he commented. “I agree with you, Eliezer. We should buy some and begin breeding them.”

The day passed quickly as Abram became absorbed with watching various caravans being assembled. One of the caravans included over three hundred donkeys, which amazed the three of them. Abram noted the care with which the caravan leaders planned their routes to ensure fresh water from rivers and jealously guarded wells.

Abram found more and more to interest him as they continued on their tour of the city. Finally he said to the others, “We'll have to be careful here. We're foreigners and strangers to these people. We don't want to make the wrong impression.”

Sarai glanced up at Abram thoughtfully. “What do you mean?”

“It means that we have to watch how we speak and what we do, so as not to offend these people.”

“I don't think you have to worry about that, master,” Eliezer said quickly. “Our men are well behaved.”

“But we are strangers here nonetheless, and you know how people can be toward newcomers,” Abram said. “The city dwellers here are used to seeing a variety of people, but just the same, I think we must be careful and not let the men get into any trouble.”

“What about the women?” Eliezer winked at him. “One woman can cause more trouble than any ten men.”

Sarai knew his teasing was aimed at her. She sniffed and said, “I don't think I agree with that! You just take care of the men. I'll take care of the women.”

****

Sarai and Abram wandered slowly through the famous Damascus bazaar, listening to the vendors hawking their wares. The stench of the skinned carcasses of sheep and goats hung thick in the air but was sweetened by the fragrant aromas of spices and incense.

“What about this? It would make a nice-looking garment for you, Sarai.”

Abram had stopped at a vendor of textiles and now held up a piece of delicate purple cloth toward her face.

Sarai touched it, feeling the fine weave, and exclaimed, “Why, it would take three of these to cover a woman up!”

The vendor, a wiry man with razor-sharp features and a dark complexion, laughed. “The Egyptians don't worry about that. This is fine Egyptian cloth. It's what the finest ladies in Egypt wear, even the wives of the Pharaoh.”

“But you can almost see through it!” Sarai protested.

“That's what Egyptian ladies like.”

“Well, I wouldn't be caught wearing this! It would be like going naked.”

“Some of them do that too.” The vendor winked at Abram.

“I think you ought to buy it and make yourself a beautiful garment,” Abram urged.

“I couldn't wear it. It's too immodest.”

“You could wear it just for me—or under your other clothes.”

Sarai protested, but it was a beautiful piece of cloth, so she allowed Abram to buy it for her. Tucking it under her arm, she muttered, “I don't think those Egyptian women can be much if they wear clothes like this.”

They continued on down the street and finally Abram touched her arm. “Look, there's Eliezer.”

Sarai looked over to where their steward was walking down the street alone, and she shook her head. “He never seems to care anything about himself. Look at him. Why, he could find a woman anytime he wanted to. He's so fine looking.”

“I don't think he needs to find one among these people.”

Sarai looked up at Abram. “What do you mean?”

“Most of them worship Baal or Astarte.”

“You're right; he doesn't need one of those!”

“That's all he'll find here. Astarte worship is very strong in these parts. I'll be happy if our men don't get involved with that.”