—Mountain and Desert—
Bury the Dead
Tobia glanced over his shoulder and shuddered.
As if tied to an invisible thread, Vitus traipsed blindly behind Tobia’s footsteps. It appeared as if he had no other purpose in life than to keep in step with his companion.
Tightening his jaw, Tobia changed direction suddenly, but Vitus, apparently seeing through his unseeing eyes, stuck close, like a chick to its mother. “Seven days of this. I’ll soon go mad.” Tobia stopped and shaded his eyes, surveying the mountainous landscape. He licked his parched lips. A sound turned his gaze.
Trickling water gurgled over the never-ending buzz of insects.
Tobia sighed and closed his eyes a moment in relief. “Thank God.” He rushed forward, scurried around a boulder, and encountered a tiny waterfall and a thin green patch growing from the mountainside. After slapping water into his parched mouth, he unslung his water bag from his shoulder and laid it on its side. Still licking his lips, he watched fresh clean water flow into it. Then he fell back against the white cliffside and drank a long slurping draught to his heart’s content.
After wiping his mouth, he peered up.
There stood Vitus, heaving deep breaths, stoop-shouldered, his clothes stained with sweat. His lips cracked.
“Oh, God, yes.” Tobia led Vitus to a shady spot and pulled the water bag from the man’s shoulder. After filling it, he put it to Vitus’ lips, praying that he’d drink willingly. Some days, Vitus let the water pour down his chin like a naughty child.
With his trembling hands limp at his side, Vitus tipped back his head.
Tobia directed the water into his mouth.
Vitus slurped and drank readily, an occasional grunted moan escaping his lips.
Tobia eyed the man. “That enough?”
Vitus didn’t answer. He never answered. He just stood and stared vacantly ahead.
With a quick shake, Tobia lifted the waterskin again and held it against Vitus’ mouth, but this time Vitus didn’t respond. The water merely dribbled down his chin. In resignation, Tobia slung the water skin bag over Vitus’ head and laboriously gathered his own bags. He didn’t have much left. Just a few trade items and what scraps of goat meat he had saved from their last meal.
Trudging along an animal track, they wound northward. When they finally reached the other side of the mountain, Tobia felt relieved, as if he had actually accomplished something. “There’s surely a clan around here somewhere…”
But there never was. Another bend, another vista, another trail to follow. But no sign of another clan.
Struggling forward, they passed between the mountains and wandered downward into a drier, desolate land where fine sand shifted underfoot.
Tobia stopped and wiped his brow. “The blind leading the blind.”
The land stretched before him as a vast panorama of open space. The intense blue sky spread wider than he had ever imagined possible.
In exhaustion, they stopped in the shadow of a high slope and ate the last of their food. They soon gulped the last of their water. Tobia’s heart clenched. He searched but found no stream or watercourse in sight.
With no other options, Tobia rose and started forward, always toward the falling sun.
Soon, his tongue felt thick and his lips bled. He glanced aside at Vitus. The man drooped like a wilted flower, his eyes as vacant as ever. “At least, he’s not complaining.” But a headache pounded in the back of Tobia’s head, and he groaned.
A dark speck in the distance caught his attention. Bracing his hand on his forehead as a shield against the light, he squinted. He knew it was useless, but he felt the need to speak out loud as if it might light the spark that would ignite Vitus’ intelligence. “What’s that?”
Forms wavered ahead.
Tobia forced himself to stand, though his legs begged to crumple. Dread warred with excitement, raising nausea from his middle. He glanced at Vitus. “How am I going to explain you?”
The shapes of men on plodding camels grew larger and more distinct, heading slightly to the north of his statuesque-like position, but suddenly they altered course and headed directly toward him.
Sweat trickled down Vitus’ flushed face, his back bent low, and his hands hung limp at his sides.
Draped from head to foot with a thin white material, the figures appeared to be heading someplace but not anxious to get there.
Tobia stepped closer to Vitus.
A tall, thin man with a dark complexion and black hair halted before them. “Hail, stranger. My master would like to know what brings you out in the heat of the day without beast to carry you or friends to protect you.”
Tobia cleared his parched throat, but his voice sounded raspy even to his ears. “We’re lost. My guide here” —he pointed to Vitus— “has been injured, and I am not fit to lead anyone—even myself.” He tried to smile but failed.
The men, looming so high above him, exchanged amused glances. The old man beckoned another to his side. This companion, his lower face covered in a cloth, appeared younger and more robust, though from his narrowed-eyed expression, Tobia sensed the wariness of an experienced warrior.
Tobia offered a respectful bow and nearly tumbled over with the effort.
The shrouded figure spoke in a husky voice that tingled in Tobia’s ears. “You’re not the first to get lost in these lands. But don’t despair; it’s possible to survive and even grow stronger through the journey.” He waved with a light flit of his hand to the north. “We’re meeting the sons of my patriarch here, but it may not be a happy reunion, or we’d take you with us.”
Desperation rose to a shriek in Tobia’s mind.
The man leaned forward. “Perhaps we could direct you home again. Where do you live?”
Griping Vitus’ arm, Tobia struggled to stay on his feet. “If I knew that, I wouldn’t be here. Please, we’re exhausted and near death. Take us as slaves if need be, but don’t abandon us here.”
The old man nudged his mount forward. “We’ll assist you then, for it would be offensive to God to do any less.” He commanded his men to assist Tobia and Vitus to mount.
Like a weak child, Tobia straddled the camel behind the shrouded figure, and Vitus was set behind the old man.
As they started forward, the old man turned to Tobia. “Your name?”
“I am called Tobia, son of Obed of the Grassland, though we are now in alliance with the clan of Barak.”
The shrouded figure turned suddenly, his eyes widening.
Tobia frowned, and his pounding head swam in the heat. He closed his eyes and prayed for mercy.
~~~
Tobia awoke to a delicious coolness caressing his aching body. He propped himself on one elbow and glanced around. In the darkness, the light of a full moon slanting into the tent aided his sight. Sleeping forms lay near. He leaned closer and recognized Vitus’ emaciated frame and his familiar snoring broken by short bursts of blowing air.
After throwing off the light blanket, Tobia rose and started toward the open flap. He stretched and licked his dry lips. Rubbing his arms, he emerged from the tent into the chilly night air.
A silent figure stood alone, peering into the starry sky.
Stepping quietly, he made no discernible noise, yet the still form shifted as he drew closer. They stood together for a moment in silence. The stars, clustered in milky splashes, spread wide across the sky.
Without turning, the figure spoke. “I was hoping you’d awake before the others. The sun will rise soon, and then we must accomplish our journey.”
“You wish to speak to me?”
“I do, very much, though I doubt you’ll feel the same.”
Tobia swallowed a sudden fear.
The figure turned and faced Tobia. “Don’t you know me?”
Tobia stood his ground though his legs trembled. “Your voice sounds familiar, but so much has happened in these past months—I might not recognize my own family.”
The figure unwrapped the cloth that hid his face. Ishtar opened his hands, palms out, as if in surrender.
A jolt surged through Tobia’s body. “I thought you were dead.” He choked. “I didn’t mean—” He clenched his hands. “But no one could survive—”
Ishtar placed a gentle hand on Tobia’s shoulder and steadied him. “I did die. At least the man you knew died.” He let his hand drop to his side. “I am not the man I was.” His gaze returned to the horizon, now turning rosy with the hint of day.
Following Ishtar’s example and facing the new day, Tobia shuddered. “I’m glad to hear you say that. I couldn’t manage—” He glanced back to the tent where Vitus lay sleeping. “Another problem.”
“I didn’t say your problems are over. By coming with us, you join a doomed expedition—a father facing death by his sons’ treachery.” A bitter chuckle rose in Ishtar’s throat. “Fate never ceases to amaze me.”
Tobia’s eyes widened. “I once believed that growing up meant I would have more say over my life, but I was wrong.” He pointed to the tent. “But what about Vitus?” Stepping closer, he gripped Ishtar’s sleeve. “He can neither run nor fight. He’s as helpless as a child. Is there no safe place for him?”
Ishtar glanced aside. “I’ve prayed for an escape, but I’ve found no other path than the one we’re on.”
The murmuring of men’s voices turned their attention. Matalah’s men pointed to the horizon.
Tobia and Ishtar stared as a cavalcade of hazy silhouettes rose into view.
Ishtar licked his lips, and Tobia held his breath. “Who?”
Suddenly, from the right and left, armed warriors sped into view, surrounding the approaching group, thrusting their spears and swinging clubs.
Matalah’s men shouted and chattered, pointing at the battle playing out before their eyes in the distance.
Tobia frowned. “Are those men being attacked?” He swallowed hard and peered at Ishtar. “Are we being attacked?”
Folding his arms, his legs spread and braced, Ishtar watched the scene. A slow smile crept across his face.
Shouts rang through the air.
Matalah sprang from his tent and gripped Ishtar’s arm. “Must they rush the hour? Is there not time enough for our destruction?”
His voice low and controlled, Ishtar glanced at his patriarch. “They are the ones being destroyed.”
Matalah leaned forward, squinting into the rays of the rising sun, his lips compressed and his jaw ridged.
Suddenly, the lead rider turned and faced his pursuers. The pursuers encircled their quarry. A quick spear thrust missed its target. More spears loosed as camels were driven into the fray. Warriors swung clubs with abandon, many finding their mark and sending men tumbling from their mounts.
Tobia, Ishtar, Matalah, and his faithful men watched in heart-stopping silence.
Men and beasts lay sprawled on the desert floor. Only the loudest shouts and clinks of battle could be heard as the shapes rose and fell.
Matalah’s face drained of all color. “My sons! Are they among them? I must know!” He staggered toward his camel.
Ishtar gripped his arm, holding him back. “This morning your sons wanted to destroy you, but now you to rush to their rescue?”
Matalah tried to shake free. “They are flesh of my flesh. I cannot stand by and watch them be murdered.”
Ishtar glanced from Tobia to Matalah. “I’ll go. Stay with the boy.” Without waiting for further argument, Ishtar swung on his mount and trotted into the distance.
The battle appeared to end as quickly as it had begun. Ishtar approached slowly. A thick man from the second group advanced and a discussion ensued.
After a few moments, Ishtar broke away and turned back, though now the thick warrior followed close beside him.
Tobia rubbed his dry lips. “What does it mean?”
The old man stared in mute misery.
Ishtar drew near with his companion close behind.
The tall, heavyset man wearing a blood-smeared cloak stopped before the small group. As he descended from his camel, he nearly slipped but jerked himself upright. He strode straight to Matalah and bowed his head in respect.
His whole body trembling, Matalah returned the bow.
“My friend, it is my sad duty to report the death of your eldest son at my hands. I did not wish it but was forced to such action. If I did not act, your sons planned to kill me and my family.” He took Matalah’s hand in his own, pressing it firmly. “I do not hold his crimes at your door. I feel only your shame and loss.”
Matalah’s head dropped to his chest, tears trickling down his burnished cheeks. “I’m glad it was you who administered justice, for you would be neither weak in the face of a necessary duty nor excessive in revenge.”
Tobia stepped into the background.
Ishtar reached out and gripped his shoulder, holding him steady. He looked to the warrior. “Where are the others?”
“They, too, were set upon by neighboring clans.” He shook his head in shared sorrow and glanced at the old man. “I do not believe you have many sons yet alive, Matalah. I am truly sorry for your loss.”
Matalah choked out his words. “They met their chosen end.”
~~~
Ishtar stood aside as the body of Matalah’s eldest son was brought and laid before them.
As the young man stained his garments with his own blood and his head lay twisted at an unnatural angle, so Matalah seemed to bleed tears while his body contorted in agony. “Take me from this earth! I no longer wish to inhabit the land of the living. I have failed, and my sons will not join us in the place of rejoicing.”
Ishtar nudged Tobia forward. “Come, we’ll do this together and bury those past healing.”
~~~
Tobia swept his sweaty hair out of his eyes and leaned on his shovel.
Ishtar set a marking stone in place before the grave mound and stepped back. His long black hair clung to his cheeks and neck as drops of sweat trickled down the side of his face.
“What next?”
Ishtar glanced at the high sun. “We’ll take Matalah home.” He shrugged. “His wife and surviving children await his return.”
“If I knew nothing of you, I’d think you a marvel among men for what you’ve done for your friend. Because I know what you’ve been through, I’m even more amazed.”
Ishtar turned and stared at the flames of a fire that still burned in the remains of their camp.
Tobia followed his gaze and grew uneasy as Ishtar walked to the fire pit, seemingly entranced by the colorful flames. With his foot, he scattered the coals. “Don’t be impressed with me, for I’ve given back but a tiny portion of the kindness Matalah has shown me.”
Tobia peered back at Vitus, who stood aside staring vacantly into space as Matalah’s men readied for the return journey. “We buried the dead. But what will I do with the living?”
“Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living.”
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