By the Waters of Babylon by Mesu Andrews

Author:Mesu Andrews [Andrews, Mesu]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: McPherson Publishing

Chapter 17

Merari, Aleppo in Syria

“Therefore this is what the Lord says:

You have not obeyed me; you have not proclaimed freedom to your own people.

So I now proclaim ‘freedom’ for you, declares the Lord—

‘freedom’ to fall by the sword, plague and famine.

I will make you abhorrent to all the kingdoms of the earth.”

-Jeremiah 34:17

“When is it my turn on that blasted camel?” Helah leaned heavily on her walking stick, her grousing a hoarse whisper on our fifth day of travel.

I had no strength to answer. The woman leaning on me was barely conscious, but my camel’s sedan was already full of plague victims. While in Hamath, I’d coerced the king to purchase the same tea Idan had given me, but we used the last of it yesterday. Some grew stronger and ate well. Some even played songs of Zion on instruments they’d brought from home; strumming harps, clanging timbrels, beating drums. Looking over my shoulder at the train of captives, soldiers, wagons, horses, donkeys, and camels, I despaired of ever sleeping under a roof again.

Stumbling, I was on the ground before I realized I’d fallen. The woman with me fell, too, moaning as she rolled down a small incline. I reached for her but not quick enough to catch her and couldn’t get to my knees. Rough hands grabbed my ribs. I cried out and fell hard to the rocky ground.

“Merari.” Azat knelt over me, shaking my shoulders. “Merari?”

“Help me stand.” It was a whisper.

Idan stood over his shoulder. “Get the invalids off her camel and put her back in the sedan. If she dies now, Nebuchadnezzar will cut us all into pieces.”

I wanted to protest but couldn’t gather the strength. Azat lifted me gently, and I was surprised at how secure his arms felt. “Thank you for not dragging me.” His chest rumbled with a chuckle. Though only a head taller than me, he was indeed a mighty man.

The caravan waited long enough to evict the five captives from my sedan and place me there. Three of the five were already dead, and the other two would die where we left them. I mourned each one though I didn’t know them, weeping while I lay on the wretched, filthy cushions. Between tears, I slept. Azat forced me to eat and drink whenever the caravan stopped. He even shared his water with Helah who now joined me in the sedan.

By dusk that day, a scout announced the city of Aleppo lay on the other side of the next hill. Thankfully, the king was too tired for his harp player that evening. Helah and I fixed a quick meal of warm bread, hard cheese, and dried figs while the men set up our tent. We all ate quickly. I cleaned the dishes; Helah went to the river for fresh water. I don’t know when she returned. I’d already fallen into a dreamless sleep.

The next morning, I woke to a strange mewling sound. Low at first, growing in intensity. Lifting my head, I realized it was Helah.

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