Edward Whittemore by Sinai Tapestry

Author:Sinai Tapestry
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Bible, General, Fantasy, Historical, Fiction, Espionage
Published: 2011-10-16T00:07:12+00:00

PART THREE

-14-

Stern

Pillars and fountains and waterways, a place where myrrh grew three thousand years ago and forever.

The tent where he was born in the Yemen stood not far from the ruins of Marib, the ancient capital of the Queendom of Sheba which had once sent apes and gold and peacocks, silver and ivory up the Incense Road to Aqaba, whence they could be transported farther north to the heights of Jerusalem. As a boy he played in the ruins of the Temple of the Moon at Marib among the former pillars and fountains and waterways where myrrh grew.

One morning he found nothing but sand where the temple had been. He ran back across the hills to their tent.

It's gone, he whispered breathlessly to his immensely tall father and his short round grandfather who were roaming back and forth as usual, talking and talking as they pretended to watch over their sheep, the one a former English aristocrat turned bedouin hakim who had been the greatest explorer of his age, the other an unlettered Yemeni Jew and shepherd who had never left the hillside that was his birthplace.

The temple's gone, repeated the boy. Where did it go?

Where? said his short grandfather.

A mystery, murmured the one. And not only gone but why?

And not only where, added the other, but when?

Right now, answered the little boy. Right where it's supposed to be. It disappeared overnight.

The two old men shook their heads thoughtfully. The sun was already high enough to be felt so they sought the shade of an almond tree to consider the problem. While they took turns asking him questions the boy hopped from one foot to the other.

We must solve this mystery. What's there in place of the temple?

Sand. Nothing.

Ah, nothing but sand, mysterious indeed. Did you stay there overnight?

No.

Were you there at dawn?

No.

Ah. Could it be then it's only happening now?

They both looked at him. He was barely four years old and the question confused him.

What's happening now? he asked.

His father tugged the sleeve of his grandfather.

Is there really a Temple of the Moon, Ya'qub?

There is certainly. Yes yes, I've seen it as long as I can remember.

But not today? asked father.

No not today but I'll see it again, answered his grandfather.

When? In a week, Ya'qub? Two months from now?

More or less then, o former hakim. Yes assuredly.

And yesterday?

No.

Six months ago?

Yes and no. But in any case one of those times without any doubt whatsoever.

But what are these yesterdays and next weeks of yours, Ya'qub? These two months from now and six months ago? This strange way you have of discussing time? More or less, you say, running days and dates past and future all together as if they were the same.

His father smiled. His grandfather laughed and clasped the small bewildered boy to his chest.

Do I? Yes I do. It must be simply that the Temple of the Moon is always there for me because I know it in every detail, exactly as I've seen it before and will see it again.

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