Feminine 101

If you have not already done so, or if you are new, I recommend starting with Chapter 1. This is a linear story and will make a lot more sense read as a whole. Please leave a like, comment, or subscribe to my blog to get notifications when a new chapter is published. If I get 100 views on a single post of One More Life, I will self-publish a digital and printed copy with an exclusive Epilogue. If you only missed the last post, you can read Chapter 16 here.

Nathan stood silently behind his father. The elders were seated around the tent while Aaron stood in their midst describing the final audience with Pharaoh. Moses stood mute, calmly meeting the eyes of the men seated around him. Most gasped in horror at the ultimatum laid before the all-powerful monarch. Moses’ eyes glanced across his own for scarcely a moment, but it was enough for Nathan to sense the purpose, the power that drove the lost prince onward. Perhaps, a glimpse of that burning bush, flickered behind his wordless visage.  Nathan focused again on Aaron’s words. 

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“…on the doorposts…”

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All the firstborn of Egypt were condemned. Only in the Hebrew homes, would there be any refuge. The sun-darkened faces of the surrounding slaves blanched several shades paler. It was a solemn trail of men who drifted from that gathering to spread word of the LORD’s instructions. Nathan followed his father, anxiously awaiting the moment when it was no longer disrespectful to interrupt him. Finally his father straightened from a hushed conversation with another Hebrew elder. The man bade him farewell and turned down a side street. 

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“Father…” Nathan began.

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His father turned to him and he fell silent. He could see the misgivings in his father’s face, understood them. Who among their people would dare befriend the daughter of one of the most powerful men in Egypt? He was trying to steal her away from her people and he knew it. Even when they had first met, he had accepted the impossibility of any satisfaction for affections he made no attempt to hide. Of course a slave would sooner become pharaoh than have any hope of a life with the likes of her. She was destined to decorate the arm of some prince. Except the Hebrew deliverance was at hand. Moses had come with his plagues and the balance of power in Egypt was quite awry. Now he saw there was a real chance to snatch her from the grasp of Egypt and its false gods, and he must try. That was not his only motive. It was not the only thing that filled him to the brink with urgency.

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She was also her father’s eldest child, his firstborn.

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His father sighed in resignation. “Save her if you can, my boy.”

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Nathan spun without a word, darting away from his father and the humble dwellings cluttered up against one another. He flew down narrow alleys that widened into great avenues, almost completely deserted. The homes on either side of him rose more and more opulent until he stood before the gates of the palace she called home. 

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The guards at the gate stood aside in surprise as he took the stairs two at a time. He paused at the door forcing patience while the steward announced his presence. He was admitted a moment later. 

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She emerged from her father’s study, swathed in silk, jewels, and precious metal. Her green eyes were painted, and her long, ebony hair falling about shapely, bare shoulders was enough to take his breath away. He recovered himself quickly and moved to take her hands, cloud-soft, delicate, immaculate, small enough to disappear into his own. 

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He looked down into her eyes desperate for her, “Come away with me.”

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She did not seem surprised, but curious, “What is going on?”

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“You cannot stay here. You will die if you do. Come with me, please?” He squeezed her fingers, resisting the urge to pull her toward the door. What would he do if she refused–if her father refused? The thought nearly drove him mad. He must make them see. 

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She nodded slowly, “Of course I’ll go with you.” She paused then, with gathering certainty, she added, “I’d go with you anywhere.” 

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He could have leaped and shouted, danced and laughed. Instead he threw his arms around her remembering not to crush her soft, sweet body. She would live. Her father stood in the doorframe of his study. When their eyes met, he only nodded. Nathan took her hand and drew her out of the house. 

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He sensed the hesitancy in his mother as he introduced Rana to her and his sisters. But she laid her misgivings aside and welcomed her into their home. His father grinned and welcomed her warmly. He even teased her gently when his 9-year-old daughter showed her how to work the dough without leaven. She laughed along, good-naturedly. But over them loomed the shadow of the coming night. 

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His father and he brought the lamb; the blood was smeared across the doorpost, soaking dark into the porous stone. The metallic scent was close in his nostrils. Dinner was eaten in solemnity. Even the little girls seemed subdued. 

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He sat beside her on the floor, noting the rumpled silks of her dress, and the curling tendrils of flyaway hair framing her face. She was exquisite. Her wealth and breeding were thrown into sharp relief against the humble surroundings of his family. But she chatted curiously with his mother and father asking questions about their God until darkness descended on them and they lay in their beds. Nathan, unafraid, listened with a furrowed brow as cries and weeping rose from the city. Silently he thanked God that Rana was here, was safe.

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Nathan’s family rose with the dawn, loading their belongings into a cart. His father had requested the oxen hitched to it from his Egyptian taskmaster who had, astonishingly, agreed and gave them a young donkey as well. When Rana had emerged from his family’s home, a long gaze had settled any questions about whether she would return to her people. She would return to her mother and father, yes, but only to say goodbye. As the packing was nearly complete, Nathan and Rana excused themselves to do precisely that.

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In her palace, the staff shied away from him. Even her parents winced when he spoke. Nathan stood atop the grand steps gazing at her father. While her mother had gone into Rana’s chambers with her, the old magician merely slumped against a column as though awaiting execution. He said nothing.

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Suddenly, there was a stirring at the front doors as a man, swathed in the garb of the priesthood stalked into the entryway. Nathan, feeling his skin crawl at the presence of this man, stepped out of their line of sight. 

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“We have the devil to pay, now,” growled the newcomer. 

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“You think he did not drink his fill last night?” The old priest’s voice was hollow.

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The newcomer glared at Rana’s father. “Containment, old man. The people murmur about the power of the Hebrew pretender!” He gestured furiously, his voice raised in contempt. 

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“Pretender? What pretense is yet unproven, I wonder?” 

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“You too? The Pharoah will rally! He will not allow this farce of a religious ceremony to occur. They will never be free!” 

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The old priest shoved away from the column brushing past the newcomer, to accept a goblet of wine from a visibly shaken servant. The young fellow has that effect, doesn’t he? He swirled the liquid in front of him, mesmerized by its color and motion. He had moved several steps closer to the stairs and Nathan heard his soft murmur meant for no one else’s ears, “Pharaoh is a fool.” Then he spoke louder to the young priest, ”The devil is come and gone, Mesed. I pray he requires nothing more of Egypt…for she has nothing more to give.”

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Mesed’s gaze turned slowly, voice heavy with threat, “And to whom, exactly, do you pray this?”

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Just then a motion caught their eyes as Rana,–vibrant, kind-hearted, bewitching Rana —slowed to an uncertain halt at the top of the stairs. Her father was the first to see her, followed by Mesed. Mesed was clearly taken aback. Nathan groaned inwardly, stepping between her and the gathering malice on the young priest’s countenance. 

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“You traitor,” he spat toward the old priest. “You are a disgrace to your people!” His face twisted with an unnatural ugliness as he looked back at her. “You would chase your slave into the desert? Chase him over the world! For all eternity, may you pursue and never be satisfied.” Nathan felt the weight of dread settle over him and the light of day seemed to flicker.

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“No!” cried her father as the priest, Mesed, spun on his heel and stormed away.

Nathan gently took her elbow wanting to comfort the fear he knew she felt. He led her down the stairs where she rushed to her father who seemed to have aged years. She was searching his face, but he instead turned toward Nathan. “I hope the Hebrew god is able to undo this curse.” He looked at the ground then said dully, “Go.”

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Rana kissed his stubbled cheek and his listless hand wetting them with her tears, but he did not respond. Nathan watched him clench the tears in his fist, holding them tightly until all their moisture evaporated. 

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As they descended into the street, Nathan took her hand and she looked up into his face.

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