Short Stories

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© Josprel (Joseph Perrello)
"The Archer of Paran"
Historical Fiction - part one
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The Archer of Paran
by
Josprel

Part one

Prologue

Abraham was disgusted by the religious rituals of his home city of Ur, the Chaldean seat of the empire south of the Euphrates River. Ur also was home to the Ziggurat, the intimidating, many-stepped, sacrificial pyramid of Luna, the moon goddess, that loomed upward seventy-five feet and seemed to touch the sky. The Ziggurat was stained red with the blood of sacrificed youth. One of the most powerful chiefs in the city, Abraham alone opposed the sacrifices. The others feared to do so. At this monthly conclave of the elders of Ur, he now gestured respectfully for his words to be heard and the others fell silent. Abraham's full, flowing, black beard and dark, penetrating eyes, lent him the formidable appearance of one who brooked no interference into the affairs of his powerful family. The other members of the conclave understood why the Lunian priests feared him; the appearance was not a facade.

"Surely, you do not condone the sacrifice of your sons and daughters to this false goddess. Ur is loosing its most valued possession - her children. The demands of the Lunian priests for more sons and daughters for sacrifice grow ever louder. Soon there shall be no children in Ur. We must deal with these priests and their superiors. If you all will stand with me, I shall lead the protest against them."

Naggar, the oldest member took on the role of spokesman for the others. "You do not believe in the gods, Abraham, therefore you do not believe in Luna. But, the gods are not false for us who believe. The priests tell us that, without the sacrifices, Luna's wrath will fall on Ur. It is she who gives us our children. How can we withhold them when she asks for their return? To do so would destroy our city."

"As you have said, Naggar, I do not believe in the gods. Luna is a false goddess! What kind of goddess would give you children and then demand that they be sacrificed to her? Such a thing is the invention of the priests and, because you believe them, they have power over you. They need not worry for their children for they do not marry and have no children to sacrifice. They know Luna is no goddess."

"You also have no children, Abraham; therefore, when you speak against the priests, you have no fear that your children will be taken as sacrifices before their appointed time. We, who have sons and daughters, dare not speak as boldly as do you, for that would bring the anger of the priests upon us; neither do we desire to conspire against them. To do so, would be to conspire against the goddess Luna, herself. The priests obey her bidding when they sacrifice our children. They cannot do otherwise."

Abraham first appeared thunderstruck. He then fixed his companions with an implacable stare.

"How can you defend these false priests when they destroy your children, Naggar? They demand your children - future elders of Ur. How can you stand silently at the bottom of the Ziggurat while their assistants drug your sons and daughters and force them to climb the Ziggurat to their death? How can you remain silent as these false priests, who wait at the summit, slash the throats of your sons and daughters with their knives? Would a true god condone such slaughter?"

"If such deeds are so distasteful to you, why do you not leave Ur, Abraham? The gates are opened wide. Neither the king, nor any member of this conclave, shall prevent you from leaving." The sarcastic remark came from a relatively young, almost beardless elder.

"I shall indeed leave Ur, as you have said, Yusuf," Abraham answered in a tone of anguish, "I have decided to take my family and my tribe away from Ur. I have not already done so, since I hoped that this conclave would oppose the sacrifices of the young. Now that I have heard your decision to do nothing, I am ready to depart. I shall seek after a true god, who does not demand the sacrifice of children. My nephew, Lot, has asked to go with me, to seek after this god."

The others were flabbergasted. "A god who does not ask for the sacrifice of children; can there be such a god?"

"I have heard of a priest, whose name is Melchizedek. It is said that he is the king of a city called, Salem. He is also the priest of the god most high. Above him, there is no other god. It also is said that this god most high cannot be seen by men and he forbids the sacrifice of mankind. He asks only for sacrifices from among the sheep, the herds, and the birds. I shall search for the god most high, and when I find him, my tribes shall serve him."

The others laughed in ridicule. Rafi, the youngest of the group, sneered, "You have lost your wits, Abraham. How can one find a god who is unseen and how will you know when you find him? Better to seek the source of the winds or the cradle of the rains."

"Mock me if you will, but I shall find this Melchizedek, king of Salem. I shall ask him where the god most high may be found.


Chapter One

The Three Visitors

At his oasis camp, Abraham was entertaining three visitors. They rode no mounts nor did they carry any traveling equipment. They seemingly appeared from nowhere. Eyes closed against the bright desert sun, Abraham had been resting outside his tent. He happened to momentarily open his eyes and there they were - three men just standing nearby. Abraham knew this was an impossible feat for mere humans, but be they human or supernatural, the custom of the desert decreed that all travelers must be made welcome and fed, and Abraham was not one to violate it. He hastily stood, hurried to them and bowed.

"My Lord, if I have found favor before you, please do not pass by me. I implore you to permit me to fetch water to wash your feet. You have come to my camp for the purposes of resting, therefore, relax under the tree and I shall fetch food for you. Please make yourselves comfortable. Afterward, you may continue your journey."

"Do as you have offered," they responded.

Abraham hurried to the tent, and instructed Sarah to cook meal cakes on the hearth. He then ran into his herd, fetched a tender, young calf and gave it to one of his young men.

"Hurry; dress it and then bring it to me!"

When the calf was ready, he served it to the visitors, with butter and milk. Standing near the tree, he waited courteously as they ate.

"Where is your wife, Sarah?" one of them inquired.

"She is in the tent."

"I shall certainly return to you according to the time of life and your wife, Sarah, shall have a son."

Sarah, who stood by the tent door, overheard the promise. She had grown extremely old hoping for a child and it now was impossible for her to conceive one. The ridiculous promise brought a laugh within her.

"Now that I and my husband are so old, shall we enjoy the pleasure of lovers and conceive a son?" she softly asked herself.

"Abraham, why did Sarah laugh and ask herself if she would actually bear a son now that she is so old? Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time, I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son."

"I did not laugh," Sarah said.

"Not so; you did laugh!"

The men stood and turned toward the direction of Sodom, and Abraham accompanied them a short way.

Chapter Two

As the visitor had promised, Sarah conceived and bore a son whom Abraham named, "Isaac."

Finally the day came when Sarah announced, "Abraham, our son has been weaned. We must celebrate."

"Yes, we shall have a great feast in honor of Isaac's weaning. I'll see to the preparations. We'll invite our entire camp and others chiefs and their encampments to celebrate with us."

The feast went well, until Sarah saw Ishmael mocking the celebration. Noticing her angry look, Abraham asked, "Is something wrong? What has made you so angry?"

"Don't you see that son of my Egyptian handmaid mocking us? He is jealous because we are celebrating the weaning of Isaac. Get rid of him and his mother. Banish that bondwoman and her son. I'll not have him as an heir with my son."

"But, Sarah, if I send them away, they can only wander in the desert. They surly will die. I shall not do as you demand. Ishmael also is my son."

"Don't argue with me on this. I've been a faithful wife to you. There is little I have asked for. Banish both Hagar and Ishmael now. She is my slave to do with as I wish."

"What you demand grieves me terribly, Sarah. For once in our marriage, I shall not do as you ask! Ishmael is my son and I will not banish him into the desert to die of thirst. I would not treat one of my animals in that way."

Leaving the feast, Sarah returned to her tent with disguised anger. Abraham sighed, shook his head in dismay and returned to his guests. As he sat among the other chiefs, he sensed a prompting from the Lord.

"Excuse yourself from your guests for a while, Abraham. I desire to speak with you alone." Abraham did as he was instructed.

"Abraham, do not be grieved because of the lad, Ishmael, and because of your handmaid, Hagar. Do as Sarah asked of you; for from Isaac shall your lineage come. I also will make Hagar's son, Ishmael, a great nation because he is your son."

Chapter Three

Abraham rose early the next morning. Packing some bread and a bottle of water, he placed them on the shoulders of Hagar and her son and sent them away. They entered the wilderness, where they wandered aimlessly until the water was spent. Knowing that Ishmael was dying of thirst, the weeping mother placed him in the shade of a bush and walked away, about the distance of a bow shot.

"I cannot bear to see the death of my child," she said out loud and began weeping. And the angel of God spoke to her from above.

"What ails you, Hagar? Do not be afraid. God has heard the lad's voice and knows where he is. Stand up and lift the lad. Hold him with your hands, for I will make him a great nation." Hagar then noticed a well she had not previously seen. She hurried to it, returning with a bottle filled with water to slake her son's thirst.

As Ishmael grew into manhood he developed into skilled archer and huntsman.

Chapter Four

The Wilderness of Paran

The Wilderness of Paran was a wild place. Bounded on three sides by mountains some 4000 feet high, its lime-stone table-land reached upward some 2000 to 2,500 feet. Consisting of rolling, gravelly plains it was graced with only a few springs of mostly impure water. The Wady el Arish - River of Egypt - also flowed through it, but it was dry most of the year. It was no wonder that, molded by this environment, Ishmael developed into the "wild man" predicted by the angel. On that harsh play-ground he honed his archery skills, developing into an archer who could launch an arrow unerringly into his prey from a great distance. He was one who lived for the hunt. As a result, he and his mother never lacked for meat. What they did not consume, they traded to the frequent caravans that traversed the desert routes. Life for them was lonely but endurable. However, Hagar eventually noticed that Ishmael no longer hunted as frequently as he once did. As she mulled the problem, she arrived at a solution.

"My son, you are a man now and a man needs a wife. You must marry. I shall arrange for you to take a wife from among the Egyptians, because they are my people."

"But there are many tribes not far from here like those of my father, Abraham. Their women know how to exist in the desert, the Egyptians do not. They would parish."

"Have we perished? Am I not also a woman of Egypt? Who was it that brought you into manhood?"

Ishmael lowered his head, giving no response.

"I ask one more thing, Ishmael, my son. I have never told this before. After I conceived you, my mistress, Sarah, beat me so badly that I ran away into the desert. I was resting at a water spring and an angel found me. He asked me what I was doing there and I told him. He said for me to return to Sarah and obey her.

"This angel promised that the number of my descendants would be so great that no one will be able to count them. He also told me that I would bare a son. He said your name would be "Ishmael." Then he said something I never understood until now."

"What is that, Mother?"

Hagar took on a pensive look. "He said that you would be a wild man and your hand will be against every man and every man's hand will be against you. And you will dwell in the presence of your brothers."

Astonishment played on Ishmael's features. There was a long silence before he spoke.

"Already, I am a wild man. And according to what you have told me, I also shall be a man without friends - a man who has only enemies!"

Chapter Five

A Wife for the Archer


"What is her name, Mother?"

"Have you no tongue, girl? Speak! Tell your husband how you are called!"

"I am called Aseneth, daughter of Potipherah." The girl spoke without fear.

"Her father, Potipherah, was a soldier in the armies of Egypt. He was killed in battle and her mother sold her in the slave market. I bought her as your wife."

Ishmael seemed dubious. "She is beautiful and unafraid, but can she endure the wilderness? She appears so delicate."

"Your mother has said that I am your wife, but I know that in truth, I am your slave. Though I did not choose to be here, I shall survive this place," Aseneth haughtily replied.

"Have a care how you speak to your husband, girl." Hagar made as if to slap Aseneth, but Ishmael prevented it.

"You shall not attempt to escape from us?"

"Where can I go? There is no place for me in Egypt. My father is dead. My mother sold me as a slave. There is no place for me, but here."

Ishmael took Aseneth's hands in his. "Then know that I, Ishmael, promise to treat you with only tenderness and love. I shall be your protector and provider."

Aseneth's features softened into a smile and Ishmael continued, "You shall call me your husband and I shall call you my wife. Hagar you shall call, "mother," and she shall call you "daughter." You shall treat her with love and she shall treat you the same."

"Yes, I shall treat her so if she is a good wife to you, but if she is not, I shall beat her with a stick!"

"Then you shall not beat me at all, for I shall be a good wife to your son and a true daughter to you."

Now it was Hagar's features that softened. Moving to Aseneth, she embraced and kissed her.

"Come, my daughter, it is time for us to cook a meal."

Chapter Five

Twelve Sons for the Archer

Hagar and Aseneth bonded into a true mother-daughter relationship. As the decades passed, Hagar had the joy of serving as the midwife for the birth of her first four grandsons. Yet, with the weight of her nomadic existence and the passing years pressing heavily on her, she finally responded to the summons of death. According to her wish, with great pomp and ceremony, she was buried by Ishmael in an Egyptian tomb. Having now given Ishmael twelve sons, Aseneth also was feeling the pressures of their wandering existence.

"My husband, when I first came to you, you promised to be a good husband to me. You have indeed loved me, as I have loved you. I have borne you twelve warrior sons."

"Yes, you have given me many sons. They are superb horsemen and camel riders, who are now the lords of the desert. Because of them and their riders, we are paid tribute by all the caravans that pass through our lands. When those who travel see our black tents, they know who we are. Even the armies of pharaoh fear us."

"Yes, my husband, you and our sons have made us rich beyond our dreams. Yet, we are growing old. I have grown tired of wandering. Can we not now remain settled in one place until we die?"

"I shall speak to our sons about that which you ask."

Chapter Six

A Home for the Archer

It was Nebajoth, Ishmael's firstborn, who responded to his father's question.

"Yes, Father, we have discussed it among ourselves. We have planned to each build a castle here in the desert. We shall construct them at a distance apart from each other. Thus, the entire desert shall be under our control. No one can pass through without paying tribute to us. You and mother may choose in whose castle you wish to live."

"We first shall have our men dig until we have twelve wells of water," added Kedar, the next oldest, "Then we each shall build our castle near one well. Once I have the water, I shall have my men gather many desert sheep into folds."

"But what will they eat? There is no grass in the desert," his father asked.

"Once I have water, my castle will be like an oasis. Then I shall dig many wells and my will men grow food for the sheep to eat."

"When the angel spoke to my mother in the desert, she found a well of water there, but that was long ago. I have not found many other wells since then, but I have heard that your Uncle Isaac dug wells for his flocks to drink. Each time he did so, others came and drove him away form his well and used them for themselves."

"Our Uncle Isaac should have fought for what was his own," Kedemah, the youngest son, responded.

"That is true, but my brother is a peaceable man. He will not fight. He finally dug a well that remained his own."

"I shall kill any who seek to take the wells we dig."

The threat was voiced by Massa, who most resembled his father in appearance and temperament. The others grunted their agreement.

"Well, I suppose if one digs deep enough there will be water, but who can dig that deep?"

"Our men will do so, or they will die!" Massa responded.

"If the task is impossible, you still would kill your men for not doing it?" asked his brother, Tema.

"My men will obey me or they will die!"

"For not doing what no one else can do, even yourself?!"

"I am their chief: they must do as I command! If I command them to dig until they find water, they must do so!"

Noticing Massa's anger mounting, Nebajoth changed the topic.

"Our father and mother desire to remain in one place. They are tired of wandering in the desert!" he said to the others. "Since I am the oldest, they shall dwell with me in my camp. Do we all agree?"

He received eleven affirmative answers.

Chapter Seven

A King's Hatred for the Archer

Zephan, Supreme Commander of the Egyptian military forces, was kneeling face to the pavement before his furious king, Pharaoh-rams.

"Lift your eyes, worthless one! On your knees! Look upon me!"

Leaning forward on his dais, Pharaoh-rams fixed Zephan with a probing glare. "Why do you not protect the caravans that pass through the desert? All who travel to and from Egypt suffer attacks by desert bandits! Our land grows poor because them!"

The commander's features twitched in anguish; his voice quivered. "My great pharaoh, these are not mere bandits who attack our caravans. The wild man, Ishmael, and his twelve sons have gathered many desert tribes into a mighty confederation."

"And what does this mean for Egypt?"

Zephan's voice now took on its natural deepness. "Ishmael is molding the tribes into an army, oh mighty pharaoh. The desert chiefs of the Wilderness of Paran acknowledge him as their supreme chief. They now call themselves, "The Ishmaelite Confederacy." They consider all who pass through the desert as their enemies. It is reported that they look upon the desert as their home-land. Only their own may pass safely through the Wilderness of Paran. No other is safe from attack. They kill the men and take all. If there are women with the caravans, they sell as slaves."

"Is that not your task guard the caravans? Send troops into the desert to kill these marauders! Eliminate their black tents!"

"I have sent many troops, sire, but Ishmael and his bands vanquish them all and then vanish into the desert. Even the Rephaim in the highlands of Bashan, fear them, as do also the Amorites and the other nations. I have received reports that the twelve sons of Ishmael no longer dwell in black tents, as do their followers, sire. Each is building a castle in a strategic location to make permanent their rule over Paran."

Pharaoh-rams brow shot up in surprise. "Even the Rephaim, with their great height and strength, fear the confederacy of Ishmael?!"

"Yes, my pharaoh, they now refuse to leave their homes in the mountains, fearing that Ishmael and his hoards will attack their families while they are gone. Though they will defend their mountains, it is reported that they do not think they can gain victory over Ishmael's confederacy."

Pharaoh-rams pounded the arm of his throne. His eyes narrowed with distain. "Then I swear on the heads of my ancestors that I shall eliminate this scourge of the desert!" With a terrible resolve, he added, "I, myself, shall lead the army into battle against Ishmael and his sons and their confederacy. When I capture these desert rats, I shall flay the skin from their bodies while they still live!"

Chapter Eight

A Battle Alarm for the Archer

Though the construction of the castles was not yet completed, enough of the work had been done to make them livable. For more than three long years, it seemed to the exhausted laborers that every stone, from pebbles to boulders had been dragged in from the desert by camels, horses and men. A deep, dry mote surrounded each edifice, and dotting the vast areas between the motes and the castles were sheepfolds, stalls for camels and horses, and the black tents of The Ishmaelite Confederacy. Recently dug wells also occupied the space. Despite the motes, they were guarded by patrols armed with scimitars and spears. Today had dawned no differently than those previous. After the coolness of the night, the blistering heat of the sun dominated the desert, yet those within the castles still enjoyed the residual coolness of the walls.

It was one of Nebajoth's outlooks who first blew the ram's horn battle alarm and then shouted, "Battle alarm! Battle alarm! An army of riders approaches! Battle alarm!"

While Nebajoth and his riders armed themselves and mounted their steeds, the battle alarm was relayed to the other castles, whose warriors also prepared for combat. It did not take long before the twelve companies converged into a unified army under the command of their twelve princes, with Ishmael as their general. At his signal, the mote bridges were lowered. When the army crossed they were raised again.


Chapter Nine

A King Underestimates the Archer

Resplendent in his combat attire, mounted on his white battle stallion, King Pharaoh-rams waited next to Supreme Commander Zephan, also geared for battle. Already the desert sun was taking its toll upon their warriors; after succumbing to the heat, many had to be kicked to their feet again by their superiors. The king's tasted for battle now waning, he was having second thoughts. Across the sands, they could see the banners of The Ishmaelite Confederacy moving toward them.

"Our men and horses are not trained to fight in the desert, Zephan. Without our chariots and much water, we are at a disadvantage. The Ishmaelite Confederacy is trained for desert battles. They seem able to find water where no one else can."

"True, sire, we did not take our chariots because they would serve no purpose here in the desert. Their wheels would sink into the sands and the horses would not be able to pull them over the dunes. We have some water, for I commanded the army to carry water on camels."

"But, is it enough for all of our troops and animals in such heat as this?"

Zephan appeared dubious. "It will depend on how long the battle lasts, sire."

There was a long pause, after which Pharaoh-rams summoned a high-ranking officer, who approached and saluted.

"Carry a flag of truce and ride with me and the Supreme Commander toward the lines of the Ishmaelites."

Both officers gawked at their king with alarm.

"You dogs! Do as I have commanded. Make a flag of truce!"

White flag lifted high, the three slowly rode toward the confederacy lines. At the center of no man's land, they reigned in and waited. The wait was a short one, for soon they saw an equivalent number of riders, two mounted on camels, the center rider on horseback. Attired in the robes of desert dwellers, upon reaching the Egyptians, they also reigned in.

For a moment, both parties gazed silently at each other. The Ishmaelites each had their features covered by white cloths reaching from just below the eyes to the necklines of their robes. The aura of mystery this lent them, made the king uneasy.

"I am Pharaoh-rams, king of Egypt. This is Supreme Commander Zephan of the Egyptian forces."

"We know who you are," responded the Ishmaelite horseman, "Why have you entered our land with your army? Do you not know that the desert belongs to us? We do not enter your land, yet you invade ours!" The speaker's eyes were filled with dark portents.

"Are you he who is called Ishmael?" Zephan inquired.

"I am Ishmael, ruler of the desert tribes. He on my right hand is Nebajoth, my oldest son, who also commands a large company of my warriors. He on my left hand is my son, Adbeel, another of my sons. He, too, commands a large company of warriors, as do all my sons, who are known among the desert dweller as The Twelve Princes of Ishmael. Each rules over part of this desert land. From their childhood, they have been trained as warriors, as are all the men of The Ishmaelite Confederacy.

"I asked you why you invade our land, but you do not respond. Why is this?"

"You say that I invade your land, but the desert belongs to no man. It is man's land. All may travel through it. This is why we have come," responded Pharaoh-rams "You capture our caravans. You kill all the men and take all the good. If there are women, you sell them as slaves. Egypt grows poor because of you."

"Do not speak to me of those we sell as slaves, Pharaoh-rams. Though Hagar, my mother, was an Egyptian, the Egyptians sold her as a slave to Abraham, my father. In my youth he than sent us into this desert to die of thirst, for no wrong that we did. But I remain alive. The desert is not no man's land; it is our land. Here, we rule!

"Like you, the caravans and traders that pass through here think the desert belongs to no one, but it is ours. Our castles are here, as are our families, our herds and flocks. We have much water for we have for dug many wells, and we will fight to the death for what is ours. Even the Rephaim fear us and remain in their mountains. Learn from them, Pharaoh-rams. Return to Egypt while you still have life in you.

Ishmael's tone grew ominous. "You have often sent assassins to kill me, but they have never returned to you, yet I have not sought to kill you. Know that had I done so, they would not have failed, as we shall not fail to win this battle. You came to me under a flag of truce and you may depart from here without harm. Again, I say to you, return to Egypt while you still have life for, if you do battle with us, you shall surely die by my hand!"

Despite the heat, Pharaoh-rams felt chills playing along his spine. A cold fist gripped his heart. He now realized his blunder in attempting to move against The Ishmaelite Confederacy. How could he back off and still save face?

"Our talk has ended, Pharaoh-rams. Return to your troops. I shall wait with my warriors until you attack us or turn toward Egypt. Heed my warning: decide to return to Egypt and enter our land no more!"

The Egyptians backed their steeds several feet, and then swung around and returned to their troops. They conferred among themselves, after which, Zephan again approached the Ishmaelites under the flag of truce.

This time, he placed a clenched right fist over his heart in salute to Ishmael, who did not return the gesture.

In a voice edged with tension, he stated, "My king has sent me to report that we have not come to do battle against you, sire. Our purpose is to request that you do not prevent the caravans from entering Egypt, for our people grow weak from hunger. As one sovereign to another, he asks that you do him this kindness. We shall not again enter the desert without your permission."

With a patronizing smile, Ishmael responded, "Only the gods know the future. You are free to return to your land in peace."

Chapter Ten

The Past Visits the Archer

The ram's horn battle trumpet sounded from Mibsam's castle, followed by shouts of, "Battle alarm! Battle alarm! Strange riders approach the castles. Battle alarm! Battle alarm!"

The alarm was taken up by the other castles. With a feverish scurry of activity, the Confederacy of Ishmaelites armed them-selves and mounted their steeds. The mote bridges were lowered and they road out to meet the strangers. Before the Ishmaelites could launce an attack, the intruders stopped their advancement and unfurled a white banner with which three riders moved forward to the center of no man's land and waited.

"Hold!" Ishmael commanded, "They fly a flag of truce. Nebajoth and Tema, meet with them. Learn why they intrude into our land."

Advancing slowly, the two princes complied. To Ishmael's amazement, they and the foremost stranger dismounted and embraced each other.
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