31

Nemuel was not at his tent when she left Jonah with Susanna. The grandmother asked a few questions about the small, ornate staff Jonah played with, but Mahlah assured her relative it was a gift, and freely given. She did not know how to explain her encounter with Moses, so she kept her wisdom a secret unto herself.

Mahlah sauntered down the alley south of her own tent. She breathed deep and let her lungs fill to the brim with air that smelled of roasted meat and oak ash. When she reached the wide path, she halted. A camel chewed its cud in front of her cooking courtyard. Tirzah was perched on its hump. Shuni and Hoglah chatted earnestly while Milcah held the large animal’s lead.

Why had the man from Asher returned? His insult still branded her memory. ‘Not strong enough?’ She clenched her teeth. How dare Shuni show himself at her tent after the commotion he had caused by inviting his boisterous kinsmen for a meal. He had to know about the ruling Moses had passed down about her sisters marrying within the tribe of Manasseh. God’s words were made known to the elders of every tribe. Especially, the elders of Asher. She and her sisters agreed publicly to marry their own clansmen.

She adjusted her head covering and shifted her blade toward the back of her hip. Nothing, not even a persistent suitor, would keep her sisters from possessing their land.

As she neared the courtyard, Shuni and Hoglah turned and exchanged quick, unsettled glances.

Her jaw slackened. Did Shuni truly believe she was glad to see him? Or were they trying to persuade her to accept a betrothal request? She would not go against God’s command. Not now. Not ever.

“Sister.” Hoglah stationed herself in front of their guest. She dipped her chin and widened her eyes as if she were a mother about to scold. “We have been given a gift to make our travels easier.”

“A gift?” Mahlah surveyed the height of the light-brown camel. Livestock cost Shuni more than a wineskin and some melons. Surely, he knew of the rules surrounding their marriages. Shuni was not kin to her father, nor would he ever be.

“Can we ride him when we cross the river?” Tirzah sat with both legs draped over the same side of the camel’s belly. She rubbed the camel’s fur with her sandals. “No more bruised toes.”

Milcah drew closer, the reins hanging low behind her. “Shuni says we are crossing the river soon. Is it true?”

Well, it appeared Shuni knew some of the latest revelations regarding the tribe of Manasseh. Revelations no one bothered to reveal to her or any of Zelophehad’s daughters.

“We are traveling into Canaan. Some descendants of Makir will remain here in the east.” Mahlah cast a glance at Shuni. She did not want him to believe he caught her unaware of tribal decisions. Toda raba, Moses.

She turned her attention to Milcah. “All of our able tribesmen will fight across the Jordan until our people have taken the land promised to them by God.” She turned toward Shuni. “I truly believe the descendants of Asher do not need much assistance in battle. I have never seen a better display of swordsmanship.”

Shuni rubbed his chin. “Our sword battles became better known than I would have wished.”

And to think, her sisters had witnessed some of their fighting before breakfast. Was he hiding regret? Perhaps, weathering a bit of gossip had brought into her possession a young camel.

He clenched a fist and raised it in the air. “The men of Asher are ready to fight and possess the land of Canaan.”

Mahlah patted the bulge of the camel’s belly. “We will pray for your well-being and for a swift victory for all our warriors.”

Hoglah’s eyes were downcast.

“This gift will remind us to be faithful in our petitions for you and your family.” Hoglah bobbed her head. A swift dab of her cheek with her veil hid a slow-moving tear.

Shuni snapped his sandals together and gave a brief bow in Hoglah’s direction. He turned quickly toward Mahlah as if, already, duty called.

“I would like you to remember the men who offered your sisters assistance on the march to Moab. Not the visitors which angered your kin. May you cast off any insult from my lips.”

“God has always provided for me and my sisters, sometimes in mysterious ways.” Mahlah pressed her hands together as if in prayer. “I will always remember the men of Asher who showed us kindness. May our God bless you and keep you.”

“We can name our camel Asher,” Tirzah said with a giggle.

“Alas, that is better than you calling him by my name.” Shuni back-stepped toward the wide path. “I am honored to have known the daughters of Zelophehad.” His expression sobered. The wrinkles in his forehead made him seem older than his years. “May you travel swift of foot. Shalom.”

“Shalom, Shuni,” Mahlah answered. “Toda raba for your gift.”

Their friend bobbed his turbaned head, turned, and jogged toward the center of camp.

Tirzah cupped a hand over her eyes and watched Shuni’s retreat.

“Will we see him on the other side of the Jordan?”

“I hope not.” Hoglah shuffled her sandals. “I could not bear to see him with another woman.”

Mahlah embraced her middle sister and kissed her forehead.

“You won’t have a chance to think of him once we cross the river.” Mahlah stroked her sister’s cheek. “When our relatives hear we have land and a camel, they will send their sons to fall at your feet.”

Hoglah struggled to smile. “Then I will have a basin for washing at the ready.” She arched her brows. “For all of us.”