Chapter Ten: Nowhere To Run

 ~~/*\~~ Takarut ~~/*\~~

Takarut was still friends with a lot of the Town Governors. Or at least, their staff. As the Plagues continued, the governors of each part of Egypt were squeezing their people and territories to make sure their own kitchens were still supplied. It meant that their own employees and servants went hungry. Takarut knew a lot of those people by name, from his time as Scribe, and a discreet delivery of food in the right place could alert him to the movements of town militias. Tzioni had been correct, predicting that at least some Egyptian authorities would come after the herds and livestock of Goshen.

Takarut was able to find out when such orders for seizures were given. As a result, when an animal was seized for the Egyptians to eat, they never took anything but the oldest, weakest animals; long past any breeding or working years.

“Without your help, we would have been caught off guard, and lost the best of our herds.” Tzioni reported.

“Egyptians don’t really concern themselves with your livestock that much. Like everything else in Goshen, they assume it’s lesser that they’re used to, even after the Campaign of Plagues.” Takarut nodded. “Their prejudice means they don’t realize you have finer animals, so they don’t go looking too closely for them.”

“Even so, many of our herders owe their livelihoods to you, Takarut.” Tzioni said seriously. But his face suggested he wasn’t done.

Takarut felt an edge of worry. “Is… is something wrong?”

“Takarut, you’ve been a good student, and a big help to Leahe, given her injury.” Tzioni said seriously. “But you can’t have her.”

Takarut snorted before he could stop himself. “If I wanted to buy her, I would have stayed in the City, Tzioni.”

“Not what I mean. You’ve learned a lot here, and made great strides. It hasn’t gone unnoticed the things you’ve done for us, and for the Cause, but I can’t give you my blessing if you want Leahe as your wife.”

“Because I’m still Egyptian.” Takarut said quietly. “Leahe has never forgotten that either. She’d never accept me, even if I…” He hesitated. “That’s not why. I’m not trying to win over Leahe.”

“No?” Tzioni asked.

Takarut shook his head. “I’m trying to win over you.”

Tzioni blinked. “What?”

“The problem isn’t limited to finding a wife. I’m an outsider here. And when your people get their freedom, I’ll still be an outsider. And by then, I’m quite sure I won’t be the only Egyptian to go with you. I’ll be leaving my whole world and its prospects behind. I have to build a whole new life, and I’m starting from the position of an enemy-”

“Wait.” Tzioni held up a hand in surprise. “You intend to come with us?” He was surprised. “I have to admit, I didn’t expect that. You came to us when you found out about the massacres eighty years ago, but once Moses gets through to Pharaoh, then Egypt can’t hurt us any more. If you’re in Goshen because you can’t support our enslavement, then your problem will be solved once ours is.”

“Why would I stay?” Takarut asked. “How could I stay? Egypt is a world built around its service to the gods, and it’s clear which God has authority.”

“That’s the point.” Tzioni said. “The people who are leaving are followers of Jehovah. Is that what you are?”

~~/*\~~

Egypt was, by its very nature, superstitious. The gods were the center of their lives. The Temples and the Priests made sure of it. As a result, people were on constant alert for what the gods might be doing, always vigilant for anything that might cause them to be vengeful. The Priests would capitalize on misfortunes all the time, and claim credit for good fortune in return. Saying that multiple tragedies had no meaning was counter to their entire way of life. Saying that multiple plagues had inexplicably struck every part of the nation at once coincidentally was a story that nobody believed anymore.

The Priests were trying to control the narrative, but little by little, the Royal Court were taking advantage of the warnings Moses gave, quietly arranging their own affairs to survive with minimal loss of profit or power. Word was getting out that these acts of supernatural power were being predicted with uncanny accuracy.

What the Court wouldn't admit was still being gossiped about by the staff. The Nile had been struck in Pharaoh’s presence, which meant everyone on his sail barge had seen the first Plague begin. The slaves were omnipresent but largely disregarded, but in every household and business, there was at least one voice eager to tell them that Moses wasn’t going away, and neither was Jehovah.

~~/*\~~

The Courtyard was full of people who had come to the Palace, seeking reparations. The Royal Treasury had already promised compensation to those that had lost out financially due to the Nile turning to blood. But then came more Plagues, and suddenly most of Egypt was in need.

Watching from his balcony, Jambres and Satau quietly discussed when Pharaoh would have to stop being so generous, and what the reaction would be when the support stopped. All the crops in Egypt were distributed from the Temples, so none of the public was entirely sure how much surplus there was. Trade had taken a major hit. Despite being a world power, the Nile had fewer transport boats come and go, as the Plagues mounted.

“I’m sorry about Sari.” His father said quietly.

“That horse was a gift from you, as I recall. It was your way of seeing if I could handle the responsibility, treat him properly, tend to him as he grew… For the farmers, the animals they’ve lost mean more. Their entire livelihood, or food for their families; milk for the children.” Satau didn’t meet his eyes. “The attendants in the Apis Bull’s stable… They’ll be put to death soon, won’t they?”

Jambres turned to stone. “Some of them have taken their own lives already.” He said seriously.

“I was thinking about what you said when Muhyee was executed, back after the frogs.” Satau said softly. “You said that Moses had conjured two plagues, and there was nothing to suggest there won’t be more…”

“Mm.” Jambres agreed. “I wonder how many Jehovah has left.”

“You worry about that.” Satau said with irony. “I’m worried about something else.”

“That being?”

“Jehovah has struck out at The Nile, the dust, the livestock… symbols of our Temples and gods, and wealth. To say nothing of the food supply.” Satau said seriously. “If He doesn’t get His way, when does He start escalating? What happens when He goes after the Sun gods, or the Death gods?”

Jambres set his jaw and looked around them, making sure of their privacy again. “In… certain rooms, behind closed doors, they are asking that question.” He conceded.

“What do they plan to do about it?” Satau challenged.

“What would you have them do?” Jambres asked reasonably.

Let the Hebrews go, while we still can. Satau almost said. But even in private, he couldn’t unsay it.

~~/*\~~ Alvin ~~/*\~~

Del and Nate were both dealing with their grief. Alvin decided they needed something to do, and sent them off to make some deliveries. The streets were getting dangerous to travel alone, and the supply crunch meant that many Witnesses were being caught out with shortages of food, medicines, even toiletries. The Elders were working to keep everyone going until it was over.

Alvin saw them off, watching them drive away to make their deliveries. Across the street, he noticed that one of his neighbors had already signed the Renouncement. It was being taped to the front door; easily visible from the street.

“It’s a family certificate.” A familiar voice said coolly.

Alvin spun to find Agent Mercer wandering up casually. “I thought the Renouncements were individual.”

“Oh, it is.” Mercer nodded agreeably. “But when you sign, you can gain an extra copy from the website, and post it as a public symbol. Same idea as getting a bumper sticker, or posting a lawn sign.”

Alvin nodded. “I see.”

“Stage Two is complete. There are still some former lobbyists in hiding, but we know who they are.” Mercer told him. “Your particular religion came through Stage Two with almost no effort. Oddly enough, you don’t have any elected representatives, or lobby groups.”

“We made it a point to stay out of politics.” Alvin nodded agreeably.

The Agent let out a breath. “You know you’re not fooling us, right? We have… broad, discretionary powers for our investigations.”

“Discretionary enough to tell me that you’re listening in on our phonecalls and text messages?” Alvin guessed.

“We’ve searched your homes, your storage spaces, your meeting areas… There’s no secret equipment. No weapons… But the lines of communication and authority are intact. Every other religious group has all but collapsed without their administration, or their facilities.” The Agent shrugged. “And yet, your people have organized into a relief network. We know you’re buying up foodstuffs. We know you’re sending it out to all your members. We can track every phone, monitor every transaction. Your people are using up their savings to make it happen.”

“Isn’t that what we’re meant to do?” Alvin demurred. “Withdraw our public activities; give up all attempts to influence the actions of others, and focus on offering charity and aid to those in need?”

“Indeed.” Mercer nodded. “Have you considered what comes next?”

“Believe me, it’s very much on my mind.” Alvin drawled.

Mercer reached into his pocket and pulled out a familiar pamphlet. “Your members are expecting Judgement Day to hit any second. You aren’t the only religious group to connect End Times Prophecies to the FRA. The other groups are smaller, but they’re all entrenching, arming up for a showdown.”

“We aren’t.” Alvin said shortly.

“No, you expect Jesus to do the fighting for you.” Mercer held up the pamphlet again. “But have you considered what happens when he doesn’t show up?”

“Have you considered what happens if he does?” Alvin couldn’t help but shoot back. Oh, that was stupid.

But Mercer didn’t frown. In fact, he smiled. “Let’s speak plainly.” He suggested. “Your particular brand of Illegals have been a perfect model of what the FRA is trying to achieve, so far. Peaceful, bloodless transition from public nuisance to law abiding private citizens. But Stage Three will require a personal Renouncement, and I think we both know your flock aren’t going to be so accommodating then. Some businesses and industries have required signatures early, and your people have almost uniformly refused; even at the cost of their jobs.”

Alvin said nothing, though he was right.

“When that time comes, we’re going to have to move on all of you. When that happens, your faithful little sheep aren’t going to be so grateful for the leadership of their Elders. They will blame you for their arrest. They will turn on you.”

Alvin said nothing.

“A man might live longer if he was to be realistic.” Mercer said gently. “A man might live longer if he was to help the proper authorities.”

“Help you do what, exactly?” Alvin asked, unmoved. “You said it yourself, we’re not hard to identify.”

“No, but there’s locating you, and then there’s getting you all processed. Someone with authority? Someone they’d obey? You could get them all gathered together in one place without too much trouble. In other Regions, other Countries; your brothers have already turned themselves in, en masse. Over in Europe, they’re congregating together, waiting for instructions in groups of over a hundred. In this part of the world, it looks like we’re going to have to go house by house.”

Alvin said nothing.

“Right now these people are hanging on your every word, seeing you as the authority of God, as it all falls down on your heads. It’s a good racket, but it can’t last much longer. Things can happen in small, unnoticed groups. Someone could get hurt.” Mercer summed up. “If you really want to help your people, it would be best to make sure that didn’t happen. Get all your people together at a time and place where we can secure the situation properly.”

Alvin said nothing.

“Or at the very least, get outta here before your people realize they’ve been conned. Plenty of religious leaders have taken this deal and have been comfortably relocated.” Mercer didn’t push any further. “Think it over.” He said, and handed over a small index card with a phone number written on it. “The Coalition can be very forgiving for people who are helpful to the Cause.” He turned and headed back towards his car without another word.

~~/*\~~

There was a Renouncement taped in the front window. It was the first thing she had noticed. In fact, there were several houses in the street that had done the same. One or two houses had not, and they were dark. Because nobody is home? Paige asked herself. Or because those people have something to hide? A secret like mine?

But eventually, she made her way to the familiar suburban house where her father-in-law lived, with some of his extended family. Saying yet another prayer, she knocked on the door. Her father-in-law answered, and he took her in at a glance.

“Ah.” The older man ran a hand through his graying hair, scratched at his gray stubble. “Well. Why is my son not with you?”

“He doesn’t know I’m here.” Paige confessed.

“I take it your… position, has caused things to go past the breaking point with him?” Carlos said, as though this had been long expected. And it had been.

“Not with him. With my job.” She confessed. “I… can’t really go home now.”

“You’re marked? You know they’ll come here next, right?” He pointed out. “You’re my daughter in law. If they’re looking for you, they’ll start with your house, and come here next.”

“I promise, I’ll be out of here by then.” Paige was trying not to beg. “If anyone asks, you can tell them that I was here briefly, and then I left, and you don’t know where I was going. It will be the truth.”

Fragile silence.

“Well.” Carlos stepped aside. “My mama told me that when you have no choice but to go home, your family has no choice but to take you in. That’s the point of family.”

She came in gratefully, slipping her shoes off at the door automatically. “Where are the rugrats?”

“My grandchildren are downstairs, enjoying their videogames while the power is on. It’s been… unreliable.” Carlos said, hiding her shoes in the hall cupboard, out of sight.

“I swear, I’ll be here only as long as it takes to get somewhere safe.” Paige promised, exhausted already; but keeping her voice down so she wouldn’t be heard. “For both of us.”

“You could just sign the paper, and be safe everywhere.” Carlos said bitingly. “You’re family, but that doesn’t make you any less illegal to have around.”

“I know.” Paige held up her hands. “Can I use your computer? I need to look up some contact details.”

“Don’t access anything from… those people.” Carlos warned.

“I won’t.” Paige promised. And she meant it. The website was still functional, somehow, but there were rumors online that anyone accessing them would be tracked. She wasn’t sure if that was possible, but she knew she didn’t want to draw attention.

Besides, the official websites wouldn’t help her. She needed someone local.

Why didn’t I memorize any of those numbers? She berated herself. My whole life went through my phone. Did I never think to prepare for what could happen if I lost it?

She had the names of all her friends in the congregation. She went to online phone directories and looked them up. She called her closest friend first. Frances was a friend, and the only one in her own family to be a Witness, so the two of them had bonded as a result of that similarity. She picked up the house phone and made the call.

“Frances?” A voice on the other end answered quickly. “Is that you?”

Paige froze. “N-no, this is…” She caught herself. “I was looking for Frances, actually. I guess she’s not there?”

“You’re one of them. Aren’t you?” The other voice was suddenly loaded with venom. “She got a text message this morning, saying any ‘brother of sister’ that ‘lived with unbelieving relatives’ was now in danger, and they should immediately leave home.”

Paige felt that one twist in her guts and looked over her shoulder for Carlos. “It’s for your protection too.” She heard herself say. “Do you know where she went?”

“If I knew, I’d go and bring my daughter home.” He spat at her. “You’re all criminals. You know that? You’re destroying my family, you’re turning my own daughter-”

Paige hung up quickly. So. There had been a message to leave the company of non-witnesses; even if they were family. And I missed it, because my phone was trashed. She thought, looking at her shattered phone screen again. That limits the number of people I can call for help right now…

She searched the phonebooks for the Congregation Elders, name by name. She found Russel and called him. There was no ringtone. The phone was either off, or…

Or they got him already…

Feeling like there was a hand wrapped around her throat, she looked again…

And the computer suddenly went dark, as the power cut out.

“No!” Paige hissed.

“It’s been doing that all day, off and on.” Carlos told her, as she came into the room and placed a packet of salted crackers in front of her. “That’s the last of the food, by the way. The others went in to work, and left me here with the kids. We were hoping at least one of them could bring something home; but we haven’t heard from either since-”

Paige pushed the crackers back to him. “No, I’m intruding enough. As soon as I can get in touch with someone to collect me-”

“You’re not calling them here?” Carlos scoffed. “The streets are getting dangerous, Paige. The radio says to stay in your homes, if at all possible. You think you’re going to hail a cab?”

Paige was wrung out, and out of ideas. “I don’t know.” She gestured around the house. “But I can’t stay here. I’m putting you and your grandkids in danger.” To say nothing of myself.

“There’s an easy solution to that.” Carlos reminded her.

“I know. But it’s something I cannot do.”

Carlos gave her a canny look. “This is coming from your side, you know.”

Paige didn’t answer that.

“I mean it. We have people in the street who are descended from refugees. Some are in the country illegally. A lot of people have to decide between following the laws of the land, and the laws of family. Your husband would have hidden you.”

Her face changed. “You were listening to my call?”

“Is it true? That your… religion, has demanded that you abandon anyone who believes differently?”

Paige didn’t answer, knowing what came next.

“When you began studying with the Witnesses, my sons were both concerned that it would end your marriage. When Marty gets here, he will see it as proof that they were right. And if your husband is in custody because of you, then he won’t hesitate to turn you in.”

“I know.” Paige whispered.

“You told us that a study of the Bible made you more loving, more loyal to family, more patient, and less prone to argue… And you were right. But that appears to have changed.” He lowered his voice. “What does your church find so offensive about your husband, my dear? Or his family? Because whatever it was, you still turned to us when you needed help. And once you find that help, you’ll leave. You’ll go back to your church group, and never speak to any of us again.”

There was a long silence. Paige rose. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come here.”

“You came here, because you have nowhere else to go.” He pointed out, waving her back down. “I went to Sunday School. But I signed. So did your husband, so did the rest of my kids. So did the man who taught me in Sunday School. So did everyone else, except the people who are being rounded up, or shot; all across the world. If God had a problem with the FRA, then He hasn’t shown it. I obeyed the law. What about you?”

Paige hesitated, searching for words. “It might be the last thing I ever do.” She settled on finally. “But I decided a long time ago that I wanted to live by my beliefs. A belief that God has promised a better world than this one. The principles you live by only matter when the stakes are high.”

“Your God requires you to cut me loose. And the rest of your family.”

“My God required me to try and convince you all of what I had learned, and why it mattered so much.” She countered. “I tried. I failed. If you saw things the way I saw them, you’d feel what I’m feeling right now.”

Carlos was silent, before he let out an epic sigh. “You can stay until we hear something from Marty. I know he’s my son, but it’s still his house. He took me in when the retirement homes all went bust…”

She nodded, and turned back to the computer, still dark. “Can I use your phone to search the internet? If I can find a phone number, I can be gone before it becomes an issue.”

“The cell towers are spotty too. It’s not just shortages or riot damage. The Coalition has the authority to shut down all communications and power whenever they’re about to carry out an operation. Keeps people from recording, keeps targets from warning their confederates.” Carlos told her flatly. “My phone won’t help any more than the computer. Not until the power comes back on.” He went to the office door. “I’m going to tell the kids not to come up here. I think it’s best for everyone if we hide you.”

She nodded, grateful for the privacy. The second the door swung shut, she bowed her head. “Father,” She whispered. “Please, I beg of you: Help me. I don’t know where to turn now. Is this my fault? By now the rest of the Congregation has surely found each other. I… I shouldn’t have gone into work, obviously. I did it because my family needed… But of course, I was supposed to leave them too, wasn’t I?” She bowed her head and started to cry. “Jehovah God, I beg you to forgive me, if that was... If this is Your punishment? If You’re telling me now that I’m no longer welcome in Your house, then… Then I guess this is it.” She gestured at the computer. “If You wanted me to find safety, You could have kept this thing working another thirty seconds, and I’d have called for help. Do You just… not want me to find the others? Is it too late for me?” She looked upwards, tears on her face. “I don’t know where to go!”

The lights stayed dark. The power stayed off, and Paige slumped, exhausted.

~~/*\~~ Satau ~~/*\~~

The livestock that survived the first day of the Plague began to drop on the second. And then came a third day. And then a forth. There was no pattern to it, no explanation. There was no poison, no symptoms. Life was simply taken from the animals.

Every day, new reports were taken to the Palace. Every day, new farmers and ranchers, and breeders, asking for compensation, begging for help to support their families and businesses.

One day it happened to the horses, the next day to the donkeys, the next day the camels. The events were frequent, but spread out. It was a war of attrition, the bodies starting to pile up, slowly; relentlessly.

(Author’s Note: There’s nothing in the Bible to detail this kind of method. I’m spreading out the length of the Plagues to fit the timeline, which is supposition. There’s nothing to say it dragged out, or suggest it happened all at once.)

The animal tenders became paranoid, desperate enough to come to the Temples and beg for help while they still had some animals left. The Temples passed the word to the Palace. There were more people coming to the leadership every day, every hour.

And then, just as suddenly, it stopped. No more slain livestock. For a while, nobody trusted it, keeping a constant vigil. The census of animals was taken every day. One or two herdsmen who were hoping to have their animals replaced tried to manipulate the numbers, and say that they had more losses, eager to pad their compensation. The Scribes kept a close watch, and caught a few of them attempting such fraud. Very quickly, the truth came out.

It was over.

And Moses and Aaron returned to the Palace at last.

~~/*\~~

“At some point, I suppose we really should discuss how you keep getting in here.” Pharaoh drawled as the two old men came before him again. “I have a few hundred guards between my front door and this Throne.”

“Perhaps your people have realized the main point that you have not.” Aaron returned. “This can stop at any time. All you have to do is say the word.”

Pharaoh snorted and lifted a papyrus scroll. “Gentlemen, I have here a report from my Chief of the Guard who has done a survey of the wilderness beyond Egypt’s borders. He reports nothing that can support a population of millions, even for a short time. No drinking water, no food… Your request for freedom makes no sense. It is therefore his opinion that this is an uprising, with a most unusual style.” He set the scroll down. “But regardless of the method, every uprising has the same solution: My answer is no.”

“How much longer do you think your people can stand this?” Moses asked.

“Longer than yours can.” Pharaoh said flatly. “The Royal purse is deeper than anything an army of slaves can hope to match, even after the economic damage that your black magic has wrought. We lose some of our livestock, we can buy replacements. The slaves can’t. Trust me on this, Moses. We will outlast you.” He paused for effect. “You don’t have the same capacity that we do. When your animals die out, we’ll still have some. You’ll starve long before we do.”

Moses spoke placidly. “None of Israel’s livestock have died.”

Dead silence.

“Even if that were true, it’s no longer relevant.” Pharaoh said finally. “I have been patient with you, Moses; but the time for that is over.”

Moses sighed, and everyone who heard knew he had been waiting for this. He nodded to Aaron, who spoke powerfully. He’d been waiting for the threat since they first arrived. “Pharaoh, we knew there would be reprisals eventually. You are the Apex of all Egypt. If something struck you down, the whole government would be upended. Moses is just a shepherd, empowered only by the words we have spoken. There is only one Pharaoh. Jehovah can fashion anyone into a Prophet. Killing us will not even slow the Plagues down.”

“Strike me down, and there are thousands of others just like me in Goshen alone.” Moses added.

“Well then. Maybe we’ll have to fix that.” Pharaoh grit out, furious. “Follow!”

~~/*\~~

Pharaoh led the way to the Main Courtyard. It had undergone several changes since Moses began his Campaign. At first, it had been a place for the public to come to the Temple. Then it became a place for the public to air their grievances to Pharaoh. Then they installed kilns to burn the frogs as quickly as they piled up. Then they left the Kilns in, keeping the fires smoking all day, in an attempt to ward off the insects.

Now, with the kilns gone cold, it was a staging area. Filling the courtyard were war chariots. The lower ranks were tending to the horses and bringing quivers of arrows and extra lances to the Chariotmen. As Pharaoh led them out to the top of the Palace Steps, Moses watched as they fitted wickedly curved blades to the chariot wheels. It was a modification that meant that in a narrow street, like the ones in Goshen, the Chariots would have to ride single file, but nobody they passed would survive.

It was a limited number of chariots, compared to Pharaoh’s usual army, but everyone watching in the Court, Satau included, could immediately tell the strategy. One Chariot riding up every street in Goshen, killing everyone they happened to cross paths with.

“The first wave of the counter-attack will kill one-tenth of Goshen.” The King sneered. “One more plague, and we take another tenth. Another? We do it again. Hebrew lives are now tied to Egyptians. One more person gets hurt by your God, and we deal it back a hundred fold.”

Moses said nothing, looking over the assembled soldiers and chariots. Aaron wasn’t speaking aloud, but Satau could see his lips moving in prayer.

“And since we’re already a few Plagues in, you’ll notice my restraint in ruling that only one-tenth will be punished.” Pharaoh summed up. “Consider this my final act of mercy. My last offer of compromise. Go. Back. To Work. Now. Do that, and I will make every effort to forgive your… foibles.”

Moses shut his eyes for half a second, and then looked up at the sky, before turning back to Pharaoh. “That army will never reach Goshen. The next Plague upon Egypt will be festering boils and sores, upon every man and beast of Egypt.”

Pharaoh scoffed. “Do your worst. We’ll deliver even worse to you in return.”

Moses nudged Aaron, and the two of them left Pharaoh’s side, without waiting to be dismissed. They walked to the unlit kilns, and both men drew out handfuls of ashes. Despite himself, Pharaoh’s eyes were glued to them. So was everyone else’s. Most of the soldiers were looking too.

Satau had performed magic tricks. If he’d been doing this, there would have been loud, defiant chanting, or ritual invoking of the gods. There would have been Acolytes banging drums, or elaborate movements like a dance.

Instead, Moses and Aaron just took handfuls of soot, turned to Pharaoh, and threw their handfuls up into the air. No fanfare, no drama. The dust floated above them, spreading out in the wind. It seemed to shimmer in the sunlight. Satau couldn’t take his eyes off it. The dust was spreading out, but it wasn’t coming down.

There was a moment of silence, everyone expecting something. Something dramatic. Something immediate. But there was nothing. The ash spread out so far that there was no longer any visible sign of it.

“I’m actually disappointed.” Pharaoh scoffed. “Your usual shows are far more impressive.”

Satau watched Moses and Aaron for their reaction, scratching absently at his side. They gave none.

“The attack will happen tonight!” Pharaoh sneered. “By dawn, the streets of Goshen will run red.” He glared at Moses. “And you should know, I have Archers and Skirmishers surrounding Goshen in an unbroken perimeter. You will not return to your people until morning, nor will anyone else from Egypt. Nor will any of them get out again. This is no longer an annoying diversion. It’s war!”

The Court burst into applause. The Soldiers let out a war cry, cheering their leader.

Moses and Aaron turned and walked away, not looking back.

~/*\~~/*\~~/*\~

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