Chapter Three
~/*\~ Iyara ~/*\~
The Tavern was where the workers came to eat and drink. There were only a few tables, but people came and went quickly, not lingering over their meals.
“One of the larger families runs a farm outside the city walls, and brings their harvest directly here to be turned into food, for the people to eat.” Rahab explained as they ate a bowl of hot stew. “The money they get is worth more than the ingredients they grew, which means they can buy the ingredients again in the Market and still have a profit.”
“How do you know them?” Iyara asked, taking a sip of some ale.
“You know them too. This is the tavern that Isidro runs now. We have a business arrangement. It’s the closest Tavern to my Inn, so they make and deliver meals for some of my customers at night; and I direct them here during their stay.” Rahab said. “I also helped them once, when a guard was shaking them down for protection money, so I get a discount on my meals, when I direct my own customers here.”
Iyara said impishly, not noticing that her sister had hesitated to explain who would join her at this tavern. “That include me?”
“No.” Rahab said wryly.
“Hey, Rahab?” A voice cat-called. “Who’s your friend?”
Iyara turned to see a trio of women come in together. Their clothing said they were all Consorts themselves, two of them probably Temple Concubines to Baal. One of them was coming over to their table.
“Tawnya.” Rahab greeted. “This is Iyara, my sister. She’s visiting from home.”
Tawnya looked Iyara up and down appraisingly. It was an odd moment. Iyara had felt eyes looking at her since she had grown old enough to get attention. Such was the way men looked at the world. This was the first time she’d gotten such blatant appraisal from a woman. She suddenly understood why, when Tawnya sat down, without an invitation, and asked her directly. “Looking for work?”
“Yes.” Iyara said, in the same moment that Rahab said “No”.
At that moment, the Tavernkeeper waved at Rahab, calling her over. Rahab hesitated, glancing back at Tawnya.
Tawnya gave her an easy smile. “Fear not.” She teased. “I promise, I’ll be good.”
Iyara wasn’t sure what was happening; but Rahab went to speak to the other man, and Tawnya settled in beside her. “So.” The older woman said lightly. “You look exhausted. Rahab’s been putting you to work?”
“Yes, but not the way you probably mean.” Iyara offered.
Tawnya shook her head knowingly. “Rahab has a ‘loyal following’ of customers, same as most of the professional girls in town, but she insists on keeping them at arms length.” Her head tilted. “Are you going to follow in those footsteps, or play it smart?”
Iyara licked her lips. Tawnya was talking to her like an adult, and not a child. “I mentioned to Rahab that there was surely some strong young man who would do the heavy work like hauling water. She said that they would ‘expect payment in return’.”
“Don’t we all?” Tawnya lifted her cup and drank to that. “Right now, the man behind the bar is discussing a deal with Rahab. This tavern, and your Sister’s Inn are nearby to each other, and have a working relationship, directing their customers each other’s way. Because of this, Rahab doesn’t have to spend much time convincing people to visit her rooms.”
“Convenience.” Iyara nodded.
“You can make life as difficult for yourself as you want. Making it easier? That’s a smart woman’s way.” Tawnya nodded. “We’re women. By birth, we don’t have a chance at becoming great military leaders. We don’t have a chance to become Kings, or Judges. We have two options. We either rely on family, or husbands… or we make the most of the one currency available to us over men.”
(Author’s Note: The Bible makes no secret of Rahab’s profession. The November 2013 Watchtower says: “In Canaanite society, Rahab’s profession was probably respectable enough. However, culture cannot always eradicate conscience, that inner sense of right and wrong that Jehovah has given us all. Rahab may have keenly sensed that her way of life was degrading. Perhaps, like many today in such walks of life, she felt that she was trapped, with no other choice if she wanted to care for her family.”
That appears to be speculation from the Organization, but part of this story is that Rahab split with everything she knew, in order to come to Jehovah. It would have been less of a gesture if she was already a criminal in Jericho.)
“I know that.” Iyara nodded. “I’m not under any illusions. My father and older sister might not like to admit it, but I’m ready.”
“And why?” Tawnya pushed gently.
“Because life is a lot easier with more money, or others willing to do things for you.” Iyara nodded, feeling a smile spread slowly. “My first ever boyfriend is still sending me little gifts, just for a chance that I might spend a night with him again, if only nostalgically.” She gulped down the last of her drink. “You’re the first one I’ve spoken to, who’s seen this my way.”
“Your sister wants to protect you.” Tawnya said without judgment. “And she isn’t wrong. You have to be very smart about the customers you take in this business. Men are like any wild beast: They can kill you, or they can be tamed completely as working animals.”
Iyara giggled, despite herself. “I’ve thought the same, over the years.”
“All the women like us find a way to keep themselves safe. Rahab does it by keeping her work as a concubine as minimal as possible.” Tawnya explained. “She does everything she can for herself, rather than any of the customers she could keep on the hook.”
“And you, Tawnya? What way do you use to stay safe?” Iyara couldn’t help but ask.
“Are you kidding?” Tawnya said grandly. “I have the whole Temple of Molech. The other Concubines, the attendants, the Acolytes, the High Priest, and the gods themselves. After all, why wouldn’t the Gods protect their servants?”
Iyara sent a quick look over her shoulder, watching for Rahab. “Of course.” She demurred, getting to the part she was really interested in. “And the worshippers?”
“For a pretty young thing like you?” Tawnya said knowingly. “The King’s son would probably love a personal introduction. He’s a very generous young man.”
“How generous?” Iyara demanded, eyes glimmering.
Tawnya grinned, sensing victory. “How do you think Rahab was able to afford an Inn of her own?”
Rahab suddenly arrived back at the table, hand landing on Iyara’s shoulder, sudden and swift enough to make the girl squeal in surprise. “Come along, sis. Time we headed home.”
~/*\~
“Was that really necessary?” Iyara demanded as they headed back to the Wall, and its staircase. “I came to Jericho because you talk to me like I’m worth listening to. If I wanted to be yanked out of conversations and sent home, I’d have stayed with our parents.”
“I know that woman, all right? She wasn’t just telling you about life for a Concubine, she was recruiting you to work at the Temple of Molech.”
“So what?” Iyara returned. “I was planning on asking about that anyway. No offense to what you’ve built here, Rahab, but surely the money is better working at the Temples. That’s where the people are.”
“It’s also where the ‘crazy’ is.” Rahab returned. “Let me be your big sister for a moment: There are some parts of being a consort that will eat away at your soul.”
“All the more reason to work at the Temples. If anywhere’s concerned about your soul, it should be them. If I can find an experienced mentor before I start, even better.”
Rahab squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, but neither said anything as they climbed the stairs.
As they reached the top of the Wall, Rahab caught her arm, and led her the other way. “Let me show you something.”
Iyara was already regretting raising the point, if only for the sake of her poor aching feet. But Rahab was outright marching.
~/*\~
At the far end of town was the flour mill. The farms were outside the walls, but the storehouses were scattered all over the place, for the convenience of the townsfolk. Most of them had businesses that relied on something from the fields.
One such business was the mill. Sacks of grain were brought to them every day, and they fed the grains into the stone mill, where they were crushed into flour.
The heavy grinding stone was turned by cogs and wheels, powered by two mules, who walked in a constant loop, turning the stone.
Rahab led her sister to a spot along the Wall where they could see the Mill. With the doors open, they could see inside, but still be virtually invisible from their vantage point. Rahab pointed. “Watch.”
Within the mill, the Miller was keeping the mules moving, giving them a swat with a narrow stick every time they came around. The mules bleated in pain, but they kept moving.
Iyara watched for a few minutes. “What am I looking at?”
“The Mules. They walk until they collapse, usually when the Miller goes to bed for the night, and the next day they do it again. Anytime they try to rest, they get swatted with that reed. I’ve been in there, Iyara. The mules are bruised and bleeding at the end of every day. Those Mules turn the millstone. The Mill can’t use wind power within the walls. They’re the only thing making the Mill work; but they get treated the worst, and exploited more than anything else the Miller needs. It’s precisely because they’re so useful that they get ground down so much. Because the Miller knows they can’t fight back. Why would he bother treating them better when he can replace them so easily, once they’re used up?”
Iyara sighed, getting the point. “I know what I’m doing, Rahab. You and father might not want to admit it, but I’m not some giggling virgin child; and haven’t been for some years. Our parents might not want to admit it, but I am a woman now. In every sense of the word.”
“Yes, you are. I know that.” Rahab said plainly. “But my point is, if you think the only difference between what I do, and what you did with your boyfriends back home is getting paid first, then you’re not ready for this life.” Her eyes turned harder. “And it will be your life. The moment you start, you’ll do nothing else. Not really. Men talk about this sort of thing, Iyara. More than women ever do. Men will brag about their ‘exploits’ to anyone who’ll listen.”
“Isn’t that called ‘advertising’?”
“It’s called reputation.” Rahab said seriously. “Every man in town will know how much it will cost them. Every man in town will know they can have you whenever they want. And that’s all they’ll ever care to know. It might be ‘respectable’ enough, but it’s still the only thing people will ever think when they see you coming. Your existence to the people of this City will begin and end with that; because just like those mules; there are always others to replace us with.”
Iyara was about to retort that she didn’t care, but hesitated. Rahab was talking about her own life too. “Well… maybe that’s why it’s better to start here, rather than back in Adam. Fewer people that I grew up with, you know?”
Rahab was about to say something, when the Temple horns sounded, signalling the start of their services. “Look.” She said finally. “I’m not our parents. I know this is likely going to happen eventually, and I want to make sure you have a safe place to make your choices. But please, as a favor to me, stay away from the Molech Worshippers. They will ask more of you than is right.”
“I don’t know, there are rather a lot of them in Canaan.” Iyara commented, but she felt the tension ease; knowing her sister wasn’t angry at her. Then she had a flash of insight. “Is that why you run an Inn for travellers? You stick to customers from outside of town?”
“Outside of Canaan, as much as possible. I admit, it’s not always… practical.” Rahab sighed. “I suppose I’m looking for a land where the rules are kinder to women than what we’ve got here.”
“If there is such a place, I’ve never heard of it.” Iyara drawled.
“Me neither.” Her sister admitted. “This job? It exists at all because everyone needs something different. Sometimes they need it so badly, they’ll pay a stranger to pretend they’re offering it for a few hours. Figure out what that is, and you’ll have more than their money.” She sighed. “But it would be nice if someone was willing to answer my prayers for once.”
There was a sudden clatter as a squad of soldiers went running along the edge of the Wall in tight formation. From above, the two women could clearly see that they were heading for the front gate.
Rahab clapped her hands together, as if that settled it. “And that’s our cue to get home.”
~/*\~
They walked along the Wall towards the Inn, and found Farzin was waiting at the door, expectant.
“Huh. That’s the same guard who let me-oh.” Iyara swiftly understood. “He’s one of your ‘regulars’.”
Rahab sighed, not really in the mood to deal with it. “I’ll tell him to come back another time.”
“No, you shouldn’t.” Iyara said seriously. “This is the one that got me past the front gate. You have to keep him on side. Besides, if I’m not earning money for myself, the least I can do is stay out of the way. It’s not that late. Maybe there’s someone in town looking for lodging. I can help you get some customers.”
Rahab gave her a fierce look. “Stay. Away. From. The Temples.” She said again.
“I will.” Iyara promised, and quietly turned away as Rahab went back into the Inn. She glanced back to see Rahab hang a red cord up at the lantern hook beside her door, where anyone approaching her door would see it.
~/*\~
“This isn’t really near the Temple, is it?” Iyara asked a few minutes later as Tawnya brought them both drinks.
“It’s hard to avoid. The Temples to Baal and Molech are put in the middle of Jericho. All business either passes close by, or directly through the Temples.” Tawnya nodded. “Rahab isn’t wrong. It takes a special kind of lady to be a Priestess there.”
Iyara had returned to the Tavern, and found Tawnya ordering herself a meal. There was a small girl beside her, gobbling down her food with all the enthusiasm of youth. Tawnya had waved her over, and the two of them got to talking.
“She never told me that she was a Temple Priestess.” Iyara said in a low voice.
“Rahab? For less than a day. Some people just don’t know how to respond when the opportunity comes their way.” Tawnya said solemnly. “She begged me to leave too, but…” She shook her head. “Look, I’ve known Rahab for years. And she’s done me a few good turns. That’s how it is. We gotta look out for each other where we can. I owe Rahab a few such favors. But I got the impression that she thought… well, that she was better than us.”
“You think so? I’ve spent all day with my Sister, and we’ve been hauling water, and carrying around loads of flax for her ‘side jobs’.” Iyara sipped. “Being her sibling, I can think of a few choice words for Rahab, but ‘prideful’ isn’t one of them.”
“She’s ashamed of us.” Tawnya spelled it out for her. “She’s ashamed of being like me. I don’t know why. Shame is like a sack of rocks. You let it go, and it can’t weigh you down ever again. But she doesn’t want you to be like me.” Tawnya spread her hands wide. “I provide for my parents, and my little girl here; and I have a position with some respect in this city: serving full-time at the Temple. What could be less shameful than that?”
Iyara stared into her drink. “She’s ashamed?”
Tawnya nodded.
“For… in my family, there’s only three real options: Find a husband, remain a burden to my parents forever, or find work somewhere. And the expenses of… well, of just being alive only ever goes up. Working as one laborer among many in a field doesn’t exactly appeal.”
“No, indeed.” Tawnya said with a nod. “And if Rahab finds this work so shameful, why should she blame herself? There’s no business without the customers, and nobody ever shames them.”
Would Rahab be ashamed of me? Iyara thought. She shook it off. “What about you? I thought the Temple was open for ‘visitors’ right now?”
“The City Militia closed us down.” Tawnya waved that off. “I don’t know why. Even when we’re not open to the public, the Priests and Priestesses make use of the place for their own… services.”
Then the doors to the tavern flew open, much harder than usual; and three men came in. Two of them were guards, one of them an official from the King of Jericho; dressed in the usual garments of authority. Everyone went silent as he came to the centre of the room, the Guards flanking him. When he spoke, his tone suggested he was used to everyone listening to his announcements, but Iyara could tell he’d made this speech at least a dozen times already.
“I present an order from the King of Jericho.” The Official declared. “Our King suspects that there are spies in our city; seeking weaknesses in our defences. We should be wary of raiding parties in the future. Those who work in the fields will now have watchmen to protect them. Until the spies are found; a curfew will be in place, and all public business will submit to a routine search. Foreigners in town on business will only be held for a short time, until their presence here can be explained. Any who speak foreign languages, such as Hebrew, will report to the King in the morning, to offer their services as translators.”
That last bit caught people by surprise. Iyara found she was watching the reactions. Everyone was watching the Official as he spoke, but nobody was looking directly at the guards.
“Curfew begins at the start of the next watch.” The Official declared. “The King thanks you for your full cooperation.” He looked at the guards. “Begin your search.”
The guards went through the Tavern, looking people over closely. Now and then they asked questions. Still, nobody in the tavern looked at them. In fact, they were looking away whenever the guards swept their gaze in their direction, unwilling to meet their gaze.
When their turn came, Tawnya didn’t look away, giving the guards a winning smile. The younger of the two guards actually blushed, and they moved on without even saying a word.
“Why is everyone so scared?” Iyara asked quietly. “We’re not all spies. They probably know half the people in here by name.”
“They do. But it’s human nature.” Tawnya excused. “The Guards are the rule of the King of Jericho, and that makes them the Law. The only real power that Lawmen have is the ability to hurt someone and get away with it. So when anyone with ‘authority’ comes in, they hide their faces. As long as we’re cowering, the Guards know there won’t be any trouble.”
“But not you?” Iyara challenged.
Tawnya gave a short, heartless cackle. “The guards don’t touch Temple Girls, unless they’re at the Temple. The Priest would have them stripped of their rank instantly. And what would happen to their ‘fear inspiring power’ then? The Gods protect me, no matter where I am.”
There was only one table left, in the corner. The two men sitting at the table were foreigners, by their accents. They were bent over their plates, heads down. It hid their faces, but Iyara could see their lips moving, from her vantage point. They were praying silently.
The guards were still questioning guests, when the Official spoke up. “Enough.” He said. “We have many other businesses to inspect before curfew. Check the storeroom for hiding places.”
“Hey!” Isidro objected, but he cowered back when the guards gave him a glare.
Tawnya grinned knowingly. “And as long as they’re searching every business, the tax collectors can shake a few people down, too.” She whispered knowingly to Iyara. “Business as usual.”
“So you’re not worried?” Iyara guessed.
“About the spies? Not really.” Tawnya sipped her drink. “You know who is worried though? The Priests.”
Iyara frowned. “The King too, apparently. Why?”
“Because there are just enough Egyptian refugees in town to invoke superstition.” She smirked knowingly. “That’s why they were asking for Hebrew speakers.”
Iyara blinked. “Once more please? And this time, use smaller words, so I understand what you’re talking about?”
The guards were finished checking the customers, and went into the storeroom, searching for people hiding there. Tawnya gestured subtly at the barkeep. “You know Isidro, over there. You also know he’s Egyptian by birth?”
“I do. But he’s lived here longer than I’ve been alive.”
“Me too.” Tawnya nodded. “But when he and his parents first came, they were fleeing something serious back home. It took weeks for word to filter to the people in charge.” She sipped her mug. “For almost two years, they used Egypt as a warning.” Tawnya rounded the story out. “The Priests used Egypt as a Cautionary Tale of what happens when you take the Gods, and the Temples for granted. After all, the Hebrews only have One God. The Egyptians have hundreds, even today.”
“Cautionary tale for what?” Iyara blinked.
Tawnya sent a glance at the kitchens, mindful of their host. “The Hebrews were once Egypt’s neighbors, but they grew numerous enough that the Pharaohs got worried and had them enslaved. After a while, the Hebrews sent a Prophet of Jehovah to demand their freedom, in the name of their God. Nobody took it seriously, because Egypt had many Gods, and Jehovah didn’t even have a Temple. But apparently, the God of Slaves was able to bring down the entire Empire.”
Iyara felt her eyebrows climb. “How?”
“With supernatural power. Apparently, it rained blood, or locusts, or something. Made the entire Army sick with boils.” She shrugged. “I don’t remember the story that well. It was a while ago. But the one thing that everyone agrees on is that the last Judgement on Egypt was the death of all their firstborn children. Since every family had one; everyone felt it.”
The story ended as there was an insistent tugging at Tawnya’s side. “Mama?” Arria called. “Can I get honey cakes?”
“Finish your vegetables.” Tawnya told her, but she smiled. No matter how bad things got, her daughter always made her smile.
Arria pouted adorably at Tawnya, who was unmoveable. She then turned the irresistible eyes on Iyara, who melted instantly. “Y'know what?” Iyara said finally. “I was feeling like having something sweet. What if I got some honey cakes and shared them with my new friends?”
Tawnya gave Iyara a look that said: You’re so weak. But aloud, she encouraged her little girl to say a big thank you.
The guards were apparently finished with their search, and came out to rejoin the Official. He reminded people of the curfew, and headed out. There was a notable sense of relief once they were gone.
Iyara went up to Isidro at the counter, and ordered a plate of Honey Cakes. Isidro grinned at the order. “She got you too. I swear, she may only be two years old, but she knows exactly how to order people about.” He gave her a knowing look. “I can remember a time your father fell for the same trick with you.”
Iyara chuckled. “I’m surprised to see you running a Tavern, Isidro. I thought you sold food and wares in the market. That’s the bargain we usually strike with you. A part of your market stall for a cut of the papyrus profits?”
“My son took that over a few years ago. Now that he’s old enough to haggle in the markets… Well, it’s good that he’s grown up enough to run the Stall in the Market alone. Turns out people prefer food at a table.”
Having his son working in the market allows him to run this tavern full-time. Iyara translated to herself. “Well. Every little bit helps.” She sent a glance over to the other side of the tavern, where the two foreign men were eating. “What is it? You keep sending looks over at that table.”
“Those two men feel familiar somehow, but I can’t place why.” Isidro explained. “It’s odd. We get travellers and traders from other lands here all the time. Even refugees, on occasion. I don’t know why it’s bothering me this time. It’s just… you know that feeling, where you feel like you’re missing something important, and it’s right there, just out of reach?”
“I do.” Iyara agreed. “But the guards didn’t even seem to look at them, and they were checking everyone. They must be here on legitimate business.”
Isidro finished his work, presenting her with a plate of honey cakes. “I’ll get my wife to go over. Her memory is so much better than mine.”
Go drum up some business. Iyara thought as she walked back to her table with the plate. From somewhere, she heard the gentle strum of music being played, and she looked again at the two visitors to Jericho. Can I just do that?
The strum of the instrument came again, only half-heard, as if blown on a breeze. Rahab said she usually takes customers who are travelling.
Iyara set the plate of cakes down next to Tawnya and her daughter, and headed over to the other table, with the two men. They were smiling, talking to each other about the food they ate. “Good meal?” She asked, with her friendliest smile.
“Very nice, thank you.” One of the men said. “Please, pass our Compliments to the cook.”
“Oh, I don’t work here.” Iyara demurred. “But I do work at a nearby Inn with comfortable, if modest rooms, and an excellent view of the city, and the area around it. We have a good business arrangement with this establishment.”
“Ah, yes. It’s already been mentioned to us.” The older of the two men said, making introductions. “I’m Machalat, and this is Sha'ul. We are merchants.”
Sha'ul spoke next. “We were asked to consider Jericho. To learn about the people here, and what might happen if we were to bring our people here for trade. Even to live.”
“It’s good land.” Iyara said agreeably. “My Sister’s Inn is on the Wall, and has a great view of the farmlands around the City.” She gestured at their table, each of them having two empty plates. “You certainly seem to like our produce.”
“They don’t have fruits and vegetables like this where we come from.” Sha'ul admitted.
Isidro’s wife sauntered up to the table, collecting the empty plates and bowls. “So, everything was to your satisfaction?”
“Very much, thank you.” Machalat reported, giving her some money. “I hope we can return tomorrow?”
The older woman stared at him for a moment, her dark Egyptian features turning ashen for a breath, before she schooled her expression. “Please do.” She said with the faintest wobble in her voice. “Taverns like ours depend on repeat business.”
Iyara had noticed her sudden turn. So had Machalat and Sha'ul, though neither of them wanted to say anything about it. Iyara knew that if your instincts warned you to stay away from strangers, it was because you had noticed something, before figuring out what it was. For a concubine, or even one preparing for such a life, instincts like that could save your life. A stranger, let alone two, could be dangerous to bring home.
Do it anyway. The feeling came to her. These men are no danger to you. For just a second, she heard someone strumming an instrument again, but the sound vanished before she could tell what tune it was.
“So.” Iyara smiled warmly at them. “If you’re done with your meal, and have no other business tonight… I can show you the way.”
~/*\~
Isidro looked up as Iyara led the two men out of his tavern. Moments later, his wife hurried to him. “They’re Hebrew!” She hissed. “Those two men? I had to hear them speak before I realized it, but it’s true. Those clothes, those accents? They’re Hebrews!”
Isidro blinked slowly. “I haven’t heard Hebrews in forty years, dear. Are you sure?”
“I’m positive!” His wife hissed. “You have to call the guards! Those have to be the Spies we were told to watch out for!”
Isidro’s face turned to stone. His grey hair seemed to stand on end for a moment. “I’ll tell the King.”
~/*\~
~/*\~~/*\~~/*\~
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