I woke the next morning feeling completely drained.  My head ached and I felt like the life had been sapped out of my body.  I believe it was that dream.  These dreams may no longer need to be called dreams.

The first time I saw these things in my sleep I shrugged it off.  This time around I had been given instruction.  Maybe recent events were playing on my mind, at least that is what I wanted to believe.

Early Morning Reflections

After dressing I met with Nathan and Jared, ate with them, then checked on our men and horses.  Everyone was relaxed taking a long needed rest after crossing dangerous territories.  It was no easy task traveling in these times.

Aside from the obvious dangers it was also slow due to politics.  There were no public highways which allowed one to travel through an area.  It was required to act as diplomats to receive permission for travel in some lands.  This could come at a cost.

In wild country where few to no people lived the politics was not an issue but other problems existed.  Terrain, predators, and weather were ever present. Add to this the constant need for resources like food or repairs to equipment, and time began to stand still.  Every choice centered on our well-being.  Nothing was fast about our journeys.

Aside from Nathan and Jared, each man we began with when we left Uz had returned home.  A few chose to remain in the lands we were in at that time.  In turn I would allow new men to join us to replace those who left.  Safety existed in numbers.

This turnover also held its complications.  Training in combat, survival, herbal medicine, and needed trade skills were difficult to replace.  Despite these complications each of them I now trusted for all were battle hardened from multiple conflicts.

I gathered myself after seeing to the men and walked towards the meeting spot at the fire pit.  The sun was now rising into early morning.  Each face at the farm was new to me.  No one remained from the original group at the farm from so long ago.

My First Meeting With Abram

Arriving at the fire pit a personal attendant of Shem’s said he would inform him of my arrival.  So, now Shem had a butler.  I couldn’t help but laugh a little about that.  The truth was he was getting older and this I hated to see.

A short while later I could hear his voice as he was approaching.  As I stood to greet him I could also hear another mans voice, that must be Abram.  They both came towards me as Shem began the introduction.

“Clay, I would like you to meet Abram.”
“Nice to meet you” I said as we did the customary embrace.
“May I call you Clay?” Abram asked.

Never in my life had a stranger asked permission to call me anything.  I was not accustomed to this kind of formality.  In the wild lands things were too brutal to worry about these kinds of things.  Before that with Noah I was more like a shadow who would watch observing.

“Yes you may.” I replied.
“Abram has a request to share with you if you don’t mind.” Shem informed.

As I settled myself back onto the bench by the morning fire, I had no idea what I was in for.  This conversation was about to change the course of my life.  Abram began telling his story.

“Years ago you were with Shem at Uz.  The day you helped to remove the enemies of Job that took his people, you were noticed by my father.  You then left and began a long journey.  Years would pass before men who went with you would return home with stories.”

“The stories were about a man who did not age, he had no home, but was a brother to Shem.  He fought for the weak, defended those who could not defend themselves, and was a just man.  I hoped that I could meet you one day.”

As Abram was sharing this story, I could not help but hear the buttering up of something beginning to sound like a sales pitch.  Who was this guy anyway?  Why was he so important to Shem? 

“God told me to come to Shem, I am from his lineage.   I know that I am called to something, yet for now I do not know what that is.  I offer you an invitation to return with me to Ur.  As God used you with Shem and his family, I had hoped you would allow yourself to serve with my family.” Abram concluded.

After a brief few pleasantries of small talk Abram dismissed himself leaving me with Shem.  He was a nice enough man and seemed to be sincere.  The request for me to return with him to Ur confused me for it seemed to have no real purpose.

The Debate On Abram

“I know what you are thinking Clay.”  Shem stated.
“Okay so tell me what is so special about this one.” I needed that answer.

“I know that God has chosen him for something bigger than us.  I believe that in the future it will be bigger than the purpose dad served.  I know Abram is going to need help in troubled places and at troubled times.” Shem was trying to convince me; he knew how stubborn I was.

“A hidden purpose that no one knows at Ur?  He doesn’t even know what he is supposed to do.  Tell you what, answer this question and it will decide what I do.  Did you give him the parchments you took from the ark?” I asked.

Shem couldn’t help but to smile at me.  I could see his eyes light up when I asked that.  He knew he had me.  He didn’t have to say a word.  I knew I would be on my way to Ur after this.  So much for getting my vacation.

“In fact, yes I did Clay.  I know he is the one.  Besides, you may be able to start finding answers that you have searched so long for.  It is time you gained some direction.  Wandering in the world is not going to give you the answers you are looking for.  Wandering in the world never does.” Shem said.

This I knew was true.  I had circled the globe on foot, horseback, and boat.  I had endured pains that no one could imagine.  Maybe he was right in that I could find some kind of direction.

An Unintended Legend By Consequence

Shem continued “You know you are a legend to these people?  Almost like a mythical creature, maybe a rabid wandering dog.”  Shem said bursting out laughing.  “Rumor has it that you cannot die.  Also you refuse to tell anyone your name saying you are just a nomad.”

“I am curious, why do you not tell people your name?” Shem asked.

“You know I am afraid of impacting the future. It is best my name is never known.” I replied.

I had been careful to prevent this from happening.  The problem is people talk and reputations are built quickly. I discovered my curse extended to the fact I could not die. My goal through all this was to find answers to my life, not create a mythical legend of nonsense.

I continued to explain.  “The rumors, legends, or whatever, just do not capture the reality of it.  I have died by arrow, sword, fallen from three cliffs, been a chew toy to wolves, and died repeatedly in frozen tundra trying to get back to my men.” 

I was trying to be serious, but his laughter wouldn’t let me keep a straight face. 

“It’s really not that funny Shem. The truth is those times were like a personal hell on Earth.  It was torment.  Imagine some of the slowest and most painful ways one could die, then to suffer that death repeatedly again and again.  It was the thing of nightmares.” I explained.

Truly I had come to believe that I was cursed.  I came to a point where I was angry with God.  I then had to get past that and realize that whatever the reason was I am here, it had to be my fault.

“So, I can tell Abram that you will go with him?” Shem asked.
“Yes let him know.  When is he wanting to head to Ur?”
“In about a week from now.  Get rested Clay, you will need it.” He said.

A Moment To Rest

The next couple of days I dedicated to my men, our well being, repairs, supply, and all the issues a traveling party must endure.  Shem and Abram spent a lot of time together talking.  It turns out Abram had been here at the farm for about two months.

On the third day I was requested to meet once again with Abram.  It would be some private time with the man I would be working with in order to get to know each other.  On this third morning Shem had come to visit me and informed me of how much Abram knew concerning my life.

Shem had set the record straight about the legends and myths.  While it was at first a bit complicated for Abram to understand, he did come around knowing my story.  After spending some time with Shem I went to meet Abram at the fire pit.

A Negotiation With Abram

We were alone and able to speak openly.  Seated and sharing some food and drink I began to gauge what it was he had in mind for me.

“Clay, I appreciate that you have decided to join us.  You will be valuable to whatever may come next.” He said.

“If you do not mind me asking, why do you think I will be needed and of any value at all?”  I had to ask this.

It seemed to me he knew something but wasn’t sharing.  Otherwise, why would he feel the need for me? I could not reason why I was so important, nor why Shem was pushing me off on Abram.

“That answer is quite simple.  Shem shared with me your story.  I know that you feel like you do not truly belong here.  It may have become a home, but it is not your home.  This is how I have come to feel about my home.  An uneasiness has settled within me as if to tell me something new is coming.” Abram said.

This at least made sense.  It is this exact feeling that caused me to wander the world.  Uz was comfortable especially with Job’s people.  Still, I was compelled to something I did not understand.

“Abram if you don’t mind me asking, what role do you expect me to play in this possible future?  I am not one of your people.  Wherever God takes you I will have little impact and cannot compare to what He can do.” I contended.

Abram paused for a moment as if contemplating then began.  “I understand you are searching for something.  It may be that before this is over, coming with me may be more for you and about you.  Nevertheless, you have great experience and have been taught by Noah and his sons.  This alone is invaluable.”

“Clay I do not want you to feel like an outsider with our people.  Partake in any endeavor you wish.  Still, I had hopes of you and your men being able to protect us if need be, teach and instruct my people in ways we do not know, and offer guidance when needed.” Abram said.

This was reasonable.  He was also right about me searching for something.  That compulsion within me pushed me towards that something as I chased the horizon.  Maybe Shem was right in that this would at least give me a purpose for now.

“This is more than a fair offer.  Thank you for putting it kindly as well that Shem is handing down his pet misfit half brother to you.” I said while laughing.

Abram shot back. “Well, he said in order for me to get the parchments I had to take you.”  He smiled and began laughing. 

Abrams tone then turned more serious “Speaking of which it is these I would ask you to help guard with your life.  They have never left this location and they can never be lost.”

“I can agree to these terms.  I would do anything for Shem and his family.  He trusts you and so will I.” I was finally in total agreement.

My Final Goodbye To Shem

The plan was to leave in four more days.  The weather was setting in and if this did not delay our departure I would soon be on the way to Ur.  In the meantime, we took advantage of our comforts here to rest and prepare for what would lay ahead.

I would spend more time with Shem as well.  I needed to be around my brother before leaving.  I knew at this point it would be my last goodbye.  He was older now and I knew he did not have much time left.

In our conversations I finally was able to tell him about the seeds dad gave me.  He laughed at that.  He described the kind of tree it was to be.  After hearing the description I knew them to be Sequioa’s.  This was hard to come to terms with because the Sequoia tree already existed in my original time.

The question came back to my mind about how all of this came to be.  Was this preordained?  Had this already happened before?  Learning this created more confusion and gave no answers.  Shem also could not make sense of it.

In our last moments of saying goodbye we both shed tears.  He said it was time for me to grow up and that he would be fine.  He was ready to go home to Yah.

There was a necklace he always wore.  I never saw him without it.  He removed it and gave it to me, but it had a story. 

Shem told me that its original owner was Adam.  Through time it survived as a family heirloom.  Now it was more than that.  It was a piece of the past that spoke of the world before.