The rest of the journey south was tense yet not as anxiety driven as meeting Nimrod.  We encountered four more engagements, lost no one to death, and only a handful wounded.  The head and the tail of the caravan were the points attacked.

Troubled Path To Uz

In this I had taken down four men by arrow shots.  It was my first time taking life.  As Noah said, there are times that will come where choices will need to be made to protect the innocent.  My feelings on this matter did not have time to process for what took place next.

In a skirmish a volley had been fired by raiders and one of the arrows hit me in a bad way.  Elias and Nathan doctored me as best as they could.  Shem came to see me and I could tell he was afraid.  That night I was feverish, weak, and cold.

I do not remember the last events of the evening.  I just know at some point I passed out.  When I woke there really are no words to explain what happened nor how I felt.  Before sleeping I was afraid, after waking it was between the feelings of elation and outright terror.

Opening my eyes that morning I felt no pain.  I had no fever.  My body was at full strength.  I thought for a moment I imagined it but there was no mistaking the bloody bandages, blood-soaked ground, and the scar in my chest.

So why did I feel terror you may ask?  Of course no one wants to die, this we know.  At this point living was beginning to feel like a punishment.  The more I lived the more I realized how utterly small and powerless I was.  I was beginning to realize that I could not end this if I wanted to.

In some way it all had to tie into why I am here.  There must be a reason why I did not die.  I felt anger returning as if to demand answers.  Was I cursed?  I knew I was about to witness many horrors of humanity if I could not get out of here.

When Shem saw me he smiled so big, and he doesn’t smile often.  He praised God and everyone started shouting.  I didn’t know what to say nor how to begin explaining what I felt.  After giving up on logic long ago I learned to embrace the insanity of my life.

Shem Looks For A Man Named Job

We approached Uz proper and made camp outside the city as to not cause alarm.  I rode to meet Shem and from there the plan was to go and see if we could find his friend.  If we couldn’t find him it might mean trouble as this guy was big business.

The fear was that with the chaos after Babel his friend may not be here, or they could be dead.  The great migration displaced so many nothing was a sure bet.  Shem stated that family ties were not enough to secure a place for the people.  He needed this guy for his influence locally. 

I found that statement rather interesting because Shem was either everyone’s grandpa or granduncle.  He was a legend, but he also wanted to keep as low of a profile as possible.  Enough trouble had already transpired.

Riding towards the city gate I asked what the plans were on finding this person. 

Shem replied, “Normally he is at the city gate if he is working.  We will check there first.  If he is not there hopefully we will discover if he is still in the city.”

At the gate were booths and the men who sat in them.  Business deals were being made and the typical political affairs settled that one would expect to find.  This arrangement was always interesting to me compared to my modern time.

In the future people used city hall, county offices, dmv and such.  Here it was a one stop shop for everything.  Land purchases, politics, even engagement announcements would revolve around these booths.

We began talking to the elders and Shem was getting frustrated.  The language here was once again different.  He turned to look at me and with a smile waved his hand telling me to speak to them.

Shem told me to inquire about a man named Job.  This name I had never heard him speak of before.  I knew many of his friends but this one slipped under my radar.

I walked over and as usual, everything was English to me.  “Hello, this is Shem and we are looking for a friend of his named Job.  Could you point us in the direction we need to go to find him?”

The man in the booth looked up at me responding “Job? It is his day off today.  He is with his family.” 

After asking where we could find him stating that it was urgent, he told me we would have to come back tomorrow.

I felt like I was in the DMV line asking about my drivers license.  Maybe they all come from the same bloodline.  Way in the future I am talking to this guys grandkid about needing proof of car insurance or something.

Shem said that it was alright and not to worry.  He tugged me by the shirt pulling me away while I was still giving the guy my DMV stare.  On the way riding back to camp he explained. 

“If you need to reach someone do not press the urgency.  Word will spread and if the friend can meet you then they will, or they will send an invitation.  If someone to continues to press demanding to be seen the more likely the individual has ill intentions.”

In a way this made sense.  I believe it was also about being polite and actions proving one’s sincerity of friendship and trust.

Job Arrives To Meet Shem

At camp just before nightfall we saw riders coming from the southeast.  There were only three of them so no cause for alarm.  They certainly were headed straight for us.  We made ourselves ready with the usual customs.

They dismounted a short way off from us and then walked to the edge of our camp where Shem and I were waiting.  When the middle man was close enough to see his face, I saw Shem’s eyes light up and a smile break out.

“Job!” Shem cried out.  Apparently this man also spoke our language, “Shem!” 

They hugged, shook hands, talked about recent events as they sat for drinks and food.  As usual on important matters I remained a shadow in the background.

The conversation took some time around the events of Babel, its results, and the conflicts which resulted.  Job learned of Noah passing, our present situation, and our need for help.  As it turned out this guy was a rather wealthy fellow in this area.

Job promised to help gain some land for us and Shem of course would pay.  Job refused payment but rather insisted on a different kind of plan.  The people could use a portion of Job’s land and in time find their own way to go and do as they wish.  This of course came with an option to buy.

The only request in return to Job would be a small ten percent portion of what the people produced in profits.  Okay that is reasonable, but I couldn’t help but laugh on the inside thinking about rent to own deals back home.

It was decided that the next morning the group would break camp and move to the land Job had in mind.  I left Shem and Job to chat as there were some chores to attend to before sleeping.  Finding Nathan and Jared we finished some cleanup, packing, and settling animals.

The news spread throughout the camp quickly that we had a new home albeit a temporary one.  It would be the first time since Babel fell that we might could feel safe.

Arriving At The People’s New Home

When dawn broke the camp was already alive, tents were coming down, and carts were being packed.  I was the last to wake apparently.  Jared walked over to me smiling.

“We thought we would let you sleep since you really do not have anything to pack.” Jared said.
“Thank you for reminding me I am truly homeless.” I replied.

I knew he was messing with me, but he always had a sharp way of picking at people.  Laughing, he set some food beside me with some fresh water then walked back to his brother.  I ate, packed my sleeping roll, and we were ready to move.

Job had men meet us to aid in separating the people across the land lent to us.  It was fertile, wide, and open.  Ready for tilling and planting the people could begin work as soon as possible.  Water was nearby in the form of a stream and there was also a well that could support a sizable community.

The scene kind of reminded me of the old Western movies where people would plant their stake claiming the land.  Those who were tradesmen formed the “center of town” with tents pitched near each other.

If we had buildings with wood siding it would almost look like Dodge City minus the gunslingers.  Little time would be needed for this to become a thriving community.  I located myself nearby to Shem to help with establishing the community.

Not Feeling Like Home

A year would pass but no matter what I did or tried this place just did not feel like home.  I had acquired a few horses, some basic needs, and discovered I could smith after some instruction from Elias.  Another skill I acquired was smelting.  It was time for something other than just farming in my life.

Spending more time with Elias also allowed me to get to know Nathan and Jared better.  They were good natured guys, just a little rough around the edges.  When it came to a fight they were two you wanted by your side.

Late one evening Shem came to visit me.  “I see you have not built a house yet Clay.” 

He was making fun of my little shack.  He called it a booth.  It was basically four poles held together with a frame at the top and canvass draped across it.

My original idea had been to build a yurt.  Me being too busy along with the unease of being here had not let me accomplish it. 

“Yeah I am still debating on what to do about that.”  I replied as Shem sat down with me just inside the door of my shack.

Looking at me I could see something was on his mind and I probably would not like it.  He had a satchel bag with him that he set at his feet.  It was here my world was about to be crushed once again.

Shem Leaves Me In Uz

“I wanted to come talk to you about something.  I want to tell you that although you were an unexpected guest, my entire family appreciates you and came to love you.” 

This conversation was definitely going somewhere I did not want it to go.

“What’s wrong Shem?”
“Nothing is wrong.  It is just time for me to go.” He said.
“Go where?” I asked.
“I feel led to go back to the farm.  There is some unfinished business there.”

I noticed he was not asking me to go with him, rather he was telling me that he was leaving.  This was a blow.  We had not heard from Japeth nor Ham and now Shem would be leaving.

“I have some things that I want to give you.  After dad passed I kept a few things which were his but these I wanted you to have.  You came to be like a son to him and like a brother to us.”  He handed me the satchel.

I knew something like this day would eventually come but it doesn’t take away the gut punch of it happening.  Tears welled up in my eyes and I knew that it was possible that I would not see this adopted brother again.

“What do you plan to do at the farm?” I asked. 

I knew he wanted to help those we left behind and possibly others who had been displaced.  Still, that would not last forever.

“I do not belong here Clay.  I know that God will send a man to take up His purpose.  That man is not here.  I need to return to where I belong and wait.  You need to continue on your journey.”

The words of Noah came back to my mind.  His words describing how I would need to be prepared for where I was going in the world hit home.  This was that moment.

A Hidden Note From Noah

We both stood, he hugged me, and then walked out the door.  The next morning he and a few of his men rode away.  For the first time since I arrived waking up in this world, I felt alone.

I had placed the satchel by my bedside after it was given to me.  I couldn’t open it immediately.  After seeing Shem leave I felt that I had to see what was inside.  It was a gift and I couldn’t refuse it.  As I sat on my bed I held it remembering it being Noah’s.

When I opened it I took out what was inside.  It was his sextant, compass, and a note written in Noah’s handwriting.  I began reading

“My son, have you discovered why you have come to us?  When you no longer need these tools, then you will know.  Until then do not become so lost as others are.  Find your way home.”