The funny thing about food when you are hungry is that there is never enough, and it disappears faster than water evaporating.  If you have never experienced watching food supply disappearing like a doomsday clock counting down, then you have not known hunger.

It would be Judah that came to me which set off this new chain of events.  The reality was something had to change.  I knew we couldn’t stay here.  I was with Jared on the idea of going North.  I kept thinking Switzerland would be lovely this time of year.

Judah Confronts Jacob About Going To Egypt

We were pulling what water we could from the wells and transporting it in any container we could find.  Animals died easily in this heat.  Once one died, we would try to use everything we could including making new water skins.

Judah found me with Jared as we were doing the dirty job of making water bladders.  When I saw his face I knew he was frustrated.

“Clay, I need your help.” Judah said flatly.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“The food is almost gone.  We are going to be eating leather soon if we do not do something.  Dad said we need to go to Egypt again, but he is not wanting to allow Benjamin to go.” Judah pointed out.

“Are you sure you have to take him?” I asked.
“If we don’t then Mentuhotep will probably kill us all.” He countered.
“Hey Clay, let me go talk to Jacob for a bit with Judah.  Go get cleaned up and meet us when you can.” Jared said.

I was a mess being covered in animal parts.  What’s not to love about country living completely off the grid?  People never realize how difficult life can be before modernization.  I told Jared to go ahead and I would catch up.

By the time I made it to Jacobs home the arrangement had already been settled.  Jacob did agree to let Benjamin go with Judah to Egypt.  Yet I could see he was seriously distraught.  His sons were off already preparing for the journey which would begin not long after midnight.  It was best to travel in the cooler part of the day.

“Judah said he would be responsible for Benjamin.  I have a bad feeling Clay.  If my sons are lost to me then I have nothing.”  Jacob began lamenting.
“Yeah, he explained to me that Mentuhotep was serious that Benjamin had to be there, although I don’t understand why.”  I pointed out.

The fact was that Jacob is still grieving Joseph.  It had been twenty-two years since Joseph had been lost to us.  Twenty-two years still could not heal what had been lost.  No one should expect it to either.  Losing a child is one of the hardest things to endure in life.

“Clay, will you do one more thing for me even if it is the last time I see my sons.” Jacob was worried.
“Alight Jacob, but let’s not get too dramatic.  What do you have in mind.” I was trying to reign him back in some.
“They will not like you going with them thinking I do not trust them.  I merely worry for their safety.  Please shadow them and do not be seen.” Jacob requested.
“Okay.  I will wait until they leave before I prepare to go.” I replied.

“Just to be safe, I required them to take double the money.  This way they could repay what was given to us before, and also for the food on this trip as well.  I also required them to bring gifts for Mentuhotep.  Do you think this would be sufficient enough?” Jacob asked.

“Well, you know my limited experience with Egypt with your granddad.  I do believe that if they go and lay everything out on the table it may prove they are not spies.  It is possible this whole thing was a test to see who we really are.” I was trying to be hopeful.

“Then we will trust in God and know that it is in His hands.” Jacob replied.

Jacob’s Sons Leave For Egypt The Second Time

After the sons left I informed Jared and Nathan of the request Jacob made.  They were not exactly happy.  We would go full incognito to blend in.  Xiang and Yu would take care of home base while we were away.

Due to the lack of water and the heat I did something I absolutely hate doing.  I rode a camel.  It is at least one step up from being forced to walk.  At least they are heartier in these conditions and can carry a load if needed.

The location of Egypt’s capital was Itjtawi.  It was the period of the Middle Kingdom from modern understanding.  I have never heard of a benevolent Pharaoh, but I have heard of worse than Sesostris.  I hoped that we stood a chance.

The real trick would be dealing with Mentuhotep.  Food was the most prized possession in the world at this moment.  Pharaoh’s right hand man was the one who controlled everything.  Judah was right about one thing, if we made that guy mad we were finished.

We shadowed Judah and the boys by one day’s difference in travel.  I knew they would travel mostly at night, typically around midnight and forward to just past dawn.  On our last day we doubled the push in time from sunset to sunup in order to find them on the horizon.

Each major Egyptian city had the equivalent to what modern times would call suburbs.  The difference was it was not manicured homes.  Think of inner city projects and you would get the idea of what these areas were like.

It was the poorest of the poor on the outermost ring.  Egyptian patrols were always on the roads, armed transport of goods and people constantly flowed.  Only those who were a somebody or wealthy would typically ride through town, meanwhile everyone else walked.  Those who were from out of town would typically find stables to keep their animals.

We found a small camp along a tributary that would allow for Jared to stay with the animals.  From here Nathan and I would go on foot as to not draw attention.  I knew that Judah would do the same but he would wait until within Itjtawi proper.

They would take time to rest and clean up before presenting themselves to Mentuhotep.  We decided to clean up as well and then fall in behind Judah and sons the next morning.

The problem for all of us was if things went wrong there was no escape. We would all die. This was not an open air market.  Egyptian fortifications were rather sophisticated.

A controlled space would have an outer wall, then an inner courtyard which encompassed a center zone of control.  This center zone would have its own inner walls, towers, and archers encompassing the entire inner area. 

The layout reminded me so much of the video game Assassins Creed it wasn’t funny.  I am sure the game makers did their homework on ancient Egyptian architecture.

The zone we were entering was unique for it was at the center of the city.  We literally would be next door to the homes of the Pharaoh and other elites of society.  To put it plainly, no one got in or out without Mentuhotep saying so.  For the wrong person this was a death trap.

Judah Is Presented To Mentuhotep

We saw the boys waiting in line early the next morning.  I kept looking for an alternative way into this area, but there was none.  We had no choice but to follow suit and get in line as well but further behind.  This system did not work on a first come first serve basis.

Groups would be let into the courtyard behind the first wall.  The doors would be sealed shut and archers would be on the walls behind you, and in front of you.  It would be then that Mentuhotep would select who could come into the inner court, and often enough send those away Egypt did not wish to deal with.

When the door opened the next group was allowed in.  I saw Judah and the boys go in with others.  When Nathan and I reached the door it began to close in front of us as a guard held us back.  It was then in that split second my eyes caught the eyes of Mentuhotep.  We stared at each other.

Those mere split seconds felt like an eternity.  Normally one never looks into the eyes of a royal.  It was forbidden.  I already crossed a line and I was not sure how to take the gaze I received.  All Nathan and I could do was wait.

Our Escort To The Inner Wall

A few minutes passed, yet it felt like hours.  The moment two guards approached me and Nathan my worst fears came to life.  They demanded that we de-cloak ourselves.  We were searched thoroughly by the guards.  I had naturally left my weapons with Jared.

Where we were, it was impossible to resist or run.  They then requested us to follow them.  We were flanked by two more guards as they walked us along the wall.  We turned a corner to another smaller door which opened.  We were being led down a side hallway to a set of stairs.

The stairs led up to another door which when opened was a room, and then another door.  This room had small windows just large enough to see in, and to put spears through.  The room itself was small enough that multiple spears could reach anyone within the room wherever they stood.

Once we passed the last door we were in the open air on top of the first wall.  I looked down to see the boys with the rest of the crowd.  I couldn’t help myself.  I shouldn’t have done it, but I did it anyway.  I looked back at Mentuhotep.

There he was, once again staring at me.  In that moment I realized we all could die.  We had been singled out.  The boys were already made but they didn’t know it yet.  Mentuhotep had spotted all of us and the second he saw us he acted.  It was like he was waiting for Jacob’s sons to show up in front of him.

Why?  How could a little backwater family from Canaan be such a threat to the second in command of Egypt?  My brain was on fire trying to figure this out.  I had to find a way out.  We were trapped.

The guards led us across a catwalk to the opposing wall which allowed one to look down into the inner courtyard.  This zone was no small area.  It was like a castle.  The interior of the second courtyard would measure somewhere between twenty to thirty football fields.  This is where the royalty lived and played.

We were brought to another small room much like the first that had windows just large enough to spear into.  There we were locked inside.  We could do nothing but wait.

“Clay, the boys must have done something more than they told Jacob or us.”
“I agree.  It’s the only explanation to this.  There is one catch, Mentuhotep looked straight into my eyes.  He knew who we were and we have not been here.  How could he know us?” I asked.

“I have no idea.  There is no way spies could have associated us with the sons.  We have not been around them since we left Jacob’s home.” Nathan pointed out.
“It still doesn’t add up.  I know Judah and the boys did something, but somehow, someway, Mentuhotep knows us.” I said.

“Do you think he will have us all killed?” Nathan asked.
“I am beginning to wonder about that.  Normally death would come more quickly.  Making us slaves does not make sense now either.  Why bring us into the royal area and keep us separate from everyone while under guard?  Even here their guards are not messing with us.” I noticed.

“So what do we do now?” Nathan asked.
“Unfortunately we just wait.  There is nothing else we can do.” I replied.

It was late morning when we found ourselves locked in the room.  We would wait until almost evening.  The sun was beginning to get low in the sky and I thought we would spend the night here.  It had been a long day of waiting.  I didn’t want a long night of it as well.

Thankfully I finally heard footsteps approaching.  They were coming for us.  At least we could finally get whatever was about to happen over with. 

Nathan looked at me and shook his head indicating he was ready for whatever I decided to do.  Whether I fight or run, maybe both, I wasn’t going to make this easy on them.