When we left Haran to go into Canaan I had brought thirty men.  Now that we were heading to Egypt I sent twenty back to Haran at the request of Abram.  I did protest this decision but it did no good. 

In my mind it created too much distance for us to get help if we needed it. At Abram’s word we were committed to this path.

Abram’s Desired Appearance

In this present time Haran was becoming a main stop in trade routes along caravan roads going from Nineveh all the way to Ur.  The roads would extend beyond to what would become Persia or Iran.  We were moving south to Egypt while I was sending my men north with no clear road or path to them.  This was not ideal.

Abram did not want to appear as if he had a private army. That was his reason for sending my men home. When he left Haran there is no question he had become somewhat of a wealthy man. 

I wanted him to appear as strong as possible.  The problem was the Egyptians would not take kindly to this kind of entourage.

I kept my ten most battle seasoned men with me plus Jared.  Each of us were assigned “families” that we would associate with as a member of that family.  The goal was to blend in naturally.

In my opinion it was a little nuts.  Near all of my men came from our time in North America.  They looked more like Navajo or Aztec than from any city in Mesopotamia.

Abram Would Encounter Nebhepetre’s Egypt

The Pharaoh’s in power was named Nebhepetre. His base of power was in Thebes as he had recently reunited the upper and lower kingdoms.  I remembered his story from college days, but reality did not completely match what was taught in history.

The predecessor of Nebhepetre was a Pharaoh named Pepi II.  Modern sources would state he ruled most likely from a child until a very old age.

It was said the longevity of his rule and then his age played a part in the fall of the old kingdom.  In reality, Pepi II was the last of the line from Mizraim who happened to live with longer lifespans after the flood. The change was a turn in ideology from an older world.

The turmoil which ensued in this shift from the old kingdom into what would be known as the middle kingdom was no small ordeal.  Much history was lost to time, monuments destroyed, smaller pyramids were either built on top of by later Pharaohs or were destroyed.  I had seen this kind of thing before in other parts of the world when power changed hands.

It was the goal of Nebhepetre to rewrite Egyptian history in order to justify his claim as god.  More importantly it became a way for him to be the most powerful Pharaoh and expand his borders. 

His base of power was Thebes yet he also would spend a deal of time in the old city of Memphis to display his rights to the throne.  This is why Egypt was a mess and had been for quite some time.

Abram’s Plan To Make Sarai His Sister

After a long day of riding, Abram’s caravan pulled to a stop near a tributary.  We would make camp here for the night.  Tomorrow we would be crossing the border into Egypt.  Fires were made and the night watch was set.  As people began to settle in I decided to ride to Abram and go over his plans for the next day.

I found him and Sarai beside their fire.  He invited me over.  I dismounted and took a seat next to him.  I could see the worry on his face.

“How are you holding up Abram?”
“I am doing well.  We were just discussing how to present ourselves tomorrow.” Abram said.
“Well, be honest in that you are looking for a temporary home and can pay.” I replied.
“No, not in that way.  I meant as in relationships to keep us safe.” His comment confused me.
“Okay, please explain.”

“I told Sarai that she needed to be presented as my sister.  She is a very beautiful woman and if they discover she is my wife, they will kill me and take her.  So, from tomorrow and until we leave Egypt she must be my sister.” Abram was obviously afraid.

“I do not like this idea. What if they take me?  Just because I am your sister will not stop them from taking me.” Sarai had a good point.

I of course had my own thoughts on the matter. “Abram, this whole thing is a really bad idea.  Nebhepetre is known for collecting women, and so do his followers.  The country has been in turmoil and now he is ratcheting down his rule to maintain peace.  There are no guarantees for your women, your men, or your wealth.”

Abrams face showed he knew the situation.  Still, he would not back down. “We must go into Egypt.  There is famine in all the northern lands.  We will starve if we do not.  That is certain death and in Egypt there is hope.”

“Finding hope in Egypt.  That is a new concept.” I said.

Abram’s eyes met mine.  I knew he was decided and he knew I did not like the idea.  The truth was that it was too late to turn back now.  Refugees had been flooding into Egypt due to famine and their soldiers had already spotted our caravan.  I was sure they were expecting us to cross tomorrow.

Most people would be turned away or made into slaves that would enter in times like this.  No country in their right mind allows a flood of people in to disrupt their ecosystems.  Abram would have to negotiate.

“Well, get some rest for tomorrow.  There is no sense in worrying about it right now.  I will see you guys in the morning.  Goodnight.” I said as I rose and went to my horse. 

They both wished me goodnight.  As I heard their words, I just couldn’t get that nagging bad feeling out of my gut.

More than once I have questioned my position with Abram.  I know I am nothing significant.  Nevertheless, he did ask me to come and help.  More than anything I was again a shadow, which was fine.  The problem was I seemed to be a shadow without a voice.  That can lead to scary consequences.

Crossing The Border Into Egypt

The next morning we all woke and prepared ourselves.  The caravan began its crossing into Egypt.  We could not ride our normal security formations due to so few men and attempting to blend in.  I was in the middle of the group with one of the families.

A short while later the caravan came to a halt.  Again, I did not want to break our assumed roles.  Instead of riding up to meet Abram and get directly involved I used a tried and true trick from the past. 

Talking to one of the older children I asked him to run ahead and spy on what was taking place.  If possible he could get close enough to hear what was going on.

The child ran ahead and in the meantime all I could do was wait.  The people were getting a bit apprehensive.  I thought at first not hearing a call to arms was a good sign.  Then things began to take too long and that worried me.

It would take about thirty minutes for the child to come racing back.

“I heard Abram talking to the Egyptian.  They think Sarai is his sister.  They want us to follow them.” The child stated.

“Thank you child.  Return to your parents.  You did really well.” I said.  I couldn’t wait any longer.

As the caravan began moving I started to slip up the column.  The closer I came towards the front the more detail I could see.  In the distance we had an Egyptian military escort.  I then slowed my pace to slip back down the line.  Finding the child, I had one more request to make of him.

“Run to the back of our group and find Jared.  Tell him Clay said to send the fastest rider to Haran.  The message you give him is, fog at the river.”  The child began running to Jared.

The code was one we used to mobilize men.  The river stood for a border.  In this period bodies of water were normally territorial boundaries.  The fog meant exactly what it implied, an uncertain situation.

After some traveling we would arrive at a small backwater town that was dressed up by an Egyptian prince.  That night I lay low and we continued to use the children as a means of communicating.  What I learned was that Abram had met with the local nomarch, or governor.

Abram Attracts The Nomarch’s Attention

In this meeting the size of Abram’s wealth had drawn attention.  It would seem he was attempting to negotiate, but Sarai had also attracted the eye of the nomarch.  Still without an invitation from Abram all I could do was wait.  Forcing my way into this situation would be the worst possible thing to do.

We spent the night at this stop and continued the next day.  It would be ten days of traveling like this.  Each day that passed and seeing our course I knew we would end up at Memphis.  It was a major hub and the old center of power.  There really was no way to avoid it.

On the eleventh morning a small child came running to find me.  He told me to disarm and go to Abram.  This must be it then.  We were almost there.

As I approached Abram I could see in front of us a sizable escort.  Before I could reach him one of the Egyptian soldiers dropped back to talk with Abram.  I held where I was as a shadow.  The conversation would take some time.

As the caravan weaved around the lush scenery of being so near the Nile, we turned a bend to find a fortification in the distance.  I knew that is where we would be stopping.  I continued to blend in with those around me as I waited for when I could approach Abram.

Arriving outside the fortification we began to make camp.  The upside to this was that we would be safe from other outside troubles.  The downside was our protector may also be trouble.  Finally, Abram was clear to approach.

Nebhepetre Requests To Meet Abram

I walked over to his tent and met him as he was tending to his horse. “What’s the news Abram?”

“I do not know if it is good or if it is bad.” He said.
“What do you mean? What’s happening?”
“They were impressed by our size and company.” Abram stated.
“You mean your money, animals, and people they could see as slaves.”

His eyes met mine and I could sense a worry within him.  There was more.  He walked to a nearby log and sat.  I followed and perched beside him as I watched the Egyptian soldiers moving in the distance.

Abram continued. “They sent word to the local nomarch we were coming.  Then before we arrived I received word that Nebhepetre has decided to meet us.”

I think in that moment my brain exploded. “Nebhepetre what?  You mean Pharaoh Nebhepetre is wanting to see you?  Why?”  I knew we were in trouble.

“It was requested that we prepare to meet him tomorrow morning.  We will be escorted, and I am permitted to bring my advisors.” He said.

“Abram, your advisor long ago mentioned how this was a mistake.  There is no way out of this now.  What is your plan?” I asked.

“We continue just as I have said.  Nothing has changed.  I will attempt to negotiate some land for us and then this will be over.” Abram tried to appear hopeful rather than worried.

“Alright.  I will be here in the morning.  Just be careful.  Everything from people like this is a gift even if you purchase it.  They see the act of us breathing air as a gift.  Don’t get comfortable with him.” I said.

“I understand Clay.  I will see you in the morning.”