Read Online Angels at the Gate by T. K. Thorne - Free Book Online Page A

Babylonia. But this day, we go to Sodom for a load of pitch and salt to carry to Egypt.
    We come at last to Lot’s southern pastures. Fed by fresh waters from the east, this land is said to be as lush as the region tipping Egypt’s great river. As an experienced traveler, I say this is not so. Still, it is rich grazing and dotted with yellow, white, and red flowers eager to take advantage of spring rains.
    We set up tents for our return. The caravan will stay here. We take only what we need for the short journey to Sodom. As much as I want Nami with me, I decide to leave her at the tents, because I do not know how welcome she will be at Lot’s house. Besides, wild dogs—eaters of rats and garbage—roam city streets, and I do not want her mixing with them or getting into fights with a pack.
    Danel agrees to make certain Nami has food and water and a chance to relieve herself. I do not like trusting him, but we have talked more on the journey from Abram’s tents than we have my entire life, and he is my best choice.
    â€œI will return, Nami,” I tell her, but I have to tie her, as much as it pains me. She strains against the camel-hair rope as we leave. It is the first time she has not been at my side since her pups died, even when she belonged to Chiram. So far, I have not mentioned her change in status to my father, and I do not think Chiram has thought to, either. Why stir trouble into a pot already salted?
    We travel along the southern shore of the Dead Sea. When Sodom looms before us, I can also see Gomorrah in the distance. Lot has a house inside the city gates of Sodom. He insists that we be his guests. As we approach the main gate, we are careful to stay on the path. To our right are the charnel houses and shaft tombs of the dead. To the left, between us and the sea, pools of bitumen dot the rocky landscape. The stones glare white in the sunlight, a stark contrast to the black pitch they cup. Some call this the land of Mot, the underworld god.
    â€œHere is where King Bera fell, in the wars before your birth,” Lot instructs, as though I am a child bereft of any learning.
    I wrinkle my nose. I hope Bera died of a sword and did not drown in the slimy pits. It seems an unworthy death for a king trying to defend his people.
    We enter through the main gate. Two towers built on stone and wood foundations flank the gate and loom above us. The area just inside spreads out around a central well into a large open square, known as the Gate. All along the city’s wall, merchants sell wares, livestock, and food. Men and women crowd the area, as eager for the exchange of gossip as for the purchase and sale of goods.
    Roads radiate from the Gate, like spokes of a wheel, where the sellers of finer goods have more permanent structures or even houses for their merchandise. People, mostly of Canaan, fill the streets. I note some wearing the garb of Hittites and a couple of Hurrians, men of the Horse Tribes. Not long ago, Egyptians ruled here, but I see no sign of them now. My father says they are busy with their own problems, but that does not mean they will not turn their attention again to Canaan.
    Sodom prepares for the Spring Rites. Gold and red flowers adorn the women’s hair, and red ribbons gaily decorate slender asherah poles honoring the goddess.
    Many eyes turn to Mika and Raph, who are noticeable even in this crowd. I am busy watching the women who are busy watching Raph.
    Mika seems lost in his own thoughts. Raph bends to pluck a handful of dates from a basket set between the owner’s brown legs. The man looks up to protest, but as his gaze continues up, he seems to think better of it and waves his hand, as if it were his idea to offer dates to Raph, and in fact, Raph should help himself to more.
    Raph tosses him a small nugget of copper, more than fair compensation for a handful of dates, and turns to Lot. “Abram claims Asherah is El’s consort, but these people speak of