Read Online Keepers of the Covenant by Lynn Austin - Free Book Online Page A

will marry his third son, not his firstborn,” Abba continued. “But even so, he will be a very rich man in just a few more months. There’s a wealth of gold in the Jewish temple in Jerusalem, and the men from Abdel’s village plan to claim it after they execute the Jews. There will be plenty of gold for everyone.”
    “Does this man know he will have to wait another year for Sayfah?” Mama asked. “She’s only eleven and isn’t a woman yet.”
    “He knows. But it will be a good arrangement for both of us. The deal is done.”
    “No!” Sayfah moaned. She leaned her head against Amina’s shoulder as she burst into tears, nearly knocking her over.
    “Sayfah . . . shh!” Amina begged. “Abba will be furious if he hears you.” And he might take out his fury on both of them. Sayfah covered her mouth to muffle her sobs. She and Amina both knew that marriage meant becoming a slave to your new mother-in-law and obeying your husband’s every whim or risking a beating. The sisters had whispered about all these things as they lay in bed at night, and they were both terrified of marriage. As difficult as their lives were as daughters, they could become much worse with a demanding husband and a mother-in-law to obey. Marriage meant leaving home and each other. And having babies.
    “What about Amina?” Mama asked. “Have you made a decision about her?” Amina held her breath, waiting to hear Abba’s reply.
    “Not yet. I’ll give her one more year to make up her mindto walk without limping, and if she refuses, I’ll be forced to do something about it. No one pays a dowry for a cripple.”
    Tears burned Amina’s eyes, but she forced them back. Abba hated any sign of weakness. She silently repeated the Jewish weaver’s words so she wouldn’t forget them: “God created you to do something special that they can’t do.”
    “Sayfah!” Abba suddenly called out. “Sayfah, come here.”
    She stared at Amina, her eyes wide with fear. “What should I do?”
    “Dry your eyes,” Amina whispered. “Hurry! You have to go to him.”
    “I don’t want to! I’m scared.”
    “Sayfah, get in here!” he called again.
    “He’ll see that I’ve been crying, and he’ll beat me,” Sayfah whispered as she wiped her face. It was true. Her eyes were red and puffy, her cheeks streaked with tears—and a respectful daughter should respond with gratitude and joy to such an important announcement from her father.
    Amina let out the breath she’d been holding. “I’ll go. I’ll tell him you went to the latrine. But don’t take too long.” She stepped out into the courtyard, trying to walk straight and tall, trying not to limp. But her knees wobbled with fear, making it nearly impossible. She stopped after only a few steps. “Sayfah went to relieve herself,” she said, looking down at her feet. “She won’t be long.”
    Sayfah entered the courtyard a minute later, a stiff smile on her face as she approached their father. She stopped several feet away, staring at the ground, not at him. “Yes, Abba?”
    “Come here and let me have a look at you. . . . Turn around,” he said, twirling his finger in a circle. Sayfah obeyed. “Not bad . . . not bad . . . You will be a beauty like your mother.” Amina had always envied her sister’s wavy black hair and wide, brown eyes. Sayfah’s back was straight, her legs long and shapely, her skin a golden, tawny color. But even from where Amina stood, she could see her sister’s chin quivering with fear.
    “I’ve found a husband for you. We’ll begin the negotiations as soon as this business with the Jews is finished.”
    Amina held her breath, silently willing Sayfah to answer quietly and respectfully, not revealing her emotions. But Sayfah’s fear of marriage proved stronger than her caution. “Abba, no!” she said with a wail. “I don’t want to leave home and get married. Please don’t make me, Abba, please!”
    His anger was swift and terrible. Amina