Chapter 12
Temple Complex
After their long dust walk to the temple complex the men asked about bathing in the sacred river. One of the workmen laughing asked if they had a devotion to the god Sobek. Upon seeing the large crocodiles sunning themselves on the opposite bank of the river they changed their minds.
The village men made camp near the building housing the workmen. There they shared a meal with them and met up with two men from their own village most anxious to return home to their families.
They had been waiting two days, Tab'ba was getting anxious. They were not the only group here asking for the return of their men and a return of the life giving water to their parched villages. Daniel, however, was deliriously happy to have the time.
Out of the morning mist a barge floated silently down the river. Young men tied up the barge and while slaves began to offload their cargo, the man in charge went to find the scribe in charge of the storehouses. There were rare dyes, bolts of fabric, ingots of gold and basket after basket of foodstuffs and amphoras of wine and oil. The storehouses were filled to overflowing so, after conferring with the high priest, the scribe kept all the valuables. All the perishables that would not be needed for those living at the temple complex, priests, scribes and workmen, were divided up among the groups of men who would be returning to their homes.
Meanwhile Daniel read every wall, walked every path, entered every room and wished he had his video camera. When Daniel had done everything at least twice and the headman was getting anxious, Daniel pestered the priests until they gave the villagers permission to open the sluice gate to their irrigation canal.
Three groups of men from different villages received the excesses of the temple and had promised their loyalty, tribute and workers when the construction would continue.
The happy villagers, with two companions released from construction duty, walked home weighed down with grain and produce. They had been loaned two asses to carry the bounty. The priest had two less animals they would have to care for and feed. A scribe handed Daniel a small bag.
"A gift for your people."
In it were small amulets and charms made with the scraps of semi precious stones used to decorate the temples. Also there were small scraps of papyrus, inked in red, with sacred words and spells written on them. It was the practice work of novice scribes.
With renewed hope the villagers watched the waters of life flowing toward their arid fields and near empty well. Thinking this accomplishment will give him great prestige in the village, Tab'ba wondered if he had merited something special, perhaps a new wife.
As evening fell on the third day of their journey back and as they neared their village, they observed their lake beginning to fill. They began repairing the irrigation ditches leading to the parched fields until the dark and exhaustion drove them to their homes.
That night
"Sam, sorry" Daniel said as he plowed into the hut in the dark, tripping over Sam, asleep in her bed.
"Daniel?" She said groggily as she pulled the thin cover over her body "How'd it go?"
"Long walk, absolutely amazing complex, some of it ancient and some being built and a lot of waiting around. Finally, they opened the sluices and we were allowed to rebuild our irrigation canal. The retention pond is already filling. We didn't finish the canals or sluices to the fields. It was too dark, too late." He finished this with a yawn.
"Did you get anything to eat?"
"Had a bite on the road. They gave us food. We brought back quite a bit but Sam, you'll need a new story."
"What?"
"He, you know the chief, was talking about you - you as his third wife. He was all excited about getting water for the village. He was sure this added to his prestige and he deserved a reward. I reminded him about what you said, that your husband was consulting with the pharaoh. And in that pompous voice of his he said "Many do not return from Pharaoh's presence."
Jack sat up from beside Sam and said "Husband? Carter, you didn't tell me you had a husband."
"Jack! You're here."
"Yup."
"Jack what…"
"Daniel, it's late. We were asleep." Jack yawned.
"Oh...okay I'll just…" Daniel stammered.
"We'll move over." Sam said while elbowing Jack.
"Should I find another…"
"It's okay, Daniel. We'll sort it all out tomorrow." Sam said as Jack sighed dramatically. Sam elbowed him again.
Daniel kicked off his sandals, used his outer robes as a blanket and lay down on his lump of straw and slept.
