Chapter 4-3
1265 Words
“My lord,” Micha spoke, his eyes down. No attendants flanked Yusuf other than guards standing on the sides. “I don’t mean any disrespect, but I am concerned that I am not capable of this task you ask of me.”
“Guards, you may leave,” ordered Yusuf.
Micha’a gaze followed the guards’ shadows as he kept his head low.
Yusuf waited until the room emptied. “What causes you to worry that you cannot do what I ask? And what makes you think I can easily hear this request at this hour when your trip is so soon?”
“The granaries are many, the timeframe small. I don’t believe that I can fulfill my lord’s request. Perhaps, someone more experienced, sir.”
“I don’t understand. You seemed excited at the prospect. In fact, you told me that you had not stepped out the larger city walls in quite some time—”
“I just don’t believe that I can do it without disappointing you, sir.” As soon as he said this, Micha’s face flushed. He realized that he spoke with a harsh tone and cut off Yusuf. Silence ensued for a few seconds before Yusuf approached Micha, who closed his eyes in anticipation of being slapped. Or worse.
“Come sit with me,” Yusuf whispered.
In shock, Micha’s eyes opened.
Why hadn’t he punished me?
“I like you, Micha, so tell me why your heart appears seized with fear.”
“I am not sure if I am the right person for this job.”
“Ah! You are part of this palace and trusted. And you are the right person.”
Micha gulped. Yusuf then grabbed a clay jar and poured beer into two cups.
Why is he acting like the servant by pouring me a drink? He surely means to punish me and is toying with me.
Micha trembled, his hands shook, and his body shivered.
“Have some beer, Micha, and calm down.” Yusuf pointed him to take a seat next to him. “Tell me why you are upset and be honest.”
Micha nodded, then sipped some of the beer. The liquid warmed his throat and stomach quickly. As he did so, he looked at Yusuf, whose eyes were wide open, not narrowed in anger or disbelief. He watched Yusuf drink. Just a few years older than Micha, he nonetheless bore the responsibilities of viceroy well, his back straight, his eyes focused. Before he came to court, he heard tales of the handsome vizier with the fine appearance.
Yusuf spoke first. “You are very capable of this task, otherwise I would not have chosen you. You must do this. For me.”
“And if I fail?”
“You will not fail, especially with Eli leading the way.”
At Eli’s name, Micha dropped his cup. “I’m sorry, my lord. I’ve made a mess!” Micha fell to the ground, trying to sop the beer with his simlah.
“Stop! Get up! What has come over you?”
Micha jumped from his kneeling position after Yusuf yelled. He opened his mouth. “I am sorry, my lord. I don’t know why—”
“Why does Eli’s name frighten you? Has anything happened?”
“No, sir.” As he said this Micha looked down, towards the spill, averting Yusuf.
“Do not be scared of him. He is large in size but he will protect you. I was once scared of him too.” Yusuf sat back down, straightening his own simlah. “Did you ever hear the story of how we met?”
Micha shook his head.
“Come. Sit down, the spill will dry.”
Micha sat up, moved back on the bench, and spread his garment to air out the beer on his clothing. For the next few minutes, Micha sat transfixed as he heard Yusuf talk about his sale into slavery by Yusuf’s jealous brothers. When Yusuf launched into the part of the story of Eli’s raid on the Midianites’ camp when Eli snatched Yusuf away from the slavers, Micha’s throat clenched.
“I believe it was divine intervention,” Yusuf explained. “How else would you explain a stranger coming in the dead of night taking me away from bondage? He knew my name. He knew what my brothers did. When those slavers tried to prevent my escape, Eli slew them. I never saw a man move so fast or use two swords at one time with such speed. I’ve asked him over the years to tell me how he knew and all he has said is, ‘Providence.’“
Micha exhaled. His palms were sweaty.
Why am I nervous?
Yusuf continued. “After a while, I gave up asking. When we arrived in Egypt, he made sure that I had food and a roof over my head. It’s not easy to hide a blond giant in this land and we attracted attention. Ultimately, through a series of events, I became known to Pharaoh because of my ability to interpret dreams.” Yusuf stopped and motioned Micha to look around the antechamber. “And now, here we are. Eli is my trusted bodyguard. Even though he is much more than that. In fact, he is a good friend. He seems to have a lot of knowledge of different construction techniques, about logistics and different lands.” Yusuf paused for a few seconds. “So you see, Micha. There is nothing to be worried about.”
Micha leaned forward and slightly opened his dry mouth but stopped. He had barely sipped the beer before he lost his cup and he eyed the jar, which contained the liquid.
Does he know that Eli is a sorcerer? How else to explain the stick that flew?
Yusuf interrupted his thoughts. “I trust him with my life. He promised to watch over you and he will, even if it means his life.”
“I owe you the roof over my head, my lord,” Micha said. “If you believe I should trust, him I will try.”
Yusuf spoke. “I thought you both would have some things in common.” Yusuf cleared his throat before he continued. “Don’t you like him? I sensed you were attracted to him.”
Micha’s face burned again.
How did he know?
“Come now. Don’t act surprised. I’ve seen how you don’t even look at the Egyptian women. But when you saw Eli, you smiled. Then I knew I made the right decision.”
Micha said nothing, his head bowed. His heartbeat had calmed.
Yusuf placed his arms on his lap and moved closer to Micha. “I will tell you I do not know why some men are attracted to other men. I do not understand it. It was something that shocked me at first when I arrived in Egypt. But if a man’s love for another man is pure, then it must be as it is. There are many in the palace, some eunuchs, some not, who have served both Pharaoh and me and they are honorable. I do not see anything wrong as long as the relationship is equal and there is no abuse.”
Micha raised his eyes to Yusuf. He came in minutes earlier to talk about his fear of Eli. Instead, Yusuf addressed his fear of living life.
He felt a weight lifted off his shoulders. Yusuf’s words filled his heart. His throat tightened but he knew he had to say something. But tears had gathered at the corners of his eyes as he stood then bowed. He looked to the doors of the antechamber to determine how quickly he could cross to the exit. His concerns about Eli seemed almost trivial in light of Yusuf’s words. “I’m sorry, lord. I have troubled you with my foolish ideas. Please excuse me.”
I cannot have him see me like this.
Yusuf stood, moved inches closer to Micha then whispered. “Trust Eli. Trust me. No harm will come to you and you shall not fail.” Yusuf grabbed Micha’s arm to whisper, “Thank you for doing this.”
Micha bowed furthered, choking back words. He wanted to leave before he further embarrassed himself. If Eli was a witch, Yusuf trusted him and it didn’t matter. At least not to Yusuf.
Could there be good witches?
Micha backed out of Yusuf’s presence until several feet of distance were between them, before he turned to face the exit. Yusuf’s words had deeply touched him.
Could I trust Eli? God knows I want to trust him but can I?
- Writer
