Finally, probably for our benefit, Abram called a halt. He gathered us into one force again. We were no longer strung out along the road. We rested as we waited for others to catch up with us.

  When that time arrived, Abram climbed to his feet and spoke. “Men, we must now fight as a single group. I expect the enemy might regroup as well.”

  Inevitably, at this point, our pursuit slowed considerably. But there was wisdom in the decision. We came upon a thousand Easterners waiting in ambush. I suspect they’d hoped to cut us down piecemeal.

  We halted, formed into a line and charged together. They crumbled before us.

  At this slower but relentless pace—that of a man moving with certainty who will not stop for anything—we continued north along the Trade Road.

  Wagon wheels and then wheel-less wagons soon lay in our path. Donkeys and oxen stood dazed, clearly exhausted. A few times, we saw people standing there. We began to collect prisoners and booty.

  Soon, Abram ordered armed retainers—his most trusted men—to escort the freed captives and exhausted animals south.

  Near the great city of Damascus at place called Hobah, Abram called the final halt. We were exhausted. We’d caught many of Chedorlaomer’s men. We’d freed many of the prisoners. The key was that here at Hobah Abram met his nephew, Lot. I was with him during the momentous occasion.

  Abram ran up to the wagon where Lot was with his wife and two young daughters. Lot was bound hand and foot. The soldier who raised his spear, threatening to kill Lot, died as Abram hurled a javelin from a distance, cutting the man down.

  Abram jumped into the wagon, and with a dagger cut Lot’s bonds, helping him down. Abram looked at him and Lot peered down as tears fell from his eyes. Abram embraced his nephew.

  “God has given the enemy into my hand. Now, making my joy complete, God has allowed me to free you and your family.”

  Lot nodded, unable to speak.

  Abram clapped him on the back for encouragement.

  “I’m so sorry,” Lot whispered. “I’m sorry I ever doubted you.”

  “We’ll talk about it later.” Abram turned to Lot’s wife and two daughters, embracing them. She cried. The girls hugged their great uncle.

  We’d done it. We’d defeated the host of Chedorlaomer, freeing most of the captives. More of his soldiers had fled than had died to us. They straggled north and did not return. Would Chedorlaomer reform them or gather a new host and come again next year?

  I was doubtful.

  In the land of Canaan, Chedorlaomer had defeated many a giant, many a king and many an Amorite. He’d scattered them before him. His great mistake had been in making Lot a prisoner. That had engaged Abram, the acolyte, not of a strange god, but of the oldest god, the One God according to Abram. Him Most High was a righteous and holy God. He’d given the great host into the hands of his acolyte. Likely, Him Most High would ensure that Chedorlaomer never marched back to attempt to harm Abram.

  After a rest and a feast, we headed south in a great caravan. Abram led us as he collected all the former captives. He slowed the pace so young children and wounded animals would survive. He kept the piles of loot secure in the wagons, guarded by his armed retainers.

  I remembered the story I’d heard from Lot. How Abram had enriched himself in Egypt, becoming a great man. His retinue of three-hundred-and-eighteen armed retainers showed that. Would he now make himself even greater? Perhaps Abram had plans to turn himself into the sole king of Canaan. This victory would be a great steppingstone for that. Many of those who might have resisted were broken by Chedorlaomer’s victories over them. This was a pregnant and propitious moment.

  Lot had told me that Him Most High had promised Abram the land of Canaan. Was this the moment Abram would make the dream a reality?

  Surely, Abram had collected the booty so he could hire more Amorites and possibly Amurru. He held thousands of people, most of them from the Vale of Siddim. He could tell the Cities of the Plain to do this or that, and they would have to obey or lose these people.

  The scope of Chedorlaomer’s victories had been astounding. We were a mighty host. It had become a chore to feed everyone. Abram sent men back to the trees near Mamre in order to collect food to feed this mass.

  The terrain became familiar as we marched south of Lake Gennesaret. People came out to see us pass. Abram used his own coin to buy food from them. They cheered Abram as their savior and sold him produce at cut-rate prices. Perhaps they wished to gain favor with the future king of Canaan.

  As the days passed and the food dwindled again, a delegation of seven robed men appeared. They wore purple and walked with a stately stride. Each had silver chains of office and bowed low as they introduced themselves to Abram.

  The leader said, “Mighty warrior, the Priest King of Salem, the great Melchizedek, requests your presence. He asks that you bring all who march with you to our great city. There, he will feed you and praise the Mighty God who has given you the victory.”

  Abram hesitated.

  “I am to say that Melchizedek serves the same God you do, Abram. Let him bless you for your great deed.”

  Abram didn’t answer yet, but deliberated with himself.

  The leader spoke again. “There is one more thing. The defeated kings from the Cities of the Plain have come to Salem. They’ve heard of your great victory and wish to greet you. Melchizedek bade them to await your coming at Salem.”

  “Yes,” Abram said, “I’ll meet with Melchizedek. I’ve heard of him, and I’ve heard he serves Him Most High. It would be an honor. And we’re in sore need of provisions.”

  Thus, we headed for Salem.

  It hadn’t been until Abram had heard the kings from the Cities of the Plain would be there. Was this the moment for them to learn they had a new king in the land?

  And who was this Priest-King Melchizedek?

  I was very interested in finding out.

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Genesis 14: 17-24:

  And the king of Sodom went out to meet him (Abram), after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale.

  And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of Him Most High God.

  And he (Melchizedek) blessed him (Abram), and said, “Blessed be Abram of Him Most High God, possessor of heaven and earth: and blessed be Him Most High God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand.”

  And he (Abram) gave him (Melchizedek) tithes of all.

  And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, “Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.”

  And Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted up mine hand unto the LORD, Him Most High God, the possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take from a thread even to a shoe-latchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eschol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.”

  We reached Salem in the hills, and I witnessed a moving ceremony where Melchizedek honored Abram and Him Most High God.

  Abram honored Melchizedek by giving him tithes from the booty we’d collected from Chedorlaomer.

  Afterward, Abram listened to King Bera of Sodom. Abram shocked everyone by accepting nothing from the king, freely returning the goods and people of Sodom and the other Cities of the Plain.

  By doing this, Abram relinquished the chance to become the warlord and perhaps even the king of Canaan.

  Melchizedek, the Priest-King of Salem, awed me. When I stood near him, I felt such sweet serenity. I wanted to stay in Salem and serve him, learning more.

  Instead of asking Melchizedek directly, later that evening, I went to Abram. I asked if he thought it would be possible if I could visit Salem and if he could give me a reference to Melchizedek.

  Abram clapped me on the shoulder. “That’s an excellent idea. You’ve done me a service and have done the people of Canaan a service. I thank you for it.”

  “I thank you for freeing me from the evil of the Minotaur.”

  Abram shook his head. “Don’t thank me. Thank Him Most High God. Thank the Creator. He’s the one who freed you. He’s the one you should serve. And I think you should serve Him in Salem and learn from Melchizedek.”

  I brimmed with joy, thanking Abram. I wanted to say here. “What about your nephew, Lot? Will he move from Sodom and rejoin you?”

  A concerned look swept over Abram. He turned away without another word.

  That troubled me. It troubled me deeply. I didn’t like the people of Sodom and Gomorrah or their ways. I wanted nothing to do with them. I didn’t think Lot should remain near Sodom either.

  That evening I sought out Lot, meeting him before a great bonfire. I noticed that fat King Bera hurried away after consulting with Lot.

  “Lot,” I called.

  Lot turned, seeing me, smiling. “Damon, Damon, I don’t know how to thank you enough. You raced to my uncle, and brought all this about because of your courage.”

  I shook my head, thinking of my first meeting with Abram. That could have gone much differently. “I was a messenger, nothing more. Lot, could I speak to you for a moment?”

  “What are you doing now?”

  “Alone?” I asked.

  Lot nodded.

  We stepped into shadows, although we could hear the bonfire crackle. I noted that King Bera watched the two of us. I shook that off. It surely meant nothing.

  “Lot, I don’t seek to counsel you. You’re a wiser man than me, a kinder man. You did me a great kindness, protecting me in my moment of peril from soldiers of Sodom.”

  “You protected me by going to my uncle.”

  “Please, let me speak.”

  “By all means, speak, Damon.”

  I hesitated and then plunged forward. “Surely, after all this, you’ll leave Sodom and rejoin your uncle.”

  Immediately, Lot’s features hardened. That surprised me.

  “You’re going back to Sodom?” I blurted.

  Lot eyed me. “My lands are there. Don’t you understand? I’ve worked hard and have gained esteem in the city. King Bera just told me so. He’s urged me to live in the city instead of outside of it.”

  I thought about that. “Bera doesn’t love you or respect your ways. He’s afraid of Abram. That’s why he’s doing all that.”

  Lot shook his head.

  “You serve Him Most High. They don’t serve God in Sodom.”

  “No more, Damon. I’ve made up my mind. Of course, I admire my uncle. But we can’t come together again. He made that plain a long time ago. I was to go one way and he another. I chose my way. I must return to Sodom and do the best I can.”

  I was dumbfounded. “Why return to Sodom when you’ve seen what it means to live like your uncle?”

  “I live in the ways of Him Most High,” Lot said. “I serve Him.”

  “Yes, but—”

  “No more,” Lot said. “I thank you for what you did. But my wife wishes to go back. I’ll have security in Sodom. I see more than ever how important high walls are. They’ll protect us from marauders and others.”

  “Walls aren’t as important as people,” I said.

  “Damon…King Bera saw what happened here today. He and those of Sodom have heard of Him Most High. Surely, after all this, those of Sodom will mend their ways. They’ll put away their unclean habits and turn to God. I expect to see a great revival of righteousness in Sodom and Gomorrah. Surely, they’ll turn to God after seeing His graciousness, how a handful of warriors defeated the great kings of the East where everyone else failed.”

  I glanced at King Bera, the hugely gross fat man. Across the firelight, I looked into his eyes. I didn’t see any change in him. I saw a cunning man filled with the desire for power. I didn’t think those of Sodom would change, but perhaps I was wrong. I’d been wrong before. If Melchizedek would have me, I’d stay in Salem and learn at the feet of this wondrous Priest-King.

  That was the last I saw of Lot, the last I saw of King Bera of Sodom. It was the last I saw of Abram. It was a great but also a sad night in that regard.

  It had been a wonderful ceremony. Now, I’d stay here instead of returning to Knossos. I doubted I’d ever see Athens again. This would be my home.

  I anticipated the years to come, little knowing what was in store for me.

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Abram spoke to King Melchizedek for me and Melchizedek granted me the right to live in Salem. What was more, I’d have access to the king’s great library. I’d also eat at his table because I’d been the one to warn Abram about Chedorlaomer.

  In the coming days, Melchizedek learned of my original quest to assassinate Abram. The king took me aside and had me tell him the entire tale.

  We moved into a large room with a window overlooking the rest of the city. There was a great oak desk and a chair inlaid with ivory along with a couch.

  Melchizedek was tall and lean with a great black beard that reached midway down his torso. He wore purple robes and moved with graceful economy. His eyes were green and intense and his face aquiline. He swept his hair straight back to reveal a noble forehead. A single ring adored the middle finger of his right hand. It was a heavy iron ring. I didn’t know its significance.

  “Sit, Damon,” he said, indicating the couch. Beside it was a low table with a pitcher of wine.

  I sat on the couch. He sat in the ivory-inlaid chair.

  “Pour yourself a cup of wine.”

  I did so.

  Melchizedek fixed his piercing green eyes on me. “You were born in Athens?” he asked.

  “In a village near there,” I said. “We moved to Athens shortly thereafter.”

  “Tell me about Athens.”

  I told him about my upbringing, my father and uncles.

  “You loved Athens,” he said.

  I nodded.

  “Why did you leave?”

  I took a long draught of wine. It was sweet and good, and I began to tell him everything: the choosing, the leaving of Athens, the training in Knossos and becoming an ear of the Sea King. I spoke about the Minotaur as well.

  Melchizedek leaned forward, his eyes glinting with interest. “Tell me more about the Minotaur.”

  I did, going into exacting detail. I told him about the last time I’d gone underground in the Maze. I don’t mean in the spirit, but in person.

  Melchizedek listened intently, making small noises of exclamation.

  At last, with my mind reeling from several cups of wine, I sat back, mentally exhausted.

  “You should write much of that down, Damon.”

  “Sire?” I asked.

  Melchizedek nodded. “Write it for posterity so that your sons and daughters and many others will know how Him Most High saved you from the grim power of the Minotaur.”

  “The Lord Above did save me,” I said, remembering once again that terrible evening. “What would have happened if I’d killed Abram?”

  Melchizedek had grown thoughtful. “I do not know if that was even possible—but if you had, you would have been cursed, in the grip of the Minotaur for the rest of your days. The Minotaur is a demonic power that lives under the Maze in Knossos. I now suspect the Minotaur’s actual parentage. His father or grandfather must have been one of the bene elohim.”

  “Sir?” I asked, befuddled by his comment.

  “The sons of God,” Melchizedek said. “That’s what bene elohim means. The phrase means ‘one whom God created.’ In that context, Adam was a son of God.”

  “Adam?” I asked.

  Melchizedek waved that aside. “The angels in the heavens are sons of God, in that Him Most High created them. The bene elohim in this instance refers to those who came down to Earth long ago and had congress with women. From them came the giants and heroes of old.”

  My eyes widened with understanding. “You think the Minotaur is like the giants, like Kron the champion?”

  “I think that now.” Melchizedek moved the iron ring on his finger, becoming contemplative. “A demonic power flourishes in the cities of the giants. I refer to the giants themselves, sons or grandsons of the bene elohim. They follow the wicked ways of their fathers.” Melchizedek frowned thoughtfully. “Chedorlaomer’s war greatly diminished the giants. He smote their might and slew many of their valiant warriors. I wonder if the Lord God used Chedorlaomer to break their evil power.”

  “The Lord God sent Chedorlaomer?”

  Melchizedek smiled. “The Lord God’s ways are higher than our ways. He is the Creator, and He works mysteriously. Was Chedorlaomer a servant of the Lord God? Not as Abram and I are. I think the Lord God used Chedorlaomer for His higher purposes, however. Would the giants always leave Abram alone? Not if they’re like the Minotaur. Perhaps the Lord God allowed Chedorlaomer his scope in order to break the might of the giants before they turned en masse on Abram.”

  I listened, befuddled by all this.

  “Are you considering what you’d write?” Melchizedek asked.

  “How would I write all this? I’m not a scribe. I’m a warrior, a trained man of valor of Knossos.”

  “I understand.” He tapped his fingers on the oak desk. “Ah. Do you know the script of Crete?”

  “I do,” I said. “As an ear of the Sea King, I had to write my reports so the scribes could file them.”

  “I thought as much. You should write your story in the script you know.”

  “There is no parchment or the papyrus of Egypt here,” I said.

  “Then write your tale in clay. It will last longer that way.”

  “Clay?” I asked.

  “Clay tablets,” he said. “Press the script of Knossos that you know into the moist clay tablets. I’ll have the tablets sent to you. They’ll harden and your tale will remain for ages.”

  “I’ll do it,” I said, excited by the prospect.

  “Excellent,” Melchizedek said.

  Thus, for the next several weeks, I wrote on moist clay tablets, pressing upon them the script of Knossos as I’d learned as an ear of the Sea King. I stacked the tablets as they dried. It was the story of my life.