machines like few others.
He had never been back to the village. The army barracks was his home now. The last two years he had been stationed in the big city of Nineveh itself. Its massive walls and grand scale still awed him. But he knew the city well now and had adapted to its life. He was a stranger there no longer.
“Master?” The voice of his assistant interrupted Itur-Ea’s thoughts. “We are ready to install the battering ram.”
“Thank you. I will inspect it in a moment.” As Itur-Ea walked into the sunlight, he felt as if he was leaving behind memories of the village. His military knowledge was needed.
* * *
Rivkah’s hands slowly moved through Kaleb’s fur, from his ears down his back to his tail which twitched when she touched it. Kaleb moved his head around and licked Rivkah’s face. She drew back. “Don’t!” she laughed. “Leave your tongue in your mouth.” Kaleb stared straight ahead again as she stroked his head. He gave a sigh as he yawned and shifted his paws. “Hey what’s the matter, eh?” She pulled his ear. He just looked at her with those deep, trusting eyes only a dog could have. Rivkah wrapped her arms around Kaleb and buried her face in his fur.
He was her best friend. Others just called him dog—keleb—but she called him Kaleb, the mighty warrior from the tribe of Judah. Others thought he was a dirty mongrel but she thought he was beautiful. Others just saw a sly stray roaming the streets; she saw how crafty and fast he was. People might try to kick him just like any other dog, but he was far too clever and alert to ever receive a blow. Some people were even afraid of him. He could put on quite a fierce show. He certainly never let anybody near him—except for Rivkah. He trusted her and she trusted him.
Suddenly Kaleb stood up and growled. But whatever had attracted his attention must have gone. He sat down again, only his ears twitching alertly. He nuzzled Rivkah, sniffing her clothes. “No, I didn’t bring any food this time. Hungry?” She held his mouth between her hands. “If Mother knew that I sometimes give you food, she would get awfully mad. She would make sure I got a decent thrashing.” Rivkah tickled him under the jaw. “There’s not much food round these days, old pal. My stomach’s empty, too. I’m sure you’ll still be able to catch the odd mouse, eh. But I’ll try to sneak something out for you next time.”
Kaleb must have been satisfied with that for he slumped down and rolled over onto his back. Rivkah rubbed his tummy. He closed his eyes and pulled his legs up against his thin body. A contented growl came from his chest.
* * *
They had barley soup for their evening meal today. It certainly made the grain go further and filled the stomach. The feeling wouldn’t last long but for now the tummy felt so warm and full that the soup seemed like a sumptuous meal. Rivkah could even detect a faint taste of meat. A few bones had been thrown into the pot to give the soup some flavor.
While Nepheg had already finished his bowl and was greedily asking for more, Rivkah slurped her soup slowly, relishing each gulp. There would be no seconds tonight. That’s all they got.
“You’re not hungry, Rivkah? Can I have some of yours?” Nepheg was trying to get more food.
“No, I’m just enjoying my meal. I don’t pour it down my throat like you.”
Nepheg clearly wasn’t happy with Rivkah’s answer.
“I’m hungry! Father, can I have some more? We must have some food in the house.”
“You know there’s only enough for tomorrow morning. We’ll get a new ration in the afternoon. So be quiet. Maybe you really should eat your food a bit slower.”
Father was emptying his bowl and cleaned it out with a small piece of stale bread. These days they didn’t have fresh bread anymore. Old bread was more filling.
The whole family sat in a circle on the floor, Father on his ibex skin, the others just on the packed-mud floor of the upper storey. They always ate up here. It was much more pleasant than down in the workshop. Rivkah looked around. She was still hoping for an opportunity to quietly put some cooked barley to the side for Kaleb without anybody noticing. Shomer was busy feeding little Susannah. Nepheg was just explaining to Shallum how he could single-handedly defeat the entire Assyrian army. Mother was complaining loudly that she suspected they had not been given the full ration today. Nobody seemed to listen to her. Father certainly didn’t appear to. He had closed his eyes and leaned back, reclining on his right hand. With the left he stroked his beard. It was the perfect time! Rivkah took a small shard and scooped some gruel out of her bowl. She quickly hid it under a fold of her dress.
“What are you doing there?” Of course, Shallum must see it!
Rivkah inwardly screamed at her brother, Shut up! She could have strangled him. “Just eating.” Rivkah knew she was blushing.
“Leave your sister alone and make sure your own bowl is clean.” Mother came to Rivkah’s rescue. She had heard enough complaints from the boys for one day. “But . . . ” Shallum began.
Mother didn’t let him finish, “You won’t get any more tonight. So you better eat what you’ve got. I see your bowl is not that clean.”
Shallum just looked at Rivkah in puzzlement but proceeded to lick his bowl as he had been told. Normally Mother would have scolded him for not using a piece of bread to wipe the bowl. But today they didn’t have enough bread.
That was close! Rivkah was sure Shallum wouldn’t bring it up again during the meal. She just had to disappear immediately afterwards before he could ask any questions. Hopefully he would forget about it later on.
After the meal, Father uttered a short prayer to Baal asking for an abundant supply of food. Everyone rose. It would have been Rivkah’s task to wash the dishes. But she had something else in mind. “I’ve got to go outside.” Nobody really seemed to listen, but Rivkah was already halfway down the ladder. Outside the house, she did turn towards the sewer but then walked further up the lane. Here she sat in the shadow of a wall and waited.
It was dark by now. Stars shone in the night sky and a breeze rustled through the streets. The lane was quiet. In the distance she could hear the shouts of men and the subdued hum of a city under siege.
And then he was there! A moist tongue licked her feet. “Kaleb!” Rivkah flung her arms around the dog and drew him close. He eagerly ate what she offered him. “I know it’s not much. A handful of barley and a small piece of bread. But it’s all I have. I have to eat something too.”
Kaleb licked her hands. He seemed to understand, but clearly could have done with more. After a while he realized there was no more and stopped searching, just lying across Rivkah’s legs.
“Oh, you’re still heavy enough. I thought you might have lost a bit of weight, Kaleb.” Rivkah stroked his fur. Kaleb snuggled against her. He was content and could have stayed there till morning.
“Hey, old pal, I can’t stay too long. Have to go back to do the dishes. So you better get off.” Rivkah pushed him off her legs. Kaleb got to his feet reluctantly and shook himself from head to tail, as if he had just emerged from the side of a warm fire into the frosty air. He whimpered. He was no longer the fierce, wily dog, but more like a small puppy seeking comfort and warmth.
“Kaleb, I’ll see you again tomorrow.” Rivkah caressed his ears. He trotted beside her, head down, as they walked along the lane. One last pat and Kaleb scampered off into
