Pivot of the Sky

Chapter 185: Mount Sinai

Moses and the Ducians were unable to pass through the city of Marduc controlled by Ussir, and they had been balking at the fertile plains from the mountains for months, constantly moving from place to place, searching for water and food in the mountains and wilderness, and living a very hard life.

A road had now appeared between the Euphrates River ferry crossing controlled by the Bablon city of Kish and the city of Marduc. Many expectant explorers were coming to this brand new city in a steady stream, looking for wealth and dreams. There were also many merchants who organized caravans to deliver supplies and bring back the specialties of the Plains of Duc, the journey though treacherous but profitable.

Like a new unknown world given by the gods, the Plains of Duc were full of challenges and opportunities, and people came here in search of hope. At some point of time a legend appeared: that a wanderer with nothing could even come to own a city on the Plains of Duc, gaining wealth comparable to that of a king, and possibly the blessing of the gods in the future. Migrants from the Kingdom of Bablon, of course, chose the city of Marduc, while the caravans went even further, crossing the paths trodden by carts and horses in the wilderness, and also doing business with the city of Salem.

This was the result of Metatros negotiations with Ussir, and it was beneficial to the development of both cities. At present, the biggest enemy of Salem were the Assyrians in the north. If the Assyrians advanced south to occupy the whole Plains of Duc, it will be difficult for Marduc to gain a foothold.

Ussir also did not want to make enemies with the city of Salem as he was happy to see a barrier in the middle of the Plains of Duc blocking the strong enemies in the north. In this way, he could have more time to stabilize the city of Marduc firmly.

The fine iron and leather goods produced by Salem were also materials needed by Bablon, not to mention the parangons. The technique of Duc that originated from Duc Town was passed on by Amon to Lynk, who in turn passed them on to the cavemen from the mountain tribes, and there was now a group of skilled craftsmen in Salem who could not only smelt ores but also create all kinds of fine artifacts.

However, there were restrictions on trade between Bablon and Salem. For example, fine iron and other products could only be shipped out from the Plains of Duc, and not allowed to be shipped in. Weapons, armor, horses and other very important war supplies were also not allowed to be sold to Salem.

If the city of Salem needed these things, they could either build them on their own, or obtain them from other sources. It was for this reason that Amon had to open a trade route in Charcoal Marsh. But even if that long trade route was opened, it wouldnt be able to meet the urgent needs. Right now, Salem was understaffed and had many things to do, so it could not focus solely on building up war supplies.

Before the road in the Charcoal Marsh was opened, Metatro came up with another idea to carry out a smuggling-like trade. As Metatro was originally from the business of smuggling Damasc iron, instructing others to carry out something similar was simple for him.

Going into the wilderness for exploration and hunting was naturally full of danger, so one had to carry weapons, armor, horses. However, the equipment of those expedition teams that went deep into the wilderness were not within the limits imposed on trading. But a full set of fine weapons, armor and war horses was not something the average person could afford to buy, so many expedition teams carried simple weapons and entered the wilderness on foot to try their luck.

One of the merchant houses in Marduc offered loans to these people, and the money borrowed was used to buy war horses and weapons specified by the merchant house. Who would borrow the money and how would it be returned? That was not something to be concerned with, as after entering the wilderness their weapons and horses would be bought at high prices, and even after repaying the loan of the merchant house one could still earn a profit, and there was no longer a need to venture into the wilderness.

It was normal for explorers in the wilderness to lose weapons and horses, sometimes because the road was difficult, sometimes because of encountering fierce beasts, and sometimes even their own lives would be lost. After luckily escaping with ones life from a failed expedition, one could then earn a profit after returning the loan, and then continue to borrow money to buy equipment and then set out again. Using this method, Metatro was able to obtain a constant flow of war supplies for Salem.

Borrowing from the merchant house, the interest that one had to pay was based on time, and if the explorers took too long to return they wouldnt be able to earn any profits, so they had to try their best to make several trips in the shortest possible time to earn as much profit as they could.

The owner of the merchant house in Marduc City was an old friend, Nescot Lee, a great wealthy merchant from Uruk. He not only earned profits from lending, but also from selling various war supplies. He organized merchant caravans from all over the Kingdom of Bablon to transport these supplies to Marduc City, and had a happy cooperation with Metatro.

Because of the excellent operation of Nescot Lees merchant house, the supplies brought in, the customers attracted, and the taxes paid were plenty, which contributed to the prosperity and development of Marduc City, and he was praised by the city governor Ussir multiple times. When Nescot Lee came to Marduc City to inspect his merchant house, Lord Ussir invited the wealthy merchant to a banquet and said he would report Nescot Lees achievements to the kingdom and might be able to obtain a noble title as long as he continued to contribute to Marduc City.

On the high slopes of the mountains, caravans and explorers could be seen traveling through the city of Marduc and Salem, but Moses and the others could not advance as they were bound by an oracle: they were not allowed to build statues of any other god except Marduc.

But they believed in their one and only God and accepted Allahas guidance to get here through all the difficulties and dangers, and naturally Moses and his people were not willing to accept this condition.

At first they prayed to the gods all night and then heard the voice of the messenger. Metatro told them that this was the test of the gods, the last obstacle they had to cross before returning home. The gods had given them faith and courage, and now they needed to solve it with their own wisdom and strength. The implication was that Allaha would not take them there directly, and that this time the people would need to find their own way through the difficult situation.

What to do? From the top of the mountain, they could see the endless Plains of Duc in the distance, but the city of Marduc was in the way, and behind them was a thousand miles of Syah desert. The food carried in Moses space vessel was exhausted, and with Allaha no longer performing miracles, they could only pick wild fruits and catch prey in the mountains to feed their bellies.

The Ducians migrated through the mountains in pursuit of prey and water, and when spring came, they finally stopped their weary steps for a while and found a valley on the edge of the mountains where they could stop. On the slope of the mountain was a thin clear spring, forming a winding mountain stream through a valley sheltered from the wind and sun. Moses took out the grain seeds he carried with him and ordered his people to clear the land by the mountain stream to plant crops and build a simple hut to live at the foot of the mountain.

The clansmen guarded the field from wild animals and took turns to go hunting in the nearby mountains. The seeds had just sprouted, and there was still a long time before the harvest, so they had to go to the mountain streams every day to fetch water for irrigation and hunt for food. The physical suffering was secondary, the most tormenting was the feeling of not seeing hope.

Some of them said to Moses: You let us reclaim the fields and build huts, do you want to settle here? Look around, there are no people in the barren mountains, and not far from the mountain is the vast desert. We only have a small mountain stream in this barren valley and can only build the most simple huts to live. If this is the case, it would be better to stay in Amons territory, why did we have to leave in the first place? We have gone through all the hardships, and what we want is not this result today!

Moses replied: This is only a place where we are temporarily stationed; spring has come, and we must sow for the fall to have a harvest, and with food to get through the next winter to go farther.

A member of the clan asked again: For now? But how long are we going to wander here? Where has the God who guides us gone?

Moses advised: This is Gods test for us, and we have to get through it on our own. Sowing seeds here is for the future harvest, building houses is so that we can rest better and wait for the day when we set out on the journey again, we will have a better hope and future.

Others asked: So can you tell us how long were going to stay here?

Moses did not answer this question, because he himself did not know the answer, only leaning on the iron staff as he said: Look at the ground under your feet, the broken wheat sprouts full of life, and then look at the clouds in the sky, the changing patterns are always so beautiful and magical. If the heart is full of hope, even the sun on that desert is always so bright.

In fact, Moses himself could have quietly bypassed Marduc City and entered the Plains of Duc. After crossing the Red Sea he already had the seventh level achievement of the power of two sides. Although Amon had not yet given him the guidance of the power of origin, Moses was already a supreme mage and a supreme warrior, and he could go anywhere he wanted. But Moses did not abandon his people, he was their leader, and he wanted to fulfill his promise.

The messenger of Ussir told Moses: The great god Marduc has sent down another oracle: You are all the best craftsmen on the continent, and if you are willing to live in Marduc City as well as swear to worship the great Marduc forever, you will lead the most comfortable and happy lives. Marduc City is full of comfortable houses and beautiful girls, and a workshop for craftsmen has been prepared for you, and there is wine at the workbench.

Moses refused the request, but some of them had been moved by the offer privately. Instead of waiting aimlessly here, they should go to a comfortable life in the city of Marduc. If they did that, they would find it difficult to face Allahas guidance, but God had already said that they needed to find their own way to get through the difficult times, and in that case, could they also accept Ussirs condition?

If they gave up persevering, the benefits were at hand, and they had suffered enough for too long. Moses sensed the thoughts of many of his people and was trying to get out of the predicament. He sent the twelve Judges to go up the various high slopes near the Plains of Duc to observe the terrain and check if there were secret passages through which they could pass.

After the twelve Judges left, Moses climbed alone to the highest mountain beside his quarters, which was called Mount Sinai. Moses prayed on the top of Mount Sinai for three days and nights, calling out in his heart: Allaha, my only God, please give us true guidance! I do not ask of you to move the mountain so that we can reach our hometown directly, but only to show us the right faith, and how we can avoid getting lost in the journey.

Three days had passed and the mountain of Sinai was silent. Moses, worried about the condition of his clan, finally prepared to go back and stood up with a long sigh. He was about to go down the mountain with his iron staff when he suddenly heard Allahas voice again: Moses, you could have passed through Marduc City long ago, why do you still stay here?

Moses turned sharply and prostrated himself to the god he could not see and said: My God, you have spoken at last! Marduc sent down an oracle to make us swear that we must not build statues for gods other than him, and this oath stands in the way of the clan.

Allaha asked in response: Have I ever asked you to build a statue for me? If you really wanted to do that, what would it look like?

Moses froze, and after half a day it dawned on him. I understand what you mean now, not building a statue does not shake our faith.

Allaha asked again: Then why have you not led your people into the Plains of Duc until now? Marduc City is not an obstacle.

Moses sighed: But the people do not know this, and even I am not sure. It would be disrespectful to You to agree to such a condition, and the people are afraid of losing the guidance of God and even of Your reprisals. O my God! Are you really unwilling to show your face to your people and do not want us to build a statue for you?

Allaha replied: Yes, I have only given you promises to strengthen your inner beliefs, and you are not required or allowed to build a statue for me. If ever you see my face, it is also a secret that you must keep strictly. For from the beginning, I have made such a pact with my people. Today these covenants are to be made clear, and you are to take them back and announce them to your people.

Moses nodded hastily and said: Yes, please make a covenant with me and my people.

Allaha solemnly said:, You shall have no other gods but me! Otherwise you will lose my guidance, and this is the first covenant. Do not build tangible statues for gods, if that happens, future generations of people may forget the guidance of faith and just pray to the statues on the altar, this is the second covenant. These two covenants are enough to get you out of your present predicament, and this is my request and my promise.

Moses kissed the dirt and said: Thank You, my God!

Allaha added: No one shall act in my name, and each one shall be responsible for his own choice, and this is the third covenant. The people of the clan work hard, and after six days of work they should rest for a day, and should not be driven to labor any more, and this is the fourth covenant. Be respectful of your parents and never forget who brought you into the world and gave you life; this is the fifth covenant.

Moses prostrated himself and replied: I have written all these down.

Allaha continued: I have given you guidance in strength, but also in understanding the trials of this world, the examinations of fate throughout, and there are five additional covenants after returning home. Do not kill innocent people or take the lives of others for money or selfish desires; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness against others; do not covet what is not yours. These covenants you must remember, the city of Salem has preserved for you the land and mines of your ancestors, and you must live in harmony with the people there, and not take everything there for granted because of my promises.

Moses kept in his mind the words of Allaha, which were the ten covenants that God made with him and with his people, and which came to be known as the Ten Commandments. Having said this, Allaha then instructed: You will convey my covenants to the people, and if they will keep it, then I will fulfill the promise and continue to guide them. After this is done, you will then come to meet me on Mount Sinai.

Moses went down Mount Sinai with the agreement with Allaha, passed the spring where the stream originated on the mountainside, and darted along the mountain stream at a brisk pace. He could not wait to tell the good news to his people, and when he arrived at the place where they lived it was already dark, and he was astonished by the scene before him.

Several large fires were lit in the middle of the hut by the clearing, which was meant to be used as a wheat field after the autumn harvest, but now a shining golden calf was placed in the center of the clearing. There were people dancing around the golden calf, and others lined up in a circle to prostrate themselves in prayer to this golden calf.

Moses bellowed: What are you doing! Where is this golden calf from?

His voice carried magic, possessing the power to shock the soul and to bring people out of their stupor. The dancers stopped, and the people praying stood up, with looks of confusion, panic, and resignation. Joshua appeared from the shadows of the hut in a flash, grabbed Moses sleeve and said: At last you are back! Great things have happened here in the past three days, and a god has shown miracles. He whispered what had happened

After the twelve Judges protecting the clan left the camp, and the leader Moses also ascended Mount Sinai, it was as if the Ducians had lost their backbone, and even the wind blowing through the treetops at night became so terrible that they passed the first night in fear and anxiety. In fact, most of them are very strong, comparable to any regular legion of warriors on the road, but for the first time in a long time, they had lost the shelter of a more powerful force, and a moment of fear and helplessness struck them.

The first day after the departure of Moses, there was a disturbing situation. The prey in the nearby mountains became nowhere to be found, and the people who went into the mountains to hunt did not even catch a single rabbit, all returned empty-handed, and everyone went to bed hungry for the first time. The food they carried had been eaten and the last batch had been sown as seeds.

The clan went to sleep in hunger and restlessness, and on that very night, people, whether awake or asleep, heard a voice coming from nowhere, as if it were ringing directly in their heads: Miners of Duc Town, do you wish to save yourselves from a bitter fate? I am the great god Bakri, and I have come to guide you back to the happy home of your dreams.

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