Free Angels at the Gate by T. K. Thorne Page A

Chiram’s dog is here, but I swallow and decide truth is better served than a clever retort.
    â€œShe is my dog, Father,” I say as humbly as I can, casting my gaze at his feet.
    A stolen glance reveals he is not impressed with my humility. “Your dog?”
    I nod, my fingers playing with the edge of my robe. Nami’s timing could not have been worse. As if she feels my attention on her, she lifts her head briefly and looks up at me, still panting, her mouth gaped in a pleased-at-myself smile, and I wonder at my initial assessment of her sense of humor. Does she know she is getting me into trouble?
    â€œYes, Father. My dog.”
    â€œHow could that be?” he demands.
    â€œI … bought her.”
    He scowls. The others sit in silence, unwilling to intervene. “With what?”
    â€œA goat.” I hate that my voice is small, but I also hate displeasing myfather. I want him to be proud of me, but I seem to always be mangling that possibility.
    He sits back and takes a swallow of his tea. I glance again at his face, and hope sparks. Is the corner of his lip twitching?
    â€œAnd how did you obtain a goat, Adir?” he says without looking at me.
    My gaze flicks to Raph, who makes no attempt to hide his amusement. Mika chews the date thoughtfully, his face, as usual, unreadable.
    â€œI earned it, sir, instructing the messengers of El how to speak the southern dialect of Akkadian.”
    â€œThis is true,” Raph offers. “He did earn the goat.”
    Father considers him and seems about to say something before changing his mind. I remember how furious he was to find me in their tent. Perhaps we will not have to enumerate how many visits I made, and he will assume the time he found me was the last.
    â€œIt would please us if you let the creature stay,” Mika says, stunning me.
    Hurriya sputters again. “In my house? A dog—?”
    But Lot holds a flat hand in her direction, cutting off her protests as quickly as Father’s slicing gesture halts further discussion of an issue with me. “If it pleases El’s messenger, it pleases me—” He glares at his wife before adding, “—and those of my house.”
    She stiffens, but makes no further objection. The household is under the wife’s dominion, but a matter of guests takes precedence.
    With a dip of his head, Father acknowledges Lot’s graciousness. “My apologies for the disruption caused by my son.”
    Lot beams, looking to Mika for his approval, but the northman, in his usual manner, retreats to his inner self. He has no allegiance to social niceties.

CHAPTER

12
    Sodom’s sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door.
    â€”Ezekiel 16:49
    W E SPEND THE NIGHT WITH Lot’s household. The following day, Chiram comes into the city and speaks with my father, who calls me to him. “Adir, the caravan requires my presence. I will return there with Chiram and will arrange for the pitch in exchange for our wine and oil as I leave, but scout the market here to see if there is anything else worth taking with us. I will send for you soon.” He gives me two small bags. One, I know has only a small finger ring or two of silver for my belt. The other has more, and I hide it in a fold of my robe.
    Proud to be entrusted to the task, I nod. “I will, Father.”
    He puts a hand on my shoulder. “I will tell Danel that
your
dog is with you.”
    â€œThank you, Father.”
    That afternoon I take Nami with me to scout the goods for sale along the gravel-and-sand streets of Sodom. Perhaps it is the flowers in the women’s hair or the ribbons, but soon I become inured to the city stench.
    Although I have worked with Nami to teach her the rudiments of herding, I wish to learn how to communicate better with her. There is no question in my mind she has received some training. Desert tribes raisesuch dogs with great