“An Old Friend Returns… With A Warning.

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, rosy pink hue across the vast desert landscape. It painted the sand dunes with a soft, ethereal glow; creating a serene backdrop to this tent of uncertainty.

Moses, his face showing weariness and exhaustion from the day's struggles, approached his brother, Aaron.

Lines of worry and bewilderment were etched deep into every one of Aaron's features, but somehow his eyes seemed to almost be filled to the brim with happiness.

Moses embraced his brother briefly, a mixture of relief and gratitude washed over him. He knew he could count on Aaron to care for Ezrae while he attended to the pressing matters that had consumed their day.

With a nod of acknowledgment, he expressed his gratitude, "Thank you for taking care of Ezrae, so I could help the others... I trust that everything went well, and we had no... issues?"

Aaron returned the nod, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Yes, little brother. Miriam has finished her ritual, and figured out how we can help young Ezrae. However... something did happen while you were gone."

Moses felt a deep and tight flaming knot, forming in his stomach. His weariness intensified, and he could sense the weight of impending trouble.

Without waiting for Aaron to explain further, he stormed into the tent, his anger boiling over. He knew that relying on blasphemy and Egyptian heresy would lead to something terrible!

His voice reverberated with frustration, as he unleashed his pent up emotions, by yelling. "Miriam! What demons have you invited into the house of Israel, to torture the children of Yahweh?"

Entering the tent, Moses took a quick survey of his surroundings. His eyes fell upon Ezrae, still lying unconscious, a silent reminder of their urgent quest.

Miriam, his sister, met his gaze with a mix of amusement and annoyance. But it was the presence of a third figure, cloaked and hooded, engaged in conversation with Miriam, that caught Moses off guard.

As Moses concluded his outburst, the hooded figure cleared his throat gently, rising to face him. The anticipation in the air was palpable.

"Miriam… Who is this." Moses said with a shaking voice. The worst thoughts came to his mind momentarily as he stared at this figure, all of the possibilities running through his mind.

Slowly, the stranger pulled back his hood, revealing his face, and Moses gasped audibly. It was as if his heart had plummeted through his body, hitting the ground with a resounding thud.

"Hey Uncle Moses. I hope you're doing well. I'm sorry to disappoint, but… I'm not a demon."

Moses stood there, his voice barely a whisper, disbelief and astonishment etched across his face. He hadn't seen this man in just over 37 long years…

And yet, here he was… standing before him as a tangible presence.

Memories of their shared experiences, the bond they formed from family, and the hardships they endured together, flooded Moses' mind. Time seemed to stand still, as the weight of their reunion settled upon him, and realization dawned in his mind.

Aaron's gaze shifted from Moses to the man, and then back to moses, slight worry etched into his face, as Moses stood there silently.

Miriam, who was speaking with the man when moses walked in, now wore a look of surprise mingled with amusement, her lips curving into a mischievous smile.

The tent seemed to hold its breath, everything deathly still; as the rosy glow of the setting sun cast a warm embrace over the scene, through the open door. The desert wind whispered its secrets, carrying a foreboding sense of the challenges that lay ahead.

In that moment, the weight of the past and the uncertainties of the future converged. Moses, his voice trembling with a mix of emotions, uttered a single word that encapsulated the depth of his astonishment, joy, and apprehension.

"...Caleb!"