Ezrae & The Rat Pack: “All About the Boys, Part One!”

The wind whipped around him inside of the tent, kicking up the outer flaps where they weren't tied down, and catching the sand with the magic from his blessings.

Ezrae focused on the memories he wanted to see, and the familiar scenes began to form around him…

"Hahaha! Too slow, Taza!" An 11 year old Ezrae beamed at his friends, having just tackled and caught his Egyptian friend, Taza. The two of them rolled over in the sand laughing, as their other friends, Caleb and Amon came over to sit with them, also chuckling along.

Ezrae and Caleb were Israelite Slaves, and they shared a bond because they were both orphans, being raised by their grandfathers.

It was in the year 1295 BC, when Ezrae was only 5 years old, that his parents were killed… His father, Saulus, was an Israelite Slave, and a fisherman. His Mother, Zahra, was an Egyptian Peasant woman, and an artisanal basket weaver.

Because they had fallen in love, and willingly married, they received a lot of abuse, and mistreatment; Both from Israelites and Egyptians, alike.

Zahra constantly faced ridicule from her fellow Egyptians. They would call her terrible names, acuse her of "Eating Garbage," and interrupt her day with violence, from time to time. The guards would just look the other way, and laugh at the "Girl who married the Slave-Boy."

Saulus, too, would be unable to find peace or rest, as he would receive harassment from Israelite leaders for not marrying within the faith. It wven went so far as the Israelite Elders threatening to excommunicate him, unless Zahra converted, died, or he left her.

Saulus refused to force Zahra into any of those options, and he told her if she wanted they could run far, far away, where no one could find them, and just be alone. Of course, she refused this offer, and instead decided to convert, and become a Child of God.

This action, however, just upset a lot of people even more; especially the Egyptians. They saw this as a massive and ultimate betrayal to their faith, and a plot was made to eliminate them.

One day, while Saulus was fishing in the Nile, he was ambushed from behind by a group of Egyptians, and struck with stones, until he died.

When he didn't come home that night, Zahra went looking for him with her son Ezrae, and Saulus' Father, Amitai.

They searched all over for him, and finally found his lifeless body on the shores of the Nile, half submerged in the water. Zahra collapsed next to her husband, cursing the gods, The Pharaoh, and the People of Egypt.

Amitai took Ezrae, who was too young to understand exactly what was happening, and he took him home. Zahra spent the night with her husband's body before going to the Royal Palace, so she could speak to the Royal Guards and make arrangements to speak with the Pharaoh. And that… was the last she was ever seen.

The next afternoon, Amitai brought Ezrae to where they had found Saulus the night before, and had left Zahra. Yet, somehow… there was nothing there… Nothing. No blood, no marks, no indication of anything at all. It was cleaned, perfectly, as if by magic…

Amitai had no idea what had happened to them, and didn't have the chance to find out, before he died, almost 8 years later... As it was, since Ezrae was now an orphan; Amitai assumed responsibility for him, and began spending all of his time with him.

Ezrae's best friend, Caleb, was an Israelite slave boy, much like Ezrae, and they had grown up together; being only 7 months apart in age. Caleb's Father, Isaac, was an Israelite Male who was drafted into the Egyptian Army, and was put forth in the front lines to fight against the Libyans.

He is assumed to be Dead, or Missing in Action; and had been missing for almost 6 years, before Caleb's mother died.

Caleb's mother was an Israelite woman who was popular among the Egyptians as a wet-nurse and escort; named Golda. At first, Golda was one of the most popular wet-nurses in Cairo, and had business in many areas of the city.

However, after her husband was drafted to the war and never returned… Everything changed for her. She had no choice but to become an escort, and moonlight at brothels all across the city. This was a very unsafe lifestyle, especially in these times.

Due to her exposure to so many different people, diseases, injuries, and environments; she ended up catching tuberculosis, and passing away. This was a slightly more "natural" way, than many of the other escorts of that time died, as being murdered was common, for those in her profession.

It was said her "work" was the cause of her death; the reasoning being because MANY Israelites thought she displeased Yahweh; with her dark, lustful, and promiscuous acts. Unfortunately, she didn't have much of a choice… She was alone and no one would help her.

As such, at the age of 7, Caleb became an orphan, and went to live with his grandfather, Levi. Now, Amitai & Levi, Caleb & Ezrae's Grandfathers, were best friends; both with each other, and with the Israelite Prophet of Yahweh, Moses.

They had worked together for many years as slaves, under Pharaoh Menmaatre Seti I. (The Father and successor of future Pharaoh Ramses II, aka Ramses the Great.)

They also had a very close relationship; so Ezrae and Caleb went from being friends, to basically being brothers.