The End of a Legend: “A New Sun is Rising.”

Ezrae looked around at each of the people around him, one by one; appreciating their qualities, their memories, their strengths and weaknesses, and most of all, their role as Children of God.

His eyes settled on Moses as he came to the final chapter of his story.

"Time passed, but not much. A couple of weeks at most, and we ran into yet another problem. Once more, the Israelites cried out to their elders, who came to me with their complaints. This wasn't entirely strange, but usually someone found moses or aaron before they found me.

Three elders approached me, and they proclaimed the complaints of the Israelites to us. They had begun to grow tired of manna already, and they were almost out of water. Couldn't God make something else for them, and solve their issues of dehydration? Or had we truly brought them to this desert to die a long and painful death in the sun?

So I decided to bring their complaints to Aaron and Moses. And that's when…"

His face went pale, as he admired both Aaron and Moses momentarily. "That's when I overheard a conversation I probably shouldn't have, and wish that I never had. And one that still needs to be explained to me…

I stepped into the tent to tell Moses about the complaints of Israel, and I was met with him saying, 'Yahweh has revealed to me, brother, that you and I will not see The Promised Land, in this lifetime.'"

Ezrae grew quiet and looked down at the ground, fidgeting nervously. He cleared his throat, before saying "And that's all I remember. The next thing I knew, I was waking up here, with you guys."

Aaron spoke up, looking back at his sleeping brother and then to Ezrae and Hur. Miriam reached over and held his hand, smiling at him reassuringly, "it's okay little brother, tell them the truth. Ezrae is clearly much stronger now, and Cale— Hur… Is just as capable."

Aaron nodded and smiled back. "Well… Moses said that he had a premonition while he was resting, and you and I were attending to the Israelites. He said he saw God, once again in the burning bush, just like he did in the land of Midian. And he said God told him we would not see the promised land…

When I asked him why, he said that hubris would be the undoing of godly men and women, and that we would betray His command one day soon. Because of this, he has set us on a path to wander the desert. He did not tell Moses exactly what it is that we would do, so we have no choice to trust in God, and trust In The future of Israel."

He took a break and took a sip from his canteen, wiping the slight sweat from his brow. The weather wasn't too hot, but with the 5 of them in this one tent it was definitely warm.

"For as long as it takes for Israel to grow a backbone, and become the true nation of God, we will wander in this desert. Unfortunately, this won't be realized until mostly all of the older generation dies off.

The younger generation, your generation, had time, and had dreams of freedom. A freedom that you achieved, mind you. But your generation is filled with dreamers, warriors, prophets, and kings. You will do amazing things in the Promised Land, so please, do not dwell on this fact. The elders of Israel have failed their nation for 450 years… It's up to you guys, now."

Hur and Caleb sat in silence, absorbing the weight of the responsibility that was just put on their shoulders, and the realization that they would mourn the elders of Israel, before they would see The Promised Land.

"That's crazy…" Ezrae responded, exasperated.

After a few minutes, Aaron continued speaking, intent on wrapping up their story time so everyone could rest, "So… That's when Ezrae passed out, and you miraculously showed up, Hur, to warn us of our impending doom.

From there, Hur gathered the herbs we used to help you, Ezrae. Miriam prepared the ritual, I carried the words of warning to the warriors of Israel, and prepared them for battle against the Amalekites. And finally, Moses sought meditation, isolation, and conversation with God. He was able to access your blessing, and have a conversation with metatron… I'm sorry, but I don't know the exact details, you would have to ask him yourself…"

"It's fine, Aaron. Truly. I think we all learned a thing or two tonight, and I don't know about you guys, but I'm truly looking forward to hearing all about Hur's whooollleeee life, tomorrow!" He elbowed Hur in the ribs, who had dozed off, and yelped in response. The group laughed together again as Moses was scared out of a deep snore and fell off the chair at Hur's yelp.

From there, everyone settled into a sleeping sack, exhausted, and determined to learn about the intricacies of Caleb's life on the following day.