Mahlah held her sixteen-year-old sister close. Noah’s head covering radiated the heat of the sun and warmed Mahlah’s cheek. “My heart rejoices that you are here now. I wished to warn you about the snakes, but I thought it best to go after Father.”
    “Then the rumors of rebellion are true?” Noah stepped backward and secured her whip. “Another shepherd told me our clan led the rioters.” Her dark eyes grew somber. “I didn’t want to believe it.”
    “‘Tis true. Father took his temper and insults to Moses.” Mahlah swept a tear from her face. “He is no more.”
    Noah’s chest sank to her belt. She tapped her fingers to her lips. “I did not believe he would act upon his utterances.”  She blinked. “I thought his harshness was for our ears.”
    “Your whole family is out of control. Rocks and whips.” Basemath stomped toward Mahlah. Rolling up her sleeve, she displayed a few small scratches. “My father will hear of this insult. I came at his urging to offer comfort to you and your sisters, and I was attacked.”
    “By what?” Noah crossed her arms. Leather bracelets covered both of her wrists. “A sparrow?”
    Giggles filled the small clearing.
    Not one sputter left Mahlah’s lips. She needed the support of Basemath’s father and brother. “I appreciated your father’s concern, but I will see to the well-being of my sisters.”
    “On whose authority?” Basemath showed little compassion.
    Noah rotated her whip. “Mahlah is the firstborn of Zelophehad.”
    Basemath took a step backward. All the while, she jabbed a finger at Mahlah’s face. “How can you lead a family? You are a woman with no husband. No one has even offered a marriage betrothal.”
    Could this troublemaker shout that truth any louder?
    “Someone will seek her. In time.” Noah seemed so sure of what Mahlah was not.
    Her neighbor barked out a laugh. “Not for a long time. Not after your father brought punishment on our tribe and others. Don’t you want Moses to bestow a blessing on our clan? Come under my father’s tent and all will be forgotten. He will offer a bride price for your sisters.”
    “And what will we do under your father’s tent?” Mahlah breathed deep and kept her feet firmly planted lest she lunge at Basemath. “Serve you and anyone your father deems worthy?” Her chest heaved. “Shall we forget we are the daughters of Zelophehad?” Her eyes welled to the brim at the mention of her father’s name.
    “What name do you want remembered?” Basemath opened her arm in the direction of two curious gawkers. “Nemuel or Zelophehad? The living or the dead?”
    “Zelophehad,” Noah shouted. Her glare glistened with grief, but it challenged anyone to defy her.