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They were led by an angel named Mastema who, it was rumored, was the incarnation of Elyon himself, even as Chemah in the guise of Belphegor had come against them in the days of Lael.

It was also said they originated at Toturo in the Saiph League and had commandeered the ferry at Sadl, though the king of Alodra gave them no leave to pass through his realm under arms. The force commanded by Mastema was sufficiently large to turn back the king's own frontier guard, although with much difficulty. The Alodrans attacked their unprotected flank at Melak and were spent to the last soldier. Yet they took such a toll in battle deaths and other casualties as to reduce the invading force by a third.

After hearing tidings of the battle Dathan entered the Tent of Meeting, taking thought to beg God for help, though it was not yet the Day of Atonement appointed for the high priest to speak with Bat-El. When he was inside the tent he remembered certain writings in the White Scroll. Dathan dared not touch the Ark to remove the cover, lest he suffered the same fate of Jared for his own defect in ritual. Thus Bat-El remained silent and Dathan departed the tabernacle no more the wiser than when he entered.

When Dathan faced the people he told them God would speak no words to him. "Therefore, I will bring the Ark to give to these invaders, lest all the people of the city perish."

But Boel, the second son of Cheran, said, "Brother, I, knowing how God has always been our salvation, will not be party to such unfaithfulness, nor will anyone else who stands with me. We would, rather, march north with our backs to you than remain waiting in Suhar while you betray our God and full willing give his holy Ark to our foes. Have you forgotten the words of David when he came to us in the reign of our father?"

On that day the Roshites of Suhar were divided, father against daughter, mother against son, brother against sister. Fully half of the Levites went north with Boel, while half remained behind with Dathan. Likewise half of the Judahites departed with Boel, while the rest stayed in the city.

Before he departed Boel said, "Cursed are you, Dathan, son of Cheran, for you have dwindled in unbelief, and worked to drag down half of the Remant to share in your iniquity. Our God spurns you. The blades of your enemy shall cut you off from the living, you and all the men of war who march with you."

Then Dathan with two of every three men who would not go with Boel marched south, carrying the Ark of God.