Then The Deluge Comes (The Generations Book 2)

by Caryl McAdoo

  “Abba, have mercy on me.”

  He blinked and again had returned to God’s Mountain.

  THE END OF ALL FLESH IS COME BEFORE ME FOR THE EARTH IF FILLED WITH VIOLENCE THROUGH THEM AND BEHOLD I WILL DESTROY THEM WITH THE EARTH

  MAKE THEE AN ARK OF GOPHER WOOD ROOMS SHALT THOU MAKE IN THE ARK AND SHALT PITCH IT WITHIN AND WITHOUT WITH PITCH

  The Lord continued speaking, but the words turned into images before his eyes. From start to finish, he saw the giant vessel the Almighty wanted him to build.

  “Yes, Father. I will do as You say.”

  Hattimas handed baby Ham to his grandmother who eased him to her shoulder and patted his back. Shortly, she put him in the cradle with his brothers then nodded toward the door and mouthed, ‘Come.’

  Though she didn’t want to get out of bed, she wanted to hear what the Lord had told Noah firsthand. She eased the covers back, and let her mother help her up and into her robe.

  Her husband entered and took her mother’s place, helping Hattimas to the main room where her father and the grandparents waited.

  “How are you feeling, baby?” Grandfather Methuselah kissed the top of her head, then Grandmother hugged her tight.

  “Good, much better all the time.” She smiled at the old dear. “Sorry it took me so long, Grandmother.”

  “No, you do not need to apologize, not at all. Short of Meve tending her twins by herself, you’ve got a longer row to prune than any of us mothers ever did.”

  Hattimas loved the way the woman looked at life. “May I get anyone anything?”

  Her mother touched her shoulder. “No, dear, we’re all fine. Sit. We all want to hear what the Lord told Noah.”

  Her husband extended his hand, helped her to her seat, though her second favorite. The oldest man occupied her first choice, but she would never say anything about that. Noah remained standing in the middle of the visitors.

  Lifting his hands toward the ceiling, he closed his eyes. “God, You are so awesome!” He opened his eyes, looked around, then smiled. “The last time I went up on the mountain, twenty and one days passed, though it seemed no more than a double handful of turns of the waterwheel.

  “Today, it amazed me that the wheat hadn’t grown knee-high. Shocked to find that I’d been gone only one day, I stand in awe of the Holy One, for He has shown me much.”

  “Ah, a vision is often much better than only words. This is good.” Methuselah leaned forward. “Tell us what you saw.”

  He faced his grandfather. “The Lord is going to destroy the earth with a flood. He said to build an ark.”

  “An ark? But what is it—an ark?”

  He turned to his mother. “The mysterious painting. You saw it first. It looks exactly like what Abba had you paint that day. It’s an enormous boat of sorts, three hundred cubits long, but with a roof. The trunk we sat up on the blocks is to be our center beam.”

  “Whoever has roofed a boat? Like a house, you mean?”

  “Yes.” Noah faced his father. “We’re to put the pitch between the boards. Inside and out, hopefully twenty-one barrels is enough.”

  “Probably not with it being that size. More than likely double that amount.”

  Her mother glanced at her with frightened eyes then back to Noah. “Did he say why He wants it so big?”

  “Yes. He wants to save us…and the animals. It is to be constructed with three floors, one on top of the next.”

  “Like houses? On top of each other?”

  He nodded. “Thirty cubits high and fifty wide. We’re to bring in all manner of food for ourselves and the stock and those He will bring.”

  Hattimas knew for certain her husband had heard from the Lord, but how could it be so? “A flood? Where will the water come from?”

  “He didn’t say, but….” Noah closed his eyes and shook his head. “The earth is full of violence and all kinds of wickedness. He showed me what the sons of Cain are doing to each other. Their evil pollutes the earth, and He has said He will not suffer it.”

  She bowed her head.

  Heal my body, Lord, give me daughters to wife with my sons.

  Adam stood at the edge of the great precipice and watched the condemned fall like autumn leaves in a breeze. The molten rock of Torment sucked them under within a few heartbeats. Their screams and pleading only heard from his perch. So many of his grandchildren. If only.

  “Abba, will there ever be an end of evil?”

  The silence could not quench the hope that lived in his heart. One fine day, when the reconciliation finally took place, he again would walk with the Lord. He and all those who had chosen life instead of good or evil.

  Why did so many of his children tread the path of wickedness?

  “Grrrr.”

  He turned around and burst into laughter. Lion, with a growling Micakel on his back, stood past the forest’s last tree. He stepped forward and hugged the animal’s mane then scratched behind its ears. “In the Garden of Eden, I rode that big cat. You are blessed, little one.”

  The boy smiled. “I know. Meve told me, and she said Lion only lets a few have rides. He likes me. She bids you come. Mother needs you.”

  “She does?’

  “Yes, grandest father of all.”

  “No, Abba is the grandest Father of all.”

  “But He’s not a man, and you are.”

  “That is true. As are you, so tell me if you know. Why does my completion send for me?”

  “The new moon babies! They’re coming, and have need of names, Grandfather. No one can choose names as good as you! You are the best name giver of all! Even Abba thinks so.” The child grinned. “Come on. Want to race?”

  Adam smiled on the outside for the boy’s sake, but winced within. Would the sons of his son ever stop killing their children? He hated the thought of them giving their newborns to the snake. Offering them to the liar’s fire. Hated it that his oldest son had been deceived so long ago by the prideful and arrogant fallen archangel.

  He extended his arms. “Only if you’re on your feet; riding would not be an equal competition.” The little man jumped off Lion and into his arms. He hugged him a good long while then sat him on his feet. “You run on, I’ll give you a good head start.” Watching Micakel skedaddle away, a prayer came into his heart.

  Father, wash away my sins. Cleanse the earth, and let Seth’s sons begin anew.

  Enoch touched the parchment. “What’s that word, Namrel?”

  “That is the name God gave a giant red in the third ring. He created that star…. Oh, let me count.” The cherub put his off-wingtip over his face then shortly emerged smiling. “Seven hundred and forty-two watches ago.”

  “You’ve recorded every watch?”

  “Yes, one of my favorite things to do.”

  Enoch read a few lines of the easier words then pointed again. “Why would He do that? I don’t understand.”

  “It is a mystery, but He has bound Himself by His own Word. So all must fall within those parameters. My brothers and I have often thought we might figure one out if only we studied enough, but that has not happened.”

  Enoch laughed. “Will I ever really know the Lord?”

  The cherub spread his wings then ruffled his feathers with a good shake. “His thoughts are above our thoughts, His ways high above ours, but maybe, someday, we can know them. I have seen bits and pieces of the reconciliation, and even though man was created a little lower than the angels, one day.…”

  “One day, what?”

  Namrel tilted his head slightly. “I am uncertain. Another mystery, my friend. But do you remember when you once tried to describe marriage? Explain to me again what it was like?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “The part of being united with another—two becoming one—that I cannot comprehend…I believe perhaps that might comprise the missing factor of my understanding of the Creator.”

  Enoch nodded. That could be it? Perhaps someday, he would know the Lord and His ways. “So �
��”

  The angel held his hand up. “We have a visitor. Are you expecting company?”

  “No, not me. No challenger has come forward.”

  The angel stood, turned his head, then smiled. “Ah, come and see. It is my pupil.”

  Enoch followed the old one to the back patio. Overhead, Centurion floated down. With one huge slowing flap, the last of the host landed, folded his wings, and nodded toward his mentor. “Namrel.” Then he faced Enoch. “Son of Jared, you look in fine feather, save you are not blessed as we with such.” The giant grinned at his own humor.

  Enoch smiled. He liked this one. “Still no name?”

  “Of late, I have considered a few, but none seem right. Any suggestions?”

  “No, naming has never been one of my gifts. Now Padam, at one quick look, he’d know exactly what to call you.”

  “I have heard the first man named all the animals when he was only a child.”

  “True. One of the children’s favorite stories Padam used to share.”

  Namrel stepped forward. “Care for a cup of tea, Centurion? The red tips are in full bloom. If memory serves, that was once your favorite.”

  “True, but no. I am in need of a look at your book. My song quiver is empty, and the war rages in full mêlée now that the Almighty has revealed His plans to Noah. With so many of my brothers returned to the Temple Built Without Hands to regrow feathers, the outcome appears bleak indeed. Evil abounds on Earth. It runs rampant.”

  Enoch’s heart thumped against his ribs. “Tell us the news. What has the Lord said to my grandson’s son?”

  “He brings a flood of waters to cover the earth and bids your sons build an ark to carry them over to the other side. He says the end of all flesh has come before Him.”

  “The end of all flesh?”

  “Yes, all who have the breath of life, save Noah and those he brings into his ark, will be destroyed. Water will cover the surface of the earth. The Lord spoke it. We must make it so.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Centurion belted out the melody then brought the harmony home as the song swirled on the currents of the Second Heaven. Both of the angels that evil had matched against him, shuddered as feathers fell.

  Before decimation, the pair withdrew to the safety of their own ring. After flying a full circle with no new challengers presenting, he flew to his own ranks.

  After numerous shouts of ‘well-sung’, answered by Centurion’s praise for God’s loving-kindness and grace, he retreated even further, desiring a good preening. Two or three of his main plumes needed attention.

  Besides, he never enjoyed being fussed over for doing his job.

  Rolling his shoulders, he began to stretch his wings, but before they unfurled completely, the Word of God landed in him, speaking to his being. For only a few heartbeats, he studied the map and faces Eloheim had given him, then when satisfied that he knew exactly what must be done, nodded.

  “Yes, Lord. Your will be done.”

  His feathers could wait.

  Two hard flaps carried him toward the stars, and he soon soared over both legions. In a blink, he folded his wings close in and shot Earthward.

  A cohort of evil broke off and flew toward him, but he sang the nearest portal open, then closed it two star twinkles ahead of the malefactors. Bless the Almighty! He loved serving the Creator.

  Twelve furlongs west, another portal opened, but Centurion flew too fast for any of his brothers. At last report, Lucifer and three of his legions engaged Michael and those remaining of his four over Adam’s valley.

  He landed a hundred strides from the wooden structure, folded his wings in snug, retrieved his cloak, and slung it over his shoulders. Outside the entrance, he flipped the hood over his head then tapped lightly. He waited a few heartbeats then pushed the door open, breaking the cross-board restraint.

  A young woman with two small children hiding behind her skirts huddled in the far corner.

  “Woman, hurry. You must flee. Your father and husband have fallen in the battle.”

  Fear etched her face. “Who are you?”

  “A friend. Please hurry. I’ve been sent to get you and your children to safety. We must be gone. The sons of Cain draw near.”

  For another heartbeat, she hesitated. Centurion whistled three notes.

  The woman closed her eyes and listened as he whistled more. Finally, she offered a nod. “I will come. Should I gather anything? Is there time?”

  “No. come now.”

  “Did my father teach you that song?”

  Opening the door, he motioned her to move through it. “Hurry, I cannot fight them all.”

  “You saw my father? And my husband…fall?”

  “Abinell, they are both dead. Now I beseech you, come with me, or you and your children will be on the slave block come morning.”

  Wetness flowed down her cheeks. He could not understand why humans used the water from their eyes or what the tears ever accomplished. Yet the Holy One put great importance on some. The woman took her children’s hands and rushed past him.

  “Where are you taking us?”

  “To your kin. I know of a village of Sethites who dwell in peace and safety.”

  While Centurion brought the two-wheel cart from its place, he checked the mob’s progress as they climbed the hill toward him. The stink of their torches reached him. He lifted the second child into the wagon and the woman put the other one in the back. “Where’s the donkey?”

  “No need, get in. If we leave the beast, perhaps they will think you and the babes are hiding somewhere close.”

  She did, and he picked up the handles and pulled, mindful to only go a bit faster than the approaching raiders. Once the torch scent left his nostrils, he slowed to a more comfortable pace. Perhaps the young lady would think he tired, but in reality, he desired a rhythm that would allow the little ones to sleep.

  Of all the sounds in the universe, a small human’s cry troubled him most. It put an urgency in his soul like none other.

  The mother’s song of comfort quieted. He glanced over his shoulder. She slept snuggled with her children. He slowed the pace even more. Surely the mob had turned back and sought shelter. No man traveled when the mist rose if he had a choice. The wetness that came up from the earth never bothered him though. He loved running in the surf of the Crystal Sea, and the dew was akin.

  The first drop of dew wet his nose. He’d never imagined it rose that high. He eased the handles to the ground, removed his cloak, and spread it over the sleeping woman and her offspring.

  He unfurled his wings and wrapped himself, totally shielding the humans. Off to his left, a big cat roared, and the night creatures crossed his path.

  While thus, he remembered the last Changing of the Watch. Even the memory of being in God’s manifest presence gave a peace that passed his understanding. If only he could know the fullness of God’s mind, but not even Namrel had seen nor recorded the end of the Creator’s majesty, all the facets of His greatness.

  And as eldest of the Cherubim, only the mysterious clan of keeper angels were more ancient. A rare lot those keepers. How much did they know? No one would ever have the answer to that wondering for the One Who sits on the Throne alone knew their strange tongue. By His unfathomable design, He created them that way. One more mystery.

  The mist lessened then settled to the ground. Centurion tucked his wings, retrieved his cloak and continued his journey by the moon’s light. At first hint of dawn, the woman stirred then requested a stop.

  Upon her return, she walked next to him as he resumed his trek.

  “Are you a son of the giants?”

  He glanced at her. “No.”

  “How is it that you can pull a cart all night without rest?”

  “It is how the Lord made me.” He smiled. “Just as He created you to be able to bear children.”

  “Are you taking us to Adam’s valley?”

  “No. How is it you know of it?”

  “My mother
’s grandmother came from there, or so the story goes.” She removed a pin and shook her hair. “Is there truly such a place?”

  “I have heard stories of the first man who lived in the shadow of God’s Mountain.” He glanced again at her. No need to tell this daughter of Eve more than necessary.

  “Of what tribe are you? I’ve never heard of a son of Seth so big or as strong as you.”

  He turned his head slightly from side to side, then added a tinge of annoyance in his voice. “Perhaps one day, I will tell you my story.”

  The young woman fell silent, more water leaking from her eyes, like his words wounded her anew. The sun lit the eastern sky with a dozen shades of red and gold as the star shone above the firmament. She sniffed then hugged herself.

  As the world God so loved awoke, and came to life once more, the fowl of the air tweeted and chirped, singing their praise. Horses whinnied in the distance, and a wolf howled. All God’s creatures praised His goodness.

  For a few heartbeats, she hummed softly then offered a weak smile. She surprised him by breaking into a cheerful song.

  “Good morning, Lord. The sky’s a blazing with the glory of the sun arising in the east. Rooster’s crowing, birds are singing, and I’m knowing that Your love will never cease.” She twirled around then behind him , then stopped and looked into the back of the cart. A sob escaped.

  “No, sing more. Please. I have need to hear it al; do you have its harmony?”

  “Harmony? No, what is it?”

  “Sing, and I will see if I can find one.”

  She sniffed again and wiped her cheeks. “Where did I leave off?”

  “Start over and sing it through again, several times.”

  She did then reached the part he had not yet heard. “I’m happy just to be alive, Lord, and I give You all the glory all my days. For I can’t see the beauty in the world You’ve made, and not break into praise.”