by Tim Chaffey
Metal instruments blasted behind her, and a mighty shout went up from within the gate. “Make way for King Lamech.”
Naamah spun and faced the city. Dozens of guards led a procession toward her. Carried above the crowd on a bed draped in purple and gold, King Lamech sat propped up by multiple cushions. He nodded slowly as the people cheered him.
Tsek bowed as the king’s entourage stopped before them. Naamah quickly lowered her head in a half-hearted bow. Of course he would show up now to steal my glory. She approached her father, composing her features. Be patient. You will find the right moment. “My king, it’s wonderful to see you feeling better on this glorious day. Your enemies have been defeated.”
“And the people tell me that much of the credit for the victory goes to you, Naamah.” His volume barely surpassed a whisper. He coughed and cleared his throat.
Despite her contempt for the man, Naamah smiled. “Thank you, my king.” She swept her arm toward the army. “Commander Tsek deserves some of the praise for his strategy and training of the soldiers. And of course, above all else” — she raised her voice and turned toward the people — “we must thank our great god Nachash for granting us victory. Tonight we worship him with a great sacrifice — a hundred Nodite soldiers!”
The crowd shouted in approval.
Lamech slowly took in a deep breath, “Very good.” His pale face showed that he had many days of recovery ahead. “But there is another matter I wish to discuss with you.”
“Anything, but first, I need to tell you that we figured out who poisoned you.”
He narrowed his gaze at her, a hint of skepticism shone through. “Who was it?”
“Ashur and his wife.” She pulled the vial from her pocket and held it up. “We found this on Navea’s body over there. I believe it’s the same type of poison we sent to them to dispose of their troublesome councilmembers. They must’ve saved some and thought that they would rule the city if something happened to you.”
“And where is Ashur?”
“Right back there.” She pointed toward the man’s remains and grinned as she spotted one of the giants carrying the defeated captain toward them.
“Are you sure it’s the same poison?” Lamech asked.
Naamah folded her arms. “It smells and looks like it, but I suggest we try it out on our enemy to be certain.”
“King Lamech,” Tsek said. “Forgive the interruption. We’ve captured Captain Iradel of the Nodites, but I don’t think he’ll overcome his injuries. You should know that he insulted you repeatedly and accused you of murdering your own father. He also slandered the princess on numerous occasions. I’d love to kill him for you.”
Lamech raised a hand. “Wait. Let me see the man who would dare insult me.”
The giant set Iradel on the ground at Tsek’s feet. “Here is your prisoner, Commander.” He tipped his mostly shaved head toward Lamech. One long braided cord of brown hair grew from the back of his head, and it dropped in front of his massive shoulder as he leaned over. “My king.”
Blood oozed from Iradel’s mouth. One of his legs was badly broken, and his left arm hung limply on his lap. Iradel refused to look up.
Lamech pointed to the vial in Naamah’s hand. “Captain Iradel. I’m told you fought bravely. I would enjoy learning more about such a worthy rival before we put you on trial. I’ll send a healer to your cell. But first . . . you must be thirsty. Have some water.”
Naamah took a cup of water from one of the king’s attendants and quickly dumped the poison into it. She lowered it to Iradel, but he tried to swat it away.
“I insist,” Lamech said. “Ereg, he looks thirsty to me.”
The giant grinned and picked Iradel up again. The captain squirmed and grunted in pain, but the massive man easily restrained him. He held his victim before Naamah and forced him to comply.
Naamah poured the water into Iradel’s mouth and the giant squeezed the man’s lips shut and plugged his nose.
Iradel kicked his good leg and tried to free himself, but there was no use. After several moments, he swallowed and the giant allowed him to breathe.
“You see, that wasn’t so bad, was it? Maybe the next time we offer you hospitality, you’ll accept it.” Lamech chuckled.
“There won’t be a next time.” Iradel sputtered blood and saliva as he coughed out the words. “You can kill me, but you will not defeat the Nodite Empire.” He took in several short breaths as he reached for his midsection. Finally, he looked straight at Naamah and then Lamech, his eyes bloodshot and full of rage. “We will never yield to” — he bent forward and groaned as he fought to compose himself — “to the coward king and his witch daughter.” Iradel dropped to the ground, squirmed in agony, and retched.
Lamech laughed and spit on the Nodite captain. He turned to Naamah and smiled. “Well done, my daughter, great princess of Havil and Iri Geshem. When I heard the good news about the battle, I insisted I be brought here at once to see you. I couldn’t bear the thought of what could’ve happened to you.” His demeanor softened, and he attempted to lift an arm toward her, but he only managed to hold it up for a moment before resting it on his lap. “Please, come closer, so I can embrace my marvelous daughter.”
Naamah hesitated and glanced around to see if any of his men were ready to attack her when she let her guard down. Would he dare try something in front of the army she had just led in their greatest victory? She forced a smile and climbed onto his palanquin, knowing she needed to respond appropriately to keep up appearances. “It is enough for me to know that you are recovering.” She leaned in and wrapped an arm around his neck.
He weakly held her with one arm behind her back and whispered in her ear. “Attempting to kill your own father — you really are just like me.”
Naamah stopped breathing as he spoke. Somehow, he knew. She wanted to pull away, but he mustered enough strength to hold her fast a moment longer.
“You will return to Havil and remain there for the rest of your days, however few or many they may be.”
Naamah drew back as he let go. She nodded as she glared at him. “Thank you, my king.” She stood tall and pointed at Iradel, gurgling as he writhed on the ground. “Ereg, let the poison take him and then drag his body through the streets so the people can see what happens when they stand against Nachash.”
Chapter 11
Iri Dekkel — Noah’s 499th year
Noah stretched out his arms and yawned. The midmorning sun brought warmer air than any day in the past week, and the nap reinvigorated him. After a restless night, Rayneh had finally fallen asleep on a blanket next to him in the wagon, the edges of her lips curled up. Must be having a good dream.
“Look who’s awake.”
Pulling himself up using the edge of the wagon, Noah faced the front of the cart and spotted Elam smiling back at him.
Elam sat on a bench beside Lakh. The old farmer had met them on the road three days earlier and offered them a ride in his large wagon. The two beasts that pulled the cart looked like lunkers but were a bit smaller and faster.
Like Noah, Lakh had decided to move away from Iri Geshem after the deaths of the three councilmembers. He lived a half day’s walk outside the city and had grown weary of the escalating wickedness and its influence on those around him. He knew of Noah the shipbuilder, although they had never met before, and his son had told him about what happened in the arena. Lakh listened to Noah’s recounting of the events, but despite Noah’s assurances that the Creator protected him, the old man concluded that Noah was simply lucky.
During their time together, Lakh frequently reminisced about better days — he even mentioned meeting Emzara once, decades ago, when she had cared for one of Lakh’s animals — but he often grew silent when Noah spoke of the Most High. As far as Lakh was concerned, the Creator had abandoned mankind long ago, so the farmer had no interest in serving Him.
“How long before we reach Iri Dekkel?” Noah asked.
“Not long,” Lakh said. “It�
�s a short walk beyond those crossroads. I’ll leave you there since I’ll be heading east.”
“We’re very grateful for your help.” Elam rubbed the back of his neck. “You saved us a few days of walking.”
“Enjoyed your company,” Lakh said. “It’s refreshing to speak with honest men. Not too many around anymore.”
“Has there been any sign that the Nodites were this far north?” Noah rubbed his eyes.
“Unfortunately.” Lakh nodded. “Their tracks are all over.”
Elam furrowed his brow. “The last town we passed had also been pillaged.”
“They’ll be fine,” Noah said to Elam, but he needed to convince himself, too.
“I sure hope so.” Elam lowered his head and turned away.
Lakh pulled back gently on the reins and commanded the beasts to halt. “This is where we part ways.”
Elam thanked Lakh again and climbed down from the bench. He moved to the side of the wagon and pointed to Rayneh. “Hand her to me.”
Noah gently scooped the sleeping girl into his arms and transferred her to her father. He jumped out of the wagon and, stopping before Lakh, reached up and gripped the man’s forearm. “Thank you again.”
Lakh nodded. “I hope you find your wife. She helped me so many years ago. I’m glad I had an opportunity to return the favor.”
“Me, too. Please remember what I said about the Creator. Don’t believe the lies spread by Nachash’s followers.”
“I know you mean well, Noah. But I haven’t seen anything that would make me believe the Creator still cares about us. Look around you. Does it look like He’s in charge? And if He is, He sure doesn’t seem to care much. Now, maybe if I actually heard from Him — then I might think twice.”
Noah thought back to the strange mix of fear and peace he had felt in the presence of the Most High. He smiled. “Be careful what you wish for.”
Lakh snorted. “Farewell, Noah. And take care of that little girl, Elam.”
Noah and Elam smiled and spoke in unison. “Farewell.”
The old man snapped the reins and the wheels rolled forward. He turned right and his creatures picked up their pace. Before long, he rode over a small hill and disappeared from sight.
“People just won’t listen,” Elam said as they started walking north. A sign at the edge of the road informed them that they would soon reach their destination. The path led into a wooded area before it angled to the left.
Noah shook his head. “I pray he’ll decide to follow the Creator.”
Elam nodded. They walked on for a short while before he spoke again. “Do you think we did the right thing?”
“What do you mean?”
“Showing the Nodites the way into the city.”
“It was the only thing I could think of that might persuade Iradel to spare us.”
“I know. I didn’t mean that to sound like an accusation.” Elam lowered his head. “I just can’t imagine how many people will die, or already have died in the battle. Why did it have to get so bad?”
Noah thought for a while. “I’ve asked that same question many, many times. It breaks my heart when I think of my early days in Iri Geshem compared to now. With each generation, it seemed like they came up with new reasons and ways to rebel against the Most High. It was as if they were blind to the fact that they were destroying themselves. They have no hope.”
“And no joy.” Elam wiped his cheek. “And now Kal is gone.” His chest heaved and he blinked back tears.
Noah searched for the right words, but nothing felt appropriate. He placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder, and his heart ached for Elam and Rayneh. Guilt pricked at him. While they searched for Emzara, Elam suffered from his unimaginable loss.
Elam stroked Rayneh’s light brown hair out of her face and kissed her forehead. “But I still have you.”
They rounded the turn in the woods and Iri Dekkel, or what remained of it, came into view. Charred structures lined the dusty road before them. Blackened stone walls still stood in place, but their roofs lay in collapsed fragments of burned timbers. Other than a light wind passing through the leaves and the peeps of a few songbirds, no sound emanated from the town.
“Oh no.” The words barely escaped. Noah’s stomach tightened and he ran a short distance ahead. “Em!” The birds in a nearby springal tree scattered. “Em!” He spun to face Elam. “I need to check Purlek’s place. It’s at the end of this street.”
Noah ran through the length of the town, yelling his wife’s name. Finally, he stopped when he spotted the wrecked forge at the end of the road. His legs felt weak and he dropped to his knees. “Em!” The shaky, desperate cry sucked every bit of air from his lungs and stung his throat. He hit the ground and closed his eyes. “Creator, please help—”
“Noah!” Elam’s voice sounded hopeful.
Spinning around, Noah found his friend near the top of the hill, pointing toward the river. “What is it?”
“Hurry up!” Elam frantically gestured for Noah to come to him.
He jumped to his feet and raced toward Elam and Rayneh. The little girl stood on her own and took a few shaky steps before falling. Noah ignored his sore knees and ankles, choosing to focus on getting enough air as he sprinted.
A smile crossed Elam’s lips as Noah drew close. He pointed again toward the river. “Look!”
Before he turned, a faint sound reached his ears. Was that his name? Yes, a woman’s voice was calling his name. Not just any woman; it was Em. Em called his name! He scanned the beach. There was no sign of her, but still he heard her voice.
“Across the river,” Elam said.
Noah looked up, and his heart leapt when he saw Emzara on the far shore, waving to him. “Em!” He waved back and then sprinted for the beach. Glancing around for a boat as he ran, he saw only one, and it had been broken in pieces. He stopped at the edge of the water and called her name again.
His pounding heart and the wide rippling river made it difficult to hear her. She pointed upriver and Noah thought he heard the words, “A boat.”
He turned to Elam, who was making his way down to the river. “I think she said the boat is over there.”
“So we’ll just wait here?” Elam asked.
“You can. I can’t wait that long.” Noah shed his outer garment and charged into the cool water. When it was deep enough, he dove forward and started swimming. Memories of racing Aterre and goofing around with his brother flooded his mind as the water swelled around him. But a single image quickly consumed his thoughts. Em! His adrenaline pushed him forward, but he knew the distance was too far to keep up his fastest pace. Slowing a little, he focused on breathing every few strokes, and he soon fell into a rhythm.
Swimming was easier in his younger years. His joints and muscles never ached then as they did now, but he would gladly endure sore shoulders for the next week if it meant holding Em a little sooner. Every stroke brought him closer to her. Regularly correcting his course, thanks to the river’s current, he attempted to keep his strokes even. He checked his path again and saw her wading toward him. She was only a couple hundred cubits away. He plunged ahead, pouring all his strength into every stroke, which quickly made it difficult to breathe.
Em stood up to her waist in the water, beaming with joy and calling his name.
When he could no longer catch his breath, Noah stopped and allowed his feet to search for the river bottom. They found purchase in the soft sand and he stood with his head barely above the surface. He fought for air as he pushed himself toward his wife. “Em!”
“Noah!” She surged toward him.
He reached out and collected her into his arms, pulling her tight against himself. After all he had endured in the previous week, holding her was the greatest feeling imaginable, with just one exception — being in the Creator’s presence. He squeezed her and then pulled back and kissed her. “I missed you so much.”
“I was so worried about you.” Em kissed him again and then wrapped her arms tigh
t around his neck.
Noah did not even mind the pain caused by her shoulder in the front of his throat. He caught movement out of the corner of his eye and turned to see Garun rowing a small boat past him toward the distant shore. Finally, he drew back and looked into her eyes.
Emzara tilted her head to the side a little and furrowed her brows. “Where’s the boat?”
“The what?”
“The other boat. I don’t see it.”
Noah had been through so much in the past week that he had almost forgotten that his other boat had been destroyed after his flight from the arena. Gazing into her eyes made it difficult to focus, but he blinked and allowed his mind to rest on the boat and the flaming arrows. He breathed in and bit his lip. Where do I start?
“And is that Elam and Rayneh you were with?” Em tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear. “Where’s Kal?”
Noah gulped as he unsuccessfully fought back tears. Images of Kal, Tubal-Cain, and Adira in the arena raced through his head. I have to tell her about Adira, too. His lips trembled as he shook his head before burying it against her shoulder and pulling her tight again. “I . . . I’m so sorry.” His body quivered as tears flowed freely.
“What’s wrong?” Em asked as she kissed the top of his head.
Noah sniffled and tried to steady his voice. “I have terrible news.”
Chapter 12
Iri Sana — Noah’s 499th year
Noah finished tying the rope to a post he had put in the ground decades earlier. In frustration, he yanked the frayed ends harder than necessary. His left hand slipped and smashed into the pole. “Ouch!” With a lump in his throat he glanced at Garun. “Would you stay with the boat until we send someone here?”
“Of course. Take as long as you need.”
Emzara wove her fingers through Noah’s. “Your father will be happy to see you. Be strong for him.”
Noah squeezed her hand and then kissed it. “I’ll try.” He put his other hand in his pocket, where a small scroll silently toyed with his emotions.