by Tim Chaffey
Now Noah looked out over a vista of wildlife. In the past few days, thousands of animals had moved into the clearing, and more seemed to have arrived every time Noah looked at them. He scanned the gathering for Emzara. Consumed by wonder, she had barely slept, and her happy chatter about her new findings kept him up late as well. She wanted the sun to rise early so she might have more time to spend with each of the animals. Off to one side of the field, he saw several pairs of young keluks with Emzara standing among them.
“I can’t believe how many there are,” Ham said.
“It’s amazing. Mother said there are already more than a thousand different kinds here. I wonder how many more will come,” Shem said. “I think she is going to enjoy our time in the ark more than anyone. She’ll be around them all the time.”
Noah headed down the ramp. “Yeah, I might not get to see her until it’s all over. Let’s go get that bean brew.”
“I’ll try to find Kezia,” Ham said. “She may have already made some.”
“And I’ll check to see if your mother needs any help before I join you.”
“And I’m going to see what Ar’yel is doing,” Shem said.
Noah and his sons reached the ground and moved in separate directions. Row after row of cages, each filled with flying creatures of a variety of sizes and brilliant colors, lined the base of the ramp. Rayneh dumped seeds from a bag into the feeding bowl in one of the cages. A short distance beyond her, Japheth led a group of tarocs toward their enclosure.
Noah lifted his eyes toward the sky as he pondered the Creator’s ability to bring so many creatures together in an orderly and peaceful fashion. The beasts that had become carnivorous during Noah’s lifetime never bothered those that would normally be their prey, and like the tarocs, they cooperated as they were separated according to their kinds.
The vast majority of the creatures were rather small and light. Emzara said that only about 15 percent of them weighed more than a large sack of grain. At Ham’s suggestion, they had brought out the cages and enclosures for the smaller animals. Housing them now would keep them safe from all the commotion and make it possible to easily carry them onto the ark by the wagonload. Later, the larger beasts would be led directly to their pens inside.
Feathers, fur, and scales filled Noah’s view as he made his way toward Emzara. The smells and sounds produced a picture in his mind of what their time on the ark would be like.
“There you go,” Ar’yel said as she set two palm-sized furry creatures in a little cage. She glanced at Noah as he passed by. “This is amazing.”
“Indeed.” Noah shot her a smile as he thought about her past, living among people obsessed with death. Raised to slaughter God’s creatures for their bones, Ar’yel now took great delight in caring for the animals.
She pointed behind her. “Emzara is over there by the keluks.”
“No surprise there. Oh, Shem is looking for you.” Noah stopped as something whizzed past him. A heartbeat later, a striking blue and green buzzbird zipped in front of him and hovered about a cubit away from his face. It watched him as its tiny wings fluttered so fast he could not even see them. In an instant, the miniature bird sped away. Incredible. Noah grinned and tried to track the creature, but it soon vanished from his sight.
Spotting the keluks, with their telltale long necks and hairy tufts on their heads, Noah dodged an array of scaly and furry creatures as he walked toward his wife’s favorite animals. He found her stroking the neck of one of the brown and white beasts. “Em.”
She smiled at him. “This is so exciting.”
“How’s your counting coming along?”
“It was going well.” She patted the animal before taking a few steps and hugging Noah. “I’m sorry. I got a little distracted.”
He looked into her eyes. “I can see why. This must feel like a dream for you.”
“It does.” She spread her arms out wide. “Seeing all of these at one time. Oh Noah, the Creator is so good to us.”
Noah snorted. “Just remember that when we’re stuck inside the ark and cleaning up their waste day after day.”
“I won’t mind it at all.” She kissed his cheek and stepped aside to pet a different keluk, but it quickly moved away from her, and the others followed. Emzara turned to Noah. “I think they’re afraid of you.”
Noah opened his mouth to defend himself but froze when he saw two man-sized scaly beasts marching directly toward him. Heart racing, he pointed. “I think they’re afraid of those.”
Emzara looked where Noah pointed. “What are they?”
One of the creatures opened its mouth, exhibiting a full set of sharp teeth, and let out a mild, high-pitched bellow. Sporting large three-toed feet, tiny arms, and a long tail that swayed and seemed to balance the weight of the body and head, each of the creatures passed Emzara without looking at her.
Noah’s eyes grew wide and his feet refused to move. “They’re little grendecs. I hope they aren’t hungry.”
The one on the left tilted its head and watched Noah carefully, while the other one stomped straight to him and sniffed at his waist.
Warily eyeing the beast, Noah raised his arms to keep his hands out of reach of its mouth. He glanced at Emzara but refrained from speaking so as not to startle it.
The grendec nudged Noah with its snout and stared up at him for a moment before turning and snorting toward its companion. The other creature clomped to Noah’s side and nuzzled him with the side of its face, while the first one slowly stepped forward, brushing against him as it moved.
Noah let out a nervous laugh before slowly lowering his hand and cautiously resting it on top of the nuzzling grendec’s head.
A low rumbling sound, almost like the purring of a pithoct, emanated from the creature as it pushed its face into Noah.
A sense of peace washed over him, and he chuckled as he gingerly stroked the grendec’s scaly head. With his free hand, he beckoned Emzara to join him.
She tiptoed to him and carefully placed her hand on the side of the grendec.
Without warning, the beast straightened and stamped away with its mate.
Emzara giggled as she watched them move toward the ark. “Were you scared?”
“Definitely.” Noah kept his eyes on the grendecs. “At first, at least. What a great reminder that the Most High is guiding them and will protect us through it all.”
“Noah.”
Noah scanned his surroundings, looking for one of his sons before glancing at Emzara. “Did you hear that?” As he asked the question, he realized the voice had not come from one of his sons.
Emzara shook her head.
“Noah.”
Noah knelt down as he searched for the source. “I am here.”
Emzara leaned down and asked him something. He saw her mouth moving, but he failed to hear her words. With his mind and heart focused, all he heard was silence.
“Noah. Enter the ark, you and all your family.”
Noah bowed his head as he listened to the thunderous yet soothing voice. “Yes, Most High.”
“I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation. Take with you seven pairs of all the clean animals, male and female, along with a pair of animals that are not clean, a male and his female, and take seven pairs of the flying creatures of the heavens, male and female, to preserve their offspring alive across the face of the earth. In seven days, I will send rain on the earth for 40 days and 40 nights, and I will wipe from the face of the ground every living thing that I have made.”
Gradually, the grunts, squeaks, honks, and other animal noises, along with Emzara’s voice, filled his ears.
“Are you well?” Emzara asked.
Noah reached up and she helped him stand. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply before looking at her and stretching out his arms. “We need to load the animals. The Most High says that it’s time.”
Chapter 35
Naamah slammed a fist on the armrest of her portable throne as she stared
at a narrow, three-tiered waterfall ahead. Sparse vegetation dotted both sides of the towering cliffs.
Nivlac glanced up at her. “What is it, my queen?”
“Bring my nephew.”
He directed a hand signal to someone behind her palanquin, which sat atop the shoulders of eight brawny servants.
Naamah turned around as two soldiers stepped out of formation with Purlek between them. They led the ragged frame of a man. Behind them, the army stretched far beyond a bend in the river. Moving a force of 70,000 troops caused certain delays, but it had its advantages. They quickly cut through dense sections of the forest alongside the Hiddekel, and no city — no matter how troublesome or rebellious — dared oppose their march along the way.
Turning her attention from the army, Naamah looked down at the two soldiers and her captive as they stopped beside her. The warriors lowered their gaze while Purlek turned his head to the side, refusing to look at her.
“My dear nephew, did you not tell me that we only needed to follow this river all the way to its source? Where is the garden?”
After a long pause, he slowly turned and glared at her.
Naamah chuckled and shot him a mocking smile. “What’s wrong? You don’t want to talk to your aunt?” She fully intended to keep her promise not to kill him or his wife, but she never told him about the countless abuses they might face from her warriors along the way.
Defiance burned in his eyes, but she held no concerns that he might break free and attack her. In his weakened state, he struggled to even walk.
His eyes gestured toward the waterfall. “You think this is the source? I told you it was atop the highest hill in the region. We must be getting close.”
“If you’re lying to me. . . .” She allowed the threat to remain unspoken. At some point — and he may have already reached it — he would long for her troops to kill him and his wife rather than suffer the ongoing cruelties.
She snapped her fingers. “Nivlac! Find a way to the top of that thing.”
Nivlac broke off his conversation with a soldier. “My queen, the scouts have just returned. There’s a fairly simple way to get above the falls on this side of the river. Shall we proceed?”
“Immediately.” She snarled at Purlek. “You’d better hope we’re close, or you and your wife will learn true suffering.”
Throughout the remainder of the morning and into the early afternoon, Naamah’s army climbed the rocky path near the waterfall and then continued marching alongside the racing river. Dark gray clouds rolled in as her troops hastily cut through thick vegetation, leaving a wide swath through the undergrowth in their wake. A gradual ascent continued until they reached a plateau later in the day.
Pushing back several of the tight braids that swished in front of her right shoulder, and massaging the shaved left side of her head to calm herself, Naamah glanced around. There were no higher hills in the area, as far as she could see, although trees obscured much of her view. She ordered a company of soldiers to split up, study the region, and report back before dusk. Her servants lowered her litter to the ground and soon provided a light meal, but before she finished eating, a scout raced to bow before her.
“My queen, I believe we’ve found it.”
Energy pulsed through her. “Where?”
“Not far.” He pointed past her. “Just through that patch of trees.”
“Was it guarded?”
“We didn’t get too close. The forest abruptly ended, giving way to row after row of different types of trees, but none of them bore fruit. Then, in the center of the others, we saw one filled with colorful fruit.”
“Show me.” She turned to look where the man indicated. “Nivlac. My chariot. Prepare the men to move out.”
Nivlac nodded before hurrying to his captains. In the meantime, two servants delivered her war chariot and armor. As they assisted her with the breastplate, Naamah pictured herself leading a victorious army through the garden. A smile formed as she imagined plucking the fruit and plunging her teeth into it. Eternal life. No more fear of death. Nachash will finally break the Creator’s curse.
Nivlac returned with Commander Tsek and three captains. They each bowed and then Nivlac spoke. “The men are ready, my queen.”
“Commander Tsek, go quickly and follow this scout. Start planning the attack. I’ll arrive with the rest of the army. Remember, no one goes in without me.”
Tsek nodded and ran ahead with the scout.
She glanced at her faithful captain and stepped into her chariot. “Nivlac, lead the way. Tonight, we become gods.”
He failed to suppress a smile as he said, “Yes, my queen.” Nivlac raised his sword and gestured for the troops to follow.
Naamah followed her right-hand man through the small wooded area, and before long they arrived at a large clearing. Just as the scout revealed, a clear break could be seen between the forest and many rows of various trees. She found Tsek in the middle of the open area, gesturing for her to join him.
“Mighty Queen,” he said, “I’m not sure how to plan for an assault. It appears the tree is unguarded.”
She stepped out of her chariot and strode toward him. “What do you mean?”
“Look there. Could that be it?”
Naamah stared down the rows of fruitless trees until her eyes locked on to one standing in the middle. Large and inviting, it bore oblong fruit that were almost a deep purple on top and changed to a golden red hue at their base. Her mouth watered, and she wondered about the consistency of the flesh — soft and juicy, or firm and crisp like a malid? Large flowers hung like graceful dancers from the branches as well. Mesmerized, she finally pulled her gaze away. “And you’re sure it isn’t guarded?”
Tsek shrugged. “I see no one.”
Nivlac folded his arms. “Rumors tell of mighty protectors who will kill anyone trying to enter. I don’t see anything like that.”
Naamah narrowed her gaze and studied the area for a long while. Finally satisfied that the tree was unguarded, she carefully considered her next move. She had waited too long for this moment to make a mistake now. If anyone else reached the fruit before her, he could become an invincible adversary and she would likely lose her position. And if two people ate the fruit, then what? Could she bear sharing her rule with another? She trusted only Tsek and Nivlac to obey her in the face of such temptation.
The scout faced Tsek. “Commander, do you want me to run in there?”
Tsek frowned at the man. “That’s the queen’s decision.” He faced Naamah. “My queen?”
Naamah searched both directions but saw no sign of any guardians. Still, she did not want to underestimate the Creator. Somehow, He had kept Noah safe in the arena. Could this be another one of His tricks, or were the rumors about protectors simply that — rumors? She gazed at the fruit in the distance, and a strong desire for it filled her. “Commander Tsek, go get me some of that fruit.”
“Yes, my queen.” Tsek’s eyes gleamed as the sides of his mouth turned upward. He whirled and strode toward the entrance to the garden. He paused for a moment and looked side to side. He took several more steps before glancing over his shoulder. “I don’t see—”
A flash of light appeared at Tsek’s side. Before the commander could react, a giant being swung his sword through Tsek’s midsection, and the master war strategist’s upper body separated from his lower half as he collapsed on the ground. A few gasps sounded forth before a hush fell over Naamah’s troops.
Another flash of light brought a second enormous being. They looked like humans, except their bodies glowed faintly and they sprouted four large wings from their backs. Roughly ten cubits tall, the two musclebound creatures made her giant soldiers look rather small.
Naamah’s face burned with anger as she glared at the entities. They’re real! I knew the Creator would trick us.
The first sentry sheathed his sword and stood with his arms crossed. “Naamah, daughter of Lamech.”
She stood tall, glancing at her
troops before returning his gaze. “I am Naamah, Queen of Havil and ruler of all lands. Stand aside or I will kill you.”
The second guardian slowly shook his head. “Naamah, sister of my fellow servant, Tubal-Cain, the Creator has stationed us here to prevent anyone from entering the garden.”
She spat in their direction. “The Creator is a liar and a coward. Nachash rules this world now, and he has chosen me to lead it. Stand aside or die.”
The guardians narrowed their gaze at her and their bodies became brighter. “The Creator is the Most High God, and He will not always tolerate the rebellious ways of Nachash. Like your Greatmother Eve, you have fallen for the lies of the Great Deceiver.”
Clenching her fists, she looked back at her army as it continued to assemble inside the clearing. Her confidence grew along with the sheer number of soldiers. She closed her eyes. O great Nachash, now is your moment. Show your strength and help us defeat your enemies. Turning her gaze back to the powerful beings, she pointed directly at one of them. “This is your final warning. Stand aside.”
“You will regret any attempt to enter the garden,” the second sentry said.
“You’re trying to deceive me. It won’t work. I know you can kill dozens or perhaps hundreds of my men. But tens of thousands will overwhelm you.” She turned and focused on the two captains near Nivlac. “On my command, send four companies at each guardian. Let the giants lead them and overwhelm them with numbers. Also, deploy companies around the entire garden. They cannot fight everywhere at once. Nivlac, take a dozen men around the left side. When the fighting begins, see if you can sneak in and grab the fruit. No one touches the fruit except for Nivlac or me. Go.”
The commanders quickly dispersed and worked to carry out their orders.
Naamah faced the garden again. “O boastful guardians, I’m afraid it’s you who will regret your decision today.”
“Hear me, Sister of Tubal-Cain,” the second guardian said, and all at once the rumbling of his voice was like that of thunder. “Fear the Most High and give Him glory, for the time of judgment has come. Worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them.”