by Tim Chaffey
“Have you ever made a drink with roasted beans?” Noah set his empty cup aside.
“No.”
“Well, it’s a good thing we still have a bunch left in our cart. I’ll make some for you.”
“Beans? To drink?” Emzara looked at him and wondered if he was serious or if he was teasing her.
“Hey, at least beans are edible. Who eats leaves?” He cracked a small smile.
Emzara raised an eyebrow. “Doesn’t everyone? How else does one make a salad?” As his smile faded, she wondered if she had said too much.
“She has a point, Noah.” Ara laughed loudly and hugged her.
“Emzara, you should ask Noah what we planted in one of his father’s fields last year for the family to eat.” Aterre chuckled, clearly enjoying the opportunity to embarrass Noah a little.
Gaining confidence through the fact that Noah seemed to enjoy the light-hearted barbs, Emzara pressed on. “What was it, Noah?”
“We planted several crops. How am I supposed to know which one he’s talking about?”
Aterre crossed his arms. “You know.”
Emzara set her drink down and grinned. “Yeah, you know.”
Noah shot a look at Aterre before sighing and sagging his shoulders in mock humiliation. He smiled at her, “Well, you see, uh, um . . . it was orb plants.”
She gave him a knowing smile. “And what are orb plants?”
His face reddened before he said, “Essentially round bundles of leaves that we eat.”
Emzara laughed along with everyone else.
As the evening waned, Ara got up slowly. “Boys, Emzara and I have rooms upstairs. Your two rooms are off this hallway over here.” He looked at his daughter. “Emz, please take care of these bowls since Nmir went home. I’ll help them unload their cart. Then we can all get some rest.”
Chapter 17
Slowly the wick of the oil lamp caught fire and brightened the dim interior of the kitchen. Noah had extra energy this morning as he anticipated how his mission might go over. He looked around in wonder, surprised by the spaciousness. Mother wouldn’t know what to do with herself in here. This might take me longer than I thought. Finding the oven wood pile in a dedicated bin to the left of the large clay oven, he snatched a couple of the smaller pieces and poked them into the still-glowing embers at the base of the yawning opening. Over that he littered several woodchips, which he found in a small crock. Bit by bit the embers sparked, and little flames appeared, before the fire awoke to full force — just as gradually and groggily as a person might.
Attempting to get all the necessary things in order before the others came down, Noah crushed a handful of Nuca’s beans in a mortar and dumped the grounds into a fine cloth. He pulled the corners of the fabric together, tied them off, and set the pouch into an empty kettle. He found a pot positioned above the flame and, after filling it with water, replaced it so the contents could heat to a boil. Then he located four drinking vessels and placed them on the table.
With nothing left to do but wait, Noah leaned against a counter. Creator, thank You for a safe and successful journey and please grant me guidance through the day. Noah wondered if the other thing on his mind would be worthy to bring before the Most High. Before he could ponder that, he noticed the water was ready and poured it over the sack of beans waiting in the kettle. When he was satisfied that the contents had successfully diffused, Noah pulled the kettle from the heat and removed the spent grounds. He was searching for a place to dump them when Emzara entered the kitchen. He stilled. The room, which had been spacious only moments ago, seemed to shrink. He simply blinked at her, and felt his body temperature rise. Her wondrously large eyes looked at him in mild surprise.
“Oh, you’re up early.”
“Yes. Old habits die hard. We were always up early on the farm.” She’s lovely in the morning, too. Noah held up the cloth, the bottom firmly rounded from the contours of its contents. “Plus, I have this.”
“Smells amazing.” Emzara leaned closer and breathed in slowly before exhaling.
Noah concentrated on not dropping the bag and resisted the urge to lower his head so he could again inhale the spicy-sweet blend of her scent that had mystified and delighted him yesterday when she greeted him at the door.
“Wait until you taste it.”
“This is the bean brew you talked about last night?” Emzara twisted a small curl on the side of her temple.
“It is, and I’ll pour some for you soon.”
“Well, you’ve certainly done a good job of making yourself at home. Although, we might not want to tell Nmir that there was a man in her kitchen.” Emzara’s eyes twinkled in fun. “She won’t know whether to scold first or to rush and make sure all is still in order. Then again, that might be kind of entertaining to watch.” She looked up at Noah and smiled.
“Nmir?”
“Oh, that’s right. You probably saw very little of her last night since she went home to her own little place right up the road. Her official position is cook, but she’s so much more than that. She fusses on the outside, but on the inside she’s as soft as can be.”
“If she helped with last night’s meal, then she’s an excellent cook.”
“That she is. By the way, thank you for getting the fire going.” While Emzara continued talking, she gathered the needed items for preparing firstfeast, and Noah admired the graceful, yet confident way she moved.
He drained the brew into the cups and then stirred some honey into her drink. “I’m almost done with this. Is there anything I can do to help you?”
“Well, the warmed oats are not quite ready to go on the table — they have to boil for a bit. Just to warn you, we usually eat a light firstfeast around here, so there’s not much else that needs to be done. I guess you can help by putting the dishes on the table.” She glanced up at him as she spoke. “They’re tucked away in this cabinet over here.” Reaching above her head, she grabbed four shallow bowls and handed them over her head to Noah.
He took the dishes, and with hands still aloft, tried to step past her toward the dining area. Instead of reaching open space, he found Emzara had moved in the same direction. They bumped into each other. Trying to save the dishes and his balance, his arms lowered around her waist, hands still clasping the bowls.
Emzara dropped her gaze, and Noah detected a deepening in color at the edges of her cheeks.
“Whew, that was close.” He smiled shyly as he eased away from her, trying his best to save the situation. “I’m glad these didn’t break. Nmir won’t have a reason to yell at me yet.”
“Yeah, you’re safe still.” She smoothed her hands down her garment and then tucked an invisible piece of hair behind her ear.
“I’ll get these on the table, and then you can try your drink.” Noah made sure to give her plenty of room before hastening into the feasting room with the bowls. Upon returning to the kitchen, he handed Emzara a low rounded cup. “Try it. Tell me what you think.” He watched closely while she took a sip.
“It’s strong. I can see why you drink it in the morning.” She took another sip. “I like it.”
“I put a little honey in yours to sweeten it. I drink mine without, but my mother won’t touch it unless there’s something to reduce the bitterness.”
“So yours is plain?” Emzara pointed at the cup near him.
“Yes.”
“May I try it?”
“Of course.” Noah offered his cup to her, glad she wanted to see how strong he preferred it.
“Whew.” She shook her head and smiled. “That’s something else. It might take a while to get used to.” She handed the brew back to him. “Thank you.”
Noah took the cup and deftly turned it so that he would drink from the same spot her lips had touched.
* * * * *
“Bakur, this is Noah.” Emzara waved at a man who looked to be a few centuries old.
The scrawny, bare-chested man nodded but continued to push a hand plane in unbroken rhythm ove
r a long, thin piece of wood Noah guessed would become part of the ship’s hull.
“He’ll be staying with us for a while.” Emzara looked up at Noah. “How are we related again?”
“Your father is my grandfather’s cousin.”
Another man walked around the bow of the boat. Broad-shouldered, with a chiseled upper body and an unreadable expression, the man stepped toward Noah. “So, Noah, you’re staying with Emzara?”
“I’m staying in Ara’s home, yes.” Noah shrugged. “For now at least.”
“I’m Pennik. Ara’s apprentice.” He put a hand on Noah’s shoulder and squeezed harder than necessary. “Welcome.”
So this is Ara’s apprentice. Noah ignored the man’s attempt to intimidate him, if that’s what it was. “Glad to be here.”
Pennik looked past Noah and smiled broadly. “Morning peace, Emzara. You look beautiful, as always.”
Bakur cleared his throat, and Emzara glanced at Noah with a sheepish smile. “Thank you, Pennik. Morning peace to you.”
Suddenly Noah found himself irritated by Pennik. He moved toward Bakur. “Can you explain what you’re working on here?”
“Strip of the hull.” He gestured at the skeleton boat above him. “Today we start enclosing the frame. You here to give us a hand?”
“I’d love to.” Noah clenched and released his fist as if by doing so, he could get to work faster.
“You can’t have him.” Emzara laughed. “He’s here for a tour of the yard. I still have to introduce him to Fen and Tssed.”
“Whatever you say, Boss.” Bakur winked at Emzara and leaned toward Noah. “Make sure you stay on her good side.”
Oh, I’d like nothing better. The surprising thought came out of nowhere, and Noah turned away to hide his sudden confusion. “Uh, thanks for the advice, Bakur. Nice meeting you. As soon as the boss gives the word” — Noah tipped his head at Emzara and she gave an approving nod — “I’ll be ready to assist you.”
Emzara set off again, looking over her shoulder at him as she picked up her pace. “Most of the construction goes on outside. We’d like to build shelters at some point, but for now, we have just two buildings. The smaller one is where Baba holds his meetings. I think you were in there yesterday. And this is the main building.” She pointed to the modest-sized, two-story building made with the same mud brick as most other buildings in the city. “This is where I keep the ledgers on the days I’m here. Most of the tools and expensive supplies are kept in here.”
“You aren’t concerned about thieves?”
“Not in Iri Geshem. I’ve never heard of anything being stolen here.”
She ducked into the doorway and Noah stayed close behind, looking around at the interior. On his left, broken only by a window, rows of various tools hung neatly on the wall. Some Noah recognized and he flushed with pleasure at the thought of working with them again. On the opposite side of the room stood various crates he assumed held the supplies. The morning’s coolness still filled the air in this place.
“What’s that?” Noah asked upon seeing a round wooden lid-like object in the corner.
“Oh, Fen made it. Kind of crazy, but it’s an indoor well. Not only is it easier to get water during the day, but the men keep their midmeals here to keep them cooler.” She picked up the lid, and Noah saw a small shelf jutting out not too far from the opening.
“And up those steps?”
“That’s where I work. There’s really nothing up there but a table and my accounts.”
Curious to learn all he could about this young woman who had suddenly captured his thoughts, Noah asked, “Can I see?”
“Of course.” Despite her shrug, she looked somewhat pleased and led him up the stairs. “Here it is. See? Nothing much.”
As Noah’s head cleared the threshold of the upper room floor, he saw tidily arranged and stacked pieces of wood, no more than a finger thick and all roughly the same size. “So tell me what I’m seeing.”
She went over to one of the piles and lightly rested her hand on the edge. “These are made from the leftover pieces of wood. I keep records on them about our customers, the details of their order, and when we promised to deliver. I also keep track of all the supplies that come through and where we get them from. We cut down most of our wood. Baba owns a forest on the other side of the river. But we’re also able to get other types of lumber from all over as traders come in with their wares.”
“This looks like a strange customer. Did you draw this too?” Noah picked up one of the wood tablets and held it up for her to see.
“Oh, that. Yes, well,” Emzara extended her arm to grab it from him, and for the second time, he saw the color in her face deepen. This could be fun. He held it out of her reach.
“I don’t think I’ve seen someone with that long of a neck. Plus, that’s a lot of hair coming out of his ears. And what are these horns in the center of his head?” Peering closer at the drawing allowed her the opportunity to snatch it out of his hands.
“This is a keluk.” She looked at him with what seemed to be a hint of a challenge.
“I know what a keluk is. Those pesky animals kept getting into our malid orchard.”
“You’ve seen them before?”
“Many times.”
“Then I envy you. I wish I could see one. They don’t live around here, but I’ve seen them on objects that some traders have brought and heard merchants talk about them. They’re my favorites.”
He nodded toward the portrait. “It’s pretty accurate for never having seen one.”
“I like drawing animals.” She paused. “And anything else, really.”
“Well, if that one is any indication, you’re pretty good at it.” Noah said.
“Thank you.”
“So that’s what you do when you’re working then, huh?”
She feigned offense. “Yes, that’s why Baba hired me, so I could spend all day drawing.”
Noah smirked.
“I drew this during some free time.” She hesitated as if not sure what to say next. “Well, should we go down and finish the tour?”
“Lead the way.”
Emzara headed downstairs. “Do you have any questions about anything so far?”
“Seems straightforward enough. Why did you start working here?”
“I wanted to spend more time with my father.” She paused and leaned her attractive figure against the frame of the open door. Tilting back her head, she closed her eyes briefly, welcoming the warming rays of the sun. Unable to look away, Noah couldn’t decide what he liked better, the effect of her long lashes resting down or the playfulness in her eyes when they were open wide.
“As you know, my mother died right after I was born. Even though I was under Nmir’s care, I spent much of my childhood here. I loved spending time with Baba and watching the bustling activities. I wanted to be near him, so I strived to be as helpful as possible. The energy here is invigorating: the hard work, the deadlines, the focus, and the people that come through. I love it all. The other men treat me like I’m one of their own daughters.” She made a face. “Well, except for Pennik.”
“They don’t. ” His words stuck and he cleared his throat. Brushing at a speck in his eye, Noah suddenly felt out of sorts. “They don’t mind taking orders from someone so young?”
“I don’t really have any authority, but they treat me as if I do. I just do what I can to keep things on track.” She crossed her arms. “Besides, I’m not that young. I’m 34, which can’t be much younger than you.”
“I turned 40 earlier this year. That was the day my father told me about this place. I’d been longing for some time to become a carpenter’s apprentice, but it seemed like I was destined to work on the farm for my whole life. Then my father surprised me by telling me about a relative of ours who builds the boats that run the river.” He ran his finger along one of the tools on the wall, trying desperately to keep from staring at her. “Did your father train you to do your job or did you figure it o
ut along the way?”
“As I got older, Baba started teaching me little things about the business, and then a few years ago I started this system of keeping records. I split my time between working here and managing our home with the help of Nmir and Adira. It keeps me busy but I like what I do.”
Noah joined her as she pushed away from the doorpost. “Speaking of what I do, I should probably turn you loose so I can get started on my duties.” She walked toward the open shipyard and threw a grin back his way. “If you’re able to get work here, do you think you’ll catch on, or will Baba have to find someone else?”
He hurried to move alongside her. “Oh, I catch on pretty quickly. You won’t get rid of me so easily.”
“I guess we may find out soon enough.”
With palms sweating and heart racing, he tried to respond, but something held his tongue. What’s wrong with me? I’ve never felt like this. He stole a couple of glances at Emzara as they walked and it hit him. He was smitten. So this is what it feels like.
Chapter 18
Hand me that piece of rope in the corner.” Noah grunted as he used one arm to hold onto the roof’s beam and dropped his free hand into the ceiling space of his and Aterre’s future abode.
Aterre retrieved the requested item. “Here.”
“Got it.” Noah pulled himself up and double-checked the positions of the two beams that met at the apex of the roof to his left. “Does this look straight from down there?”
“Yeah, it’s good.”
“Okay.” Noah carefully lashed the timbers together around a crossbar at the peak. Finding its way through the trees, a light breeze brought a welcomed coolness to an otherwise warm evening. The rhythmic lapping of waves on the shore joined with the irregular squawks of sea birds soaring over the large bay, creating a melody all its own. “Now I need the hammer.” While he waited, Noah dug two pegs out of the pouch slung at his side and was ready when Aterre handed the tool up. Bam, bam, BAM. The sound echoed through the milknut trees. With the next peg in place, he squeezed the handle tight and drove the hammer violently against its mark. No longer focused on the peg, all he sensed was the impact each strike created.