by Tim Chaffey
“A sea monster jumped out of the water.” Ashur’s eyes remained wide open. “Did anyone else see it?”
Noah shook his head “Just the splash.”
Farna flashed a mischievous grin. “You boys better find something to hang on to right now.”
No sooner had Noah grabbed the mast than the first wave slammed into the boat, causing boards to creak while the ship lurched sideways. Water sprayed over the port side, dousing him and the others. He tightened his grip and steadied himself for another surging blast. His short-lived wait ended as a second and then third wave crashed against the hull.
While Noah held on for dear life, Farna taunted the sea, laughing uproariously between shouts of, “Is that all you’ve got?” and “Send another one!”
As the surf returned to normal, Noah loosened his grip and looked at each of his shipmates, who all stared at Farna.
“You’re crazy,” Ashur said.
“You didn’t think that was fun?” Farna asked.
Ashur shook his head side to side and then shrugged. “Well, maybe a little.”
Noah quickly surveyed the rest of the ship. The top two crates above their sleeping quarters had shaken loose. After rapidly ascending the ladder on the right side of the cabin, Noah grabbed the nearest loose box at his head level and strained to slide it into position.
“Thanks, Noah,” Farna said. “Be sure to tie them down tight. Aterre, lower the sail so that we don’t drive right into that beast.”
“Got it,” Aterre said.
“There’s another one!” Zain pointed ahead and to their left.
Noah traced the trajectory of Zain’s finger. His eyes grew wide while his jaw dropped. A creature twice the length of their boat launched most of its massive body out of the water, then twisted in the air and crashed back into the surf. As it slammed into the sea, a gigantic spray shot up, followed by the thunderous sound of the splash. Noah looked around to brace himself before the first wave hit, but nothing on top of the cabin offered any promise of safety.
Gripping the tie-down rope, he looked at the approaching swell. I think I can reach the mast. Just then the boat pitched forward and Noah staggered, his grip on the rope the only anchor keeping him from falling to the deck. The hull creaked and the whole ship reeled sideways. Everything seemed to slow as Noah spotted the source of the upheaval from the corner of his eye. His heart leapt into his throat when he realized one of the sea monsters was under the boat. He turned to renew his grip when another jolt shot the heavy box toward him. All of the air in his lungs instantly discharged as the crate hurtled into his chest, and he flew backward through the air. He tried desperately to reach for anything to stop his impending appointment with the deep, but his arms disobeyed his thoughts. Before hitting the water, intense pain from the crushing blow to his ribcage finally registered. He opened his mouth to yell, but no sound escaped.
Terror seized Noah as he plunged into the water. His arms still failed to respond, and the pain in his chest nearly caused him to pass out. Emzara’s face raced through his mind, but imagination was instantly replaced by the reality of a long, scaly tail sweeping past him. Noah’s kicks were too weak to propel him upward, and the fear of drowning or becoming a small meal for the sea monster gripped him. His mind flashed back to Emzara and then his family. Creator, please —
As his consciousness began to fade, he felt himself being yanked upward by a powerful arm wrapped across his chest. Light filtered through his eyelids as his head breached the surface. He begged for air, but his breaths were limited to short gasps.
“I got you, Noah. Stay with me.”
Still fighting to inhale, Noah rolled his head back on the water and saw Zain’s face next to his. The pain in his chest radiated through his body.
A nearby splash caught his attention, but his tension eased at the sight of Aterre’s head and shoulders emerging from the sea. While Zain shifted to one side, Aterre grabbed Noah’s other shoulder, and together the friends raised Noah’s torso. Already the buoyancy kept him better afloat in his new position, “Just breathe, Noah. We’ve got you.”
As they moved him toward the boat, Noah’s gasps brought in a little more air. With the side of the hull looming overhead, Aterre and Zain lifted his arms up to where Farna and Ashur could grab them and lift him aboard. They pulled him onto the deck and he rolled to his stomach, coughing and pleading for his lungs to fill.
Several moments passed before he inhaled anywhere close to normal. Coughing yet again, Noah felt like he had swallowed the contents of the entire sea. Each breath came with a price as the agony emanating from his ribs nearly caused him to wretch. Slowly, he rolled to his back and all four of his friends stared down at him.
“Are you okay?” Zain asked.
Noah nodded weakly.
Ashur looked concerned. “Zain got to you just in time.”
“Now you’ve got a story to tell the grandkids someday.” Farna mussed Noah’s hair and winked. “Welcome aboard. I think I’ll give you the rest of the day off.”
Noah thought about giving a short laugh, but his ribs reminded him it would be a bad idea. Tears filled his eyes. Not knowing if his voice would work again, Noah glanced at each of them and mouthed, “Thank you.”
“Ashur, get that sail up,” Farna said. “Let’s get out of here as soon as we can. Zain, give me a hand with those boxes.”
Aterre put his hand on Noah’s arm. “I thought we’d lost you. Emzara would’ve killed me if I came back without you.”
Hearing her name brought a smile to his face and he closed his eyes. Thank You, Creator. After several more breaths, Noah struggled to a sitting position with Aterre’s help.
“Whenever you’re ready, I’ll help you to your bunk.”
Chapter 25
Havil — Noah’s 45th year
So big.” Noah put his hand on his head, wincing ever so slightly as the bruising in his chest from a week earlier reminded him to move slowly.
“The city or that building?” Aterre asked.
“Both. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Farna whistled. “It’s grander than I imagined, and I’ve heard all kinds of stories.”
The city of Havil spread before them as the boat sped toward the shore. Still at least a thousand cubits away, the enormity of the place dominated the view. Buildings stretched far down both sides of the coast, but all were dwarfed by a massive stone edifice resting on a hill behind the city.
“What is that place?” Noah asked.
Zain shook his head. “I’d guess it’s some sort of administrative building, but it’s at least five times the size of our new hall. What else could it be?”
Ashur squeezed his hands together. “Looks like we came to the right place to learn some business tips.”
“Just remember, we are not officially representing Iri Geshem,” Zain said. “In fact, do your best to avoid mentioning where we’re from.”
“Understood,” Ashur said.
“I think we’re going to create a scene.” Farna swept his arm in front of him. “There aren’t any larger boats out here at all. Just a few solo rigs.”
“You would think a city of this size would have some,” Zain said. “Maybe Ara is the only one who knows how to make boats like this.”
Farna nodded. “We’ll need to be extra careful. I’ll stay with the ship while you all head into town. Aterre, grab one of the poles and make sure we aren’t going to run aground too soon. Ashur, get ready to lower the sail at my word.”
Zain picked up his bag and slung it over his shoulder. “Noah and I will seek out a metalworker. Ashur, you and Aterre check out some inns. Learn what you can, and we’ll meet back at the boat before sundown.”
“Got it,” Ashur said.
Farna raised his arm and then swung it down sharply. “Now.”
Ashur dropped the sail, and the boat coasted easily toward the shore. A small group of people gathered on a dock, pointing and staring in their direction. Tied to t
he side of the dock, a narrow vessel bobbed. The waves grew larger as they reached the shallows, and Noah heard them breaking and slapping against the hull.
Farna, manning the rudder, steered them closer to the pier. “Aterre, slow us down. Zain, ask them for permission to dock. If they let us, then you can get off there, and I’ll take the boat out and anchor in deeper water for the day.”
Aterre jabbed his pole into the water and strained to stop the craft. He pulled it out and thrust it back into the sea, holding them steady and turning them perpendicular to the dock roughly ten cubits away.
Zain stepped up to the bow and cleared his throat. “Peace to you. We are merchants and have come from far away. Is this the city of Havil?”
A young man in a green-hemmed robe stepped forward. “It is. Where are you from?”
“Far to the north,” Zain said. “May four of us unload here?”
Confused, the man looked at his fellows and then shrugged. “What’s your business here?”
“As I mentioned, we are merchants. We are interested in seeing what your city has to offer.” Zain gestured to Noah. “He and I are interested in metalworking while these other two men would like to visit your eateries and an inn. May we dock?”
“I suppose. We don’t have any laws against visitors — we’ve just never had them come from the sea before.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Aterre and Farna brought the boat up softly against the pier. Noah looped a rope around a post at the end of the dock, and then walked across the deck and gingerly picked up his pack. “Time for another adventure.”
Aterre set his pole on the deck and grabbed his own bag. “You feeling well enough for this?”
“I think so. I’ll just need to take it slowly.”
Farna slapped Aterre on the back. “You boys be careful. I’ll see you back here tonight.”
Noah nodded. “We’ll return by sunset.”
Noah followed Aterre as he stepped down onto the dock. Zain and Ashur stood near the men of Havil, conversing in a friendly manner. Noah turned around and looked up at Farna. “Are you ready?”
“I’m always ready.” He untied a rope on the mast.
As Farna hoisted the sail, Noah slipped the loop from the post and tossed it on the ship’s deck. “See you later.” Noah shifted his attention to the men on the wooden dock.
“Thank you for your help,” Zain said to those gathered about him.
“You’re welcome,” one of the men said. “Enjoy our city.”
“I’m sure we will,” Ashur said.
Noah stepped past the group and joined Aterre. Havil, the greatest city of the south, lay before them. Two small boats, if it was fair to call them that, rested in the water beside them. “Where do we even start?”
Aterre shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine.”
Loud footsteps and creaky wood alerted Noah to Zain’s and Ashur’s approach. “Did you find out where we need to go?”
“They were most helpful.” Zain pointed ahead and to their right. “Noah, you and I will find our metalworkers on the western side of town. And Aterre, you and Ashur will find eateries and inns all around town, especially in the market district just ahead. Learn what you can and meet back here. Be sure to get some provisions for our return trip.” Zain took a step and then stopped and turned back. “Oh, and be careful. We don’t know who we can trust around here.”
They stepped off the dock onto a sandy beach littered with tiny broken seashells. An older couple strolled hand-in-hand and barefooted along the waterline, while a large group of boys chased each other around farther up the shore. Several young people played in the water while a handful of adults watched. Happy to be on dry ground once again, Noah inhaled deeply, but the stitch in his ribs cut it short.
As they crested the beach, Havil’s enormity and busyness grew more evident. A wide street ran straight ahead into the city, fringed by an assortment of shops and vendors on either side. A smaller road ran to their left and right, but it was no less busy. People swarmed everywhere and paid little to no attention to the newcomers.
The familiar scent of roasted nuts captured Noah’s attention. “Should we eat before splitting up?”
Ashur shook his head. “I’d rather wait until we visit one of the larger establishments, but you two can go ahead.”
“Fair enough.” Noah motioned toward the vendor selling the fragrant nuts. “Zain?”
“Sure, I could go for some. We’ll see you tonight?”
Aterre stopped and gripped Noah’s forearm. “Stay safe.”
“And you do the same, my friend.” He glanced at Ashur, who stood several paces away, and leaned close to Aterre’s ear. “Ara wanted me to keep a close eye on him. Watch him and tell me if he does anything unbecoming a city official.”
Aterre furrowed his brow. “Ara must have his reasons. I’ll be on the lookout. I also plan to ask about a possible slave trade around here. Who knows? Maybe I’ll get word about my family.” He released Noah’s arm. “Farewell.”
“I pray your search will be successful.”
Noah and Zain purchased some of the sweet-smelling food and enjoyed it as they moved through the town. Along the way, Noah spotted fruits and vegetables he had never seen before. The marketplace eventually gave way to a string of homes larger than Ara’s sizeable estate. The doors of the residences boasted ornate designs fashioned out of an unfamiliar yellowish metal. Beyond the final home, rows of young skarep trees in full bloom lined both sides of the street leading to a massive stone wall rising more than 15 cubits high. Spreading far to their left and right, it seemed designed to protect whatever lay behind it, but the expansive opening before them gave the impression that protection was unnecessary.
“This must be what the men at the dock mentioned,” Zain said. “We need to go right once we pass through the entrance.”
Wide-eyed, Noah stared at his unique surroundings. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”
“Nor have I.” Zain looked at the stones high above their heads as they passed through the gap into a sprawling courtyard. “It’s certainly impressive.”
“That’s an understatement. The metalwork on those homes and the stonework of this wall. ” Noah shook his head. “Simply incredible.”
Zain smiled. “Yeah, but can they match your skill with wood?”
“Based on what I’ve seen here, I’m sure they can.”
“Looks like they hold public gatherings here.” Zain pointed to his left. “My guess is that the leaders sit up there.”
A massive stone edifice rose to the height of the wall and leveled off at the top, creating a large platform highlighted by a pyramidal structure that rose even higher. Three wide, intricately carved stairways, one on each side and one in the middle, scaled the structure’s façade.
“This place is unbelievable.” Noah scanned the rest of the square. Opposite their position stood another, taller wall with a large double door placed at its base. Two men stood at attention, one on each side of the opening. “That must be the building we saw from the boat. I wonder how they —” Noah’s words stuck in his throat as he spotted a large skarep tree in the middle of the expanse, with another guard stationed next to it. He nodded in the tree’s direction. “Does that look familiar to you?”
Zain shook his head. “No, but it sure looks strange all by itself. You’ve seen it?”
Noah scrunched his forehead while staring at the lone tree. “I’m not sure. It seems so familiar, but obviously I’ve never been here before.”
“Come on. Let’s find ourselves a metalworker.” Zain put an arm on Noah’s shoulder and guided him to the right as he continued staring. “It’s just a tree, Noah.”
Noah broke off his gaze and looked ahead. “I know. I’m not sure why it grabbed my attention like that.”
The courtyard stretched for hundreds of cubits in front of them, but was fairly nondescript other than the colossal walls on either side. Noah glanced back at the tree and a
nother image instantly popped into his mind. Aterre! He bit his lip and breathed deeply as a wave of realization swept over him — the Sepha mark on Aterre. Was it merely a strange coincidence or did Sepha hold sway over the city of Havil too? Noah looked at the large ceremonial platform again and a chill shook him as he thought about the activities that might be held there.
“The metal shops are supposed to be just beyond this wall,” Zain said.
“I’m glad we’re almost there.”
They walked through an opening on the western side of the square that matched the one they had entered moments ago. And just like the other entrance, this one featured skarep trees along the road. Noah’s stomach tightened as he considered the evil these might symbolize. Still, he had not seen any hard evidence of Sepha’s presence, so he forced himself to focus on the task at hand.
The street descended into a small marketplace, far different than the one near the beach. Instead of vendors peddling all sorts of food, the buildings featured a variety of silver, yellow, and black metals fastened to their wooden sides. Dark smoke billowed from the roofs of the shops, filling the air with an acrid odor.
“I think we’ve found it,” Zain said.
Noah nodded. “Well, this is why we came all this way. I hope they can help us.”
Zain gestured to the first building on the left, which was considerably larger than the rest. “Why don’t we start with this one?”
Noah stepped forward and opened the door for Zain and then followed him into the shop. The pungent smell from outside intensified, as did the temperature. A high-pitched clanging echoed from the back of the shop at regular intervals.
“What can I help you with?”
As his eyes adjusted to the darkened room, Noah discerned the figure of a man several cubits away. He seemed to be nearly a span shorter than Noah but very strong.
“We’re interested in talking to someone about a metal called iron,” Zain said.
“Let me check if the boss has time.” The muscular man turned and took a few steps. “Hey, Boss, there are a couple of men who want to talk to you.”
“I’ll be right there,” said a man working next to a hot furnace. He struck a metal rod with a thick hammer a couple of times, turned the rod, and repeated the process before setting the mallet down. Next, he plunged the metal into some water, and as the water briefly sizzled, steam rose in the air. As the man strode toward them, he grabbed a cloth from a shelf and wiped the sweat from his face and brawny shoulders. He smiled broadly as he sized Noah and Zain up. “What can I do for you?”