by Tim Chaffey
Zain bowed slightly. “My name is Zain, and this is my friend Noah.”
“I’m Tubal-Cain. It’s good to meet you.”
“It’s good to meet you as well,” Zain said. “I’ll get right to the point. We’ve heard that the people of Havil have learned how to work with a metal called iron, and that it is much stronger than copper. Based on what I see in here, I assume the rumors are true.”
“Yes, it’s much stronger than copper.”
Noah pointed to the spot where Tubal-Cain had been working. “Is that iron you were working with?”
“It sure is.” Tubal-Cain wiped his face again and set the cloth on a nearby workbench. He picked up a metallic bar that was about a cubit long, a handbreadth wide, and less than a finger tall. “Here, look at this.”
Noah grabbed the metal and ran his fingers along its surface. “It is heavy. You said it’s stronger than copper?”
Tubal-Cain grinned. “Try to bend it.”
Gripping each end of the bar, Noah exerted downward pressure on the ends while trying to force the middle to bow upward. He increased his force until his ribs reminded him of his recent brush with death. The metal would not budge.
“Use your knee,” the assistant said.
Noah glanced at Tubal-Cain who gave him a go-ahead nod. Noah put the middle of the bar above his knee and grunted as he strained to push both sides down. The bar held fast. He gave up and nodded at Zain. “Much stronger.”
Noah set the bar on the counter next to a small, shiny figurine. He touched the yellowish ornament. “May I ask what this is made from? I’ve never seen a metal that looks quite like this before today. It has an appealing quality to it.”
“We call it gold. It’s pretty common around here.”
“Is it strong like iron?” Noah asked.
Tubal-Cain chuckled. “No, it’s very soft. Sounds like you must not have it in your city. Speaking of that, where are you from?”
“We’ve traveled from the other side of the sea to find out more about iron,” Zain said.
Tubal-Cain raised an eyebrow. “All that way for iron? What do you need it for? Weapons?”
Zain shook his head. “We’ve no need of weapons where we’re from.”
“Truly? I wish I could say the same about Havil — that’s what a lot of our iron is for.”
“Why?” Noah asked. “Do you have enemies?”
“No foreign enemies, but we arm our guards to keep the peace within the city. We’ve grown so quickly in the past decade that we’ve had to triple the number of troops.” He shrugged and looked at his assistant. “Guess that’s good job security for us.”
The other metalworker nodded. “Indeed.”
Noah stretched his fingers to relieve the minor cramping in his forearms. “So where do you find —” The door behind him swung open. Noah turned to see four armed guards file into the shop. Instinctively, he backed up and stood next to Tubal-Cain.
The guards wore the same uniform he had seen on the two standing by the massive door in the courtyard. Long light brown leather tunics with strategically placed pieces of shiny armor attached to them covered the troops from their thighs to their shoulders. One man stepped forward and removed his helmet. He stood tall and dropped his gaze. “Sorry for the intrusion, Master Tubal.”
“No need to apologize, Kenter. What do you need?”
The man’s eyes drifted from Noah to Zain before settling back on Tubal-Cain. “Four men arrived in our city asking where they could find the ironworkers.”
“Have they done anything wrong?” Tubal-Cain asked.
The soldier shook his head. “No sir. The king would like to speak to them and welcome them to Havil.”
Tubal-Cain crossed his arms. “And why would the king trouble himself with four men inquiring about metal?”
The man furrowed his brow. “Metal? No, it’s not that. It’s how they entered the city. The men came from the sea. ”
“How is that possible?”
“They arrived on a large boat. The king is curious about their vessel and wants to invite them for evenfeast.”
Tubal-Cain turned to Zain. “Did you come on a large boat?”
Zain nodded, and Noah easily read the disquiet in his face. “Yes, sir.”
“And the other two men?” Kenter asked.
“They are merchants,” Zain said. “They stayed in the marketplace to visit some of your inns and to purchase supplies for our return trip.”
The soldier gestured for Noah and Zain to follow him. “We’ll take them to the king.”
Tubal-Cain held up a hand. “Hold on, Kenter. We were in the middle of a good discussion. I’ll take them myself. You can look for the other men if you’d like.”
“As you wish, Master Tubal.” Kenter turned and led his men out the door.
Curious, Noah gave the blacksmith an inquisitive look. “If you don’t mind me asking, why do the king’s guards take orders from you?”
Tubal-Cain smiled. “Oh, didn’t I tell you? I’m the king’s son.”
Chapter 26
I’m heading out for the day,” Tubal-Cain said to his assistant. “Why don’t you finish what you’re working on and take the rest of the day off too?”
The burly man’s face lit up. “Really? Thanks, Boss. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Tubal-Cain nodded. “Greet your family for me.” He opened the back door of the shop and gestured for Zain and Noah to move past him.
Noah shaded his eyes as he stepped into the sunlight. “Thank you for showing us the rest of your forge and for explaining where to look for iron and how to separate it from the rocks.”
The king’s son moved alongside them and guided them to a trail that led straight to the giant stone wall. “I’m glad I could help. It would be a shame for you to travel so far and not find answers.” He stopped and looked up, rubbing his bare chin with his thumb. “You know, if my father would allow it, I would be willing to accompany you back to your city and train some people to work with iron.”
Stunned by his offer, Noah noticed that Zain appeared to be equally surprised.
“Do you really mean that?” Zain asked.
“Of course. I’ve never been very far from here before. Just to a few small nearby towns and the mines.”
Zain held up both palms. “And how much would it cost us?”
Tubal-Cain motioned to the enormous edifice rising before them. “Cost?” He chuckled. “My family owns all of this. I think I could manage to cover my own expenses. Well, I may need you to prepare some of my meals. I’m not much of a cook.”
“Thank you for your very generous offer. We’ll definitely consider it.” Zain glanced at Noah, who nodded slowly.
“Fair enough.” Tubal-Cain moved quickly toward the wall. “I’ll take you to my chamber. You’ll need to get cleaned up before meeting my father.”
Noah and Zain followed him as he led them alongside the wall for about two hundred cubits. The wall doubled in height before they arrived at a small door. Tubal-Cain pulled a thin metal object from a pocket on the front of his robe, inserted it into a slot in the door, and turned it. He withdrew the object and opened the door.
Noah pointed to the item as Tubal-Cain slipped it back into his pocket. “What is that?”
“Oh, it’s a key. Something we invented around here several years ago to lock and unlock doors.”
Noah peeked inside the door. “I suppose I’ll see plenty of new things this day.”
Tubal-Cain grinned. “You probably will. Let’s go inside and find out.”
Zain and Noah entered the doorway, and Tubal-Cain stepped in behind them. He closed the door and turned a small knob above the handle. “Now it’s locked again. Follow me.”
He led them through a short hall and then up three flights of stone stairs. The stairway ended at a wide hallway. Tapestries and paintings lined the walls. Sunlight spilled in through openings on the roof and oil lamps burned to light otherwise dark areas.
“We
just finished building this whole complex earlier this year. I requested that my room be built near Blacksmith Row. I’m the overseer for all the metalsmiths in town.” He gave a goofy smile. “Now I can truly oversee them.” He stopped and opened a door on the left. “Welcome to my room.”
Noah stepped inside and his mouth fell open as he scanned the spacious room. A large bed rested against the middle of the far wall. Metal weapons hung from the walls along with paintings and technical drawings. In the middle of the stone floor lay a massive furry rug from an unfamiliar creature. “Incredible.”
“You like it?” Tubal-Cain asked.
“It’s very nice. Just a little bigger than mine.” Noah laughed. “Actually, it’s larger than my house.” Noah studied one of the hanging weapons. “This is extraordinary work. Did you make this?”
Tubal-Cain nodded and reached into a large cabinet set against the near wall. He pulled out two luxurious robes and set them on the bed. “You may wear these tonight. I need to go find out when my father would like to meet with you.” He pointed to a door past his bed. “There’s a wash closet in there. Go ahead and get cleaned up, and I’ll be back soon.”
Zain and Noah looked at each other but neither moved.
“It’s fine,” Tubal-Cain said. “Make yourselves at home. I’ll be right back.” He closed the door behind him as he left.
“So.” Zain kept his voice low. “What did you think about his offer to return with us?”
“I was just going to ask you that. I think he seems very genuine.”
“I do too.”
Noah glanced at the door. “How would the council react if they knew the king’s son returned with us?”
“I’m not sure. I haven’t really seen much to be concerned about yet. Our meeting with the king should be quite informative.” Zain rubbed his eyes. “If our blacksmith is as honest as he seems, he may be willing to view this trip as if he is simply providing a service for us rather than establishing diplomatic ties. In that case, I would give you permission to accept his offer on behalf of Ara, as long as you understand this is not an official offer from Iri Geshem.”
Noah nodded. “I’ll think about it.” Noah looked at his well-worn wrap. “We should probably wash up if we’re to meet a king.”
Zain tilted his head toward the washroom. “You go ahead.”
“Can you believe this place?”
Shaking his head, Zain said, “I’ve never even imagined something like this. And our host is so friendly. I wonder if his father is the same.”
“I do too.” Noah grabbed one of the robes from the bed and strolled into the wash closet, which he soon found out was incorrectly named. The closet was larger than Noah’s bedroom. A considerable basin full of water rested on a stand in one corner near the stool. I’ve never seen one of those indoors before. Along the far wall lay a lavish tub. An array of towels hung from a nearby rod. Noah dipped one of the smaller towels in the basin and wrung it out. He quickly undressed and cleaned himself thoroughly. When he finished, he put on a clean undergarment from his pack and placed his wrap in the bag before spreading the towel over the rim of the tub. He held up the ornate robe and examined it before putting it on. A shiny metal sheet on the wall reflected his image. He turned to the side and admired how the outfit appeared on him, although the robe had no belt, so he had to hold it to keep the front closed.
Knowing they may not have much time, Noah opened the door and moved back into the bedroom. “Your turn.” He smiled. “Don’t get lost in there.”
When Zain closed the wash closet door, Noah moved toward the robe cabinet to find a belt. As he reached the animal rug, the door to the hallway opened and he froze.
“Tu, help me out.” A young woman stepped into the room and stopped when she spotted Noah. Something about her reminded him of Emzara, and it wasn’t just the fact that they were both beautiful. Her light green gown appeared to have been made from the same fine material he now wore. Hanging from the edge of her shoulders down to her ankles, it perfectly accentuated her attractive figure. She scanned from his head to his feet and smirked. “What are you doing here?” The words were more of a demand than a question.
Noah quickly closed his robe and tried not to blush at the awkwardness of the moment. “I’m sorry. I was looking for a belt.”
“Where’s Tubal-Cain?”
“He said he had to find out when the king wanted to meet with us and then he would be right back. And we’re here because he said that we needed to get cleaned up before we could see his father.”
“Wait.” She pointed at him. “Are you one of the men from the boat that everyone is talking about?”
Noah nodded. “I see news travels fast around here.”
“All day everyone has been buzzing about the sea people. That’s what they’re calling you.” She crossed her arms and leaned against the wall. “Where are you from?”
“We’re from a small town on the north side of the sea.”
“You said ‘we.’ Is someone else here too?”
Noah gestured to the wash closet. “My friend Zain is getting ready.”
She furrowed her brow and looked down as she pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “Did you say you were from the north?”
Noah nodded. “Yeah, we left a few weeks ago and just arrived today.”
She shook her head as if clearing her thoughts. “I’m sorry. I never introduced myself. My name is Naamah.” She walked toward him.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Naamah.” He gave her an easygoing smile. “I’m Noah.”
“Noah?” She pushed her lips to one side and gave a puzzled look. The young woman was playful like Emzara too. A tinge of green matching her dress gleamed from large, otherwise brown eyes, and her smooth brown skin dimpled in the middle of her cheek. “I don’t ever remember hearing that name before. What does it mean? Wait, let me guess.” She twisted a strand of hair around her finger. “Storm?”
Noah chuckled. “No, actually it’s quite the opposite, although storm would be more intimidating. My name means rest.”
She bit her lip, almost as if she were disappointed. Then she brightened and laughed. “I wasn’t even close. Well, Noah, how about I help you find a belt, since my brother didn’t leave one for you?”
“Thank you.” Noah started for the robe cabinet again and then stopped suddenly. “Tubal-Cain is your brother? Then that would make you the king’s daughter.”
Naamah gave him a half-smile and nodded slowly.
“Forgive me. Is there a title I should use to address you?”
She snorted lightly and shook her head as she walked to the wardrobe. “How about Naamah?”
Noah breathed a sigh of relief. “That sounds good to me, Naamah.”
She reached into the large cabinet and pulled out four stylish belts. She held them up in front of Noah to see which one would match his outfit. She handed him the last one she checked. “This one.”
Noah quickly wrapped it around his waist and tightened it. “Thank you.”
“Of course.”
“What are these robes made out of?”
She raised an eyebrow. “They’re silk. You don’t have silk where you are from?”
“Not that I can recall.”
She placed the other belts back in the wardrobe and then turned to face him. “I wonder if you would be so kind as to help me.”
“Sure. What do you need?”
“I was going to ask my brother, but obviously he’s not here. I’m trying to get ready for tonight too, but my necklace has a knot in it. Would you see if you can untangle it for me?” She turned her back to him and pulled her hair up, revealing that the neckline in the back of her gown plunged beneath her shoulder blades.
Noah took a step closer and caught a whiff of her appealing fragrance. Her raised arms were well-toned and the skin of her neck and upper back was perfectly smooth. Noah spotted the knot in the necklace and tried desperately to focus on it. Wishing he hadn’t agreed to help her,
he reached for the knot and carefully avoided touching her. He pulled it back slightly to give himself some slack. With his heart racing, Noah untangled the knot, and while holding a loose end in each hand, he quickly put his left hand over her shoulder and grabbed the end of the necklace with his right and pulled away.
She let her hair down and turned around. “Thanks.”
Noah did a double take upon seeing the pendant in his open palm. The image of Aterre’s mark flashed through his mind, followed by the memory of the tree in the courtyard. Sepha! Noah thrust his hand toward her but avoided making eye contact. “Here you go.”
Naamah ran her fingernails across his palm as she snatched the necklace. “Now I can finish getting ready. You really helped me, and I’m glad you’re here.”
He nodded. “Thanks. It’s been quite a trip.”
“Well, I hope we can make it even better.” She grinned and then turned away. “I’ll see you tonight.”
As Naamah headed for the door, Noah glanced once and caught her striking figure before averting his eyes. He had already seen more than he should have. He walked over to the bed and sat down on the softest surface he could remember. Noah closed his eyes and Naamah’s smile popped into his thoughts. He opened his eyes and stared at the rug. Struggling to block the images of Naamah from his mind, he forced his thoughts back to Iri Geshem and Emzara. He finally relaxed when he could focus on her. Em, how I wish you were here now.
Zain opened the wash closet door at the same time as Tubal-Cain entered from the hall. “Is there a belt for this thing?” Zain asked.
Noah laughed to himself as Tubal-Cain hurried to his wardrobe and found the appropriate strap. He retrieved an outfit for himself as well.
“Looks like you both are ready.” He walked to Zain and handed him the belt. “I’ll wash up, and then we’ll go see my father.”