by Tim Chaffey
“You know, I think I’ve changed my mind,” Farna said. “I’m starting to like this place.”
“Farna.” Emzara playfully hit him on the shoulder.
“I wonder if one of them would want to travel with me.” He pointed his large index finger toward the dancers.
Rolling her eyes, Emzara shook her head and struggled to hide her smile. As the dancers reached the tree, they whirled around it, bending low, before righting their torsos, arms outstretched to the heavens. Then suddenly everything paused in dramatic silence. Before long, the drums slowly picked up the pace and volume, causing Emzara’s chest to pound with the beat. The dancers leapt into action and wove toward the focal point of the ceremony atop the main platform, each girl following the one directly before her. They slithered first to the right and then left while proceeding to the base of the stone stairs.
“They almost look like a serpent moving on the ground,” Farna said.
“Yeah.” Emzara watched the procession snake toward the front, and for the first time, she gained a clear view of the woman in the unique gown. Naamah? She glanced at Zain and pointed. “It’s Naamah.”
The serpentine formation climbed the central staircase to the top of the stage. Uncomfortable because of the way their movements accentuated their barely covered bodies, Emzara looked away.
Noah should be here soon. What’s taking him so long? Her eyes searched the terrace when suddenly the drums stopped and clear strains of the most beautiful voice filled the air. All the dancers were gone, save one. Although she cared little for Naamah’s dancing and attire, the princess’s powerful voice captured Emzara’s attention. A young boy drew close and accompanied her on an instrument Emzara had never seen before. This part is beautiful. If only Noah were here to share it with. Most High, bring him soon.
* * * * *
“I’m very impressed,” Garun said. The middle-aged man hurried as he led Noah down the stairs that led to the side door not far from Tubal-Cain’s forge.
Still deeply disturbed by Naamah’s actions, Noah kept silent.
“We could hear almost everything. I can’t imagine how hard it must’ve been to refuse her — again.” He blew out a short whistle. “I admire your convictions.”
“Thanks, Garun.”
“Thank you for honoring the Creator. I prayed you would remain faithful.”
They turned to head down the last flight of steps and one of the knots in Noah’s gut loosened. “You follow the Creator?”
“Keep your voice down.” Garun reached the landing and unlocked the door. “I’m one of the few around here who still do. But it’s becoming more dangerous for us. I fear that things will only get worse after tonight.”
“If Naamah’s going to lead the people to worship the serpent —”
Garun held up a hand. “That’s part of her plan, but I’m afraid she may have more in store for you.” He looked around before speaking. “I don’t know what more she and Nivlac have plotted, but your arrest this afternoon and the mock execution were just part of a scheme to drive you away from your wife and right to Naamah’s waiting arms.”
Noah frowned. “Is Emzara in danger?”
“She’s safe, for now.” He faced Noah squarely. “But you and your people should leave immediately. I wouldn’t be surprised if she tries something directly after the ceremony.”
“You mean we should walk out during the event?” Noah flexed his fingers to loosen his hands up. “Won’t that draw too much attention? We’ll be in the front.”
Garun nodded. “Try to pick the right moment, though it would be better to create a scene than let the princess detain you again.”
Noah grabbed Garun’s shoulder. “You should come back to Iri Geshem with us.”
“I’ve thought about it, but I believe my place is here for now.” He held Noah’s gaze. “If that changes, I know where to find you.”
“I’ll pray for your safety then.”
“Thank you.” He pushed the door open. “Let’s go. Stay close to me.” Grabbing Noah’s arm with one hand, Garun drew his sword and held it aloft with the other. “Make way for the king’s guard!”
The people near them stopped surging forward and created slight gaps. Garun repeated this multiple times, loud enough to alert those nearby, but not so loud as to create a scene. It took some time, but they finally reached the gate. Behind them tinges of orange streaked the lowest part of the horizon as the sun hid itself for the night. The swarm of people stretched farther back than Tubal-Cain’s forge. I don’t think they’ll all fit in here.
Garun continued pulling Noah through the crowd as the last vestiges of sunset faded. Along with thousands of stars, the whole moon lit up the crystal clear sky and bathed the city in its cool glow. On the opposite end of the courtyard, the massive stage rose above the crowds. The swarm of humanity remained quiet, captivated by the song echoing through the expanse. One glance at the woman in green on the distant platform sent chills down Noah’s spine. Naamah’s magnificent voice, which once enthralled him, now only grated in his ears as thoughts of her brought disgust.
They picked their way through the sea of people toward the north wall, where the crowd thinned slightly. Naamah’s song ended with a flurry of drumbeats accompanied by fire and smoke effects. Applause exploded from every direction.
Naamah held out both arms and waited for silence. “People of Havil, thank you for coming to the most important ceremony we’ve ever held. I am Naamah, Princess of Havil.” Her strong voice reverberated against the walls surrounding the throng. “And as you’ll learn soon enough, I’ve recently been given another title, but I’ll allow my father to tell you about that.”
“Did she get married?” a man next to Noah asked the woman at his side.
“I don’t think so,” the woman said.
Naamah turned slightly and gestured with both arms to her father on an elevated throne behind her. “I have the honor of introducing you to the most powerful man in the world. People of Havil, this is the reason you came here tonight — to hear from your ruler. Here he is, my father, King Lamech.”
The massive assembly roared their approval, forcing Noah and Garun to stop momentarily. People soon chanted the king’s name in unison until he stood and motioned for them to be silent.
Lamech stretched his arms out wide. “My people.” His voice boomed across the space. “Welcome to our annual Sepha celebration. Tonight is a very special evening for many reasons.” With his luxurious robe wrapped loosely around him, Lamech paced as he spoke. “You know that Sepha has been tremendous for our people. Under my rule, and through the disciplines taught by Sepha, we’ve achieved much in the past few years. Just look at this place.” He swept an arm toward the palace to his left.
Cheering resumed along with chants of “Lamech” interspersed with shouts of “Sepha!”
“But I believe we can do more. We must do more.” He stopped pacing. “Under my reign, Havil has quickly become the most powerful city on this side of the sea, but we have much to do if we’re going to surpass the city of Enoch in the Nodite Empire.”
Noah and Garun finally reached the north gate and pushed through the influx of people forcing their way into the congested square. Once they passed the cross traffic, they moved a little easier toward the reserved seating.
“To surpass Enoch, we need to learn all we can about this world. We must commit ourselves to seeking knowledge, wherever it can be found. To assist us in this endeavor, I’m implementing three important changes. First, tomorrow we begin construction on the House of Knowledge on the other side of this wall.” Lamech directed an arm to the space behind him. “Our goal is to store all of the world’s knowledge in this consecrated place and make it available to you, the citizens of Havil.”
Applause broke out again as Noah finally reached the base of the stairway that led up to his spot.
“Thank you for the escort, Garun, and for everything else.”
The guard nodded. “Be careful.”
Noah gripped his new friend’s forearm. “You as well. I hope to see you again.” He glanced around. “Just not in this place.”
Garun let a half grin form on his lips. “Farewell.”
Noah turned and bounded up the wooden stairs. A sheer curtain fluttered in the light breeze, obscuring the guests from the view of those behind them. Noah stepped around the drape and located Farna a few seats away from the edge. Zain took up the chair next to him, and then following an open seat, Emzara. Slipping behind his friends, Noah slid into the empty spot and gently put his hand on her shoulder. “Em.”
Emzara spun. “Noah.” She threw her arms around him.
Wrapping her in a tight embrace, he closed his eyes and silently thanked the Creator for giving him the strength to resist Naamah. After kissing Emzara’s forehead, he whispered in her ear. “We have to leave right now.”
She drew back, looked in his eyes, and nodded.
Noah looked around, noting that one of the king’s wives sat directly in front of Emzara. He then surveyed the stage.
The king now stood about four steps down the center staircase. “And our quest for knowledge will be greatly enhanced due to our honored guests from Iri Geshem.” He pointed toward Noah. “Thanks to the ship they’ve made for us, we’ll be able to travel farther and faster than before.” He pressed his palms together and pointed them in Noah’s direction with a slight nod. “Thank you.”
After a brief ovation, the king continued. “The second change I am making has to do with my daughter, the lovely Naamah.” He returned to the top of the platform, where she joined him.
Noah grabbed Emzara’s hand and kept his voice down. “We have to go. It’s not safe for us here and we have much to discuss. Come on.”
“What’s going on?” Zain asked.
“I’ll tell you on the way. We need to leave the city. Tell Farna.”
As Zain spoke quietly to Farna, Noah glanced back to the stage.
Lamech stood in front of the towering covered object. “In addition to being your princess, Naamah will also serve as the high priestess of our enhanced faith.” He raised her arm as the citizenry shouted their praise and approval.
Noah looked past the father-daughter duo to the covered object that took up much of the stage. A shiver slinked down his back when he discerned the shape under the cloth. He cupped Zain’s shoulder. “Right now.”
Noah led his group off the platform and headed for the north gate, while keeping his ears tuned to the king’s voice for any warning that their absence had been detected.
“The third change follows naturally from the second,” Lamech said. “Sepha taught us great discipline. We learned how to fight and control our feelings. But if we’re to achieve a deep understanding of this world, we need call upon the source of that knowledge.”
Noah’s stomach turned. The Great Deceiver was about to strike again.
“Many of us grew up with the story about the first man and woman being deceived by a serpent. Our ancestors used this story to create rules to control us — to keep us from doing what we wanted and to take away our freedoms. But our ancestors lied to us.”
A nervous energy flowed through the crowd. Some of the onlookers they passed seemed confused, while others hung on every word in an attitude of eager anticipation.
“The Serpent wanted to help the first people acquire the knowledge of the gods. He told the truth, but the so-called Creator punished them for their desire to learn. As the years have passed, the one they call the Creator has become weaker and weaker, while the Serpent has grown in power and in knowledge. If we’re going to become the greatest people in the world, then we need to serve the god who can lead us to those heights.”
Noah turned and tapped Farna’s shoulder when they reached the exit. “Head straight to the ship and get it ready to leave. We’ll gather the belongings and the others and meet you there.”
Farna nodded.
“People of Havil.” Lamech’s voice resounded more powerfully than before. “You have the distinct honor of being the first people to serve the giver of true knowledge. It is a great pleasure to introduce you to our new god, the Great Serpent.”
Wild cheering erupted from all directions.
Noah, Emzara, and Zain stopped at the exit and turned back for a final look.
Naamah’s dancers twirled around the cloaked object, while she and Lamech each picked up a rope connected to the covering.
Lamech held his arms upward. “People of Havil, feast your eyes on your god. I give you, Nachash!”
Lamech and Naamah pulled their ropes, and the huge cloth fell from the image. Coated in glimmering gold from its coiled base to its terrifying face, poised as if ready to strike, the towering statue of the Great Deceiver dominated the massive stage.
Naamah faced the multitude. “Bow down in reverence.” She turned and fell on her knees before the image. Waves of people in the crowd followed her example.
Tears dripped from Emzara’s eyes as she looked at Noah.
“I know.” Noah grabbed her hand and pulled her through the open gate. “Come on. We must get onboard as soon as possible. We’ll need the Creator’s wisdom to stand against this abomination.”
A glimpse of Book 2 in the compelling Remnant Trilogy — Chapter 1
Naamah twirled, her bare feet tracing the same intricate steps to the dance that she performed earlier in the evening. Tap, tap, tap-tap-tap. In the final steps of the choreography, her toe gracefully patted against the sandstone flooring that lined the gardens on top of the palace. She dipped her left shoulder and glanced over it to where the seer lagged slightly behind, his lanky frame dark against the backlighting of the torches. Laughing, she ran back toward him and swirled around several potted kalum trees, enjoying the spicy aroma their flowers gave off.
“How did I do tonight?” she asked, looking up at him and hoping he approved.
“Very well, my child.” The old man lightly patted her cheeks, as a father who was proud of his child would do.
“Did I?”
“Yes, your singing mesmerized the people. Hearing your talent in person was greater than I imagined.”
“I’m so glad.” Unable to keep still, she spun as they walked toward the waist-high parapet marking the edge of the expansive rooftop garden.
“You’re a natural leader, and tonight you received some of the recognition you deserve.”
Naamah glowed under his high praise and leaned against the low stone wall. “There were so many people. Look at all the lights below, even this late at night.”
They both peered out at the city, which still bustled. Pockets of people moved about the streets below, laughing with their companions and calling out good-naturedly to other groups that passed by. The sheer number of lit windows indicated that the celebratory atmosphere moved beyond the streets. Music and drumbeats sounded out from a variety of places.
She flung her hands wide. “Isn’t the city magnificent?”
“It’s quite a sight. And you are its only princess.”
“Yes, I am. Everyone got to watch me.”
“And as priestess.” He stroked the serpent image atop his staff. “Introducing them to Nachash was your greatest achievement tonight. Against the backdrop of your talents, the people saw the beauty in following him.”
Naamah pressed her hands together and trembled with excitement. “I can’t wait for next year’s celebration. I’ll dazzle them even more.”
The seer gave a patient chuckle. “I have no doubts, but listen to me.” He grabbed her hands. “Tonight was only a first step for you. With my guidance, you can achieve power you’ve never dreamed of. The success you now feel — and deserve — is only a glimpse of what is to come.”
“More?”
He swept his arm out. “All that you see here — the might of your father’s soldiers and the skill of your craftsmen.” He shook his head slowly. “It’s nothing compared to the power available through Nachash.”
Intri
gued, Naamah looked up and rubbed her chin, pondering the implications.
“The first time we met I saw greatness and giftedness in you. And power — that few can possess and even fewer will be able to resist.”
Naamah leaned in closer. “Show me. Teach me everything.”
A crooked smile spread across his lips. “Patience. It takes time. I’ll guide you in the ways of Nachash, and as you learn, your power and wisdom will grow.”
Hearing the rustle of leaves, Naamah stepped back as she glanced around. “Who’s there? Speak.”
Nivlac stepped forward from the foliage into the well-lit patio area, accompanied by Tsek, a mountain of a man. Nivlac bowed. “Princess, the king’s captain has a message for you.” Nivlac retreated to his post a short distance away.
Tsek bowed. “Evening peace, Princess. I’m here on behalf of the king. He wishes to inform you that he’s pleased with your part in the festivities. Because of your efforts, the people learned how great of a leader they have. Now they have a god worthy of the leader who has done much to build this city into what it is. And you, Naamah, played a part in that.”
Naamah stiffened as Tsek droned on. It’s just like Father to take what should’ve been a simple compliment and make it all about himself. Discouraged, she looked up at Tsek’s strong jaw line as she waited for him to finish. Power? Can I really be as powerful as the seer promised? Could I turn Tsek’s loyalty to me instead of my father? Imagine that. His own captain following me. She grinned.
“I’m glad that you’re pleased with your father’s report of the evening’s successes.”
Pulled suddenly from her reverie, Naamah blinked quickly, attempting to speed up her brain’s responses. “Of course. I’m happy as long as my father is happy.”