by K. Dzr
* * * * *
“Nehemiah, a word with you, please.” The voice of his wife’s grandfather pulled him away from his work. He and Bakuk, still chewing his stick, exchanged glances. As one of the village elders, Zakaria was responsible for Nephram. This was not the first time Nehemiah initiated a project without consulting the elders.
As Bakuk thought back over the years, he realized his friend was a repeat offender. After one of Netiro’s attacks left the temple in shambles, Nehemiah led the men in rebuilding it solely out of mud brick, without the straw, timber, or animal skins that fueled the dragon’s fire. He also led a small band of men to some of the wealthier trading villages to request their assistance. Of course they refused. But he returned with a wealth of knowledge, and was soon designing an irrigation system; digging trenches to create pools that would help keep the fires from spreading. Some would even say he stole Ezria out from under one of the elder’s sons.
Bakuk knew Nehemiah meant no disrespect; he typically spoke his ideas as they came to him and the people listened. He was so passionate about his causes and so believed his words that the minor detail of including the elders often eluded his mind until it was too late. Zakaria knew this as well, but the rest of the elders weren’t as understanding.
The old man led Nehemiah into his home. He paced the room rubbing his temples.
“You know something must be done.” Nehemiah blurted, already knowing the scolding he would receive.
“Of course I know that!” He abruptly turned to Nehemiah. “The time is long overdue that we fight back. You are like my son, and I see great things in you. I look forward to the day that you can take my place, but today is not that day, Nehemiah!”
“Elijah was hysterical, I wanted to give him hope, help him find strength within himself. I didn’t intend for him to go and tell”—
“That mouth of yours! It is as much a blessing as it is a curse. If you came to us first, we could have worked together to come up with a plan. We could back you, stand united before the people and have their support. We are old men; the elders are not going into battle. Certainly we would let you lead this foolish mission if that’s what you desire. But look around you. Crops are destroyed, homes damaged, and strong men injured. If you lead the men to their deaths by the teeth of the dragon, who will rebuild? How can we recover? We will die anyway. Now is not the time for vengeance.”
“I am sorry. You are right. I will end the rumors and tell the people we must focus on rebuilding.”
“It is not so simple Nehemiah. I fear you must attack now.”
“But, you said—
“I know what I said.” Zakaria stopped pacing and stared at the wall. “Do you know why no one challenges the dragon?”
“He is a formidable foe. We are all taught to fear and obey him from a young age.”
“Yes, a lesson you have obviously disregarded. Nehemiah, you are not the first to think you could defeat the dragon. You are not the only man to want a better life for his family. The others just heed our warning, and for good reason.”
“But”—
“No, for once just listen. When I was a child, younger than Demetrius, there was a man not unlike you. He too thought he could rally the people and destroy Netiro. He was a great warrior during a time when turmoil plagued the land. Even the most tyrannical of rulers would protect his people from their common enemies. But not Netiro. He offered no assistance against the invaders; he only added to their onslaught. He demanded just as much food, his temper just as fiery; he had no sympathy for our village whatsoever. This man, I remember him as a giant of a man. But I was just a young child. He was convinced that we could not survive those determined to drive us from our land and Netiro and his demands as well. So he planned an attack on the dragon.” Zakaria closed his eyes and sighed heavily before turning to Nehemiah as he continued his story.
“One night, the man simply disappeared. The roof of his home, pried off. His wife and children lay dead in their beds, or what was left of them, I was told. No one saw or heard anything. As day broke, the dragon returned. He roared overhead, demanding everyone come out to see their hero.” Tears welled in Zakaria’s eyes. He pressed his fist against his mouth, swallowed hard, then gathered his composure. “He dropped the man before us. He was so badly burned I couldn’t recognize him. The dragon warned us that this is what happens to those who opposed him. He said if anyone dared touch the man, they would share his fate. So no one did. Not one of us helped him; we were all too afraid. Every man, woman, and child stood helpless as Netiro sauntered off to feast on our sheep. We were instructed not to move until this man drew his last breath. And so there we stood. The image still haunts my dreams.”
Nehemiah shook his head. He hated the monster even more.
Zakaria wiped his eyes. “There was speculation that Netiro had help. No one could explain how the dragon knew about the plan, unless he had a spy.”
Nehemiah stared at Zakaria in disbelief. “Who could be so treacherous? Who could help such a monster, against his own people no less?”
“No one knew. But if the dragon sought you out and threatened to destroy your family unless you agreed to be his spy, would you decline? I don’t think many men would, so I cannot condemn that man, whoever he was, and nor should you.”
“If this spy were a man when you were a child, then he has likely passed on by now.”
“Most likely. But are you so naïve to think Netiro has not found a replacement? I fear you may have made yourself a target, Nehemiah.”
Now it was Nehemiah’s turn to pace. He ran his hand through his hair.
“Whom do you suspect?”
“I have no suspects.”
“Then I must act quickly. I need your help, Zakaria. I need you to conduct a census under the guise of making sure everyone is safe and accounted for. Say that we’d hate for anyone to be lying in a field injured. If anyone is missing, we can assume he has left to warn Netiro.”
“And if he has?” Zakaria asked, as Nehemiah headed for the door. “And what about the elders? They will resist you every step of the way.”
“I may have just marked my family for death. I don’t care about bruising the elders’ delicate egos. We attack tonight.”