by Tim Chaffey
“How?” Emzara buried her head in her hands.
“It’s not what you think.” Adah rubbed her forehead and looked down. “I didn’t have a choice. I already had a family. One night, a group of raiders attacked our village. They killed all the men, including my son. And I still don’t know what happened to my daughters. They were tied up and led away. I assume they were sold into slavery.”
Noah held his head in his hands and shuddered. “Did you get your daughters back? How did you meet Lamech?”
“He led the group that attacked the village.”
Emzara’s jaw dropped momentarily. “And you married him?”
Noah winced at her tone, and the queen’s eyes flared with long-simmering anger. “Not all weddings come from love. I was forced to marry him. It was marry him or die.” Adah’s gaze slid out of focus, and she stared blankly at the wall behind them. “At that point, my only thought was to stay until I could find out what happened to my girls. But my plans changed when I gave birth to twins.” She gave a bitter laugh, and Noah’s heart clenched as he recognized a strong sense of resignation and self-loathing that he had recently caught glimpses of in Emzara.
When Adah continued, her smooth voice had changed, carrying a hiss of rage as she spat out the words of her story. “And I’ve hated nearly every moment of it. If it weren’t for my boys, I would’ve run long ago. But I’m afraid of what they’ll become with him as their father.” She sighed. “Oh, what I wouldn’t give to be free of him.” Her voice grew quieter. “He even bragged about murdering the young man.”
Noah felt his heartbeat quicken. “Excuse me. Did you say that he bragged about killing a young man?”
She nodded. “Isn’t that what I mentioned earlier?”
“No.” Noah shook his head. “You said it was a troublemaker and someone who got in the way.”
Adah lifted her head in understanding. “Oh, well yes, the troublemaker was the young man. Kenter specifically told me that Lamech boasted about killing a young man who had injured him. I didn’t know what he was talking about because he didn’t have any injuries when he came back.”
Emzara’s eyebrows scrunched together as she faced Noah and mouthed, “What?”
“Are you sure?” Noah asked.
“That’s what Kenter said.”
Emzara’s gaze flicked from Noah to Adah and back again to Noah. She spoke softly. “So Baba wasn’t the target.”
“No, that would mean that Aterre was,” Noah said. “But what did he . . .”
Adah leaned in and tilted her head to one side. “What did you just say?”
“I was just confused because we were sure my father-in-law was targeted, but it sounds like they were after my friend instead.”
“Yes, but what did you call your friend?”
“His name was Aterre.”
Adah sank back in her chair. “I thought that’s what you said.” She forced a smile. “I haven’t heard that name in a long time. That was my son’s name too.”
Noah’s mouth dropped open as memories tore through his mind. Aterre’s village was attacked and so was Adah’s. His mother and sisters were taken. Aterre slashed the face of the man who grabbed him, and Lamech has a huge scar on his face. And Aterre’s accent was the same as Adah’s.
Noah steadied himself and turned to Adah. “When you first met Lamech, did he have that scar on his face?”
Adah drew back at the strange question. “No, it was a fresh wound.” She paused and her lower lip quavered. “What are you saying?”
Noah trembled as he took in a breath through his mouth. “My best friend was also your son.”
Sobs rocked the queen’s body. All of her austere mannerisms fled. “No!”
Tubal-Cain paused before putting a hand on her shoulder, but Emzara hurried around the low table between the bench and the chairs and knelt beside Adah, reaching for the older woman.
The queen bent down and welcomed Emzara’s embrace. She composed herself after several moments and faced Noah. “So Aterre survived the night our village was attacked?” She dried her cheeks with the shoulder portion of her gown. “How did he ever run into you since you live so far away?”
Noah thought back to his first encounter with Aterre and smiled. As Emzara held Adah’s hand in support, Noah recounted some of his favorite memories with Aterre, with Tubal-Cain and Emzara adding details along the way, and the queen laughed and wept throughout.
When Noah finished talking about Aterre’s relationship with Jitzel, Adah said, “I’m so glad to know that he escaped that night and met all of you. As you said, he always was full of mischief. Did he ever mention us?”
“He always wondered what had happened to you and his sisters,” Noah said. “In fact, after his wedding, he was planning to come here to look for you. He even asked the king about help . . .” Noah clenched his jaw and slammed his fist on the table.
“What is it?” Emzara asked.
Noah’s breathing increased and his face flushed. “That’s how Lamech figured it out.” Noah pointed at Adah. “Aterre asked about his mother and sisters at the council meeting. The king even talked about recognizing his accent.”
Having recomposed herself, Adah held onto her placid, stately demeanor, but her shaking hand reached to clutch Emzara’s.
Noah scrambled to his feet and paced the room. “What a wicked . . .” He grabbed a cushion and threw it against the wall and yelled in anger. “He needs to pay for what he’s done.”
He turned back to the women to find Emzara staring at him with wide, sympathetic eyes. Tubal-Cain moved toward the door and waved his hand to instruct Noah to join him. “Let’s get some air. I have an idea.”
Noah followed Tubal-Cain a short distance from the house. The cool, fresh air greeted his lungs, and he took it in greedily. Suspended just above the treetops ahead of him, the nearly whole moon lit up the evening. The dew-drenched grass soaked Noah’s feet as he walked. “So what’s your plan?”
Tubal-Cain stopped and faced Noah. “The annual Serpent ceremony is in two days. What if we told the crowd that my father murdered two innocent people in Iri Geshem?”
“How would we do that?” Noah pointed to the house. “Emzara won’t let me go near the city.”
Tubal-Cain stroked his beard. “I can do it. I could interrupt the beginning of the ceremony. I’m sure the people would be surprised to see me and allow me to speak for a few moments.”
“You would openly stand against your father?” Noah crossed his arms. “I appreciate your desire to expose his evil deeds, but you might end up dead too.”
“I don’t think it would happen.”
“Why not?” Noah asked.
“Because I think the crowd would turn against him if they knew what he was really like.”
“And what if they didn’t?”
Tubal-Cain blew out a breath. “That’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
“You need to think about Adira now, too. What would she do without you? And what do you think she’d do to me if I came home without you?”
“She’d probably kill you.” Tubal-Cain slapped Noah’s shoulder. “See, it’s a good plan.”
Noah laughed and sensed some of his anger settle. “Do you really think the people of Havil care what he did? They seemed quite willing to follow him the last time I was here.”
“Yeah, but not if they knew what kind of man he really is. They believe that he’s just a man who helped expand their city, but I don’t think they would put up with him murdering innocent people — especially when they find out he killed the son of his second wife.”
“I know I wouldn’t follow him.” Noah stared at the ground. “It still seems quite risky.”
“That’s because it is.” Tubal-Cain adjusted his wrap. “But do you have any better ideas?”
Noah tried to come up with another strategy to turn the people against the king. “Are there others who would stand with you?”
“You mean besides you?” Tubal-Cain chuckle
d but let it fade when Noah remained quiet. “I know this is serious. You and Zara don’t have to take part. I’m sure we’d have the support of the guards Garun talked about, along with Adah. And I’ve got several friends in the city who would join us and tell others too.”
“I don’t think Emzara and I can lose another friend right now.”
“Look, maybe this will work, maybe it won’t. But I’ve got to try something. As much as I’d like to deny it, he’s family and so I’m partly responsible. I may be the only one who can stop his evil influence.”
“What if this crazy plan of yours succeeds, then what? Would you take over as king?”
Tubal-Cain drew back. “Whoa. I never even thought of that. I don’t have any interest in ruling.” He rubbed a hand over his eyes, thinking it through. “I’d probably appoint a group of trustworthy elders to run the city.”
Noah sat on a nearby stump. “Look, we still have a day to think this over. It’ll give us something to do on the way to Garun’s.”
Tubal-Cain took the spot next to Noah. “That’s right. I almost forgot about that. If we do this, I’ll need to go into the city again tomorrow, and you can go to Garun’s.”
“Okay. Obviously, I’d like to see what Em thinks.”
“Definitely. I’m open to other ideas, too.” He looked in the direction of Havil. “We just need to be careful who hears about it. I don’t think my father would go easy on anyone conspiring against him.”
Noah looked over his shoulder at the house. “Maybe Adah will have some ideas. She certainly doesn’t seem to care for your father. I’d imagine she’s contemplated turning against him.”
Tubal-Cain nodded. “Let’s find out.”
Chapter 19
Noah dodged a large puddle in the trail, but his foot slipped on the soft ground, nearly causing him to fall. Gathering his balance, he scraped some of the mud from the side of his sandal by wiping it in the tall grass that grew alongside the path.
Pausing atop a small rise, Noah studied the route Tubal-Cain had indicated before they parted moments earlier and then surveyed his surroundings. Behind him, the waves of the sea continued their endless ebb and flow. Far to his left, dark rainclouds hovered over Havil as the sun peeked through a tiny gap. On the horizon beyond the city, a single column of smoke rose from one of the high hills. Noah did a double-take. That’s strange. I’ve never seen a fire emit such a tall plume before. I hope it doesn’t come any closer to Havil. His skin tingled with the memory of the intense heat and smoke during the blaze in the Zakari’s barn. He shuddered and took a deep breath, remembering the burning pain in his lungs.
Between him and the strange smoke cloud, the palace climbed above the surrounding buildings, and for the first time, Noah noticed a variety of trees on the building’s roof. For a moment he marveled at the architectural prowess that could create such a building. Then his gaze moved on to another edifice. Standing nearly as tall and wide as the king’s home, rose a building that Noah guessed to be the House of Knowledge. At the sight, his wonder gave way to a stab of anxiety. Creator, please protect Tubal-Cain in the city today.
A warm breeze from the west drew his eye to the lighter-colored clouds rolling in and offered Noah hope that his garment would dry quickly. He faced into the wind toward the wider road he and Tubal-Cain traveled that morning. Thoughts of Emzara prompted a smile to spread across his face. She had risen before anyone else to prepare firstfeast, and by the time Noah and Tubal-Cain left, she was heavily engrossed in a conversation with Adah. I’m glad Em has someone to keep her company today.
Noah moved down the narrow path as it meandered past a handful of farms, through a small meadow, and then entered a grove of trees. A couple of bushy-tailed rodents scurried about before him, while a scattering of chirps, peeps, and squawks filled the air. A buzzbird zipped past his head and hovered over some blossoms to his right. The tiny radiant bird mesmerized him as it flitted quickly from one blossom to the next. I wonder if planting some of those flowers at home would attract buzzbirds.
Just as Tubal-Cain had mentioned, the trail split near the far edge of the grove. Noah followed the path to the right and marched purposefully toward the house directly ahead. Nestled between two of the rolling hills and shaded by several tall trees, the large, sturdy-looking wooden home featured two levels and an attached shed. Smoke curled out of the stone chimney running up the near side. This must be the place.
Noah checked his wrap’s inner pocket and then turned onto a thin trail that led to the front door. He ascended two short steps and knocked. Unsure if he had rapped the door hard enough, Noah waited a moment and then reached to hit it again but stopped at the sound of faint footsteps approaching from the inside. A small rectangular portal, just under Noah’s eye level, slid open from the inside.
“Can I help you?” a woman’s voice asked.
Noah stooped and met her gaze through the slot. “Yes, my name is Noah, and I’m a friend of Garun, a palace guard of Havil. Is this his home?”
The woman eyed him warily. “It is, but he’s not able to talk to you right now.”
Noah bowed his head respectfully. “I know. He’s across the sea in Iri Geshem, my hometown, and he sent me here with a message for you.” He pulled a small scroll from his pocket and, mushing it slightly, slid it through the opening. “Here.”
Still peering through the tiny slit in the door, he watched as she took the missive and slipped the rope off one end. After unrolling it, she quickly skimmed its message. “How can I be sure it’s really from him? This isn’t his handwriting.”
“He said he doesn’t write well and asked me to do it for him. He knew you’d know it was from him if you read the back.”
She turned the page over and her eyes brightened. “Just a moment.” The small window closed and after a few scraping and clicking sounds, the door opened. The woman waved Noah inside. “Quickly, come in.”
Noah entered the house and she shut the door behind him. The fireplace to his left highlighted a rather plain sitting room. The dining area lay beyond it and a wooden ladder to his right led to the second floor.
“Welcome to our home, Noah.” The woman nodded slightly before pushing her dark hair behind her shoulders. Her small face supported a tall forehead, with thin eyebrows, small eyes, upturned nose, and firm lips all spaced compactly. “I’m Laleel, Garun’s wife. I guess being married to a palace guard makes me a little wary.”
“I understand.” Noah placed his hand to his chest and smiled. “I’m sure your husband would be glad to know that you’re careful.”
Gesturing to a low bench near the fireplace, she said, “Please, have a seat. I’ll be right back.”
Noah thanked her as she shuffled from the room. He sat where she had indicated and stretched out his legs.
Laleel soon returned with a clay vessel and handed it to him. “Have some water.”
“Oh, that’s very kind.” He took a drink and delighted in the coolness it brought to his mouth and throat.
She held up the note and her brown eyes lit up to match her smile. “Thank you for bringing word from my husband. It’s a pleasure to meet you in person. Garun told me about the man that rejected the king’s daughter.” Laleel’s shoulders drooped and she frowned. “It breaks my heart to see how that girl’s turned out. She had so much potential, but she’s too much like her father.”
Eager to change the subject, Noah asked, “So what do you think of the message from Garun?”
“He wants me to bring the family to Iri Geshem with you right away?” She gave him a shrewd look. “What’s the hurry? Are we in danger?”
Noah glanced around. “I assume it’s safe to speak here.”
She slid onto a seat across from him and fixed her gaze on his face. “Yes, it’s just me and my girls, and they’re in the barn feeding the animals.”
“There’s nothing to worry about right now. But Garun fears that Havil may soon become too dangerous for followers of the Creator, and he isn’t sure
how safe it’ll be for him to be around the palace anymore.”
Laleel leaned back and crossed her arms over her chest. “Yes, we thought this day might come, but I didn’t think it’d be so soon. What happened?”
Noah closed his eyes, regret and pain washing over him again. “The king murdered my father-in-law and my best friend.” He turned away. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather not talk about it in further detail.”
Suddenly, the floor vibrated, causing Noah and Laleel to exchange glances. The clay vessel nearly fell to the floor, but Noah grabbed it just before it slipped off the bench. The surface and walls creaked and groaned as the gentle shaking continued for a few moments.
“What’s that?” Noah asked. “I don’t remember that happening when I was in Havil before.”
“I’m not sure, but it’s happened a few times this past week.” Laleel scanned the room, her shoulders hunched. “I’m really sorry to hear about your loved ones. When do we need to be ready to leave?”
“We have some business to attend to tomorrow evening and plan to leave right after that.”
“Business? At the ceremony?”
Noah hesitated. He did not plan to discuss the ceremony, but it seemed Garun’s wife’s mind was as sharp as her eyes. “It looks that way.”
“Garun hates going to those awful events.”
“I don’t blame him. Once was enough for me.”
“And yet you plan to go back?” Laleel asked.
The muscles in Noah’s jaw tightened. “We have some unfinished business. It’s probably best if you don’t know.”
She pursed her lips. “I see. Well, if Garun trusts you, I trust you.” She stood at the sound of a door opening beyond the dining area. “But there’s a slight problem with his instructions.”
“And what’s that?”
She looked toward the other room. “Come in here, all of you.”
Three young girls entered. Noah guessed the oldest was close to Misha’s age. The two smaller ones were at least ten years younger, although they looked quite different from the taller girl with a lighter brown complexion. “I thought Garun said he had two daughters at home.”