Noah: Man of Resolve

by Tim Chaffey

  “That’s the problem. We now have three.” She smiled at the older girl and spun to face Noah. “Will you have room for all of us on the boat?”

  “Of course.” He found it difficult to look away from the eldest girl; she reminded him of someone, but he could not decide who it was. Her face was turned down, but beneath her long, straight black hair, he saw her delicate countenance. The edges of her eyes trailed back, running parallel along her high cheekbones. Her long lashes lay softly against her skin, and her wide nose protruded only slightly from her face.

  Laleel held out a hand and the older girl joined her while avoiding eye contact with Noah. Putting a hand on the shy girl’s shoulder, Laleel said, “This is Zedakal, and she just joined our family this week.”

  Noah raised an eyebrow. “I don’t understand.”

  Laleel flicked her wrist toward the younger girls. “Please go out to the barn for a little while.” Once they had gone, she said, “The king’s daughter recently implemented a program where they take girls of Zedakal’s age, and they prepare them to serve as prostitutes for Nachash.”

  Laleel’s scowl was so fierce that Noah almost wished Naamah were there to face it. Here was a woman who could stand up to the princess, if ever there was one. Zedakal, however, stood with her head down. Her shoulders gave a slight shiver as she buried her face in her hands.

  Noah scrunched his nose and averted his gaze at the thought of the horrors she’d possibly faced, understanding now why she shrank from him and clung to Garun’s wife. “Naamah is doing this? She needs to be stopped.”

  “And just how would you do that?” Laleel asked.

  Some of the bluster went out of him. “I don’t know,” he admitted. He looked at Zedakal. “How did you escape?”

  As the girl remained silent, Laleel hugged her. “She ran away a few nights ago. I found her curled up in a corner of our barn.” She raised her small chin. “I don’t intend to let anything else happen to her.”

  Noah imagined Garun’s pride in his wife’s actions. “But what about the family she was taken from? Shouldn’t you return her to them?”

  Zedakal shook her head rapidly and her hair flew about in cascades, like a melad shaking its mane.

  “No,” Laleel said. “She was a slave. They all were — all the girls that the king’s daughter took for this program. I imagine they have people looking for her even now. And that’s the reason I was suspicious of you when you came to the door.”

  Speechless, Noah slowly shook his head and clenched his fist. Sadness mingled with anger until the line between them blurred.

  “Zedakal is free now.” Laleel lifted the girl’s chin and stroked her cheek. “I’d like her to come with us to Iri Geshem, if she is willing.”

  Zedakal nodded her head and then buried it in Laleel’s shoulder.

  Laleel gave a tiny smile. “It looks like you’ll need to make room for four of us on the boat.”

  “Gladly.”

  “We’ll be ready to travel tomorrow.” Garun’s wife held up a palm. “Where would you like us to meet you?”

  “I’ll return here to help you,” Noah said. “Then you can just come with me.”

  Laleel glanced around the room and shrugged. “That won’t be necessary. The girls and I can manage.”

  “Are you sure?”

  She nodded. “It won’t take us long. Just tell us where to go.”

  “Well, ironically, we’re staying at the king’s beach home. It’s a rather long walk down the western road.”

  Laleel’s eyes grew wary. “The king’s? Why would you possibly be there?”

  “I came here with Tubal-Cain — he’s a friend.” Noah held out a hand to reassure her. “He isn’t like his father or sister at all. He follows the Creator.”

  Laleel raised her eyebrows. “That’s encouraging. I wish he were ruling in place of his father.”

  “I agree,” Noah said. “Maybe someday Havil will be a different place.” He considered Zedakal, who darted her glance away when she saw him looking at her. “For now, though, we’d be better off almost anywhere but here.”

  Chapter 20

  Open up.” Naamah’s commanding voice resonated from outside the locked door of Adah’s room. Clutching the light wooden box to herself and trying not to think about the contents, Emzara spun and looked wildly at Adah. Her new friend motioned to a curtained balcony to the right of her massive bed. After ducking behind the fabric, Emzara crouched down.

  Thankful for the height of the railing on the third-level terrace, Emzara stayed low and glanced at her surroundings. Other than a low table, a few benches, and several poles with unlit oil lanterns hanging from them, the balcony held few furnishings. A heavy curtain that hung over the columned entryway back into the room was on her right. That and a large potted plant against the railing were the only means of concealment should Naamah come out here. Her heart pounded. What are we doing? It all seemed so simple when Adah and I talked in the comfort of the beach home. This isn’t simple anymore.

  The holes in the box next to her were necessary, but she hoped they were small enough to keep the contents inside. She shuddered, thinking about how close she had cradled the container against her body. She gently moved it an arm’s length away and focused on the conversation inside.

  “So this time, you and my mother are to be seated at the top of the main platform, one on either side of Nachash’s statue. Da wants everyone to see that his queens are just as involved as his daughter is. Now, here’s the order of the ceremony.”

  Emzara let her thoughts about what had led to this situation drown out Naamah’s voice. Was it only this morning that Noah left for Garun’s family? And now it must be beyond the time for midmeal. She hoped her insides would remember the few smaller items that she and Adah purchased to munch on as they traveled through the city. A grumbling stomach would be as good as a gong with Naamah standing so close.

  Angry footsteps paced inside the large room just beyond her, and she clutched at her knees in an effort to make herself smaller. Get it together, girl. You’ll be in a far scarier place tonight. Her tense muscles persisted until she reassured herself that Naamah seemed to have no intentions of coming outside.

  She rested her head against the curtain, pushing it into the pillar behind it and thought back to the morning. She and Adah had bonded instantly over their shared anguish of losing close family. Adah’s ability to understand the loss of a child acted as a balm to Emzara’s grieving spirit. However, it was not long until their sorrows were overtaken by another emotion. The words between them repeated in her mind as clearly as when they had first been spoken.

  “It’s not fair that he can just get away with something that hurt us so badly.”

  “I know.” Adah looked down and twisted a thick bangle on her wrist.

  “I just wish there was more we could do.”

  “Like what?”

  “Well he took the life of your son. He took the life of my father, and I hold him responsible for the death of my child as well. He deserves more than humiliation tomorrow.”

  Adah spoke their thoughts aloud. “He should die so that other lives can be spared from his evil.”

  Emzara nodded. “Yes. But . . .”

  A loud slap broke Emzara’s reverie. “I don’t care that you’re the queen. You will not speak to me like that. And yes, you will wear this special garment that was made especially for tomorrow. The seer demands it.” She barely heard the faint sound of cloth hitting the stone floor.

  “The seer!” Adah’s scornful tone rang out. “I will not take orders from him. Even if you try to hit me again.” Suddenly the queen’s voice softened. “Naamah, I know you and I have always been at odds, and I understand why. But I can’t help but be concerned for you. I don’t like how you’ve changed under his influence. He’s leading you into some very dark places. You’re no longer the happy, beautiful girl I’d occasionally see around this place. You’re angry now and too hungry for power. It’s going to come
back to bite you someday.”

  Ironic choice of words, Adah.

  “You’re just envious because my father replaced you with me as first in his affections. And yes, you’ll wear this because I’m in charge of the celebration.” A chair scooted on the floor.

  “We’ll see about that. Don’t bother me again.”

  “Oh, I have no intention to. Besides, I thought you were supposed to be at the beach house until tomorrow.”

  “That was my plan, but I remembered that I’d invited a few ladies to the palace and will be entertaining them for dinner tonight in the main hall.”

  “Then I’ll just inform Da not to concern himself with you tonight. And I’ll make sure mother looks her finest.” Emzara pictured the flash in Naamah’s green-flecked brown eyes. Shaking her head, Emzara knew that comment did not hurt Adah as intended. The door slammed shut.

  Moments later, Adah made her way outside and leaned back against the solid stonework that lined the balcony. “Are you okay?” She kept her voice low and her head level. Concern filled her eyes, but anyone seeing her from the town below would just see the back of her head and assume she was alone, enjoying the fresh air.

  “Yes, but I’m concerned for you. Did Naamah slap you?”

  Adah placed a hand softly on her own cheek. “Yes, but that’s not important now. Let’s discuss our plan.”

  “I still can’t believe that all just happened.”

  “I know, but it actually helps us. Now, Naamah will inform Lamech that I’m here and that I have visitors tonight. I’ll stay on one of the couches in the main hall, and it’ll look like I fell asleep where I was after a long night of hosting.”

  “But will that really make you above all suspicions?”

  “I’ll be surrounded by well-respected ladies and several guards all night. There’s no way I could legitimately be blamed for anything that happens up here.”

  As she pondered Adah’s words, Emzara stared past her, noticing the beautiful scenery beyond the southern edge of the city for the first time. Rolling green hills stretched as far as she could see. The telltale patterns of crops interspersed with small patches of wooded areas blanketed each rise. Straight in front of her, a path, wide enough for at least two large wagons to pass each other unhindered, extended from the city wall and divided the landscape in two. Smaller trails broke off from the road, connecting the small farms dotting the countryside.

  “Are they still in there?” Adah stared at the box.

  Emzara nodded.

  “Good. Stay in here until after you hear that his room is empty. If I know Lamech at all, once he hears from his daughter about the ladies I’m hosting, he’ll be sure to look his finest before joining us for evenfeast.”

  “How will I know when it’s clear?”

  “Don’t worry. Because our rooms are adjoining, it’s easy to hear any commotion in there.” She rolled her eyes in contempt. “And it can get noisy since he makes a grand deal out of even the simplest things.”

  “That’s when I slip into his room?” Emzara asked.

  “I don’t think so. That’s too risky.”

  “But he deserves to die.”

  “And I’d rather you didn’t. You can hide in here. In fact, come with me.” Adah reentered her room. Emzara “walked” forward on her knees, using one hand to keep her skirt from getting tangled, and carefully holding the package away from her body with the other. She stood up once she was inside and the curtain had fallen back in place.

  “What are you thinking?” After setting the box on a side table, she arranged some scrolls that had been lying there to partially cover it.

  “Here — where is it?” Adah rifled through several long and expensive cloths hanging on hooks. “Ah.” She held up a length of cloth the same tawny color as a young bovar. “This is similar to what our servant girls wear. Let’s wrap it around you, so that if someone discovers you, they’ll think you’re one of my maids tidying up in here.”

  “So I stay here, but what about . . .”

  “You’ll hear when the king makes it back to his chambers.” She walked over to an ornate wooden door to the right of her main entrance and placed her hand on it. “This leads to his room. When you open it, you’ll see a little hallway only about six cubits in length, and on his side there’s a thin golden tapestry. It’s slightly transparent so don’t have any lamps lit in here.”

  “So I wait until all is still and then carefully open this door. Sounds easy enough. Then I’ll just crawl and release the contents before coming back here and making sure this door is shut tight.”

  Adah nodded. “I certainly don’t want any of those things to get in here.”

  “Adah, what if what Naamah said was true? What if her mother comes back with the king?”

  Adah shrugged, “I’d be very surprised if that happened. Naamah was trying to upset me, but the king’s affections shifted away from Zillah after I arrived.”

  Later, as Emzara sat in the darkness listening intently for any movement in the adjacent room, her mind raced through memories of her father and Aterre. She placed a hand on the box and imagined the movement inside, aware of the calamity these creatures could deliver. Am I no better than Lamech? Willing to kill someone just because they wronged me? She shook her head emphatically, changing the direction of her thoughts. Don’t back down now. There’s no comparison. Aterre was only defending himself, and Lamech killed him and Baba for it. A serpent bite is a fitting end for the king. And besides, I’m not really the one killing him.

  Her breath snagged in her throat as she heard the unmistakable confident tread of the king entering his room. He behaved just as Adah described. You think you’re so powerful; well you’re no match for the Creator. Most High — she immediately and instinctually leapt into prayer, but for some reason, she just couldn’t ask Him for help. I guess I’m in this alone. She sighed internally but then shifted her focus back to her task. Sounds like the king is alone too. Good.

  After everything grew silent, she waited for what seemed like eternity. Taking a deep breath, she silently opened the door and took hesitant, soundless steps toward the tapestry. She held onto her precious cargo of death, before laying it on the floor. She lifted the lid and slipped back into the hallway.

  Chapter 21

  They’re gone. They’re gone. The refrain played repeatedly in her mind as Emzara ducked around a massive needle tree a good distance from the palace. Immense relief rushed through her at not having the box of serpents close by anymore. The thought of having them as her companions for most of the day caused her to shudder.

  Although the thick cloud cover kept her hidden from the moonlight as she wound her way through the streets of Havil, it posed other complications. Let’s see, I’ve passed the big needle tree, so the twisted post is the next landmark. On their way to the palace in the morning, she took note of things that stood out every so often to aid her on the way back. But the darkness made everything look different. As she veered left, the misshapen tree trunk on the corner of the lot came into view. The shadowy form of an oil lantern still perched atop the odd structure, but as she had suspected, it was not being used.

  I wonder how successful Noah was in his errand today. He and Tubal-Cain are probably back already and wondering where I am. She trembled with her whole body, feeling very alone in the darkness. After all her actions of the day, would she still feel alone after she returned to Noah? Will he be angry? Or will he understand? Her palpitations continued as she spotted the small grave mound on the edge of someone’s property, showing her she was on the right track. A strange sensation coursed through her. Her whole body vibrated again, but this was different than the shivering. It’s like the whole ground is trembling with me. When the eerie tremors passed Emzara increased her pace.

  After what seemed to be the length of a couple night watches, she finally picked her way through the trees and brambles at the edge of the royal beach home. Light from within flickered and danced its way outside the window,
giving her a small measure of comfort. Thankful to be back, she also dreaded the explaining that needed to be done. Taking a deep breath, she slowly eased her way through the door and right into a face full of dark textured fabric. She clung to Noah and returned his fervent embrace.

  “Are you alright? Where have you been?”

  Guilt slithered through her at the fear in her husband’s voice. “I’m fine.” She gulped, hoping to calm her voice with the next sentence. “I had an errand to run with Adah. I didn’t realize it would take so long.”

  Noah guided her to the sitting area outside of the kitchen then held her on his lap. Clinging to him, she savored the comfort of his nearness and feared that this might be their last moment of closeness after he found out what she had done. He turned her slightly so she nearly faced him and cupped her face in his strong hands.

  “I’ve been so worried about you. Where could you have possibly gone that would have you getting back so long after the deepest dark? And like this too.” He brushed at her cheek and a bit of caked dirt landed in her lap.

  His touch stung, and she figured that she probably cut herself on the journey back. Fidgeting, she eased her face from his hold and tucked herself under his chin, nestling against him. “I’ll tell you,” she said just above a whisper, “but please don’t interrupt.”

  Slowly she recounted her day, her chin lowering with each revelation. Hearing their plan aloud and in Noah’s presence made her recoil within herself. As penance, she held nothing back, forcing herself to tell him each horrible detail, not even trying to rationalize it as she had before.

  “So Lamech is likely dead?” he interrupted for the first time, as she neared the end of her account.

  She met his eyes for a moment before dropping her gaze. “I . . .”

  She sensed his head turn away. “You murdered the king?”

  “What? No, I couldn’t go through with it.” She gripped the front of his tunic. “I was there, crouched behind the tapestry in his room, the box of serpents in my possession. I pulled the lid off and stole out of the room, but then something came over me. I just couldn’t do it, so I snuck back in and covered the box, thankful that the creatures were still in it.” She shuddered, waiting for his verdict.