Noah

by Tim Chaffey

  “I said it’s good!”

  After three more blows, Noah lowered his throbbing arm. He grumbled as he tossed the mallet aside. Using the newly stabilized timber, he swung over the side and dropped to the floor.

  Aterre gave him a clay drinking vessel filled with water and stared at him.

  Sitting with his back against the mud brick wall, Noah savored the cool surface against his warm flesh. He took a long drink and then closed his eyes while massaging his tight neck muscles with his free hand.

  “What’s going on?”

  “I’m so frustrated.”

  “With the building?”

  “No, this is fine. But it’s been two whole moons since we came here and I’ve got nothing to show for it. If only that order at the shipyard had gone through.” Noah set the vessel down, and water sloshed over the edge.

  “At least you still have a job and Ara allowed us to build a home here.”

  Noah scanned the small room, about 12 cubits square, just large enough for a kitchen and dining area and a place to sleep. Two more rooms would soon be built beyond the opposite wall. “Yeah, but I’m stuck farming again. I’m just not cut out for it.”

  Aterre slumped down beside him.

  Noah wiped his forehead with the back of his arm. “It’s great for you. You love what you’re doing. But I was so close to fulfilling a lifelong dream, only to find it’s still out of reach.”

  “But you only met Zara two whole moons ago.” Aterre chuckled.

  Noah glowered. “What are you talking about?”

  “You’re talking about your dream, so I figured this was about her.”

  “My dream of being a carpenter. Besides, what’s the use of talking about her?” Noah let his head bump against the wall and blew out a breath. “I’m pretty sure she’s interested in Pennik.”

  “I don’t think you have to worry about him. But enough about that since you clearly weren’t thinking about her.” Aterre’s sarcasm could not be missed. “I was wondering though. ” Aterre paused, becoming serious. “You told your father before we left home that you believed the Creator was guiding you down this path. Do you still believe that?”

  Surprised, Noah sat up straight. Aterre had not discussed the Creator in weeks. “Of course I do. Why else would I have come all this way? Why would I stay?”

  “If you truly believe that, why do you complain?”

  “Because, I —” Noah cut short his instinctive reaction to defend himself as he realized the inconsistency between his actions and beliefs. He shook his head slowly. “You’re right. Sometimes I wish He’d just tell me what I’m supposed to do.”

  Aterre nodded.

  “But you’re right. Just because this is taking longer than I expected, it doesn’t mean God has changed the plan. I’ll be a carpenter someday.”

  Aterre snorted. “I didn’t say all that.”

  “No, but you said enough.” Noah stood and dusted off the back of his garment before helping Aterre to his feet. “And I really needed to hear it. I’ll try to remember it the next time I get angry about all this.”

  “You mean tomorrow morning.”

  One edge of Noah’s mouth curled up. “Give it a couple of days at least. What about you? Have your thoughts about the Most High changed since the last time we talked about Him?”

  Aterre pressed his lips together and shrugged. “Somewhat.”

  “Meaning?”

  “I told you before that I wasn’t sure if He existed, although I was open to the idea. But now, I’m pretty sure He does.”

  “Well, that’s good. What changed your mind?”

  “I’m not sure if I can pinpoint one specific thing. I know one of the reasons is your family — even after what I did, they took me in and loved me. And I saw the same thing with the Zakari and again here with the way Ara accepted us. If this is how people who serve the Creator act, then I figure there must be something to their beliefs, and to the Creator Himself.” Aterre tilted his head back, apparently thinking about what to say next. “After our journey, the world makes more sense when I think of it being made by an all-powerful God. I hadn’t really bothered to consider how everything came about, so I never took time to think much about the world around us. With all the amazing creatures and plants we saw, it just makes sense that God made everything. But . ” Aterre paused and shook his head. “Never mind.”

  “But what?” Noah held up a palm.

  Aterre’s face turned sullen and he stared at the stone floor. “My family. I don’t understand why the Creator would allow them to be killed or taken. I guess it’d be easy to trust Him when everything is going great, but when you’ve seen the evil things I’ve seen. ” He swallowed. “It’s just hard.”

  Noah folded his arms. “I can see why that might make it harder to believe. But I don’t agree that the evil in the world should be blamed on the Creator. My father said that the world was perfect until the Great Deceiver showed up.”

  “That’s just it.” Aterre leaned his shoulder against the wall. “Why would the Creator make anything bad in the first place?”

  Perplexed, Noah shook his head. “I’m not sure. What if the Deceiver was originally good, like the rest of creation, and then chose to rebel, like Greatfather Adam did?”

  “Hmm, if that’s true,” Aterre said as if speaking to himself, “then everything the Creator made would have been good originally, even people and the serpent. And the horrible things in this world could be traced back to their rebellious choices, right?”

  “That’s what my father taught me.”

  Aterre opened his mouth, but stopped before speaking. Instead, he bent down and picked up a long beam. “Let’s finish a few more tonight. I’d like to move in while I’m still in my first century.”

  Noah wanted to continue the discussion, but he knew Aterre liked to think things through at his own pace. Resolving to broach the topic in the near future, Noah jumped up, seized one of the recently placed rafters, and pulled himself above it. “Let’s do it.” After steadying himself on the roof, he reached down to take the next piece from Aterre. “So why’d you say that about Pennik?”

  Aterre chuckled. “I knew you’d bring things back around to Zara.”

  Noah settled the wood in place. “I didn’t say anything about her.”

  “Then why’d you ask about Pennik?”

  Noah shrugged. “I was just curious what you meant.”

  “Because you wanted to talk about Zara again.”

  “Is there something else you’d like to discuss?”

  Aterre handed him some rope. “Not really. I’d just like to finish our home.”

  Noah bent low and tied the wood to the crossbeam and to a peg built into the outer wall. Standing and stretching his back, he spotted Ara walking toward them. “Evening peace.”

  “Evening peace, Noah.” He pointed toward the door. “Is Aterre in there?”

  Aterre stepped outside and greeted Ara with a nod. “I’m here. Noah’s making me do all the heavy lifting.”

  Noah rolled his eyes. He sat on the edge of the roof, allowing his legs to dangle, and then dropped to the ground. “How are things at the shipyard?”

  Ara inspected the roof, running his finger along the ends of the timbers. “They’ve been better.”

  “Is something wrong?” Noah asked.

  Ara shrugged. “I guess that depends on you.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  Ara looked at the roof again. “My cousin was right. You do fine work. And that’s good, because, as of today, I’m in need of an apprentice.”

  Noah wondered if his imagination was playing tricks on him. He shot a look at Aterre. “What about Pennik?”

  “That’s why it was a rough day. He quit on me without any warning.”

  “Did he say why?”

  Ara’s mouth quirked in a smile, and he looked Noah in the eye. “No, but I think I can guess the reason.”

  “So Pennik’s gone?” Noah asked, trying to hol
d his excitement in.

  Ara nodded. “So if you’re still interested in being —”

  “Yes!” Noah’s response came out louder than he planned. “Sorry — yes, I’d love to work for you.”

  “Good,” Ara said. “And I appreciate the enthusiasm.”

  Aterre laughed. “You sure you don’t want to continue farming at Cada’s with me?”

  Noah slapped Aterre’s back hard enough to make him “oof,” and grinned. “Not a chance.”

  Ara peeked inside the unfinished house, peered closely at the joints between doorposts and lintel, then turned back to the young men. “Why don’t you two get cleaned up and join us for evenfeast? Whatever Nmir’s making, it smells wonderful. We can discuss the terms of your apprenticeship after the meal.”

  Chapter 19

  There and back.” Aterre pointed to a small ship anchored in the bay several hundred cubits down the coast.

  “Do you need a head start?” Noah asked, knowing full well Aterre was faster than he was.

  Aterre laughed. “Just say when.”

  Noah bent his knees and dipped beneath the water to acclimate himself to its coolness. He emerged from the sea and pushed his hair back. Licking the saltiness from his lips, he took a deep breath. “Ready? On three. One.”

  Noah plunged forward and glided under the water for a long stretch. Breaking the surface, he kicked hard and quickly settled into a steady pace. One, two, three. Breathe. One, two, three. Breathe. Every so often, he pulled extra hard on a stroke to lift his head up and check his trajectory. Knowing the lead from his early start would not last, he focused on keeping a rhythm.

  As he reached the boat and turned for the home stretch, he spotted Aterre from the corner of his eye. Determined to hang on to his body-length lead, Noah felt a surge of energy and increased his tempo. He came up for a breath and sensed Aterre straight across from him. Kicking furiously and drawing every ounce of strength from his arms, Noah strove to keep up. But it was no use. Aterre grabbed the lead, and Noah’s strength flagged.

  Struggling to settle back into an easy rhythm, Noah rolled onto his back and tried to catch his breath as slow and deliberate strokes carried him back to the starting point. A splash from Aterre let him know he had made it, and he allowed his legs to sink until his feet hit the bottom.

  Breathing hard, Aterre said, “I’m still faster.”

  “Not by much. I’m gaining on you.”

  “Only because you had a head start and I wasn’t trying very hard.” Aterre grinned.

  Noah stepped closer. “Well, if you’re so fast, then why can’t you dodge this?” He lunged forward and locked his arm around Aterre’s waist. Planting his feet, Noah lifted his friend above the water and then slammed him under it.

  When Aterre pushed to break free, Noah released him and quickly stood again, wary of retaliation. When none came, he wiped his eyes and raised his arms in triumph.

  Noah spun at the sound of familiar laughter from the shore, where Emzara and Adira sat giggling. He kept one arm raised in a greeting to them, but Aterre slammed into him and drove him under. The surprise attack caused him to swallow a bit of seawater, so as he staggered to his feet, Noah coughed and gasped for air.

  “Now we’re even,” Aterre said.

  “Yes, we are. Truce?”

  Aterre nodded and then flashed a sly grin. “For now.”

  Noah waved at Emzara, but she and Adira were talking to each other. He looked back at Aterre. “She must be here to watch the sunset.”

  “So when are you going tell her how you feel about her?”

  “I don’t know.” Noah crossed his arms, pleased that their intense race had caused his muscles to look larger and more defined, at least temporarily. “It’s tricky since I work for her father. What if she doesn’t like me that way? Could I still work for him? And even if I could, how awkward would it be?” Noah looked back at her and sighed. “I’d love to be the one she watched sunsets with.”

  Aterre laughed. “You’re so blind. Why do you think Pennik disliked you so much? Everyone else can see that she’s interested. She flirts with you all the time.”

  “And what if you’re wrong?”

  “Well, there’s only one way to find out. Ask her.” Aterre started for the shore. “Come on.”

  “Wait, you mean right now?”

  Aterre looked back and shook his head. “Coward.”

  Trudging through the water toward the beach, their speed increased as the water shallowed. Noah checked to make sure his garment was tied tightly about his waist. The girls stood and sauntered toward them as the men reached their robes on the shore. Picking up his outer wrap, Noah quickly dressed himself.

  “Evening peace,” Adira said.

  Noah smiled at her and then at Emzara. “Evening peace. How long have you been here?”

  Emzara grinned. “Long enough to know who the faster swimmer is.”

  “And that would be me.” Aterre used both hands to point at himself. “Were you two here to watch the sunset or to see him lose?” Aterre gestured to Noah with a nod of his head.

  Emzara pursed her lips and held up a bundle of squared black objects, each about a span in length. “Actually, we went to town to pick up some new drawing sticks for my artwork and then decided to enjoy a walk on the shore.”

  “Yeah, it’s the first time that we’ve had a chance to — ever since you moved here,” Adira said. “But since you moved into your own place last week, we finish our chores earlier. Plus, the days are getting longer.”

  “Do you like your new home?” Emzara asked.

  Noah brushed some sand off his robe. “It’s coming together.” In just three whole moons, they had constructed their small home, but there was still much to be done. “But I confess I miss the meals.”

  “That’s not all you miss.” Aterre’s words were almost mumbled, and Noah hoped they weren’t clear enough for Emzara to hear. Aterre looked at him and the left side of his mouth curled up.

  Oh no. Please don’t.

  Aterre’s grin spread across his face. “Zara, you know, Noah was just telling me that he wishes you’d watch the sunsets with him instead.”

  Fear gripped Noah, and he barely withstood the urge to pummel Aterre, who now beamed with his arms crossed. Sheepishly, Noah looked away as Adira laughed. He struggled to find the right words to extricate himself, but he only said, “I didn’t say that.”

  “So,” Adira said, “you’re saying you don’t want Zara to watch them with you?”

  Noah felt his face warm even more. He couldn’t deny it without lying, and if he answered truthfully, she would certainly know his feelings. He was stuck. His gaze dropped to the ground, and then he spotted his way out. Aterre had not finished wrapping his robe and part of it lay on the ground near his feet. Noah stepped on the end of the cloth and shoved him. When his robe caught, Aterre lost his balance and tumbled backward into the shallow water, landing on his backside with a splash.

  Adira squealed in delight and then laughed along with Emzara. Satisfied that the last question was abandoned for now, Noah walked to Aterre and held out a hand to help him up.

  “I deserved that.” Aterre smiled and took Noah’s hand. “Nicely done.”

  Noah nodded. “You know?” He spoke loud enough for the girls to hear. “This reminds me of how we met.”

  “You met in the water?” Adira asked.

  Noah wanted to embarrass Aterre some more, but he remembered his promise that he wouldn’t tell others about Aterre’s past, particularly his shady activities while on the run. “Something like that. It’s a long story for another time.”

  Emzara pointed to Aterre as he rewrapped his garment, though he stopped when he realized that much of it was wet. “What’s that mark on your back?”

  Aterre sighed. “Another long story for another time.”

  “Sounds like you have a lot of stories,” Adira said.

  “Too many, but they’re in the past.” Aterre walked toward the trail th
at led to their house. “Looks like I need another robe.”

  Seizing the opportunity to avoid the potentially awkward questioning again, Noah hurried behind Aterre. He looked back briefly at Emzara. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “If you’re lucky,” she said.

  Noah bit his lip to stop a smile from escaping. “Evening peace.”

  The trail wound through a patch of milknut trees and led all the way to Ara’s house, but they turned off the path to go to their new home, just a few hundred cubits from the beach.

  Noah followed Aterre through the door and closed it hard. He hurried to his room as Aterre strode to his. Noah changed out of his wet undergarment. With a clean and dry robe on, he rejoined Aterre, who had already changed clothes, in the tiny dining area that had yet to be furnished. Noah walked to the wall and slumped to the floor. He buried his head in his hands. “I can’t believe you did that.”

  Aterre laughed. “Did what? Tried to help you out?”

  “Help me out?” Noah held his hands out and glared at him. “You made me look like a fool in front of her.”

  “Calm down. You should thank me.”

  “Thank you?” Noah raised his voice. “If you ruined my opportunity with Emzara, I’ll —”

  “I didn’t ruin anything. Stop overreacting.” Aterre sat next to him and spoke softly. “Didn’t you see her reaction?”

  Noah shook his head. “I was too afraid to look.”

  “You really love her, don’t you?”

  Rolling his eyes, Noah asked, “Whatever gave you that idea?”

  “Um, maybe it’s the fact that when she’s around you suddenly freeze up, stutter, and act like a little boy.”

  “It’s that bad?”

  “Worse than Jerah with Pivi.” Aterre chuckled. “No, not that bad, but you do change. You just need to be yourself around her.”

  “I try, but can’t help it. She makes me so nervous.”

  “That’s because you’re trying too hard, but you don’t need to. She already likes you.”

  Noah ran his fingers through his hair. “Why do you keep saying that? And since when are you an expert on women?”

  “I didn’t know there was such a thing.” Aterre stood and gazed out the window. “When you were too scared to look at her, she was smiling wider than I’d ever seen before. And that’s saying a lot, because she always smiles when you’re around.”