by Tim Chaffey
Walking over to the shallows where the water did not churn as much, he bent and washed the blood from his arms. Returning, he lit the high stack of branches and then stepped back to Emzara, receiving the dry cloth she held out to him. Rubbing himself dry, he dropped the cloth and spoke the words that came to him. “Creator of the heavens and earth, we thank You — for the life and mercy that You bestow. We are Yours. Guide us and lead us in Your ways as we walk in them together.”
* * * * *
Noah stood alone in the center of a large circle created by the several concentric rings of standing guests, and waited nervously for the formal procedures to commence, officially uniting him with Emzara. The gray mid-morning fog, which gave a soft appearance to their surroundings, exposed at least four rows of people, with close friends and family in the central rings. Standing atop a large, low-lying grassy knoll just outside of town, he slowly turned, taking in the faces of those he loved. Aterre beamed proudly at his friend, and Noah gave him a nod. I owe you. Tubal-Cain stood to his left along with Zain and his wife, Kmani. Next Noah looked at his sister, Misha, and the lump in his throat grew. It had been so good to be around her this week and see the young woman she had become. Next to her, Jerah and Pivi smiled with the delighted, knowing expressions that usually accompanied those who recently experienced this ceremony for themselves.
He vaguely noted Nmir, Farna, Fen, and Bakur before he caught the look of approval from his father. Lamech stood alongside Ara on a small, slightly raised platform in the place of honor. Tradition dictated that Lamech initiate the ceremony, and Noah wished it would happen soon. He tried to look past the sea of faces to catch a glimpse of Emzara, but the fog made it impossible. Turning back to face his father, Noah saw him give a slight nod to someone beyond him before stooping at his feet and picking up a large clay jar. Here we go.
Solemnly, Lamech brought the vessel toward Noah and held it under his nose. Noah closed his eyes and breathed in the heavy scent of the incense.
Lamech spoke the customary words. “The Creator fashioned our Greatfather Adam out of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. It’s by that breath, each of us is alive and gathered today to celebrate this sacred rite.”
Noah had heard this retelling of the first man every time the village had gathered to commemorate the union of a new husband and wife, but it suddenly hit Noah that these words were being spoken for him. He turned his attention back to his father’s voice.
“Just as the Most High placed Adam in a deep sleep, so we symbolize that today.” His father held up a thick cloth and placed it over his eyes.
As Lamech tightened it around his head, a knot grew in Noah’s stomach and his knees trembled slightly. He opened his eyes but could only see a small slit of light, not even large enough to discern shapes or colors.
“The Most High said that it was not good for man to be alone. Noah, my son, it is not intended for you that you should be alone.” His father placed a hand on his shoulder. “You need a helper.” Lamech withdrew his hand and his words grew fainter, and Noah knew his father had returned to his place. His pulse quickened in anticipation, and again he tried in vain to peer beyond the cover. He sensed someone standing nearby and felt small hands working to unwind the cloth at his temples. A hint of Emzara’s familiar spicy-sweet perfume reached his nostrils. He smiled and breathed it in deeply.
In soft, clear tones, Emzara said, “I can be a helper fit for you.”
As the last strip fell from his face to the ground, Noah blinked and beheld the form of his beloved. His breath caught and he stood in stunned silence. Pulled back behind her head and held in place with two wooden pins he had given her the night before, Emzara’s hair fanned out before dropping beneath her shoulders. The colorful wrap Kmani fashioned for her glistened as the scant sunlight reflected off the shimmering beads along the upper hem. Noah’s eyes welled up as he regarded true beauty. Slowly, his mind prodded him to respond. Custom offered this opportunity for the man to accept or reject the woman standing before him. He always scoffed at the pause some men had taken, thinking that it would seem long indeed for the woman awaiting the response. Now, standing here, he finally understood the reason for the delay.
He licked his lips. “Here, at last, bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh.” The words leaped from deep inside of him. “You are truly the helper created for me. You are mine and I am yours.”
At this juncture, Ara stepped forward with a sealed scroll in his hand. With tears in his eyes, he gave it to Emzara. “I’ve been saving this for your wedding day. Your mother would be so proud.” He looked aside and swallowed. After a couple of deep breaths, he faced the guests. “As the father of this lovely woman, I get to pronounce my own blessing on the couple and initiate their vows.”
Ara turned again and placed one hand on Noah’s shoulder and the other on Emzara’s. “Emz, before you were born, your mother and I prayed that one day you’d unite with someone who loved and served the Creator and loved you more than life itself.” He deftly wiped away a tear. “You’re everything we hoped you’d become and so much more. I love you more than my words could ever express.”
Emzara sniffed. “I love you too, Baba.”
Ara squeezed Noah’s shoulder. “Noah, I’ve witnessed your devotion to the Most High, and I know you love my daughter. Will you vow before those assembled today to ever serve the Creator and to remain steadfast in your love for Emzara? And if the Creator blesses you with children, will you raise them to follow His ways?”
Holding Ara’s gaze, Noah nodded slowly. “I promise each of those things before you and all those gathered here.” He looked down into Emzara’s eyes, their faces less than a handbreadth apart.
Ara stood next to his daughter and raised his hands high, “You are all witnesses to the forming of a new couple.”
To complete the ceremony, Noah slowly unwound the length of leather cord around his waist and cinched it between himself and Emzara at rib level. He wrapped it around them, causing her to stand closer. As he pulled the cord, the space between them quickly disappeared. Her eyes shone brightly and she blushed. He never wanted to let her go.
She raised her mouth close to his ear. “Most couples wrap it pretty loose.”
He winked. “Well, I guess we aren’t most couples.”
Chapter 31
Havil — Noah’s 46th year
Naamah glanced in the reflecting plate hanging on the wall near her bed. She grabbed a small pot, and in confident strokes applied the dark contents to the contours of her eyes. Peering closer, she wished the metal disk showed more details. Does my unhappiness really show as Mam intimated yesterday? Unable to tell, she brushed on more of the dark liquid, hoping to hide whatever she failed to see. Just then, a knock sounded at her door.
“You may enter.” She set down the items and turned to face the newcomers.
Two guards bowed and then stepped aside as one announced, “Your father, the king, wishes to speak with you.”
Lamech entered and stood looking around as the guards backed out and shut the door.
You may be in control everywhere else in Havil, but this is my room. She donned a smile. “Da, this is unexpected. What brings you here?”
He remained silent as he continued to look about.
What? Just tell me what you don’t like and get out. “Won’t you please join me?” She walked over to the window and sat on the end of a long cushion that spanned the width of the opening. Her father followed her, and she was pleased when he sat on the other end.
“Naamah, I’m here to discuss the upcoming ceremony and your role in it.”
“Yes, the dancers, I —”
“Where are you with those preparations?”
“There will be 13 of us total and —”
“You know this is a very big part of the celebration.”
Frustrated at being cut off, Naamah clenched her teeth and let out a breath. “Yes, I —”
“I’m not
sure that you do. This will be unlike any other festivity we’ve ever hosted at Havil. This will be the one that all future celebrations will hope to live up to. I have grand plans for it.”
Realizing that her father just wanted to hear himself speak, she folded her hands in her lap and tried to look interested as he talked of his accomplishments. He droned on of how he not only made himself great, but also made the city of Havil rise to prominence.
“People look to us to lead the way, and that’s what this ceremony will do. Up until now, Sepha’s been an option for the masses, a way of living their life if they so choose.” He pounded his fist on the wooden window ledge. “But these people are weak. They have no passion. They just go through the motions of life and if Sepha happens to fit in, then they shrug and allow its presence. But all that must change.”
Naamah wondered why he focused on Sepha now since he rarely mentioned it. Sure, many of their guards had been through Sepha training to fight, and the famous tree stood in the square, but to him, it was nothing more than a means to an end. Just like me.
“The people have a strong leader.” As he spoke, he stroked the front of his impeccable garb, which sported large feathers and gold bangles sewn in tight rows. Lamech smiled as if pleased, “Yes, a very strong leader, but they need a strong belief. And with that, they’ll learn strong devotion.” He turned his focus away from the city street below and looked at her. “I have something for you, my daughter. This will be part of that new beginning.” He placed a necklace in her hand.
Her curiosity building, she looked down. Multiple strands of gold and silver beads the size of her smallest fingernail formed a large teardrop, which featured a large gold medallion at the point. Even though the pendant almost took up the whole of her palm, she imagined how nicely it would look, draped around her neck. The familiar crooked tree of Sepha was beautifully carved on it, but she noticed something else entwined up the trunk and into the branches.
“A serpent, Father?” Like the seer’s.
“Yes. The ancients tell stories of long ago, when a serpent named Nachash, the wisest and most beautiful of all creatures, offered the knowledge of the gods to men.”
“Yes, but —”
“And with Nachash added to the tree of Sepha, we’ll have a new, improved religion to offer the people. They can have a better life and as we grow in knowledge, we will grow in power. The two elements are now fused.”
Naamah snorted. “You really believe all that stuff about Nachash?”
Lamech arched an eyebrow. “It doesn’t matter if I believe it. What matters is that the people believe it. That’s why this ceremony is of such importance. We will enlighten the people and open their eyes to the way life could be.” He pointed at her. “And you, my daughter, with your dancers, will lead the procession. It’s a great honor I’m giving you. Make sure that you live up to it.”
Feeling the familiar pressure rise to her throat, she got up and moved toward the small table beside her bed. Thankful to gain some distance from her father, she set the necklace on the low-lying carved wooden square. The ornate designs made her again think of Noah, and her failure to win him. Don’t think about him.
As if reading her thoughts, her father continued. “Now, tell me about your time in Iri Geshem.”
With her back toward him, Naamah rolled her eyes. Knowing that ignoring him was not an option, she slowly returned to her spot, sank back onto the cushion, and exhaled. “It’s small compared to here.”
“Good, good, I thought so.”
“The people were welcoming. Tu really liked —”
“As they should have been to the offspring of a great man. But about the city itself. Was it as grand as Havil? Did it have large gates and walls?”
Naamah looked at him quizzically. “No. No gates or walls.”
“And the city leader?”
“I don’t know.”
“Did he have a place like ours?”
Feeling neglected, as usual, Naamah glared at a spot on the floor and clenched a fist. “I don’t know.”
“Did you not see him? What of their feasts and marketplaces and weapons?”
She worked to control her response, “I spent most of my time with Tu. And he spent most of his time creating a forge. There wasn’t much for me to do.”
He looked pleased. “Ah, yes, for all your desire to explore, you realized that I’ve brought the best part of the world right here at your door.”
This place will never be the best as long as you’re around. If only Noah had chosen me instead of Emzara. She realized her arms were crossed tightly in front of her and loosened them. Stop thinking about him.
“Well then tell me about that young man, Noah. You must have at least seen him. How far along is he with my boat?”
That’s right. He’s coming back here. Naamah heard her father’s voice, but her thoughts remained on Noah. I don’t ever want to see him again if I can’t have him. No! I will have him. But how?
The king placed a heavy hand on her shoulder. “Naamah? Is Noah going to deliver my ship on time?”
“I don’t know and I don’t care!” She swatted his hand away. “I don’t want to talk about the ship or the people or anything else about Iri Geshem. Especially not Noah.” She leapt to her feet and paced across the room. “Surely the guards you sent with me have given you all the information you wanted. Now leave me alone. I need to work on the songs I’m singing for the ceremony.” Angry, she added as much bitterness to her voice as possible. “So they can be perfect for you.”
Lamech stood. “Actually, I gave the singing for the ceremony to Navea.”
“What?” Naamah stopped and put her hands on her hips. “How could you?”
“She’s a lovely girl with a lovely voice.”
“I know that. But just because she was one of my dancers when No—” She stopped before completing his name. Her temperature rose as she tightened her fists. “Ahh!”
Lamech cocked his head and watched her closely until she calmed. “This is my decision and it’s been made. She will sing.”
“But I wanted to.”
He scratched his brow. “Yes, but you still get to dance.”
“Before I left, I was going to do both. I’m a much better singer than she is.”
“That was before. She came here while you were gone, I assume to spend time with you. And I realized that with you being away for so long, she’d have more time to practice. She’s been up here several times to perform for guests, and I must say, she’s perfect.”
Hurt, Naamah backed away. I need it to be me. “She’s perfect? Or her voice is?”
“What?”
“You just gave her the part because of her looks.”
Lamech folded his arms and gave her an incredulous look. “That’s ridiculous.”
“Oh really?” Her voice grew louder. “Then why ask her to come here so often? Was it really to practice or did she ‘earn’ the part some other way?”
Lamech’s hand flew quickly and struck her face.
Stumbling, she caught herself on the bedpost. She raised her hand to her cheek and glared at him.
“No one speaks to me in that manner. Ever! I’m the king and whether you like it or not, you’re my daughter, and you will do what I say.” He glanced toward the door.
That hit a nerve. Was there some truth to it? She recklessly proceeded. “What are your plans for her? Make her your third wife?”
“Of course I’m not —”
She was on dangerous ground, yet his anger fueled her boldness. She pushed harder, using what little leverage she had. “What are you going to do with Navea’s family? Are you going to raid her house too?”
“What?”
“Murder her parents and siblings just so you can take her?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Watch out. She has a brother.”
“Naamah, what on earth is wrong with you?”
“When you go to kidnap her, watch out for he
r brother. He might just jump out of the shadows and slash you to add a matching scar to your face.”
His eyes grew wide and he raised his hand toward her again. “Stop!”
She flinched and ducked. I’ve finally gotten to him.
“What’s all this about?” He lowered his arm without striking.
She danced away from him and, drunk on her success, continued. “Oh, let’s just say that I met the man who gave you that scar.”
He shifted his weight to his rear foot. “I was attacked.”
“That’s not what he says.” She practically sang the words in glee. “You went into their house at night and attacked them. You killed his family, at least that’s what he thinks. But I know that you spared his mother since you wanted her for your own. You would’ve killed him if he didn’t get away. He tried to defend them.” She pointed to his face and slowed her words to emphasize each one. “And that’s how you got that scar. And that’s how you got Adah.” She folded her arms and smiled smugly. “And that’s what I learned on my trip to Iri Geshem.”
“Who told you all this?” His voice was cold. “What’s his name?”
“I’m not telling. But now you know that I know the truth.”
Stepping forward, he came a mere handbreadth away and glared at her. The muscles in his cheeks tightened as his jaw clenched.
A tingle traveled down her back as she caught the fury in his eyes. I went too far. What price am I going to pay?
Suddenly, his countenance changed. Lamech stepped back and broke out in laughter.
Confused, she stared. “What’s so funny?” Her frustration grew as his amusement continued.
Slowing his laughter, he pointed directly at her face. “You are.”
“What did I say?”
He shook his head. “Ah, my little tempest, you’re just like me.”
Shocked, Naamah drew back. “I’m nothing like you.”
“I never realized it before. But like me, you crave power, and you’ll do anything to get it. You manipulate people to get what you want.” Lamech grinned. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
