by Tim Chaffey
Naamah opened her mouth, but nothing came out when she realized he was right.
Stunned by the revelation that she acted so much like the man she had grown to despise. Naamah sat on the edge of her bed, pouting, and crossed her arms tightly against her body.
“The reason you get so angry with me is because you’re just like me.”
She shook her head and looked up at him with pleading eyes. It can’t be.
His smile flaunted his victory. “The difference is that I’ve mastered it, and you have so much to learn.”
Naamah pulled her legs up and hugged her knees, absently tucking the end of her long garment under her feet. Blinking back tears, she tried to focus on the floor.
“You think that I took Adah as a second wife because I desired her, but you’re wrong.”
She furrowed her brow and sniffed. She had not cried since that night on the boat after Noah rejected her.
“I did it to demonstrate to the world that I’m above the old ways. The ancients claim that the so-called Creator established marriage to be for one man and one woman. Well, I make my own rules. I’m the lord of this land, and no one tells me what to do. No man, no woman, and no god sets my agenda.”
Lost in her thoughts, she barely heard his boasts. And Noah’s married by now. Several tears dripped from her cheeks, and she watched them land on the lap of her blue silken gown.
Slowly, he stepped to her bed and sat beside her. “Naamah, I have big plans for you. If you’re willing to learn from me.” He leaned in front of her to catch her gaze. “If you’re willing to learn from and obey me, you’ll have more power than you’ve ever imagined. And you can use it to get whatever you want.”
His words echoed in her head. Her eyes flashed and she raised her head. “Whatever I want?”
He put his hand on her shoulder again.
Instinctively, she started to pull away, but then stopped. Perhaps this man she had scorned for so long actually held the solution. She looked at his hand and then raised her gaze to his face, a question in her eyes.
“Whatever you want.”
Reading the implication in his gaze, she allowed one side of her mouth to curl up.
He squeezed her shoulder. “And that starts with leading the dancing and the singing at the ceremony.” He rose and moved toward the door.
The conversation was over. Though he was the one walking out, she felt dismissed, and for a moment the old hurt reared. But instead of crumbling, Naamah wiped her eyes and drew herself taller. “What about Navea?”
Pausing, the king looked back, a small, knowing smile on his lips. An ugly smile. “You decide where she fits best.” He turned again toward the door. “I need someone I can trust to lead our new religion. Prove your loyalty to me, and I’ll make you the first high priestess of Nachash.”
Chapter 32
Havil — Noah’s 46th year
Those were amazing.” Emzara brushed her fingertips together to remove the salty remains of roasted nuts. “I wish we had them back home.”
“I do too.” Taking Emzara’s hand, Noah pointed with his free hand across Havil’s busy marketplace. “Let’s check out that one.”
“A metal shop? Very well, but then I get to pick the next one.”
“We’ve already been to three that you wanted.” Noah pinched her side, then wrapped his arm around her waist and slowed to allow a group of young people to pass before them. “I should get to pick at least one place while we’re here.” He pulled back so he could glare at her with the full force of his mock indignation. “And don’t forget, yesterday I took you to that farm with all the unique animals.”
Unrepentant, Emzara slipped her arm around his waist and nestled her head against his shoulder. “And I loved every minute of it. I still can’t get over that bird that copied all the noises it heard, even speech.” She squeezed him tight. “Thank you for taking me on the trip this time.”
Noah kissed the top of her head. “I don’t ever want to be apart again.”
As they approached the shop, he looked back toward the sea and spotted the two boats they arrived in tied to the dock. Unlike the first time around, Noah had enjoyed every minute of the voyage to Havil with his new bride. Once they landed, they had been met by a delegation from Lamech, who welcomed the group and escorted them to two comfortable guesthouses. Everyone found something to do. Farna agreed to train a few of the king’s select men in how to handle their new ship and immediately set about fulfilling that commitment. Zain spent time gathering details about the city’s construction. Ashur and the other crew members frequented multiple establishments and markets, while Noah and Emzara simply took in the city together. Tonight, Noah, Emzara, Zain, and Farna would be guests of honor at Havil’s annual festival.
Opening the door to the smith’s market and then following Emzara inside, Noah expected an acrid odor to assault his nostrils but instead encountered a pleasant berry scent. As his eyes quickly adjusted to the well-lit interior, he scanned the room, surprised to see shelves laden with trinkets with no forge in sight.
“Welcome to the Gallery of Gifts and Gold.” Standing next to a counter, the middle-aged woman wore a dark blue wrap, and her black hair draped evenly around her head, except where it was cut in a straight line just above her brows. Her eyes shifted from Noah to Emzara. “How may I help you?”
Emzara shrugged and hitched a thumb at Noah.
“Greetings. I’m looking for items made by Merka the goldsmith.”
“Oh, nothing but the finest for your woman, right?”
Noah glanced at Emzara. “Well, she certainly deserves the best.”
“Right this way, please.” The woman stepped past the counter and moved to the wall along the left side of the store.
As they followed her down the aisle, Emzara glanced at the price of a pikka-sized golden pendant on a shelf. Her hand flew to her chest and she quietly gasped. She looked at Noah and shook her head.
The clerk stopped at the door along the back wall. “We keep Merka’s items in a separate space for our wealthier customers.” She barred the door with her arm. “Before allowing you into the showroom, I need you to prove you can afford one of the items inside.”
Emzara leaned in close to her husband. “If they’re more than that pendant, then there’s no way we —”
Noah held up a finger, winking at her. He pulled out a tiny scroll from his pouch and handed it to the woman. “Here.”
“What’s this?” The clerk examined the scroll.
“You recognize the seal?” Noah asked.
The woman nodded. “I do.”
“Go ahead and open it.” Noah said. “I believe it’s addressed to you.”
The clerk looked askance at him and then broke the seal. She unraveled the tiny document and quickly read it. “And what’s your name?”
“I’m Noah, and this is my wife, Emzara.”
The woman smiled at Emzara and opened the door. “You’re a lucky woman. The king’s son says you may pick any item you wish.”
Emzara’s eyes grew wide. “Tubal-Cain did this?”
Noah kissed her forehead. “It’s his wedding gift to us. He said you’d find the middle shelf particularly interesting.” He nodded toward the opening. “Shall we?”
Holding an oil lamp, the clerk led them into the showroom. She reached up and lit a circular metal tray nearly one cubit in diameter. The flame spread around the ring, and the room filled with light.
Emzara’s jaw dropped.
Three shelves lined the left, back, and right walls of the space. Resting on the top shelf, massive, intricately designed gold and silver plates, statuettes, and daggers sparkled in the firelight.
“Look at these!” Emzara pulled Noah to the left and pointed to the middle shelf. “Tubal-Cain was right.”
Noah watched Emzara gaze in wonder at the wares before her. The amazement spreading across her face could never be matched by works of metal, no matter how spectacular. Finally, his curiosity got the be
st of him and he turned his attention to the shelf. Dozens of exquisitely crafted golden animals stood before him. Most were recognizable, but there were a few mysterious creatures he could not identify. He shook his head in astonishment at the quality of the work. “Fantastic.”
Emzara squealed. “That one!”
Noah smiled when he spotted the item she pointed to. A golden keluk nearly a span in height stood behind several other flawless sculptures. “That’s the one you want?”
She grabbed his arm with both hands and nodded. “Absolutely.”
Noah turned to the clerk. “I believe she’s made up her mind.”
The clerk carefully removed the item from the shelf and handed it to Emzara. “Let me get a box to protect it.”
As the woman searched for the proper container, Emzara asked, “How much does one of these cost?”
“It’s best if you don’t know.” She held out a simple wooden box lined with soft scraps of cloth, carefully took the statue from Emzara, and gently placed it in the case. “It’s also best if you don’t let anyone around here see it. Keep it safe.” When the figure had been secured, she motioned them toward the door.
Stepping back into the main area of the shop, Emzara grasped Noah’s hand. “I don’t need to see any other stores.” She raised the box before him. “This has been more than enough. Let’s just head back to our guest house.”
Chapter 33
Only a short walk from the city square, the guesthouse he now shared with Emzara and Zain had been familiar — he recognized the gold-trimmed doors from his previous trip. Noah smiled as he lounged on a cushion in the meeting room of the large guest house. This was a far cry from the cramped quarters on ship.
Emzara slept against his chest. Absently massaging her head, Noah studied the wooden craftsmanship on the trim near the ceiling and the massive railing lining the staircase leading up to their room.
Zain returned from the kitchen with a drink in his hand. He lowered himself into a spot across the low table from Noah. “Looks like the shopping trip wore her out.”
Noah yawned. “Me too. We thought it’d be good to get some rest before the ceremony.”
“That’s not a bad idea.” Zain adjusted his wrap as he got comfortable against a cushion. “Noah,” he said after a pause. “Do you have any concerns about this evening? I don’t get the impression that this celebration will elevate the Creator.”
A small knot in Noah’s gut twitched and grew tighter. “I was thinking the same thing.” Even though he was sure they were alone, he looked around before continuing. “I haven’t heard them talk about it, but we know Sepha has influence around here. I told you before about their symbol on Naamah’s necklace, and then there’s that Sepha tree in the square.”
“I thought about skipping the event,” Zain admitted, “but I don’t want to upset our host. The king’s been very gracious, but, between the two of us —” He broke off, his gaze slipping out of focus as if his thoughts had taken him elsewhere. After a moment he gave a single emphatic nod. “We will go and observe. We’ll need to be careful. Thankfully, we’re leaving in a couple of days, and I can’t think of any reason to come back here anytime soon.”
Noah opened his mouth to speak, but a knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
Zain stood quickly. “I’ll get it.” He strode to the front door and opened it. “Hello.”
“Are you the special guests from Iri Geshem?” The man’s firm and familiar voice carried through the expansive room.
“Yes, how can I help you?”
“We’re looking for the shipbuilder — the man named Noah.”
Noah perked up at the mention of his name, causing Emzara to stir.
“Is something wrong?” Zain asked.
“Is he here?”
Noah carefully wriggled away, unsuccessful in his attempt to not wake her. Sleep still clinging to her eyes, Emzara mumbled, “Where are you going?”
“Someone’s at the door. I’ll be right back.”
Zain turned toward him. “Noah, these guards want to speak with you.”
As Noah stood he saw Zain back away from the door. “Hey, be careful.”
Four guards hastily entered the room and turned their attention to Noah. The leader stepped forward and pulled off his helmet, and Noah recognized him as Nivlac, one of the guards who had accompanied Naamah on her round trip to Iri Geshem. He pointed to Noah and turned to his fellows. “Seize him.”
As the three soldiers advanced, Noah backed up but quickly ran out of space. “Nivlac, what’s this all about?”
“Did you think you’d get away with it?” Nivlac asked.
“Noah, what’s going on?” Emzara asked.
Noah glanced at his wife. “I don’t know. There must be some mistake.” He ran a hand over his head. “Get away with what?”
Nivlac remained silent until his men cornered Noah. The guard in the center drew his weapon and pointed it at Noah’s chest, while the other two each grabbed one of his arms.
Emzara screamed. “What’s happening?”
“Why are you doing this?” Noah asked.
Zain stepped in front of Nivlac. “I demand to know what this is all about.”
Trying to free himself, Noah twisted and bucked, but the large men held him fast. “What have I done?”
As the guards pulled him toward the door, Nivlac looked straight at Emzara and raised his voice. “Noah, shipbuilder from Iri Geshem, you are guilty of assaulting our princess, Naamah.”
“Naamah? Assault? What are you talking about?”
“There is but one punishment for attempting to lie with the princess.”
“I never —” A guard struck Noah in the side of the head, causing him to stagger.
“No!” Emzara screamed. “Nivlac, you can’t do this. It’s not true!”
“Oh, but it is true, Emzara. I saw it with my own eyes on our voyage to your puny city.”
“You lie.” Enraged, Noah dove toward him but the guards restrained him just before he reached Nivlac. “Ask Naamah. She’ll tell you the truth.”
Nivlac jerked his head and one of the soldiers landed another blow to Noah’s ear. “Don’t worry, Emzara. He won’t suffer — the execution will be swift. Get him out of here.”
“No!” Emzara rushed Noah’s assailant and jumped on his back, trying desperately to pull him away from her husband. The man grabbed her arm, bent forward, and flipped her over his head onto the hard floor. She landed flat on her back with a groan.
Zain shoved Nivlac to the side and then slammed into the man who had thrown Emzara, driving him against the door frame. Suddenly freed from one of his captors, Noah whirled in front of the soldier who held him, clutching the man’s arm and pulling back with all his might. The force of his spin threw his adversary against Nivlac, and both men tumbled to the floor next to the stairs. Noah dodged a thrust from the guard who had drawn his weapon and now stood between Noah and his wife.
Emzara staggered to her knees. “Noah, run!”
With his back to the door, Noah spun and bolted outside. Sprinting toward the gate, he glanced over his shoulder and saw three men exit the house. His mind raced. Not the city square — too many guards. Where can I go? He hurried across the road and ducked between two skarep trees, pausing to draw a few deep breaths before turning right and dashing away from the center of town.
Behind him, shouts rang out, the guards calling out his movements as they gave chase. Noah only half listened, his mind flipping from one plan to another like a fish on dry land. After discarding half a dozen ideas, he decided to hide at the edge of town until nightfall and swim to the boat under cover of darkness. To that end, he turned away from the water and the luxurious homes bordering it, and soon found himself darting between smaller buildings and dodging trees. Before long he encountered a road teeming with crowds moving in both directions. Noah turned onto it and tried to lose the men trailing him among the masses of people.
His heart pounding and lun
gs burning, Noah glanced back to see two of his pursuers step into the road and turn in his direction. Rapidly surveying his options, Noah cut in front of an animal pulling a tall cart and walked ahead of it until an opportunity to sneak away presented itself. He did not need to wait long. From the opposite direction, a large beast reminiscent of Meru lugged a bulky wagon with several passengers aboard. Noah waited for it to pass and then immediately snuck behind it and bounded down a narrow alley between two buildings.
Rancid air filled his nostrils and he soon realized its source. Garbage and rotting food filled the huge containers lining the alley. Pulling his wrap across his face to block some of the odor, Noah squeezed between two of the receptacles and pressed himself tight against the wall. Struggling to catch his breath, he tried to figure out why Nivlac had falsely accused him. What could he possibly gain from such a lie?
Unable to settle on any explanation, his mind drifted back to Emzara and the soldier who had hurt her. Suddenly a horrifying thought struck him. Emzara. She’d attacked the guard. Could they arrest her for that? What if they tried to use her to get to him? Anger welled within him. Creator, please protect her.
“Mister, what are you doing?”
Noah searched for the source of the voice. Glancing up, he saw a young boy standing on a balcony above him on the other side of the alley. Noah raised his finger to his lips.
Confusion spread on the lad’s face as he looked back and forth between Noah and the busy street. Then his expression changed and his eyes grew wide. Pointing at Noah, he turned to the street. “He’s here! Right here!”
Noah shook his head rapidly and then peeked around the edge of the container. Two guards cautiously moved toward him. He took a deep breath and darted out of hiding, the soldiers yelling behind him as they followed. The alley quickly came to a dead end, and the walls around him were too high to climb. He spun to face his foes.
They drew their short swords and stepped a few cubits apart from each other, cutting off Noah’s only hope of escape. “There’s no way out,” the soldier to his right said.
