Dawn Of The Aakacarns

by John Buttrick

  Jubal was glad to hear it. “Lesson learned. Now, let’s see one of your class mates demonstrate what they have learned.”

  Ares played his flute and with beams shooting from his eyes, levitated the bed with Rue sitting on it. The boy laughed while Jubal’s older nephew turned the object of his focus right, left, and then began sending it around the room.

  Rather than risk breaking the concentration of his reckless student, Jubal summoned his potential, fully prepared to intervene. He ducked his head three times, as did Pan, Thoth, and even Ares, and then the son of Hera finally lowered the bed back in place. Semi had, with much dignity, moved next to the door, and had waited out the foolish performance. The bed never came close to hitting her. He ceased to play and the glow, a metallic green like the tail feathers of a magpie, vanished.

  “That was fun!” Rue shouted. “Do it again.”

  Thoth played the Melody on his flute, summoning his yellow-green potential. Jubal shook his head. “Wielding a Melody can be dangerous. Let’s not use people, young or old, as objects for training. If you should blink or suddenly go cross-eyed, what you are focusing on could be severely damaged. Later, after a Da Capo is added, it is no longer necessary to keep the object in sight, but until then any interruption could be destructive.”

  Rue’s smile vanished in an instant, perhaps after imagining the bed dropping or scrunching together with him in it. The warning had not been an exaggeration, especially when the potential was being focused through the eyes rather than a hand or finger. Either way it was best not to be distracted or lose sight of the object to be affected, not even for an instant.

  Without responding verbally, Thoth, like Ares, focused twin beams of light from his eyes; seeing as both students needed their hands to play the flute. The yellow-green rays, matching the leaves of a cedar, struck the box/ table. Jubal could not think of a bird with which to compare the color so thought of the tree. As Thoth raised his head, the wooden container levitated up to the ceiling, and moments later he lowered his gaze, bringing the box to rest on the floor.

  Jubal removed the Da Capo on his potential, being satisfied he would not have to intervene, and feeling Roddy’s wife had enough sense not to put others in danger.

  Semi placed the flute on the box and then clasped her hands. “I will sing the notes,” she informed and when Jubal did not object, began the performance.

  Intoning in a, “la, la, la,” pattern with each pure note sounding out as clearly as any flute could have produced, she sang on while Jubal listened keenly for any discrepancy. She held the high C for the correct duration, and began to radiate the color of a scarlet tanager. The daughter of Canaan soon stopped singing, yet the glow continued, meaning she added a Da Capo. Semi unclasped her hands and aimed her right pointer finger. A narrow ray of light shot out striking and enveloping the oar that was leaning against the wall in the opposite corner. The wooden paddle floated half way to the ceiling. A second beam shot from her left hand, enveloping her flute, and then the instrument levitated up and over beside the oar. After a few minutes, both items came to rest where they had been, and the scarlet glow vanished.

  She was one of the exceptional individuals who could get away with using the human voice as an instrument and had clearly demonstrated the perfection on an Aaka of power, with which the slightest deviation would have produced failure. Jubal could not hold back the smile after witnessing her accomplishment. “Not only did you sound out each note correctly, I like the way you added the Da Capo after the first repeat,” he gave his review of her effort.

  Reu was staring at her opened mouthed, Pan gave a slight bow, Thoth clapped his hands, and Ares stood speechless, for once. Although he did rub his neatly trimmed beard speculatively; no telling what was going on in that scrappy fellow’s mind.

  “All Four of you have done well. Remember, when you practice on your own,” Jubal was sure they would even if he had told them otherwise, “do not neglect the thirst. It is your body’s way of warning you not to over extend yourselves. If you drain the pool of life-force energy, your body will lose all moisture, and Hades, Thanatos, or Anubis will have to collect your mummified remains. Be sure to drink plenty of water and play the Melody on the flute or sing the notes,” he paused while staring at the hairy hunter. “You could whistle the Aaka, but I caution all of you not to perform the Melody mentally until you are familiar enough with the notes to hear and see them in your mind.”

  All of them nodded their heads, including Pan, who Jubal was sure would try again. Any attempt should be safe if the wooly-headed Nephilim kept the proper tempo in mind, unless he levitated high enough to fall to his death after making a mistake, Jubal considered. “I also suggest you all stay close to the ground when levitating. An error could result in massive injury or loss of life.”

  Ares shook his head. “Who would have ever guessed learning a new tune could be fatal?”

  “Until Roddy’s talent became apparent, nobody,” Semi replied.

  The door flew open, slamming against the wall, and in walked Victoria. She had always been passionate and quick to show her feelings, whether positive or negative. Her face was like copper with a slender nose and irises so black it seemed each orb was one giant pupil. Thick dark hair flowed down her back and over the shoulders in waves. Jubal looked at her and could easily imagine what his mother had been like at age seventeen. “What brings you to Japheth’s Hill and in such a hurry?” he asked his younger sibling; the only one younger than him.

  Victoria’s eyes were wide with alarm but softened when she took a deep breath, calming herself. “I was here filling in for Vashti. Women are still giving birth and we have only so many mid-wives to attend them, but that is not what I came to warn you about.”

  “Uncle Jubal can rip apart a crocodile quick as a blink,” Rue informed his aunt from his spot on the bed. “It would be better to go warn anyone who dared to threaten him about that.”

  Her dark eyes shifted to the small boy, widen at catching sight of Semiramis, whose presence was clearly unexpected, and then back to her brother. “This is serious. Nimrod is floating over the river and is headed for this hill. He seems to be scowling. Jubal, word must have reached him, and whatever was in the message must have made him mad enough to fly the way you did. It seems he can work the magic without a flute.”

  “That does not surprise me. He has always been quick to master a new weapon,” Semi stated, neither had it come as a shock to Jubal, who agreed with Roddy’s wife.

  Pan gripped his flute and glanced at the exit. “I have some scouting to do, might as well get to it,” he said and wasted no time heading out.

  Ares and Thoth were the next through the door, evidently deciding to be elsewhere when the two mighty power-wielders met up. Vashti had mentioned something about a message being sent to the caravans earlier in the morning as he had suggested at his arrival, likely more than one had gone out and by a number of different senders. He could think of a few people who might have done so.

  Rue hopped off the bed. “Are you and Nimrod going to fight?”

  Semi shook her head as if hearing something completely absurd.

  “Not unless he wants to destroy the home of Japheth and Lilith, outside is a different matter,” Victoria replied. “Jubal, please don’t go out to meet Roddy. Allow him to come to you here. Perhaps the presence of his wife will calm him. I think it would be safer for all of us if you stay right here.”

  Rue seemed to be wide-eyed eager to see a spectacular fight and Jubal could see his sister was worried there would actually be one. “Vicky, I have been dealing with Roddy’s moods since he and I were small boys. I can handle him being angry at me, but it might be good if you take Rue back to his mother. Whatever does happen should remain between me and Nimrod and is probably not something anyone else needs to witness.”

  Victoria nodded her head and extended a hand toward the boy. “Brother, be careful. I want you to be around for a long time,” she spoke in a tender voice with tea
rs rimming her eyes, and then wiped them away and smiled. “Who else could teach me the new Aaka?”

  Jubal chuckled at the remark. “Probably no one would,” he replied while thinking about her volatile moods. “Seriously though, if you really want to learn, talk to Vashti when you have the time. I am sure she will quickly place you in one of my classes. Between now and then, teach our mother what you do know, how to play a flute and read the notes.”

  Rue reluctantly took hold of her hand and they headed for the open doorway. “I will and also make myself available to teach Lilith and Sheba,” she replied and then added, “Jubal, be careful,” as if she felt he was not taking the matter gravely enough. They stepped into the hall and were soon out of sight.

  Jubal turned to the only person in the room with him. He had not expected her to leave even though he had indicated it would be best for him and Roddy to meet privately. “Do you have any idea what would prompt Nimrod to leave the caravan and return here alone and in such a hurry?” He asked the question to see her response, not that he had no ideas of his own.

  Semi gave a little chuckle. “Your sister is a little high strung and prone to imagining baseless scenarios. The tendency has gotten the spunky girl in a number of otherwise avoidable quarrels,” she replied accurately to a question that had not been asked, and then continued after receiving no contradiction. “I have some thoughts on what could motivate my husband to meet with you. I will say if he is angry, I doubt it has anything to do with your actions. From everything I have heard since you arrived, and my group of informers is quite extensive, you have not failed to remind each listener it was Nimrod who wrote the Aaka of power and taught the Melody to you.”

  It was a good yet unhelpful answer, informing him of nothing he did not already know, and was about what he expected from her. Jubal knew of the informers and never considered his loyalty to Roddy to be in question, not after so many years working together. They had each other’s back and the recent fight against a pair of lions was only the latest example of the fact. It was time to be forthcoming. “Just before his talent as an Aakasear manifested, we spoke of the power struggle he knew would come shortly after the current crisis is over. I suspect his return has something to do with that.”

  A slow smile began spreading across Semi’s face. “He always tells me you are quicker to grasp a concept than many people give you credit for,” she gave a nod of her head as if to congratulate him. “Your reasoning in this matter is the same as mine.”

  Good to know, Jubal concluded, figuring until recently, perhaps that very moment, she had been in the group who underestimated him. Pan seemed to enjoy surprising people who misjudged his ability, believing their erroneous assumptions afforded him an advantage. Jubal could see why the wooly hunter would think so, but also knew Vashti would not approve of her husband deliberately seeking to be underrated. People, being people, would always make judgements about others, it was inevitable. Even so, he did what he did for his own reasons and could not give a flying fig what most folks thought of him, considering only the opinions of those he respected to be what truly mattered.

  Did anyone ever see a fig fly? He could levitate one, making it seem to fly, but decided he still would not send the tasty fruit to a short-sighted person whose opinion was essentially not worth knowing.

  Roddy walked into the room with a grin on his face. “Would you believe a score of people, including Lilith and Japheth, entreated me to work out whatever grievance I have with you in a peaceable manner? Outside of training, you and I have not fought since we were seven; even then it ended in a draw with no harm done and both of us laughing at ourselves. They should have remembered our history together has been comradely. By the way, I never believed you drowned or were killed by a predator, not after seeing how you handled the wolf-pack, although I did have some doubts about the boy’s survival,” he stated and then hugged his wife in greeting.

  The Aakasear had a bow and quiver strapped to the back of his hunter’s garb and a knife and two water-skins belted at his waist. The man did not appear to be dehydrated, so must have heard from the reports about the large quantity of liquid Jubal had consumed after performing the Melody. If nothing else, the man knew enough to drink when he was thirsty, even if he did not know about draining his pool of energy.

  Jubal chuckled. “Lots of people have believed the worst when it comes to my survival; that has not changed. About your reception, it seems I have made an impression. Seeing me wield your Aaka has filled them with awe and a certain amount of fear after they get over the initial shock. I suspect it occurs to them how easily such power could be directed in a hostile manner, so I have no difficulty believing even the elders suspected trouble at seeing you scowling,” he paused and waved his arm toward the empty area behind him. “Word of your impending arrival cleared this room of most of my students. I assume Semi sent a bird or two your way about what has been happening here. You, no doubt, already know I have been given the title of Instructor of all Nephilim by Zeus, Ra, and Oden.” He pointed at Semiramis. “Her enrolling in my class also comes as no surprise to you, especially since you gave no verbal or outward sign of wondering about her presence in my wife’s quarters.”

  Roddy’s gaze shifted back to his wife. “I told you so. No one can be in my presence as much as Jubal has been and not learn to see deeper into the heart of a matter.”

  Nimrod had a knack for including himself while praising the ability of others, but that did not mean his statement was untrue. Even so, Vashti also contributed to the clearer vision into the motivations behind certain actions and events.

  Semiramis glanced at Jubal before making her reply. “Sometimes one must see for oneself in order to fully appreciate what has been stated as being fact. This is the second time in the space of five minutes he has proved to me how right you are. Even while we were speaking before you arrived he never let on that he knew or suspected your presence could be the result of a missive from me.”

  Jubal felt enough had been said about him. “It seems you figured out on your own the need to drink plenty of water. I was visited by the priest and had to be warned about ignoring the thirst and about the possibility of draining the pool of life-force energy dry, but you apparently realized the danger and avoided being mummified,” he informed as if explaining something they both knew, even though it was the first time Roddy was hearing about the very real danger. Nimrod disliked showing any lack of skill or lack of understanding and hated to be talked down to. When the chief hunter nodded his head, Jubal continued. “He referred to you as being an Aakasear, a crafter or composer of Aakas, and said you will produce many more Melodies capable of drawing forth life-force energy. Me, he called the first Aakacarn and predicted before our brothers came to me with their resolution that I would be the instructor and you would be the composer.”

  Semiramis eyed Jubal. “That means you knew the three would bestow the title on you before even they did.”

  Jubal refrained from voicing the thought of, “Didn’t you see it coming in the stars?” Instead he replied, “I knew it would happen, but not when it would happen.”

  Roddy stood stroking the whiskers on his chin as if mulling something over in his mind. Moments later his right hand went back to his side. “I was irritated over the missive sent to me by Gomer. The other caravan leaders received the same message. In short, he, Magog, Canaan, Aram, and my father have offered to help us learn to govern the people. Your name also came up in messages received by Loki and Artemis. Gomer spoke of how you survived the storm by masterfully wielding my Aaka, and in a manner far beyond my performance,” he paused, looked Jubal in the eyes, and his brow wrinkled and then set in firm determination. “That was the first of a flock of messages that arrived, most of which made it clear you and the boy had survived, but one from Oden praised us both and mentioned his thought that you and I should focus on creating and teaching my Aakas while he, Zeus, and Ra focus on the tedious job of dealing with the other Nephilim, Anakim, and Ti
nies.”

  Jubal thought of what had been said and why such would trouble Roddy. “Ra and Magog in particular voiced their concerns in the assembly of elders about Noah and Vivian giving too much authority to the Nephilim. The transition was ordered because the great lady knew you and I would begin wielding power from the pool of life-force energy within us, as would every Nephilim we teach. The two ancients are convinced authority is to be given to us or else it would be taken. Gomer’s message sort of suggests he has accepted the fact that his authority as a tribal leader is going to be diminished, yet indicates to me he is trying to drive a wedge between us.”

  Nimrod nodded his head. “I believe that was his intent. I told you before I performed the Aaka in your home that the crisis with Zeus, Ra, and Oden in charge would end, but leadership would pass into the hands of the fittest once things settled down, and matters went back to normal. Once things settled down, I said, but did not flooding anticipate the maneuvering for power would start before the water receded. The message from your wife’s brother is what prompted me to levitate here fast as a pidgin, that, and the one from Gomer convinced me you and I needed to talk. The tribal leaders and the three temporary heads of all Nephilim and Anakim are already moving to consolidate their power and it is clear you are the one they are currently focusing on.”

  “He is right,” Semi spoke up. “Jubal, while you see deeper than most people believe, you are also honest and trusting, which makes you easy to manipulate.”

  Jubal felt he was again being underestimated, yet as he thought about it, realized he did often take people at their word until circumstances proved otherwise. Did that make him gullible?

  Nimrod did not contradict her, neither did he show any sign of agreement. “I will be heading back to the encampment after spending a brief time alone with my wife. First, I want to tell you my plan so our goals will be the same and you can judge whether or not anything my rivals might suggest would interfere with my agenda. She and I will make the dream I spoke of in the forest a reality, mark my words.”