by Tim Chaffey
She gazed at a freshly painted map of the known world; the land shape resembled a semi-circle with an opening on the right side. Her city stood in the middle of the lower half and much of the land in its immediate vicinity was charted. Directly above Havil to the north she spotted Iri Geshem. Just across the Great Sea. To the west stood a large region marked as “unknown.” What of Nod at the northeast tip of the map, or the wild lands north and west of Iri Geshem? She ached to know more of the secrets they held.
Realizing she had daydreamed long enough, Naamah passed through the expanse of that area to the room beyond, where high, thin windows allowed light to peek its way through. Square shelves about two cubits in length formed a geometric pattern on the walls to either side of her and each stored a number of scrolls. After rolling a small, wooden staircase over, she climbed up and reached the place where she had last left off. Clutching the three scrolls from that cube, she made her way back down and then eased onto a plush cushion near the window. Unfurling bits of the rolled papyrus, she skimmed the looping and curving text for information about Sepha.
Aha. Here we go. She reclined in her seat and became absorbed in reading until a light appeared beyond her scroll. She blinked, shaking herself from her reverie, and turned her head slightly toward the sound of soft-padding footsteps. In the now-dim room, a human outline appeared. She sat up straight, and her muscles tensed without warning. As the figure lit a hanging lantern, the visage of the seer came into focus.
“You’ve been here awhile. Anything to report, my princess?” His soothing tones calmed her the way her mother’s soft caress on her cheeks used to when she was a small child.
“I’ve learned much.” She beckoned with her hand, and he lounged on the cushion next to her.
“Tell me.”
“This scroll talks of lands that have practiced Sepha since the dawning of days.”
“Ah, very good.”
“There’s a place called Bothar. Apparently, they’re very far to the north and west. It seems as if their large city was much like Havil, but there’s a strange mystery about it.”
The seer nodded, encouraging Naamah to continue.
“A scribe from the west met someone who spent several years living there. Some of what he wrote is . . . well, it makes me uncomfortable.” Her tutor’s eyes displayed concern, and she plunged ahead. “The people of that town are allowed to . . .” Her eyes scrunched as she held back tears. “The men as an act of worship will go to a temple, where young children are waiting . . . in special rooms . . .” She buried her face in her hands, not wanting to continue.
“Hush, child. I’m surprised that bothered you so.”
Her head jerked up, her eyes wide. “Why would you say that? The children. . . .”
“Did you read about the results?” At her silence, he went on, “What did it do for the devotion to Sepha?”
“It increased greatly. The amount of people coming to the temples tripled in a single year.”
“Yes.” His voice savored the word, drawing it out. A smile played about his thin lips. “I’m shocked that you don’t see the great benefit. With all you’ve done to get our people to follow Nachash, I’d have thought you’d be excited with learning a new method to increase their devotion.”
“But the young children.”
“They got to play an incredible role in nurturing the people’s devotion. Don’t you see the honor they held?”
“Yes, but why so young?”
“How would you do things differently?”
“What about someone like me?” She spoke quickly. “Wouldn’t it be better if we could get women my age who long to play a greater role in promoting devotion to their god?”
He gazed at her face and frowned. “Someone like you, yes. But not you. You’re the princess.”
“But, why not me? If I could give myself wholly to the cause of Nachash, I would!” Her passionate voice echoed against the dim walls. “It’d be my greatest act as princess.”
“No!” He sat upright with a jerk.
She recoiled slightly at his volume. “No?”
The seer cleared his throat. “I want something greater for you.”
“What could be greater?”
He settled back and calmed his voice. “Think of how pleased Nachash would be if you were in charge of this idea of yours. You’d accomplish so much more if you were responsible for bringing this to Havil. I’d be so proud.”
Her face flushed in pleasure at being back in his good favor. And something like this — which would add ardent followers — would certainly please our god.
She longed to hear his praise again. “You like my idea?”
“Certainly. Continue to learn more about how you could implement this here.” He tapped the scroll on her lap.
“Oh, that reminds me” — she glanced down at the flowing text — “there was a mystery surrounding Bothar.”
“Go on.”
“Well, a number of years after beginning this new temple practice — here, let me find the place.” Naamah rolled up the right side of the scroll and unraveled the left as she searched for the details. “Ah, here’s what the informant told the scribe.”
I have always stayed on the edge of society, watching, recording, but never taking part. However, just today, twelve more have given up the inner spirit and left their bodies to this world. There is wild speculation about what is causing the sickness. It seems that death usually arrives within two weeks of the first symptoms. As a precaution for my own safety, I have settled in a small abode much farther away from the city and have spread word that I have perished. I shall continue to write about the strange death toll in the city from here.
Naamah moved her finger down the page, searching for the part she wanted to show the seer. “And there’s a tragic ending here.”
The entire city of Bothar is no more. Within the span of just a few whole moons, the city went from a thriving cultural center to being abandoned. More people were needing to be buried than those who felt well enough to accomplish the task. The stench of burning piles pervades the city. I have watched from my secret place this week as the last remaining citizens have succumbed to the strange sickness that caused both young and old to leave their life here on this earth.
Naamah looked up into his deep-set eyes. “What could cause all that?”
The seer remained silent, but his expression implored her to speak her mind.
“Do you think it’s because of what they did to those children?” Naamah shuddered. “Because, if so, we should never bring this to Havil.”
“Nonsense, you should have more wisdom than that. You yourself called it a mystery, and if the scribe had known the cause, he’d have recorded it. Instead of trying to link the deaths in Bothar to their practices, think about how great those customs made their devotion. Don’t forfeit great advancement and power because of the unknown.” The irritation in the seer’s typically calm voice alerted Naamah to his displeasure with her question.
Naamah stared at the scroll as she contemplated his words. “You’re right.” She straightened up and tossed her head back, forcing her straight dark hair behind her shoulder. “I’ll start working on this program then. It’s just . . . well it’s just too bad that . . .”
“That what?”
“The annual ceremony is in two whole moons. I wish I had discovered it sooner so that we could be ready by then.”
“I’m certain there’s enough time. You can use your influence with the palace. Don’t forget to practice those incantations I’ve taught you. If you promote it properly, women will beg to be priestesses of Nachash.”
“You really think so?”
He stood and offered her a hand. “I know it. Now, let’s talk about how.”
Chapter 15
The crowded city streets bustled. Emzara craned her neck to see the tops of the buildings. The towering stucco edifices were taller than she remembered. Guess they’ve been busy in the last four years. She tripped on
a gap in the cobblestone roadway, causing her to look down at the broken surface, pockmarked as it was with holes where stones were missing. Maybe they should have put some of that construction effort into repairing this road.
Noah’s strong back just in front of her comforted her among the unfamiliar sights all around. She’d expected to recognize more, but the city seemed utterly alien. A lot has changed here in Havil. Although, maybe it’s just my focus that has changed. I was paying attention to Noah last time, and this time we’re on a dangerous errand. Or maybe it’s because we’re on the outskirts of town that I don’t recognize all this.
On some level, she knew the rationalization for what it was: an attempt to make sense of something that bore no logic. The city was more different than her four-year absence could justify. Yet the fact of it remained, and she could do nothing but walk on, following Noah as they headed to Garun’s house. Shaking off her unease, she took in the brilliantly colored signs announcing in bright paint a variety of shops: weaponry, woven and wrapped cloths, and jewelry.
She gave a wide berth to another large gap in the street and nearly ran into an elderly woman. Turning, she said, “I’m so sorry,” but the woman had vanished. Puzzled, Emzara held her baby close, protecting the tiny form as she scanned the street. There was no sign of the old woman, and Emzara dropped a kiss on the soft fuzz of her baby’s head. “Tera.” She whispered the name aloud. A perfect combination of Ara and Aterre for her perfect little one. She smiled as she remembered her father telling her that Emzara was a combination of his and her mother’s names. Tera barely shifted in the tightly wrapped cloths that served not only to hold her close to Emzara but also to keep her arms free for other tasks.
“Em, are you coming?” Several steps ahead, Noah paused and looked back. She hurried to catch up. The shops thinned out and soon the cobblestone road turned to dirt and became noticeably narrower. Squat dwelling places stood tucked together on either side, with very little room in between. If this is where Garun’s family lives, I’m glad they’ll get to move to Iri Geshem soon. The wind moaned through the branches of a tall tree, sending a chill through her body.
As if on cue, a voice called out from behind them. “You two, stop!”
Noah turned around and grabbed her right hand with his left. “Run!”
She sprinted after him, but based on the sounds coming from behind them, they were not making much headway. Her breath came in short gasps, each one like a knife in her side. Somehow Tera was still sleeping, even with the extra jostling. Thank you, Most High.
“Stop or you’ll wish you had.” The voice from behind them rang with authority.
“Noah, I — the baby . . .”
“We’d better do what he said.” Noah’s pace slacked and he turned to face their pursuers, pivoting so that she was shielded behind him.
“Noah and Emzara,” a man with an evil grin said. His eyes were in shadows, giving his face a ghastly hollowness that struck terror deep within her. “We’ve been looking all over for you, and here you wander right into our city.” Eight guards walked around their leader and encircled the young family, cutting off any hope of escape.
A weight settled within Emzara, like a milknut dropping from a tree and hitting the sandy ground below with a thud. But something about his words struck her as off. They’d been looking for her and Noah? But Lamech had been to Iri Geshem — surely Naamah knew where to find them.
“What do you want with us?” Noah asked.
His boldness both pleased and scared Emzara.
“Step aside.” Another voice sounded from behind the guard.
Emzara adjusted her shoulder wrap to further conceal Tera. Where are all these people coming from?
Lamech appeared and headed straight toward her.
“King Lamech! But — I — I thought these were Naamah’s guards.” The words escaped from her mouth before she could stop them.
“Naamah’s guards are also my guards, of course.” He stepped closer, forcing her to return his gaze. The power and hate in his eyes revealed at once that he had killed her father and Aterre. She swallowed hard. And now it’s our turn.
“Why have you stopped us, sir?” Noah asked.
“You have something that we want. Something we need.”
“What’s that?” Noah’s voice growled low and instinctively Emzara knew he was readying himself to protect them with his life if need be.
“We’ve been looking for her.” The king pointed directly at Emzara and she quaked inside.
“Me? Why?”
“Get away from her.” Noah stepped directly in between his wife and the king.
Before she even saw them move, two soldiers were there, restraining Noah and yanking him out of the way.
Lamech stroked Emzara’s cheek with the back of his hand.
She twisted away, being careful to protect her child.
Lamech laughed. “Not you.”
Confused, Emzara drew Tera closer to her body.
He sneered. “The child. Take her.” Noah broke free and lunged at Lamech, but the king shoved Noah aside as if he weighed nothing at all. The two guards seized him again and one struck him with a club, rendering him unconscious.
Crying out, Emzara struck at Lamech’s hands as he reached for Tera. When he brushed aside her blows, she came at him again, this time going for his eyes, her fingers bent like the claws of an animal.
Stars exploded in her vision as he struck her across the cheek, sending her to her hands and knees in the dirt. Pushing aside her outer wrap, Lamech wrenched the cloth wound around Emzara’s torso and seized the baby.
“No!”
Awakened by the noise and rough treatment, Tera’s loud cries mingled with her mother’s sounds of anguish. Still too dizzy to rise, Emzara clung to the king’s robe with all her strength. “You can’t have her! Not without me!”
Lamech flashed a grin, his large teeth gleaming. “You’re welcome to come along.” He handed Tera to a guard and with a flick of his wrist beckoned two other soldiers. They hauled Emzara to her feet and shoved her toward the city, back the way they had come.
Somehow, in a blur, they were standing at the base of the middle steps of a large edifice Emzara recognized as the central structure of the ceremony on their first visit. Tears blinding her vision, Emzara stumbled as a guard shoved her up the stairs. The edges dug into her shins and she clamored behind Tera and Lamech, trying to reach her dear baby girl. “Where are you taking her?”
A woman’s loud cackle echoed across the expansive courtyard, pulling Emzara’s focus to the top of the platform. There stood Naamah, dressed in one of Emzara’s own gowns. Where did she get that?
“Oh look, it’s Emzara.” Naamah stepped forward and stared into Emzara’s eyes. A wicked grin spread across her face. “The one who has so captured my Noah over there that he won’t even look at me, but I’ll soon fix that. Once you’re gone, he’ll have nowhere else to turn.”
Emzara followed Naamah’s gaze. Held up by two armed men, Noah slumped against a low wall, his head lolled to one side.
“And there’s the new symbol of your love. A child. Bring her to me!” Naamah beckoned a nearby guard.
Emzara could barely stand to look as the woman held onto Tera. She clutched at the baby awkwardly as if she had never held one before. “Wake him.”
A guard picked up a pail and pitched its contents in Noah’s face. The water splashed against him and he shuddered. His eyes slowly registered consciousness, and a look of terror crossed his face as he saw Naamah with his child.
“Look at me, Noah. Now will you have me? I’m dressed for the part in this rustic dress. I’m even carrying your child.”
Her laugh drove shivers of fear through Emzara. “Please.” Emzara uttered the only word that would come out of her mouth as she fell to her knees in a feeble attempt to reclaim her baby.
Naamah held Tera out with two arms and inspected the child. “Well, it’s too late. Now you’ll regret ever refusing me.”
She stood in front of the large serpent statue so its head curved over hers.
“Finally, I have all I need.” She held Tera aloft before placing her on a golden altar. “Remember those children Noah rescued before he even met you? Well, Nachash desires the blood of innocents, and your child will take the place of those Noah stole.”
Emzara shrieked and struggled to wrench herself away from her captors, but she was no match. They stuffed a cloth in her mouth and held her face in the direction of Naamah.
Naamah closed her eyes and hummed an eerie tune. As her volume rose, the molded head of the serpent grew in size and started swaying. Emzara froze in terror — such a thing could not be. But before her eyes it morphed from a statue into a moving golden being, the head raised and poised over the writhing form of her daughter. Tera’s high-pitched cries pierced her mother’s heart. As the serpent moved to strike, Emzara screamed with all her might.
“What’s going on, Em?”
Someone was shaking her and she sat up, narrowly avoiding collision with Noah’s face as he hovered over her. “Where’s Tera?” She gripped his upper arm and clung to him as if her sheer force would result in a faster answer. A cold sweat drenched her forehead and her heartbeat raced.
“Who’s Tera?” In the semi-darkness, she saw the confused look on her husband’s face, and anger at his stupidity stabbed through her heart.
“Our daughter! Is she — is she dead?” The painful word barely crossed her lips.
“Em, you were having a dream. You’re still pregnant.” He stroked her cheek, and she relaxed her grip on him slightly. “You’re safe here in the ship’s quarters.”
“A dream.” She breathed deeply, trying to shake off the sick horror of what she’d seen, but the vivid memory was still etched in her mind. “It was so real.” She rested against him, silent for a while. “Do you think it’s wrong for us to be traveling to Havil?”
