by Tim Chaffey
His eyes flashed with an unreadable expression before he pulled her close, squeezing the breath out of her.
She relaxed in his arms, wishing to stay this way forever.
Finally, he sighed. “I’m so glad you’re back safely. And I can’t tell you how . . . how . . .” He paused and his lower lip quivered. “How glad I am that you didn’t let those serpents loose.”
“Me too.” As she lay there against him, the day’s troubles started to fade away, and she savored the rest that they found in each other.
“What made you stop?” he finally asked.
“Two things.” She toyed with the embroidered edge she had sewn on the folds of cloth by his neck. “No matter how much he hurt us, and no matter how much I think he deserves to die, I was never entirely comfortable with the idea Adah and I came up with. Eventually, I saw how in my anger and desire for retribution, I was willing to become just like Lamech. Obtaining vengeance would probably feel good, like Adah said, but could I really live with myself knowing I’d murdered a man? Would you ever look at me the same way again? Would you even want to see me?”
He brushed a finger softly over her bottom lip. “And the other thing?”
“I — I tried to pray to the Creator, and it was the first time I ever remember Him feeling so distant. I couldn’t seem to reach out to Him. That’s when I caught a glimpse of the future if I carried it out.” She blinked back tears and verbalized the question at the front of her thoughts. “Do you hate me?”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “Never.”
“But what I tried to do was so wrong.”
“Yeah,” he pulled her head close against his chest. “But it wasn’t just you.”
“Adah certainly was willing to help. And little wonder with her life as it is now, plus hearing about Aterre. But. . . .” Her large eyes focused on him. “But it was my idea. She simply gave assistance in carrying it out.” Her cheeks deepened in shame and her words trailed off.
“I love you.”
She looked up, almost shocked.
“Remember, the Creator never treats us how we deserve. Think about Greatfather Adam. Before banishing him from Eden, the Most High offered a sacrifice, allowing our first parents to live instead of instantly carrying out the sentence of death.” He kissed her on the top of the head. “I’m proud of your courage. And I’m glad you thought about what the Creator would think, and that you chose to follow Him instead of your own way.”
Peace washed over her as the last lingering feeling of isolation faded and she lifted her lips to her husband’s.
“Do you really have to do that here?”
Tubal-Cain’s voice snapped her back to reality and caused her to blush.
“Can’t believe you’re still up,” he said.
“We’re just catching up.” Noah grinned as he turned to face their friend.
“Is that what you call it?” He returned a wry smile before scooting up a chair. “Well, as long as we’re all still awake, I may as well tell you the little that I’ve found out about the ceremony.”
Emzara stayed silent, allowing Tubal-Cain to talk. But at the moment she cared nothing for the ceremony or Lamech or anything else. For the moment she was content to just be in Noah’s arms. Still, she couldn’t help but listen as their friend recounted his information.
“It’s supposed to be bigger than ever, so my father definitely lied to the town council — what a surprise. There’ll be a raised platform for invited dignitaries from all over the land, kind of like where you described being seated last time.”
Emzara yawned and reclined against Noah. With her eyes shut, a contented smile crossed her lips as he held her, and before long she lost the fight against the slumber and drifted away.
Chapter 22
Noah awoke for what seemed to be the tenth time during a fitful night. Lying flat on his back, he yawned and rubbed his eyes. Sunlight pushed its way through the dark cloth covering the small window in their room of the beach home.
He turned his head slowly to face Emzara. If his night was restless, hers was even more so. She had tossed and turned, and twice awakened shaking and rambling about another bad dream. Noah smiled at her now resting peacefully. He sighed as he imagined what life may have been like for them if she had carried out her plan the night before. Certainly, Lamech deserves to die, but what would the Creator think of Emzara carrying out the murder? And how would Tubal-Cain take it? Lamech’s still his father. He shuddered and thanked the Most High for staying Emzara’s hand.
Determined to let her sleep, Noah quietly slipped out of bed and dressed himself before heading to the sitting room. Pulling back the cloth to let in some early morning light, he scanned the room, deciding what to do first. His mind made up, he entered the kitchen and dipped his cup into the bucket of water he’d drawn from the well the night before and then grabbed a handful of nuts and a malid fruit from the table. He chomped into the luscious produce and relished its blend of sweet and tart flavor and crispy texture.
He moved back to the open window and stared at the scenery before him. Surrounded by taller trees, a handful of malid trees grew along the dirt trail to the house, and several birds stalked under them in the grass looking for a morning meal. Dozens of colorful flowers had just begun to open their petals to drink in the sunlight of the day.
“Looks like a beautiful morning.”
Noah spun to see Tubal-Cain entering the room. “Morning peace. I didn’t know you were up yet.” He took a swig of water and set the cup on the front room’s table before sitting on the nearby bench.
Tubal-Cain took a seat across from him. “I’ve been up for a while. I didn’t sleep well.” He snorted. “I guess you could say that I’m a bit nervous about tonight.”
“I would be too.” Noah tossed a few nuts into his mouth. “It’d be hard enough to stand up to a king in front of such an audience, but the fact that he’s your father . . .” Noah shook his head. “I’ll pray that the Creator gives you the courage.”
“I appreciate that.” Tubal-Cain crossed his arms. “Just be ready to back me up if I need it.”
“My husband will be doing no such thing.” Her hair braided and wrapped in a twisting fashion around her head, Emzara stood in the doorway and looked at both men.
Noah held out his hand, inviting her to join him.
“I get it, Zara. I know you don’t want him in danger. Neither do I.”
Noah took her hand and guided her to sit beside him. “I didn’t realize you were awake.”
“I’ve hardly slept. I just decided to stop trying.” She leaned against him and looked at Tubal-Cain. “If there’s going to be trouble, I need to be by his side.”
“What are you saying?” Tubal-Cain tilted his head.
“We will be there to support you.” Emzara put her hand on Noah’s chest. “If you need it.”
Noah drew back and his eyes narrowed.
“It seems like you haven’t run this past Noah yet,” Tubal-Cain said.
She chuckled. “I just did.” She kissed Noah’s cheek. “And what does my handsome husband think of the plan?”
Noah scratched the back of his neck. “I don’t want you in danger. . . .”
“And you think I want you in danger?” Emzara asked. “Being separated from you the last time we were here made me feel so helpless. I won’t go through that again.”
“You didn’t let me finish. I don’t want you in danger, but if Tubal-Cain’s willing to risk his position or even his life to see justice done for your father and Aterre, then the two of us sure better be willing to do the same.”
“My thoughts exactly.” Emzara grinned. “My intelligence must be rubbing off on you.”
Noah snorted and turned to Tubal-Cain. “I guess we’re in.”
“You realize what you’re signing up for, don’t you?”
Emzara leaned forward. “Death has been our life recently. And maybe it means nothing, but on our way here, I faced death in a dream about Havil.
I say we have nothing to lose.”
Noah clasped Tubal-Cain’s shoulder. “We’re in this together.”
A knock at the door caused a round of nervous glances. Tubal-Cain spoke softly. “Are we expecting anyone?”
Noah raised his head as he remembered what day it was. Keeping his voice down, he said, “Garun’s family.”
The banging on the door started again. “This is the palace guard. Open up immediately.”
Emzara shuddered. “What do we do?”
Tubal-Cain smiled broadly. “It’s not locked, Kenter. Come on in.”
The guard opened the door and entered the house followed by Adah.
Emzara’s hand flew to her chest. “You scared me, Kenter. Don’t do that again.”
“I’m sorry, lady. I was hoping to scare your husband. Noah, it’s good to see you again.”
Noah let go of Emzara’s hand before climbing to his feet. “It’s good to see you as well.”
“What brings the two of you out here this morning?” Tubal-Cain asked.
The queen stepped in front of the guard, but Emzara spoke first. “I think I know.” She stared at the floor. “I’m sorry, Adah. I was right there. Everything was going as planned, and then something deep inside me wouldn’t let me do it.” She studied the wood grain around her feet.
Adah held her head high, but her eyes remained unfeeling. “I’ve lived with things the way they’ve been for so long, I can last a while longer. My situation is not your fault.”
Emzara stepped back and wiped a tear from her cheek. “Thank you. But what are you going to do now?”
“I’m not sure.” Adah looked at Tubal-Cain. “What are your plans?”
“It’s better if you don’t know. That way, if things don’t go well and my father questions you or Kenter, you can truthfully tell him that you knew nothing about it.”
“But you’re planning something for tonight’s ceremony?” Adah asked.
Tubal-Cain pursed his lips and shrugged.
The queen looked at Noah. “Well?”
Noah copied his friend’s response.
Adah sighed. “Thank you for considering my situation, but I’m really . . .” She stumbled and Kenter helped her regain her balance.
Noah steadied Emzara as the room seemed to sway a little side to side. As the wooden structure creaked and groaned, a basket of bread rounds fell off the table in the kitchen. Suddenly, the shaking stopped.
Adah patted Kenter’s shoulder. “Thank you. Another one of those rumblers.”
Noah scratched his chin. “I felt that yesterday too. What is it?”
“I don’t have any idea,” Adah said. “They started before the last whole moon, but they’re getting stronger and more frequent.”
Kenter pointed in the direction of Havil. “I’ve heard some people say that it’s because of that smoking hill on the other side of the city, but I don’t know how a hill could make the earth shake.”
A true earthshaker. Noah smiled to himself as he thought of the mighty beasts with the same name.
An awkward silence settled over the group until a large animal bellowed outside the house.
Noah spun and looked out the window. A massive lunker that reminded him of Meru tugged a wagon full of crates and baskets up the trail. Garun’s wife and the three girls walked ahead of it toward the house. “Garun’s family is here.” He pointed to Kenter. “Can you open the door?”
Kenter pulled the door and moments later, Laleel entered with her two younger daughters.
“Hello, Kenter,” Laleel ducked her head as she greeted him. “I didn’t expect to see you here.” She hesitated upon seeing the prince. “Tubal-Cain, sir, I barely recognized you with your beard.”
“It’s good to see you, Laleel.” Tubal-Cain spread his arms out wide. “Welcome.”
She continued to scan the room and froze when she spotted Adah.
“Do not fear,” Adah said. “I will say nothing to the king.” She flashed a grim smile. “In fact, I envy you.”
Wondering what had become of the runaway slave girl, Noah peeked out the window again. There she stood, petting the large animal on its shoulder, then she turned and walked toward the house.
Laleel introduced her two daughters to the group, who greeted them in turn.
Adah turned and put a foot on the edge of the low table so she could retie the leather straps around her ankle.
“And the newest addition to our family.” Garun’s wife gestured toward the door, imploring the girl to come in, which she eventually did, with her eyes downcast and her face flushed. Laleel said, “This beautiful young lady is Zedakal.”
Adah spun around, and her sandal, which she had not finished securing, slipped off her foot. “Zedakal?”
The girl peeked out from beneath the hair hanging in her face.
Adah slowly approached her and bent down to see her face. “Kal?”
The recently freed slave looked up slowly, her eyes wide. “Mam?”
“Kal!” The queen swept the girl into her arms and held her tight.
“Oh, Mam, I missed you so much,” Zedakal said as she returned the embrace.
Shocked, Noah stared at the two. Mam? This poor girl is Adah’s daughter? Noah smiled and grabbed Emzara’s hand as he watched the reunited mother caress her daughter and whisper into her ear. Suddenly, Noah’s jaw dropped. “Wait.”
“What’s wrong?” Emzara asked.
Noah pointed at the queen. “If she’s her mother” — he shifted his finger toward the girl — “then that would make her . . .”
Emzara squealed. “Aterre’s sister!”
Adah and Zedakal, still hugging, turned in unison, each with ear-to-ear smiles on their faces and tears of joy streaking down their cheeks.
Emzara released his hand and bolted toward the girl.
Zedakal focused on Emzara. “You knew my brother?” she asked as Adah stepped slightly back, still leaving her hand on the girl’s arm.
Emzara bit her lip and nodded before reaching out and hugging Zedakal.
The girl blinked rapidly. “I don’t remember you” — she glanced at Noah — “or him. But I was a lot younger back in the village.”
Noah shook his head. “No, we’re not from your home. We’ve known Aterre for the past ten years.”
“What? How?” She shook her head as her voice trailed off.
Adah beheld her daughter. “Your brother wasn’t killed the night of the attack. He ran far away, and that’s how they met him.”
“Really? Where is he now?” She frantically looked around the room.
Adah rubbed her eyes. “He was killed recently.”
Noah and Emzara explained some of the details about Aterre’s life. Along with the others, Noah’s emotions ran the gamut from joy and amusement to sorrow and anger.
With tears in her eyes, Zedakal thanked them for the stories. “I’m glad you got to meet him. He used to pick on me and pull my hair, but he helped take care of us when Da left home.”
Noah decided not to belabor the fact that Aterre’s father abandoned his wife and children, opting instead to keep the focus on happier elements of Aterre’s life. “Well, Zedakal . . .”
“You can call me, Kal. Mam always did, and so did Aterre.” The sides of her mouth curled up shyly. “He called me lots of other things too.”
“Okay, Kal. Well, I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but now I know who you reminded me of.” Noah crossed his arms. “You’re very much like him. You have the same look in your cheekbones and noses. Your smile is so much like his — well, yours is much prettier — and you have the same accent.”
Adah put a hand on Laleel’s shoulder. “How did she end up with you? Is she your slave?”
Laleel looked offended. “We don’t own any slaves.” She nodded to Kal. “Would you tell the story?”
Kal indicated the bench next to Noah. “Do you mind if I sit? I’m a little tired from the long walk.”
Noah moved aside. “Please.”
<
br /> Kal sat down as the others gathered around her. She looked at the queen, and at her reassuring nod, began her story. “I was sold into slavery after we were separated. For about eight years, I worked on a farm in the south. My owners weren’t too harsh, but it was hard labor. Then a couple years ago, they gave me to a family in Havil to pay off a debt.” She rested her forehead on her hand. “They were terrible people. If something wasn’t exactly the way they wanted it, they’d beat me and I wouldn’t eat that day. But then it got worse.” Looking down at her fingers in her lap, she twisted them nervously and spoke in measured tones as if detached from her own experiences. “The man of the house started to take notice of me. He . . .” She fell silent and leaned against her mother.
Fiery rage spread through Noah’s body. He glanced at Tubal Cain, and seeing the tightness in his jaw, Noah knew they both wanted justice to be served on behalf of this young girl.
Kal took in a deep, determined breath. “Anyway, then when the princess started recruiting young women in the city for her new priestess program, I was noticed and taken away to become one of her . . .” Again she stopped.
“One of her what?” Emzara asked.
Like a mother bird protecting her nest, Laleel stepped forward and put a reassuring hand on Kal’s bent head. “At the ceremony tonight, Naamah’s going to introduce her latest idea. She rounded up over a dozen young women from the city who are going to help her serve Nachash.”
“What do you mean ‘serve’? How?” Tubal-Cain’s voice was firm and his eyes narrowed into slits.
“You won’t like the answer.”
Tubal-Cain folded his arms. “Tell me.”
Laleel glanced at the queen, who encouraged her to proceed with a nod. “Naamah will tell the people that the most effective way for them to worship Nachash is to unite with one of her priestesses.”
