by Tim Chaffey
“It’s not your fault, Noah. We knew the risks, but we wanted to stay near our children and their children.” Tubal-Cain sighed. “I just never imagined things could change so rapidly.”
“We should’ve seen it coming, though. Ashur’s been trying to get control of the council for decades.”
“And in his first move, he arrests everyone who would dare oppose him. Ruthless.”
“Ara warned me about him so long ago, but I don’t think even he ever imagined it would come to this.” A sharp pain stung Noah’s leg as he attempted to stretch it out, a painful reminder of the blows from Elnach. Wincing, he forced himself into a seated position and leaned against the wall opposite Tubal-Cain. “Speaking of arrest, do you have any idea where we are? This isn’t one of the holding cells near the town hall.”
“No, it’s not.” Tubal-Cain lifted his head and looked toward the wooden door on the far side of the room. “That’s the only way in or out. I think we’re in the lower level of the old theater. It sounded like there was some cheering a while ago, but it was pretty muffled in here.”
Noah’s eyes widened as a cruel thought formulated. “And we’re going to be part of the entertainment, aren’t we?”
“That seems like a strong possibility.”
Twisting his wrists, Noah tried to slide his restraints off. “Any chance of us breaking out of here?”
Tubal-Cain shook his head. “Not likely. I’ve tried.”
Noah fell still as hopelessness washed over him. Then he smirked. “Well, you’d better hope they don’t make us fight to the death. I think we both know who’d win that one.”
Tubal-Cain snorted. “Only because I’d let you.”
“And I’d never fight you.” Suddenly serious, Noah shifted his weight, trying to find a comfortable position. “No matter what happens today, I want you to know how grateful I am for your friendship over the years. I couldn’t ask for a better friend, and I know Em feels the same way about Adira.”
“And we think the same about you and Zara, but don’t get too mushy. Besides, I don’t think Ashur would have the guts to kill me if he thought it would upset my father.” Tubal-Cain glanced up and his eyes glittered with unshed tears. “To be honest, I’m worried that he’ll want to make an example of you.”
Approaching footsteps captured Noah’s attention.
“He’s in this one.” A man peeked into the locked room through a small opening near the top of the door. “One moment.” Metal pieces clinked together before the latch slid out of its place. The door opened and two guards carrying torches entered the cell.
The man on the right pointed to Tubal-Cain. “There he is.”
As the guards stepped to either side and placed their torches in the sockets on the wall, a woman dressed in a long black gown walked between them, holding her chin high and shoulders back. The left side of her head was shaved, but her dark black hair hung down behind her right arm, which bore the unmistakable emblems of Nachash. A high-ranking soldier followed close behind her. She cocked her head to the side. “Tu?”
Noah’s heart sank and he quietly dipped his head, hiding his face from Naamah. He watched Tubal-Cain from the corner of an eye.
Tubal-Cain’s head flinched backward. “Amah?”
She let out a mocking laugh. “Ah, brother, it’s been a long time.”
“Yes, it has. What are you doing here?”
Naamah raised her chin. “Haven’t you heard? This city belongs to Havil now, and it’s time for them to meet their princess and high priestess.”
“What? How. . . .”
“You’ll know soon enough.”
“Where’s my wife? Is she safe?” Tubal-Cain fought his restraints.
“How should I know?” She bent down in front of him. “I’m sure we’ll find her, and if you cooperate, I can guarantee her safety.”
“Cooperate?” Tubal-Cain leaned back. “What do you want?”
“That’s for Da to decide.” She snapped her fingers and turned to leave. “Guards, take him to my father.”
Noah dipped his head even lower, but a man’s armored legs soon filled the edge of his view. A strong hand grabbed his chin and forcibly twisted his face upward. Recognition filled both captor and captive at the same moment. Nivlac!
A wicked smile opened on the guard’s lips. “One moment, Princess. Look what I found.”
She turned and fixed her gaze on Noah. Her mouth widened in a slow, sinister smile as she recognized him. “I’ll be there soon,” she said over her shoulder, without taking her gaze from Noah’s face. “I’d like to have a few moments to talk with my old friend Noah before he makes his debut in the arena.”
“Naamah, don’t do this,” Tubal-Cain said as the guards untied the ropes from the wall and bound his hands together.
“It’s not up to me. Perhaps you can persuade the king to spare his life.”
Noah looked past her to Tubal-Cain. “Don’t worry about me. Honor the Creator no matter the consequences.”
Tubal-Cain climbed to his feet with the guards’ assistance. “I will. Farewell, Noah.”
“May the Creator keep you.”
“Enough!” Naamah stiffened and faced the guards holding Tubal-Cain. “Get him out of here.”
The two sentries pulled the rope binding the blacksmith, leading him out of the room while Nivlac took up a post near the door.
Naamah laughed derisively. “Ah, Noah. This certainly looks familiar. Just you and me. And your life in my hands again.” She paced in front of him. “And to think, you could’ve prevented all of this. You and I could’ve ruled Havil and the rest of the world together, but you were too self-righteous and too naïve. Tell me, where is your wife now?”
Silently thanking the Creator that Emzara was safe far up the river, Noah said nothing and kept his head down, only able to see Naamah’s feet as she stopped in front of him. He recoiled when her hand touched his cheek.
“Still intimidated by me, I see. Very well. Perhaps she’ll be in the crowd, cheering you on as you face your death.” She pivoted. “Help him to his feet.”
The dry ground crunched beneath Nivlac’s footsteps. He grabbed Noah under the arm and pulled him to his feet.
“That’s better,” Naamah said. “Look at me.”
Noah stared at the ground until Naamah snapped her fingers. Nivlac grabbed Noah’s hair and yanked his head back.
Naamah stretched her arms to the side and slowly spun around. Her attractive form had diminished little over the centuries, but somehow she seemed to have aged much more than her contemporaries. Her eyes lacked the beauty and spark that had inhabited them so long ago. Her face was wrinkled like that of someone a century older, though she tried to mask it with various paints and dyes. “Do you regret your decision now, Noah?” She brushed his cheek with the back of her hand and then gently slapped him. “What a shame. We could’ve accomplished so much together, but today will be your last, and I’ll continue to be the most powerful person in the world.”
A surge of confidence rushed through Noah. He straightened, drew back his shoulders, and stared defiantly at her. “I will not die today.”
One side of her lips curled up and she unsuccessfully tried to stifle a laugh. “You amuse me. But I promise you, you will die today.”
“I don’t think so.” Noah shook his head. “But even if that happens, the Creator will bring me back to life.”
Naamah’s jaw dropped and she stared at him. “The Creator? After all this time, you’re still trying to serve a defeated God? Most of the world follows Nachash now. He has overthrown your insignificant God.” She snickered and strode away before turning and marching back. “Tell me, Noah. What makes you think you’ll live beyond this day?”
Something in her expression and tone showed a tinge of doubt. Noah’s confidence rose even more. “Because I haven’t finished the task He has given me.”
“The task? The Creator gave you a job to do?”
Noah wondered if he should remain
silent, but his desire to see everyone follow the Creator won out. Still, he did not want to give away too many details. “Yes. He’s going to destroy this world with a flood. Only a small number of people will be spared.”
“Let me guess, you’re supposed to be one of those people.”
Noah nodded.
A vicious grin curved Naamah’s lips. “Well, this day just got better. Not only will your life come to a spectacular end in the arena, but so will belief in your weak God when the people see your demise.”
“And when you’re proven wrong, then what?” Noah asked. “The Serpent is a fraud, Naamah. Turn to the Creator while —”
She slapped him. “Don’t you dare address me without my proper title! I am the high priestess of Nachash, and you’ll soon learn the meaning of true power.” She spun and walked to the door.
He watched her go, saddened by her eagerness to follow the Great Deceiver. Nivlac held the door open for her, and a massive human frame appeared on the other side of the opening. The top of Naamah’s head barely reached his waist, and his torso and head remained a mystery because they were higher than the door frame. Each of the giant’s legs measured about as large as Noah’s whole body.
“Your father is waiting for you.” The man’s deep voice rumbled through the cell just before the door shut.
Is that what I’ll face in the arena? Noah took in a deep breath before slumping to his knees and stretching forward. Creator, my life is in Your hands. I believe You’ll rescue me today because I trust You to fulfill Your plan. I don’t know how You’ll do it, but I ask that others will have the opportunity to hear the truth about You.
Chapter 32
Naamah walked swiftly beside her gigantic guard, rage fueling her steps and allowing her to keep pace with him. What was it about Noah that always made her feel powerless? She no longer felt any attraction toward him, but his words still sliced through her and made her feel helpless. The lack of control she felt around him was the same as when her then-beloved father brought home a second wife all those hundreds of years ago. Really? You’re not going to die today? She smirked. We’ll see about that.
A gaping door stood at the end of the wide passage, but the hulking figure at her side opened up a smaller door to their right, which led to a snaking path up to the main platform. Approaching Tu, who waited by the entrance with his armed escort, she tossed her hair behind her back with a flick of her head and straightened her shoulders.
“What’s going on, Amah? Why are you and Da here?” His old pet name for her sparked something from deep within, but she squelched it.
Four guards accompanied them through the smaller exit; two led the way while the other two followed. Her giant companion left her side in order to enter the arena from a route more suitable for his size.
“We took over the town. Well, it was handed over to us. No battle necessary.” She allowed Tubal-Cain to walk beside her and he leaned his head occasionally to avoid the low ceilings. “The king plans to make Iri Geshem our northern capital.”
“Come on, Noah’s not here, and you don’t have to brag in front of me.”
She leveled a cold look at him. “I’m not kidding. Once you see him, you’ll know the truth.”
He shrugged. “So what does he want with me?”
“You’re his son, why shouldn’t you share in his greatest achievements?”
“He’s always left me alone before now.”
“Well, you’re not young anymore. Maybe he thinks it’s time you started showing loyalty to your family.”
“Oh, I’m not young anymore, huh?” His face lit up with his unique grin.
Naamah kept her visage expressionless, hoping to hide her thoughts from him. Oh, Tu, when’s the last time I’ve seen a genuine smile from anyone? I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed you.
“You know,” he said, “you’re not so young yourself.” He winked at her. “And what’s this new look you’ve got going on?” He pointed to the intricate design on her shoulder, where embedded ink interwove with lines of delicate scar tissue to form twisted vines and snakes in the branches of a Sepha tree. She had endured countless needle pricks and fine knife work to shape the image and raised skin, which covered her shoulder and a good portion of her arm, and extended down her back. Yet she had received it so long ago that she had almost forgotten it was not naturally part of her. “Nachash has been very good to me all these years.”
“Pardon me for saying so, but I don’t believe that. You still look beautiful, sister, but the look in your eyes and the wear around them tell me a different story. You seem wrecked by Nachash.”
Anger flared again, and she sneered. “How could you say that? Don’t you realize I could have any man in this arena if I so chose? But I doubt that anyone in this place is worthy of me.”
He groaned and shook his head, but the pity in his eyes drove her onward. “I have more power than ever before. In moments, and with barely a nod of my head, people run to do my every whim: whether that’s to sentence someone, to start a new project, or to simply call someone to bring me a piece of exotic fruit from the south country. I have it all.”
“You seem to. But you’ve forgotten the most important thing, that which makes life truly meaningful.”
“And what’s that?” She spat the words at him.
“You’ve chosen to ignore the Creator and His ways. Instead, you’re a slave to your own passions and pride.”
“Enough! The Creator is a weak God worshiped by weak-minded people desperate to justify their own failure to rise in this world. You will speak no more to me about this, and if you know what’s good for you, you won’t breathe a word of it to Da.” She turned away slightly and bit her lip, frustrated that she used an informal name for their father in this setting. It was a sign of weakness that he flustered her, but if he noticed, his unchanged expression did not show it.
Naamah stepped in front of him and held her head proudly. Seeing the sunlit entrance ahead of them, she was glad his opportunities to harass her had come to an end.
One of the guards hurried out through the exit to announce their arrival to those seated in the place of honor. After he returned, he motioned to the guards in the rear. “You two, escort the Prince and Princess of Havil to their waiting areas atop the platform.” The soldiers instantly obeyed, grabbing Tubal-Cain’s restraints and forcing him forward as Naamah followed.
The back wall temporarily blocked their view of the sizable audience, but Ashur’s annoying voice welcomed the people to the dawn of a new era of prosperity and peace. He pontificated on how the King of Havil had arrived just in time to save them from whatever evil killed three of their leading citizens. “And now, give your king the honor due to his greatness.”
A deafening roar split through the arena, making her ears ache, while reverberating through her chest. Soon the voices quieted, and Naamah imagined the king’s fist raised high, commanding their attention.
Lamech’s voice thundered through the crowd. “My people, as your first king, I’m indebted to your loyalty. Let us celebrate the peaceful transition and the prosperity to come.” A slight pause followed before he yelled, “Let the games begin.”
The crowd erupted again. Having witnessed it in Havil and a few of the other cities they controlled, Naamah could picture the scene clearly: a small company of captives shuffle their way into the center. Once the guards return to safety, a door opens, allowing whatever wild beast lies behind it to come and prey upon the hapless victims. As elsewhere, the roar of this crowd revealed their enjoyment of the sport. She sneaked a sideways glance at Tubal-Cain, who was still heavily guarded. With his eyes closed, his broad shoulders quivered as his lips moved silently. Even the sentry fumbling to untie her brother’s bonds failed to interrupt his focus.
You haven’t seen anything yet. She laughed low in her throat, thinking about how powerful she was compared to him, that even this death sport had little effect on her emotions.
“And now, my people,�
� King Lamech called out, “I give to you Nachash and unity.”
From their place behind the platform, Naamah and Tubal-Cain followed their cues and entered through the heavy brocade fabric that draped on either side of the open doorway. The deafening applause thundered again as she confidently took her place on the king’s right. The newly unveiled statue of Nachash towered above them to her right.
“Let me introduce you to two people whom you may have already met. The first is Naamah. She, my only daughter, is high priestess of Nachash, and quite a sight to behold. Am I right?” He paused, letting the crowd show their approval.
The volume of praise filled her heart, and she breathed in the moment, holding her fist high in the air. As they chanted her name, she twirled and sashayed a bit, accentuating her best features in a spontaneous dance, spurring the crowd into more of a frenzy.
“The next . . .” the king waited for silence, “the next is my oldest son and heir, who has lived among you as one of your own for centuries. Your favorite blacksmith, Prince Tubal-Cain!”
Amid cries of delight, a guard directed Tubal-Cain to sit in the large throne made for him on Lamech’s left. He leaned toward the king and shook his head slightly, “You know I want none of this.”
“Quiet, you fool!” The king scowled at his son. The vehemence of his words caused the tight curls of his coiffed hair to dance about his shoulders. “You will do as I say.”
“My good people.” He straightened the crown on his head. “Tubal-Cain and Naamah are brother and sister, they are my children and they will demonstrate before you their loyalty to Nachash and their unity to this new, wonderful nation. Bring forth the sacrifices!”
Two scantily clad, stone-faced women came forward, each with a baby in her arms. They stood in front of the towering serpent statue, its golden head held aloft, forked tongue ready to receive innocent blood.
Lamech gestured to a guard who quickly handed him a knife. He held it out to his son. “And now, here is my son to offer the first official sacrifice of Iri Geshem, the northern chief city of Havilah.”
