Chapter 11

Carefully guided by the hand of an expert, the carving knife slid gently along the side of the wood, trimming a thin strip from the block. After several more passes, the back of the large-eared tusker began to take shape. Noah set the piece on the table next to the fresh shavings. He brushed the dust from his fingers and used the back of his hand to rub his eyes, which were sore due to the countless tears shed over the past week.

Noah blinked and took a deep breath, fighting the urge to start weeping again. Whittling helped take his thoughts away from the recent tragedy. And another carved animal may brighten Em’s spirit a little. Normally, the shipyard would be the perfect place to find sanctuary for his weary mind. But with Ara gone, Noah could not bring himself to head to work today. Everything about the place reminded him of his father-in-law.

He stood and lifted the hatch on the wall that faced east, propping it open with a small beam he had fashioned. Breathing in the warm morning air, Noah looked through the window at the grove of milknut trees. He grimaced when he heard hammering in the distance. Bakur and Fen must be back at work. The mourning period is officially over. He shook his head. I need to get over there.

Noah spun quickly toward a couple of soft knocks on the door. It had been four days since anyone had stopped to check on them. Emzara was still in bed, as she had been for nearly the entire week since the burials. She had only eaten bits of a few meals and was inconsolable at times.

The knocking started again. “Noah, are you home?”

A partial smile tugged at his lips as he recognized the voice. “I’m coming.” Noah opened the door. “Zain, it’s good to see you.”

Zain’s expression showed sympathy. He held out a basket bedecked with flowers and filled with bread rounds and a couple of small, covered clay bowls. “Kmani wanted me to deliver these.” He tipped his head toward the bowl closest to Noah as he handed him the goods. “She made your favorite berry spread.”

Noah gladly took the basket, and his stomach grumbled, reminding him that he had not eaten since midmeal the day before. “Please thank her for us.”

Zain nodded. “I will.” He looked off into the distance and then down at his feet before back up at Noah. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but you really need to get to the town hall immediately.”

Noah tilted his head. “Why? What’s going on?”

“It’s Garun. Some of the people are blaming him for . . .” He paused as if searching for the right words. “For what happened. And they want the council to meet to decide on his punishment.”

“Garun?” Noah tapped a finger against his lips. “I don’t think he would ever do that.”

“I didn’t believe it either,” Zain said.

“Wait. Why do you need me for a council meeting?” He ran his fingers against the stubble on his face. I haven’t shaved in a week.

“I’ll tell you on the way.”

“Alright, I’ll be right back after I let Emzara know where I’m going.” Noah walked toward his room, setting the basket on the table along the way.

He opened the bedroom door, and Emzara rolled to her side and looked up at him through despondent eyes. Kneeling next to her, he gently rubbed her shoulder. “Kmani sent us some food. I think you should try to eat something.” He slid his hand to her belly and smiled. “Our child is probably hungry.”

Her eyes glistened as she forced a smile. “I’ll try.” Her gravelly words barely surpassed the volume of a whisper.

Noah bent over and kissed her forehead. “I need to go to the town hall. Garun’s in a lot of danger, and Zain’s waiting for me.” He stood to leave.

“Noah, wait.” Emzara cleared her throat as she pushed herself into a sitting position and slung her feet over the side of the bed. She reached out and hugged him around the waist. “Be careful.”

He softly stroked her head. “I will, and I’ll be back as soon as I can. I love you, Em.”

She let go of him. “I love you too.”

Noah hurried into the front room and quickly strapped on his sandals. He dipped a piece of bread into the berry spread and made for the door. Stepping into the sunlight, he squinted in Zain’s direction. “Let’s go.”

Walking at a brisk pace across the beach, Noah devoured his snack in three large bites. The food combined with the wind in his face and the exercise invigorated Noah. For the first time since the murders, the mental fog lifted from his mind. Savoring the last morsel in his mouth, he said, “Kmani’s bread was tremendous.”

“It always is.” Zain turned onto the path that led away from the beach and to the center of town. “You asked me to ask about Bayt to see if he might’ve committed the crimes. I was told that he was on his way out of town the morning you saw him on the beach. No one I talked to has seen him since that day.”

Noah breathed in through a clenched jaw. “But he might have decided to stay out of town until that night so that we wouldn’t suspect him.”

“That’s possible, but why would he even bother showing his face at all? If he had planned to murder Ara, it would make more sense if no one knew he was around.”

“Or that’s just what he wants us to think.”

Zain shrugged. “Maybe, but I have my doubts. It’s no secret he didn’t like Ara, but I don’t think he wanted him dead. Besides, I’m not sure he’s capable of beating Aterre in a fight.”

Noah remained silent while trying to weigh this new information.

“You should know that the council wishes for you to fill Ara’s position.”

Noah pointed to himself. “Me? I’m so much younger than everyone else.”

“You make it sound like I’m so old.” Zain chuckled. “I thought you knew that our rules say that if a council member dies, his heir has the right to replace him until the next choosing. So, for now, that makes you his successor. The next term comes around in eight whole moons. If you want to continue, and if the council believes you’re a good fit, then you could become a permanent member.”

“That’s quite an honor. I’ll need to speak with Emzara about it.”

“Of course. But depending on how things are going with Garun, you may need to fill that role as soon as possible.” Zain stopped and grabbed Noah’s arm. “The people accusing Garun and Bedin are out for blood. They believe that since the crime committed was murder, then the penalty should match. They are talking about executing them.”

Briefly, Noah clenched his jaw and fists. “In many ways, that sounds like a fair punishment, though I don’t know if I could ever make the decision to put someone to death.” He pulled free from Zain’s grip. “But Garun’s innocent.”

Zain let out a breath. “That’s how I feel too. But you are in a unique position.”

“How so?”

“You were close to both victims. As Ara’s son-in-law, only you or Emzara could bring formal charges against the suspected killers. That being said, you were also Aterre’s best friend, and since he and Jitzel weren’t married yet, you’d be the natural person to bring charges for him as well.”

Noah stared straight ahead, processing Zain’s words. “So you’re saying that people might listen to me, if . . .”

“If you can get them to calm down, and especially if you’re on the council.”

“And you’ll help me?”

“In any way I can.”

As they neared the town square, raised voices echoed off the buildings. Noah sprinted to the end of the road to the source of the cacophony. On his left, at the steps of the town hall, approximately 30 people stood, raising their fists and shouting at the two men bound closely together to one of the pillars Noah had carved.

Noah dashed toward the gathering. Ashur and Oban stood helplessly on the top step. Garun and Bedin seemed to be unharmed, but probably not for much longer. The whole scene looked similar to the way Noah pictured a disciplinary sentencing in Iri Sana that his father described to him during his childhood. A man’s wagon beast had died, so he stole one that belonged to his neighbor and dumped the dead one in its place. His crime was eventually discovered. As penalty, he was tied to a post in the street and whipped 20 times. Then he had to return the animal and pay a fine.

But they don’t want to only whip Garun. Noah swiftly picked his way through the crowd and climbed the five short stairs.

“Murderers!” Ethlin, from the front of the mob called out and pointed in Garun’s face.

Stepping between him and Garun, Noah raised his arms to the side and gestured for the crowd to calm. “Please, my brothers.”

“They murdered Ara and Aterre.” Ethlin’s voice maintained its volume.

Noah held up his hand, palm out. “Please, let’s talk calmly.”

“But your friend and father-in-law,” said a man to Noah’s left. “These men should be put to death.”

Noah closed his eyes and breathed deeply, struggling to keep his emotions in check. “Please.” He directed a thumb at Garun and the scribe. “They aren’t going anywhere. Let us discuss these accusations in a peaceful manner.”

Zain called out, “Let’s listen to what he has to say before we make any sudden decisions. After all, he was close to both of the men who were killed.” Slowly, the crowd quieted.

“Friends and neighbors,” Noah said. “Thank you for honoring the seven-day mourning period and for your desire to see justice done.” Scanning the crowd and confident they were willing to listen, Noah continued. “Believe me, no one wants justice for the tragedies more than I do. Aterre was my . . .” He averted his eyes and sucked in a breath through his mouth. Creator, help me.

Noah stood up straight, facing the group again. “He was my best friend for nearly ten years, and he was the best friend a guy could ever want. I could tell you so many stories about him.” He smiled and shook his head. “But now is not the time. And Ara was my father-in-law, my mentor, and my friend. Apart from my wife, no one will miss him more than me.” Noah brushed away a tear from his left eye, but his confidence rose with each completed sentence. Talking about them in this setting helped ease the intense ache inside.

“So what do you think we should do with these men?” Ethlin asked.

Noah turned and faced the accused men for the first time. Bedin’s eyes were wide with fear, and Garun smiled grimly as he looked Noah in the eye, before shaking his head and dropping his gaze.

Noah slowly turned back to the group and sighed. “I think we should set them free.”

“What?” Ethlin asked, and many others echoed his response.

“I agree that the person, or people, who did this deserve death, but I don’t believe Garun is guilty.”

Ethlin put a hand on his shaking, bald head. “No one’s ever been murdered in Iri Geshem until these two showed up.”

Noah nodded and out of the corner of his eye caught a glimpse of Tubal-Cain quickly approaching the scene. “I know the timing looks bad, but if they were guilty, then why would they stick around during the mourning period? They could’ve easily snuck out of town to avoid being accused and captured.”

“That’s true, but maybe they knew we’d think about that, so they decided to stay,” Ethlin said.

“Maybe, but that’s quite an unnecessary risk to take.” Noah’s thoughts drifted back to the day King Lamech arrived. “Let me ask you something, Ethlin. Did Garun put up a fight when you seized him?”

Ethlin smirked. “No, but there were four of us.”

“You’re lucky then.” Noah returned the smirk. “Garun could’ve easily defeated all four of you. He’s trained many of Havil’s guards, and you’ve seen what they’re capable of.”

Ethlin’s grin vanished and he took a step back, looking unsure of himself for the first time. Suddenly, his countenance brightened. “So he would certainly be capable of the murders.”

“No doubt, but he has proven his good character to me.” Noah considered mentioning the fact that Garun had probably saved his life in Havil, but decided to keep those details hidden from Bedin. “If he says he didn’t do it, then I believe him. And if he can vouch for the scribe, then I’ll take his word on that too.”

Noah looked at the Havilites. “Garun, were you involved in murdering my father-in-law and friend?”

Garun returned Noah’s steady gaze. “I promise that I had nothing to do with it, and I don’t believe Bedin did either. We were in the guest house your town provided that entire evening.”

“Is there anyone who could verify your claim?” Ethlin asked.

Garun paused before speaking. “Bedin met with a farmer that night, and their meeting went very late. But the man wasn’t there all evening.”

Noah motioned for Zain to join him. “Since you’re the ranking council member gathered here right now, I wish to express that I have no intention to accuse these men of murder. I ask that you set them free. However, I want to stress that I plan to do everything I can to find the murderers, and if we find any evidence that leads back to Garun or Bedin, then I’ll reconsider my decision.”

Zain put a hand on Noah’s shoulder and addressed the people. “I believe Noah has spoken wisely. Are there any further objections to this plan?”

“If we set them free and someone else gets killed, then what?” Ethlin asked.

“We’re all new at this, so I understand your reluctance to set them free. If something else happens, then we need to investigate and try to find the killer, just like we should be doing now,” Zain said.

Ethlin’s chest heaved a couple of times as his demeanor softened. “That’s all well and good, but we need someone to keep an eye on them for now.”

Zain adjusted the wrap slung over his shoulder. “I think that’s fair.” He looked at Ashur. “Do you still have a room available for them?”

Ashur bit his lip before nodding. “Yes, I have room, but I can’t keep a close eye on them at all times.”

Zain clapped his hands together. “Very well, they stay at Ashur’s, and if they want to leave the inn for any reason, they need to notify him first. Does that work for everyone?”

Ashur frowned and no one else objected.

Oban stepped away from Ashur and whispered something in Tubal-Cain’s ear. Tubal-Cain looked confused at first, but then his eyes lit up with understanding.

Zain gestured to Garun and Bedin. “Free them.”