Chapter 26

Novanam — Noah’s 499th year

As always, it was good to travel with you, Valur.” Noah released the old man’s corded forearm. During the week, Noah had wrestled with the thoughts that still plagued his soul, though he had also spent plenty of time helping Valur with the physical demands of running a boat. But even as he worked, he felt his soul preparing for peace, drawing nearer each day to the resolution that would sustain his spirit.

The captain’s smile revealed a couple of missing teeth, prominent reminders of the story Valur had told Noah about a violent passenger on his boat many years ago. “You’re always welcome on my vessel.” The man tilted his head. “Or should I call it your vessel, since you built it?”

“Hardly.” Grinning, Noah shook his head and slung his bag over his shoulder before stepping onto the gangplank. “May the Creator watch over you.”

“And you as well. Be sure to greet your lovely wife for me, and make sure she comes with you next time so I’ll have better company.”

“I will.” Noah pivoted and eyed the bustling town of Novanam. After marching down the long ramp and reaching land, he turned left in hopes of finding a vacancy at his favorite inn.

“Hey, Noah.”

Noah looked up to see Valur calling to him from the ship’s deck above.

The sailor patted the rail. “Remember, bigger boats.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” Noah chuckled, enjoying their traditional farewell in memory of Recharu. He and Valur had partnered up to take over a share of the business when Deks retired. Then Valur had become sole owner when Recharu passed away nearly a century ago. It was Recharu who had first requested larger boats after Noah’s maiden voyage with them as a young man.

After securing a room and dining at the inn, Noah walked through the city streets. Once a brief stop for the river runners, Novanam now boasted a few thousand residents and had grown into a major stop for the increased boat traffic on the river. Noah estimated that only a small percentage of the people there followed the Creator, and it was not uncommon for fights to break out in the tavern district at night, due to a combination of strong drinks and strong men.

Noah steered wide of that area as he headed for a place that had provided him a peaceful respite on a few occasions. Before reaching the top of the hill on the road to Zakar, he turned down a little-used dusty trail to his left. Part of him longed to continue on the main road and visit his friends in the forest village, but he thought back to his grandfather’s words and craved the time alone to reflect and continue praying to the Creator.

Ducking under broad leaves and carefully dodging thorny plants, Noah regretted not purchasing a clearing blade in town, but the trail soon opened up. Mature trees surrounded him on every side, shading out the undergrowth until it dwindled into almost nothing. He climbed up a large log lying to his left and sat down. Staring out over the city of Novanam and the river just beyond it reminded him of his childhood years watching the occasional boats and dreaming of adventure. Now, centuries later, he had experienced more adventure than he had ever imagined and built just about every large boat on the Hiddekel.

Noah slowly closed his eyes and took several deep, relaxing breaths as he listened to the birds chirping and forest animals scurrying about. Without a single man-made sound in the air, he smiled and cherished the tranquil surroundings, occasionally opening his eyes to watch the light glisten on the crystalline water far below. His thoughts drifted back to his frustrations and the recent conversation with his grandfather.

He’s right. Who do I think I am, that I can force the Creator to bless me? A battle between selfishness and gratitude raged deep in his soul. Absently breaking a small branch into pieces, he wrestled with himself. Noah took a deep breath. Creator, do You know what I’m feeling right now? I have no legitimate right to hold on to all this anger, but I find myself unable to let it go. Help me. He paused. Help me let it go. Forgive me for doubting Your goodness. You have given me so much to be thankful for, and I often take it for granted. Thank you for Emzara and her tremendous love and support over these many years. Help us to serve You in spite of our disappointments.

Noah stopped as relief spread through him and the burden eased a little. As he breathed in a new sense of contentment, he became keenly aware of the silence. All the animal noises, as well as the gentle breeze, had ceased. The perfect stillness made him a little nervous, and he slowly opened his eyes to something even more alarming. Gone were Novanam, the river, and the opening in the woods before him. In their place, a forest full of tall, straight trees rested on the edge of a large, relatively flat field with the sun high overhead. Having worked with wood his whole life, Noah was certain he knew every kind of timber in the world, but these were foreign to him.

Instead of resting on the log as before, Noah found himself standing, his mouth agape. He blinked hard. This must be a dream. He shook his head, trying to clear it. Only then did he sense a presence behind him. Somehow in the midst of silence, he knew he was being watched. He turned slowly, then stood motionless. On the edge of the forest, a babbling stream flowed beside an old, small stone house and an outbuilding he was sure he hadn’t passed earlier.

“Noah.”

The voice came from his right, although voice might not be the right way to describe it. Instead, it sounded like thunder mixed with raging waters. But his name was clearly discernable.

Fear and peace grappled for control inside Noah. Conflicted, he wanted to run away, but at the same time, he longed to turn and see who had called his name. A chill ran up his spine, causing his arms and legs to tingle and his neck hair to stand upright. As he turned, a bright glow appeared in the corner of his view. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and faced the light.

As he cautiously opened his eyes, comprehension eluded him. Hovering just above the ground between the two largest trees in the forest, a flame of fire, not much larger than a man, burned brightly, but it did not consume anything around it. Captivated, Noah gazed at the beautiful yet terrifying sight. The light emanating from the flame seemed to pierce his entire being.

“Noah.” The intimidating, thunderous voice resounded from the flame.

Instantly, Noah dropped face first on the ground. Fear surged through his frame, and he felt as if every particle of his body would tear apart. Too scared to think, let alone speak, Noah focused on trying to breathe.

“Do not be afraid, Noah, for you are greatly loved.”

Noah’s fear waned a bit as the voice took on a hint of a whisper that somehow mingled with the thundering. Keeping his face averted, Noah struggled to speak. “Who . . . who are you?”

“I am the God of your forefather Enoch. I am the Most High, the Creator of heaven and earth.”

Noah had never imagined how frightening it would be to meet the Creator, and he instantly regretted the times he had wished that the Most High would speak directly to him. The words finally registered in his mind. Enoch was telling the truth.

“Yes, Enoch told the truth and walked faithfully in My ways.”

Trembling over the realization that the Creator knew his very thoughts, Noah asked, “What happened to him?”

“I took him so that he would not face death.”

“Forgive me for being so bold to speak. Is that why You are here now — to take me?”

“No. I have heard your prayers and have come to speak to you. The whole earth has corrupted itself, and the descendants of Adam have grown exceedingly wicked. I am grieved that I made them, so I am going to destroy this world with a flood.”

Keeping his face toward the ground, Noah’s mind whirled and he managed to ask, “A flood?” What about all the people?

“You are concerned about the people. Do you believe that I will do what is right?”

Still trying to come to grips with the situation, Noah nodded. “Yes, I know You will do what is right. What do you want me to do?”

“You are to build an ark. It will be for you, your wife, your sons, your sons’ wives, and the creatures that I bring to you.”

Noah played the words back in his mind and tried to make sense of them. “Sons? But I don’t have . . .” Hope filled his soul, and he fought to control his emotions. “Thank You, Most High.” Build an ark. “How large will it need to be?”

“You will receive that information when the time is right.”

“What should I do until then?” Noah waited for a response, but he sensed that the flame was gone. He slowly looked up and discovered he was back in the clearing. Shakily, he climbed to his feet and scanned his surroundings. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows from the trees, and the log he previously sat upon was about ten cubits away. The unusual trees and little dwelling place were gone. Strange. Noah concentrated on committing the Creator’s message to memory. “The whole world?” he asked himself.

As Noah turned to leave, he tripped over a rock and nearly fell, dislodging the relatively smooth stone in the process. He bent over, picked it up, and set it in the spot where he found himself after the vision. Hastily, Noah gathered six more stones and set them all up in a pile as a memorial. Kneeling down near the stones, Noah prayed to the Most High and thanked Him for speaking directly to him. “My grandfather’s father warned people about Your judgment. I’ll warn them about the flood, if that’s what You desire.”

Near the end of his prayer, Noah’s thoughts meandered back to the Creator’s words about the ark’s future inhabitants. With an ear-to-ear smile crossing his face, Noah stood. Sons? He shook his head and laughed. Amazing.