afterlife. God has given us a new opportunity. Maybe we can make the human condition a better one, perhaps build a city that reflects the opposite of the corruption that Nimrod foisted upon the world.”
Roxil folded her arms over her chest. “What can we possibly do with this city? It is in ruins.”
“The symbolism is perfect.” Makaidos clasped his hands together. “As we rebuild the corrupted city, we reshape the human culture.”
“But how can just two people create a culture?”
“If this is a place where dragons go when they die, perhaps new ones will join us, and other dragons are likely here already. Some perished in the great flood and others died in battles with the Watchers before the flood.”
“How many?”
“Fifteen or so. We did not procreate quickly back then, so our numbers were few.”
Roxil spread out her arms. “Then where are they?”
Makaidos shrugged his shoulders. “The logical approach would be to look for them.”
“Logical, yes, but we are humans now. Logic never seemed to be a primary behavioral motivation for them whenever I was watching.”
“True enough for many of them.” He nudged her ribs. “But I also observed some dragons who ignored logic on many occasions.”
She looped her arm around his elbow. “If that means, ‘I told you so,’ then I guess I deserve it.”
“It was a gentle rebuke, my love.” He caressed her cheek with his hand, letting his knuckles linger. “This enhanced sense of touch is quite pleasant, is it not?”
She nodded and rested her head against his shoulder. “It is. I cannot deny it.”
“So, shall we explore this strange world and experience a new adventure?”
“I suppose so.” She walked at his side, then stopped and playfully poked his arm. “But I am going to keep my eye on you. I still lack trust in the human species, and now you are one of them.”
Makaidos shrugged his shoulders again. “Fair enough.” As the two strolled hand in hand along the path, he smiled. He wanted to look at his daughter’s facial expression, but sneaking a peek might tip the delicate balance of her emotions. He knew exactly what her dragon face would have looked like right now, a blend of skepticism and excitement. Although she despised humanity, she had to be relishing the adventure of living in a completely new world. Her human face probably bore a similar expression, perhaps mixed with a touch of fear. He regripped her cold, trembling hand. Maybe his confidence could cast out her fears.
They walked slowly toward the ruins of the city’s brick kilns. Shinar seemed much larger than before, and somehow closer, more intimate, even in its devastated condition. Marble fragments from broken statues littered the dirt path, and a dried-out tar pit sank away to one side. Makaidos pointed at one of the broken ovens. “We can make that area into a bakery, and the tar pits can be farmland.”
Roxil winced at the dark depressions in the earth. “Can you grow crops in tar?”
“I have no idea, but we will soon learn.” He stopped suddenly. “Did you hear that?”
“Hear what?”
He shook his head and continued walking. “Just an impression, an image in my mind. A girl begging me to speak to her.”
“What did she look like?”
Makaidos gazed upward. “It was fleeting, but I did see bright blue eyes and hair as white as wool.”
“Okay, Father, you are scaring me. First, you enjoy being human, now you are getting drunk without ever touching a wineskin.”
Makaidos smirked. “Shall I keep my visions to myself, then?”
“No, no. Go ahead and tell me. I have to monitor your sanity and keep you in line.”
After several minutes of exploring the ruins, Makaidos stopped again and squeezed Roxil’s hand. “Am I insane now?” He pointed at a pomegranate tree near a collapsed portico. “Or do I see a girl hiding behind that tree?”
Roxil whispered. “I see her, too. I cannot see her eyes, but her hair is brown, not white.”
“True. She is not the girl I saw in my mind.”
“Could she be one of the dragons who died in the flood? She is quite young.”
“It is possible,” Makaidos replied. “My sister Zera was a youngling when she died.”
“Then what are we waiting for?” Roxil ran forward, waving. “Zera, is that you?”
Chapter 5
BAPTISM OF FIRE
Driving her trembling legs forward, Sapphira shuffled toward the river. She thrust her hand into her pocket and jerked out the Ovulum. “Elohim!” she cried, her entire body quaking. “Help me! I don’t know what to do!”