a dragon in Nimrod’s forces. What do you know about him?”
Japheth rose to his feet and clapped the dirt from his hands. “I was spying on their army yesterday, and I saw him.”
“Did you recognize him?”
“I know exactly who he is, though it seems impossible.” Japheth glanced at his brother, who gave him a quick shake of his head.
Makaidos snorted a stream of dancing sparks. “It is not wise to try a dragon’s patience. Tell me!”
Shem cleared his throat and nodded toward the cave behind him. “I think you had better speak to my father about this. He can explain what’s going on far better than I can.”
Without waiting for a response, Japheth ran toward the cave. “I’ll tell him you’re coming,” he called back.
Shem swept his arm toward the gaping arch in the cliff. “Our home is blessed by your visit.”
Makaidos dipped his head. “I am the one who is receiving the blessing.”
“I must, however, beg your leave.” Shem pointed at a dry riverbed at the base of the cliff. Hundreds of men milled about near a cluster of scrub trees. “Our troops are assembling in the valley, and they would charge into battle this very hour if I let them, so I have to calm their passions until your family arrives.”
“I understand. Anger is a great motivator, but it is a poor general.”
While Shem marched down a sloping path, Makaidos shuffled along the ledge and entered the dim cave, turning on his eyebeams to compensate for the depleted light. After curving around a bend and passing through a lower corridor, he followed a flicker in the distance. Finally, his twin beams fell upon Noah, sitting cross-legged on a mat and leaning back against the cave wall. With a lantern at his side, Japheth was reading from a scroll, while his father nodded his aged head. Then, when he noticed Makaidos, Japheth rolled up the scroll and handed it to his father. With a quick bow, he excused himself from the cave.
Noah lifted his gaze toward Makaidos and smiled. “How long has it been since we’ve talked, my friend?”
Makaidos lay on his belly and sighed. “Too long, Master Noah. I’m afraid that my zeal to serve your tribe has been my poor excuse to neglect our friendship.”
Noah raised a gnarled finger. “Still, I have kept my eye on you and your family. As my sons report on your activities, I am able to pray for you and each of your offspring by name.”
“And I have returned your kindness by guarding your offspring. Shem and Japheth and their families do honor to your name. You have every reason to be proud of them. You are a father among fathers.”
Noah averted his eyes. Shining tears formed in each one. “You honor me too highly. You know that one of my sons has brought this new evil into the world, and I was unable to stop him.”
“Ham would not listen to your wise counsel. That was not your fault.”
“Wasn’t it?” Noah shook his head slowly. “How many times have I asked myself that question? What did I do wrong? What could I have changed to steer him toward faith and righteousness?” He clutched his vest with both hands as if to rend it, but his arms fell weakly into his lap. “After all these years, I have even lost the strength to grieve.”
“You have nothing to be ashamed of. You told Ham the truth.”
“You’re a good friend, always willing to console the bereft.” Noah shook a finger at Makaidos. “But you would do well to remember your own words, for a time is coming when you will need them more than I.”
“A time of grief, Master Noah? Are you prophesying doom?”
“Merely an observation. Japheth has given me details of his conversations with two of your sons and your eldest daughter, and he and I are both greatly concerned about where their hearts lie.”
“Their hearts?”
Noah tapped a finger on his temple. “Actually, their wills. Their allegiances. What is the driving force that motivates their actions?”
“It is supposed to be service to the Maker, who has assigned us to help those still faithful to you. That is why Nimrod’s armies have not overrun you already. We have kept the perimeter free of his invaders.”
“Free of the squadrons, yes, but not free of the smaller kidnapping bands. I assume you know who was guarding us during the first of those raids.”
Makaidos dipped his head toward the floor. “That was my fault. Roxil was too young