People of Babel (Ark Chronicles 3) by Vaughn Heppner Page A

existence.”
    Frowning faces absorbed his words.
    “Those in Japheth Land live more meanly than we do,” Chin said. “To that I attest.”
    Ham spied movement in the shadows . He grinned, saying, “Sarah! Come here.”
    Chairs scraped back as men turned in surprise . No women or children were supposed to be at the meeting. It was for the clan men as they made the decision. Sarah, a nine-year-old great granddaughter, who had been watching from behind a curtain, ran to Ham. He sat her on his knee. “I love my children,” he said. “Rahab and I yearn for all of you to live near us in our growing and expanding civilization. At the very least, you must examine what we’ve done. See if we’re liars to be pitied or truth-tellers to be envied.”
    Several voices shouted in approval.
    “No. It’s senseless to go,” Zidon said. “I’ll never live in the same land, let alone the same city, as that scoundrel Nimrod. He’s too devious for me to feel safe. Whatever lie he needs to spout, he will. I find that frightening.”
    “ Then you for certain should come and watch over your father,” Ham said. “Make sure that he doesn’t make the wrong choice.”
    Canaan shook his head ruefully. “More of your typical logic, Father, always twisted so you’ll get your way. I’m afraid, however, that I’m as adamant as Zidon about living near Nimrod or those who support him.”
    Ham switched Sarah onto his other knee . “Aren’t the two of you even the least bit curious about what Babel looks like? And your mother asks about you all the time. You might also think of the party we would have for you and the rivers of beer that would flow.”
    “ Why this exercise in futility?” Canaan asked. “Here in the Zagros Settlement I have the perfect situation: Everyone vying for my favor.”
    Zidon, who had been scratching his cheek, now motioned to Canaan.
    “You have something to add?” Canaan asked quietly.
    “ Perhaps there is something to be gained in Babel,” Zidon said with a mocking grin.
    “ Oh?” Canaan asked.
    “ The pleasure of listening to them beg as we once begged them to listen,” Zidon said. “Then there is the added pleasure of telling them no, as they once told us no.”
    Canaan spread his hands . “You see, Father. What’s the point of going? It will only poison an already bad situation.”
    “ You trade with us, do you not?” Ham asked.
    “ You know that we do,” Canaan said.
    “ A good trader knows how to drive better bargains only if he knows what his customers want, and how badly they need it. But he’ll only gain that knowledge if he sees how his customers live.”
    Canaan thought that through.
    Zidon languidly crossed his ankles as he slouched deeper in his chair. “Mixing business with pleasure, eh?” A sardonic grin crossed his face. “Yes, I think I might go after all. Let us see what this Babel looks like. What do you think, Father?”
    “ I think,” Canaan said, “that the idea has merit.”
     
     

24.
     
    In the heat of mid-summer and a little after noon, the city of Babel looked deserted . Most people napped in the cool of their inner rooms. A low wall of sun-dried bricks surrounded squat flat-roofed houses. Palm trees stood lonely guard throughout the small city, while dogs panted as they lay in the doorways. The broad Euphrates flowed serenely past Babel, several reed boats working the far shore as fishermen tossed their nets. Like veins from the main artery of the river, straight canals in a grid pattern flowed between lush fields of wheat, barley, sesame and orchards of young fig and date palms.
    Then the watchman patrolling along the wall noticed chariots kicking up dust . He reached for the horn slung by a cord around his neck and put the end of it to his lips.
     

25.
     
    Ham, Canaan and Zidon entered Babel to a mass of cheering people. Maidens tossed flowers into the air and threw palm branches in the path of Canaan’s vehicle. As the chariots drew to a halt, Kush