Chapter 11 - Hidden
Tiph’arah rushed through the wooded path, ignoring the sting of low twigs slapping against her head and pulling her hair. I should chop it. Without breaking stride, she pulled her sandy curls into a knot and sped up. She left the main trail and took the short cut to Enoch’s tent, convinced she would find her father and the elders there. But she was too late. She followed their fresh tracks until they seemed to disappear into an abandoned shed.
“They must be wanting privacy.” Tiph’arah laughed. I bet they are at the Cove. The Elders of Seth used the place for special times of communion. Not many outside their tribe’s Council knew it existed, certainly no other women, not even the Medici. It would make perfect sense for them to dwell there tonight. I can catch them if I hurry.
Tiph’arah ran like the wind until the forest thinned, revealing the majestic peaks of the Seven Hills. The air was cool and damp from the rapids of the River Gihon flowing just ahead.
The Cove’s entrance, located at the base of Hill Sheva, was hidden by mighty waters rushing down its rocky face until it cascaded over an abrupt cliff ninety lengths high. Tiph’arah considered the waterfall. Come now, you did this before. She took a deep breath—and plunged.
Tiph’arah swam about eighteen lengths down to avoid the crushing waters, then glided straight toward the rock wall. Now, just a few lengths from it, she kicked toward the surface with all her might. Her lungs burned. She resisted the urge to breathe. Did I miscalculate? Her eyes bulged as she swallowed icy water. Hidden Father, help!
In a moment, she broke through.
Tiph’arah coughed and shook her head briskly, drinking in gulps of air as she treaded in the calmer waters. Voices echoed down the tunnel. The faint glow of their torches cast shadows on the cavern walls. Hah, I made it first!
Tiph’arah swam toward the sandy shore, dropped her soggy pack, and leaned against one of the boulders dotting the beach--waiting.
“A woman might grow aged and perish from the sickness if she spent her days expectin’ a man,” Tiph’arah said with a mischievous grin as Enoch led the elders into the cavern. “Or, does the Ruler of Adam’s Realm care not that his own flesh and blood was left to fend for herself in the dark wood?”
“Medici Tiph’arah,” Enoch laughed as he bowed, “I feel sorry for anything caught alone in the woods with you.”
“You have much to learn, Bearer,” Tiph’arah gave him a big hug and swiped his dagger from his belt. “But, at least you’re honest.” Tiph’arah held up Enoch’s blade. “Now, if you remembered to bring aloti cakes, I’ll teach you to hang on to your weapon.”
“Daughter, why am I not surprised?” Father Seth said, shaking his head at his youngest child. “But, you should not have made the dive alone.” He scolded even as she smothered his cheeks with kisses. “You could have easily taken the trail to the tunnel.”
“What is she doing here?” Medici Dinah entered the cavern last, dragging her bulging sack by the strap. “Enoch, dear I think you forgot something.”
“I did offer to carry it, my love,” Enoch lifted the satchel easily and carried it away.
“I could say the same for you, Medici Dinah,” Tiph’arah said once Enoch was out of range. “Why are you traveling with the Council this eve?”
“It is the only way I can spend time with my husband, dear,” Medici Dinah said. “But you have no business here. Your place is with Mother Eve, doing your duties as a Medici.”
“I be training the young apprentice on my duties,” Tiph’arah said. “She is handling my chores. What about your work? Should you not be attending your younglings?”
“The young apprentice is attending my daughters while I am attending my husband,” Medici Dinah said. “If you were married, you would understand.”
“Sounds like this young apprentice is lifting the heavy load.” Father Seth stepped between the two. “Tiph’arah, Medici Dinah has a point. Why, pray tell, have you given your task to another? It is not the way of the Medici. Think of how Great Mother Eve must feel with two of her best aides missing before the most important event in seven ages.”
Medici Dinah smirked. “I have Mother Eve’s blessing to join my husband tonight.”
“Most sorry, Papa,” Tiph’arah looked down. “But I had to tell you about Father Lamech.”
“What news do you have of that sly one?” Father Seth said.
“Lamech is furious.” Tiph’arah shivered in her soaked garment. “He had the evil eye—”
“When daughter?” Father Seth’s voice rose, his cheeks flushed and the vein in his temple protruded. “Tell us what you saw.”
“Easy now,” Enoch laid a hand on his shoulder. “I am not ready to bury another father. Let us refresh ourselves first and give Tiph’arah a chance to dry off and—calm down.”
Tiph’arah rolled her eyes but accepted the warm cloak Enoch draped around her shoulders.
“A fire would warm these old bones,” Father Seth agreed, “and we do hear the One Mind best when our hearts are at peace.”
(Onami watched the humans unpack and start a fire. The girl, Tiph’arah, heated fresh water and began crushing an assortment of leaves into cups.)
(“That smells delicious,” Onami said. “Azam, what do you suppose it tastes like?”)
(“I don’t know Onami. I don’t concern myself with such things. Whatever it is, it can’t compare to anything we’ve had before. Besides, I’m glad we have no need of food and drink. The need of it makes one weak.”)
(“I suppose you’re right. But still, I would like a taste.”)
Tiph’arah gathered as many cups as she could hold and began passing them around to the elders, who were already deep in conversation. There. One more for me and I will join the others. Tiph’arah went back for the last steaming cup of ketu sweetened with sprigs of honeysuckle. I could have sworn there was one more.
“Dear cousin,” Tiph’arah called out to Enoch, “you know there is really no need to play such games. I’ll gladly return your blade if you bring back my cup of ketu.”
“What?” Enoch asked innocently.
“My cup of ketu—it was right here. Just give it back.”
“I don’t know what you speak of Tiph’arah. Perhaps the dive has affected you. Going without air for such a long time, can confuse the mind.”
“I am not confused,” Tiph’arah said with a toss of her head. “It was right here. Fine. I’ll just make another. And you—you’ll just have to get your own next time, Ruler of Adam’s Realm.”
“Now daughter,” Father Seth said gently, “even though you and Enoch are close in age, now that he is the Bearer of the Seed, you will address him with respect.”
“Yes, Father.” Tiph’arah lowered her head, but her tone was dry. “Please forgive me, Enoch.”
“All is well, Tiph’arah.” He tugged one of her curls as he did when they were childlings. “Come on Tippy, do make another cup of ketu and join us.”
Tiph’arah stomped away to fix her drink, slamming pots and clanking cups as she worked.
(“She has quite the temper, doesn’t she,” Onami said as he sipped the cup of steaming ketu. “Azam, I was right. It is very good.”)
(“Onami!” Azam yelled so loudly the other Watchers turned and stared. Azam lowered his voice. “Put it back—now.”)
(“I can’t put it back,” Onami said, taking a gulp of the brew. “She would notice. Besides, she’s already making another cup. No harm done.”)
(“Fine,” Azam said. “Just don’t do it again.”)
(“Your wish is my command.” Onami grinned.)
Tiph’arah sat next to Father Seth as he blessed the fellowship. “May the Hidden Father grant us favor and wisdom as His will is done.” Father Seth passed his staff to Enoch.
“Medici Tiph’arah,” Enoch said with newfound authority, “please tell us what you saw.”
“Yes, Enoch, I mean Bearer,’ Tiph’arah said. “Naamah and I were watching the Great Tales when Captain Semjaza and Tubal-Cain joined us. After a time, they invited me to the communion meal at Tubal-Cain’s dwelling.”
“And you went?” Father Jared asked.
“Father Adam did always want us to reconcile, and they are not all as Father Cain. Naamah is as sweet as any daughter of Seth.”
“Medici Tiph’arah,” Enoch said kindly, “the Ancient One has enlarged your heart. It is my desire to end the strife too.”
Tiph’arah relaxed. “We were having a fine time until Lamech showed up. He had this wild look in his eyes. Sure, Father Lamech is always brash as a bear. But this was different.”
“The Council cannot take action based on a hunch,” Enoch said.
The other elders began chatting and lighting their pipes.
“Please—you must believe me,” Tiph’arah said. “Father Lamech accused me of spying. I used his rudeness as a pretense to leave, but truth be told—I was afraid.”
“Daughter, if you have nothing concrete, why trouble the Council?” Father Seth said. “You are a Medici now, too old to sneak into Council meetings and hide like you did as a youngling.”
“Wait,” Enoch said, “you were afraid?” Those three words seemed to get everyone’s attention.
“Tiph’arah may be high strung—” Father Jared said.
“But she is no coward,” another Elder chimed in, putting away his pipe.
“And she can fight too,” Enoch said.
“Thank you!” Tiph’arah took it as a compliment, causing even Medici Dinah to laugh.
“I think I understand,” Father Seth said, after the laughter subsided. “In the early days, before we multiplied greatly, Father Adam and Mother Eve spoke of such fear, yet they were not unseeing as we are now. They saw the source.” Father Seth leaned in, lowering his voice. “There be Fallen among us.”
“I experienced the fear without cause this eve too,” Enoch said. “I smelled something rotten outside my tent and thought a blood lust beast was near. But I never saw or heard any animal in the wood.”
“You still have Father Adam’s awareness running through your veins,” Father Seth said. “My ability to sense the foul presence of the Fallen has faded. Now only my heart leads me. Bless the name of the Ancient One, daughter.” Father Seth patted Tiph’arah’s hand. “He guided your heart away from great danger.”
“But what of our people in the camp?” Enoch asked, getting to his feet. “We must get back and warn—"
“No, my son.” Father Seth grabbed the cord dangling from Enoch’s waist pack and held him back. “Patience, Bearer. We will do them no good rushing in unprepared.”
“But we can—” Enoch said.
“Listen to reason. Sun’s birth is nigh, and we will not reach them before it rises,” Father Seth said. “The power of the Fallen fades as the glory of the sun rises. Our people are sleeping—those in the rest of the Ancient One are protected from the wiles of the Fallen.”
Enoch paced around the fire. “But many will not rest tonight because of the Celebration.”
Tiph’arah glared at Enoch, pleading silently. “Do something!” She knew he thought of Naamah.
“Enoch, the presence of temptation does not mean they will succumb,” Father Seth said. “The Ancient One does not leave us without a way of escape. Tiph’arah was there—she did not give in, nor did you. You perceived them and fought against it.” Father Seth raised his hands to the heavens. “By the grace of the Hidden Father, we all traveled through the midst of them—unharmed.”
“Indeed.” Elder Jared stroked his thick beard. “It seems if you want to resist the Fallen, you can.”
“For truth.” Enoch sighed. “Removing temptation is not the way of the Ancient One. Yet,” Enoch said quickly, “I am not willing to leave them defenseless. We will make plans to leave at first light. I want to distribute the alroue immediately, so everyone gets their fair share.”
“Husband, I mean Bearer,” Dinah said, brushing back a wisp of his hair, “I didn’t mention it earlier, but I did take a very small leaf from your pack to make a brew of it for Mother Eve.”
Enoch seemed surprised.
Dinah rushed on. “Some days she will not even rise to take her meals and just stares as if we aren’t even there.” Dinah spoke even faster. “I am truly sorry for the deception, but she is so much better after taking it. Why, you all saw Mother Eve at the Tribunal—the way she put that Lamech in his place—she was her old self again. The fire of the Ancient One was in her eyes—”
Tiph’arah hugged her knees into her chest and tapped her foot as Dinah and the Council droned on about people acting strange and how to grow alroue, how to trade alroue, how to distribute the alroue. I would have passed out the alroue the moment Enoch arrived. She furrowed her brows. Poor Naamah. I hate to think of her trapped in that tent with Father Lamech. The elders will sleep soon. I could sneak into the camp—
Tiph’arah stood up, stretched her legs, and feigned a yawn. “Father, I think I will turn in early.”
“That’s my sensible girl,” Father Seth smiled. “Get some rest and we will ask the Nesh Pa Nel to check on Naamah. No need to trouble yourself further.”
Father Seth filled his pipe, took a long drag, and passed it to Enoch. “As I was saying, I think we should go forth with the plan.”
“Agreed,” Enoch took a puff and coughed. “After the ceremony, we will meet with the Elders of Cain and propose the covenant.”
“Have no doubt, Father Cain may be their most honored father and Tubal-Cain the strongest,” Father Jared said, accepting the pipe, “but it is Father Lamech who rules the Tribe of Cain now, and he is a treacherous one.”
“Mind my words, Bearer, be careful. Remember Abel,” Father Seth added, “He was too trusting, and he paid for it with his blood.”