Captain Rainbrain and the Tanglevine: Part Five

By: Josprel

Part Five

Perched high above the ground on the uppermost deck of the ship Noiman was fashioning gutters that would serve to direct rainwater toward a spout that was near a window. To collect potable water for his family and the animals all that would be necessary was for someone to open the window and fill containers at the spout. It would be an arduous task, as would be the feeding of such a multitude of diverse creatures with their wide-ranging diets; but not as malodorous as that of cleaning the numerous stalls and cages. Thankfully, the labors would finish when the predicted deluge abated.

The uppermost deck would include the family’s residence, which would be comfortably spacious, allowing the four couples ample seclusion for spousal communion outside the family circle. However the eight would work and take meals together as a family.

Calling down to Shiana and his daughters-in-law, Noiman teased, “So, at last you have come with food for our grumbling bellies. We already are faint from hunger.”

“Has there ever been a day when the four of you did not complain of hunger, even after filling yourselves like a stuffed goose? I remember no such day,” Shiana teased back, “Send down a cord to take up your food before you topple over with weakness. ”

“Yes, in a moment,” Noiman replied, standing to stretch his arm and legs. As he did so, his glance fell on the long path that led to the ship. Squinting into the distance, he notice noticed what appeared to be a lengthy caravan snaking along the path.

“And what is this coming toward us?” he called to the others. The woman and his sons stared in the direction of his pointing finger.

“They must be the emperor’s warriors. They come at last to destroy the ship,” Hamath bitterly observed,

“He sends so great an army to destroy it? Has he nothing better to do with the few days left to him?” Shiana asked in disgust.

“Look father!” Japhtho exclaimed, “They not only fly the royal banner, but that also that of Uris. Does Uris also seek to destroy our work?”

“Shiana, I want all of you women to enter the ship and climb to the uppermost deck,” Noiman ordered, “Do not gaze out at those who come, though they try to harm us. Remember that we are under the protection of The Three; no harm can befall us. Go now!”

The women scurried to obey and the four men put down their tools and sat on the upper deck to await the caravan, which quicken it pace. The spectacle was impressive! Spearheaded by the horse borne Guardians of the Royal Throne armed with battle weapons, their royal banner fluttering in a brisk breeze and followed by Larsian militiamen holding unlit torches in one hand while managing their prancing steeds with the other -their Larsian ensign proudly fluttering at a somewhat lower level than the royal standard - the Larsian administrator, his family and friends, his subordinates with their clan chieftains, their spouses and mistresses, their children and kinfolk, and other sundry dignitary, conveyed in canopied lounges borne by scantily clad, turbaned male slaves, numerous other male slaves leading pack animals heavily weighed down by enormous bundles of firewood and huge bales of dry straw, the procession pushed pompously toward the vessel. Riding at the head of the Guardian and the militia, astride a large, spirited black horse, was Ludani, attired in royal finery. Bringing up the rear, numerous Larsian locals followed the caravan. All, but Uris, appeared excited; all, but he were expecting monumental entertainment.

When the procession arrived within earshot of the builders, Uris shouted, “Descend the ship, Noiman. I have the emperor’s commission to destroy it!”

Momentarily ignoring the administrator, Noiman focused his sight on Prince Ludani. He waved his sons closer to him.

“See the one who rides in the lead of the warriors? Does he not wear royal garb?” he asked.

“He does,” Shema responded, “It must be Prince Ludani. We have heard reports that he is in Larsa.”

“Without doubt, his father has sent him with Uris to insure the destruction of our work,” Japhtho speculated.

Again Uris shouted, a quiver in his tone, “I command you to descend the ship, Noiman! I can wait no longer! I must burn the ship! Descend now!”

This time Noiman answered the administrator. “Why would you bring an untimely doom to you and those with you, Prince Uris? For the sake of your long friendship with my grandfather, who is now The Three, I desire no harm to befall you. Though judgment shall surly descend on Terra, there is still time to repent and to turn to serve The Three. I beseech you, go from this place for, if you attempt to burn this vessel, you and all with you shall surly die!”

When Uris did not respond, Prince Ludani spoke up. “Come down from your perch, Larsian madman! If you do not, I shall command my troops to burn your creation! See, our slaves carry large bundles of kindling to fulfill my father’s command. Come down now, or I shall burn you and all who are with you. And I defy your false Logos, and those you call “The Three” to prevent me from doing so! There is no true god, but Lucifin! Come down from the ship, Larsian traitor, before I burn you and your family upon it in sacrifice to Lucifin!” Loud laughter and applause from the procession followed the prince’s harangue.

When it abated, Noiman shouted, “Here me well all who have come to this place! Because you applaud the blasphemy of Prince Ludani against Lord Logos, who is of The Three, and because you applaud his sacrilege and defiance of The Three, from his own mouth is he condemned, and with your own hands have you all condemned yourselves. None of you shall ever return to your homes! None of you shall ever leave this place.”

“Why do I still waste royal breath on this madman?” Ludani angrily bellowed, “Place the kindling and straw all around the entire base of the vessel! Pile them high. I wish to serve these traitors well roasted to our great god Lucifin. Burn the ship now!”

Continued in Part Six.

© Joseph Perrello (Josprel)

Josprel@verizon.net

Article Source: http://www.articles.narrowisthepath.com

Josprel is an ordained evangelical minister whose stories and articles have appeared in print and on the Internet. Josprel currently is authoring two novels, "Beloved Apostate" and "Kanfal."

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