Free The Tree of Life (Lost Civilizations: 3) by Vaughn Heppner

likely die. But that’s better than watching our loved ones fall to their deaths.”
    “Hmmm,” said Nar Naccara again.
    Adah thoughtfully pinched her lower lip. Maybe there was more than one way to recruit warriors. She had the glimmer of an idea. Yes. She would do anything to hurt Nephilim and First Born. Poseidonis had taught her that.
    “We cannot put all our hope in one hold,” Lord Uriah told his sister. “Soon, no matter what happens in Eden, the First Born will march against the nations of men. Elon must be ready for the coming assaults.”
    Zillith nodded, albeit reluctantly.
    “When will we begin our march for Eden?” Auroch asked.
    “In three days,” Lord Uriah said.
    “With only those we already possess?” Lord Mikloth asked.
    “No,” said Nar Naccara.
    All eyes turned to him.
    The Admiral grinned sickly. “I will loan you a company of mariners, the most I can dare. I’ll ship you near Pildash, and set you on those shores. The overland route from Carthalo to Arkite Land is too long.”
    Auroch slapped the table. “I’ve witnessed something new. An admiral willingly sends League mariners to their doom.”
    “You are wrong, as usual” Nar Naccara said, “I will send no one to his doom, but lead them there myself.”
    Adah wondered how fat Nar Naccara would manage that through dense forests and over rocky highlands.
    “This is madness,” Lord Mikloth said, looking from face to face. “The Nebo gather. Unless we’re a mighty host, we’ll be destroyed.”
    Lord Uriah said, “Not with so many brave hearts.”
    “You wished for five thousand or more,” Lord Mikloth protested. “You said that after a core of Elonites was gathered, that surely the lords of Carthalo would add to your host. Instead, they’ve done worse. They refuse us any sort of host at all.”
    “A thousand, or a hundred, we must do what we can,” Lord Uriah said.
    Adah, who well recalled the giants, the sabertooths and the Gibborim from long ago, knew that a hundred warriors were as chaff before them. Maybe even a thousand were chaff. Lord Uriah plucked at straws. The Nebo themselves would swarm and slaughter them. Still, they must try. They must at least attempt to sting the Nephilim, to make them suffer in some small way before they gained immortality.
    “...And I will give the Mother Protectress two biremes to escort her back to Elon,” Nar Naccara was saying.
    Zillith nodded thoughtfully.
    “What of the city lords?” Lord Mikloth asked, “Won’t they try to stop you?” he asked Nar Naccara.
    The Admiral shrugged his thick shoulders, with a sinister smile on his glistening face.
    “Any more questions?” asked Lord Uriah.
    There were many, or so Adah saw in the other faces. However, no one else spoke, so Lord Uriah adjourned the meeting.

Chapter Six
    Prince Ishmael

    He will be a wild donkey of a man.
    -- Genesis 16:12

    The spies were easy to spot. They stayed in the lobby of the Siga, and followed them whenever they went out into the city. Adah was sure the old woman who soaked her feet in the heated pool was one, too.
    “Who’s the spy, and who’s the assassin?” Auroch asked a day ago. “You must trust me in this: Gog’s assassins are here. Either they’ve been loaned to certain city lords, or they’re here on their own account. I’ll no longer go into the city, unless in the company of mariners. I ask each of you to consider a similar plan.”
    Adah disagreed. She’d seen Zillith off at the wharves, as the Mother Protectress boarded her bireme for Elon. Then Adah had gone to the taverns. After a day of searching, she found her prize, but she kept going to other taverns to confuse the spies. Then she spent several hours in her room, where she composed a song and refined her plan. Lord Uriah would not approve, she was certain. He would not approve for more than one reason. But from whatever angle she considered this, it was a good idea. So she’d informed Gens of her plan and his role in it.
    Adah