How Dragons Survived the Flood

Chapter 1 Part 3

Standing rigid in his father's embrace, Japh forced himself to stand still and remember this man who held him. Long-forgotten stories of how Lamech, Noah's father, accused his wife of consorting with the Sons of God when he saw his newborn son's snow-white flesh and violet-red eyes, flashed through his mind.

Lamech had also asked his own grandfather, Enoch the Prophet who walked with God, to find out the truth. When Enoch revealed Noah's destiny, Lamech sent his son to live with his own father, the Prophet Methuselah.

Standing with apparent ease in his father's embrace, Japheth thought of the changes that had happened since that time. He had gone missing. His brothers were married. His mother, replaced.

Abruptly, Noah fell to his knees and began to pray. "Oh Yahweh, merciful are You, looking down and shedding Your mercy on us." Noah raised his hands and began rocking back and forth. "Today You have given back what was taken, restored the lost lamb to the fold. Your ways are ever righteous. Keep us and protect us in the days to come. May we sing Your praises always. Amen."

Noah lowered his hands and paused for a moment. He stood and looked directly at his son his eyes changing from pale blue to red. "Welcome home, Japheth. Blessed be the One who returned you."

Japheth looked into his father's eyes for a moment, startled by their strange ways. As a child, he had never been able to tell if his father's eyes really changed color or if it was a trick of the light.

As a full-grown man, he still felt uneasy when he saw the shift, but now he was able to hold his father's gaze for a moment. "I will tell my dragon, Father. She decided to bring me home."

Noah's eyes narrowed.

Japheth sighed. Noah, at least, had not changed much over the years. His eyes were still unnerving; his skin still as pale as marble; his wild, white hair still stood out like a bush around his head; and he still had no room for humor in his heart.

"Let me look at you." Noah walked around his son. "Yes, you have grown up strong and tall, like your mother's people. But I see my mark on you in your dark blue eyes and paler skin."

He patted Japheth on the shoulder. "Praise Yahweh. We thought you were dead once the female dragon had you in her talons. Your return is a testament to Yahweh. The end of the world will soon be upon us. There is much yet to do and we must work tirelessly to prepare."

Noah, eyes flashing red, looked up and pointed to his middle son. "Ham."

Japh turned to see his brothers standing by the door.

"Finish with your animals and then go and help the women prepare food for a feast day tomorrow after we go to Temple to give thanks. They will need more help, and the slaves will not be distracted from building the Ark."

Noah's eyes mellowed to a light violet color when he spoke to his eldest who also stood in the doorway, "Is it not exciting? Your brother has returned and the prophecy is closer to being fulfilled."

Noah glanced again at Ham, "Is this enough to quell your doubts? Now go." Before Ham could reply, Noah dismissed him with a wave of his hand.

Noah turned and placed an arm around Shem's shoulder, pulling him close. "Start thinking of brides, eight are to travel on the Ark. We will send out runners after tomorrow's celebration." He patted Shem on the back one last time as Shem bowed and left.

Japheth looked at his father. Many years had gone by, and still the prophecy of the world's end was his imminent concern. He worked to keep his voice level as he said, "It is good to see you, Father."

Noah looked at him, glancing up and down the length of his son's tall frame and around the room. His eyebrows furrowed when he saw the dragon-skin tunic and dragon-skin sheath holding its well-used knife strapped to Japheth's calf. "I see you were able to keep track of your knife all these years."