Covenant: Exodus

Chapter 9

Noahim made his way to the temple, determined to find the book that he had seen in his mind after drinking the water from the Jala'Kim. The heat of midday was oppressive and very few people were about in the central square, even those who were simply waved or nodded in acknowledgment to their high priest. No one in Atla, save the Mul'Ki, had any idea of the importance of the event that had just transpired, although Noahim knew that they soon would. As soon as the people began to see some of the Mul'Ki moving their possessions from the temple, they would know that things had changed. Noahim imagined there would be little else that people would talk about for the next several days, but he didn't have time to worry about the people's reaction to what he had just done. He simply needed to find Ratam RaAva.

Noahim entered the temple and decided to make his way to the library, although he knew that he had never laid eyes on this book in all of the countless hours that he had spent among the volumes that it housed. He began to think about which of his brethren would be most knowledgeable of the books in the temple and instantly thought of Jakon. That definitely won't work, he thought to himself. Jakon had always been a very well-read Mul'Ki even though he often disagreed with the old teachings. Never-the-less, he had read more volumes in his hundreds of years at the temple than anyone else; Noahim was sure of this.

As Noahim entered the library and scanned the seemingly endless rows of books, his task felt overwhelming. He had no idea where to begin, no idea where to turn. The library was empty, although Noahim expected as much, as the rest of the Mul'Ki were no doubt talking with each other about the event that had just transpired. Letting his eyes lose focus he turned his thoughts inward, and instead of focusing on the problem, he focused on the solution. This book would not be found here in the library; he knew this was a fruitless search. Noahim had looked over all the books on Ratam that the library housed after witnessing the Vega Ra. As Noahim sat and pondered what to do next, the sound of approaching footsteps caught his attention.

He had no need to turn and see who was heading towards him, he could recognize the distinctive sound of his wife's footsteps as she crossed from the marble flooring of the hallway to the soft, carpeted library. He sat with his head in his hands trying to remember any mention that Rashan may have made about this book. He felt the air at his back stir slightly as Namaah approached. She stood silently, gently rubbing the tension from shoulders that, to Noahim, seemed to carry the weight of the entire world. "Noah..." she said softly, "I have been worried. I still do not know what you meant by saying that you were going to destroy the ways of the Mul'Ki, but I can feel how much stress you are under...I am worried about you."

Noahim did not know where to begin. He had no idea how to explain any of this to his wife, "Namaah, I have much to tell you, but you must trust me that right now I do not have the time. I need to find a book... a book that I have never heard mention of, nor seen anywhere in all of my time at the temple. This book may very well be the key to saving everyone."

"I have no idea what could be so urgent about this book Noah, but I know that you would not be searching for the book if it were not important." Namaah paused briefly before continuing, "And I also know that you will tell me what has transpired between you and your brethren when you feel you have the time. What book is it that you seek?"

"I need to find a book entitled Ratam RaAva, but I don't even know where to begin looking for it."

"Ratam RaAva...," Namaah said thoughtfully, "Where did you learn of this book?"

Noahim took a moment to answer. "Today at the meeting of the Mul'Ki... I drank from the Jala'Kim."

"You what!?!" Namaah said sounding shocked, "Why would you do that Noah? Why would you take that kind of a risk?"