Eden's Gate

By Leslie M Kuntz

Adolescents JoSamne, Qenan, and their sister Ahnwen are the great-grandkids of Adam and Eve. They search for missing sheep in a tropical mountain valley where they engage and flee several dinosaur species, cross a stormy desert, and experience altering pools and mazes while a mysterious traveler stalks them. They locate the Garden of Eden and the Tree of Life. Their very souls become in jeopardy when they approach the Garden of Eden.The gate is guarded by a Cherubim and Flaming sword.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Nov 3, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483542973

Book preview

9781483542973

Chapter - 1

Another night’s sleep ruined. His brother’s bad dreams interrupted his rest, but his own sweaty dreams woke him early. The boy held his breath and tip-toed through the hut, beyond the sounds of the other’s sleeping. Someone watched. Was Ahnlyn listening? No couldn’t be.

Slipping outside, he trotted among dawn shadows toward the Lowlands Wood. There, he meandered a sea of swaying grasses and entered a wooded refuge. A pale moon watched the dawn from above the trees of the western skyline. At day break a racket, like animals fighting or laughing, erupted. Then silence.

The boy crouched within a stand of red willow bushes. His twelve-year-old shoulders shivered; he was cold yet he was perspired as he pressed low behind the wet leaves of the well-worn hiding spot. He yanked his legs to his chest

He formed a wreath with honeysuckle vine and wrapped it about his forehead; a failing attempt to hide his screaming red hair. The air that day was moist and carried the slight fragrance of a sweet melon, but an icy breeze stirred and delivered a trait that raised the hair on his neck and iced his arms. Loud cackling echoed from across the meadow, again shattering the morning serenity. His honey toned eyes scanned the meadow and found the incident in the conifer forest beyond. An undesired gasp blurted from the lowest part of his throat like a hiccup. He quieted himself and waited.

A bead of perspiration formed from below his leafy head band and trickled down to the tip of his freckled nose. He fought a watery tickle by wiggling his nose. The boy felt invisible but was unaware that he too was being watched. He strained to hush his uneven breathing but his wheezes seemed to echo throughout Creation.

Stealth paws, charged close through the woodland foliage; the sound no louder than the whisper of a mouse. Stalking the boy was easy; his breathing reported his position like a guiding signal. The hunting wolf crept near, a silent shadow, dark beneath the forest shrubs.

The boy’s eyes popped wide, his mouth gaped open, but his only expression was a tiny squeal as the giant wolf appeared above him. He watched like a spectator as, in a blink, the wolf pounced, then pinned him to the ground in one move. Sharp white teeth were bared against his young neck.

Breathless, he kicked, rolled, and somehow loosened his body from beneath the hairy weight. The boy found his voice, get off of me you... he shouted while kicking himself away, you foul breathed dog! You are lucky that I wheeze today. Or.. or I’d...

Jada, the Silver Wolf and family friend, wuffed while licking the perspiration from the boy’s face then moved back a step. He growled, questioning, his voice resonated in a throaty canine manner.

It’s my brother... The boy nodded in the direction of the conifer wood. Qenan is with those clowns of Creation, his monkeys, again... and they’re inventing some kind of trouble ... Do those who hunt honor their lot?

Jada snorted with growling, wolf-like nobility.

All that noisy hooting and bragging... The grand plan of Creation is beyond my thoughts... The boy wondered, but what is their role in the rhythm of life? A stoic wolf looked beyond the meadow, then back, deep into his face.

The Creator did pronounce them good, I suppose. The boy sighed then ruffled the short fur between Jada’s ears, as he did after completing all things in Creation?

Jada coughed a condescending growl..

They are good—for our amusement— and their littering provides sustenance for insects. But they perplex people as well, Jada, the boy said while peering through the cover, scanning the woods beyond the meadow. The commotion had quieted. "And they are manlike—in appearance."

The great apes, however, are a dignified clan... He was thinking out loud. Perhaps the gorillas could teach their little cousins...

Jada showed his teeth and growled from deep inside his chest.

Jada was a member of small group of intelligent animals that were part of an original group of creatures that had lived in the Garden of Eden. The Creator had given them limited intellect and the ability to understand Adam, Eve and their children. They obeyed the Creator by serving His original family; they also directed rare animal species to Adam so he could name them. The animals bore no young and many of them had followed Adam and Eve after they’d been expelled from the Garden.

That had been several human generations earlier, before the ‘changes’ in Creation began.

A flight of long necked emerald birds flew the horizon over Qenan and his gang of primates while the two friends crouched low and resumed a quiet watch. An amethyst dragonfly stopped, its two sets of wings whirred while it gazed at the unlikely pair. The Creator’s music abounds in the stillness, the boy whispered. Listen... Hear the rhythm of Lavender Springs... A chorus of warbling canaries added a melody to Lavender’s sprays and splashes. Humming bees that grazed on the blossoms of meadow wildflowers furnished the harmony. These are living melodies from our Creator...

Violet plumed grasses shuddered in the breeze then fell quiet as the air went still. Another round of hoots blasted through the tranquil forest. A ‘phhff’ sound exhausted from the wolf’s velvet nostrils. An annoying clamor surrounded the boy’s brother as he pumped his stick and lifted it high in the air.

I- It is not a good thing, Jada... He said, stuttering. Now Qenan is jabbing his hunting spear—and killed a small animal? The boy pointed toward a large mound that overlooked the meadow, it was shaded by rows of tall cedars. The trees formed a semi- circle about the mound and the exhibition there was unmistakable. I—I can’t believe this—what is his need to take a life! He shook his head and frowned.

It looks like a woodchuck, Jada. And he’s tossed it down to the monkeys. The monkeys took the animal and began slamming and kicking its body about. Oh Father of Earth—apes don’t eat of the flesh—what well can spring this sort of an idea?

This cannot go unreported, Jada. The two friends stood above their cover and leaned toward the commotion, their heads shaking in disbelief. Jada began snarling.

Yes Jada. I feel eye’s upon us as well..... He said scanning the bush beyond. Could it be that someone—something else is involved? The wolf sniffed the air and his head snapped back as if an angry skunk had sprayed him.

Aghh, the boy interrupted and spat in frustration. We are exposed. He smacked a large leaf, splashing dew back into their faces. They are all looking this way...we’d best go over there and face them.

Jada snarled then sniffed the air in several directions before stepping forward. The Wolf’s rumbling growls echoed as protests as they proceeded toward the group.

As they navigated knee-high grasses of the meadow their shadows stroked patches of crimson colored Bashful Flowers. The wildflowers responded by retracting their blossoms into buds until the shadows had passed over. The boy’s thoughts were on an incident from two days earlier. He and Qenan had watched a falcon drop from the sky, snatch, and kill a small quail. Qenan, while staring at the spectacle, had remarked with a small bit of fascination, You know, we have animal bodies... We too could be killed. The statement stunned him at the time, and marked the beginning of his worries concerning Qenan. That had also been the first night the boy woke to the racket of Qenan’s nightmares; it seemed as though Qenan battled for his very life while. The boy listened in the dark.

The noise again erupted as monkeys of every size and shape cackled, whooped and hugged each other as the boy and the wolf drew near. Jada’s snarl incited the monkeys to biting each other’s tails then thrashed crazily about. Jada’s ears stood up; his keen hearing alarmed. The boy perceived something other than a monkey or a boy, retreating through the brush behind the monkey pack... somehow, the noise concealed it.

A long-limbed, thickly muscled, youth was posted behind the monkey band, his dark eyes challenging.. He snapped a finger, immediately silencing the primates, Little brother, he said and folded his arms across his chest. You’re tardy today, JoSamne; Young Prince... I’d thought you might have roamed off to the highlands to pick berries. Or, Qenan lifted his eyebrows, or journeyed to the Quake Mountains to chase the Great Lizards.

"Tardy at daybreak... Great Lizards? What jabber... The Quake Mountain Range? Father won’t go there and Salomea the Eagle wouldn’t venture to fly over that place, JoSamne squinted suspiciously at his brother. Why even mention it? Why would anyone even talk about visiting a remote place like that? "

For the same reason, Qenan paused, gazing over the tree tops, For the same reason the jackal laughs.

...That reason being?

Because he knows everything he does is so amusing, then he cackles and laughs. He does what he was designed to do.

The jackal is cruel and laughs but does not feel joy. JoSamne whispered, gazing into the clear eyed face of the wolf..

Qenan’s smile dropped. He asked, Have you and your grumbling dog appeared from the bush to join our sport?

Sport?... What sport is this? JoSamne frowned, killing a gentle creature...for pleasure?

No, he stepped closer, "I’m using our hunting spears—as we were taught—by our father."

Father taught us to use our hunting tools for provision... We don’t kill for amusement— ever!

Some low creature will consume this carrion, he waved a dismissing hand toward the woodchuck carcass, "and yes Father did teach us to hunt and to spear—rodents were our favorite targets!"

Rodents we fed to the small cats who frequent the gardens near our home!... But this, JoSamne pointed to the battered carcass stretched upon a collection of flat stones, this resembles a cruel sacrifice. He leaned forward, glaring into Qenan’s eyes. You know how Mother cherishes the gentle creatures...

Here it comes, Qenan interrupted, "Mama’s Goody Boy!"

JoSamne flinched, his head snapped sideways as if the remark had slapped him. Father will not be pleased when I tell him... Then, his lips vanished into a tightened mouth. Would the Lord Creator also approve of this?

You’d best not speak of it, little brother. Qenan warned, and then pointed a threatening finger, forcing Qenan to back step. "You will only invent new problems. Over what, the life of a brainless woodchuck?... Anyway, aren’t you always quoting that Forest Code: eat or be eaten?"

The Great Wolf barked, bowing his head in the courtly manner necessary for interrupting one of the Family. Then a small, clear voice spoke from behind JoSamne, That is not quite correct, Noble Prince. It was their younger sister, Ahnlyn, she spoke while striding into the clearing. "Forest Code, which the Creator has ordained as instinct in all but us of His image, states: Kill only to eat, or kill only to not be eaten."

The tall youth rolled his eyes away from the girl then frowned and directed a riveting glare and shifting his rage toward the wolf. That sounds well... weaker.

It is the simple truth, brother. She said in a whisper. Even simple truths can be painted and disguised. Jada lowered his lemon-gold eyes and bowed, for few warm animals can return the stare of man. He murmured a gravely whine.

That makes it an untruth. JoSamne interrupted, irritated that his friend needed to humble himself before One of the Royal Line of the First Born. And, Ahnlyn, he turned, you should not have tagged along... Then, continued while turning to face Qenan. But she did state the truth correctly.

Now, now, Qenan said grinning. This is nothing to obsess over.. And we’re not going to agree on it... He sighed and set a kind hand on JoSamne’s shoulder. Let’s not debate it any longer. Mother and Father have an important dinner planed... We’ll discuss it further then. Fine, JoSamne retorted while knocking Qenan’s hand from his shoulder. There won’t be a debate, you’ll deny everything..

Oh, Qenan lifted the honeysuckle wreath from JoSamne’s head and smirked, you won’t need this any longer, Young Prince. Then, as one monkey snatched the wreath and plopped it on its head, another long-whiskered monkey mimicked Qenan, setting a forehand upon the other’s shoulder while flapping his lower lip. "Don’t mind these buffoons—they won’t bite anybody—it’s not in their code... Enjoy the morning." Qenan said, dismissing the pair.

The trio turned to leave, but not before Jada delivered a threatening growl toward the monkey clan, who responded by whooping, chattering and hopping behind one another. JoSamne’s right hand reached for the sling tucked into the belt of his tunic. His left hand found a small pouch filled with round stones. In the time of one handclap he could arm his sling, aim on the second, and by the third clap he could strike a locust thirty paces off. He resisted chastising the monkeys. They were not the problem.

Instead, Qenan grabbed a bare stick and struck a hollow log hard, the sound echoing like a thunder crack.

The beasts became silent.

The singing birds of the forest also became silent.

The canaries held their breath and the bees stopped humming.

JoSamne, Ahnlyn, and Jada retreated and were watched. The brushing stroke of each footstep seemed to echo across the meadow like mountain avalanches. I feel shaky, JoSamne whispered through dry lips. My heart pounds within my chest, Lyny!... Why does trouble settle in my stomach and twist it so?

It is fear, Young Prince. Ahnlyn shook her head from side to side. Not the survival fear that protects... Our fears sprout from the mind, and then it grows in the body.

But I can’t identify the source of this... this fear, JoSamne said. there is a... presence.

Use your eyes, Young Prince, she said while looking at the wolf , and use your ears.

I don’t see anything—I don’t hear anything!

"Use your other eyes and ears, Ahnlyn whispered, nodding toward Jada then following his gaze above. Eyes that see beyond the covering—but most of all use ears that perceive what you can almost hear... And then listen for the soft voice that guides from beyond seeing and hearing."

Observe and learn from our friend, she said. Jada’s nose curled up. A slight sulfuric odor mingled with and insulted the flavor of the morning air. And listen, she spoke in a loud whisper, for the unseen danger that lurks in the shadows.

They shuffled back across the meadow; and listened. From beyond their natural hearing and vision, they could feel a set of unblinking eyes; watching them from the forest canopy above.

Chapter - 2

‘Mama’s Goody Boy,’ Qenan had taunted him. JoSamne’s ears glowed red, his stomach tightened. Ahnlyn had been puzzled by the power of the phrase. Young Prince, She’d asked before parting with the Wolf at the Home Trail. Why do words that affirm your goodness cause you ill feelings?

The words themselves don’t sting, JoSamne had answered. "The tone of them accuses— makes me feel small." Jada grrred in disgust.

Don’t believe it, Young Prince. Ahnlyn said as they watched Jada fade into the forest. You are a brave Great-Grandson of Adam. Jada concurred with a short, happy bark, now invisible in the Lowlands Wood.

JoSamne lobbed pebbles at the speckled hens in the yard while pacing and waiting for the right moment to tell his mother about Qenan’s activities. He procrastinated telling until late into the afternoon; the moment to speak of it never arrived. The thought of interrupting Mother’s busy day with bad reports stirred guilt pangs inside of him. And how bad of a report was it? Did Qenan really do anything as bad as it had seemed at the time? JoSamne almost convinced himself that killing a woodchuck was no serious matter. Almost.

Suddenly, pebble bounced off his head. He jumped up and spun around to an accusing voice. Just what is your problem? It was his younger sister Ahnlyn, again. She stood, small fists propped on her hips, she had their father’s coco skin, her mother’s sparkling eyes, and the same spattering of freckles JoSamne bore across his cheeks and nose. Her round shoulders topped a compact frame, two years his junior she was the strongest girl JoSamne knew. You’ve been moping about and sitting in your sulking daze long enough.

Her eyebrows pulled together, I saw you sneak out this morning, Jo... Her frown lightened, I’m surprised you didn’t wake everyone in the house... especially Father."

You must have been dreaming, JoSamne stuttered, caught.

No.... But Qenan is very much harder to catch than you. She smiled, squatted low and whispered, I could wake you right after he leaves next time...... If you let me come with.

That is not ever going to happen you little..... A barking dog interrupted and pointed toward the solution to JoSamne’s dilemma . No thanks, Ahnlyn, He stood and patted the top of her head. Your too little to come along to the Lowlands Wood. He turned, smiling as she slapped his hand away, Anyway, I need to talk to Father.

The small, short-haired dog that kept watch by their home woofed at Enosh’s approach. Of course, JoSamne needn’t upset his mother with the bad news, he would tell his father.

All of creation stood in awe of and held affection for Enosh. He was a striking figure of strength and poise who bore a unique resemblance to his grandfather, Adam, the first created man. His wavy charcoal locks now sprayed with silver and sunlight. The exile from the Garden of Eden had removed Adam’s position of authority, much of Creation still honored him, his son, and his son’s son, some even bowed in a courtly manner at his appearance. Even the great lions humbled themselves in the presence of the grandson of the man who had, in the cool of the evening, walked through the Garden of Eden with The Creator.

The stories of life in that Garden were becoming faded memories as new duties and strenuous tasks like plowing the land and taming herds of livestock became necessary. That day, as Enosh crested a round hill of the near horizon, the