Read Online People of the Ark (Ark Chronicles 1) by Vaughn Heppner - Free Book Online Page B

tiny chin between his fingers. His mouth moved, but he spoke too softly for Ham to hear.
    She shook her head.
    The giant spoke again.
    “ Oh no, milord,” she said, loud enough for Ham to hear. “I would never lie to you.”
    Ymir ’s strange eyes narrowed as he scanned the far bank. Ham froze in terror. The giant spoke more loudly than before. It was an eerie voice, with an edge, a sardonic mockery, power. “It matters not. Noah interests me. Kedorlaomer assures me this one will not disappoint like the others.”
    “ Yes, I think you’re right, milord,” Naamah said.
    The giant peered at Naamah . Then he put a huge hand behind her back, propelling her into the forest and out of sight.
     

7.
     
    Ham guzzled water so it spilled out the side of his mouth and down his sweaty tunic.
    “ Slow down,” Methuselah said.
    Ham gasped and began drinking again. He had run practically the entire way to the clan compound.
    Methuselah young wife stood behind the patriarch, frowning, twining her fingers. They had locked the door and guided Ham by the elbow to Methuselah’s den.
    Candlelight flickered off richly furnished chairs, cabinets and tables, all carefully carved and chiseled throughout Methuselah ’s nine hundred-plus years. He was a master craftsman. A rug of exquisite workmanship carpeted the floor and priceless paintings hung on the walls. There were vases filled with flowers, golden bowls and silver chalices inlaid with gems. Here Methuselah often chatted with important guests.
    Methuselah fairly reeked of riches and more than one of his grandchildren had codified his profound and pithy sayings and animal fables. He too loved Jehovah, believed as Noah did.
    Methuselah also loved his position and that many looked up to him . He did encourage the young men to work for Noah. And if asked privately he would tell you that Jehovah planned on destroying the world through flood. Unfortunately, he disliked people laughing at him. Mockery grated on his sensibilities. He had explained to Noah that he helped him better from a position of power, that this way he kept his children from their worst depredations.
    Noah had once confided to Ham, Shem and Japheth that Methuselah ’s father had prophesied that “it would come when Methuselah died.” The “it” was the flood. Noah said he found it interesting that Methuselah had now outlived any man in history. It was proof indeed of Jehovah’s longsuffering.
    “ Here,” Methuselah said.
    Ham wiped his chin with a towel.
    Methuselah frowned as he set aside the jug. “You can’t stay long. The others want to beat you, now that they know you never checked the rope.”
    “ I appreciate your help, Great-Grandfather.”
    Methuselah glanced at his wife . He was a good-looking man at over nine hundred and sixty. He had a long, lean, leathery face, although not as wrinkled as some. His beard was still mostly dark and his blue eyes were clear and serene.”
    “ I saw a giant! He is called Ymir.” Ham said.
    “ Your mother told us you ran away,” Methuselah said.
    Ham lowered his gaze.
    “Hmm.” Methuselah glanced at his wife. She picked up the water jug and retreated from the room. Methuselah brooded, finally patting Ham on the knee. “Go home. Finish the Ark and survive the coming deluge.”
    “ What?” Ham said. “You believe Jehovah will destroy the world?”
    “ Of course,” Methuselah said.
    “ So why don’t you speak out more?”
    Methuselah drew a deep breath, held it and shook his head . “Why come here, Ham? You must have known it was risky after allowing Jubal to be killed.”
    “ I saw a giant.”
    “ Everyone does now and again.”
    “ This one is going to the Ark.”
    “ Hmm. Yes, unusual. Their kind…” Methuselah fixed his gaze on Ham. “How did you come to learn a giant’s plans?”
    Ham gushed out his tale, as if by the first word the rest spilled out in a torrent . He lingered on Naamah and that he had to win her.
    “ The giant is obviously