Enoch Primordial (Chronicles of the Nephilim) by Brian Godawa Read Free Book Online Page A

all these years. He has provided for us.”
    They heard the front door shut . They suddenly noticed that Edna was not with them anymore. She had gotten up and must have left their chambers.
    Enoch called out, “Edna?”
    No one answered him.
    “That is strange,” said Enoch. “ She has never done that before.”
    Methuselah guessed that his mother believed the prophecy, more than the “sage” who had received it. She was probably making preparations to leave the city, preparations that included Methuselah’s young friend, the other Edna, and her parents. She had discussed the possibility with her son in the past.
    “She is warning others,” he surmised.
    “What others?” challenged Enoch.
    “Edna and her parents?” offered Methuselah.
    “How does she know about this girl of yours?”
    “She is not my ‘girl,’ father,” said Methuselah. “ I have told mother all about her. She knows we are close, and she is going to help them. She will go after Edna’s parents first, to bring them to the palace.”
    Methuselah’s mother already knew that young Edna was in love with her son. She had spent long hours talking with the girl. Mother Edna had been a young lower caste girl once and had fallen in love with a young Enoch as a royal apkallu in training. So she did not have the qualms that either of the men had. They always took so much longer to see these things.
    Methuselah replied simply, “We should prepare the family to leave. Mother will be back before long.”
    “Son, we must have confirmation.”
    “What else do you need to be — ” A knock at the door interrupted Methuselah. Enoch opened the door to a servant messenger.
    The man was pale and trembling. “My lord, a riot has begun in the city. The Nephilim are on a rampage, destroying everything in sight and capturing citizens.”
    Enoch could not believe his ears. “They are taking hostages? What ransom can the palace possibly give them that they have not already extorted out of us?”
    “ They have been demanding justice. Some say they are taking their anger out on the poor citizens.”
    “Holy Utu,” said Enoch. “My Edna is out there.”
    Methuselah’s throat went dry. He also knew what other horrors awaited the women. “Where is the city guard? Have they done anything to hold them back?”
    “The city guard was the first to be taken out,” the messenger wailed.
    Enoch said, “Where are the Rephaim? Enmeduranki?”
    The messenger shook his head. “Nowhere to be found.”
    That did not make sense to Enoch. They would be the first to coordinate action to protect the citizens. He knew the priest-king truly cared for his people and the Rephaim did not tolerate rebellion.
    “The gates of the city have been locked,” said the messenger. “No one can get out. For some reason, the Nephilim have stayed away from the palace area.” The palace and its riches were always the ultimate goal in these revolutions. “Justice” usually meant theft, plunder, and destruction.
    Enoch dismissed the messenger. He turned to Methuselah. “I have to get Edna, but I do not know where she is.”
    “My Edna will know,” said Methuselah. “She can lead us there.”
    Enoch nodded reluctantly. “You go find the servant girl. I will spread the word to the family to gather in the underground passageways and wait for us. I will meet you in the courtyard. Your little friend can lead us to her parents and our Edna.”
    They ran out the door.

Chapter 10
    Enoch had been accused of being so spiritually minded that he lacked practicality, but it was not true. He had arranged various positions of responsibility in the palace area for his extended family. He had given each a code and procedure to follow should any kind of disaster arise, be it a siege of the city or a revolt from within. This revolt fulfilled the second contingency.
    He would not have to gather everyone himself. He need only contact a couple of them and they would pass along the information through