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

dismissive gesture . “And in case visitors should arrive—”
    “ Visitors?” Gaea asked, wincing inwardly because she had said that too sharply.
    Europa glanced at the baskets . It was hard to tell what she was thinking. As a king’s daughter, she had learned to hide her emotions.
    A door opened, startling both of them.
    Rahab hesitated at the door. “You…” She seemed to fight for courage. “You said once I was done feeding the chickens that I should come in and card wool.”
    “ Of course, of course,” Gaea said. She indicated the table. “Look at all the beautiful flowers Europa picked.”
    Rahab barely glanced at the table, although she said, “They are very pretty.”
    Europa didn ’t seem to hear. Perhaps she didn’t notice Rahab after first seeing her. Rahab acted too much like a servant; and those at times Europa seemed to treat as invisible, unless she ordered them to this task or that.
    “ You were saying?” Gaea said to Europa.
    “ Yes,” Europa said. “I was talking about visitors.”
    “ Siblings of yours, I presume?”
    “ Girl,” Europa said, “would you start putting these flowers in the vases?”
    Rahab glanced at Gaea.
    Gaea sighed, nodding.
    Rahab picked up the nearest vase and went to the table, hesitating between the flower baskets, choosing the roses.
    “You’ve uncovered my surprise,” Europa told Gaea. “A sister of mine should arrive tomorrow.”
    “ Ah,” Gaea said.
    “ She’s young,” Europa said. “A mere twenty-one. Perhaps if someone could escort her while she’s here. Ham for instance, if—”
    Rahab cried out, dropping a rose, sucking her finger.
    “What happened?” Gaea said, coming around the table.
    Rahab shook her head, with the finger in her mouth.
    “She asked you a question, child,” Europa said. “Answer her.”
    Rahab took her finger out of her mouth . A spot of blood welled. “I pricked myself,” she whispered.
    Gaea took the small hand, inspecting it . “You must be more careful, Rahab.”
    “ Yes, madam.”
    Gaea decided not to chide the small dear again for forgetting to say ‘Mother.’
    “ What do you think, Mother?” Europa asked. “Wouldn’t it be a good idea for Ham to escort my sister?”
    Gaea noticed a hurt look enter Rahab ’s eyes.
    And Rahab pulled her hand back, and she curled the pricked finger against her palm, using her other fingers to pick up the fallen rose and put it in the vase.
    “ My sister is pretty and quite well behaved,” Europa was saying. “I’m sure Ham wouldn’t mind showing her around.”
    “ Perhaps,” Gaea said, “but Ham might be busy.”
    “ Oh?” Europa asked.
    “ I may have Ham help Rahab fetch supplies for Lamech.”
    Rahab looked up, startled.
    “You can’t be serious,” Europa said. “Let one of the field hands help the girl.”
    Gaea faced Europa, saw her calculated study of little Rahab and the almost immediate dismissal of her as a possible obstacle . Gaea pursed her lips, wondering where in this wicked world Ham might find a good wife. Then she smiled, deciding for Rahab’s sake to deflect Europa’s ire.
    “ Come,” Gaea said, taking Europa by the hand, “I want to show you some new material I traded for last week. I’m thinking of using it for a quilt. I’d like your opinion.” They moved toward the next room.
    Thus , neither of them saw Rahab glance up, wonderment and confusion filling her face, and a host of doubts.
     

4.
     
    “How did your father know I was thinking about helping myself to the rubies?” Jubal asked.
    Ham grunted a monosyllable answer as they maneuvered the unwieldy crane into position . It had a heavy split-log platform laid atop wooden sleds and was dragged by mules. From the platform sprouted a forty-cubit derrick with a swinging boom or yardarm on top.
    “ Those rubies were perfect,” Jubal said.
    “ Is that what you have for brains?” Ham asked. “Rocks?”
    “ Delilah loves rubies. If I had brought her those… Can you imagine