They Were Born Upon Ashes by Kenneth Champion Read Free Book Online Page B

be. He is simply not like that.
    “He would not hurt what?” asked Hudson.
    Penny did not answer.
    “What is this man capable of?”
    “He...he just got released from the Vincot Arena. But it’s not how it seems. He is a good man, I swear it.”
    “How can you be so sure?” asked Hudson.
    “I know what he is capable of doing in order to survive. But it is nothing more than a coincidence. He would never do anything to harm the king or any other innocent life, for that matter. It is something that you can feel if you ever meet him. He is one of the most kind hearted and loyal people I have ever met.”
    “I have experienced even stranger coincidences in my lifetime,” said Hudson. “I hope the words you speak are true. I consider anyone who was affiliated with our king’s demise a traitor. Traitors all deserve the same fate, death.”
    The room became silent as Claire brought over the tea. It was rich in flavor. It tasted like a combination of a deep partu flower with a hint of blueberry. It was sweet and delicious.
    Penny sat back in the chair and took in a deep breath as she still tried to take in the rather traumatic events that unfolded that night. Her hands still trembled as she tried to drink her tea from the white ceramic cup.
    Hudson drank from his tea but he could not sit still. His leg tapped up and down on the floor and his fingers fidgeted relentlessly along the long oak table.
    “I have to go out and see what our neighbors and friends plan on doing,” said Hudson. “I need to make sure that they are safe. There are thousands of criminals walking our streets and we must have a plan. It is no longer safe to live here.”
    “You need to stay here and protect your family,” said Claire.
    “In order to protect my family I must decide what is best for our future,” said Hudson. “I cannot do that in this house. We need to make the decision tonight. To make that decision I need to talk to the people we trust most.”
    Claire nodded her head in agreement.
    “Claire, I need you to start packing. There’s a chance we will be leaving this city at any given moment.”
    Hudson quickly grabbed a small dagger from the wall behind the table and tossed his gloves onto the wooden table.
    “I’ll be back soon”, said Hudson.
    He kissed his wife, then he kissed his son and his daughter on the forehead. He unlocked the door and walked out into the chaotic city. Claire shut the door and locked it behind him.
    Claire smiled at Penny and said, “Why don’t you rest on my bed? I know for a fact you have had a long day. I will just be grabbing essentials and throwing them in some bags.”
    “I don’t think my mind can be set to ease, Claire. Why don’t I help you pack?”
    “Please lay down,” said Claire. “Your man is out there and he is fine. You need to rest. Tomorrow will be a new day. Daylight will be the best time to pursue the quest of finding your love.”
    Penny smiled and agreed. Although her mind was running a million miles a minute she was able to catch some sleep. Her heavy eyelids closed shut as her aching body got a chance to lie down on a bed.
    ***
    The door slammed shut. It was still in the middle of the night. Only a few hours had passed since Penny closed her eyes to sleep. She jolted up from the bed at the large bang that came from Hudson arriving back at his home.
    He was slightly out of breath and his face was wet with sweat. Claire locked the door behind him and asked, “What happened? What did you find out, dear?”
    “We leave now,” said Hudson. “There is a massive exodus leaving this wretched city in favor of Ralton.”
    “Now?” asked Claire. “Everything we know is here. Everything our son knows is here.”
    “Everything we know was killed tonight. It was slashed at the throat just as our late king. The journey to Ralton is not the safest. We need to be a part of that group. If we decide to join them later we risk the safety of our family. Evil beings walk among the