by Eric Black
Jose’s family would now be cared for by the entire village. Juan was content knowing that Jose’s sons would be mentored by the men of the village, constantly reminded of what a great man their father had been.
Juan met with the elders of the village many times and each time they questioned him, gauging the involvement of the people of Cimarron in the death of Jose.
“So you know the man who killed Jose?”
“I do,” Juan answered. “He goes by the name of McKale.”
“Why did he attack you?”
“It’s complicated. He is a man of great rage.”
“Well,” the elder spokesman said, “he has disappeared. We have our scouts looking for him but so far they have come back with an empty trail.”
“It’s not likely that you will find him. He truly has the ability to disappear.”
“We shall see. In the meantime, you are welcome to stay with us as long as you would like. You said you were not wounded by this McKale and so you are fortunate. Perhaps your spirit needs rest.”
Juan thanked them and returned to Jose’s home. There, he was faced with his own questions. “What do I do now? Do I risk him coming here and harming these people? Is it time return to the fountain?”
He decided that he would leave the village and shared his decision with the elders the following morning. Then, he mounted his horse and was gone.
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
“McKale? Is that who I think it is?” Diego asked.
“It is.”
“Who’s McKale?” the priest asked.
“That’s not an inconsequential answer, Padre,” Juan answered. “But I’ve spent too much time with my story and the answer will have to wait. Now we must turn back to our present. We can’t stay in this room forever.
“Diego and I have both studied the Book of Jubilees but you have dedicated your life to sharing what is within. What does the book say of the Ark?”
The priest considered for a moment. “It tells of the Seven Laws of Noah which are similar to the laws that Moses received. The book says that Enoch delivered these to Moses.”
“I thought God delivered these in the form of fire?” Diego asked.
“God did show himself to Moses in the form of fire. But Enoch, the Voice of God, was the one who spoke those laws to Moses.”
“I don’t understand,” Diego said to Juan. “If you and I are supposed to be all-knowing, why don’t we know this?”
“We know what we’re allowed to know,” Juan replied. “If the Watchers have found Enoch, they now shape creation and we fall under the guidelines they set.”
“So we’re at the mercy of a band of renegade angels?”
“It appears so.”
“Can they change what we are?”
“That remains to be seen. I would think they have more on their mind than us at this moment.”
“What makes you say that?”
“We’re still here.”
“Good point.” Diego turned to the priest. “Does the book say anything to you that stands out as unique?”
“There is mention of something that I always though fascinating. The book tells of the Elioud, the sons of the Nephilim. Juan, that’s the same name you saw written in the village of the Nephilim, correct?”
“Great,” Diego interrupted, “so this is never really going to end, right? We just have to keep fighting the sons of those that we killed?”
Juan ignored Diego’s sarcasm. “Please continue, Padre.”
“The book also tells of Enoch. In the book, there are two accounts of a man name Enoch. The first is the great-grandfather of Noah. The second is the son of Cain.”
“So Cain had a son named Enoch?” Juan asked.
“He did. And that would make him a brother in-law of sorts to the Nephilim. That would also make him a distant cousin to our Enoch.”
“What happened to Cain’s Enoch?”
“From him came a line of sons, several of which were similar in name to the sons of Seth. From Seth came Methuselah and from Cain came Methusael. Both lines produced a son named Lamech. Cain’s Lamech wrote the Song of Swords. He is also the first known polygamist. The Book of Moses ascribes that he entered into an agreement with the Fallen Angel known as the Morning Star.”
“The serpent,” Diego commented.
“Yes, the serpent. In the texts, Irad, the son of Cain’s Enoch and Lamech’s great-grandfather uncovers this agreement and exposes Lamech. Lamech kills Irad to silence him and is banished with his two wives for the murder.
“Lamech had a son named Tubal-cain – again a name similar to another Tubal from the line of Seth, the son of Noah. Tubal-cain was a metalsmith who worked with iron and bronze to build swords and spears.”
“Perhaps he was influenced by Azazel?” Diego suggested.
“Perhaps,” the priest agreed.
“Tell me more about Tubal-cain,” said Juan.
“That’s it. Nothing is said of his descendants. What’s interesting is that he had two half-brothers and one-half sister. His two half-brothers – Jabal and Jubal are attributed as being the father of their craft, just as Tubal-cain was the father of weapons of warfare. Jabal is known as the forefather of all shepherds and Jubal the forefather of all musicians.”
“All of that’s interesting,” said Diego, “but let’s get to the question behind all of this. We know that Cain’s descendants were cousins to the Nephilim and the Elioud. So what do Cain’s descendants and the Elioud have to do with one another?”
“I don’t know,” answered the priest. “But I do know that while we speak very little of the Elioud today, there was a time when they were spoken of as a warning to people. The Elioud were described as wicked people and their stories were told by the priests of the First Temple.”
“By First Temple you mean…”
“I mean King Solomon’s temple.”
“So maybe we should go there and then we can hear the stories of the wicked Elioud,” Diego commented, his sarcasm returning.
Juan smiled. “Diego, despite yourself, you may have come up with our plan.”
“What do you mean? Are you seriously suggesting we go there to learn more of the Elioud?”
“You yourself said it. Perhaps those stories will shed light on the sons of Cain.”
“We can certainly go to where the temple is reported to have existed but I don’t see how that will help us,” said the priest.
Juan recognized the priest did not quite grasp his meaning. “I’m not suggesting we go to the present day site of the temple. I’m saying we go the actual temple.”
The priest was confused. “I don’t understand.”
“There is little that you know of existence. Everything that has existed and everything that will exist is on a single plane. The key is to navigate this plane.”
“So you’re saying you can travel through time?”
“I’m saying that time is not as it seems. We look at a clock and see the sun rise and set and to us that is a measure of time; that’s the human measure of time. What I’m talking about is how time actually exists. When one understands that, it’s as simple as walking down the street.”
“So we’ll just walk to Solomon’s temple?”
Diego smiled. “Exactly.”
“And what does that mean for me? Do I just go back to the chapel and act as if nothing has happened?”
“My dear Padre, you’ll be coming with us.”
“I don’t understand. How can I travel in time? I’m just a man.”
Juan looked at the priest seriously. “Not anymore.”
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
Daniel stood on the summit of the Hill of Tara and looked out over the lush green landscape. He had lived in Ireland for many centuries (he was born in the 2nd Century AD) and while most of the structures around the hill no longer existed, there was a small passage tomb that remained. This tomb was known as Dumha na nGiall, the Mound of the Hostages, built nearly four thousand years pri
or to Daniel’s birth.
To the north was Ráith na Seanadh, the Rath of the Synods, a small ring-shaped fort protected by three banks. His father had been among the men who had built, fought and died inside of the fort.
It had been built to protect their village from the Roman invaders who threatened them; but in the end, the fort was ineffective against the waves of Roman warriors that trod through their lands.
Crowning the hill was Lia Fáil, the Stone of Destiny. A warrior who sought to become High King of Ireland must travel to the hill. If found worthy, the stone would cry out to the people of the land announcing a new High King had ascended.
In later years, some doubted the honesty of the story: that stone could speak. But Daniel knew it was true; he knew it was true because he had placed the stone as a marker for Enoch.
He first met Enoch in the town tavern after the death of his father. He was wary of Enoch as a stranger and Daniel was concerned that Enoch was a Roman spy. Enoch knew Daniel’s thoughts and smiled, “I am no Roman.”
“So you say. But who can be sure?”
Enoch looked at Daniel. “You know what I say is true.” Daniel did know and he nodded as such.
“You have heard of the Christian god that some of the Roman armies worship?” Enoch asked.
“Aye, I have heard of the Christian god.” Daniel was a pagan.
“And you have heard of the writings of the followers of the Christian god?”
“I have.”
“Some of these writings are very old. They tell of the time before the crucifixion of the Christian god. They speak of a garden and the people that lived and came from that garden. From those people came a man named Cain. He is your ancestor.”
Daniel did not know the stranger and did not like him speaking of his family. Daniel stood up and as he did, he hit the side of the table with his hip, spilling his drink.
The others in the tavern turned towards the commotion. The men were accustomed to fighting and readied themselves for a brawl. But to their disappointment, the fight did not happen. Instead, Enoch placed his hand on Daniel’s arm. As he did, a vision came to Daniel and he saw that of which Enoch was speaking. The vision only lasted a moment but it quelled Daniel’s anger and he sat back down. Instead of anger, confusion crossed his face. “What did you do to me?”
“I gave you the knowledge that you seek.”
“What do you want from me?”
“I’d like you to come with me. There are others. You must build a way for them to find you.”
Daniel didn’t understand but he found himself agreeing. Then, as if in a trance, he stood and then the two men walked together out of the village.
“You must leave your village,” Enoch instructed. “You will come back but when you do, nothing will be as it was.” Enoch paused. “Are you ready?”
Daniel gave a final look around the village and as he did, his head cleared. He knew this was his purpose in life. “Aye,” he agreed and the two men disappeared.
Daniel thought of that day as he looked down at the stone. Much had changed within himself and the world since that encounter.
He had learned from Enoch that there were other Sons of Cain and he would now use it to call them to the Hill of Tara. They did not know who they were but soon they would.
The serene beauty of the hill was deceptive as this was the last time the stone would be used. He paused for a moment to enjoy the land of his ancestors before touching the stone. It was cold beneath his palm but at his touch, began to warm. A low hum sounded and grew higher pitched as the stone began to vibrate.
The vibrations grew faster until the stone pulsed so rapidly it seemed not to be vibrating at all. An intense heat began to rise from the core of the stone, which Daniel ignored. He slid his hand to the crown of the stone and instantly, the vibration stopped, shattering the stone. But as it did, the jagged stone shrapnel did not discharge outwards; rather the stone imploded and a voice cried out. It was not loud and only few in existence could even hear or comprehend the words.
It was intended for the Sons of Cain; and they responded.
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
“Have you been to Ireland before?” Diego asked the priest.
“I have not.” He inhaled. They were still several miles from the sea but he could smell the salt on the air.
“This is the Hill of Tara. We’re being called.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I can’t explain it. I can only tell you that it’s something I feel.”
“Does it feel as if one’s soul is humming?”
Juan looked sharply at the priest. “You have that feeling?”
The priest nodded. “I have felt it since before Diego and I left the church. What does it mean?”
“It means you are one of us.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Neither do I, but it appears your pairing with Diego was not coincidental. Are you sure you never met Enoch previously?”
“I would remember.”
“Very well. It’s not surprising that you would be one of us. After all, you guarded the Ark of the Covenant for many years. There are few in history who have been given that immense responsibility.”
The priest looked around. “The land is beautiful.”
Diego agreed. He scanned the area, taking in the deep green but paused and noticed something amiss. He took a long look and finally realized what was missing: the stone that capped the hill was unseen. That’s strange. Did someone move it?
They came to the base of this hill and noticed that a small crowd had gathered. Diego surveyed the group and someone familiar caught his eye. He watched Daniel weave through the throng towards them.
When he reached them, Diego clasped him in embrace. “Glad you could make it,” said Daniel. “Thanks for taking your time.”
Diego laughed. “We’re very popular people. Everywhere we go people want a photo, people want an autograph; it’s a wonder we can make it down the street. Yet, here we are.”
“I’m surprised they let you through customs.” Daniel turned to Juan. “Good to see you gain, old friend.”
Juan embraced Daniel and then turned his attention to the priest. After introductions were made, Diego spoke solemnly, “So, the time has come.”
“It has come,” Daniel agreed sadly.
“You know about the deaths?” Diego asked.
“I do. I felt it when they died the same as you.”
“They will be missed,” Juan reflected. He started to speak further when he noticed a familiar face.
“Eduardo!”
Diego turned and saw their old friend approaching. A few steps behind him were the other Keepers of the Fountain. “Gentlemen!” Juan exclaimed.
Eduardo growled, “Watch that gentleman talk. You’ll ruin my reputation.”
Then, a smile replaced the scowl and his face lit up. Embraces commenced and they began the business of catching up.
The priest stood quietly listening to their tales. The company he now kept was difficult to believe. If he had not seen the angels himself, he would have dismissed the entire ensemble as mad and returned to Ethiopia.
“I see the aliens are here,” Diego said, reflecting on their surrounding company. He was referring to those who had been assigned to protect the secrets of other planets (some were native to those planets).
Daniel looked at Diego. “She is here too, you know.”
“Who do you mean she?”
“Don’t play dumb. You know exactly who I mean when I say she.”
Diego did know exactly who he meant. She had been assigned to protect the secrets of a tribe on a planet that space probes and telescopes had not yet seen. “If only circumstances were different.”
“Unless you’re killed by a Watcher, you’ll live forever, mate. Surely a more appropriate circumstance will come. But I think you’re just posturing.”
“Perhaps,” Diego said softly. He lifted his eyes back to Daniel. “A
nd thanks for the vote of confidence against the Watchers.”
“I hate to interrupt this special moment in your relationship,” said Eduardo, “but why are we here? What happened to the stone?”
“I had to destroy the stone to call you here,” Daniel answered. “We’re here because we must change existence back. The Watchers will destroy the universe and only the people on this hill can stop them.”
“I don’t understand how we can stop them.”
“Juan knows how to stop them,” Diego replied. All eyes turned to Juan.
“Well, not exactly. Enoch mentioned the Book of Jubilees has the answer.”
“Isn’t that the book you used to defeat the Nephilim?”
“The same. Only now I’m concerned about the sons of the Nephilim. They are called the Elioud. More, there is a lineage from Cain that I fear may have something to do with this.”
Daniel suppressed a smile. He had held the secret for a long time. “You’re right, the Sons of Cain do have something to do with this.”
Juan was surprised at the comment. “How do you know this?”
“It’s very simple. We’re the Sons of Cain. All of us.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, Cain had a son, and that son had a son, and that son had a son, and so on. It’s called reproduction. We are all descendants from the same man: Cain.”
“Even if that’s true,” Diego questioned, “why have we been chosen? I thought Cain was a murderer and his line was cursed.”
“He was cursed and so was his line. But it is said that line ended with the Great Flood.”
“So had the line of the Nephilim, supposedly.”
“Some people of faith claim that Cain was not the son of the first man, rather he was the son of a Fallen Angel,” said the priest. “Some scholars say that Fallen Angel was actually the serpent.”
The comment piqued Juan’s curiosity. “Do you believe that?”
“I do not. If that were true and we are the Sons of Cain, that would mean we come from the serpent.”