Enmity

by Paul J Fowler

  Thrones of the Watchers: Book I – Enmity

  Published by Genesis Iconic Stories, PO Box 10130 College Station, TX 77842.

  Copyright ©2020, by Paul J Fowler.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  Cover Design by Derek Murphy @Creativindie

  Unless otherwise indicated all biblical quotes are from the English Standard Version, ESV.

  www.thronesofthewatchers.com

  The Lord God said to the serpent,

  “Because you have done this… I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

  Genesis 3:14-15

  Thrones of the Watchers

  Enmity Part I

  The Nephilim

  And it came to pass when the children of men began to multiply on the face of the earth and daughters were born unto them, that the angels of God saw them on a certain year of this jubilee, that they were beautiful to look upon; and they took themselves wives of all whom they chose, and they bare unto them sons and they were giants [Nephilim].

  The Book of Jubilees 5:1

  “We left the Holy Garden, ashamed and broken. We settled on the plains of Eldah in the lands of Eden, where I had been formed. Yet the Serpent gave us no peace, our conflict with him had only begun.”

  The Testimony of Adam and Eve

  Recorded and stored in the Vault of Records in Har Shalem

  Chapter One

  Seth

  And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth...

  Genesis 4:25

  Movement in the air caught the man’s eye as he looked up from the riverbank. He had been washing the heat of the afternoon from his face, a moment of refreshing before he continued his day’s work. He now stood up, peering eastward, attempting to identify what had caught his attention. Finding nothing, the man stretched his limbs and returned to the cooling waters. After he bathed his face again, he sat on a stone near the river’s edge and listened to the stream’s relaxing sounds as it made its way south. Producing a small wooden cup from a shoulder bag, he quenched his thirst as his eyes scanned the grassy plains east of the riverbed.

  The man’s name was Seth, and he was almost five hundred seasons old. He had two older brothers, long since gone. Before he was born, his brother Abel had been murdered by his older brother Cain. One act of jealous violence caused his parents to lose both of their sons; Abel dead, and Cain exiled by God himself. In the tongue of their people, Seth’s name meant ‘appointed.’ His mother Eve chose his name, she felt he was appointed by God as a replacement for those she had lost; a gift of God’s mercy amid her grief.

  Seth was tall and broad-shouldered, his manner and bearing reflecting years of physical training and conditioning. Dark hair fell to his shoulders. He was clad in gray leggings reinforced with leather patches and stitching, and trim leather boots. A sleeveless white linen tunic was bound at his waist with a leather belt. Though his presence could be imposing, Seth’s calm and pleasant disposition put those who knew him at ease. He was lightly armed today, carrying a javelin and war club. Had he traveled to the furthest reaches of their lands, he would have worn armor, but Seth had stayed within sight of the city and preferred lighter clothing for a peaceful day’s travel.

  Protecting Adam’s people was Seth’s primary duty. Today he was inspecting the guard stations and various checkpoints that were stationed throughout the close perimeter of their lands. Late in the day, the lower fields on the eastern slopes of the city were his last stop. It was late summer, and his people were busy with harvest. The day’s travel had given him the opportunity to view the variety of farmlands and grazing fields his people were employing. Food, textiles from wool and cotton, as well as livestock, were in abundance.

  Adam’s family was now seven generations deep, and their tribes had significantly expanded. There were children everywhere; it was getting hard to keep up with who belonged to whom. Adam, and especially Eve, had an uncanny ability to mentally catalog the family lines. Seth often marveled at his parents. The older Seth became, and the more he learned about the other peoples of this world, the more he realized how unusually gifted they were.

  Adam’s city was a five-sided stronghold built into cliffs, situated on the hill above him. The lower fields were on the eastern side of their people’s home. Crops were grown in sections of farmland adjacent to the lower fields. The river was a seasonal stream, flowing strong this time of year, which formed at the low point of the valley before the terrain sloped uphill again. The stream marked a natural boundary that framed pastures where the tribe kept their flocks. The Great River, which flowed north and south, was a few hours’ travel due east. The low-sloped land, with abundant foliage and access to water, was perfect for their needs. Sheep, goats, and a few cows lingered there.

  Lookouts could view the fields from the walls of the city. Watchtowers at each of the four gates were built with perches for viewing and defense. Some tents and small buildings were situated outside the walled city. In times of danger or an attack, flocks and those living beyond the city, even nearby villages, would withdraw to the protection of the stone and timber walls.

  It was late in the day, and many of the laborers were returning for the evening meal. Flocks opposite the lower fields were brought closer to Adam’s city. The river provided a natural barrier, and their flocks would often pasture there. Shepherds or guards would usually spend the night among the livestock. A few young men, armed with spears and other weapons, would keep fires going through the night near the water’s edge. Dogs were trained for vigilance and protection and would alert the men if predators appeared.

  Seth had spent many nights in the fields himself. It was usually a peaceful duty and one that he enjoyed. Seth occasionally longed for quiet nights in the open air away from the bustle of the domicile. In years past, Seth insisted on personally training every son, cousin, nephew, or brother in proper night duty skills. His wife, Ahavva, would smile knowingly when he asserted he was the only one that could train them properly. The recollection brought a grin to Seth’s face, as his wife graciously understood his need to be free of the city’s confines.

  But the night watch did have some exciting moments. The dogs would usually scare away most intruders, but occasionally, wolves or a great cat would steal a sheep. The hounds or shepherds would often drive away or kill the predator. Sometimes the sheep would survive the encounter, but sometimes the predators would successfully disappear with their prize. Adam directed the people not to eat an animal killed by a night animal. Designated as unclean, they would burn the animal. Bears would be seen in the day but rarely at night. The carnivorous blood-reptiles had not been seen in years.

  Adam’s people also kept watch for the men of Cain. The descendants of Adam’s exiled first son had formed tribes and built cities. Some groups respected their borders, but others did not. Raiding parties had attempted to steal livestock and goods before. Consequently, the night watch also looked for human predators. Sometimes it was just a desperate one or two thieves, but other times they were well-organized groups. Seth hated fighting or killing relatives, even distant ones, but failing to respond invited even more threats.

  Though Adam’s tribe was small in comparison to other groups, they were feared. Adam was a brilliant tactician. Though passing six hundred seasons in age, Adam himself was still formidable. Adam had equipped his sons and daughters for the realities of conflict. Seth had fought alongside his father countles
s times. Adam and Seth never left a theft or attack from Cain’s descendants unanswered. Always outnumbered in battles with men, Adam’s people still prevailed. Father Adam had a genius in crafting weapons and devising battle plans. Fortunately, it had been many months since they had seen men of Cain attempt theft.

  But sometimes a darker creature than wolves or predator cats would visit at night; entities even more wicked than the men of Cain. Seth recalled the night the dogs challenged a ferocious gray beast approaching the sheep. Seth thought it was a large dog until it reared up on its hind legs like a man, roaring in pain as javelins pierced it at least two or three times. Great teeth and sharp, twisted claws were an image that never left him.

  “Curse you, Adam!” the creature spoke in a man’s voice. Shock and horror overcame his younger brothers, who disappeared behind him. His javelin spent, Seth crouched and waited for the creature’s attack, measuring the distance mentally for the only strike he would get. The smooth shaft of his hardwood club held low and ready, ice-cold inside and barely breathing, Seth held his ground. Howling in anger, the beast suddenly disappeared into the darkness. Seth remembered being angry and longing to pursue the creature. He paused as he remembered that moment; a young man’s introduction to a darker world. At that time, he was only about twenty seasons old.

  “Protect the family, above all else. You kept your wits; you did well, Son,” Adam had said. Seth still beamed when thinking of that moment; Adam had been so proud of him.

  The Fallen. The enemy they feared the most.

  Adam spoke with confidence of a war in the heavenly realms, long ago where angels fought against other angels. An evil angel and his followers were banished, cast down from the heavens to dwell on the earth. The Serpent was their leader. His followers, once beautiful beings, were now evil and corrupt. They had a diversity of forms; and varied considerably in abilities and strength. Some were driven quite insane by their rejection from heaven; others were fiendishly clever and well-organized. A few were winged creatures. Others had no wings and looked remarkably human. Some of the devious Fallen even blended themselves among men. Others had degenerated into monstrous beings such as the one he faced as a youth. Adam cautioned their people many times over the years, saying, “His seed takes many forms.”

  Then giants appeared on the earth. Adam discovered that a unique group of angels, called Watchers, chose to abandon their heavenly assignments and had taken physical forms, lusting for unions with the daughters of men. These dark angels had mated with human women, by force or through seduction. The unholy unions between angels and humankind produced all sorts of evil oddities; spawning the Nephilim, a hybrid race of savage giants with tremendous strength, and other monstrous creatures.

  The Fallen, the Watchers, and their Nephilim offspring hated Adam’s people. And they hated the One God whom they had rebelled against. And whether dark angel or their spawn, Adam’s people fought them. Seth pursued these creatures with cold, focused resolve whenever one dared to enter their territory.

  Seth decided to banish thoughts of these dark creatures. He washed his face again, then took another drink from the stream. Seth paused, prayed silently, and thanked the One God for keeping his people safe. As he looked up from his moment of reflection, his eyes were drawn to movement in the eastern skies.

  Something moving in the air again...

  Chapter Two

  Adam

  This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God.

  Genesis 5:1

  “Father Adam, the Fallen have come again! Seth is fighting one in the low fields!” the assistant shouted, red-faced and anxious. He had rushed into the leader’s private room through the large open doors of the enclosure.

  The patriarch of seven generations had been sitting on a low bench in a large room, quietly perusing skins of animals covered in various writings and diagrams set on a table before him. Thin sheets of bronze were also piled there, stamped with a variety of symbols. Adam’s left hand was stroking the head of his favorite canine, Seepha, a large and muscular dog he had meticulously cross-bred from their domestic breeds with wolves. His right hand was holding a wooden frame that stretched a skin to facilitate accurate work. The smell of fresh ink filled the air.

  The messenger was the son of Adam’s great-grandson Kenan. Mica was his name. Mica served as the personal attendant to the man many called First Father. He wanted to offer more information to Adam but had none. Mica quickly moved towards weapons located near the room’s entrance. He selected what he knew would be Adam’s choice, a sturdy wooden staff fortified with thin sheets of metal, a weighted knob at the top, and a short spike at the bottom.

  Adam had been talking to himself as Mica burst into his meeting room. Lost in his thoughts, Adam was in a frame of mind his wife, Eve, called “the faraway place.” Sometimes Adam was lost in contemplation, and yet other times, Adam was attuned to a realm only he could discern. His people had learned Adam would often hear God’s voice as he looked away, oblivious to those around him. In time they had learned to accommodate his need for deep thought. Other times, such as this one, Adam was just arranging knowledge in his mind before it was transferred to written form.

  The Fallen. The name of his ancient enemy brought immediate clarity to Adam’s mind. The dog’s hackles rose in anger, and she growled when her master quickly rose to his feet. Adam cursed under his breath and grabbed the staff Mica offered him. Adam ran, leaving his quarters, down a private stairway, and soon crossing the open courtyard towards the fourth gate adjacent to the lower fields. Seepha barked fiercely as she followed closely. Mica, after grabbing a long spear for himself, followed close behind them.

  Adam’s keen mind raced with questions as he passed through the courtyard...

  What would I find when I get there?

  Why was Seth alone?

  Who are the guards assigned to that field - dead perhaps?

  Seth fights a Fallen – what of their offspring?

  Children, grandchildren, sons, and daughters of many generations were clearly alarmed as they saw their patriarch, weapon in hand, urgently pass through the open yard. Eve was by the Fourth Gate as he approached it. Though concern marked her face, Eve’s beauty touched Adam deeply. It always did.

  “Adam, our sons!” Eve anxiously voiced to him.

  Their eyes met. As Adam nodded in response, he remembered their youngest son, Jathan, was guarding fields today. Deep concern now bordered on fear in Adam. He touched Eve’s shoulder as he passed. He longed to further reassure her, but there was no time.

  He allowed himself one backward glance as he turned right when leaving the city gate. There was his Eve, tall, beautiful, and fierce she stood, the mother of all humankind. She was alarmed but resolute, shouting instructions and calling family and servants into the stronghold. In one hand, she held the staff he made her a few decades ago, sternly commanding men to grab weapons and follow Adam. He smiled as he considered the fate of anything; human, angel, animal, or monster that came between Eve and her children.

  Though he was over six hundred seasons old, Adam ran remarkably fast. His swiftness had only slightly diminished with age. Mica and Seepha were barely keeping up. They ran along the city wall. Soon he would reach the crest of the hill that sloped downward toward the lower fields. Then Adam would know what they were facing.

  Age notwithstanding, Adam was faster and stronger than most men and unequaled in intellect. As he ran, he fought to contain the memories that would still haunt his mind. Adam remembered a time when he could cover even greater distances in seconds. Physically, he was still stronger than anyone in his clan, but he recalled a time of strength when he shaped forests and mountains with words. Adam was now considered the wisest among men, but he remembered days of wisdom when he named animals alongside the One God himself. Recollections of unspeakable joy echoed in his mind of a day when angels a
nd all creation attended his wedding to Eve.

  The past centuries had tempered Adam with harsh new realities. Still, some memories were too powerful to vanish from Adam’s thought; how capable, how strong, and how fast he had been. Adam would never forget how untainted his world had been, and how alive he felt then. Not even Seth knew the whole story.

  “Lord be their strength and shield,” Adam prayed aloud as he ran.

  Jathan was a surprising joy, a child born long after Adam had expected no more. Adam relied on Seth like no other, as much a brother as a son to him. After five hundred seasons together, the two had endured countless trials side by side. Seth, the appointed of God, the third son who had saved his father and mother from themselves.

  Chapter Three

  Eve

  The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all the living.

  Genesis 3:20

  It was a beautiful late summer afternoon, and the small city was bustling with activity. A light breeze was refreshing the otherwise warm day. There were still a few hours of daylight left. The late afternoon meal was prepared. The smell of freshly baked bread hung in the air as well as the aroma of roasted meat. Young children were playing in the courtyard; older ones were assisting the cooks by laying out foods. The four city gates were open. Workers from the fields would be coming in soon for the only leisurely meal of the day. Mothers were nursing newborn children in small groups, laughing and enjoying a few minutes to talk with friends.

  The mood was happy and slightly hurried as hard work was fading into rest; final preparations for a celebration of food and family.