Chapter Twenty-Seven
Loran Speaks for His Brothers
Seth drew a deep breath as his head finally broke the surface of the pool. After diving deep and returning to the surface, Seth now floated on his back, the gentle sway of the waters clearing his mind. The springs waters were cool and refreshing, and for Seth, they afforded a few moments of freedom. There was much work to complete before the men underwent purification in the mountain pools. He was the last to enter the waters, after washing blood and grime from his body, he swam for the pure joy it gave him. He had always loved to swim, a simple pleasure first learned as a boy. There were few pleasures or rest the first two centuries of his life, but swimming was one that he had carried through the ages.
The pleasing scent of the soaps Enosh had created also brought him comfort. Floating in the water for a precious few moments, he thought of what an exacting child Enosh had been, fastidious in his measurements and concoctions. Endless questions about blending fats with this scent, distilling something this way, extracting oils that way, refining ingredients by heat or evaporation. Cinnamon, pine, cassia, and a myriad of other components were explored by Enosh. Seth would often send Enosh to Adam, who seemed less fatigued by endless questions from his grandson. Enosh was kind and patient, just blessed with a curious mind. It had been almost four hundred seasons ago that Seth and Ahavva started their little family, and Enosh had been a joy to watch as he matured. Images of Ahavva lingered in Seth’s mind as well, and Seth ached for her. It was a cruel reminder that some tasks remained, and he could not return to her until they were complete.
The hunters had quickly left the valley of the giant laborers and their Fallen handlers. As they departed, the drones were left where they fell dead, and the angel’s bodies were still burning. Seth was concerned other Nephilim were nearby and would be drawn to the smoke. They kept a brisk pace until dusk. It was a restless night, deep in Nephilim territory, but Seth commanded the men to rest even if they could not fully sleep. No fire was made for fear of alerting Nephilim scouts. A defensive position was formed between two large limestone boulders with spears facing outward, the horses and men in the center.
Adam refused to sleep, praying, and standing guard until well past midnight. With arms raised in prayer, alternately kneeling or standing, Adam kept his watch. Footsteps occasionally rumbled through the forest, but nothing came near the men of Har Shalem. Four hours after midnight, Seth commanded the men to resume their trek. Guiding the men by the stars in the low light, they returned to a full pace after the sun came up. They arrived at the springs by mid-morning.
Seth left the springs and dried himself by one of the fires. As he was looking for a fresh tunic, his father joined him. Seth donned his leggings and laced his boots. He then took a deep breath and closed his eyes in prayer. Adam stood before Seth, opened a small vial of purification oil and began their ancient ritual of purification.
“My King is Righteous!” Adam declared over Seth as he applied the oil on Seth’s forehead. Adam then applied the oil to Seth’s right ear, his right thumb, and open palms.
“My King is Righteous,” Seth returned reverently.
Adam playfully wiped some of the leftover oil on Seth’s new beard. Then Adam rubbed the rest of the oil onto Seth’s neck. Seth winced as Adam found a sore spot and pressed, soon the heat of Adam’s hand and the oil brought relief.
“You have more of them. That was from the fight at the river,” Adam stated.
“Doubtless, I will acquire more before I get home,” Seth replied. Adam smiled and nodded in response.
Both men unpacked clean tunics and resumed dressing and donning their armor in silence. Chest armor, greaves, knee guards, and armored bracers over the forearms. Seth’s thoughts always found a reassuring rhythm in the repetitive process; as each belt, loop, and buckle took their place, Seth’s mind slowly steeled itself for the work ahead. After testing each piece of armor, Seth began moving his body, stretching, and warming his muscles for rapid movement. Unarmed, Seth was rehearsing defensive forms and parries. Adam extended his limbs, too, his muscular frame warming up for the conflict ahead. Adam watched Seth, admiring his dedication to his craft. Hand-strikes, knees, elbows, standing kicks and leaping kicks – Seth could kill any number of ways before he ever picked up a weapon.
Adam recalled days long ago when he and Seth began their journey into the art and science of war. Adam reluctantly turned his encyclopedic knowledge of human and animal physiology to the ending of life, not for its healing. Not without grief did Adam reverse the goal of that knowledge. But regret was now an emotion Adam only entertained briefly. As Michael was resolute in his war against Lucifer, so did Seth and Adam apply themselves to their studies. Though at this moment, Adam felt pride, not regret; proud of his son’s dedication and proud of their victories over the centuries. While Adam’s family had experienced crushing losses in their conflicts, aided by the Shining Ones and God’s Spirit, they still prevailed again and again. God had been faithful to His Remnant. Adam slowly swung his staff as he continued to watch his son practice. Seth now moved his war club in a series of strikes and parries, his motion a blur. Adam was satisfied that they were both ready and continued praying silently for his sons and their task ahead.
“A man to set my back against,” Adam remarked proudly. Seth had paused, noticing his father observing him.
Seth smiled humbly, blushing slightly. In a few weeks, he would be five hundred years old, yet he was still moved when his father expressed pride in him.
The springs where they bathed were at the base of Mount Hermon itself, though the summit was quite a distance away. Several small streams flowed down the mountain, a few of them combining above the rocky hill that overlooked the clearing where the waters came together.
The mouth of a large cave conspicuously opened in the rocky cliff face. The largest spring filled a large grotto within the hillside itself, the water exiting the cliff face from the cave and pooling outside. From there, the waters flowed downhill, meandered through the hills, eventually feeding the Great River several miles away. The area was stunningly beautiful, rugged, but green with vegetation and populated with groups of hardy trees.
But the natural beauty had been altered by man’s handiwork. Retaining walls of stone had been constructed to contain and direct the flow of water. The cliff face had several niches carved into them, each one filled with statues honoring the local deities.
In the clearing below the springs, two massive timbers had recently been erected next to a live tree of similar size. Stripped of bark and sanded smooth, angelic symbols were carved into the wood. Sculpted into the head of each pole was a figure of importance to the Fallen; the shapely form of a woman atop the living tree. The head of a bull adorned another pole. The head of a goat was atop the third pole. A new stone altar had been constructed, a flat stone resting on three short stone columns, a few feet away from the fertility poles.
But now the fertility poles were in flames.
The stone altar was overturned. Every idol, small or large, was placed onto a heap of timber and brush for burning. Every bone or skeleton found was buried in a fresh grave outside the large clearing, one hill away from the springs. Upright columns, often called standing stones, were leveled. It was back-breaking work but was accomplished quickly. Finally, after Mica doused the burn pile with lamp oil, Adam prayed.
Adam first confessed aloud the sins of humanity before the One God, followed by an appeal for His mercy. The sins of the Watchers were voiced aloud. A call for God’s judgment against them was made. Adam then asked for the earth around the high place of dark worship to be healed and cleansed, and for this seat of the enemy’s power to be broken. As he prayed for the fire of God’s Spirit to purify this high place, the woods became silent, no sound of bird or insect was heard. The air grew still, supernaturally so. Mica dutifully stood by ready to light the fire; though God had lit their pyres sup
ernaturally in the past, it was not expected as a matter of course.
There was no lightning or flash of fire from the sky.
Adam paused Mica with his hand. The men watched Adam’s face as it was evident to them Adam was peering into a realm of the spirit they could not. Adam’s eyes were now closed, his face as one who is struggling to hear the faintest of sounds. Adam’s faced moved slightly from left to right as though observing movement. Suddenly Adam opened his eyes, and with an expression of other-worldly understanding, Adam smiled and dropped to his knees.
The sons of Adam dropped to their knees as well. As they did, the faintest crackle was heard. A small corner of the sacrificial pile began to flame, and slowly the fire spread across the entire heap. After watching the fire blaze upwards for a few minutes, the men started to take turns bathing and completing purification.
Adam took a deep breath, adjusted his armor slightly, then nodded his head in satisfaction. As he finished, he looked about the high place, his eyes occasionally drawn to the flickering flames of burning idols
“I never wanted to return here. We lost so much that day. I almost lost you,” Adam said, sighing deeply.
Seth found it hard to find words. Three daughters had been abducted from their people, taken in the days before the walls of Har Shalem protected them. One of the daughters was Seth’s own. Their abduction precipitated Adam and Seth’s pursuit that culminated in the battle they had fought here many years ago.
“Can you find the place, the earth where they rest?” Seth inquired, his voice now hollow.
Adam nodded affirmatively.
“As we leave, we will honor them,” Adam stated.
Both men watched as Mica’s form took shape in the distance. After purification, each man was given new assignments. Last to bathe, only Adam and Seth remained at the springs.
“Is the trap set?” Seth asked Mica as he joined them.
“Yes, my chieftain,” Mica replied. “The others will join us at the graves as we leave the springs.”
Mica went to one of the remaining horses; the other horse was with the twins and pulled two richly woven cloaks and two royal circlets from the saddlebags. Adam and Seth each placed the circlets on their heads. The crowns were simple but beautifully crafted, polished silver with gold accents. Adam took a long, hooded cloak of brown and trimmed with forest green accents. Mica strapped Seth’s twin sword sheath on his back and attached the short blue cloak to Seth’s armor with polished metal clasps.
In clean tunics, arms and armor polished, and wearing rich cloaks, both Adam and Seth were impressive in appearance. The craftsmanship of their weapons and armor alone would alert a stranger that these were rich and powerful leaders. Only on rare occasions would the Melchizedek, Kenan himself, wear a formal crown. These royal circlets were designed for Seth and Adam’s interactions with the outside world.
“Now, we will honor our dead. And then we shall call these kings into account for their rash words against us,” Adam said grimly.
The whole party had completed their assignments and were waiting for Adam and Seth.
When Loran and Lethan scouted the springs, they found a small detachment of soldiers from Khazin as well as some servants. The servants had brought provisions for the New Moon sacrifice and celebration. The servants fled quickly and were not pursued. The twins warned the soldiers to desist but were forced to kill two of them. Three soldiers were bound and gagged near the new graves that had been dug for the victims of the dark worship that occurred at the high place. They would remain bound until the caravan of the three kings had been confronted.
Seth addressed the oldest of the three guards. Though the soldiers had been humbled by the twins, they now appeared even more terrified of the taciturn, kingly warrior who addressed them.
“I have no patience for fools,” Seth stated coldly. “Answer my queries, and you may live. Lie to me, and I will kill you myself.”
The soldier was convinced of Seth’s sincerity and offered a detailed response to every question. All three kings would be present, each attended by one captain and seven soldiers. The Voice of the Gods would be in the caravan to preside over the rituals. He was joined by a witch of considerable reputation, allegedly a powerful medium.
Three virgins were prepared for the rituals and would probably be pacified with poppy extracts to make them easier to manage. Also, there was a stronghold nearby, just to the west, where the soldiers believed the Mountain God’s occasionally dwelled. They thought it was the birthplace of the Nephilim champions that had been promised to their cities. Rasha and Ir were to secure their war giants with offerings during this new moon. Kinna had already utilized his Nephilim champion to terrorize the region.
Seth was satisfied. They had found the high place; a lair should be nearby. Lesser Earthbound would have a retreat or den, but a Watcher Prince would probably dwell in a palatial structure when he chose to assume his physical form. Seth had one more question.
“How many children?” Seth asked.
The man was conflicted. He was sure Seth would discern if he attempted to lie. He was also convinced Seth might kill him if he told the truth. Tension began to mount when one of the younger soldiers suddenly held up three fingers, attempting to speak through his gag.
Seth stared at the three men, saying nothing. Fear and shame were evident on the soldier’s faces, unable to look at Seth; their eyes were fixed downward.
“What kind of god demands the blood of children?” Seth asked, making no effort to mask his disgust.
They left the soldiers bound and gagged. The hunters prepared to exit the springs and enter the valley path that the Kings would take to the high place. There was only one thing left to do.
Adam had instructed Dinak and Jathan to bury the bones from the high place near a grove of trees in a small valley adjacent to the Springs. After a short walk, Adam’s people arrived at the fresh grave.
Adam poured a few drops of Purification oil on the new graves. Afterward, he walked a few steps to a pile of stones.
“There’s been an earthquake or two, perhaps more since we were here. Stand there, and it may look more familiar...” Adam said to Seth, pointing to a cluster of rocks not far from the valley’s slope.
Seth changed his position, moving to the spot his father indicated. Seth nodded in recognition as he viewed the pile of stones. The trees had grown, but this was the place. The memorial stones were not quite so high as he remembered.
“Here I buried three of our daughters and three of my sons,” Adam said without emotion. “But I will see them again in the New City someday.”
Seth stared in silence. He could not allow himself to relive the pain of that loss. His own daughter Azura, named after her mother, buried there. His only consolation was that she died before defilement by the Fallen. His brothers Mizraim, Aram, and Machul all died fighting at the springs. Adam and Eve’s daughter Adah was taken, as was Mizraim’s daughter Millah. Both girls were buried here next to Azura.
Adam and his sons had pursued the kidnappers to the springs. As they fought Earthbound Fallen and Nephilim giants, they were introduced to a new horror the Watchers had devised. Monstrous mixtures of man and animal attacked them, ferocious creatures with the heads of goats and the bodies of men. The depravity of the Watchers had become even more diabolical, not content to mix the bloodlines of angel and man, they now engineered the mixing of animals with humanity. Adam viewed this as the ultimate defiance against the One God, a perverse attempt to take God’s place as creator.
Seth recalled watching Adam dig the graves as he lay nearby, almost unconscious from blood loss and unable to move. But Seth would never forget Adam’s will to survive. Though severely wounded, Adam alone killed the final giant and destroyed the High Place. Adam cut down their fertility poles, and in a feat of super-human strength, overturned the massive stone altar itself. Whatever could burn was
set afire.
Fever began to set in, and Seth drifted in and out of consciousness. But Seth had seen signs and wonders he knew were not the products of his fevered imagination. He had seen a figure in white garments at the edge of his vision many times over those fateful days as Adam fought to get them home. Seth heard the roars of horrific creatures that plagued him with nightmares for years afterward. Defending them against constant threats, Adam slept little over the several days’ journey. Seth’s last memory before waking up at home was the burning pain of being bathed in saltwater. It was Adam’s last desperate attempt to kill the infection in his many wounds.
Lost in his thoughts, Seth suddenly became conscious that the eyes of his sons were fixed upon him. All five of the younger men had heard pieces of the story before. But to stand at the graves of their family members touched the deepest, and most profound place within their souls. Anger, loss, regret, resolve – no single emotion could define the moment for them.
Loran tried to speak, but no words came forth. He looked at Adam and Seth with a new depth of understanding, desperate for them to know he grasped the significance of the moment.
“Fathers...” He voiced brokenly, it was all Loran could muster. His eyes spoke in ways he could find no words for. Lethan, his face stoic, nodded in agreement.
At that moment, Loran spoke for all the younger men. With that single word, Loran told Adam and Seth that they recognized the sacrifices they had endured for their people. At that moment, with a single word, he vowed to his fathers that the responsibility to protect their people was understood and would be held in sacred trust even after Adam and Seth were no longer with them.
When men have labored together, they can often say many things with few words. Adam and Seth looked at their men and nodded their heads, acknowledging the unspoken promise their young warriors had given them.
Enmity Page 21