Tablet of Destinies

by Traci Harding

  ‘No matter what, there is never ever just cause to hit a female.’ Zabeel gave the information to the fellow at close range and then let him go. He scrambled away.

  It’s Cordella. That figures … she’s the eldest of my Delphinus daughters, Dumuzi advised Zabeel on the quiet. If it’s a virgin you’re after, legend has it that you might be onto something there. Fancies herself as royalty that one … perhaps you are the Prince she’s been waiting for. The disguised Lord slipped into the crowd and disappeared.

  Cordella was in her early forties, and although Zabeel appeared only thirty years of age, inside he was seventy. To his old eyes, Cordella appeared little more than a girl. Her skin was the same pale colour as his own and her fingers had no webbing. Her hair was honey brown and straight like her father’s, but it was her eyes that were her most outstanding feature, for they were like deep-green emerald jewels.

  ‘Fireworks,’ mumbled Zabeel, a silly smile forming on his face as his heart began burning a hole in his chest.

  ‘You’re not one of my little brothers?’ she queried as she stood up.

  Little brother? thought Zabeel, still unaccustomed to his immortal persona. ‘I’m much older than I look,’ he assured.

  ‘Sure you are, sweet thing.’ She thought him flattering and chivalrous, and so gave him a kiss on the cheek for his assistance. ‘Thanks for coming to my rescue.’ She grabbed her bag and left the club.

  ‘Wait a second.’ Zabeel gave chase out into the corridor. ‘Aren’t we supposed to live happily ever after now?’

  Cordella gave a hearty laugh. ‘You do wonders for an old woman’s ego,’ she granted, without altering from her course.

  Zabeel continued his pursuit, frustrated. He’d not considered that being young and attractive would pose a problem in his hunt for a mate.

  ‘Aren’t you even the slightest bit interested in who I am?’ he appealed.

  ‘Actually,’ Cordella thought about it and then paused from her stride, ‘I am. Come on then,’ she gestured with her head to encourage him to catch her up. ‘You could walk with me a while.’

  Upon Maelgwn’s return to Kila, he found the Governor in the throes of organising labour, and the shipment of parts, for the construction of the satellites for Anu’s shield. Brian took time out to listen to Maelgwn’s update of affairs and they planned for a conference, to take place in the near future.

  The Devas had requested that all the Nefilim be brought together, along with the head of state of each tribe on each planet under Pantheon rule. The government of those planets needed to be organised as quickly as possible, for there would be many refugees who would wish to relocate themselves under the new allied rule. Government needed to be firmly set into place to assist with resettlement.

  ‘Lahmu must preside over this meeting,’ Maelgwn advised, ‘not I.’

  ‘I know.’ Brian forced a smile. He truly had assumed Maelgwn’s position and he knew now how it felt to carry the fate of nations on his shoulders. ‘Go home, bro,’ Brian suggested. ‘See your wife, take a break. The situation is under control … for the time being.’

  Miraculously, when Maelgwn joined his wife, she was alone, relaxing and forgetting all her troubles in their large hot tub. ‘Ahh … alone at last.’ He startled her with his presence and found himself covered in water.

  ‘Goddamn it!’ Tory stopped shovelling water when she recovered from the shock.

  ‘Well, I could use a wash.’ Maelgwn shook himself off, as this was not the reception he’d been hoping for.

  Tory knelt up in the large bath to entice him in. ‘So, what’s stopping you then?’

  Maelgwn looked around, as if expecting company. ‘Where’s the pirate?’

  ‘Seeking out my Falcon incarnation on Karleashian,’ she advised, winningly, and Maelgwn began to strip off. ‘I figured that Thais could probably use a few good warriors that were hip to his cause.’

  ‘I’ll wager you’re right.’ Maelgwn gazed upon Tory’s shapely, wet torso, laced with bubbles, savouring a vision he’d not had in a long time. ‘Do you know what this reminds me of? Gwynedd.’ He climbed into the tub to kneel before her and draw her warm, naked body close.

  ‘Mmmm …’ she concurred vaguely, absorbed in the pleasure of being pressed so close to him that every muscle in his abdomen made an impression upon her belly. The distant memory of other such encounters in the tower tub at Aberffraw sent her mind to the same heavenly space her body was occupying — for a moment.

  Her reminiscing about their hot tub in ancient Gwynedd caused her to recall being kidnapped from it, and thrown in Arwystli’s prison, where she’d happened upon Maelgwn’s dying brother, Caradoc. Caradoc’s chosen incarnation, Cadwaladr, had been the primary cause of the debacle at the time of the Gathering, having been influenced by the Nefilim Lord —

  ‘Shamash!’ both Tory and Maelgwn announced at once, as Maelgwn had been following her train of thought.

  ‘We forgot about him.’ Tory shuddered, as he was a nasty customer and had probably grown conceited in the fifty years he’d been banished to an otherworldly fortress on Gaia’s moon.

  ‘Ah, well, then,’ Maelgwn shrugged, unfazed by the oversight, ‘the universe won’t crumble if we forget him for another hour.’

  ‘Forget who?’ Tory returned her lips and her person to her husband’s amorous embrace.

  When Tory and Maelgwn reported to Brian to advise him of the Shamash oversight, they found the Devas in the Governor’s company, aiding him to transport large shipments of equipment over vast distances instantaneously.

  Oh, we didn’t forget Shamash, Father, Sacha informed with a glint in his eye.

  We just felt you needed time to recharge your batteries, Psyche added, grinning also.

  ‘Much appreciated,’ Maelgwn warranted, aiming a mischievous grin in Tory’s direction, a sentiment she returned.

  ‘You can’t take the Devas, I need them,’ Brian insisted. ‘They’re doing an excellent job in distribution.’

  ‘Any of our brothers and sisters from Edin can help you accomplish your task,’ Tory argued. ‘The judgement of Shamash is more important.’

  ‘But I’ve already nabbed everyone who’s on the planet and not otherwise occupied … and they’re not familiar with many of the destinations,’ Brian whined.

  ‘We don’t plan to be long,’ Maelgwn said briefly, vanishing with Tory and the Devas, who waved in parting.

  ‘Does the word authority mean anything to anyone in my family?’ Brian was left talking to himself.

  ‘Gov!’ Floyd spotted Brian and hurried over with a printout. ‘I thought you might find it interesting to know that DJ Nova has put out an SOS, calling everyone to help with this project. Many rebels and outlaws are returning from exile in deep space to aid with Lahmu’s construction.’

  Brian grabbed the missive and read it quickly. ‘Right, that proves it, it has to be Micah,’ he mumbled to himself, before glancing at Floyd. ‘Take over here, will you? I’ll be right back.’

  Governor, what a pleasant surprise. Micah greeted Brian warmly when he joined him in the private lounge of the Lord’s deep space vessel, currently stationed just beyond Kila’s atmosphere. To what do I owe this great honour?

  ‘How is it that DJ Nova knows of our construction already?’ Brian handed the Nefilim Lord the printout.

  Well, actually, I passed the information on, Micah confessed. I thought it would aid the cause, he explained.

  ‘It has.’ Brian tried not to sound annoyed. ‘But why did you withhold information from me, when you know I’ve been seeking the DJ?’

  DJ Nova has only been able to aid your cause because of anonymity. It is not important for you or anybody else to know —

  ‘Not important!’ Brian strongly disagreed. ‘We should be working together!’

  But you have been. Micah didn’t understand the problem. Has she — Micah suddenly clammed up.

  ‘Ah-huh!’ Brian’s eyes narrowed as he guessed the identity of the female th
at Micah was protecting. ‘Shala … of course.’ Brian hit himself in the head for being so stupid. ‘Can I meet with her? Is she on board?’

  Micah nodded, deciding it was time to introduce Lahmu to his phantom ally, for Shala had done a mighty job. Follow me, Governor.

  The large studio where Brian found himself was equivalent in technology, data storage and communications equipment to Floyd’s department back on Kila. ‘Holy shit.’ Brian was rather impressed with the arrangement as he watched Shala work. She was under a headset at present, screening incoming data and recording it for transmission — the Goddess appeared completely unaware of his presence.

  Word just in from Nibiru is that the Lord Nergal has officially freed all human slaves. Yes, you heard me right, trouble seekers. Rumour has it that our fearless leader overdosed on Orme and accidentally enlightened himself. Mmm mmm … I wish I could be a fly on the wall when Nergal’s little woman hears about that blunder. There is to be a general meeting on Kila of all the key officials from each planet and tribe. This meeting will be chaired by, wait for it … Lahmu himself. I’ll be sure and keep you all posted as further details come to hand. News from Numan now …

  Brian looked at Micah, horrified at what he heard. ‘You bugged my office, didn’t you?’ He knew the Lord must have, as Maelgwn and himself were the only ones who knew about the meeting.

  No, no. We bugged your weapons belt, before you left the Pantheon meeting on Nibiru.

  Brian’s jaw was dropping in amazement. ‘You sneaky …’ He shook his head, thankful it had been Micah who’d thought of this and not Nergal. ‘So, how long have you had this set-up?’ he asked, shaking off his alarm.

  Shala was doing this hundreds of years before the Gathering even took place, Micah informed Brian, sounding proud of her. Like me, she was unable to stand by and watch the senseless abuse of the human races in order for a handful of our kind to indulge themselves forever. This was Shala’s solution to the problem, her way of undermining the culprits and exposing them. The Pantheon have always been under the impression that we only conducted charity work from this vessel. Micah had a little chuckle. I suppose this could qualify as a community service.

  I’ve been waiting a long time to do an in-house interview with you, Lahmu. Shala drew their attention — the headset was now rested around her neck.

  ‘I’m your biggest fan,’ Brian responded, overawed by her devotion.

  Ditto, warrior, she said. Thanks to you, the great prophecy is now legend and all our hard work has not been wasted.

  ‘Aw, no. It is you two who’ve kept the prophecy alive and given the oppressed masses a glimmer of hope through the centuries. Without you two,’ Brian only realised it as he said it, ‘the fall of the Pantheon would not have been possible.’

  We all have our reason for being, Shala granted. Me … I had to prove to my relatives that the word is mightier than the sword.

  ‘And you have succeeded.’ Brian felt the praise was due. ‘I feel beholden to you, Shala, and to Micah. I wish there was some way I could repay your huge efforts on my behalf and on behalf of all mankind.’

  You can rule this galaxy fairly, Micah suggested. That is all the thanks we’ll ever need.

  ‘But there must be something?’ the Governor insisted.

  There is a favour you could do for me, Shala replied.

  ‘Anything.’ Brian spread his arms wide, appealing to her to ask away.

  Well … as this DJ is about to disappear into obscurity, never to be heard of again, she sounded very calm, considering the hundreds of years she’d spent in the hot seat, I was wondering if you would like to record an address to the listeners. I’ve been telling them about Lahmu for so long, that it would be a good finish to have Lahmu on my final transmission.

  The Governor saw this as the perfect opportunity to fill the masses in on what was truly going on. ‘DJ Nova,’ Brian smiled, pleased to accept her invitation. ‘That would be my very great honour … but, instead of just any old address, for your final broadcast why not give our supporters the address?’

  Are you talking about the speech you are preparing for the high court of the planetary chain, re the formation of your new intergalactic Senate, Lahmu?

  Brian nodded. ‘That I am … how better to show the masses that I have nothing to hide. I don’t want to show favouritism to those in power. All should be informed of what I have in mind, so that every individual can make an informed decision about their future.’

  Micah gasped and smiled at once. You mean to go live with your address?

  ‘Sure.’ Brian was keen on the idea. ‘DJ Nova can be the Master of Ceremonies and we’ll beam audio and visual to the four corners of the galaxy … what do you say?’

  I say … Shala smiled, deeply touched by Brian’s sentiment. Let’s do it!

  24

  HEARTS OF

  DARKNESS,

  SOULS OF LIGHT

  This was not the first time Tory and Maelgwn had been to the Otherworldly prison on Gaia’s moon. It had been Narnar who had been banished here on their last visit and they’d aided the Lord to redeem himself. Today, they were there in the hope of doing the same for Shamash.

  Tory stood staring up at the cold, bleak ziggurat, wondering where all the stony gargoyles that had once adorned the exterior had gone. Torches still burnt brightly up either side of the entrance stairs, although the bleak appearance of the ancient fortress did nothing to beckon hither. ‘Why do we always end up with these assignments?’

  ‘Because our life is being dictated by our children,’ Maelgwn stated, motioning back to Sacha and Psyche.

  ‘Any more excursions like this one and you two are definitely grounded.’ Tory played along with the banter as she scaled the stairs, eager to have the confrontation over, when suddenly she backed up. ‘Whoa!’

  ‘What is it?’ Maelgwn stopped still.

  Tory looked back to note that the Devas had not followed them up the stairs of the ziggurat. ‘There’s intense evil here … can’t you feel it?’

  Maelgwn shuddered suddenly as the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. ‘A cold, forbidding presence … aye, I feel it. And I’ve felt it before.’

  ‘No, it couldn’t be,’ Tory insisted, regretting that her recollections did not associate the presence with Shamash. The disgraced Nefilim God was a conniving tyrant, yes, but he’d never radiated such a foul energy as that which Tory perceived at present. There was only one entity with whom she was familiar whose aura alone was enough to make even a hardened immortal’s stomach churn. ‘It’s Mahaud,’ she whispered, mortified to be so sure about it. ‘How? I don’t know, but it’s her. In which case, we cannot risk the Devas being damaged by the presence of such a low-grade entity. Not if we ever want to see the twins again.’

  ‘We shall bring Shamash to you on Kila.’ Maelgwn turned back to the Devas to dismiss them at once.

  Sorry Father. Sacha was clearly disappointed that he could not assist. This place is fortified by energies with which we cannot get involved.

  We are stretching our endurance in the physical world as it is. The more sub-planes we descend, the more susceptible to low-grade stimuli we must become in order to endure. Psyche was beginning to fret.

  ‘Go quickly,’ Tory told them, in a mother’s tone. ‘And fear not, if your father and I could defeat this crone ninety years ago, we can sure as hell kick her butt now.’ She manifested a saxophone in her hand, as a tune her father, Myrddin, had taught her, had driven the crone away on a couple of occasions in the past.

  Once the Devas had departed, Tory winced at having made the claim so loud. ‘You don’t think she heard me, do you?’

  ‘It won’t matter if she did, she’s bound to be disturbed to see us.’ Maelgwn took hold of Tory’s hand and began to scale the stairs.

  Of course, they could have willed themselves directly to Shamash, but neither one of them was in much of a hurry to see the Lord, or his forbidding companion.

  Aya had undergone most o
f the trip back to Kila in stasis, as she was now required to do so as a mortal. Her father had been driving her insane with his preaching about goodness, repenting and selfless service to others, so Aya was rather grateful for some time away from him.

  ‘I would gladly rot in oblivion before I would serve a human being,’ she grumbled to herself. She was sitting alone in her recovery room, waiting for the drowsy aftereffects of the stasis sleep to wear off. ‘Unless, of course, that human was Lahmu.’ She grinned for the first time in her mortal life. ‘What I wouldn’t do to have him service me.’ She chuckled mischievously a moment, and then snarled, frustrated that she no longer had the power to pursue her desires.

  She pulled her cloak around her, feeling the temperature in the recovery room to be rather chilly. ‘Doesn’t this ship have heating!’ She thumped the wall so hard she hurt her hand. ‘I’ll bloody well freeze to death before we even get to Kila!’ Then Aya noticed the putrid smell. ‘What am I in, a garbage tanker?’ She hollered even louder. When her eyes began registering a shadowy patch of mist in the middle of the room, Aya’s first thought was that she was suffering some side-effect from stasis-sleep.

  As the mist grew darker and thicker it began to take the form of an ugly demon spirit, which remained only vaguely present.

  I have a gift for you — it spoke, whereby Aya nearly jumped out of her skin, she was so startled.

  ‘From whom?’ She composed herself and attempted to sound unperturbed and disinterested.

  Your ex understands your current situation better than any, and despite your differences in the past, my Lord Shamash cannot bear to see his kindred belittled so.

  ‘So what’s he going to do, give me back my immortality?’ she scoffed. Shamash had failed at everything he’d ever attempted — their marriage included.

  YES! the demon spirit emphasised. And in its darkest aspect. No more having to feel good after Orme injections until your naturally nasty deeds make things normal. Now you can feel free to become the dark and debauched being you always aspired to be, without fear of ever being cut off from your life source.