The Requiem Collection: The Book of Jubilees, More Anger than Sorrow & Calling Babel: Novel Set

by Eric Black

  Now, Juan was back in Ethiopia and he engaged his surroundings. In the distance, the palace of Debre Berhan rose from the dusty plain. It was there that they would find the Book of Jubilees.

  “Is that where we’re headed?” Diego asked.

  “Aye,” Juan answered. He looked up at the sky at the bright sun.

  They set out and Juan thought of the Emperor as they approached the palace. They had been young when they first met and would now both be old men. The palace guards saw them coming and as Juan and Diego drew near, they were met by five armed men. Juan had been greeted openly those many years ago but it seemed much had changed.

  At the palace gates, their swords were taken and they were met by the Emperor’s adviser. The five guards remained in the room as they met with the adviser who inquired of their purpose. Juan had not spoken the language in many years but was able to recall the words as he explained who he was.

  The adviser had been on the Leadership Council years ago and after a moment of silence, his face lit up in remembrance. The two men embraced before Juan introduced Diego. To their surprise, the adviser recognized the name Columbus.

  “How do you know my family name?” Diego asked.

  “I’ll show you.” The adviser dismissed the guards and motioned for Juan and Diego to follow. He led them down several hallways into the armory. There, a Portuguese cannon was among the weaponry.

  “We trade with the Portuguese. They speak of Columbus and the discovery of a New World.”

  “If this canon is Portuguese,” Juan remarked, “then you better be careful that the barrel does not split when fired.”

  The adviser was shocked. Juan kept his face straight for a moment before smiling. “Can’t trust the Portuguese.”

  The adviser laughed. “We have traded with them for many years. This is the first cannon we’ve acquired. This is what we’ll use when the Imam returns.”

  “The Imam?”

  “He has attacked our land many times. He hasn’t made it this far inland to the palace but someday he may. We’ll be ready for his attack.”

  The adviser turned his attention to more formal matters. “Would you like to meet with the Emperor?”

  “Aye, we would.”

  “Very well. I shall have you escorted to your rooms. Your personal affects will be returned. Tonight we’ll hold a feast in your honor and you shall meet with the Emperor.” The adviser assigned them servants to attend to any needs and then left them for other business.

  A few hours later, they were led down into the main hall. A curious aroma of roasted meat filled the air and Diego inquired as to the fare. “Zebra and gazelle, Ato Diego,” the servant answered. Both would be a first for Diego but not for Juan, although he had not had enjoyed either in quite some time.

  Juan surveyed the room and found he recognized several of the men. One of the men, Ras, caught Juan’s eye and motioned them to join him. Juan and Ras embraced and Ras kissed Juan three times on his cheeks. Diego was introduced and braced himself for the kisses but was offered a handshake instead.

  Diego listened Juan and Ras spoke. He was surprised to discover he could understand everything that was said, even though they spoke in a native dialect previously unknown to Diego.

  He listened as Juan spoke of lion hunts. Ras laughed and reminded Juan of the time they stumbled upon a pack of wild dogs while hunting. Juan’s leggings had been torn from his body climbing a tree to escape the dogs. Ras escaped into another tree and the two men waited for six hours until the wild dogs grew bored and moved on. Diego laughed and Juan regarded him curiously.

  Ras excused himself to speak with another tribal leader and after he left, Juan turned to Diego. “You can understand the language?”

  “Aye.”

  “I thought so. I can understand as well, although it has been many years since I spoke or heard the language.”

  Juan started to comment further when his words were drowned in fanfare. Drums echoed and they watched as the Emperor of the Ethiopian Empire was introduced. Juan joined the Emperor and was cheerfully reunited.

  Dinner was announced and the servants brought forth a basin and an earthenware jug. Diego followed Juan’s lead in holding out his hands to be rinsed by the water in the jug.

  Afterwards, the food was brought to the tables and Diego was stunned by what happened next. He was not sure how to react.

  Ras returned to the table and began feeding small bites of food directly to Juan. Using his hands! Diego would soon learn that this was known as gursa and was a sign of respect for guests. “Just keep your fingers out of my mouth,” Diego warned Juan.

  When the meal was completed, the servants came forward and placed pillows on the floor in front of the tables. Juan and Diego were escorted to the pillows. “Now what?” Diego asked.

  “Coffee,” Juan replied. “My friend, you are in for a treat.”

  Frankincense was lit and several boys came forward. They washed themselves and then placed objects over the large fire of the room. Juan explained that they were roasting the coffee beans and the scent of the beans with the frankincense was strangely intoxicating.

  When the beans were ready, they were ground and small cups were brought forward to each guest. In the bottom of each cup was sugar, something that interested Diego. The ground coffee was placed in boiling water and brought forward to fill the small cups, starting with the Emperor and then to the elders before reaching the guests.

  “You will receive three cups of coffee,” Juan instructed. “You must inhale the aroma of the coffee before sipping. The first serving is called awol, the second tona and the third baraka. Each time, the grounds are reused and so each serving is weaker than its predecessor. Remember to sip the coffee slowly. This is a lengthy ritual.”

  In the end, Diego found he enjoyed the ritual.

  When it was completed, Juan asked permission from the Emperor to explore the scrolls in his library. The Emperor was pleased by the request and honored that Juan would ask.

  Juan and Diego were escorted to the library and given full access to the documents.

  “What do you know of the Book of Jubilees that would help us narrow down our search?” Diego asked.

  “It was once part of the Jewish doctrine and was also a large portion of the teachings of the early Christian church,” Juan answered. “The Roman Emperor Constantine rejected the book during his reign and the contents of the book were lost to many Christians. The Ethiopian Empire consequently did not reject the book and it came to also be known as the Book of Division. The words within the book were given to Moses atop Mount Sinai.

  “The narrative tells of angels created on the first day of existence and from those angels, a group was dispelled for disobedience and afterwards called Fallen Angels.”

  “Similar to the story that Abuelo told us,” Diego commented.

  “Aye,” Juan said and continued. “The Fallen Angels produced offspring with mortal females to create a people of giants known as the Nephilim. Among the Nephilim was Rephaim, whose name was Hebrew for giant. Most of the Nephilim perished in the Great Flood but Rephaim and one hundred of the Nephilim survived.”

  “That’s quite a story,” Diego agreed. “But what does it have to do with killing Antonio?”

  “I’m not sure yet. Why don’t you keep guard while I read?”

  Diego agreed. It was late and the palace was dark; it was an easy opportunity for an ambush by those suspicious of Juan and Diego’s presence. Additionally, they were warned that attacks from the Imam often came at night and they should be prepared.

  Juan read the document long after the sun had risen on a new day. And as he read, he learned of a new kingdom that would be realized on earth. The kingdom would be made of men who had begun a transformation back to the original nature of man: man before leaving the garden. Through this transformation, all pain and sin would disappear from the hearts of men and the earth. Mankind would live in peace for one thousand years and then all would die and live for
ever as immortals in the spirit world.

  Juan looked up after reading of immortality. Could this be what the Nephilim seek, to live immortally in the spirit world? They would be as angels again…or gods.”

  He looked up at Diego and explained what he had just read.

  “Does it say how we kill Antonio?”

  “Either I haven’t gotten there yet or I missed it.”

  “Keep looking. We have until dusk.” Diego glanced out the window at the sun that slowly climbed towards its noon position.

  Juan nodded and turned his attention back to the parchment. From his reading, he learned that Enoch was the first man initiated by the angels in the art of writing and therefore wrote down the history of the heavens and the stars and of the ages of mankind. Juan recalled from book of Hebrews that Enoch had not received death but had been transferred into the Kingdom of God. If Enoch has been given the secrets of creation and can somehow be accessed through the garden, the Nephilim can ascertain his secrets.

  He kept reading and knew time was growing short. The sun passed across the sky and Diego began pacing nervously.

  Finally, the sun drew towards the western horizon and they both knew it was time to depart. Diego took a deep breath and turned towards Juan. He opened his mouth to speak but as he did, Juan looked up.

  “You have it?” Diego asked.

  “Aye.”

  Diego exhaled relief. “Then let’s go.”

  Juan agreed. “Let’s go.”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Juan opened his eyes and saw open sky. The perfect blue firmament created a sense of peace with an ambience of birds in the background. I must be back in the garden.

  But then, the birdsong grew louder. Only seconds had passed but the birds ceased to be in the background and became ubiquitous. They were screaming.

  “Juan!”

  Juan rolled to his side as a sword blade pierced the ground where he had lain. The peacefulness of the prior moment passed and Juan drew his sword in a fluid motion as he rose to his feet. The moment his blade was drawn, he was forced to parry.

  Instinct took over. He saw lucidly and all his senses heightened. The cold fear of battle overtook him and then slowly melted with the heat of fury that had always allowed him fight perfunctorily during battle. The lust for death consumed him and all he could think of was spilling blood on the ground.

  He looked at the warrior in front him. The warrior was very tall and resembled a Man of Nod but there was a slight difference. Juan could not explain the difference but could feel it and he knew he was looking at a Nephilim.

  Juan slashed at the warrior’s exposed sword arm, hoping to wound the man enough to loosen his grip. As the blade neared, however, the man moved to his left and Juan only nicked the warrior’s bicep. But from that nick, the blood flowed and enticed Juan further.

  They fought for what seemed like ages but was in reality merely seconds. Suddenly, the warrior slipped on a ground slickened by blood. Juan took advantage and as the warrior fell forward, Juan angled his sword so the warrior impaled himself. The warrior’s weight caused him to slide down the sword until his stomach reached the cross guard on Juan’s sword. Juan kicked the man backwards and his sword was pulled free.

  Just as the blade released, the next warrior attacked. Juan could hear Diego behind him cursing the other warriors.

  Eduardo appeared from the periphery and Juan could see a Man of Nod and he were surrounded by four Nephilim. They were fighting well but were outnumbered and luck and skill had almost run their course.

  The Man of Nod raised his sword to thrust but as he did, one of the Nephilim came from behind, driving his sword through the Man of Nod’s neck. Juan watched the blade exit, nearly taking off his head. Eduardo remained to fend off four warriors.

  Juan gave a battle cry and ran towards Eduardo but it was too late. He watched helplessly as a sword pierced Eduardo’s chest. Juan continued to run, the rage at Eduardo’s death overtaking him.

  He was stopped cold when he saw that Eduardo did not fall. Juan looked on in disbelief. The blade had passed through Eduardo yet had not touched him. The Nephilim looked at each other in confusion. Eduardo, shocked to still be alive, took advantage of the uncertainty to slaughter two Nephilim with a slash and a thrust. The two warriors fell dead and Eduardo turned his attention to the two remaining warriors. Eduardo wasted no time in taking one of the warrior’s head.

  Juan watched the melee and was distracted. He didn’t recognize he was distracted until he felt the presence of someone behind him. He started to turn but it was too late. He watched as a blade appeared from his stomach.

  He braced himself for the pain that would follow but none came; neither did the blood or organs that usually spilled from such a wound. The blade was pulled free and Juan looked down at his stomach. There was no mark. We cannot die, Abuelo’s words echoed in his head.

  That recognition gave Juan new confidence. His rage returned and his fighting intensified. He killed every enemy he saw.

  As the two sides fought, one man stood aside from the battle. He did not fight and would not fight unless attacked. His purpose in the battle was much larger than the battle itself.

  He looked out over the field, past the Nephilim and the Men of Nod who slaughtered one another with spears and swords. Beyond the field of battle was a gateway: his destination. He had taken an oath to lead the Nephilim there.

  As he watched from the sideline, Antonio sighed deeply, regretting what must come next but beholden to it nonetheless. Patiently, he waited for the battle to end.

  The stench of death filled the air. Juan and Diego absorbed that smell as they did everything else that went with battle. The reek of spilled blood and organs was similar to a violin during an orchestra, working in association to create an ambiance of warfare:

  Juan took a warrior’s arm at the shoulder and then reversed his blade to take the man’s head as well.

  Diego slid his sword into a warrior’s back and the spine was cut in two. He twisted the sword, pulling it free from the warrior’s body and the warrior fell on the ground, dead at Diego’s feet.

  Slowly, death reached both sides until only a few men remained fighting. That was when Juan felt a hand on his arm and saw that it was Diego. He turned to where Diego pointed and saw Abuelo traded blows with another ageless man. Juan recognized that the man must be Rephaim.

  The remaining Men of Nod and Nephilim lowered their swords to observe their fighting leaders. Everyone knew the outcome of the conflict would determine the outcome of the battle. The two men were fully absorbed into one another – each man fighting for what would become of the world.

  Abuelo parried a thrust by Rephaim before twisting with his wrist and slashing a tight arc, catching Rephaim on his shoulder with the tip of his blade. Blood ran from Rephaim and his sword arm dropped. Abuelo rushed in and heaved his shoulder into Rephaim’s chest, knocking Rephaim backwards.

  Rephaim recovered and raised his sword. Abuelo mirrored and both men circled each other, looking for an opening. Rephaim stutter-stepped thinking he saw a weakness in Abuelo’s stance but quickly withdrew, realizing Abuelo was baiting him.

  The standoff continued for what seemed like an eternity. Abuelo watched intently, eyeing Rephaim.

  Then suddenly, as Rephaim walked near a fallen corpse, he slipped on a pool of the dead man’s blood. Abuelo rushed in.

  Each man present knew what would happen next – they had known since before the battle began. The observers watched as Rephaim smiled; he had only feigned the slip.

  Abuelo saw the miscalculation but his body weight drove him towards Rephaim’s leveled sword, which disappeared clean into Abuelo’s chest and reappeared dark red from his back.

  No one in audience moved or spoke as Abuelo drew his last breath.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  The time of the Men of Nod was at a conclusion. The time of the Nephilim now dawned. Their ancestors had been refused but now they would inherit what the
ir fathers could not. The Nephilim would become immortal and claim their place in eternity.

  Whatever was to come of humanity would no longer be in the hands of the Men of Nod. They dropped their swords and prepared for the end. Juan and his fellow Spaniards rushed forward but were restrained. The Nephilim responded swiftly, closing in and removing the head of each Man of Nod.

  Afterwards, Rephaim came forward holding the sword he had used to kill Abuelo. He stopped in front of Juan and smiled. Then, he nodded and from the remaining Nephilim came Miguel. Miguel’s eyes were filled with hatred and Diego knew he came for revenge.

  Diego was allowed to draw his sword. He had the advantage: he could not die but was sure that Miguel could.

  In the end, he decided not to use his sword. He let frustration be his weapon. Miguel stepped into his thrust and drove his sword into Diego’s body. The sword passed through Diego without detriment.

  Miguel stepped back confused (he had not seen that Diego couldn’t die). He struck again with the same result.

  As Juan watched, he wished that Miguel would turn his sword with the same aggression on Rephaim. After all, Juan was sure they had used him just as they had used Antonio.

  It was at that moment that the words from the Book of Jubilees came to him: And He sent His sword into their midst that each should slay his neighbor and they began to slay each other till they all fell by the sword and were destroyed from the earth.

  Miguel would be that sword.

  “The Nephilim used you,” Juan taunted. “The Nephilim seek to enter the garden. Antonio can open the gate for them and they know this. That’s why Antonio is here.” Juan motioned towards the man standing off in the distance. “You were only brought in to convince Antonio to come.

  “You see that we cannot die and yet the Nephilim let you fight us. They knew Diego will kill you. They want you gone.” He paused to let his words sink in.